Platinum Underwriters (PTP) Inactive 10-Q24 Jul 142014 Q2 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 17, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS HOLDINGS LTD	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001171500	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	26,489,669
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments:	'	'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities at fair value (amortized cost - $1,815,446 and $1,799,888, respectively)	$1,921,917	$1,857,870
Fixed maturity trading securities at fair value (amortized cost - $99,220 and $97,959, respectively)	103,501	103,395
Short-term investments	42,144	66,679
Total investments	2,067,562	2,027,944
Cash and cash equivalents	1,361,730	1,464,418
Accrued investment income	20,593	20,026
Reinsurance premiums receivable	134,391	138,454
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses and loss adjustment expenses	1,799	1,057
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	2,639	1,032
Funds held by ceding companies	88,091	119,241
Deferred acquisition costs	33,019	31,103
Reinsurance deposit assets	82,164	79,303
Deferred tax assets	18,160	25,141
Other assets	14,568	16,166
Total assets	3,824,716	3,923,885
Liabilities	'	'
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	1,560,517	1,671,365
Unearned premiums	133,244	126,300
Debt obligations	250,000	250,000
Commissions payable	51,497	78,791
Other liabilities	51,589	50,722
Total liabilities	2,046,847	2,177,178
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Common shares, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 26,384,970 and 28,142,977 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	264	281
Additional paid-in capital	0	10,711
Accumulated other comprehensive income	91,351	48,084
Retained earnings	1,686,254	1,687,631
Total shareholders' equity	1,777,869	1,746,707
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$3,824,716	$3,923,885

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments:	'	'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	$1,815,446	$1,799,888
Fixed maturity trading securities, amortized cost	$99,220	$97,959
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Common shares, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common shares, authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common shares, issued (in shares)	26,384,970	28,142,977
Common shares, outstanding (in shares)	26,384,970	28,142,977

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	$124,825	$142,933	$251,098	$269,786
Net investment income (expense)	17,645	17,808	35,337	36,352
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-596	11,686	-1,111	25,004
Total other-than-temporary impairments	-19	-200	15	-614
Portion of impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income	-117	-1,316	-239	-1,323
Net impairment losses on investments	-136	-1,516	-224	-1,937
Other income (expense)	1,194	-315	2,711	1,077
Total revenue	142,932	170,596	287,811	330,282
Expenses:	'	'	'	'
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	50,865	62,667	77,374	76,665
Net acquisition expenses	27,848	30,313	55,349	60,532
Operating expenses	21,434	19,718	39,717	39,023
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	34	-859	-153	-1,079
Interest expense	4,788	4,780	9,574	9,559
Total expenses	104,969	116,619	181,861	184,700
Income (loss) before income taxes	37,963	53,977	105,950	145,582
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,783	4,123	6,035	9,212
Net income (loss)	36,180	49,854	99,915	136,370
Earnings (loss) per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$1.36	$1.63	$3.68	$4.32
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$1.34	$1.61	$3.63	$4.26
Shareholder dividends:	'	'	'	'
Common shareholder dividends declared	$2,112	$2,337	$4,321	$4,921
Dividends declared per common share	$0.08	$0.08	$0.16	$0.16

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	$36,180	$49,854	$99,915	$136,370
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:	'	'	'	'
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded	-19	-200	15	-614
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities	18,976	-64,027	48,306	-58,217
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses	18,957	-64,227	48,321	-58,831
Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:	'	'	'	'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-56	-12,968	-56	-27,243
Net impairment losses on investments	136	1,516	224	1,937
Total reclassifications to net income (loss)	80	-11,452	168	-25,306
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	19,037	-75,679	48,489	-84,137
Income tax (expense) benefit	-2,245	8,943	-5,222	10,814
Other comprehensive income (loss)	16,792	-66,736	43,267	-73,323
Comprehensive income (loss)	$52,972	($16,882)	$143,182	$63,047

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common shares [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common shares [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	'	$327	$209,897	$137,690	$1,546,620
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common shares	'	6	13,652	'	'
Amortization of share-based compensation	'	'	4,461	'	'
Repurchase of common shares	'	-40	-224,193	'	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-73,323	'	'	-73,323	'
Net income (loss)	136,370	'	'	'	136,370
Common share dividends	-4,921	'	'	'	-4,921
Balances at Jun. 30, 2013	1,746,546	293	3,817	64,367	1,678,069
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	1,746,707	281	10,711	48,084	1,687,631
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common shares	'	2	-1,221	'	'
Amortization of share-based compensation	'	'	4,280	'	'
Repurchase of common shares	'	-19	-13,770	'	-96,971
Other comprehensive income (loss)	43,267	'	'	43,267	'
Net income (loss)	99,915	'	'	'	99,915
Common share dividends	-4,321	'	'	'	-4,321
Balances at Jun. 30, 2014	$1,777,869	$264	$0	$91,351	$1,686,254

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$99,915	$136,370
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Net realized (gains) losses on investments	1,111	-25,004
Net impairment losses on investments	224	1,937
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	-153	-1,079
Amortization of share-based compensation	6,407	6,506
Other amortization and depreciation	5,243	4,552
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	1,759	2,291
Changes in:	'	'
Accrued investment income	-551	1,138
Reinsurance premiums receivable	4,153	-6,115
Funds held by ceding companies	31,008	-5,611
Deferred acquisition costs	-1,878	-2,143
Reinsurance deposit assets	-2,861	-26,255
Net unpaid and paid losses and loss adjustment expenses	-118,647	-144,198
Net unearned premiums	5,016	11,349
Commissions payable	-27,365	8,424
Other operating assets and liabilities	-1,962	-11,275
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,419	-49,113
Proceeds from the sales of:	'	'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	1,655	203,571
Short-term investments	6,613	11,857
Proceeds from maturities or paydowns of:	'	'
Fiixed maturity available-for-sale securities	68,297	93,075
Short-term investments	83,436	176,568
Acquisitions of:	'	'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	-90,026	-218,111
Short-term investments	-61,852	-97,705
Acquisitions of furniture, equipment and other assets	0	-3,805
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	8,123	165,450
Financing Activities:	'	'
Dividends paid to common shareholders	-4,321	-4,921
Repurchase of commons shares	-110,760	-224,233
Proceeds from share-based compensation, including income tax benefits	247	14,144
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-114,834	-215,010
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,604	-12,261
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-102,688	-110,934
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,464,418	1,720,395
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,361,730	1,609,461
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	3,919	15,264
Interest paid	$9,375	$9,375

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	Jun. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies	'
	1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
	Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum Holdings”) is a holding company domiciled in Bermuda. Through our reinsurance subsidiaries, we provide property and marine, casualty and finite risk reinsurance coverages, through reinsurance brokers, to a diverse clientele of insurers and select reinsurers on a worldwide basis.
	Platinum Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) include Platinum Holdings, Platinum Underwriters Bermuda, Ltd. (“Platinum Bermuda”), Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc. (“Platinum US”), Platinum Regency Holdings (“Platinum Regency”), Platinum Underwriters Finance, Inc. (“Platinum Finance”) and Platinum Administrative Services, Inc. The terms “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to the Company, unless the context otherwise indicates.
	We operate through two licensed reinsurance subsidiaries, Platinum Bermuda, a Bermuda reinsurance company, and Platinum US, a U.S. reinsurance company. Platinum Regency is an intermediate holding company based in Ireland and a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Holdings. Platinum Finance is an intermediate holding company based in the U.S. and a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Regency. Platinum Bermuda is a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Holdings and Platinum US is a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Finance. Platinum Administrative Services, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Finance that provides administrative support services to the Company.
	The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. All material inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in preparing these consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2014 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited and include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring items that management considers necessary for a fair presentation under U.S. GAAP. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. The major estimates used in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements, and therefore considered to be critical accounting estimates, include, but are not limited to, premiums written and earned, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”), valuation of investments and income taxes. In addition, estimates are used in our risk transfer analysis for assumed and ceded reinsurance transactions. Results of changes in estimates are reflected in results of operations in the period in which the change is made. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

Investments

Investments	6 Months Ended
Investments	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	2. Investments
	Fixed Maturity Available-for-sale Securities
	Our fixed maturity available-for-sale securities are U.S. dollar denominated securities. The following table sets forth our fixed maturity available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):

							Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
			Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Fair Value		Non-credit portion of OTTI(1)
	June 30, 2014:
	U.S. Government		$	49,432			$	172			$	-			$	49,604	$	-
	U.S. Government agencies			89,537				1,564				48				91,053		-
	Municipal bonds			1,185,314				85,957				1,214				1,270,057		-
	Non-U.S. governments			39,977				540				-				40,517		-
	Corporate bonds			215,951				12,232				465				227,718		-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			65,258				4,518				109				69,667		-
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			153,793				1,744				465				155,072		162
	Asset-backed securities			16,184				2,553				508				18,229		337
	Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		$	1,815,446			$	109,280			$	2,809			$	1,921,917	$	499

	December 31, 2013:
	U.S. Government		$	4,561			$	204			$	-			$	4,765	$	-
	U.S. Government agencies			51,847				-				725				51,122		-
	Municipal bonds			1,220,869				54,333				5,955				1,269,247		-
	Non-U.S. governments			39,973				541				-				40,514		-
	Corporate bonds			224,095				6,704				3,564				227,235		-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			72,641				4,982				132				77,491		-
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			169,699				1,335				1,069				169,965		331
	Asset-backed securities			16,203				1,657				329				17,531		305
	Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		$	1,799,888			$	69,756			$	11,774			$	1,857,870	$	636


	(1) The non-credit portion of other than temporary impairments ("OTTI") represents the amount of unrealized losses on impaired securities that were not recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as of the reporting date. These unrealized losses are included in gross unrealized losses as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Fixed Maturity Trading Securities
	Our fixed maturity trading securities are non-U.S. dollar denominated securities that, along with our non-U.S. dollar short-term trading investments and non-U.S. dollar cash and cash equivalents, are generally held for the purposes of hedging our net non-U.S. dollar denominated reinsurance liabilities.
	The following table sets forth the fair value of our fixed maturity trading securities as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):

			30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
	Non-U.S. governments		$	103,501			$	103,395
	Total fixed maturity trading securities		$	103,501			$	103,395

	Maturities
	The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of our fixed maturity available-for-sale and trading securities by stated maturity as of June 30, 2014 ($ in thousands):

			Amortized Cost				Fair Value
	Due in one year or less		$	58,890			$	59,718
	Due from one to five years			577,027				602,188
	Due from five to ten years			635,615				670,134
	Due in ten or more years			407,899				450,410
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities			235,235				242,968
	Total		$	1,914,666			$	2,025,418

	The actual maturities of our fixed maturity available-for-sale and trading securities could differ from stated maturities due to call or prepayment provisions.
	Short-term Investments
	We account for short-term investments as trading in accordance with the fair value option and include them in investing activities on the statements of cash flows. The following table sets forth the fair value of our short-term investments as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):

			30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
	Non-U.S. governments		$	42,144			$	66,679
	Total short-term investments		$	42,144			$	66,679

	Other-Than-Temporary Impairments

	We analyze the creditworthiness of our available-for-sale securities by reviewing various performance metrics of the issuer. We determined that none of our government bonds, government agencies, municipal bonds, corporate bonds or commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) were other-than-temporarily impaired for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	The following table sets forth the net impairment losses on investments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

			Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities		$	135			$	1,075			$	223			$	1,411
Sub-prime asset-backed securities			1				441				1				526
Net impairment losses on investments		$	136			$	1,516			$	224			$	1,937

Residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) include U.S. Government agency RMBS and non-agency RMBS. Securities with underlying sub-prime mortgages as collateral are included in asset-backed securities (“ABS”). We determined that none of our U.S. Government agency RMBS were other-than-temporarily impaired for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. We analyze our non-agency RMBS and sub-prime ABS on a periodic basis using default loss models based on the performance of the underlying loans. Performance metrics include delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, prepayment speeds and cumulative losses incurred. The expected losses for a mortgage pool are compared with the current level of credit support, which generally represents the point at which our security would experience losses. We evaluate projected cash flows as well as other factors in order to determine if a credit impairment has occurred. As of June 30, 2014, the single largest unrealized loss within our RMBS portfolio was $0.1 million related to a non-agency RMBS security with an amortized cost of $4.1 million. As of June 30, 2014, the single largest unrealized loss within our sub-prime ABS portfolio was $0.3 million related to a security with an amortized cost of $0.6 million.
The following table sets forth a summary of the cumulative credit losses recognized on our fixed maturity available-for-sale securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
Balance, beginning of period		$	30,415			$	36,562			$	31,603			$	40,219
Credit losses on securities previously impaired			136				1,516				224				1,937
Reduction for paydowns and securities sold			(2,093	)			(2,204	)			(3,132	)			(6,138	)
Reduction for increases in cash flows expected to be collected			(324	)			(112	)			(561	)			(256	)
Balance, end of period		$	28,134			$	35,762			$	28,134			$	35,762

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, total cumulative credit losses decreased primarily due to principal paydowns. As of June 30, 2014, total cumulative credit losses were related to CMBS, non-agency RMBS and sub-prime ABS. The cumulative credit loss we recorded on CMBS of $0.3 million was on one security issued in 2007. As of June 30, 2014, 1.8% of the mortgages backing this security were 90 days or more past due and 3.0% of the mortgages had incurred cumulative losses. The cumulative credit losses we recorded on non-agency RMBS and sub-prime ABS of $27.8 million were on sixteen securities issued from 2004 to 2007. As of June 30, 2014, 15.5% of the mortgages backing these securities were 90 days or more past due and 8.7% of the mortgages had incurred cumulative losses. For these securities, the expected losses for the underlying mortgages were greater than the remaining average credit support of 2.7%.
Gross Unrealized Losses
The following table sets forth our gross unrealized losses on securities classified as fixed maturity available-for-sale aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):


		30-Jun-14								31-Dec-13
		Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Fair Value				Unrealized Loss
Less than twelve months:
U.S. Government agencies		$	8,860			$	48			$	41,122			$	725
Municipal bonds			30,758				460				247,873				5,955
Corporate bonds			-				-				90,789				3,486
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			-				-				2,938				1
Residential mortgage-backed securities			65,022				83				35,910				172
Asset-backed securities			384				1				13,576				24
Total		$	105,024			$	592			$	432,208			$	10,363

Twelve months or more:
U.S. Government agencies		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
Municipal bonds			58,403				754				-				-
Corporate bonds			27,546				465				920				78
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			4,643				109				4,624				131
Residential mortgage-backed securities			21,804				382				10,587				897
Asset-backed securities			13,684				507				699				305
Total		$	126,080			$	2,217			$	16,830			$	1,411

Total unrealized losses:
U.S. Government agencies		$	8,860			$	48			$	41,122			$	725
Municipal bonds			89,161				1,214				247,873				5,955
Corporate bonds			27,546				465				91,709				3,564
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			4,643				109				7,562				132
Residential mortgage-backed securities			86,826				465				46,497				1,069
Asset-backed securities			14,068				508				14,275				329
Total		$	231,104			$	2,809			$	449,038			$	11,774

