Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014 - $6,352,737 and 2013 - $5,921,487)	$ 6,610,368	$ 6,022,473
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value (cost: 2014 - $291,070 and 2013 - $464,388)	296,352	517,466
Short-term investments, at cost (approximates fair value)	258,186us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments	178,753us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments
Total investments	7,164,906us-gaap_Investments	6,718,692us-gaap_Investments
Cash	102,093us-gaap_Cash	58,301us-gaap_Cash
Restricted cash and securities	119,010	125,777
Premium, claims and other receivables	553,027us-gaap_PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet	580,107us-gaap_PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet
Reinsurance recoverables	1,168,900us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables	1,277,257us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables
Ceded unearned premium	316,715us-gaap_PrepaidReinsurancePremiums	305,438us-gaap_PrepaidReinsurancePremiums
Ceded life and annuity benefits	48,499hcc_CededLifeAndAnnuityBenefits	56,491hcc_CededLifeAndAnnuityBenefits
Deferred policy acquisition costs	220,321us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts	201,698us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts
Goodwill	905,636us-gaap_Goodwill	895,200us-gaap_Goodwill
Other assets	115,239us-gaap_OtherAssets	125,559us-gaap_OtherAssets
Total assets	10,714,346us-gaap_Assets	10,344,520us-gaap_Assets
LIABILITIES
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable	3,728,085	3,902,132
Life and annuity policy benefits	48,499	56,491
Reinsurance, premium and claims payable	301,476hcc_ReinsurancePremiumAndClaimsPayable	332,985hcc_ReinsurancePremiumAndClaimsPayable
Unearned premium	1,198,930us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums	1,134,849us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums
Deferred ceding commissions	94,202hcc_DeferredCedingCommissions	89,528hcc_DeferredCedingCommissions
Notes payable	824,251us-gaap_NotesPayable	654,098us-gaap_NotesPayable
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	615,552	500,007
Total liabilities	6,810,995us-gaap_Liabilities	6,670,090us-gaap_Liabilities
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 250,000 shares authorized (shares issued: 2014 - 126,472 and 2013 - 125,577; outstanding: 2014 - 96,521 and 2013 - 100,336)	126,472us-gaap_CommonStockValue	125,577us-gaap_CommonStockValue
Additional paid-in capital	1,113,551	1,073,105
Retained earnings	3,441,424	3,085,501
Accumulated other comprehensive income	175,014	118,651
Treasury stock, at cost (shares: 2014 - 29,951 and 2013 - 25,241)	(953,110)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue	(728,404)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue
Total shareholders' equity	3,903,351us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	3,674,430us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 10,714,346	$ 10,344,520

The known and estimated amount recoverable related to certain life insurance policies as of the balance sheet date from reinsurers for claims paid or incurred by the ceding insurer and associated claims settlement expenses, including estimated amounts for claims incurred but not reported, and policy benefits, net of any related valuation allowance.

No definition available.