SCHEDULE II - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - Parent Company Only (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	$ 1,068,113,000		$ 673,442,000		$ 1,134,514,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Other, net	52,796,000		108,525,000		52,246,000
Net cash used in operating activities	852,599,000		827,267,000		693,293,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Sales and redemptions of short-term investments	92,956,000		312,376,000		110,360,000
Other, net	(58,840,000)		(786,000)		995,000
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(250,007,000)		417,993,000		(219,538,000)
Cash flows from financing activities
Cash dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders (2)	(190,960,000)		(200,078,000)		(217,615,000)
Repurchase of common shares	(547,120,000)		(715,421,000)		(504,991,000)
Issuance of common shares, net of taxes paid	16,785,000		51,111,000		34,323,000
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	0		241,265,000		0
Redemption of preferred shares	0		(290,000,000)		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(735,560,000)		(865,930,000)		(688,283,000)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	(50,049,000)		(4,550,000)		(6,024,000)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(183,017,000)		374,780,000		(220,552,000)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	1,496,485,000		1,121,705,000		1,342,257,000
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	1,313,468,000		1,496,485,000		1,121,705,000
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	49,259,000		49,259,000		49,259,000
Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	1,054,974,000		664,008,000		1,134,514,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	(1,096,885,000)		(756,513,000)		(1,215,106,000)
Other, net	33,598,000		27,397,000		30,573,000
Net cash used in operating activities	(8,313,000)		(65,108,000)		(50,019,000)
Cash flows from investing activities
Advances to/from subsidiaries, net	(12,635,000)		666,444,000		190,017,000
Net issue of intercompany loans receivable and payable	2,500,000		14,473,000		132,797,000
Sales and redemptions of fixed maturities	0		0		184,516,000
Sales and redemptions of short-term investments	0		0		8,543,000
Dividends received from subsidiaries	0		0		200,000,000
Other, net	60,000		196,000		775,000
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(10,075,000)	[1]	681,113,000	[1]	716,648,000	[1]
Cash flows from financing activities
Cash dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders (2)	0	[2]	(103,311,000)	[2]	(217,615,000)	[2]
Repurchase of common shares	0	[2]	(546,617,000)	[2]	(504,991,000)	[2]
Issuance of common shares, net of taxes paid	16,785,000		51,111,000		34,323,000
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	0		241,265,000		0
Redemption of preferred shares	0		(290,000,000)		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	16,785,000		(647,552,000)		(688,283,000)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	688,000		2,461,000		297,000
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(915,000)		(29,086,000)		(21,357,000)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of year	1,286,000		30,372,000		51,729,000
Cash and cash equivalents—end of year	371,000		1,286,000		30,372,000
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	0		1,528,000		579,000
Non Cash Transactions [Abstract]
Non-cash dividends received from subsidiary	833,000,000		1,100,000,000		200,000,000
Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of common shares	(547,000,000)		(169,000,000)
Non Cash Transactions [Abstract]
Payment Of Dividends By Subsidiary On Behalf Of Parent	$ 191,000,000		$ 97,000,000

[1] The parent received non-cash dividends from its subsidiaries of $833 million, $1,100 million and $200 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which have been excluded from the Condensed Statements of Cash Flows—Parent Company Only.

[2] During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders of $191 million and $97 million, respectively, and the repurchase of common shares of $547 million and $169 million, respectively, were paid by a subsidiary on behalf of the parent and have been excluded from the Condensed Statements of Cash Flows—Parent Company Only.