Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 159,543	$ 586,678
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of net premium on investments	50,606	54,783
Amortization of intangible assets	13,535	14,005
Net realized and unrealized investment losses (gains)	140,089	(307,888)
Changes in:
Reinsurance balances, net	(680,908)	(518,432)
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, net of ceded premiums payable	56,054	46,768
Funds held by reinsured companies and funds held – directly managed	67,763	115,224
Deferred acquisition costs	(90,494)	(105,900)
Net tax assets and liabilities	(42,360)	(55,879)
Unpaid losses and loss expenses including life policy benefits	193,289	(131,400)
Unearned premiums	412,972	550,308
Other net changes in operating assets and liabilities	(23,590)	(27,380)
Net cash provided by operating activities	256,499	220,887
Cash flows from investing activities
Redemptions of fixed maturities	366,356	338,238
Sales and redemptions of short-term investments	37,357	31,405
Purchases of short-term investments	(31,239)	(49,706)
Other, net	(73,378)	(17,980)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	171,449	(86,452)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders	(94,976)	(96,658)
Repurchase of common shares	(71,376)	(316,091)
Reissuance of treasury shares and issuance of common shares, net of taxes paid	(816)	6,156
Distribution of shares to noncontrolling interests	(55,820)	(14,266)
Net cash used in financing activities	(222,988)	(420,859)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	(25,431)	(1,841)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	179,529	(288,265)
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	1,313,468	1,496,485
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	1,492,997	1,208,220
Supplemental cash flow information:
Taxes paid	124,999	195,261
Interest paid	24,630	24,630
Fixed maturities [Member]
Sales of fixed maturities and sales of equities	4,199,011	4,276,812
Purchases of fixed maturities and purchases of equities	(4,363,623)	(4,683,829)
Equities [Member]
Sales of fixed maturities and sales of equities	497,082	122,296
Purchases of fixed maturities and purchases of equities	$ (460,117)	$ (103,688)