Funds Held - Directly Managed (Details - Investment Income) ([FundsHeldDirectlyManagedMember], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income	$ 37,919	$ 51,775	$ 17,766
[FixedMaturitiesMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income	31,542	46,200	10,956
[ShortTermInvestmentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income	1,906	1,607	287
[OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income	5,402	6,078	6,934
[InvestmentExpensesMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income	$ (931)	$ (2,110)	$ (411)