Taxation (Details - Components of Tax Assets and Tax Liabilities) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred tax assets
Discounting of loss reserves and adjustment to life policy reserves	$ 61,712	$ 77,117
Foreign tax credit carryforwards	94,560	57,186
Tax loss carryforwards	28,663	35,384
Unearned premiums	23,319	23,230
Other deferred tax assets	49,545	32,431
Deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	257,799	225,348
Valuation allowance	(94,176)	(68,115)
Deferred tax assets	163,623	157,233
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred acquisition costs	48,759	54,718
Goodwill and other intangibles	85,185	93,416
Equalization reserves	55,715	77,383
Unrealized appreciation and timing differences on investments	23,240	85,873
Other deferred tax liabilities	54,715	51,385
Deferred tax liabilities	267,614	362,775
Net deferred tax liabilities	(103,991)	(205,542)
Components Of Net Tax Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Net tax assets	102,596	6,876
Net tax liabilities	(218,652)	(240,989)
Net tax liabilities	(116,056)	(234,113)
Net Tax Liabilities By Type [Abstract]
Net current tax assets	(11,773)
Net current tax liabilities		(9,739)
Net deferred tax liabilities	(103,991)	(205,542)
Net unrecognized tax benefit	(23,838)	(18,832)
Net tax liabilities	$ (116,056)	$ (234,113)