We believe that the gross unrealized losses in our fixed maturity available-for-sale securities portfolio of $2.8 million represent temporary declines in fair value. We believe that the unrealized losses are not necessarily predictive of ultimate performance and that the provisions we have made for net impairment losses are adequate. However, economic conditions may deteriorate more than expected and may adversely affect the expected cash flows of our securities, which in turn may lead to impairment losses being recorded in future periods. Conversely, economic conditions may improve more than expected and favorably increase the expected cash flows of our impaired securities, which would be earned through net investment income over the remaining life of the security.
Net Investment Income
The following table sets forth our net investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2014				2013				2014				2013
Fixed maturity securities	$	16,969			$	16,870			$	33,971			$	34,613
Short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents		771				1,175				1,502				2,223
Funds held by ceding companies		877				811				1,781				1,653
Subtotal		18,617				18,856				37,254				38,489
Investment expenses		(972	)			(1,048	)			(1,917	)			(2,137	)
Net investment income	$	17,645			$	17,808			$	35,337			$	36,352

Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments
The following table sets forth our net realized gains (losses) on investments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

	Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
	June 30,								June 30,
	2014				2013				2014				2013
Gross realized gains on the sale of investments	$	56			$	12,982			$	56			$	27,258
Gross realized losses on the sale of investments		-				(15	)			-				(15	)
Net realized gains on the sale of investments		56				12,967				56				27,243
Fair value adjustments on trading securities		(652	)			(1,281	)			(1,167	)			(2,239	)
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$	(596	)		$	11,686			$	(1,111	)		$	25,004

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair value measurements	'
	3. Fair Value Measurements
	The accounting guidance related to fair value measurements addresses the recognition and disclosure of fair value measurements where those measurements are either required or permitted by the guidance. The fair values of our financial assets and liabilities addressed by this guidance are determined primarily through the use of observable inputs. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from external independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect management’s assumptions about what market participants’ assumptions would be in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available. We classify our financial assets and liabilities in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. This classification requires judgment in assessing the market and pricing methodologies for a particular security. The fair value hierarchy is comprised of the following three levels:
	Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial assets or liabilities;
	Level 2: Valuations are based on prices obtained from index providers, independent pricing vendors or broker-dealers using observable inputs for financial assets and liabilities; and
	Level 3: Valuations are based on unobservable inputs for assets and liabilities where there is little or no market activity. Unadjusted third party pricing sources or management’s assumptions and internal valuation models may be used to determine the fair value of financial assets or liabilities.

	Level 1, 2 and 3 Financial Assets Carried at Fair Value
	The fair values of our fixed maturity securities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents are based on prices primarily obtained from index providers, pricing vendors or broker-dealers using observable inputs. The fair value measurements of all of our securities were based on unadjusted prices provided by third party pricing sources. We validate the prices we obtain from third party pricing sources by performing price comparisons against multiple pricing sources, if available, periodically back-testing sales to the previously reported fair value, performing an in-depth review of specific securities when evaluating stale prices and large price movements, as well as performing other validation procedures. We also continuously monitor market data that relates to our investment portfolio and review pricing documentation that describes the methodologies used by various pricing sources. If we determine that a price appears unreasonable, we investigate and assess whether the price should be adjusted. The fair value measurements of our reinsurance deposit assets were based upon our internal valuation model, which utilizes certain characteristics of both the market and income valuation approaches. Our fixed maturity securities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents and reinsurance deposit assets are classified in the fair value hierarchy as follows:
	U.S. Government
	Level 1 - The fair values of U.S. Government securities were based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
	U.S. Government agencies
	Level 2 - The fair values of U.S. Government agencies were based on observable inputs that may include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades and broker-dealer quotes.
	Municipal bonds
	Level 2 - The fair values of municipal bonds were determined based on observable inputs that may include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, benchmark securities, bids, credit risks and economic indicators.
	Non-U.S. governments
	Level 1 or 2 - The fair values of non-U.S. government securities classified as Level 1 were based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Non-U.S. government securities classified as Level 2 were based on observable inputs that may include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades and broker-dealer quotes. Our non-U.S. government bond portfolio consisted of securities issued primarily by governments, provinces, agencies and supranationals.
	Corporate bonds
	Level 2 - The fair values of corporate bonds were determined based on observable inputs that may include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, benchmark securities, bids, credit risks and industry and economic indicators.
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities
	Level 2 - The fair values of CMBS were determined based on observable inputs that may include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, bids, security cash flows and structures, delinquencies, loss severities and default rates.
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Level 2 or 3 - Our RMBS portfolio was comprised of securities issued by U.S. Government agencies and by non-agency institutions. The fair values of RMBS classified as Level 2 were determined based on observable inputs that may include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, bids, loan level information, security cash flows and structures, prepayment speeds, delinquencies, loss severities and default rates. Non-agency RMBS classified as Level 3 used unobservable inputs that may include the probability of default, loss severity in the event of default and prepayment speeds.
	Asset-backed securities
	Level 2 or 3 - The fair values of ABS classified as Level 2 were determined based on observable inputs that may include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, bids, security cash flows and structures, type of collateral, prepayment speeds, delinquencies, loss severities and default rates. Sub-prime ABS classified as Level 3 used unobservable inputs that may include the probability of default, loss severity in the event of default and prepayment speeds.
	Short-term investments
	Level 1 or 2 - The fair values of short-term investments classified as Level 1 were based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The fair values of short-term investments classified as Level 2 were determined based on observable inputs that may include the risk-free yield curve, reported trades and broker-dealer quotes.
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Level 1 or 2 - The fair values of cash and cash equivalents classified as Level 1 were determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents classified as Level 2 were determined based on observable inputs that may include the risk-free yield curve, reported trades and broker-dealer quotes. Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits, time deposits, money market instruments and both U.S. Government and non-U.S. government obligations.
	Reinsurance deposit assets
	Level 3 - The fair values of our reinsurance deposit assets were determined by management primarily using unobservable inputs through the application of our own assumptions and internal valuation model. See further discussion on reinsurance deposit assets below.
	Fair Value Levels
	The following table presents the fair value hierarchy for those financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the Company as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):

					Fair Value Measurement Using:
		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	June 30, 2014:
	Investments:
	U.S. Government	$	49,604		$	49,604		$	-		$	-
	U.S. Government agencies		91,053			-			91,053			-
	Municipal bonds		1,270,057			-			1,270,057			-
	Non-U.S. governments		144,018			55,593			88,425			-
	Corporate bonds		227,718			-			227,718			-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		69,667			-			69,667			-
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		155,072			-			149,973			5,099
	Asset-backed securities		18,229			-			17,136			1,093
	Short -term investments		42,144			-			42,144			-
	Total investments		2,067,562			105,197			1,956,173			6,192
	Cash and cash equivalents		1,361,730			1,330,895			30,835			-
	Reinsurance deposit assets		82,164			-			-			82,164
	Total	$	3,511,456		$	1,436,092		$	1,987,008		$	88,356

	December 31, 2013:
	Investments:
	U.S. Government	$	4,765		$	4,765		$	-		$	-
	U.S. Government agencies		51,122			-			51,122			-
	Municipal bonds		1,269,247			-			1,269,247			-
	Non-U.S. governments		143,909			54,980			88,929			-
	Corporate bonds		227,235			-			227,235			-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		77,491			-			77,491			-
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		169,965			-			169,372			593
	Asset-backed securities		17,531			-			15,304			2,227
	Short -term investments		66,679			8,933			57,746			-
	Total investments		2,027,944			68,678			1,956,446			2,820
Cash and cash equivalents		1,464,418			1,464,418			-			-
Reinsurance deposit assets		79,303			-			-			79,303
Total	$	3,571,665		$	1,533,096		$	1,956,446		$	82,123

Cash and cash equivalents included demand deposits and time deposits totaling $177.0 million as of June 30, 2014 and totaling $120.7 million as of December 31, 2013.
Transfers of assets into or out of levels are recorded at their fair values as of the end of each reporting period, consistent with the date of the determination of fair value. There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. The transfers into and out of Level 3 were based on the level of evidence available to corroborate significant observable inputs with market observable information.

Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balance for our Level 3 financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			Residential mortgage-backed securities			Asset-backed securities			Reinsurance deposit assets			Total
Balance, beginning of period	$	1,815		$	1,125		$	264		$	81,004		$	84,208
Sales, maturities and paydowns		-			(1,794	)		-			-			(1,794	)
Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in net income		-			-			-			1,160			1,160
Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		103			1,857			(9	)		-			1,951
Transfers into Level 3		-			3,911			838			-			4,749
Transfers out of Level 3		(1,918	)		-			-			-			(1,918	)
Balance, end of period	$	-		$	5,099		$	1,093		$	82,164		$	88,356

Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	1,160		$	1,160


	Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			Residential mortgage-backed securities			Asset-backed securities			Reinsurance deposit assets			Total
Balance, beginning of period	$	-		$	1,996		$	3,263		$	52,088		$	57,347
Purchases		-			-			-			25,000			25,000
Sales, maturities and paydowns		-			(126	)		(29	)		-			(155	)
Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in net income		-			-			-			(140	)		(140	)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-			176			96			-			272
Transfers into Level 3		-			4,049			312			-			4,361
Transfers out of Level 3		-			(1,575	)		(2,385	)		-			(3,960	)
Balance, end of period	$	-		$	4,520		$	1,257		$	76,948		$	82,725

Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	(140	)	$	(140	)


	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			Residential mortgage-backed securities			Asset-backed securities			Reinsurance deposit assets			Total
Balance, beginning of period	$	-		$	593		$	2,227		$	79,303		$	82,123
Sales, maturities and paydowns		-			(2,432	)		-			-			(2,432	)
Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in net income		-			-			-			2,861			2,861
Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		103			2,234			1,038			-			3,375
Transfers into Level 3		1,815			4,704			838			-			7,357
Transfers out of Level 3		(1,918	)		-			(3,010	)		-			(4,928	)
Balance, end of period	$	-		$	5,099		$	1,093		$	82,164		$	88,356

Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	2,861		$	2,861


	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			Residential mortgage-backed securities			Asset-backed securities			Reinsurance deposit assets			Total
Balance, beginning of period	$	524		$	5,374		$	1,036		$	50,693		$	57,627
Purchases		-			-			-			25,000			25,000
Sales, maturities and paydowns		-			(166	)		(29	)		-			(195	)
Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in net income		-			-			-			1,255			1,255
Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		487			421			29			-			937
Transfers into Level 3		-			4,049			2,606			-			6,655
Transfers out of Level 3		(1,011	)		(5,158	)		(2,385	)		-			(8,554	)
Balance, end of period	$	-		$	4,520		$	1,257		$	76,948		$	82,725

Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	1,255		$	1,255

Quantitative Information of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
The fair value measurements of our CMBS, non-agency RMBS and sub-prime ABS classified as Level 3 were based on unadjusted third party pricing sources.

The fair value measurements of our reinsurance deposit assets used significant unobservable inputs through the application of our own assumptions and internal valuation model and were classified as Level 3. The most significant unobservable inputs used in our internal valuation model are the estimated contract period remaining, credit spread above the risk-free rate and net losses and LAE ceded. The credit spread above the risk-free rate is determined by reviewing the credit spreads of fixed income securities through observable market data, as well as considering illiquidity and the structure of these contracts. The fair value of the reinsurance deposit assets may increase or decrease due to changes in the estimated contract period remaining, the credit spread and net losses and LAE ceded. Generally, a decrease in the credit spread or a decrease in net losses and LAE ceded would result in an increase in the fair value of the reinsurance deposit assets. Conversely, an increase in the credit spread or an increase in net losses and LAE ceded would result in a decrease in the fair value of the reinsurance deposit assets.
The following table sets forth the weighted average of the significant unobservable quantitative information used for the fair value measurement of our reinsurance deposit assets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
	30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
Estimated contract period remaining		1,013 days			1,193 days
Credit spread above the risk-free rate		1.34	%		1.58	%
Net losses and LAE ceded inception-to-date	$	-		$	-

Other Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Carried at Fair Value
Accounting guidance requires note disclosure of the fair value of other financial assets and liabilities not carried at fair value, excluding balances related to insurance contracts.
The debt obligations on our consolidated balance sheets were recorded at cost with a carrying value of $250.0 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and had a fair value of $286.0 million and $271.5 million as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The fair value measurements were based on observable inputs and therefore would be considered to be Level 2.
Our remaining financial assets and liabilities were generally carried at cost or amortized cost, which approximates fair value, as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The fair value measurements were based on observable inputs and therefore would be considered to be Level 1 or Level 2.

Credit_Facilities

Credit Facilities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Credit Facilities [Abstract]

Credit facilities

4. Credit Facilities

Syndicated Credit Facility

On April 9, 2014, we entered into an amended and restated credit facility with various financial institutions (the “Syndicated Credit Facility”). The Syndicated Credit Facility is a four-year, $300.0 million secured senior credit facility available for letters of credit (“LOC”), with a sublimit of $100.0 million for revolving borrowings. LOC and borrowings under the Syndicated Credit Facility are available for the working capital, liquidity and general corporate requirements of Platinum Holdings, Platinum Finance and our reinsurance subsidiaries. The Syndicated Credit Facility contains customary representations, warranties and covenants. Platinum Holdings and Platinum Finance have unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of each Platinum entity under the Syndicated Credit Facility.

Other Letter of Credit Facilities

We have an LOC facility with a financial institution in the aggregate amount of $100.0 million available for the issuance of LOC to support reinsurance obligations of our reinsurance subsidiaries. We also have the ability to request an uncommitted LOC facility of up to $150.0 million subject to agreement with the lender.

Platinum Bermuda has an uncommitted LOC facility of $125.0 million available for the issuance of LOC to support reinsurance obligations of Platinum Bermuda. There was $17.1 million committed under this facility as of June 30, 2014. Platinum Holdings has unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of Platinum Bermuda under this facility.

We had no revolving borrowings under the Syndicated Credit Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013. The following table summarizes the outstanding LOC as of June 30, 2014 ($ in thousands):

Credit Capacity

Letters of Credit Issued (1)

Credit Capacity Remaining

Syndicated Credit Facility

300,000

77,742

222,258

Other LOC Facilities

375,000

39,781

335,219

Total

675,000

117,523

557,477

(1) Cash and cash equivalents of $141.7 million were held to collateralize LOC issued as of June 30, 2014.

The credit capacity of $675.0 million consists of $417.1 million of committed capacity and $257.9 million of uncommitted capacity. The Company also has the ability to increase the Syndicated Credit Facility and other LOC facilities by up to $175.0 million subject to agreement with the lenders.

