Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2015 - $6,192,036 and 2014 - $6,352,737)	$ 6,452,444	$ 6,610,368
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value (cost: 2015 - $325,435 and 2014 - $291,070)	334,763	296,352
Short-term investments, at cost (approximates fair value)	325,154us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments	258,186us-gaap_ShortTermInvestments
Total investments	7,112,361us-gaap_Investments	7,164,906us-gaap_Investments
Cash	93,464us-gaap_Cash	102,093us-gaap_Cash
Restricted cash and securities	122,526	119,010
Premium, claims and other receivables	727,615us-gaap_PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet	553,027us-gaap_PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet
Reinsurance recoverables	1,176,141us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables	1,168,900us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables
Ceded unearned premium	332,646us-gaap_PrepaidReinsurancePremiums	316,715us-gaap_PrepaidReinsurancePremiums
Ceded life and annuity benefits	48,590hcc_CededLifeAndAnnuityBenefits	48,499hcc_CededLifeAndAnnuityBenefits
Deferred policy acquisition costs	236,661us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts	220,321us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts
Goodwill	949,351us-gaap_Goodwill	905,636us-gaap_Goodwill
Other assets	226,942us-gaap_OtherAssets	115,239us-gaap_OtherAssets
Total assets	11,026,297us-gaap_Assets	10,714,346us-gaap_Assets
LIABILITIES
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable	3,693,165	3,728,085
Life and annuity policy benefits	48,590	48,499
Reinsurance, premium and claims payable	434,198hcc_ReinsurancePremiumAndClaimsPayable	301,476hcc_ReinsurancePremiumAndClaimsPayable
Unearned premium	1,305,327us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums	1,198,930us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums
Deferred ceding commissions	101,169hcc_DeferredCedingCommissions	94,202hcc_DeferredCedingCommissions
Notes payable	889,290us-gaap_NotesPayable	824,251us-gaap_NotesPayable
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	621,131	615,552
Total liabilities	7,092,870us-gaap_Liabilities	6,810,995us-gaap_Liabilities
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 250,000 shares authorized (shares issued: 2015 - 126,794 and 2014 - 126,472; outstanding: 2015 - 95,868 and 2014 - 96,521)	126,794us-gaap_CommonStockValue	126,472us-gaap_CommonStockValue
Additional paid-in capital	1,115,796	1,113,551
Retained earnings	3,526,071	3,441,424
Accumulated other comprehensive income	172,262	175,014
Treasury stock, at cost (shares: 2015 - 30,926 and 2014 - 29,951)	(1,007,496)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue	(953,110)us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue
Total shareholders' equity	3,933,427us-gaap_StockholdersEquity	3,903,351us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 11,026,297	$ 10,714,346

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.