Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 102,253us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 51,498us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
Change in net unrealized gain (losses) on securities	7,836	33,834
Foreign currency transaction and translation adjustments	(1,838)	(966)
Defined pension benefit plan adjustment	1,443	717
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	7,441	33,585
Total comprehensive income	109,694	85,083
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(729)	(756)
Total comprehensive income attributable to American National	$ 110,423us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 85,839us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interests. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of appreciation (loss) in value of unsold available-for-sale securities. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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