As of June 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under our credit facilities.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
Shareholders' Equity	Jun. 30, 2014
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' equity	'
	5. Shareholders’ Equity
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets relates to unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred taxes.
	The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances for accumulated other comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax
	Balance, beginning of period	$	87,434			$	(12,875	)		$	74,559
	Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		(19	)			-				(19	)
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		18,976				(2,245	)			16,731
	Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		18,957				(2,245	)			16,712

	Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains on investments		(56	)			-				(56	)
	Net impairment losses on investments		136				-				136
	Total reclassifications to net income		80				-				80

	Other comprehensive income (loss)		19,037				(2,245	)			16,792
	Balance, end of period	$	106,471			$	(15,120	)		$	91,351

		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax
	Balance, beginning of period	$	151,517			$	(20,414	)		$	131,103
	Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		(200	)			-				(200	)
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		(64,027	)			6,963				(57,064	)
	Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		(64,227	)			6,963				(57,264	)

	Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains on investments		(12,968	)			1,980				(10,988	)
	Net impairment losses on investments		1,516				-				1,516
	Total reclassifications to net income		(11,452	)			1,980				(9,472	)

	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(75,679	)			8,943				(66,736	)
	Balance, end of period	$	75,838			$	(11,471	)		$	64,367

		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax
	Balance, beginning of period	$	57,982			$	(9,898	)		$	48,084
	Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		15				-				15
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		48,306				(5,222	)			43,084
	Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		48,321				(5,222	)			43,099

	Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains on investments		(56	)			-				(56	)
	Net impairment losses on investments		224				-				224
	Total reclassifications to net income		168				-				168

	Other comprehensive income (loss)		48,489				(5,222	)			43,267
	Balance, end of period	$	106,471			$	(15,120	)		$	91,351

		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax
	Balance, beginning of period	$	159,975			$	(22,285	)		$	137,690
	Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		(614	)			11				(603	)
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		(58,217	)			7,161				(51,056	)
	Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		(58,831	)			7,172				(51,659	)

	Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains on investments		(27,243	)			3,675				(23,568	)
	Net impairment losses on investments		1,937				(33	)			1,904
Total reclassifications to net income		(25,306	)			3,642				(21,664	)

Other comprehensive income (loss)		(84,137	)			10,814				(73,323	)
Balance, end of period	$	75,838			$	(11,471	)		$	64,367

The following table sets forth the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and the location of those amounts in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):
	June 30,								June 30,
	2014				2013				2014				2013
Revenue:
Net realized gains on investments	$	(56	)		$	(12,968	)		$	(56	)		$	(27,243	)
Net impairment losses on investments		136				1,516				224				1,937

Income tax expense	$	-			$	1,980			$	-			$	3,642

Share Repurchases
Our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of our common shares through a share repurchase program. Since the program was established, our Board of Directors has approved increases in the repurchase program from time to time, most recently on April 22, 2014, to result in authority as of such date to repurchase up to a total of $250.0 million of our common shares.
During the three months ended June 30, 2014, in accordance with the share repurchase program, we repurchased 556,092 of our common shares in the open market for an aggregate cost of $35.0 million at a weighted average cost including commissions of $62.95 per share. During the six months ended June 30, 2014 we repurchased 1,854,096 of our common shares in the open market for an aggregate cost of $110.8 million at a weighted average cost including commissions of $59.74 per share. The shares we repurchased were canceled.

Dividend_Restrictions

Dividend Restrictions

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Dividend Restrictions [Abstract]

Dividend restrictions

6. Dividend Restrictions

Platinum Holdings and its subsidiaries are subject to certain legal and regulatory restrictions in their respective jurisdictions of domicile. The legal restrictions generally include the requirement to maintain positive net assets and to be able to pay liabilities as they become due. Regulatory restrictions on dividends are described below.

Dividend Restrictions on Platinum Holdings

Platinum Holdings receives dividends and other distributions from its subsidiaries as a source of liquidity and to fund the payment of dividends to its shareholders. Distributions to Platinum Holdings from its subsidiaries may be restricted as described below. There are no significant restrictions on retained earnings available for the payment of dividends by Platinum Holdings to its shareholders.

Dividend Restrictions on Subsidiaries

The laws and regulations of Bermuda and the United States include certain restrictions on the amount of statutory capital and surplus that are available for the payment of dividends by Platinum Bermuda and Platinum US to their respective parent companies, Platinum Holdings and Platinum Finance.

The following table summarizes the dividend restrictions of our reinsurance subsidiaries ($ in thousands):

2014

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

30-Jun-14

Dividend Capacity

Paid

Remaining

Platinum Bermuda

264,320

105,000

159,320

Platinum US

25,572

Total

289,892

105,000

184,892

Subsequent to June 30, 2014, Platinum Bermuda declared and paid a dividend of $50.0 million to Platinum Holdings.

There are no regulatory restrictions on retained earnings available for the payment of dividends by Platinum Finance to Platinum Regency or by Platinum Regency to Platinum Holdings.

Operating_Segment_Information

Operating Segment Information	6 Months Ended
Operating Segment Information	Jun. 30, 2014
Operating Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Operating segment information	'
	7. Operating Segment Information
	We have organized our worldwide reinsurance business into three operating segments: Property and Marine, Casualty and Finite Risk. We believe that underwriting income or loss and related underwriting ratios allow for a more complete understanding of the profitability of our reinsurance operations and operating segments. These measures are considered to be non-GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may be defined or calculated differently by other companies. These measures are used to monitor our results and should not be viewed as a substitute for those determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
	Underwriting income or loss consists of net premiums earned less net losses and LAE and net underwriting expenses. Net underwriting expenses include net acquisition expenses and operating costs related to underwriting. Underwriting income or loss excludes revenues and expenses related to net investment income, net realized gains or losses on investments, net impairment losses on investments, corporate expenses not allocated to underwriting segments, net foreign currency exchange gains or losses, interest expense, and other income and expense.
	Underwriting ratios are calculated for net losses and LAE, net acquisition expense and other underwriting expense. The ratios are calculated by dividing the related expense by net premiums earned. The combined ratio is the sum of the net losses and LAE, net acquisition expense and other underwriting expense ratios.
	The following table summarizes underwriting income or loss and related underwriting ratios for the three operating segments, together with a reconciliation of segment underwriting income (loss) to the U.S. GAAP measure of income before income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Property and Marine				Casualty				Finite Risk				Total
	Net premiums written	$	58,518			$	54,806			$	7,013			$	120,337

	Net premiums earned		55,528				61,555				7,742				124,825
	Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		31,400				15,261				4,204				50,865
	Net acquisition expenses		10,229				15,636				1,983				27,848
	Other underwriting expenses		8,085				5,537				346				13,968
	Segment underwriting income (loss)	$	5,814			$	25,121			$	1,209				32,144

	Net investment income														17,645
	Net realized gains (losses) on investments														(596	)
	Net impairment losses on investments														(136	)
	Other income (expense)														1,194
	Corporate expenses not allocated to segments														(7,466	)
	Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains														(34	)
	Interest expense														(4,788	)
	Income before income taxes													$	37,963

	Underwriting ratios:
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense		56.5	%			24.8	%			54.3	%			40.7	%
	Net acquisition expense		18.4	%			25.4	%			25.6	%			22.3	%
	Other underwriting expense		14.6	%			9	%			4.5	%			11.2	%
	Combined		89.5	%			59.2	%			84.4	%			74.2	%

		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Property and Marine				Casualty				Finite Risk				Total
	Net premiums written	$	57,350			$	79,711			$	9,309			$	146,370

	Net premiums earned		58,832				75,629				8,472				142,933
	Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		21,292				35,358				6,017				62,667
	Net acquisition expenses		9,698				18,068				2,547				30,313
	Other underwriting expenses		7,414				5,670				327				13,411
	Segment underwriting income (loss)	$	20,428			$	16,533			$	(419	)			36,542

	Net investment income														17,808
	Net realized gains (losses) on investments														11,686
	Net impairment losses on investments														(1,516	)
	Other income (expense)														(315	)
	Corporate expenses not allocated to segments														(6,307	)
	Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains														859
	Interest expense														(4,780	)
	Income before income taxes													$	53,977

	Underwriting ratios:
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense		36.2	%			46.8	%			71	%			43.8	%
	Net acquisition expense		16.5	%			23.9	%			30.1	%			21.2	%
	Other underwriting expense		12.6	%			7.5	%			3.9	%			9.4	%
	Combined		65.3	%			78.2	%			105	%			74.4	%

		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Property and Marine				Casualty				Finite Risk				Total
	Net premiums written	$	116,263			$	126,480			$	13,371			$	256,114

	Net premiums earned		108,720				127,272				15,106				251,098
	Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		37,010				30,221				10,143				77,374
	Net acquisition expenses		20,272				31,278				3,799				55,349
Other underwriting expenses		15,455				10,765				638				26,858
Segment underwriting income (loss)	$	35,983			$	55,008			$	526				91,517

Net investment income														35,337
Net realized gains (losses) on investments														(1,111	)
Net impairment losses on investments														(224	)
Other income (expense)														2,711
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments														(12,859	)
Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains														153
Interest expense														(9,574	)
Income before income taxes													$	105,950

Underwriting ratios:
Net loss and loss adjustment expense		34	%			23.7	%			67.1	%			30.8	%
Net acquisition expense		18.6	%			24.6	%			25.1	%			22	%
Other underwriting expense		14.2	%			8.5	%			4.2	%			10.7	%
Combined		66.8	%			56.8	%			96.4	%			63.5	%

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Property and Marine				Casualty				Finite Risk				Total
Net premiums written	$	116,777			$	150,555			$	13,803			$	281,135

Net premiums earned		110,684				146,424				12,678				269,786
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		7,087				65,001				4,577				76,665
Net acquisition expenses		17,925				34,317				8,290				60,532
Other underwriting expenses		14,746				11,393				660				26,799
Segment underwriting income (loss)	$	70,926			$	35,713			$	(849	)			105,790

Net investment income														36,352
Net realized gains (losses) on investments														25,004
Net impairment losses on investments														(1,937	)
Other income (expense)														1,077
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments														(12,224	)
Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains														1,079
Interest expense														(9,559	)
Income before income taxes													$	145,582

Underwriting ratios:
Net loss and loss adjustment expense		6.4	%			44.4	%			36.1	%			28.4	%
Net acquisition expense		16.2	%			23.4	%			65.4	%			22.4	%
Other underwriting expense		13.3	%			7.8	%			5.2	%			9.9	%
Combined		35.9	%			75.6	%			106.7	%			60.7	%

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	6 Months Ended
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings (loss) per common share	'
	8. Earnings Per Common Share
	The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per common share computations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ and amounts in thousands, except per share data):

		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30,					June 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	Earnings
	Basic and Diluted
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	36,180	$	49,854		$	99,915	$	136,370
	Portion allocated to participating common shareholders (1)		-		(113	)		-		(304	)
	Net income allocated to common shareholders	$	36,180	$	49,741		$	99,915	$	136,066

	Common Shares
	Basic
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		26,577		30,571			27,167		31,467
	Diluted
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		26,577		30,571			27,167		31,467
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common share options		55		155			53		191
	Restricted share units		296		244			296		246
	Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding		26,928		30,970			27,516		31,904

	Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic earnings per common share	$	1.36	$	1.63		$	3.68	$	4.32
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.34	$	1.61		$	3.63	$	4.26

	(1) Represents earnings attributable to holders of unvested restricted shares issued under the Company's share incentive plans that are considered to be participating securities. There were no restricted shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	6 Months Ended
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	Jun. 30, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Condensed consolidating financial information	'
	9. Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
	Platinum Holdings fully and unconditionally guarantees the $250.0 million of debt obligations issued by its 100%-owned subsidiary Platinum Finance.
	The following tables present the condensed consolidating financial information for Platinum Holdings, Platinum Finance and the non-guarantor subsidiaries of Platinum Holdings as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	30-Jun-14

		Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Total investments	$	-		$	45,130		$	2,022,432		$	-			$	2,067,562
	Investment in subsidiaries		1,707,610			643,344			617,351			(2,968,305	)			-
	Cash and cash equivalents		69,518			179,299			1,112,913			-				1,361,730
	Reinsurance assets		-			-			259,939			-				259,939
	Inter-company receivables		11,274			-			350			(11,624	)			-
	Other assets		1,582			1,343			132,560			-				135,485
	Total assets	$	1,789,984		$	869,116		$	4,145,545		$	(2,979,929	)		$	3,824,716
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Liabilities
	Reinsurance liabilities	$	-		$	-		$	1,745,258		$	-			$	1,745,258
	Debt obligations		-			250,000			-			-				250,000
	Inter-company payables		-			92			11,532			(11,624	)			-
	Other liabilities		12,115			1,673			37,801			-				51,589
	Total liabilities	$	12,115		$	251,765		$	1,794,591		$	(11,624	)		$	2,046,847

	Shareholders’ Equity
	Common shares	$	264		$	-		$	8,000		$	(8,000	)		$	264
	Additional paid-in capital		-			215,667			2,024,903			(2,240,570	)			-
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		91,351			28,079			119,419			(147,498	)			91,351
	Retained earnings		1,686,254			373,605			198,632			(572,237	)			1,686,254
	Total shareholders’ equity	$	1,777,869		$	617,351		$	2,350,954		$	(2,968,305	)		$	1,777,869
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,789,984		$	869,116		$	4,145,545		$	(2,979,929	)		$	3,824,716

	(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	31-Dec-13

		Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Total investments	$	-		$	114		$	2,027,830		$	-			$	2,027,944
	Investment in subsidiaries		1,658,425			610,679			591,175			(2,860,279	)			-
	Cash and cash equivalents		88,402			230,818			1,145,198			-				1,464,418
	Reinsurance assets		-			-			290,887			-				290,887
	Inter-company receivables		9,739			-			351			(10,090	)			-
	Other assets		2,135			1,290			137,211			-				140,636
	Total assets	$	1,758,701		$	842,901		$	4,192,652		$	(2,870,369	)		$	3,923,885
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Liabilities
	Reinsurance liabilities	$	-		$	-		$	1,876,456		$	-			$	1,876,456
	Debt obligations		-			250,000			-			-				250,000
	Inter-company payables		-			39			10,051			(10,090	)			-
	Other liabilities		11,994			1,687			37,041			-				50,722
	Total liabilities	$	11,994		$	251,726		$	1,923,548		$	(10,090	)		$	2,177,178

	Shareholders’ Equity
	Common shares	$	281		$	-		$	8,000		$	(8,000	)		$	281
	Additional paid-in capital		10,711			215,420			2,024,409			(2,239,829	)			10,711
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		48,084			18,382			66,463			(84,845	)			48,084
	Retained earnings		1,687,631			357,373			170,232			(527,605	)			1,687,631
	Total shareholders’ equity	$	1,746,707		$	591,175		$	2,269,104		$	(2,860,279	)		$	1,746,707
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,758,701		$	842,901		$	4,192,652		$	(2,870,369	)		$	3,923,885

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	-		$	-		$	124,825		$	-			$	124,825
Net investment income (expense)		2			(46	)		17,689			-				17,645
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		-			-			(596	)		-				(596	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			(136	)		-				(136	)
Other income (expense)		1,010			-			184			-				1,194
Total revenue		1,012			(46	)		141,966			-				142,932

Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		-			-			50,865			-				50,865
Net acquisition expenses		-			-			27,848			-				27,848
Operating expenses		7,335			88			14,011			-				21,434
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		-			-			34			-				34
Interest expense		-			4,788			-			-				4,788
Total expenses		7,335			4,876			92,758			-				104,969
Income (loss) before income taxes		(6,323	)		(4,922	)		49,208			-				37,963
Income tax expense (benefit)		-			(1,638	)		3,421			-				1,783
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(6,323	)		(3,284	)		45,787			-				36,180
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		42,503			9,377			6,093			(57,973	)			-
Net income	$	36,180		$	6,093		$	51,880		$	(57,973	)		$	36,180

