v2.4.0.8
SEGMENT INFORMATION (DETAILS) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2013
reportable_segment
Jun. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Information [Line Items]          
Number of reportable segments     2    
Net premiums earned $ 945,873 $ 850,603 $ 1,819,911 $ 1,696,968  
Other insurance related income 435 299 1,030 931  
Net losses and loss expenses (642,899) (467,637) (1,081,313) (978,328)  
Acquisition costs (169,719) (156,397) (315,209) (324,793)  
General and administrative expenses (149,034) (161,331) (290,508) (284,984)  
Net investment income 83,112 74,449 192,019 190,472  
Net realized investment gains 16,235 30,405 60,713 44,896  
Foreign exchange gains 10,320 36,162 45,201 15,715  
Interest expense and financing costs (15,260) (15,170) (31,095) (30,807)  
Income before income taxes 79,063 191,383 400,749 330,070  
Net loss and loss expense ratio 68.00% 55.00% 59.40% 57.70%  
Acquisition cost ratio 17.90% 18.40% 17.30% 19.10%  
General and administrative expense ratio 15.80% 18.90% 16.00% 16.80%  
Combined ratio 101.70% 92.30% 92.70% 93.60%  
Goodwill and intangible assets 91,370 98,203 91,370 98,203 97,493
Operating Segments [Member]
         
Segment Information [Line Items]          
Gross premiums written 1,219,805 1,014,375 2,966,287 2,539,545  
Net premiums written 993,407 801,575 2,563,846 2,168,762  
Net premiums earned 945,873 850,603 1,819,911 1,696,968  
Other insurance related income 435 299 1,030 931  
Net losses and loss expenses (642,899) (467,637) (1,081,313) (978,328)  
Acquisition costs (169,719) (156,397) (315,209) (324,793)  
General and administrative expenses (123,769) (107,129) (243,698) (212,347)  
Underwriting income (loss) 9,921 119,739 180,721 182,431  
Operating Segments [Member] | Insurance [Member]
         
Segment Information [Line Items]          
Gross premiums written 781,055 675,009 1,377,769 1,199,689  
Net premiums written 559,584 465,238 992,264 843,853  
Net premiums earned 422,345 386,580 824,224 776,837  
Other insurance related income 435 299 1,030 931  
Net losses and loss expenses (330,992) (225,900) (548,328) (467,623)  
Acquisition costs (58,749) (58,654) (116,009) (119,808)  
General and administrative expenses (88,526) (77,770) (175,415) (155,214)  
Underwriting income (loss) (55,487) 24,555 (14,498) 35,123  
Net loss and loss expense ratio 78.40% 58.40% 66.50% 60.20%  
Acquisition cost ratio 13.90% 15.20% 14.10% 15.40%  
General and administrative expense ratio 20.90% 20.10% 21.30% 20.00%  
Combined ratio 113.20% 93.70% 101.90% 95.60%  
Goodwill and intangible assets 91,370 98,203 91,370 98,203  
Operating Segments [Member] | Reinsurance [Member]
         
Segment Information [Line Items]          
Gross premiums written 438,750 339,366 1,588,518 1,339,856  
Net premiums written 433,823 336,337 1,571,582 1,324,909  
Net premiums earned 523,528 464,023 995,687 920,131  
Other insurance related income 0 0 0 0  
Net losses and loss expenses (311,907) (241,737) (532,985) (510,705)  
Acquisition costs (110,970) (97,743) (199,200) (204,985)  
General and administrative expenses (35,243) (29,359) (68,283) (57,133)  
Underwriting income (loss) 65,408 95,184 195,219 147,308  
Net loss and loss expense ratio 59.60% 52.10% 53.50% 55.50%  
Acquisition cost ratio 21.20% 21.10% 20.00% 22.30%  
General and administrative expense ratio 6.70% 6.30% 6.90% 6.20%  
Combined ratio 87.50% 79.50% 80.40% 84.00%  
Goodwill and intangible assets 0 0 0 0  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
         
Segment Information [Line Items]          
General and administrative expenses (25,265) (54,202) (46,810) (72,637)  
Significant Reconciling Items [Member]
         
Segment Information [Line Items]          
Net investment income 83,112 74,449 192,019 190,472  
Net realized investment gains 16,235 30,405 60,713 44,896  
Foreign exchange gains 10,320 36,162 45,201 15,715  
Interest expense and financing costs $ (15,260) $ (15,170) $ (31,095) $ (30,807)