Noncontrolling interests (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block]

The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the noncontrolling interests in Lorenz Re for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):

	For the nine months ended
	September 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
Balance at beginning of period	$	56,627		$	—
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,914			5,296
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(14,265		)	—
Sale of shares to noncontrolling interests	—			47,193
Balance at end of period	$	52,276		$	52,489