v2.4.0.6
Results of Operations of Business Segments (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Jun. 30, 2012
Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Gross written premium $ 637,438 $ 558,462 $ 1,239,125 $ 1,002,489
Net written premium 391,589 375,681 751,366 609,700
Change in unearned premium (57,595) (127,399) (103,348) (161,080)
Net earned premium 333,994 248,282 648,018 448,620
Ceding commission - primarily related party 44,550 35,414 90,824 71,098
Loss and loss adjustment expense (211,787) (170,008) (411,716) (298,704)
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (129,713) (89,580) (253,738) (170,814)
Operating Expenses (341,500) (259,588) (665,454) (469,518)
Underwriting income 37,044 24,108 73,388 50,200
Service and fee income 33,011 24,542 73,549 49,731
Investment income and realized gain (loss) 19,047 13,783 32,417 28,390
Other expenses (32,320) (18,564) (67,959) (38,760)
Interest expense (6,994) (4,334) (14,085) (8,088)
Foreign currency gain (2,455) 2,520 (2,034) 2,236
Gain on life settlement contracts 1,961 22,638 2,051 41,524
Provision for income taxes (11,742) (7,289) (22,919) (16,326)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary - related party 3,088 2,514 5,452 4,333
Non-controlling interest (282) (9,756) (416) (17,895)
Net income 40,358 50,162 79,444 95,345
Small Commercial Business
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Gross written premium 214,127 174,607 446,478 315,323
Net written premium 104,270 113,221 223,160 190,872
Change in unearned premium (10,702) (39,187) (37,264) (54,977)
Net earned premium 93,568 74,034 185,896 135,895
Ceding commission - primarily related party 15,458 13,570 32,590 31,895
Loss and loss adjustment expense (60,305) (49,927) (119,529) (86,690)
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (42,165) (31,653) (85,095) (66,409)
Operating Expenses (102,470) (81,580) (204,624) (153,099)
Underwriting income 6,556 6,024 13,862 14,691
Service and fee income 10,545 5,177 25,980 10,418
Investment income and realized gain (loss) 6,759 7,059 12,252 12,809
Other expenses (10,742) (4,713) (24,865) (12,025)
Interest expense (2,343) (1,150) (5,153) (2,509)
Gain on life settlement contracts 714 6,045 751 12,882
Provision for income taxes (2,576) (2,066) (5,090) (4,727)
Non-controlling interest (100) (2,604) (153) (5,551)
Net income 8,813 13,772 17,584 25,988
Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Gross written premium 272,610 265,502 506,699 493,250
Net written premium 172,259 185,178 313,420 289,725
Change in unearned premium (30,652) (75,547) (36,240) (95,517)
Net earned premium 141,607 109,631 277,180 194,208
Ceding commission - primarily related party 16,174 13,787 33,368 26,686
Loss and loss adjustment expense (85,628) (70,053) (169,071) (133,477)
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (44,038) (31,658) (87,123) (58,306)
Operating Expenses (129,666) (107,711) (256,194) (191,783)
Underwriting income 28,115 15,707 54,354 29,111
Service and fee income 15,429 14,904 33,647 31,410
Investment income and realized gain (loss) 8,123 4,491 13,164 10,006
Other expenses (14,078) (10,488) (28,113) (19,509)
Interest expense (3,035) (2,394) (5,827) (4,071)
Foreign currency gain (2,455) 2,520 (2,034) 2,236
Gain on life settlement contracts 813 12,464 848 20,900
Provision for income taxes (7,379) (4,228) (14,726) (9,136)
Non-controlling interest (119) (5,372) (172) (9,007)
Net income 25,414 27,604 51,141 51,940
Specialty Program
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Gross written premium 121,878 93,354 226,516 143,330
Net written premium 86,237 52,283 155,354 78,517
Change in unearned premium (15,369) (12,145) (24,825) (7,609)
Net earned premium 70,868 40,138 130,529 70,908
Ceding commission - primarily related party 12,918 8,057 24,866 12,517
Loss and loss adjustment expense (47,826) (28,362) (88,020) (48,067)
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (34,985) (18,314) (64,924) (30,626)
Operating Expenses (82,811) (46,676) (152,944) (78,693)
Underwriting income 975 1,519 2,451 4,732
Service and fee income 10 1 19 5
Investment income and realized gain (loss) 3,475 1,902 5,808 4,505
Other expenses (6,062) (2,732) (12,167) (5,163)
Interest expense (1,307) (625) (2,522) (1,077)
Gain on life settlement contracts 352 3,259 367 5,532
Provision for income taxes 575 (335) 1,348 (1,113)
Non-controlling interest (51) (1,404) (74) (2,384)
Net income (2,033) 1,585 (4,770) 5,037
Personal Lines Reinsurance
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Gross written premium 28,823 24,999 59,432 50,586
Net written premium 28,823 24,999 59,432 50,586
Change in unearned premium (872) (520) (5,019) (2,977)
Net earned premium 27,951 24,479 54,413 47,609
Loss and loss adjustment expense (18,028) (15,666) (35,096) (30,470)
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (8,525) (7,955) (16,596) (15,473)
Operating Expenses (26,553) (23,621) (51,692) (45,943)
Underwriting income 1,398 858 2,721 1,666
Investment income and realized gain (loss) 690 331 1,193 1,070
Other expenses (1,438) (631) (2,814) (2,063)
Interest expense (309) (165) (583) (431)
Gain on life settlement contracts 82 870 85 2,210
Provision for income taxes (95) (143) (135) (320)
Non-controlling interest (12) (376) (17) (953)
Net income 316 744 450 1,179
Corporate and Other
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Service and fee income 7,027 4,460 13,903 7,898
Provision for income taxes (2,267) (517) (4,316) (1,030)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary - related party 3,088 2,514 5,452 4,333
Net income $ 7,848 $ 6,457 $ 15,039 $ 11,201