Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) $ 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
INCOME
Net premiums earned	$ 197,091	$ 231,051	$ 212,023	$ 198,906	$ 171,889	$ 195,987	$ 216,916	$ 61,658	$ 839,071	$ 646,450	$ 239,807
Fees and commission income	6,317	8,977	9,131	11,480	11,771	6,801	7,509	6,998	35,905	33,079	12,817
Net investment income	51,599	40,286	34,779	30,990	24,889	25,706	26,485	24,326	157,654	101,406	89,920
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)	(57,893)	(15,130)	(11,249)	43,020	7,971	(18,336)	38,411	34,573	(41,252)	62,619	70,651
Other income	20,519	2,883	11,714	2,903	6,499	2,278	7,164	22	38,019	15,963	3,375
Total income	217,633	268,067	256,398	287,299	223,019	212,436	296,485	127,577	1,029,397	859,517	416,570
EXPENSES
Net incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses	(64,062)	32,359	65,900	70,136	(56,085)	17,533	59,749	(12,051)	104,333	9,146	(163,672)
Life and annuity policy benefits	23,000	22,989	28,090	22,847	4,309	26,549	50,379	26,809	96,926	108,046	78,354
Acquisition costs	55,980	49,806	37,094	34,550	55,419	36,261	27,732	13,161	177,430	132,573	23,199
Salaries and benefits	72,685	55,440	52,691	57,772	69,624	54,525	55,683	31,390	238,588	211,222	124,616
General and administrative expenses	36,020	44,895	41,272	38,826	40,804	41,039	37,177	22,250	161,013	141,270	86,612
Interest expense	5,368	5,156	4,876	4,003	2,352	3,307	3,529	3,734	19,403	12,922	12,389
Net foreign exchange losses (gains)	7,005	(841)	2,452	(5,071)	(1,476)	6,365	(525)	1,596	3,545	5,960	(4,369)
Total expenses	135,996	209,804	232,375	223,063	114,947	185,579	233,724	86,889	801,238	621,139	157,129
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	81,637	58,263	24,023	64,236	108,072	26,857	62,761	40,688	228,159	238,378	259,441
INCOME TAXES	11,004	(12,262)	(5,816)	(10,744)	10,246	(5,660)	(8,452)	(7,276)	(17,818)	(11,142)	(35,619)
NET EARNINGS	92,641	46,001	18,207	53,492	118,318	21,197	54,309	33,412	210,341	227,236	223,822
Less: Net loss (earnings) attributable to noncontrolling interest	19,216	3,041	(3,662)	(8,645)	(12,378)	5,232	(2,516)	(3,825)	9,950	(13,487)	(15,218)
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
EARNINGS PER SHARE — BASIC
Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited shareholders (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
EARNINGS PER SHARE — DILUTED
Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited shareholders (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
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - basic (shares)									19,252,072	18,409,069	16,523,369
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding - diluted (shares)									19,407,756	18,678,130	16,703,442