Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNetAbstract
Reserves at beginning of period	$ 3,728,085	$ 3,902,132
Less reinsurance recoverables on reserves	1,070,463	1,122,731
Net reserves at beginning of period	2,657,622	2,779,401
Net reserve additions from acquired business	9,386
Net loss and loss adjustment expense:
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	365,162	330,746
Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments for claims occurring during:
Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments	(388,538)	(363,858)
Foreign currency adjustment	(32,951)	2,552
Net reserves at end of period	2,610,681	2,748,841
Plus reinsurance recoverables on reserves	1,082,484	1,098,576
Reserves at end of period	$ 3,693,165	$ 3,847,417

The amount needed to reflect the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to casualty insurance insured events that have occurred on or before a particular date (ordinarily, the balance sheet date) and the amount needed to provide for the estimated ultimate cost required to investigate and settle claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before a particular date (ordinarily, the balance sheet date), whether or not reported to the insurer at that date.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 18

-Article 12

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a),(b),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

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- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in the cost of settling unpaid claims after deduction of reinsurance recoveries related to the acquisition of a business. Includes, but is not limited to, claims which have been incurred but not reported.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in the cost of settling unpaid claims after deduction of reinsurance recoveries related to foreign currency exchange rate changes. Includes, but is not limited to, claims which have been incurred but not reported.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Liability as of the balance sheet date for amounts representing estimated cost of settling unpaid claims under the terms of the underlying insurance policies, less estimated reinsurance recoveries on such claims. This includes an estimate for claims which have been incurred but not reported. Claim adjustment expenses represent the costs estimated to be incurred in the settlement of unpaid claims.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR)

-Number 403

-Paragraph 04

-Subparagraph b

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph a

-Article 7

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- Definition

Amount of payments to settle insured claims and pay costs incurred in the claims settlement process.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585

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- Definition

Amount, after effects of policies assumed or ceded, of expense related to the provision for policy benefits and costs incurred.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.5)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 5

-Article 7

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6480758&loc=d3e6811-158387

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- Definition

Amount after valuation allowance recoverable under reinsurance contracts for claims and claims adjustments.

+ References

+ Details

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