Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss) income	$ (69,599)	$ 787,996
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of net premium on investments	70,552	82,519
Amortization of intangible assets	20,303	21,007
Net realized and unrealized investment losses (gains)	273,107	(273,468)
Changes in:
Reinsurance balances, net	(703,147)	(565,187)
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, net of ceded premiums payable	53,086	32,421
Funds held by reinsured companies and funds held – directly managed	81,465	138,659
Deferred acquisition costs	(52,580)	(83,758)
Net tax assets and liabilities	(68,588)	(27,792)
Unpaid losses and loss expenses including life policy benefits	298,428	144,663
Unearned premiums	191,234	336,384
Other net changes in operating assets and liabilities	13,368	(10,207)
Net cash provided by operating activities	107,629	583,237
Cash flows from investing activities
Redemptions of fixed maturities	548,688	527,367
Sales and redemptions of short-term investments	50,497	70,750
Purchases of short-term investments	(126,756)	(95,168)
Other, net	(129,440)	(4,822)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	137,698	(2,579)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders	(142,705)	(144,004)
Repurchase of common shares	(71,376)	(374,557)
Reissuance of treasury shares and issuance of common shares, net of taxes paid	3,139	12,639
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(55,820)	(14,265)
Net cash used in financing activities	(266,762)	(520,187)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	(35,729)	(37,669)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(57,164)	22,802
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	1,313,468	1,496,485
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	1,256,304	1,519,287
Supplemental cash flow information:
Taxes paid	178,830	243,396
Interest paid	24,630	24,630
Fixed maturities [Member]
Sales of fixed maturities and sales of equities	6,097,135	6,227,896
Purchases of fixed maturities and purchases of equities	(6,258,905)	(6,990,492)
Equity Securities [Member]
Sales of fixed maturities and sales of equities	552,880	464,212
Purchases of fixed maturities and purchases of equities	$ (596,401)	$ (202,322)