Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Revenues
Gross premiums written	$ 1,082,205	$ 1,140,175	$ 2,639,766	$ 3,049,501
Net premiums written	1,056,467	1,112,735	2,526,887	2,896,899
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums	50,978	(8,104)	(354,853)	(638,489)
Net premiums earned	1,107,445	1,104,631	2,172,034	2,258,410
Net investment income	158,328	174,454	309,962	347,576
Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)	78,199	46,046	(34,000)	191,519
Other income	1,596	753	3,408	2,028
Total revenues	1,345,568	1,325,884	2,451,404	2,799,533
Expenses
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	814,523	704,631	2,421,740	1,716,967
Acquisition costs	229,251	244,144	437,100	464,251
Other operating expenses	113,694	160,151	217,991	288,286
Interest expense	12,214	12,803	24,514	19,935
Amortization of intangible assets	9,165	7,833	17,992	12,636
Net foreign exchange gains	(8,737)	(11,021)	(9,433)	(14,648)
Total expenses	1,170,110	1,118,541	3,109,904	2,487,427
Income (loss) before taxes and interest in (losses) earnings of equity investments	175,458	207,343	(658,500)	312,106
Income tax expense	50,085	17,762	23,828	45,316
Interest in (losses) earnings of equity investments	(1,188)	1,346	(443)	3,791
Net income (loss)	124,185	190,927	(682,771)	270,581
Preferred dividends	8,631	8,631	17,263	17,263
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	115,554	182,296	(700,034)	253,318
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income (loss)	124,185	190,927	(682,771)	270,581
Change in currency translation adjustment	6,303	(105,335)	44,084	(174,078)
Change in other accumulated comprehensive loss, net of tax	(1,920)	(1,321)	(2,155)	(5,254)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 128,568	$ 84,271	$ (640,842)	$ 91,249
Per share data
Basic net income (loss)	$ 1.71	$ 2.36	$ (10.32)	$ 3.19
Diluted net income (loss)	$ 1.69	$ 2.31	$ (10.32)	$ 3.13
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	67,628,052	77,365,445	67,811,366	79,519,198
Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding	68,442,300	78,796,431	67,811,366	81,050,662
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.60	$ 0.50	$ 1.15	$ 1.00