Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 01, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Registrant Name	Global Indemnity Ltd
Entity Central Index Key	0001494904
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-34809
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	E9
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-1304287
Entity Address, Address Line One	27 HOSPITAL ROAD
Entity Address, Address Line Two	GEORGE TOWN
Entity Address, City or Town	GRAND CAYMAN
Entity Address, Country	KY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	KY1-9008
City Area Code	345
Local Phone Number	949-0100
Ordinary Shares A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Ordinary Shares, Shares Outstanding		10,148,346
Title of each class	A Ordinary Shares
Trading Symbol	GBLI
Name of each exchange on which registered	NASDAQ
Ordinary Shares B
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Ordinary Shares, Shares Outstanding		4,133,366
7.75% Subordinated Notes due 2045
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of each class	7.75% Subordinated Notes due 2045
Trading Symbol	GBLIZ
Name of each exchange on which registered	NASDAQ
7.875% Subordinated Notes due 2047
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of each class	7.875% Subordinated Notes due 2047
Trading Symbol	GBLIL
Name of each exchange on which registered	NASDAQ