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Income Taxes - Significant Portions of Deferred Tax Liabilities and Deferred Tax Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
--- | --- | ---
Deferred tax liabilities: |  |
Variable interest entities | $ 22,015 | $ 28,773
Deferred acquisition costs | 57,262 | 65,238
Unearned premiums and credit fees | 54,539 | 41,342
Other | 17,251 | 22,481
Total deferred tax liabilities | 151,067 | 157,834
Deferred tax assets: |  |
Unrealized losses & impairments on investments | 12,605 | 47,919
Net operating loss and capital carryforward | 2,857,926 | 2,751,802
Loss reserves | 522,502 | 514,150
Compensation | 7,184 | 6,693
Other | 5,687 | 6,672
Sub-total deferred tax assets | 3,405,904 | 3,327,236
Valuation allowance | 3,256,423 | 3,169,402
Total deferred tax assets | 149,481 | 157,384
Net deferred tax liability | $ (1,586) |

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