CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting guidance for expected credit losses at January 1, 2020	Ordinary share capital	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings (deficit)	Retained earnings (deficit) Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting guidance for expected credit losses at January 1, 2020	Shareholders’ equity attributable to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd.	Shareholders’ equity attributable to Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting guidance for expected credit losses at January 1, 2020	Non-controlling interest in joint venture
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 477,772		$ 3,638	$ 499,726	$ (26,077)		$ 477,287		$ 485
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issue of Class A ordinary shares, net of forfeitures	41		41				41
Share-based compensation expense	2,190			2,190			2,190
Change in non-controlling interest in related party joint venture	(485)								(485)
Net income (loss)	21,220				21,220		21,220
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	500,738		3,679	501,916	(4,857)		500,738		0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018	477,772		3,638	499,726	(26,077)		477,287		485
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 477,183	$ (886)	3,699	503,547	(30,063)	$ (886)	477,183	$ (886)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member
Issue of Class A ordinary shares, net of forfeitures	$ 44		$ 44				44
Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares (in shares)			(116)
Repurchase of Class A ordinary shares	(7,772)			(7,656)			(7,772)
Share-based compensation expense	1,668			1,668			1,668
Net income (loss)	(40,333)				(40,333)		(40,333)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 429,904		$ 3,627	$ 497,559	$ (71,282)		$ 429,904		$ 0