Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
REVENUES:
Premiums earned	$ 569,597	$ 523,521	$ 1,560,778	$ 1,461,549
Net investment income	83,446	68,828	215,869	227,433
Net realized capital gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities			(199)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)
Other net realized capital gains (losses)	(160)	208,426	121,103	533,758
Total net realized capital gains (losses)	(160)	208,426	120,904	533,758
Other income (expense)	(3,739)	5,012	(15,576)	5,095
Total revenues	649,144	805,787	1,881,975	2,227,835
CLAIMS AND EXPENSES:
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses	380,580	307,121	980,143	909,661
Commission, brokerage, taxes and fees	79,168	71,560	240,584	215,047
Other underwriting expenses	50,623	48,945	137,032	136,751
Corporate expenses	4,620	1,516	5,398	5,353
Interest, fee and bond issue cost amortization expense	12,292	7,466	28,539	38,010
Total claims and expenses	527,283	436,608	1,391,696	1,304,822
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE TAXES	121,861	369,179	490,279	923,013
Income tax expense (benefit)	21,720	125,426	145,498	308,347
NET INCOME (LOSS)	100,141	243,753	344,781	614,666
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax :
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ("URA(D)") on securities arising during the period	(26,221)	(7,102)	13,678	(91,289)
Less: reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net income (loss)	(696)	(1,124)	1,459	(2,640)
Total URA(D) on securities arising during the period	(26,917)	(8,226)	15,137	(93,929)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(7,472)	(5,839)	(8,587)	(13,064)
Benefit plan actuarial net gain (loss) for the period
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of net (gain) loss included in net income (loss)	825	1,470	2,366	4,161
Total benefit plan net gain (loss) for the period	825	1,470	2,366	4,161
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(33,564)	(12,595)	8,916	(102,832)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ 66,577	$ 231,158	$ 353,697	$ 511,834