2.2.0.25truefalse00200 - Statement - Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)truefalseIn Thousands, except Share datafalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse3/31/2011 USD ($) $AS_OF_Mar31_2011http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000911421instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse12/31/2010 USD ($) $AS_OF_Dec31_2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000911421instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0pre_BalanceSheetParentheticalDisclosureAssetsAbstractprefalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseBalance Sheet Parenthetical Disclosure Assets3false0pre_FixedMaturitiesTradingSecuritiesAmortizedCostprefalsedebitinstantFixed maturities, trading securities, amortized costfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1296867400012968674falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1239479700012394797falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFixed maturities, trading securities, amortized costNo authoritative reference available.falsefalseFixed maturities, trading securities, amortized cost4false0pre_ShortTermInvestmentsTradingSecuritiesAmortizedCostprefalsedebitinstantShort-term investments, trading securities, amortized costfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse8109400081094falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse4913200049132falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryShort-term investments, trading securities, amortized costNo authoritative reference available.falsefalseShort-term investments, trading securities, amortized cost5false0pre_EquitiesTradingSecuritiesCostprefalsedebitinstantEquities, trading securities, costfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse908144000908144falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse942745000942745falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryEquities, trading securities, costNo authoritative reference available.falsefalseEquities, trading securities, cost6false0pre_FundsHeldDirectlyManagedCostprefalsedebitinstantFunds held - directly managed, costfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse15063860001506386falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse17512760001751276falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryFunds held - directly managed, costNo authoritative reference available.falsefalseFunds held - directly managed, cost7true0pre_BalanceSheetParentheticalDisclosuresEquityAbstractprefalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseBalance Sheet Parenthetical Disclosures Equity8false0us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShareus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse11falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse11falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalFace amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 falsetrueCommon shares, par value9false0us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssuedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse8427117584271175falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse8403308984033089falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesTotal number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 falsefalseCommon shares, shares issued10false0pre_OtherAccumulatedComprehensiveIncomeLossTaxprefalsedebitinstantTax effect on Other Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss), including cumulative gains (losses) on qualifying hedges and...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse53950005395falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse48720004872falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryTax effect on Other Accumulated Comprehensive Income (Loss), including cumulative gains (losses) on qualifying hedges and minimum pension liability, but excluding currency translation adjustment.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseOther accumulated comprehensive loss, tax11false0us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse1683153416831534falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1404689514046895falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesNumber of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 falsefalseCommon shares held in treasury, shares12false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.partnerre.com/role/statementunauditedcondensedconsolidatedbalancesheetsparentheticals1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis} : Series C cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2011 and 2010, 11,600,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2011 and 2010, $290,000) 3/31/2011 USD ($) $AS_OF_Mar31_2011_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_SeriesCPreferredStockMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000911421instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSeries C cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2011 and 2010, 11,600,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2011 and 2010, $290,000)us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMemberus-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis} : Series C cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2011 and 2010, 11,600,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2011 and 2010, $290,000) 12/31/2010 USD ($) $AS_OF_Dec31_2010_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_SeriesCPreferredStockMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000911421instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSeries C cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2011 and 2010, 11,600,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2011 and 2010, $290,000)us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_SeriesCPreferredStockMemberus-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSeries C cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2011 and 2010, 11,600,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2011 and 2010, $290,000)14true0pre_BalanceSheetParentheticalDisclosuresEquityAbstractprefalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseBalance Sheet Parenthetical Disclosures Equity15false0us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShareus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse11falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse11falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalFace amount or stated value per share of nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer); generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 falsetruePreferred shares, par value16false0us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssuedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse1160000011600000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1160000011600000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesTotal number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) issued to shareholders (includes related preferred shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). May be all or portion of the number of preferred shares authorized. Excludes preferred shares that are classified as debt.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 falsefalsePreferred shares, shares issued17false0us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstandingus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse1160000011600000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1160000011600000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesAggregate share number for all nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) held by stockholders. Does not include preferred shares that have been repurchased.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 falsefalsePreferred shares, shares outstanding18false0pre_SeriesCPreferenceSharesAggregateLiquidationValueprefalsecreditinstantIn the event of liquidation of the Company, the holders of outstanding preferred shares would have preference over the common...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse290000000290000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse290000000290000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIn the event of liquidation of the Company, the holders of outstanding preferred shares would have preference over the common shareholders and would receive a distribution of $25.00 per share, or an aggregate value of $290 million, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseAggregate liquidation value, Series C19false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.partnerre.com/role/statementunauditedcondensedconsolidatedbalancesheetsparentheticals1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis} : Series D cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2011 and 2010, 9,200,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2011 and 2010, $230,000) 3/31/2011 USD ($) $AS_OF_Mar31_2011_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_SeriesDPreferredStockMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000911421instant2011-03-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSeries D cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2011 and 2010, 9,200,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2011 and 2010, $230,000)us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMemberus-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisexplicitMemberUSDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$6falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis} : Series D cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2011 and 2010, 9,200,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2011 and 2010, $230,000) 12/31/2010 USD ($) $AS_OF_Dec31_2010_us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis_SeriesDPreferredStockMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000911421instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseSeries D cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2011 and 2010, 9,200,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2011 and 2010, $230,000)us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_SeriesDPreferredStockMemberus-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisexplicitMemberSharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseSeries D cumulative preferred shares (par value $1.00, issued and outstanding: 2011 and 2010, 9,200,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2011 and 2010, $230,000)21true0pre_BalanceSheetParentheticalDisclosuresEquityAbstractprefalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseBalance Sheet Parenthetical Disclosures Equity22false0us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShareus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse11falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse11falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalFace amount or stated value per share of nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer); generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 falsetruePreferred shares, par value23false0us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssuedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse92000009200000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse92000009200000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesTotal number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) issued to shareholders (includes related preferred shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). May be all or portion of the number of preferred shares authorized. Excludes preferred shares that are classified as debt.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 falsefalsePreferred shares, shares issued24false0us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstandingus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1truefalsefalse92000009200000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse92000009200000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesAggregate share number for all nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) held by stockholders. Does not include preferred shares that have been repurchased.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 falsefalsePreferred shares, shares outstanding25false0pre_SeriesDPreferenceSharesAggregateLiquidationValueprefalsecreditinstantIn the event of liquidation of the Company, the holders of outstanding preferred shares would have preference over the common...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse230000000230000falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse230000000230000falsetruefalsefalsefalseMonetaryxbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryIn the event of liquidation of the Company, the holders of outstanding preferred shares would have preference over the common shareholders and would receive a distribution of $25.00 per share, or an aggregate value of $230 million, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseAggregate liquidation value, Series D222Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)ThousandsNoRoundingNoRoundingUnKnownfalsetrue