The amount by which the fair value of an investment is less than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 15C

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 34

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16383099&loc=d3e25351-111560

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 16B

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 15D

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-2/124-2

-Paragraph 22

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

Before tax amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) on a debt security, categorized as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity, recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to the parent entity.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on equity securities, OTTI related to credit losses on debt securities, and OTTI losses on debt securities when the entity intends to sell the securities or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this item includes OTTI losses recognized during the period on investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

+ References+ Details

Summary of Investments (Details 7) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)	$ 61	$ (10,005)	$ (16,747)
OTTI recognized in OCI	5,138	19,467	96,648
Credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)			66,286
Fixed maturities
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition	4,622	16,770	95,381
Bifurcated credit loss:
Beginning balance	186,999	181,611	115,325
Additions: Initial impairments - credit loss on securities not previously impaired	4,429	6,264	66,286
Reductions: Due to sales, maturities, or payoffs during the period	(23,640)	(876)
Ending balance	167,788	186,999	181,611
Fixed maturities \| Credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)	4,683	6,765	67,070
Fixed maturities \| Non-credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)			11,564
OTTI recognized in OCI	(61)	10,005	16,747
U.S. government direct obligations and U.S. agencies
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition			10,785
U.S. government direct obligations and U.S. agencies \| Credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)			750
U.S. government direct obligations and U.S. agencies \| Non-credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)			10,035
Corporate debt securities
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition	254	501	1,529
Corporate debt securities \| Credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)	254	501
Corporate debt securities \| Non-credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)			1,529
Asset-backed securities
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition	4,368	16,269	81,138
Asset-backed securities \| Credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)	4,429	6,264	64,896
Number of securities on which bifurcated credit loss is recognized	2	1
Asset-backed securities \| Credit related \| Ambac Financial Group, Inc.
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)			53,327
Asset-backed securities \| Credit related \| Financial Guaranty Insurance Company
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)			8,558
Asset-backed securities \| Non-credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in OCI	(61)	10,005	16,242
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition			1,895
Residential mortgage-backed securities \| Credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)			1,390
Residential mortgage-backed securities \| Non-credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in OCI			505
Collateralized debt obligations
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition			34
Collateralized debt obligations \| Credit related
Other-than-temporary impairment recognition
OTTI recognized in realized gains/(losses)			$ 34