SCHEDULE II - Condensed Statements of Operations - Parent Company Only (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues
Net investment income	$ 115,000	$ 118,000	$ 130,000	$ 117,000	$ 114,000	$ 122,000	$ 125,000	$ 124,000	$ 479,696	$ 484,367	$ 571,338
Net realized and unrealized investment gains	98,000	(34,000)	166,000	142,000	99,000	16,000	(299,000)	23,000	371,796	(160,735)	493,409
Total revenues	1,663,000	1,643,000	1,658,000	1,513,000	1,637,000	1,564,000	1,039,000	1,298,000	6,476,877	5,538,407	5,562,606
Expenses
Other expenses	123,000	108,000	107,000	111,000	131,000	108,000	145,000	116,000	449,688	500,466	411,374
Net foreign exchange (gains) losses	(7,000)	(8,000)	(2,000)	0	8,000	1,000	11,000	(2,000)	(18,201)	18,203	175
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	277,000	196,000	272,000	310,000	272,000	334,000	(175,000)	234,000	1,054,974	664,008	1,134,514
Preferred dividends	14,000	14,000	14,000	14,000	14,000	14,000	15,000	15,000	56,735	57,861	61,622
Loss on redemption of preferred shares	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9,000	0	9,135	0
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders	263,000	182,000	258,000	296,000	258,000	320,000	(190,000)	210,000	998,239	597,012	1,072,892
Comprehensive income
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	277,000	196,000	272,000	310,000	272,000	334,000	(175,000)	234,000	1,054,974	664,008	1,134,514
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax									(21,845)	(22,835)	23,241
Comprehensive income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.									1,033,129	641,173	1,157,755
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues
Net investment income									0	18	1,152
Interest income on intercompany loans									14,669	11,039	0
Net realized and unrealized investment gains									0	0	2,208
Total revenues									14,669	11,057	3,360
Expenses
Other expenses									58,076	91,800	82,137
Interest expense on intercompany loans									1,696	1,867	730
Net foreign exchange (gains) losses									(3,192)	9,895	1,085
Total expenses									56,580	103,562	83,952
Loss before equity in net income of subsidiaries									(41,911)	(92,505)	(80,592)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries									1,096,885	756,513	1,215,106
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.									1,054,974	664,008	1,134,514
Preferred dividends									56,735	57,861	61,622
Loss on redemption of preferred shares									0	9,135	0
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders									998,239	597,012	1,072,892
Comprehensive income
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.									1,054,974	664,008	1,134,514
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax									(21,845)	(22,835)	23,241
Comprehensive income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.									$ 1,033,129	$ 641,173	$ 1,157,755