XML 82 R41.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Components of Net Realized Investment Gains (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total net realized investment gains | $ 1,158 | $ 1,641 | $ 40,226 | $ 10,204
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Gross realized gains | 147 |  |  |
Gross realized losses | (1,339) |  | (13,552) |
Total net realized investment gains | (1,192) |  | (13,552) |
Fixed Maturities |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Gross realized gains | 262 | 105 | 2,651 | 779
Gross realized losses | (471) | (195) | (697) | (591)
Total net realized investment gains | (209) | (90) | 1,954 | 188
Common Shares |  |  |  |
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Gross realized gains | 2,559 | 2,383 | 52,434 | 12,396
Gross realized losses |  | (652) | (610) | (2,380)
Total net realized investment gains | $ 2,559 | $ 1,731 | $ 51,824 | $ 10,016

X
- Definition Marketable Securities Gross Realized Gain + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gbli_MarketableSecuritiesGrossRealizedGain
Namespace Prefix: | gbli_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Marketable Securities Gross Realized Losses + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | gbli_MarketableSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
Namespace Prefix: | gbli_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents the total realized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity. Additionally, this item would include any losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments in debt and equity securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27405-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_MarketableSecuritiesRealizedGainLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration