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SEGMENT INFORMATION (DETAILS) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Sep. 30, 2011
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Jun. 30, 2011
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Mar. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Sep. 30, 2010
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Jun. 30, 2010
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Mar. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2009
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| Segment Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
| Number of reportable segments | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Gross premiums written | $ 4,096,153 | $ 3,750,536 | $ 3,587,295 | ||||||||
| Net premiums written | 3,419,434 | 3,147,540 | 2,816,429 | ||||||||
| Net premiums earned | 846,753 | 839,992 | 840,014 | 788,201 | 757,318 | 758,873 | 735,027 | 696,192 | 3,314,961 | 2,947,410 | 2,791,764 |
| Other insurance related income (loss) | 2,396 | 2,073 | (129,681) | ||||||||
| Net losses and loss expenses | (2,675,052) | (1,677,132) | (1,423,872) | ||||||||
| Acquisition costs | (587,469) | (488,712) | (420,495) | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | (382,062) | (374,436) | (293,081) | ||||||||
| Underwriting income (loss) | 15,076 | 90,029 | 28,974 | (461,305) | 132,546 | 127,376 | 120,836 | 28,446 | (327,226) | 409,203 | 524,635 |
| Corporate expenses | (77,089) | (75,449) | (77,076) | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 102,362 | 49,396 | 100,018 | 110,655 | 107,889 | 111,800 | 82,584 | 104,619 | 362,430 | 406,892 | 464,478 |
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | (3,738) | 57,557 | 37,477 | 30,144 | 77,772 | 76,531 | 24,619 | 16,176 | 121,439 | 195,098 | (311,584) |
| Foreign exchange (losses) gains | 44,582 | 15,535 | (28,561) | ||||||||
| Interest expense and financing costs | (62,598) | (55,876) | (32,031) | ||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 61,538 | 895,403 | 539,861 | ||||||||
| Net loss and loss expense ratio | 80.70% | 56.90% | 51.00% | ||||||||
| Acquisition cost ratio | 17.70% | 16.60% | 15.10% | ||||||||
| General and administrative expense ratio | 13.90% | 15.20% | 13.20% | ||||||||
| Combined ratio | 112.30% | 88.70% | 79.30% | ||||||||
| Goodwill and intangible assets | 99,590 | 103,231 | 99,590 | 103,231 | 91,505 | ||||||
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Insurance [Member]
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| Segment Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
| Gross premiums written | 2,121,829 | 1,916,116 | 1,775,590 | ||||||||
| Net premiums written | 1,466,134 | 1,332,220 | 1,025,061 | ||||||||
| Net premiums earned | 1,429,687 | 1,206,493 | 1,157,966 | ||||||||
| Other insurance related income (loss) | 2,396 | 2,073 | (130,946) | ||||||||
| Net losses and loss expenses | (919,319) | (569,869) | (612,694) | ||||||||
| Acquisition costs | (199,583) | (152,223) | (113,187) | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | (278,147) | (276,435) | (216,954) | ||||||||
| Underwriting income (loss) | 35,034 | 210,039 | 84,185 | ||||||||
| Net loss and loss expense ratio | 64.30% | 47.20% | 52.90% | ||||||||
| Acquisition cost ratio | 14.00% | 12.60% | 9.80% | ||||||||
| General and administrative expense ratio | 19.40% | 23.00% | 18.70% | ||||||||
| Combined ratio | 97.70% | 82.80% | 81.40% | ||||||||
| Goodwill and intangible assets | 99,590 | 103,231 | 99,590 | 103,231 | 91,505 | ||||||
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Reinsurance [Member]
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| Segment Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
| Gross premiums written | 1,974,324 | 1,834,420 | 1,811,705 | ||||||||
| Net premiums written | 1,953,300 | 1,815,320 | 1,791,368 | ||||||||
| Net premiums earned | 1,885,274 | 1,740,917 | 1,633,798 | ||||||||
| Other insurance related income (loss) | 0 | 0 | 1,265 | ||||||||
| Net losses and loss expenses | (1,755,733) | (1,107,263) | (811,178) | ||||||||
| Acquisition costs | (387,886) | (336,489) | (307,308) | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | (103,915) | (98,001) | (76,127) | ||||||||
| Underwriting income (loss) | (362,260) | 199,164 | 440,450 | ||||||||
| Net loss and loss expense ratio | 93.10% | 63.60% | 49.60% | ||||||||
| Acquisition cost ratio | 20.60% | 19.30% | 18.80% | ||||||||
| General and administrative expense ratio | 5.50% | 5.70% | 4.70% | ||||||||
| Combined ratio | 119.20% | 88.60% | 73.10% | ||||||||
| Goodwill and intangible assets | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
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Unallocated To Segment [Member]
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| Segment Information [Line Items] | |||||||||||
| Corporate expenses | (77,089) | (75,449) | (77,076) | ||||||||
| Net investment income | 362,430 | 406,892 | 464,478 | ||||||||
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | 121,439 | 195,098 | (311,584) | ||||||||
| Foreign exchange (losses) gains | 44,582 | 15,535 | (28,561) | ||||||||
| Interest expense and financing costs | $ (62,598) | $ (55,876) | $ (32,031) | ||||||||