v2.4.0.6
Fair Value Measurements (Quantitative Information Used As Level 3 Inputs) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Mar. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Net premiums written $ 436,813 $ 492,575  
Reserve for claims and claim expenses 1,755,783   1,879,377
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Assets, fair value 451,601    
Other assets and (liabilities). fair value 21,328    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow Valuation Technique [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Assets, fair value 17,813    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average or Actual [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Credit spread 2.40%    
Liquidity premium 1.00%    
Risk-free rate 0.10%    
Dividend rate 5.90%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate [Member] | Internal Valuation Model Valuation Technique [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Assets, fair value 10,254    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed maturity investments [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Assets, fair value 28,067    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private equity partnerships [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Assets, fair value 345,666    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private equity partnerships [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member] | Low [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Estimated performance (12.00%)    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private equity partnerships [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Estimated performance 120.00%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Private equity partnerships [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average or Actual [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Estimated performance 4.90%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior secured bank loan funds [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Assets, fair value 28,537    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior secured bank loan funds [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member] | Low [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Estimated performance 0.80%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior secured bank loan funds [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Estimated performance 2.10%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Senior secured bank loan funds [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average or Actual [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Estimated performance 1.30%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Hedge funds [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Assets, fair value 5,219    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Hedge funds [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member] | Low [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Estimated performance 0.00%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Hedge funds [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Estimated performance 0.00%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Hedge funds [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average or Actual [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Estimated performance 0.00%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Assets, fair value 402,206    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Assumed and ceded reinsurance contracts [Member] | Internal Valuation Model Valuation Technique [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Other assets and (liabilities). fair value 676    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Assumed and ceded reinsurance contracts [Member] | Internal Valuation Model Valuation Technique [Member] | Low [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Net premiums written 0    
Contract period       
Reserve for claims and claim expenses 0    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Assumed and ceded reinsurance contracts [Member] | Internal Valuation Model Valuation Technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Net premiums written 0    
Contract period       
Reserve for claims and claim expenses 0    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Weather and energy related derivatives [Member] | Spread Option, Quanto, Black Scholes and Simulation Valuation Techniques [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Other assets and (liabilities). fair value 20,000    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Weather and energy related derivatives [Member] | Spread Option, Quanto, Black Scholes and Simulation Valuation Techniques [Member] | Low [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Correlation 0.00%    
Volatility 4.00%    
Commodity curve 3.83    
Weather curve 7    
Counterparty default risk 0.00%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Weather and energy related derivatives [Member] | Spread Option, Quanto, Black Scholes and Simulation Valuation Techniques [Member] | Maximum [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Correlation 100.00%    
Volatility 79.00%    
Commodity curve 93.26    
Weather curve 5,427    
Counterparty default risk 22.50%    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other [Member] | Internal Valuation Model Valuation Technique [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Other assets and (liabilities). fair value 625    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Assets, fair value 22,784    
Other assets and (liabilities). fair value $ 22,784    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other [Member] | Net Asset Valuation Technique [Member] | Weighted Average or Actual [Member]
     
Fair Value Inputs, Assets and Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Line Items]      
Estimated performance 0.90%