Fair Value (Details - Valuation Technique and Inputs) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	$ 13,349,772	$ 13,918,745
Equities	1,006,551	1,056,514
Other invested assets carried at fair value	131,128	111,476
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	424,689	472,593
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	523,870	599,646
Equities	41,682	40,134
Other invested assets carried at fair value	145,679	116,074
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	12,348	13,530
US states, territories and municipalities [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	$ 112,221	$ 149,728
US states, territories and municipalities [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	2.50%	2.20%
US states, territories and municipalities [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	11.50%	10.10%
US states, territories and municipalities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	7.20%	4.60%
Asset-backed securities - other [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	$ 411,649	$ 449,918
Asset-backed securities - other [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	4.00%	4.00%
Asset-backed securities - other [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	12.10%	12.10%
Asset-backed securities - other [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	7.60%	7.10%
Finance [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities	$ 14,570	$ 14,561
Finance [Member] | Profitability Analysis [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities	$ 6,394	$ 5,792
Finance [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	14.4	19.0
Tangible book value multiple	1.5	1.3
Liquidity discount	25.00%	25.00%
Comparable return	0.00%	7.30%
Finance [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Profitability Analysis [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Projected Return On Equity	14.00%	14.00%
Finance [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	14.4	19.0
Tangible book value multiple	1.5	1.3
Liquidity discount	25.00%	25.00%
Comparable return	0.00%	7.30%
Finance [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Profitability Analysis [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Projected Return On Equity	14.00%	14.00%
Finance [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	14.4	19.0
Tangible book value multiple	1.5	1.3
Liquidity discount	25.00%	25.00%
Comparable return	0.00%	7.30%
Finance [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Profitability Analysis [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Projected Return On Equity	14.00%	14.00%
Technology [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities	$ 9,215	$ 8,555
Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.7	10.2
Gross revenue/fair value	1.8	1.6
Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.7	10.2
Gross revenue/fair value	1.8	1.6
Technology [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.7	10.2
Gross revenue/fair value	1.8	1.6
Communications [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities	$ 2,580	$ 2,640
Communications [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	9.4	9.4
Comparable return	(2.20%)	(10.60%)
Communications [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	9.4	9.4
Comparable return	(2.20%)	(10.60%)
Communications [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	9.4	9.4
Comparable return	(2.20%)	(10.60%)
Total return swaps [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	$ (2,065)	$ (1,522)
Total return swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	4.00%	3.60%
Total return swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	21.70%	19.30%
Total return swaps [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	20.00%	16.30%
Notes and loan receivables [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	$ 12,599	$ 13,237
Notes and loan receivables [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.4	1.5
Notes and loan receivables [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.6	1.7
Notes and loan receivables [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.6	1.7
Notes and Loans Receivable 2 [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	$ 21,296	$ 8,068
Notes and Loans Receivable 2 [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.40%	12.60%
Notes and Loans Receivable 2 [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	13.40%	12.60%
Notes and Loans Receivable 2 [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	8.90%	12.60%
Notes securitization [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	$ 31,555	$ 23,512
Notes securitization [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	4.30%	3.50%
Notes securitization [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.70%	6.60%
Notes securitization [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.60%	6.40%
Annuities and residuals [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	$ 11,096	$ 13,243
Annuities and residuals [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	5.10%	4.90%
Prepayment speed	0.00%	0.00%
Constant default rate	0.30%	0.30%
Annuities and residuals [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	8.80%	9.60%
Prepayment speed	15.00%	15.00%
Constant default rate	17.50%	17.50%
Annuities and residuals [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	7.70%	7.80%
Prepayment speed	2.90%	4.30%
Constant default rate	5.00%	6.30%
Private Equity-Direct [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow And Weighted Market Comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	$ 9,552	$ 8,536
Private Equity-Direct [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow And Weighted Market Comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	9.6	9.0
Tangible book value multiple	2.1	2.0
Recoverability of intangible assets	0.000	0.000
Private Equity-Direct [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow And Weighted Market Comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	9.6	9.0
Tangible book value multiple	2.1	2.0
Recoverability of intangible assets	0.000	0.000
Private Equity-Direct [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow And Weighted Market Comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	9.6	9.0
Tangible book value multiple	2.1	2.0
Recoverability of intangible assets	0.000	0.000
Private equity funds [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	$ 26,704	$ 18,494
Private equity funds [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	(10.10%)	(7.60%)
Private equity funds [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	1.10%	11.00%
Private equity funds [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	(0.80%)	(1.60%)
Private Equity - Other [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	$ 35,287	$ 32,842
Private Equity - Other [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Effective Yield	5.80%	5.80%
Private Equity - Other [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Effective Yield	5.80%	5.80%
Private Equity - Other [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Effective Yield	5.80%	5.80%
Other invested assets [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	$ 12,348	$ 13,398
Other invested assets [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	(7.00%)	(15.40%)
Other invested assets [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	0.00%	0.00%
Other invested assets [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	(6.10%)	(14.50%)