Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Available-for-sale securities at fair value:
Equity securities (cost: 2015 - $2,740,984; 2014 - $2,366,035)	$ 3,005,908	$ 2,815,484
Debt securities (amortized cost: 2015 - $13,529,923; 2014 - $14,364,430)	13,605,963	14,598,641
Short-term investments	365,810	715,553
Marketable Securities, Total	16,977,681	18,129,678
Commercial mortgage loans	177,947
Other invested assets	676,811	705,665
Total investments	17,832,439	18,835,343
Cash	475,267	605,259
Accrued investment income	115,313	136,511
Premium balances receivable	752,103	683,848
Reinsurance recoverables	1,249,948	1,361,083
Ceded unearned premiums	190,368	184,435
Deferred acquisition costs	419,448	353,169
Property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	101,306	88,910
Goodwill	141,015	111,904
Intangible assets, net of amortization	212,790	133,378
Current taxes receivable	12,129	91,202
Net deferred tax assets	468,440	389,597
Other assets	875,767	514,797
Total assets	22,846,333	23,489,436
Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Stockholders' Equity
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	10,799,242	11,597,216
Unearned premiums	2,076,061	1,834,184
Senior Notes	1,390,340	1,767,125
Reinsurance payable	69,297	79,100
Other liabilities	930,967	729,767
Total liabilities	15,265,907	16,007,392
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	25,719	8,616
Common stock (shares authorized: 2015 and 2014 - 22,000,000; shares issued: 2015 and 2014 - 17,459,961)	17,460	17,460
Contributed capital	3,611,631	3,610,717
Accumulated other comprehensive income	116,273	353,584
Treasury stock, at cost (2015 -1,915,884 shares; 2014 - 1,405,638 shares)	(747,784)	(507,699)
Retained earnings	4,557,127	3,999,366
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Alleghany stockholders	7,554,707	7,473,428
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders' equity	$ 22,846,333	$ 23,489,436