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RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES (TABLES) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES [Abstract] |
COMPONENTS OF RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES [Table Text Block] |
Our reserve for losses and loss expenses comprise the following:
| As of December 31, |  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |
| Reserve for reported losses and loss expenses | $ | 3,019,372 |  | $ | 2,097,484 |
| Reserve for losses incurred but not reported |  | 5,405,673 |  |  | 4,934,891 |
| Reserve for losses and loss expenses | $ | 8,425,045 |  | $ | 7,032,375 |
RECONCILIATION OF BEGINNING AND ENDING GROSS UNPAID LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES [Table Text Block] |
The following table shows a reconciliation of our beginning and ending gross unpaid losses and loss expenses for the periods indicated:
| Year ended December 31, |  |  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |  |  | 2009 |
| Gross reserve for losses and loss expenses, beginning of period |  | $ | 7,032,375 |  | $ | 6,564,133 |  | $ | 6,244,783 |
| Less reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, beginning of period |  |  | (1,540,633) |  |  | (1,381,058) |  |  | (1,314,551) |
| Net reserve for losses and loss expenses, beginning of period |  |  | 5,491,742 |  |  | 5,183,075 |  |  | 4,930,232 |
| Net incurred losses and loss expenses related to: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Current year |  |  | 2,932,513 |  |  | 1,990,187 |  |  | 1,847,044 |
| Prior years |  |  | (257,461) |  |  | (313,055) |  |  | (423,172) |
|  |  |  | 2,675,052 |  |  | 1,677,132 |  |  | 1,423,872 |
| Net paid losses and loss expenses related to: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Current year |  |  | (509,075) |  |  | (300,293) |  |  | (271,011) |
| Prior years |  |  | (953,035) |  |  | (1,042,890) |  |  | (982,036) |
|  |  |  | (1,462,110) |  |  | (1,343,183) |  |  | (1,253,047) |
| Foreign exchange and other |  |  | (16,462) |  |  | (25,282) |  |  | 82,018 |
| Net reserve for losses and loss expenses, end of period |  |  | 6,688,222 |  |  | 5,491,742 |  |  | 5,183,075 |
| Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, end of period |  |  | 1,736,823 |  |  | 1,540,633 |  |  | 1,381,058 |
| Gross reserve for losses and loss expenses, end of period |  | $ | 8,425,045 |  | $ | 7,032,375 |  | $ | 6,564,133 |
NET PRIOR YEAR RESERVE DEVELOPMENT BY SEGMENT [Table Text Block] |
The following table summarizes net favorable reserve development by segment:
|  | Insurance |  | Reinsurance |  | Total |
| 2011 | $ | 103,014 |  | $ | 154,447 |  | $ | 257,461 |
| 2010 |  | 118,336 |  |  | 194,719 |  |  | 313,055 |
| 2009 |  | 210,861 |  |  | 212,311 |  |  | 423,172 |

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- Definition Schedule showing, by segment, the provision in the period for claims incurred in prior reporting periods and related claims settlement costs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Schedule showing the split of the liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expense between that related to reported claims and to incurred but not report (IBNR) claims. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Tabular disclosure of the activity in the reserve for settling insured claims and expenses incurred in the claims settlement process for the period. The estimated liability includes the amount of money that will be required for future payments of (a) claims that have been reported to the insurer, (b) claims related to insured events that have occurred but that have not been reported to the insurer as of the date the liability is estimated, and (c) claim adjustment expenses. Claim adjustment expenses include costs incurred in the claim settlement process such as legal fees; outside adjuster fees; and costs to record, process, and adjust claims. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 94-5 -Paragraph 11 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 + Details
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