Earnings Per Share - Comparison of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Basic earnings per ordinary share:
Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited	$ 111,857	$ 49,042	$ 14,545	$ 44,847	$ 105,940	$ 26,429	$ 51,793	$ 29,587	$ 220,291	$ 213,749	$ 208,604
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - basic (shares)									19,252,072	18,409,069	16,523,369
Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited - basic (dollars per share)	$ 5.80	$ 2.55	$ 0.76	$ 2.33	$ 5.66	$ 1.38	$ 2.78	$ 1.79	$ 11.44	$ 11.61	$ 12.62
Diluted earnings per ordinary share:
Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited	$ 111,857	$ 49,042	$ 14,545	$ 44,847	$ 105,940	$ 26,429	$ 51,793	$ 29,587	$ 220,291	$ 213,749	$ 208,604
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - basic (shares)									19,252,072	18,409,069	16,523,369
Effect of dilutive securities:
Unvested shares (shares)									63,900	57,184	117,850
Restricted share unit (shares)									12,901	15,986	18,056
Warrants (shares)									78,883	58,957	44,167
Preferred shares (shares)									0	136,934	0
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - diluted (shares)									19,407,756	18,678,130	16,703,442
Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited - diluted (dollars per share)	$ 5.75	$ 2.53	$ 0.75	$ 2.32	$ 5.62	$ 1.37	$ 2.68	$ 1.77	$ 11.35	$ 11.44	$ 12.49