CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 160,952	$ 148,471
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net realized investment losses (gains)	42,553	(10,620)
Net realized and unrealized gains on other investments	(30,935)	(16,759)
Amortization of fixed maturities	31,372	30,919
Other amortization and depreciation	6,581	15,889
Share-based compensation expense, net of cash payments	4,834us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation	8,700us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Changes in:
Accrued interest receivable	3,101	7,626
Reinsurance recoverable balances	(10,133)	18,305
Deferred acquisition costs	(149,947)	(178,170)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(6,926)	31,308
Reserve for loss and loss expenses	(127,224)	85,312
Unearned premiums	559,479	685,778
Insurance and reinsurance balances, net	(415,909)	(630,861)
Other items	(95,778)	(44,630)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(27,980)	151,268
Cash flows from investing activities:
Fixed maturities	(3,036,497)	(3,298,375)
Equity securities	(41,239)	(73,197)
Other investments	(21,418)	(19,850)
Short-term investments	(14,513)	(420,115)
Proceeds from the sale of:
Fixed maturities	2,823,044	3,092,006
Equity securities	522	73,694
Other investments	78,812	76,657
Short-term investments	79,657	154,603
Proceeds from redemption of fixed maturities	280,864	279,815
Proceeds from redemption of short-term investments	4,632	14,548
Purchase of other assets	(4,647)	(19,152)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	14,369	(24,405)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	163,586	(163,771)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Sales of shares to noncontrolling interests	56,991	0
Return of capital to noncontrolling interests	(40,000)us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders	0us-gaap_PaymentsToMinorityShareholders
Dividends paid - common shares	(30,103)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	(29,562)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
Repurchase of common shares	(22,581)	(162,536)
Dividends paid - preferred shares	(10,022)	(10,022)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	2,863	2,266
Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes	0	494,344
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(42,852)	294,490
Effect of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash and cash equivalents	(17,988)	441
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	74,766	282,428
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	921,830	923,326
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	$ 996,596	$ 1,205,754

This item represents the difference between the gross realized gains and losses realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Additionally, this item would include any losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments in debt and equity securities, the change in fair value of investment-related derivatives not designated as hedges and any hedge ineffectiveness recognized in earnings in relation to investment portfolio-related fair value hedges.

No definition available.