Funds Held - Directly Managed (Details - Investment Income) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income	$ 114,000	$ 122,000	$ 125,000	$ 124,000	$ 136,000	$ 135,000	$ 153,000	$ 147,000	$ 484,367	$ 571,338	$ 629,148
Funds held directly managed [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income									20,502	29,031	37,919
Funds held directly managed [Member] | Fixed maturities [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income									18,804	27,760	31,542
Funds held directly managed [Member] | Short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income									1,246	1,046	1,906
Funds held directly managed [Member] | Other invested assets funds held directly managed [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income									1,287	1,647	5,402
Funds held directly managed [Member] | Investment Expenses [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income									$ (835)	$ (1,422)	$ (931)