Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Life settlement contracts, at fair market value | Minimum
Unobservable Input
Life expectancy	11 months	14 months
Life settlement contracts, at fair market value | Maximum
Unobservable Input
Life expectancy	247 months	250 months
Life settlement contracts, at fair market value | Weighted Avg
Unobservable Input
Life expectancy	145 months	148 months
Level 3
Quantitative information about fair value measurements
Fair Value of Assets	$ 4,065,987	$ 3,876,259
Fair Value of Liabilities	3,666,583	3,431,283
Level 3 | VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value
Quantitative information about fair value measurements
Fair Value of Liabilities	3,666,583	3,431,283
Level 3 | VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Minimum
Unobservable Input
Discount rate (as a percent)	0.58%	0.73%
Level 3 | VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Maximum
Unobservable Input
Discount rate (as a percent)	12.70%	12.70%
Level 3 | VIE long-term debt issued by securitization and permanent financing trusts, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Weighted Avg
Unobservable Input
Discount rate (as a percent)	3.69%	3.94%
Level 3 | VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value
Quantitative information about fair value measurements
Fair Value of Assets	4,060,132	3,870,649
Level 3 | VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Minimum
Unobservable Input
Discount rate (as a percent)	2.57%	2.79%
Level 3 | VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Maximum
Unobservable Input
Discount rate (as a percent)	12.81%	13.69%
Level 3 | VIE and other finance receivables, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Weighted Avg
Unobservable Input
Discount rate (as a percent)	4.01%	4.33%
Level 3 | Notes receivable, at fair market value
Quantitative information about fair value measurements
Fair Value of Assets	$ 5,855	$ 5,610
Level 3 | Notes receivable, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow
Unobservable Input
Discount rate (as a percent)	6.77%	7.85%
Level 3 | Notes receivable, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Weighted Avg
Unobservable Input
Discount rate (as a percent)	6.77%	7.85%
Level 3 | Life settlement contracts, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow
Unobservable Input
Discount rate (as a percent)	18.50%	18.50%
Level 3 | Life settlement contracts, at fair market value | Discounted cash flow | Weighted Avg
Unobservable Input
Discount rate (as a percent)	18.50%	18.50%