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Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2011
Schedule of gross premiums written, net premiums earned and the net change in fair value of credit derivatives |  |  |  |
Gross Premiums Written | $ (27,873) | $ (208,074) | $ (120,467) | $ (368,285)
Net Premiums Earned | 103,042 | 99,271 | 197,992 | 191,070
Net Change in Fair Value of Credit Derivatives | (7,415) | 24,287 | (14,637) | 15,384
United States [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of gross premiums written, net premiums earned and the net change in fair value of credit derivatives |  |  |  |
Gross Premiums Written | (31,936) | (210,913) | (124,661) | (355,179)
Net Premiums Earned | 70,555 | 78,648 | 143,541 | 150,129
Net Change in Fair Value of Credit Derivatives | (4,816) | 17,717 | (8,267) | 10,518
United Kingdom [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of gross premiums written, net premiums earned and the net change in fair value of credit derivatives |  |  |  |
Gross Premiums Written | 5,971 | 18,151 | 12,385 | 10,883
Net Premiums Earned | 25,551 | 11,853 | 40,592 | 22,786
Net Change in Fair Value of Credit Derivatives | (813) | 1,535 | (4,437) | 853
Other International [Member] |  |  |  |
Schedule of gross premiums written, net premiums earned and the net change in fair value of credit derivatives |  |  |  |
Gross Premiums Written | (1,908) | (15,312) | (8,191) | (23,989)
Net Premiums Earned | 6,936 | 8,770 | 13,859 | 18,155
Net Change in Fair Value of Credit Derivatives | $ (1,786) | $ 5,035 | $ (1,933) | $ 4,013

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- Definition Premiums written for direct and assumed insurance contracts. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Premiums earned on the income statement for all insurance and reinsurance contracts after subtracting any amounts ceded to another insurer and adding premiums assumed from other insurers. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 1 -Article 7 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 113 -Paragraph 27 -Subparagraph a, b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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