Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, continuing operations	$ 290,137	$ (5,993)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, discontinued operations	0	(1,759)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	290,137	(7,752)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Fixed-Maturity Investments Available-for-sale	537,679	16,208
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Equity	74,868	145,550
Proceeds from Sale of Trading Securities Held-for-investment	178,227	13,566
Proceeds from Redemption of Fixed-Maturity Investments Available-for-sale	220,126	64,747
Proceeds from Redemption of Trading Securities Held-for-investment	106,589	169,991
Purchases of Fixed-Maturity Investments Available-for-sale	(1,419,431)	(1,006,985)
Purchases of Equity Securities Available-for-sale	(830)	(500)
Sales, Redemptions and (Purchases) of Short-term Investments	241,579	(160,874)
Sales, Redemptions and (Purchases) of Other assets and other invested assets, net	2,390	13,596
Proceeds from the sale of investment in affiliate, net of cash transferred	0	784,866
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(28,252)	(19,264)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(6,449)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities, continuing operations	(87,055)	14,452
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities, discontinued operations	0	4,999
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(87,055)	19,451
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(1,568)	(1,479)
Issuance of long-term debt, net	343,417	343,479
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	(445,069)	(128,486)
Proceeds from termination of capped calls	0	11,973
Issuance of common stock	343	0
Purchase of common shares	(100,188)	(202,000)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	115	3,000
Repayment of other borrowings	(292)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities, continuing operations	(203,242)	26,487
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities, discontinued operations	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(203,242)	26,487
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(382)	(42)
Increase (decrease) in cash	(542)	38,144
Cash, beginning of period	46,898	30,465
Less: Increase (decrease) in cash of business held for sale	0	(421)
Cash, end of period	$ 46,356	$ 69,030