Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, continuing operations	$ 154,498	$ (66,804)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, discontinued operations	0	(1,759)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	154,498	(68,563)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Fixed-Maturity Investments Available-for-sale	306,575	3,621
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Equity	74,868	145,550
Proceeds from Sale of Trading Securities Held-for-investment	150,118	13,566
Proceeds from Redemption of Fixed-Maturity Investments Available-for-sale	137,909	25,179
Proceeds from Redemption of Trading Securities Held-for-investment	60,127	120,861
Purchases of Fixed-Maturity Investments Available-for-sale	(1,170,474)	(671,952)
Purchases of Equity Securities Available-for-sale	0	(500)
Sales, Redemptions and (Purchases) of Short-term Investments	276,292	(348,702)
Sales, Redemptions and (Purchases) of Other assets and other invested assets, net	1,157	965
Proceeds from the sale of investment in affiliate, net of cash transferred	0	784,866
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(16,626)	(10,654)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(6,449)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities, continuing operations	(180,054)	56,351
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities, discontinued operations	0	4,999
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(180,054)	61,350
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(1,033)	(958)
Issuance of long-term debt, net	343,549	344,260
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	(208,251)	(128,303)
Proceeds from termination of capped calls	0	11,973
Issuance of common stock	65	0
Purchase of common shares	(100,188)	(202,000)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	63	2,679
Repayment of other borrowings	(206)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities, continuing operations	33,999	27,651
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities, discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	33,999	27,651
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(279)	57
Increase (decrease) in cash	8,164	20,495
Cash, beginning of period	46,898	30,465
Less: Increase (decrease) in cash of business held for sale	0	(421)
Cash, end of period	$ 55,062	$ 51,381