CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues
Gross premiums written	$ 98,470	$ 110,607	$ 152,340	$ 162,560	$ 135,143	$ 115,154	$ 142,109	$ 175,125	$ 523,977	$ 567,531	$ 692,651
Gross premiums ceded	(90)	(4,035)	(23,141)	(21,401)	(30,252)	(15,456)	(27,237)	(29,843)	(48,667)	(102,788)	(56,587)
Net premiums written	98,380	106,572	129,199	141,159	104,891	99,698	114,872	145,282	475,310	464,743	636,064
Change in net unearned premium reserves	10,243	22,582	(8,758)	(15,797)	14,708	14,406	13,944	562	8,270	43,620	(10,060)
Net premiums earned	108,623	129,154	120,441	125,362	119,599	114,104	128,816	145,844	483,580	508,363	626,004
Income (loss) from investment in related party investment fund [net of related party expenses of $9,874, $3,100 and $0, respectively]	(5,714)	6,609	14,405	30,756	(50,548)	(10,025)	0	0	46,056	(60,573)	0
Net investment income (loss)	(3,054)	3,312	4,386	1,567	(5,810)	(70,851)	(40,656)	(145,216)	6,211	(262,533)	20,231
Other income (expense), net	1,007	(887)	1,117	1,069	(982)	(683)	(76)	(487)	2,306	(2,228)	(560)
Total revenues	100,862	138,188	140,349	158,754	62,259	32,545	88,084	141	538,153	183,029	645,675
Expenses
Net loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred	94,184	92,962	78,476	122,865	96,454	86,780	84,815	95,824	388,487	363,873	502,404
Acquisition costs	27,424	30,962	37,172	21,526	38,312	28,331	34,623	44,209	117,084	145,475	161,740
General and administrative expenses	7,338	7,725	7,919	6,840	5,123	7,136	6,958	5,956	29,822	25,173	26,356
Interest expense	1,579	1,578	1,562	1,544	1,578	927	0	0	6,263	2,505	0
Total expenses	130,525	133,227	125,129	152,775	141,467	123,174	126,396	145,989	541,656	537,026	690,500
Income (loss) before income tax	(29,663)	4,961	15,220	5,979					(3,503)	(353,997)	(44,825)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(683)	179	94	(73)	(1,780)	355	323	770	(483)	(332)	451
Net income (loss)					(80,988)	(90,274)	(37,989)	(145,078)	(3,986)	(354,329)	(44,374)
Loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest in related party joint venture					169	1,159	621	2,326	0	4,275	(578)
Net income (loss) attributable to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd.	$ (30,346)	$ 5,140	$ 15,314	$ 5,906	$ (80,819)	$ (89,115)	$ (37,368)	$ (142,752)	$ (3,986)	$ (350,054)	$ (44,952)
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.84)	$ 0.14	$ 0.42	$ 0.16	$ (2.25)	$ (2.48)	$ (1.01)	$ (3.85)	$ (0.11)	$ (9.74)	$ (1.21)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.84)	$ 0.14	$ 0.42	$ 0.16	$ (2.25)	$ (2.48)	$ (1.01)	$ (3.85)	$ (0.11)	$ (9.74)	$ (1.21)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the determination of earnings and loss per share
Basic (in shares)	36,121,023	36,841,623	36,100,665	35,972,665	35,952,472	35,952,472	36,952,472	37,087,169	36,079,419	35,951,659	37,002,260
Diluted (in shares)	36,121,023	36,921,490	36,829,963	36,364,358	35,952,472	35,952,472	36,952,472	37,087,169	36,079,419	35,951,659	37,002,260