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013

	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	-		$	-		$	142,933		$	-			$	142,933
Net investment income (expense)		9			(8	)		17,807			-				17,808
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		-			-			11,686			-				11,686
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			(1,516	)		-				(1,516	)
Other income (expense)		716			-			(1,031	)		-				(315	)
Total revenue		725			(8	)		169,879			-				170,596

Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		-			-			62,667			-				62,667
Net acquisition expenses		-			-			30,313			-				30,313
Operating expenses		6,175			39			13,504			-				19,718
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		-			-			(859	)		-				(859	)
Interest expense		-			4,780			-			-				4,780
Total expenses		6,175			4,819			105,625			-				116,619
Income (loss) before income taxes		(5,450	)		(4,827	)		64,254			-				53,977
Income tax expense (benefit)		-			(1,608	)		5,731			-				4,123
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(5,450	)		(3,219	)		58,523			-				49,854
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		55,304			11,363			8,144			(74,811	)			-
Net income	$	49,854		$	8,144		$	66,667		$	(74,811	)		$	49,854

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	-		$	-		$	251,098		$	-			$	251,098
Net investment income (expense)		12			(93	)		35,418			-				35,337
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		-			-			(1,111	)		-				(1,111	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			(224	)		-				(224	)
Other income (expense)		2,533			-			178			-				2,711
Total revenue		2,545			(93	)		285,359			-				287,811

Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		-			-			77,374			-				77,374
Net acquisition expenses		-			-			55,349			-				55,349
Operating expenses		13,301			122			26,294			-				39,717
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		-			-			(153	)		-				(153	)
Interest expense		-			9,574			-			-				9,574
Total expenses		13,301			9,696			158,864			-				181,861
Income (loss) before income taxes		(10,756	)		(9,789	)		126,495			-				105,950
Income tax expense (benefit)		-			(3,292	)		9,327			-				6,035
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(10,756	)		(6,497	)		117,168			-				99,915
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		110,671			22,729			16,232			(149,632	)			-
Net income	$	99,915		$	16,232		$	133,400		$	(149,632	)		$	99,915

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013

	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	-		$	-		$	269,786		$	-			$	269,786
Net investment income (expense)		22			(30	)		36,360			-				36,352
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		-			-			25,004			-				25,004
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			(1,937	)		-				(1,937	)
Other income (expense)		4,845			4			(3,772	)		-				1,077
Total revenue		4,867			(26	)		325,441			-				330,282

Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		-			-			76,665			-				76,665
Net acquisition expenses		-			-			60,532			-				60,532
Operating expenses		11,801			73			27,149			-				39,023
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		-			-			(1,079	)		-				(1,079	)
Interest expense		-			9,559			-			-				9,559
Total expenses		11,801			9,632			163,267			-				184,700
Income (loss) before income taxes		(6,934	)		(9,658	)		162,174			-				145,582
Income tax expense (benefit)		-			(3,196	)		12,408			-				9,212
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(6,934	)		(6,462	)		149,766			-				136,370
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		143,304			34,293			27,831			(205,428	)			-
Net income	$	136,370		$	27,831		$	177,597		$	(205,428	)		$	136,370

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net income	$	36,180		$	6,093		$	51,880		$	(57,973	)		$	36,180
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		-			-			(19	)		-				(19	)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		-			12			18,964			-				18,976
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		-			12			18,945			-				18,957

Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
Net realized gains on investments		-			-			(56	)		-				(56	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			136			-				136
Total reclassifications to net income		-			-			80			-				80

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes		-			12			19,025			-				19,037
Income tax benefit (expense)		-			(4	)		(2,241	)		-				(2,245	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			8			16,784			-				16,792
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries		16,792			4,160			4,168			(25,120	)			-
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	52,972		$	10,261		$	72,832		$	(83,093	)		$	52,972

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net income	$	49,854		$	8,144		$	66,667		$	(74,811	)		$	49,854
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		-			-			(200	)		-				(200	)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		-			(2	)		(64,025	)		-				(64,027	)
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		-			(2	)		(64,225	)		-				(64,227	)

Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
Net realized gains on investments		-			-			(12,968	)		-				(12,968	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			1,516			-				1,516
Total reclassifications to net income		-			-			(11,452	)		-				(11,452	)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes		-			(2	)		(75,677	)		-				(75,679	)
Income tax benefit (expense)		-			2			8,941			-				8,943
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			(66,736	)		-				(66,736	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries		(66,736	)		(16,610	)		(16,610	)		99,956				-
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(16,882	)	$	(8,466	)	$	(16,679	)	$	25,145			$	(16,882	)

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net income	$	99,915		$	16,232		$	133,400		$	(149,632	)		$	99,915
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		-			-			15			-				15
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		-			12			48,294			-				48,306
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		-			12			48,309			-				48,321

Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
Net realized gains on investments		-			-			(56	)		-				(56	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			224			-				224
Total reclassifications to net income		-			-			168			-				168

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes		-			12			48,477			-				48,489
Income tax benefit (expense)		-			(4	)		(5,218	)		-				(5,222	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			8			43,259			-				43,267
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries		43,267			9,689			9,697			(62,653	)			-
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	143,182		$	25,929		$	186,356		$	(212,285	)		$	143,182

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net income	$	136,370		$	27,831		$	177,597		$	(205,428	)		$	136,370
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		-			-			(614	)		-				(614	)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		-			(2	)		(58,215	)		-				(58,217	)
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		-			(2	)		(58,829	)		-				(58,831	)

Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
Net realized gains on investments		-			-			(27,243	)		-				(27,243	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			1,937			-				1,937
Total reclassifications to net income		-			-			(25,306	)		-				(25,306	)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes		-			(2	)		(84,135	)		-				(84,137	)
Income tax benefit (expense)		-			2			10,812			-				10,814
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			(73,323	)		-				(73,323	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries		(73,323	)		(20,084	)		(20,084	)		113,491				-
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	63,047		$	7,747		$	84,190		$	(91,937	)		$	63,047

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(8,803	)	$	(6,514	)	$	16,983		$	(247	)		$	1,419

Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			-			1,655			-				1,655
Short-term investments		-			-			6,613			-				6,613
Proceeds from the maturities or paydowns of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			21			68,276			-				68,297
Short-term investments		-			-			83,436			-				83,436
Acquisitions of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			(45,026	)		(45,000	)		-				(90,026	)
Short-term investments		-			-			(61,852	)		-				(61,852	)
Dividends from subsidiaries		105,000			-			-			(105,000	)			-
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		105,000			(45,005	)		53,128			(105,000	)			8,123

Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to common shareholders		(4,321	)		-			(105,000	)		105,000				(4,321	)
Repurchase of common shares		(110,760	)		-			-			-				(110,760	)
Proceeds from share-based compensation, including income tax benefits		-			-			-			247				247
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(115,081	)		-			(105,000	)		105,247				(114,834	)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		-			-			2,604			-				2,604
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(18,884	)		(51,519	)		(32,285	)		-				(102,688	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		88,402			230,818			1,145,198			-				1,464,418
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	69,518		$	179,299		$	1,112,913		$	-			$	1,361,730

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013

	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(9,845	)	$	(5,324	)	$	(33,944	)	$	-			$	(49,113	)

Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			-			203,571			-				203,571
Short-term investments		-			-			11,857			-				11,857
Proceeds from the maturities or paydowns of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			36			93,039			-				93,075
Short-term investments		-			-			176,568			-				176,568
Acquisitions of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			-			(218,111	)		-				(218,111	)
Short-term investments		-			-			(97,705	)		-				(97,705	)
Dividends from subsidiaries		162,500			-			-			(162,500	)			-
Acquisitions of furniture, equipment and other assets		(191	)		-			(3,614	)		-				(3,805	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		162,309			36			165,605			(162,500	)			165,450

Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to common shareholders		(4,921	)		-			(162,500	)		162,500				(4,921	)
Repurchase of common shares		(224,233	)		-			-			-				(224,233	)
Proceeds from share-based compensation, including income tax benefits		14,144			-			-			-				14,144
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(215,010	)		-			(162,500	)		162,500				(215,010	)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		-			-			(12,261	)		-				(12,261	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(62,546	)		(5,288	)		(43,100	)		-				(110,934	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		70,604			152,122			1,497,669			-				1,720,395
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	8,058		$	146,834		$	1,454,569		$	-			$	1,609,461

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of operations	'
Nature of operations	Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd. (“Platinum Holdings”) is a holding company domiciled in Bermuda. Through our reinsurance subsidiaries, we provide property and marine, casualty and finite risk reinsurance coverages, through reinsurance brokers, to a diverse clientele of insurers and select reinsurers on a worldwide basis.
Consolidation policy	'
	Platinum Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) include Platinum Holdings, Platinum Underwriters Bermuda, Ltd. (“Platinum Bermuda”), Platinum Underwriters Reinsurance, Inc. (“Platinum US”), Platinum Regency Holdings (“Platinum Regency”), Platinum Underwriters Finance, Inc. (“Platinum Finance”) and Platinum Administrative Services, Inc. The terms “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to the Company, unless the context otherwise indicates.
	We operate through two licensed reinsurance subsidiaries, Platinum Bermuda, a Bermuda reinsurance company, and Platinum US, a U.S. reinsurance company. Platinum Regency is an intermediate holding company based in Ireland and a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Holdings. Platinum Finance is an intermediate holding company based in the U.S. and a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Regency. Platinum Bermuda is a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Holdings and Platinum US is a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Finance. Platinum Administrative Services, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Platinum Finance that provides administrative support services to the Company.
	The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. All material inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in preparing these consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2014 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 are unaudited and include all adjustments consisting of normal recurring items that management considers necessary for a fair presentation under U.S. GAAP. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Use of estimates	'
Use of estimates	The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. The major estimates used in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements, and therefore considered to be critical accounting estimates, include, but are not limited to, premiums written and earned, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”), valuation of investments and income taxes. In addition, estimates are used in our risk transfer analysis for assumed and ceded reinsurance transactions. Results of changes in estimates are reflected in results of operations in the period in which the change is made. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Investments (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	'
	Our fixed maturity available-for-sale securities are U.S. dollar denominated securities. The following table sets forth our fixed maturity available-for-sale securities as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):

							Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
			Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Fair Value			Non-credit portion of OTTI(1)
	June 30, 2014:
	U.S. Government		$	49,432			$	172			$	-			$	49,604		$	-
	U.S. Government agencies			89,537				1,564				48				91,053			-
	Municipal bonds			1,185,314				85,957				1,214				1,270,057			-
	Non-U.S. governments			39,977				540				-				40,517			-
	Corporate bonds			215,951				12,232				465				227,718			-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			65,258				4,518				109				69,667			-
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			153,793				1,744				465				155,072			162
	Asset-backed securities			16,184				2,553				508				18,229			337
	Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		$	1,815,446			$	109,280			$	2,809			$	1,921,917		$	499

	December 31, 2013:
	U.S. Government		$	4,561			$	204			$	-			$	4,765		$	-
	U.S. Government agencies			51,847				-				725				51,122			-
	Municipal bonds			1,220,869				54,333				5,955				1,269,247			-
	Non-U.S. governments			39,973				541				-				40,514			-
	Corporate bonds			224,095				6,704				3,564				227,235			-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			72,641				4,982				132				77,491			-
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			169,699				1,335				1,069				169,965			331
	Asset-backed securities			16,203				1,657				329				17,531			305
	Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		$	1,799,888			$	69,756			$	11,774			$	1,857,870		$	636


	(1) The non-credit portion of other than temporary impairments ("OTTI") represents the amount of unrealized losses on impaired securities that were not recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as of the reporting date. These unrealized losses are included in gross unrealized losses as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
Fair value of fixed maturity trading securities	'
	The following table sets forth the fair value of our fixed maturity trading securities as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):

			30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
	Non-U.S. governments		$	103,501			$	103,395
	Total fixed maturity trading securities		$	103,501			$	103,395
Contractual maturities of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities and trading securities	'
	The following table sets forth the amortized cost and fair value of our fixed maturity available-for-sale and trading securities by stated maturity as of June 30, 2014 ($ in thousands):

			Amortized Cost				Fair Value
	Due in one year or less		$	58,890			$	59,718
	Due from one to five years			577,027				602,188
	Due from five to ten years			635,615				670,134
	Due in ten or more years			407,899				450,410
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities			235,235				242,968
	Total		$	1,914,666			$	2,025,418
Fair value of short-term investments	'
	We account for short-term investments as trading in accordance with the fair value option and include them in investing activities on the statements of cash flows. The following table sets forth the fair value of our short-term investments as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):

			30-Jun-14				31-Dec-13
	Non-U.S. governments		$	42,144			$	66,679
	Total short-term investments		$	42,144			$	66,679
Net impairment losses on investments	'
	The following table sets forth the net impairment losses on investments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

			Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
			June 30,								June 30,
			2014				2013				2014				2013
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities		$	135			$	1,075			$	223			$	1,411
	Sub-prime asset-backed securities			1				441				1				526
	Net impairment losses on investments		$	136			$	1,516			$	224			$	1,937
Summary of cumulative credit losses recognized on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	'
	The following table sets forth a summary of the cumulative credit losses recognized on our fixed maturity available-for-sale securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):
			Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
			June 30,								June 30,
			2014				2013				2014				2013
	Balance, beginning of period		$	30,415			$	36,562			$	31,603			$	40,219
	Credit losses on securities previously impaired			136				1,516				224				1,937
	Reduction for paydowns and securities sold			(2,093	)			(2,204	)			(3,132	)			(6,138	)
	Reduction for increases in cash flows expected to be collected			(324	)			(112	)			(561	)			(256	)
	Balance, end of period		$	28,134			$	35,762			$	28,134			$	35,762
Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale	'
	The following table sets forth our gross unrealized losses on securities classified as fixed maturity available-for-sale aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):


			30-Jun-14								31-Dec-13
			Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Fair Value				Unrealized Loss
	Less than twelve months:
	U.S. Government agencies		$	8,860			$	48			$	41,122			$	725
	Municipal bonds			30,758				460				247,873				5,955
	Corporate bonds			-				-				90,789				3,486
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			-				-				2,938				1
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			65,022				83				35,910				172
	Asset-backed securities			384				1				13,576				24
	Total		$	105,024			$	592			$	432,208			$	10,363

	Twelve months or more:
	U.S. Government agencies		$	-			$	-			$	-			$	-
	Municipal bonds			58,403				754				-				-
	Corporate bonds			27,546				465				920				78
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			4,643				109				4,624				131
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			21,804				382				10,587				897
	Asset-backed securities			13,684				507				699				305
	Total		$	126,080			$	2,217			$	16,830			$	1,411

