Related-Party Transactions (Premiums And Losses Ceded By The Company To Affiliate) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Bermuda Re [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums	$ 664,316		$ 567,033		$ 1,706,390		$ 1,553,615
Ceded earned premiums	598,641		507,308		1,613,741		1,437,109
Ceded losses and LAE	344,513	[1]	337,036	[1]	879,336	[1]	835,022	[1]
Everest International [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums	131		295		219		429
Ceded earned premiums	176		336		450		750
Ceded losses and LAE	(321)		(630)		1,823		(1,233)
Everest Canada [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Assumed written premiums	10,425		5,650		25,650		14,775
Assumed earned premiums	7,106		4,807		17,062		12,196
Assumed losses and LAE	4,104		4,536		10,487		8,810
Mt. Logan Re [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums	44,728		12,408		93,322		12,408
Ceded earned premiums	38,458		10,471		78,975		10,471
Ceded losses and LAE	3,113		1,805		17,904		1,805
Assumed written premiums	578		1,735		10,497		1,735
Assumed earned premiums	5,786		1,735		10,497		1,735
Assumed losses and LAE

[1] (a) Ceded losses and LAE include the Mt. McKinley loss portfolio transfer that constitutes losses ceded under retroactive reinsurance and therefore, in accordance with FASB guidance, a deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance is reflected in other expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).