SCHEDULE III - Supplementary Insurance Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Supplementary Insurance Information By Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$ 644,952		$ 568,391		$ 547,202
Gross Reserves	10,646,318		10,709,371		11,273,091
Unearned Premiums	1,723,767		1,534,625		1,448,841
Other Benefits Payable	1,974,133		1,813,244		1,645,662
Premium Revenue	5,198,210		4,485,939		4,647,754
Net Investment Income.	484,367	[1]	571,338	[1]	629,148	[1]
Losses Incurred	3,157,808		2,804,610		4,372,570
Amortization of DAC	1,077,628		936,909		938,361
Other Operating Expenses	500,466	[2]	411,374	[2]	434,846	[2]
Premiums Written	4,556,765		3,774,474		3,700,575
Non Life [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information By Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	434,109		363,174		339,010
Gross Reserves	10,646,318		10,709,371		11,273,091
Unearned Premiums	1,699,393		1,517,217		1,432,476
Other Benefits Payable	0		0		0
Premium Revenue	4,234,850		3,684,069		3,844,270
Losses Incurred	2,399,867		2,155,147		3,717,171
Amortization of DAC	952,570		820,464		820,747
Other Operating Expenses	258,997	[2]	257,256	[2]	283,450	[2]
Premiums Written	4,426,719		3,768,111		3,688,185
Life and Health [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information By Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	210,841		205,203		208,108
Gross Reserves	0		0		0
Unearned Premiums	24,337		17,267		15,316
Other Benefits Payable	1,974,133		1,813,244		1,645,662
Premium Revenue	957,146		794,598		792,148
Net Investment Income.	60,897	[1]	64,223	[1]	66,069	[1]
Losses Incurred	760,552		646,981		650,261
Amortization of DAC	124,631		115,887		116,884
Other Operating Expenses	71,092	[2]	52,352	[2]	52,905	[2]
Premiums Written	123,936
Corporate And Other [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information By Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	2		14		84
Gross Reserves	0		0		0
Unearned Premiums	37		141		1,049
Other Benefits Payable	0		0		0
Premium Revenue	6,214		7,272		11,336
Net Investment Income.	423,470	[1]	507,115	[1]	563,079	[1]
Losses Incurred	(2,611)		2,482		5,138
Amortization of DAC	427		558		730
Other Operating Expenses	170,377	[2]	101,766	[2]	98,491	[2]
Premiums Written	$ 6,110		$ 6,363		$ 12,390

[1] Because the Company does not manage its assets by segment, net investment income is not allocated to the Non-life segment of the reinsurance operations. However, because of the interest-sensitive nature of some of the Company’s Life products, net investment income is considered in Management’s assessment of the profitability of the Life and Heatlth segment.

[2] Other operating expenses are a component of underwriting result for the Non-life and Life and Health segments. Other operating expenses included in Corporate and Other represent corporate expenses and other operating expenses related to the Company’s principal finance transactions, insurance-linked securities and strategic investments.