	Total unrealized losses:
	U.S. Government agencies		$	8,860			$	48			$	41,122			$	725
	Municipal bonds			89,161				1,214				247,873				5,955
	Corporate bonds			27,546				465				91,709				3,564
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			4,643				109				7,562				132
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			86,826				465				46,497				1,069
	Asset-backed securities			14,068				508				14,275				329
	Total		$	231,104			$	2,809			$	449,038			$	11,774
Net investment income	'
	The following table sets forth our net investment income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Fixed maturity securities	$	16,969			$	16,870			$	33,971			$	34,613
	Short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents		771				1,175				1,502				2,223
	Funds held by ceding companies		877				811				1,781				1,653
	Subtotal		18,617				18,856				37,254				38,489
	Investment expenses		(972	)			(1,048	)			(1,917	)			(2,137	)
	Net investment income	$	17,645			$	17,808			$	35,337			$	36,352
Net realized gains and losses on investments	'
	The following table sets forth our net realized gains (losses) on investments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Gross realized gains on the sale of investments	$	56			$	12,982			$	56			$	27,258
	Gross realized losses on the sale of investments		-				(15	)			-				(15	)
	Net realized gains on the sale of investments		56				12,967				56				27,243
	Fair value adjustments on trading securities		(652	)			(1,281	)			(1,167	)			(2,239	)
	Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$	(596	)		$	11,686			$	(1,111	)		$	25,004

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair value measurement of assets and liabilities	'
	The following table presents the fair value hierarchy for those financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the Company as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 ($ in thousands):

					Fair Value Measurement Using:
		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	June 30, 2014:
	Investments:
	U.S. Government	$	49,604		$	49,604		$	-		$	-
	U.S. Government agencies		91,053			-			91,053			-
	Municipal bonds		1,270,057			-			1,270,057			-
	Non-U.S. governments		144,018			55,593			88,425			-
	Corporate bonds		227,718			-			227,718			-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		69,667			-			69,667			-
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		155,072			-			149,973			5,099
	Asset-backed securities		18,229			-			17,136			1,093
	Short -term investments		42,144			-			42,144			-
	Total investments		2,067,562			105,197			1,956,173			6,192
	Cash and cash equivalents		1,361,730			1,330,895			30,835			-
	Reinsurance deposit assets		82,164			-			-			82,164
	Total	$	3,511,456		$	1,436,092		$	1,987,008		$	88,356

	December 31, 2013:
	Investments:
	U.S. Government	$	4,765		$	4,765		$	-		$	-
	U.S. Government agencies		51,122			-			51,122			-
	Municipal bonds		1,269,247			-			1,269,247			-
	Non-U.S. governments		143,909			54,980			88,929			-
	Corporate bonds		227,235			-			227,235			-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		77,491			-			77,491			-
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		169,965			-			169,372			593
	Asset-backed securities		17,531			-			15,304			2,227
	Short -term investments		66,679			8,933			57,746			-
	Total investments		2,027,944			68,678			1,956,446			2,820
	Cash and cash equivalents		1,464,418			1,464,418			-			-
	Reinsurance deposit assets		79,303			-			-			79,303
	Total	$	3,571,665		$	1,533,096		$	1,956,446		$	82,123
Fair value assets measured on recurring basis unobservable input reconciliation	'
	The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balance for our Level 3 financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			Residential mortgage-backed securities			Asset-backed securities			Reinsurance deposit assets			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	1,815		$	1,125		$	264		$	81,004		$	84,208
	Sales, maturities and paydowns		-			(1,794	)		-			-			(1,794	)
	Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in net income		-			-			-			1,160			1,160
	Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		103			1,857			(9	)		-			1,951
	Transfers into Level 3		-			3,911			838			-			4,749
	Transfers out of Level 3		(1,918	)		-			-			-			(1,918	)
	Balance, end of period	$	-		$	5,099		$	1,093		$	82,164		$	88,356

	Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	1,160		$	1,160


		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			Residential mortgage-backed securities			Asset-backed securities			Reinsurance deposit assets			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	-		$	1,996		$	3,263		$	52,088		$	57,347
	Purchases		-			-			-			25,000			25,000
	Sales, maturities and paydowns		-			(126	)		(29	)		-			(155	)
	Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in net income		-			-			-			(140	)		(140	)
	Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-			176			96			-			272
	Transfers into Level 3		-			4,049			312			-			4,361
	Transfers out of Level 3		-			(1,575	)		(2,385	)		-			(3,960	)
	Balance, end of period	$	-		$	4,520		$	1,257		$	76,948		$	82,725

	Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	(140	)	$	(140	)


		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			Residential mortgage-backed securities			Asset-backed securities			Reinsurance deposit assets			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	-		$	593		$	2,227		$	79,303		$	82,123
	Sales, maturities and paydowns		-			(2,432	)		-			-			(2,432	)
	Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in net income		-			-			-			2,861			2,861
	Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		103			2,234			1,038			-			3,375
	Transfers into Level 3		1,815			4,704			838			-			7,357
	Transfers out of Level 3		(1,918	)		-			(3,010	)		-			(4,928	)
	Balance, end of period	$	-		$	5,099		$	1,093		$	82,164		$	88,356

	Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	2,861		$	2,861


		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			Residential mortgage-backed securities			Asset-backed securities			Reinsurance deposit assets			Total
	Balance, beginning of period	$	524		$	5,374		$	1,036		$	50,693		$	57,627
	Purchases		-			-			-			25,000			25,000
	Sales, maturities and paydowns		-			(166	)		(29	)		-			(195	)
	Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in net income		-			-			-			1,255			1,255
	Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)		487			421			29			-			937
	Transfers into Level 3		-			4,049			2,606			-			6,655
	Transfers out of Level 3		(1,011	)		(5,158	)		(2,385	)		-			(8,554	)
	Balance, end of period	$	-		$	4,520		$	1,257		$	76,948		$	82,725

	Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	1,255		$	1,255
Fair value assets quantitative information	'
	The following table sets forth the weighted average of the significant unobservable quantitative information used for the fair value measurement of our reinsurance deposit assets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		30-Jun-14			31-Dec-13
	Estimated contract period remaining		1,013 days			1,193 days
	Credit spread above the risk-free rate		1.34	%		1.58	%
	Net losses and LAE ceded inception-to-date	$	-		$	-

Credit_Facilities_Tables

Credit Facilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Credit Facilities (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2014
Credit Facilities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of line of credit facilities	'
	We had no revolving borrowings under the Syndicated Credit Facility during the six months ended June 30, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013. The following table summarizes the outstanding LOC as of June 30, 2014 ($ in thousands):

		Credit Capacity		Letters of Credit Issued (1)		Credit Capacity Remaining
	Syndicated Credit Facility	$	300,000	$	77,742	$	222,258
	Other LOC Facilities		375,000		39,781		335,219
	Total	$	675,000	$	117,523	$	557,477

	(1) Cash and cash equivalents of $141.7 million were held to collateralize LOC issued as of June 30, 2014.

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2014
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of beginning and ending balances for accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances for accumulated other comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax
	Balance, beginning of period	$	87,434			$	(12,875	)		$	74,559
	Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		(19	)			-				(19	)
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		18,976				(2,245	)			16,731
	Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		18,957				(2,245	)			16,712

	Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains on investments		(56	)			-				(56	)
	Net impairment losses on investments		136				-				136
	Total reclassifications to net income		80				-				80

	Other comprehensive income (loss)		19,037				(2,245	)			16,792
	Balance, end of period	$	106,471			$	(15,120	)		$	91,351

		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax
	Balance, beginning of period	$	151,517			$	(20,414	)		$	131,103
	Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		(200	)			-				(200	)
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		(64,027	)			6,963				(57,064	)
	Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		(64,227	)			6,963				(57,264	)

	Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains on investments		(12,968	)			1,980				(10,988	)
	Net impairment losses on investments		1,516				-				1,516
	Total reclassifications to net income		(11,452	)			1,980				(9,472	)

	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(75,679	)			8,943				(66,736	)
	Balance, end of period	$	75,838			$	(11,471	)		$	64,367

		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax
	Balance, beginning of period	$	57,982			$	(9,898	)		$	48,084
	Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		15				-				15
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		48,306				(5,222	)			43,084
	Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		48,321				(5,222	)			43,099

	Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains on investments		(56	)			-				(56	)
	Net impairment losses on investments		224				-				224
	Total reclassifications to net income		168				-				168

	Other comprehensive income (loss)		48,489				(5,222	)			43,267
	Balance, end of period	$	106,471			$	(15,120	)		$	91,351

		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Pre-tax				Tax				Net of tax
	Balance, beginning of period	$	159,975			$	(22,285	)		$	137,690
	Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		(614	)			11				(603	)
	Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		(58,217	)			7,161				(51,056	)
	Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		(58,831	)			7,172				(51,659	)

	Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
	Net realized gains on investments		(27,243	)			3,675				(23,568	)
	Net impairment losses on investments		1,937				(33	)			1,904
	Total reclassifications to net income		(25,306	)			3,642				(21,664	)

	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(84,137	)			10,814				(73,323	)
Balance, end of period	$	75,838			$	(11,471	)		$	64,367
Schedule of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	'
	The following table sets forth the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and the location of those amounts in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):
		June 30,								June 30,
		2014				2013				2014			2013
	Revenue:
	Net realized gains on investments	$	(56	)		$	(12,968	)		$	(56	)	$	(27,243	)
	Net impairment losses on investments		136				1,516				224			1,937

	Income tax expense	$	-			$	1,980			$	-		$	3,642

Dividend_Restrictions_Tables

Dividend Restrictions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Dividend Restrictions (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2014
Dividend Restrictions [Abstract]	'
Dividend payment restrictions	'
	The following table summarizes the dividend restrictions of our reinsurance subsidiaries ($ in thousands):

		2014		For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014		30-Jun-14
		Dividend Capacity		Paid		Remaining
	Platinum Bermuda	$	264,320	$	105,000	$	159,320
	Platinum US		25,572		-		25,572
	Total	$	289,892	$	105,000	$	184,892

Operating_Segment_Information_

Operating Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Operating Segment Information (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2014
Operating Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Operating segment underwriting activity, ratios and income reconciliation	'
	The following table summarizes underwriting income or loss and related underwriting ratios for the three operating segments, together with a reconciliation of segment underwriting income (loss) to the U.S. GAAP measure of income before income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Property and Marine				Casualty				Finite Risk				Total
	Net premiums written	$	58,518			$	54,806			$	7,013			$	120,337

	Net premiums earned		55,528				61,555				7,742				124,825
	Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		31,400				15,261				4,204				50,865
	Net acquisition expenses		10,229				15,636				1,983				27,848
	Other underwriting expenses		8,085				5,537				346				13,968
	Segment underwriting income (loss)	$	5,814			$	25,121			$	1,209				32,144

	Net investment income														17,645
	Net realized gains (losses) on investments														(596	)
	Net impairment losses on investments														(136	)
	Other income (expense)														1,194
	Corporate expenses not allocated to segments														(7,466	)
	Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains														(34	)
	Interest expense														(4,788	)
	Income before income taxes													$	37,963

	Underwriting ratios:
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense		56.5	%			24.8	%			54.3	%			40.7	%
	Net acquisition expense		18.4	%			25.4	%			25.6	%			22.3	%
	Other underwriting expense		14.6	%			9	%			4.5	%			11.2	%
	Combined		89.5	%			59.2	%			84.4	%			74.2	%

		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Property and Marine				Casualty				Finite Risk				Total
	Net premiums written	$	57,350			$	79,711			$	9,309			$	146,370

	Net premiums earned		58,832				75,629				8,472				142,933
	Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		21,292				35,358				6,017				62,667
	Net acquisition expenses		9,698				18,068				2,547				30,313
	Other underwriting expenses		7,414				5,670				327				13,411
	Segment underwriting income (loss)	$	20,428			$	16,533			$	(419	)			36,542

	Net investment income														17,808
	Net realized gains (losses) on investments														11,686
	Net impairment losses on investments														(1,516	)
	Other income (expense)														(315	)
	Corporate expenses not allocated to segments														(6,307	)
	Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains														859
	Interest expense														(4,780	)
	Income before income taxes													$	53,977

	Underwriting ratios:
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense		36.2	%			46.8	%			71	%			43.8	%
	Net acquisition expense		16.5	%			23.9	%			30.1	%			21.2	%
	Other underwriting expense		12.6	%			7.5	%			3.9	%			9.4	%
	Combined		65.3	%			78.2	%			105	%			74.4	%

		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Property and Marine				Casualty				Finite Risk				Total
	Net premiums written	$	116,263			$	126,480			$	13,371			$	256,114

	Net premiums earned		108,720				127,272				15,106				251,098
	Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		37,010				30,221				10,143				77,374
	Net acquisition expenses		20,272				31,278				3,799				55,349
	Other underwriting expenses		15,455				10,765				638				26,858
	Segment underwriting income (loss)	$	35,983			$	55,008			$	526				91,517

	Net investment income														35,337
Net realized gains (losses) on investments														(1,111	)
Net impairment losses on investments														(224	)
Other income (expense)														2,711
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments														(12,859	)
Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains														153
Interest expense														(9,574	)
Income before income taxes													$	105,950

Underwriting ratios:
Net loss and loss adjustment expense		34	%			23.7	%			67.1	%			30.8	%
Net acquisition expense		18.6	%			24.6	%			25.1	%			22	%
Other underwriting expense		14.2	%			8.5	%			4.2	%			10.7	%
Combined		66.8	%			56.8	%			96.4	%			63.5	%

	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Property and Marine				Casualty				Finite Risk				Total
Net premiums written	$	116,777			$	150,555			$	13,803			$	281,135

Net premiums earned		110,684				146,424				12,678				269,786
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		7,087				65,001				4,577				76,665
Net acquisition expenses		17,925				34,317				8,290				60,532
Other underwriting expenses		14,746				11,393				660				26,799
Segment underwriting income (loss)	$	70,926			$	35,713			$	(849	)			105,790

Net investment income														36,352
Net realized gains (losses) on investments														25,004
Net impairment losses on investments														(1,937	)
Other income (expense)														1,077
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments														(12,224	)
Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains														1,079
Interest expense														(9,559	)
Income before income taxes													$	145,582

Underwriting ratios:
Net loss and loss adjustment expense		6.4	%			44.4	%			36.1	%			28.4	%
Net acquisition expense		16.2	%			23.4	%			65.4	%			22.4	%
Other underwriting expense		13.3	%			7.8	%			5.2	%			9.9	%
Combined		35.9	%			75.6	%			106.7	%			60.7	%

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share1

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings or loss per common share	'
	The following is a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per common share computations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ and amounts in thousands, except per share data):

		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30,					June 30,
		2014		2013			2014		2013
	Earnings
	Basic and Diluted
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	36,180	$	49,854		$	99,915	$	136,370
	Portion allocated to participating common shareholders (1)		-		(113	)		-		(304	)
	Net income allocated to common shareholders	$	36,180	$	49,741		$	99,915	$	136,066

	Common Shares
	Basic
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		26,577		30,571			27,167		31,467
	Diluted
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		26,577		30,571			27,167		31,467
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Common share options		55		155			53		191
	Restricted share units		296		244			296		246
	Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding		26,928		30,970			27,516		31,904

	Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic earnings per common share	$	1.36	$	1.63		$	3.68	$	4.32
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	1.34	$	1.61		$	3.63	$	4.26

	(1) Represents earnings attributable to holders of unvested restricted shares issued under the Company's share incentive plans that are considered to be participating securities. There were no restricted shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	Jun. 30, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of condensed financial statements	'
	The following tables present the condensed consolidating financial information for Platinum Holdings, Platinum Finance and the non-guarantor subsidiaries of Platinum Holdings as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 ($ in thousands):

