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RESERVE FOR LOSSES AND LOSS EXPENSES - Incurred losses narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |  |  | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Apr. 01, 2017 | Feb. 13, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Oct. 02, 2017 | Mar. 20, 2017 | Mar. 19, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2014
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year net loss and loss expenses |  |  | $ 3,487,826 | $ 2,496,574 | $ 2,419,247 |  |  |  |
Reserve for losses and loss expenses |  |  | 12,997,553 | 9,697,827 | 9,646,285 |  |  |  | $ 9,596,797
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses |  |  | 3,338,840 | 2,334,922 |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange and other |  |  | (1,713,227) | 205,606 | 215,018 |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  | 200,054 | 292,377 | 243,048 |  |  |  |
Retroactive Reinsurance Recoverable |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange and other |  |  | 150,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Means Other than Sale |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expense |  | $ (223,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reduction in reinsurance recoverables on unpaid and paid loses by |  | $ 223,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Aviabel |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interests acquired | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reserves of businesses acquired | $ 79,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses | $ 5,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Novae |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interests acquired |  |  |  |  |  | 100.00% |  |  |
Reserve for losses and loss expenses |  |  | 2,126,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses |  |  | 788,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Reinsurance |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  | 151,085 | 236,472 | 219,601 |  |  |  |
Insurance |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  | 48,969 | 55,905 | 23,447 |  |  |  |
Short Tail Lines Insurance and Reinsurance Business |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  | 60,000 | 148,000 | 152,000 |  |  |  |
Professional Lines | Reinsurance |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  | 44,000 | 30,000 | 38,000 |  |  |  |
Professional Lines | Insurance |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  | 26,000 | 14,000 | (14,000) |  |  |  |
Credit and Surety |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  | 33,000 | 10,000 | 27,000 |  |  |  |
Credit and Political Risk |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  |  |  | (15,000) |  |  |  |
Motor Reserve Class |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  | 1,000 | 55,000 | 37,000 |  |  |  |
Short-Duration Contracts, Discounted Liabilities, Discount Rate |  |  |  |  |  |  | (0.75%) | 2.50% |
Liability Insurance Business | Reinsurance |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  | 43,000 | 44,000 | 46,000 |  |  |  |
Liability Insurance Business | Insurance |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net favorable (adverse) prior year reserve development |  |  | (8,000) | (8,000) | (27,000) |  |  |  |
Catastrophe and Weather-related Events |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Additional Information Related to Net Incurred Losses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Current year net loss and loss expenses |  |  | $ 835,000 | $ 204,000 | $ 100,000 |  |  |  |

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