Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Aug. 28, 2015 USD ($)	Oct. 25, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Contract	Jul. 16, 2015 Contract	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Contract	Feb. 28, 2014 USD ($)
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of policies owned (contracts) | Contract			634		607
Life insurance policies with aggregate death benefit			$ 2,997,903		$ 2,931,066
Life insurance estimated fair value			$ 457,810		$ 388,886
Sale of structured settlement business	$ 920	$ 12,000
8.50% Senior Unsecured Convertible Notes Due 2019
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Debt instrument issued						$ 70,700
Stated interest rate						8.50%
White Eagle | Revolving Credit Facility | Securities Pledged as Collateral
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of policies owned (contracts) | Contract			439
Life insurance policies with aggregate death benefit			$ 2,200,000
Life insurance estimated fair value			$ 327,400
Red Falcon Trust | Securities Pledged as Collateral
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of policies owned (contracts) | Contract			157
Life insurance policies with aggregate death benefit			$ 604,800
Life insurance estimated fair value			$ 117,400
Red Falcon Trust | Revolving Credit Facility
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of policies owned (contracts) | Contract				157
Red Falcon Trust | Revolving Credit Facility | Securities Pledged as Collateral
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of policies owned (contracts) | Contract			157
Life insurance policies with aggregate death benefit			$ 604,800
Life insurance estimated fair value			$ 117,400