CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings	$ 111,749	$ 42,136
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows used in operating activities:
Gain on bargain purchase		(13,105)
Net realized and unrealized investment (gains) losses	(42,825)	348
Net realized and unrealized gains from other investments	(12,528)	(7,331)
Other items	3,296	5,404
Depreciation and amortization	1,004	1,194
Amortization of premiums and discounts	23,017	16,717
Net movement of trading securities held on behalf of policyholders	15,529	(1,039)
Sales and maturities of trading securities	1,709,227	993,125
Purchases of trading securities	(2,008,346)	(1,535,777)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Reinsurance balances recoverable	543,427	88,289
Other assets	73,590	75,142
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	(645,516)	(210,735)
Reinsurance balances payable	(25,546)	(29,683)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(12,954)	(45,348)
Other liabilities	10,747	(62,877)
Net cash flows used in operating activities	(256,129)	(683,540)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(88,505)
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	296,537	332,560
Movement in restricted cash and cash equivalents	84,080	210,968
Funding of other investments	(182,671)	(25,703)
Redemption of bond funds	103	66,925
Other investing activities	(636)	(282)
Net cash flows provided by investing activities	197,413	495,963
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of shares		105,921
Distribution of capital to noncontrolling interest	(7,236)	(16,200)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(18,985)
Receipt of loans		274,150
Repayment of loans	(115,875)	(207,016)
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities	(142,096)	156,855
TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT	(5,307)	(5,855)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(206,119)	(36,577)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	850,474	799,154
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	644,355	762,577
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Net income taxes paid	22,093	59,700
Interest paid	$ 5,556	$ 6,359