	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	30-Jun-14

		Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Total investments	$	-		$	45,130		$	2,022,432		$	-			$	2,067,562
	Investment in subsidiaries		1,707,610			643,344			617,351			(2,968,305	)			-
	Cash and cash equivalents		69,518			179,299			1,112,913			-				1,361,730
	Reinsurance assets		-			-			259,939			-				259,939
	Inter-company receivables		11,274			-			350			(11,624	)			-
	Other assets		1,582			1,343			132,560			-				135,485
	Total assets	$	1,789,984		$	869,116		$	4,145,545		$	(2,979,929	)		$	3,824,716
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Liabilities
	Reinsurance liabilities	$	-		$	-		$	1,745,258		$	-			$	1,745,258
	Debt obligations		-			250,000			-			-				250,000
	Inter-company payables		-			92			11,532			(11,624	)			-
	Other liabilities		12,115			1,673			37,801			-				51,589
	Total liabilities	$	12,115		$	251,765		$	1,794,591		$	(11,624	)		$	2,046,847

	Shareholders’ Equity
	Common shares	$	264		$	-		$	8,000		$	(8,000	)		$	264
	Additional paid-in capital		-			215,667			2,024,903			(2,240,570	)			-
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		91,351			28,079			119,419			(147,498	)			91,351
	Retained earnings		1,686,254			373,605			198,632			(572,237	)			1,686,254
	Total shareholders’ equity	$	1,777,869		$	617,351		$	2,350,954		$	(2,968,305	)		$	1,777,869
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,789,984		$	869,116		$	4,145,545		$	(2,979,929	)		$	3,824,716

	(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	31-Dec-13

		Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Total investments	$	-		$	114		$	2,027,830		$	-			$	2,027,944
	Investment in subsidiaries		1,658,425			610,679			591,175			(2,860,279	)			-
	Cash and cash equivalents		88,402			230,818			1,145,198			-				1,464,418
	Reinsurance assets		-			-			290,887			-				290,887
	Inter-company receivables		9,739			-			351			(10,090	)			-
	Other assets		2,135			1,290			137,211			-				140,636
	Total assets	$	1,758,701		$	842,901		$	4,192,652		$	(2,870,369	)		$	3,923,885
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Liabilities
	Reinsurance liabilities	$	-		$	-		$	1,876,456		$	-			$	1,876,456
	Debt obligations		-			250,000			-			-				250,000
	Inter-company payables		-			39			10,051			(10,090	)			-
	Other liabilities		11,994			1,687			37,041			-				50,722
	Total liabilities	$	11,994		$	251,726		$	1,923,548		$	(10,090	)		$	2,177,178

	Shareholders’ Equity
	Common shares	$	281		$	-		$	8,000		$	(8,000	)		$	281
	Additional paid-in capital		10,711			215,420			2,024,409			(2,239,829	)			10,711
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		48,084			18,382			66,463			(84,845	)			48,084
	Retained earnings		1,687,631			357,373			170,232			(527,605	)			1,687,631
	Total shareholders’ equity	$	1,746,707		$	591,175		$	2,269,104		$	(2,860,279	)		$	1,746,707
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,758,701		$	842,901		$	4,192,652		$	(2,870,369	)		$	3,923,885

	(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	-		$	-		$	124,825		$	-			$	124,825
Net investment income (expense)		2			(46	)		17,689			-				17,645
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		-			-			(596	)		-				(596	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			(136	)		-				(136	)
Other income (expense)		1,010			-			184			-				1,194
Total revenue		1,012			(46	)		141,966			-				142,932

Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		-			-			50,865			-				50,865
Net acquisition expenses		-			-			27,848			-				27,848
Operating expenses		7,335			88			14,011			-				21,434
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		-			-			34			-				34
Interest expense		-			4,788			-			-				4,788
Total expenses		7,335			4,876			92,758			-				104,969
Income (loss) before income taxes		(6,323	)		(4,922	)		49,208			-				37,963
Income tax expense (benefit)		-			(1,638	)		3,421			-				1,783
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(6,323	)		(3,284	)		45,787			-				36,180
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		42,503			9,377			6,093			(57,973	)			-
Net income	$	36,180		$	6,093		$	51,880		$	(57,973	)		$	36,180

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013

	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	-		$	-		$	142,933		$	-			$	142,933
Net investment income (expense)		9			(8	)		17,807			-				17,808
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		-			-			11,686			-				11,686
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			(1,516	)		-				(1,516	)
Other income (expense)		716			-			(1,031	)		-				(315	)
Total revenue		725			(8	)		169,879			-				170,596

Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		-			-			62,667			-				62,667
Net acquisition expenses		-			-			30,313			-				30,313
Operating expenses		6,175			39			13,504			-				19,718
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		-			-			(859	)		-				(859	)
Interest expense		-			4,780			-			-				4,780
Total expenses		6,175			4,819			105,625			-				116,619
Income (loss) before income taxes		(5,450	)		(4,827	)		64,254			-				53,977
Income tax expense (benefit)		-			(1,608	)		5,731			-				4,123
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(5,450	)		(3,219	)		58,523			-				49,854
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		55,304			11,363			8,144			(74,811	)			-
Net income	$	49,854		$	8,144		$	66,667		$	(74,811	)		$	49,854

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	-		$	-		$	251,098		$	-			$	251,098
Net investment income (expense)		12			(93	)		35,418			-				35,337
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		-			-			(1,111	)		-				(1,111	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			(224	)		-				(224	)
Other income (expense)		2,533			-			178			-				2,711
Total revenue		2,545			(93	)		285,359			-				287,811

Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		-			-			77,374			-				77,374
Net acquisition expenses		-			-			55,349			-				55,349
Operating expenses		13,301			122			26,294			-				39,717
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		-			-			(153	)		-				(153	)
Interest expense		-			9,574			-			-				9,574
Total expenses		13,301			9,696			158,864			-				181,861
Income (loss) before income taxes		(10,756	)		(9,789	)		126,495			-				105,950
Income tax expense (benefit)		-			(3,292	)		9,327			-				6,035
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(10,756	)		(6,497	)		117,168			-				99,915
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		110,671			22,729			16,232			(149,632	)			-
Net income	$	99,915		$	16,232		$	133,400		$	(149,632	)		$	99,915

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013

	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Revenue:
Net premiums earned	$	-		$	-		$	269,786		$	-			$	269,786
Net investment income (expense)		22			(30	)		36,360			-				36,352
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		-			-			25,004			-				25,004
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			(1,937	)		-				(1,937	)
Other income (expense)		4,845			4			(3,772	)		-				1,077
Total revenue		4,867			(26	)		325,441			-				330,282

Expenses:
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses		-			-			76,665			-				76,665
Net acquisition expenses		-			-			60,532			-				60,532
Operating expenses		11,801			73			27,149			-				39,023
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)		-			-			(1,079	)		-				(1,079	)
Interest expense		-			9,559			-			-				9,559
Total expenses		11,801			9,632			163,267			-				184,700
Income (loss) before income taxes		(6,934	)		(9,658	)		162,174			-				145,582
Income tax expense (benefit)		-			(3,196	)		12,408			-				9,212
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		(6,934	)		(6,462	)		149,766			-				136,370
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		143,304			34,293			27,831			(205,428	)			-
Net income	$	136,370		$	27,831		$	177,597		$	(205,428	)		$	136,370

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net income	$	36,180		$	6,093		$	51,880		$	(57,973	)		$	36,180
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		-			-			(19	)		-				(19	)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		-			12			18,964			-				18,976
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		-			12			18,945			-				18,957

Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
Net realized gains on investments		-			-			(56	)		-				(56	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			136			-				136
Total reclassifications to net income		-			-			80			-				80

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes		-			12			19,025			-				19,037
Income tax benefit (expense)		-			(4	)		(2,241	)		-				(2,245	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			8			16,784			-				16,792
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries		16,792			4,160			4,168			(25,120	)			-
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	52,972		$	10,261		$	72,832		$	(83,093	)		$	52,972

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net income	$	49,854		$	8,144		$	66,667		$	(74,811	)		$	49,854
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		-			-			(200	)		-				(200	)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		-			(2	)		(64,025	)		-				(64,027	)
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		-			(2	)		(64,225	)		-				(64,227	)

Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
Net realized gains on investments		-			-			(12,968	)		-				(12,968	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			1,516			-				1,516
Total reclassifications to net income		-			-			(11,452	)		-				(11,452	)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes		-			(2	)		(75,677	)		-				(75,679	)
Income tax benefit (expense)		-			2			8,941			-				8,943
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			(66,736	)		-				(66,736	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries		(66,736	)		(16,610	)		(16,610	)		99,956				-
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(16,882	)	$	(8,466	)	$	(16,679	)	$	25,145			$	(16,882	)

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net income	$	99,915		$	16,232		$	133,400		$	(149,632	)		$	99,915
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		-			-			15			-				15
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		-			12			48,294			-				48,306
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		-			12			48,309			-				48,321

Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
Net realized gains on investments		-			-			(56	)		-				(56	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			224			-				224
Total reclassifications to net income		-			-			168			-				168

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes		-			12			48,477			-				48,489
Income tax benefit (expense)		-			(4	)		(5,218	)		-				(5,222	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			8			43,259			-				43,267
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries		43,267			9,689			9,697			(62,653	)			-
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	143,182		$	25,929		$	186,356		$	(212,285	)		$	143,182

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries(1)			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net income	$	136,370		$	27,831		$	177,597		$	(205,428	)		$	136,370
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded		-			-			(614	)		-				(614	)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities		-			(2	)		(58,215	)		-				(58,217	)
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses		-			(2	)		(58,829	)		-				(58,831	)

Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:
Net realized gains on investments		-			-			(27,243	)		-				(27,243	)
Net impairment losses on investments		-			-			1,937			-				1,937
Total reclassifications to net income		-			-			(25,306	)		-				(25,306	)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes		-			(2	)		(84,135	)		-				(84,137	)
Income tax benefit (expense)		-			2			10,812			-				10,814
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			(73,323	)		-				(73,323	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries		(73,323	)		(20,084	)		(20,084	)		113,491				-
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	63,047		$	7,747		$	84,190		$	(91,937	)		$	63,047

(1) Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(8,803	)	$	(6,514	)	$	16,983		$	(247	)		$	1,419

Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			-			1,655			-				1,655
Short-term investments		-			-			6,613			-				6,613
Proceeds from the maturities or paydowns of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			21			68,276			-				68,297
Short-term investments		-			-			83,436			-				83,436
Acquisitions of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			(45,026	)		(45,000	)		-				(90,026	)
Short-term investments		-			-			(61,852	)		-				(61,852	)
Dividends from subsidiaries		105,000			-			-			(105,000	)			-
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		105,000			(45,005	)		53,128			(105,000	)			8,123

Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to common shareholders		(4,321	)		-			(105,000	)		105,000				(4,321	)
Repurchase of common shares		(110,760	)		-			-			-				(110,760	)
Proceeds from share-based compensation, including income tax benefits		-			-			-			247				247
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(115,081	)		-			(105,000	)		105,247				(114,834	)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		-			-			2,604			-				2,604
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(18,884	)		(51,519	)		(32,285	)		-				(102,688	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		88,402			230,818			1,145,198			-				1,464,418
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	69,518		$	179,299		$	1,112,913		$	-			$	1,361,730

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013

	Platinum Holdings			Platinum Finance			Non-guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating Adjustments				Consolidated
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(9,845	)	$	(5,324	)	$	(33,944	)	$	-			$	(49,113	)

Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			-			203,571			-				203,571
Short-term investments		-			-			11,857			-				11,857
Proceeds from the maturities or paydowns of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			36			93,039			-				93,075
Short-term investments		-			-			176,568			-				176,568
Acquisitions of:
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities		-			-			(218,111	)		-				(218,111	)
Short-term investments		-			-			(97,705	)		-				(97,705	)
Dividends from subsidiaries		162,500			-			-			(162,500	)			-
Acquisitions of furniture, equipment and other assets		(191	)		-			(3,614	)		-				(3,805	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		162,309			36			165,605			(162,500	)			165,450

Financing Activities:
Dividends paid to common shareholders		(4,921	)		-			(162,500	)		162,500				(4,921	)
Repurchase of common shares		(224,233	)		-			-			-				(224,233	)
Proceeds from share-based compensation, including income tax benefits		14,144			-			-			-				14,144
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(215,010	)		-			(162,500	)		162,500				(215,010	)

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		-			-			(12,261	)		-				(12,261	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(62,546	)		(5,288	)		(43,100	)		-				(110,934	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		70,604			152,122			1,497,669			-				1,720,395
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	8,058		$	146,834		$	1,454,569		$	-			$	1,609,461

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Losses, FV and OTTI of AFS Securities [Abstract]	'		'
Amortized cost	$1,815,446		$1,799,888
Gross unrealized gains	109,280		69,756
Gross unrealized losses	2,809		11,774
Fair value	1,921,917		1,857,870
Non-credit portion of OTTI	499		636
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	105,024		432,208
Twelve months or more	126,080		16,830
Total unrealized losses	231,104		449,038
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Loss [ Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	592		10,363
Twelve months or more	2,217		1,411
Total unrealized losses	2,809		11,774
US Government [Member]	'		'
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Losses, FV and OTTI of AFS Securities [Abstract]	'		'
Amortized cost	49,432		4,561
Gross unrealized gains	172		204
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Fair value	49,604		4,765
Non-credit portion of OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
US Government Agencies [Member]	'		'
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Losses, FV and OTTI of AFS Securities [Abstract]	'		'
Amortized cost	89,537		51,847
Gross unrealized gains	1,564		0
Gross unrealized losses	48		725
Fair value	91,053		51,122
Non-credit portion of OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	8,860		41,122
Twelve months or more	0		0
Total unrealized losses	8,860		41,122
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Loss [ Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	48		725
Twelve months or more	0		0
Total unrealized losses	48		725
Municipal Bonds [Member]	'		'
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Losses, FV and OTTI of AFS Securities [Abstract]	'		'
Amortized cost	1,185,314		1,220,869
Gross unrealized gains	85,957		54,333
Gross unrealized losses	1,214		5,955
Fair value	1,270,057		1,269,247
Non-credit portion of OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	30,758		247,873
Twelve months or more	58,403		0
Total unrealized losses	89,161		247,873
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Loss [ Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	460		5,955
Twelve months or more	754		0
Total unrealized losses	1,214		5,955
Non-US Governments [Member]	'		'
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Losses, FV and OTTI of AFS Securities [Abstract]	'		'
Amortized cost	39,977		39,973
Gross unrealized gains	540		541
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Fair value	40,517		40,514
Non-credit portion of OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Corporate Bonds [Member]	'		'
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Losses, FV and OTTI of AFS Securities [Abstract]	'		'
Amortized cost	215,951		224,095
Gross unrealized gains	12,232		6,704
Gross unrealized losses	465		3,564
Fair value	227,718		227,235
Non-credit portion of OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	0		90,789
Twelve months or more	27,546		920
Total unrealized losses	27,546		91,709
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Loss [ Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	0		3,486
Twelve months or more	465		78
Total unrealized losses	465		3,564
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'		'
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Losses, FV and OTTI of AFS Securities [Abstract]	'		'
Amortized cost	65,258		72,641
Gross unrealized gains	4,518		4,982
Gross unrealized losses	109		132
Fair value	69,667		77,491
Non-credit portion of OTTI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	0		2,938
Twelve months or more	4,643		4,624
Total unrealized losses	4,643		7,562
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Loss [ Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	0		1
Twelve months or more	109		131
Total unrealized losses	109		132
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'		'
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Losses, FV and OTTI of AFS Securities [Abstract]	'		'
Amortized cost	153,793		169,699
Gross unrealized gains	1,744		1,335
Gross unrealized losses	465		1,069
Fair value	155,072		169,965
Non-credit portion of OTTI	162	[1]	331	[1]
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	65,022		35,910
Twelve months or more	21,804		10,587
Total unrealized losses	86,826		46,497
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Loss [ Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	83		172
Twelve months or more	382		897
Total unrealized losses	465		1,069
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'		'
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains, Losses, FV and OTTI of AFS Securities [Abstract]	'		'
Amortized cost	16,184		16,203
Gross unrealized gains	2,553		1,657
Gross unrealized losses	508		329
Fair value	18,229		17,531
Non-credit portion of OTTI	337	[1]	305
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	384		13,576
Twelve months or more	13,684		699
Total unrealized losses	14,068		14,275
Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Unrealized Loss [ Abstract]	'		'
Less than twelve months	1		24
Twelve months or more	507		305
Total unrealized losses	$508		$329

