v2.4.0.6

SCHEDULE IV - SUPPLEMENTARY REINSURANCE INFORMATION (DETAILS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
SCHEDULE IV - SUPPLEMENTARY REINSURANCE INFORMATION [Abstract] |  |  |
Direct gross premium | $ 1,696,600 | $ 1,619,880 | $ 1,516,031
Ceded to other companies | 676,719 | 602,996 | 770,866
Assumed from other companies | 2,399,553 | 2,130,656 | 2,071,264
Net amount | $ 3,419,434 | $ 3,147,540 | $ 2,816,429
Percentage of amount assumed to net | 70.20% | 67.70% | 73.50%

X
- Definition Amount of premiums assumed from other companies. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 17 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 235 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6588446&loc=d3e574992-122915 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAmountAssumedFromOtherCompanies
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of premiums ceded to other companies. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 17 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 235 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6588446&loc=d3e574992-122915 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAmountCededToOtherCompanies
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Gross amount of premium revenue. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 17 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 235 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6588446&loc=d3e574992-122915 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentGrossAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Net amount of gross premiums, less premiums ceded to other companies, plus premiums assumed from other companies; which represents the net amount of premium revenue on the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 17 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 235 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6588446&loc=d3e574992-122915 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentNetAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentNetAmountAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of amount of premiums assumed from other companies to net amount of premiums. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 17 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 235 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6588446&loc=d3e574992-122915 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentPercentageOfAmountAssumedToNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration