Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 202,759	$ (187,500)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:
Equity in net (income) loss of affiliates	13	(1)
Change in:
Reserve for premium deficiency	466	(629)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(137,010)	(165,971)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of fixed-maturity investments available for sale	13,230	1,102
Proceeds from sales of trading securities	444,967	380,030
Proceeds from redemptions of fixed-maturity investments available for sale	1,540	2,035
Proceeds from redemptions of fixed-maturity investments held to maturity	300	255
Purchases of fixed-maturity investments available for sale	(103,506)	0
Purchases of trading securities	0	(232,538)
Purchases of short-term investments, net	(219,943)	(589,799)
Proceeds from Sale of Other Productive Assets	640	2,005
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(2,776)	(362)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	134,452	(437,272)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(433)	(334)
Proceeds/payments related to issuance or exchange of debt, net	0	381,165
Redemption of long-term debt	0	(79,372)
Issuance of common stock	0	299,542
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	89	50
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(344)	601,051
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	7	(29)
(Decrease) increase in cash	(2,895)	(2,221)
Cash, beginning of period	23,858	31,555
Cash, end of period	20,963	29,334
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income Taxes Paid, Net	1,508	(1,983)
Interest paid	$ 4,520	$ 3,630