[1]	The non-credit portion of other than temporary impairments ("OTTI") represents the amount of unrealized losses on impaired securities that were not recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as of the reporting date. These unrealized losses are included in gross unrealized losses as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Investments_Trading_Securities

Investments, Trading Securities (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fixed Maturity Trading Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value	$103,501	$103,395
Non-US Governments [Member]	'	'
Fixed Maturity Trading Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Fair value	$103,501	$103,395

Investments_Maturities_of_Avai

Investments, Maturities of Available-for-sale and Trading Securities (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Amortized Cost [Abstract]	'
Due in one year or less	$58,890
Due from one to five years	577,027
Due from five to ten years	635,615
Due in ten or more years	407,899
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	235,235
Total	1,914,666
Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Due in one year or less	59,718
Due from one to five years	602,188
Due from five to ten years	670,134
Due in ten or more years	450,410
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	242,968
Total	$2,025,418

Investments_Short_Term_Investm

Investments, Short Term Investments (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Short Term Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investment fair value	$42,144	$66,679
Non-US Governments [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Short Term Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Short-term investment fair value	$42,144	$66,679

Investments_Other_Than_Tempora

Investments, Other Than Temporary Impairments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net Impairment Losses on Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net impairment losses on investments	$136,000	$1,516,000	$224,000	$1,937,000
Largest unrealized loss on single non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	100,000	'	100,000	'
Amortized cost of single non-agency residential mortgage-backed security with largest unrealized loss	4,100,000	'	4,100,000	'
Largest unrealized loss on single sub-prime asset-backed securities	300,000	'	300,000	'
Amortized cost of single sub-prime asset-backed security with largest unrealized loss	600,000	'	600,000	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	30,415,000	36,562,000	31,603,000	40,219,000
Additional credit losses on securities previously impaired	136,000	1,516,000	224,000	1,937,000
Reduction for paydowns and securities sold	-2,093,000	-2,204,000	-3,132,000	-6,138,000
Reduction for increases in cash flows expected to be collected	-324,000	-112,000	-561,000	-256,000
Balance, end of period	28,134,000	35,762,000	28,134,000	35,762,000
Cumulative Credit Losses [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cumulative credit losses recorded on commercial mortgage-backed securities	300,000	'	300,000	'
Number of commercial mortgage-backed securities comprising cumulative credit losses	1	'	1	'
Percentage of mortgages backing CMBS that were past due	1.80%	'	1.80%	'
Number of days without payment for mortgage to be considered past due	90	'	90	'
Percentage of CMBS mortgages included in cumulative losses	3.00%	'	3.00%	'
Cumulative credit losses recorded on non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities and sub-prime asset-backed securities	27,800,000	'	27,800,000	'
Number of non-agency RMBS and sub-prime ABS securities comprising cumulative credit losses	16	'	16	'
Percentage of mortgages backing non-agency RMBS and sub-prime ABS securities that were past due	15.50%	'	15.50%	'
Percentage of non-agency RMBS and sub-prime ABS mortgages included in cumulative losses	8.70%	'	8.70%	'
Percentage of remaining credit support for non-agency RMBS and sub-prime ABS mortgages which incurred losses	2.70%	'	2.70%	'
Non-Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Impairment Losses on Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net impairment losses on investments	135,000	1,075,000	223,000	1,411,000
Sub-Prime Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Impairment Losses on Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net impairment losses on investments	$1,000	$441,000	$1,000	$526,000

Investments_Investment_Income_

Investments, Investment Income and Net Realized Gains Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net Investment Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Investment income	$18,617	$18,856	$37,254	$38,489
Investment expenses	-972	-1,048	-1,917	-2,137
Net investment income (expense)	17,645	17,808	35,337	36,352
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Gross realized gains on the sale of investments	56	12,982	56	27,258
Gross realized losses on the sale of investments	0	-15	0	-15
Net realized gains on the sale of investments	56	12,967	56	27,243
Fair value adjustments on trading securities	-652	-1,281	-1,167	-2,239
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-596	11,686	-1,111	25,004
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Investment Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Investment income	16,969	16,870	33,971	34,613
Short-Term Investment And Cash And Cash Equivalents [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Investment Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Investment income	771	1,175	1,502	2,223
Funds Held By Ceding Companies [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net Investment Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Investment income	$877	$811	$1,781	$1,653

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments:	'	'	'	'	'
U.S. Government	$49,604,000	'	$49,604,000	'	$4,765,000
U.S. Government agencies	91,053,000	'	91,053,000	'	51,122,000
Municipal bonds	1,270,057,000	'	1,270,057,000	'	1,269,247,000
Non-U.S. governments	144,018,000	'	144,018,000	'	143,909,000
Corporate bonds	227,718,000	'	227,718,000	'	227,235,000
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	69,667,000	'	69,667,000	'	77,491,000
Residential mortgage-backed securities	155,072,000	'	155,072,000	'	169,965,000
Asset-backed securities	18,229,000	'	18,229,000	'	17,531,000
Short-term investments	42,144,000	'	42,144,000	'	66,679,000
Total investments	2,067,562,000	'	2,067,562,000	'	2,027,944,000
Cash and cash equivalents	1,361,730,000	'	1,361,730,000	'	1,464,418,000
Reinsurance deposit assets	82,164,000	'	82,164,000	'	79,303,000
Total	3,511,456,000	'	3,511,456,000	'	3,571,665,000
Demand and time deposits	177,000,000	'	177,000,000	'	120,700,000
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	84,208,000	57,347,000	82,123,000	57,627,000	57,627,000
Purchases	'	25,000,000	'	25,000,000	'
Sales, maturities and paydowns	-1,794,000	-155,000	-2,432,000	-195,000	'
Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in earnings	1,160,000	-140,000	2,861,000	1,255,000	'
Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	1,951,000	272,000	3,375,000	937,000	'
Transfers into Level 3	4,749,000	4,361,000	7,357,000	6,655,000	'
Transfers out of Level 3	-1,918,000	-3,960,000	-4,928,000	-8,554,000	'
Balance, end of period	88,356,000	82,725,000	88,356,000	82,725,000	82,123,000
Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	1,160,000	-140,000	2,861,000	1,255,000	'
Deposit Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated contract period remaining	'	'	'1,013 days	'	'1,193 days
Credit spread above the risk-free rate	'	'	1.34%	'	1.58%
Net losses and LAE ceded inception-to-date	0	'	0	'	0
Debt Obligations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt obligations at carrying value	250,000,000	'	250,000,000	'	250,000,000
Debt obligations at fair value	286,000,000	'	286,000,000	'	271,500,000
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	1,815,000	0	0	524,000	524,000
Purchases	'	0	'	0	'
Sales, maturities and paydowns	0	0	0	0	'
Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in earnings	0	0	0	0	'
Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	103,000	0	103,000	487,000	'
Transfers into Level 3	0	0	1,815,000	0	'
Transfers out of Level 3	-1,918,000	0	-1,918,000	-1,011,000	'
Balance, end of period	0	0	0	0	'
Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	0	0	0	0	'
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	1,125,000	1,996,000	593,000	5,374,000	5,374,000
Purchases	'	0	'	0	'
Sales, maturities and paydowns	-1,794,000	-126,000	-2,432,000	-166,000	'
Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in earnings	0	0	0	0	'
Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	1,857,000	176,000	2,234,000	421,000	'
Transfers into Level 3	3,911,000	4,049,000	4,704,000	4,049,000	'
Transfers out of Level 3	0	-1,575,000	0	-5,158,000	'
Balance, end of period	5,099,000	4,520,000	5,099,000	4,520,000	'
Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	0	0	0	0	'
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	264,000	3,263,000	2,227,000	1,036,000	1,036,000
Purchases	'	0	'	0	'
Sales, maturities and paydowns	0	-29,000	0	-29,000	'
Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in earnings	0	0	0	0	'
Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	-9,000	96,000	1,038,000	29,000	'
Transfers into Level 3	838,000	312,000	838,000	2,606,000	'
Transfers out of Level 3	0	-2,385,000	-3,010,000	-2,385,000	'
Balance, end of period	1,093,000	1,257,000	1,093,000	1,257,000	'
Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	0	0	0	0	'
Reinsurance Deposit Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	81,004,000	52,088,000	79,303,000	50,693,000	50,693,000
Purchases	'	25,000,000	'	25,000,000	'
Sales, maturities and paydowns	0	0	0	0	'
Total increase (decrease) in fair value included in earnings	1,160,000	-140,000	2,861,000	1,255,000	'
Total net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0	'
Transfers into Level 3	0	0	0	0	'
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0	0	0	'
Balance, end of period	82,164,000	76,948,000	82,164,000	76,948,000	'
Total increase (decrease) in fair value of the financial assets included in earnings for the period	1,160,000	-140,000	2,861,000	1,255,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value Measurement Using Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investments:	'	'	'	'	'
U.S. Government	49,604,000	'	49,604,000	'	4,765,000
U.S. Government agencies	0	'	0	'	0
Municipal bonds	0	'	0	'	0
Non-U.S. governments	55,593,000	'	55,593,000	'	54,980,000
Corporate bonds	0	'	0	'	0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	0	'	0	'	0
Residential mortgage-backed securities	0	'	0	'	0
Asset-backed securities	0	'	0	'	0
Short-term investments	0	'	0	'	8,933,000
Total investments	105,197,000	'	105,197,000	'	68,678,000
Cash and cash equivalents	1,330,895,000	'	1,330,895,000	'	1,464,418,000
Reinsurance deposit assets	0	'	0	'	0
Total	1,436,092,000	'	1,436,092,000	'	1,533,096,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value Measurement Using Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investments:	'	'	'	'	'
U.S. Government	0	'	0	'	0
U.S. Government agencies	91,053,000	'	91,053,000	'	51,122,000
Municipal bonds	1,270,057,000	'	1,270,057,000	'	1,269,247,000
Non-U.S. governments	88,425,000	'	88,425,000	'	88,929,000
Corporate bonds	227,718,000	'	227,718,000	'	227,235,000
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	69,667,000	'	69,667,000	'	77,491,000
Residential mortgage-backed securities	149,973,000	'	149,973,000	'	169,372,000
Asset-backed securities	17,136,000	'	17,136,000	'	15,304,000
Short-term investments	42,144,000	'	42,144,000	'	57,746,000
Total investments	1,956,173,000	'	1,956,173,000	'	1,956,446,000
Cash and cash equivalents	30,835,000	'	30,835,000	'	0
Reinsurance deposit assets	0	'	0	'	0
Total	1,987,008,000	'	1,987,008,000	'	1,956,446,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Fair Value Measurement Using Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investments:	'	'	'	'	'
U.S. Government	0	'	0	'	0
U.S. Government agencies	0	'	0	'	0
Municipal bonds	0	'	0	'	0
Non-U.S. governments	0	'	0	'	0
Corporate bonds	0	'	0	'	0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	0	'	0	'	0
Residential mortgage-backed securities	5,099,000	'	5,099,000	'	593,000
Asset-backed securities	1,093,000	'	1,093,000	'	2,227,000
Short-term investments	0	'	0	'	0
Total investments	6,192,000	'	6,192,000	'	2,820,000
Cash and cash equivalents	0	'	0	'	0
Reinsurance deposit assets	82,164,000	'	82,164,000	'	79,303,000
Total	$88,356,000	'	$88,356,000	'	$82,123,000

Credit_Facilities_Details

Credit Facilities (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
Credit Facilities (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Letters of credit, covenant compliance	'we were in compliance with all of the covenants under our credit facilities
Letters of credit, credit capacity	$675,000,000
Letters of credit, committed credit capacity	417,100,000
Letters of credit, uncommitted credit capacity	257,900,000
Letters of credit, amount outstanding	117,523,000	[1]
Collateral, cash and cash equivalents	141,700,000
Letters of credit, remaining borrowing capacity available	557,477,000
Amount of additional borrowing allowed with lender approval	175,000,000
Syndicated Credit Facility [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Letters of credit, affiliated borrower	'Platinum Holdings, Platinum Finance and our reinsurance subsidiaries
Letters of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	300,000,000
Letters of credit, terms	'On April 9, 2014, we entered into an amended and restated credit facility with various financial institutions (the "Syndicated Credit Facility"). The Syndicated Credit Facility is a four-year, $300.0 million secured senior credit facility available for letters of credit ("LOC"), with a sublimit of $100.0 million for revolving borrowings. LOC and borrowings under the Syndicated Credit Facility are available for the working capital, liquidity and general corporate requirements of Platinum Holdings, Platinum Finance and our reinsurance subsidiaries. The Syndicated Credit Facility contains customary representations, warranties and covenants. Platinum Holdings and Platinum Finance have unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of each Platinum entity under the Syndicated Credit Facility.
Letters of credit, credit capacity	300,000,000
Letters of credit, amount outstanding	77,742,000	[1]
Letters of credit, remaining borrowing capacity available	222,258,000
Other LOC Facilities [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Letters of credit, credit capacity	375,000,000
Letters of credit, amount outstanding	39,781,000	[1]
Letters of credit, remaining borrowing capacity available	335,219,000
Other LOC Facilities [Member] \| Uncommitted LOC Facility [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Letters of credit, affiliated borrower	'Platinum Bermuda
Letters of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	125,000,000
Letters of credit, amount outstanding	17,100,000
Other LOC Facilities [Member] \| Letter of Credit Facility [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'
Letters of credit, affiliated borrower	'reinsurance subsidiaries
Letters of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	100,000,000
Amount of additional uncommitted borrowing allowed with lender approval	$150,000,000

[1]	Cash and cash equivalents of $141.7 million were held to collateralize LOC issued as of June 30, 2014.

