SCHEDULE II CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT Condensed Statements of Income (Details) - 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
Net investment income (loss) [net of related party expenses of $0, $11,221 and $19,863, respectively]	$ (3,054)	$ 3,312	$ 4,386	$ 1,567	$ (5,810)	$ (70,851)	$ (40,656)	$ (145,216)	$ 6,211	$ (262,533)	$ 20,231
Total revenues	100,862	138,188	140,349	158,754	62,259	32,545	88,084	141	538,153	183,029	645,675
Expenses
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
Interest and Debt Expense									2,329	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
Net income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries					(79,208)	(90,629)	(38,312)	(145,848)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									700	(247)	0
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)
Parent Company
Revenues
Net investment income (loss) [net of related party expenses of $0, $11,221 and $19,863, respectively]									522	1,574	34,487
Total revenues									522	1,574	34,487
Expenses
General and administrative expenses									6,496	4,445	4,691
Interest expense									6,263	2,505	0
Interest and Debt Expense									2,329	2,505	0
Total expenses									12,759	6,950	4,691
Net income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									(12,237)	(5,376)	29,796
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									8,251	(344,678)	(74,748)
Net income (loss) attributable to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd.									$ (3,986)	$ (350,054)	$ (44,952)