Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Common shares, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common shares, shares issued	1	87,237,220
Preferred shares, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Number of preferred shares issued	34,150,000	34,150,000
Preferred shares, shares outstanding	34,150,000	34,150,000
Aggregate liquidation value	$ 853,750	$ 853,750
Common shares held in treasury, shares	0	39,303,068
Assets
Fixed maturities, amortized cost	$ 12,668,635	$ 13,313,819
Short-term investments, amortized cost	33,536	46,689
Equities, cost	326,909	418,428
Funds held - directly managed, cost	$ 572,550	$ 537,661
EXORS.p.A. [Member]
Common shares, par value	$ 1.00
Common shares, shares issued	1
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	100.00%