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pre-tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	$87,434,000	$151,517,000	$57,982,000	$159,975,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Available-for-sale Securities Before Reclassifications, Pre-tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded	-19,000	-200,000	15,000	-614,000
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities	18,976,000	-64,027,000	48,306,000	-58,217,000
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses	18,957,000	-64,227,000	48,321,000	-58,831,000
Reclassifications to Net Income on Available-for-sale Securities, Pre-tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-56,000	-12,968,000	-56,000	-27,243,000
Net impairment losses on investments	136,000	1,516,000	224,000	1,937,000
Total reclassifications to net income (loss)	80,000	-11,452,000	168,000	-25,306,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	19,037,000	-75,679,000	48,489,000	-84,137,000
Balance, end of period	106,471,000	75,838,000	106,471,000	75,838,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	-12,875,000	-20,414,000	-9,898,000	-22,285,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Available-for-sale Securities Before Reclassifications, Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded	0	0	0	11,000
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities	-2,245,000	6,963,000	-5,222,000	7,161,000
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses	-2,245,000	6,963,000	-5,222,000	7,172,000
Reclassifications to Net Income on Available-for-sale Securities, Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net realized gains on investments	0	1,980,000	0	3,675,000
Net impairment losses on investments	0	0	0	-33,000
Total reclassifications to net income (loss)	0	1,980,000	0	3,642,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,245,000	8,943,000	-5,222,000	10,814,000
Balance, end of period	-15,120,000	-11,471,000	-15,120,000	-11,471,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	74,559,000	131,103,000	48,084,000	137,690,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) on Available-for-sale Securities Before Reclassifications, Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded	-19,000	-200,000	15,000	-603,000
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities	16,731,000	-57,064,000	43,084,000	-51,056,000
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses	16,712,000	-57,264,000	43,099,000	-51,659,000
Reclassifications to Net Income on Available-for-sale Securities, Net of Tax [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net realized gains on investments	-56,000	-10,988,000	-56,000	-23,568,000
Net impairment losses on investments	136,000	1,516,000	224,000	1,904,000
Total reclassifications to net income (loss)	80,000	-9,472,000	168,000	-21,664,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)	16,792,000	-66,736,000	43,267,000	-73,323,000
Balance, end of period	91,351,000	64,367,000	91,351,000	64,367,000
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-56,000	-12,968,000	-56,000	-27,243,000
Net impairment losses on investments	136,000	1,516,000	224,000	1,937,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	1,980,000	0	3,642,000
Share Repurchases [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Stock repurchase program authorized amount	'	'	250,000,000	'
Number of common shares repurchased during the period	556,092	'	1,854,096	'
Weighted average cost per share for shares repurchased and retired	$62.95	'	$59.74	'
Aggregate amount paid for common shares repurchased and retired during the period	($35,000,000)	'	($110,760,000)	($224,233,000)
Share repurchase authorization description	'	'	'Our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of our common shares through a share repurchase program. Since the program was established, our Board of Directors has approved increases in the repurchase program from time to time, most recently on April 22, 2014, to result in authority as of such date to repurchase up to a total of $250.0 million of our common shares.	'

Dividend_Restrictions_Details

Dividend Restrictions (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		1 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 22, 2014	Jul. 22, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Platinum Holdings [Member]	Platinum Bermuda [Member]	Platinum Bermuda [Member]	Platinum United States [Member]	Other Platinum Subsidiaries [Member]	Platinum Holdings [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Statutory dividend payment restrictions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'There are no regulatory restrictions on retained earnings available for the payment of dividends by Platinum Finance to Platinum Regency or by Platinum Regency to Platinum Holdings.	'Platinum Holdings receives dividends and other distributions from its subsidiaries as a source of liquidity and to fund the payment of dividends to its shareholders. Distributions to Platinum Holdings from its subsidiaries may be restricted as described below. There are no significant restrictions on retained earnings available for the payment of dividends by Platinum Holdings to its shareholders.
Maximum amount available for payment of dividends	$289,892	'	'	'	$264,320	$25,572	'	'
Remaining amount available for payment of dividends or other distributions by reinsurance subsidiaries without regulatory approval	184,892	'	'	'	159,320	25,572	'	'
Dividends paid during period	105,000	'	'	50,000	105,000	0	'	'
Dividends received during period	$0	$0	$50,000	'	'	'	'	$105,000

Operating_Segment_Information_1

Operating Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Operating Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums written	$120,337,000	$146,370,000	$256,114,000	$281,135,000
Net premiums earned	124,825,000	142,933,000	251,098,000	269,786,000
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	50,865,000	62,667,000	77,374,000	76,665,000
Net acquisition expenses	27,848,000	30,313,000	55,349,000	60,532,000
Other underwriting expenses	13,968,000	13,411,000	26,858,000	26,799,000
Segment underwriting income (loss)	32,144,000	36,542,000	91,517,000	105,790,000
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) From Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net investment income (expense)	17,645,000	17,808,000	35,337,000	36,352,000
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-596,000	11,686,000	-1,111,000	25,004,000
Net impairment losses on investments	-136,000	-1,516,000	-224,000	-1,937,000
Other income (expense)	1,194,000	-315,000	2,711,000	1,077,000
Corporate expenses not allocated to segments	-7,466,000	-6,307,000	-12,859,000	-12,224,000
Net foreign currency exchange (losses) gains	-34,000	859,000	153,000	1,079,000
Interest expense	-4,788,000	-4,780,000	-9,574,000	-9,559,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	37,963,000	53,977,000	105,950,000	145,582,000
Underwriting Ratios:	'	'	'	'
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	40.70%	43.80%	30.80%	28.40%
Net acquisition expense	22.30%	21.20%	22.00%	22.40%
Other underwriting expense	11.20%	9.40%	10.70%	9.90%
Combined	74.20%	74.40%	63.50%	60.70%
Property and Marine [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums written	58,518,000	57,350,000	116,263,000	116,777,000
Net premiums earned	55,528,000	58,832,000	108,720,000	110,684,000
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	31,400,000	21,292,000	37,010,000	7,087,000
Net acquisition expenses	10,229,000	9,698,000	20,272,000	17,925,000
Other underwriting expenses	8,085,000	7,414,000	15,455,000	14,746,000
Segment underwriting income (loss)	5,814,000	20,428,000	35,983,000	70,926,000
Underwriting Ratios:	'	'	'	'
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	56.50%	36.20%	34.00%	6.40%
Net acquisition expense	18.40%	16.50%	18.60%	16.20%
Other underwriting expense	14.60%	12.60%	14.20%	13.30%
Combined	89.50%	65.30%	66.80%	35.90%
Casualty [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums written	54,806,000	79,711,000	126,480,000	150,555,000
Net premiums earned	61,555,000	75,629,000	127,272,000	146,424,000
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	15,261,000	35,358,000	30,221,000	65,001,000
Net acquisition expenses	15,636,000	18,068,000	31,278,000	34,317,000
Other underwriting expenses	5,537,000	5,670,000	10,765,000	11,393,000
Segment underwriting income (loss)	25,121,000	16,533,000	55,008,000	35,713,000
Underwriting Ratios:	'	'	'	'
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	24.80%	46.80%	23.70%	44.40%
Net acquisition expense	25.40%	23.90%	24.60%	23.40%
Other underwriting expense	9.00%	7.50%	8.50%	7.80%
Combined	59.20%	78.20%	56.80%	75.60%
Finite Risk [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums written	7,013,000	9,309,000	13,371,000	13,803,000
Net premiums earned	7,742,000	8,472,000	15,106,000	12,678,000
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	4,204,000	6,017,000	10,143,000	4,577,000
Net acquisition expenses	1,983,000	2,547,000	3,799,000	8,290,000
Other underwriting expenses	346,000	327,000	638,000	660,000
Segment underwriting income (loss)	$1,209,000	($419,000)	$526,000	($849,000)
Underwriting Ratios:	'	'	'	'
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	54.30%	71.00%	67.10%	36.10%
Net acquisition expense	25.60%	30.10%	25.10%	65.40%
Other underwriting expense	4.50%	3.90%	4.20%	5.20%
Combined	84.40%	105.00%	96.40%	106.70%

Earnings_Loss_Per_Common_Share2

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings (Loss) - Basic and Diluted [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$36,180		$49,854		$99,915		$136,370
Portion allocated to participating common shareholders	0	[1]	-113	[1]	0	[1]	-304	[1]
Net income (loss) allocated to common shareholders	$36,180		$49,741		$99,915		$136,066
Common Shares - Basic [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Weighted average common shares outstanding	26,577		30,571		27,167		31,467
Common Shares - Diluted [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Weighted average common shares outstanding	26,577		30,571		27,167		31,467
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding	26,928		30,970		27,516		31,904
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$1.36		$1.63		$3.68		$4.32
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$1.34		$1.61		$3.63		$4.26
Common Share Options [Member]	'		'		'		'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Share equivalents	55		155		53		191
Restricted Share Units [Member]	'		'		'		'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Share equivalents	296		244		296		246

[1]	Represents earnings attributable to holders of unvested restricted shares issued under the Company's share incentive plans that are considered to be participating securities. There were no restricted shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS	'		'	'		'	'	'
Total investments	$2,067,562,000		'	$2,027,944,000		'	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	0		'	0		'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,361,730,000		'	1,464,418,000		1,609,461,000	'	1,720,395,000
Reinsurance assets	259,939,000		'	290,887,000		'	'	'
Inter-company receivables	0		'	0		'	'	'
Other assets	135,485,000		'	140,636,000		'	'	'
Total assets	3,824,716,000		'	3,923,885,000		'	'	'
Liabilities	'		'	'		'	'	'
Reinsurance liabilities	1,745,258,000		'	1,876,456,000		'	'	'
Debt obligations	250,000,000		'	250,000,000		'	'	'
Inter-company payables	0		'	0		'	'	'
Other liabilities	51,589,000		'	50,722,000		'	'	'
Total liabilities	2,046,847,000		'	2,177,178,000		'	'	'
Shareholders' Equity	'		'	'		'	'	'
Common shares	264,000		'	281,000		'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	0		'	10,711,000		'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	91,351,000		74,559,000	48,084,000		64,367,000	131,103,000	137,690,000
Retained earnings	1,686,254,000		'	1,687,631,000		'	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	1,777,869,000		'	1,746,707,000		1,746,546,000	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	3,824,716,000		'	3,923,885,000		'	'	'
Platinum Holdings [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Condensed Balance Sheet Statement, Captions [Line Items]	'		'	'		'	'	'
Amount guaranteed by Platinum Holdings	250,000,000		'	'		'	'	'
ASSETS	'		'	'		'	'	'
Total investments	0		'	0		'	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	1,707,610,000		'	1,658,425,000		'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	69,518,000		'	88,402,000		8,058,000	'	70,604,000
Reinsurance assets	0		'	0		'	'	'
Inter-company receivables	11,274,000		'	9,739,000		'	'	'
Other assets	1,582,000		'	2,135,000		'	'	'
Total assets	1,789,984,000		'	1,758,701,000		'	'	'
Liabilities	'		'	'		'	'	'
Reinsurance liabilities	0		'	0		'	'	'
Debt obligations	0		'	0		'	'	'
Inter-company payables	0		'	0		'	'	'
Other liabilities	12,115,000		'	11,994,000		'	'	'
Total liabilities	12,115,000		'	11,994,000		'	'	'
Shareholders' Equity	'		'	'		'	'	'
Common shares	264,000		'	281,000		'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	0		'	10,711,000		'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	91,351,000		'	48,084,000		'	'	'
Retained earnings	1,686,254,000		'	1,687,631,000		'	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	1,777,869,000		'	1,746,707,000		'	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,789,984,000		'	1,758,701,000		'	'	'
Platinum Finance [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
ASSETS	'		'	'		'	'	'
Total investments	45,130,000		'	114,000		'	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	643,344,000		'	610,679,000		'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	179,299,000		'	230,818,000		146,834,000	'	152,122,000
Reinsurance assets	0		'	0		'	'	'
Inter-company receivables	0		'	0		'	'	'
Other assets	1,343,000		'	1,290,000		'	'	'
Total assets	869,116,000		'	842,901,000		'	'	'
Liabilities	'		'	'		'	'	'
Reinsurance liabilities	0		'	0		'	'	'
Debt obligations	250,000,000		'	250,000,000		'	'	'
Inter-company payables	92,000		'	39,000		'	'	'
Other liabilities	1,673,000		'	1,687,000		'	'	'
Total liabilities	251,765,000		'	251,726,000		'	'	'
Shareholders' Equity	'		'	'		'	'	'
Common shares	0		'	0		'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	215,667,000		'	215,420,000		'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	28,079,000		'	18,382,000		'	'	'
Retained earnings	373,605,000		'	357,373,000		'	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	617,351,000		'	591,175,000		'	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	869,116,000		'	842,901,000		'	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
ASSETS	'		'	'		'	'	'
Total investments	2,022,432,000	[1]	'	2,027,830,000	[1]	'	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	617,351,000	[1]	'	591,175,000	[1]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,112,913,000	[1]	'	1,145,198,000	[1]	1,454,569,000	'	1,497,669,000
Reinsurance assets	259,939,000	[1]	'	290,887,000	[1]	'	'	'
Inter-company receivables	350,000		'	351,000		'	'	'
Other assets	132,560,000	[1]	'	137,211,000	[1]	'	'	'
Total assets	4,145,545,000	[1]	'	4,192,652,000	[1]	'	'	'
Liabilities	'		'	'		'	'	'
Reinsurance liabilities	1,745,258,000	[1]	'	1,876,456,000	[1]	'	'	'
Debt obligations	0	[1]	'	0	[1]	'	'	'
Inter-company payables	11,532,000		'	10,051,000		'	'	'
Other liabilities	37,801,000	[1]	'	37,041,000	[1]	'	'	'
Total liabilities	1,794,591,000	[1]	'	1,923,548,000	[1]	'	'	'
Shareholders' Equity	'		'	'		'	'	'
Common shares	8,000,000	[1]	'	8,000,000	[1]	'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	2,024,903,000	[1]	'	2,024,409,000	[1]	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	119,419,000	[1]	'	66,463,000	[1]	'	'	'
Retained earnings	198,632,000	[1]	'	170,232,000	[1]	'	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	2,350,954,000	[1]	'	2,269,104,000	[1]	'	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	4,145,545,000	[1]	'	4,192,652,000	[1]	'	'	'
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'		'	'		'	'	'
ASSETS	'		'	'		'	'	'
Total investments	0		'	0		'	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-2,968,305,000		'	-2,860,279,000		'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0		'	0		0	'	0
Reinsurance assets	0		'	0		'	'	'
Inter-company receivables	-11,624,000		'	-10,090,000		'	'	'
Other assets	0		'	0		'	'	'
Total assets	-2,979,929,000		'	-2,870,369,000		'	'	'
Liabilities	'		'	'		'	'	'
Reinsurance liabilities	0		'	0		'	'	'
Debt obligations	0		'	0		'	'	'
Inter-company payables	-11,624,000		'	-10,090,000		'	'	'
Other liabilities	0		'	0		'	'	'
Total liabilities	-11,624,000		'	-10,090,000		'	'	'
Shareholders' Equity	'		'	'		'	'	'
Common shares	-8,000,000		'	-8,000,000		'	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	-2,240,570,000		'	-2,239,829,000		'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-147,498,000		'	-84,845,000		'	'	'
Retained earnings	-572,237,000		'	-527,605,000		'	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	-2,968,305,000		'	-2,860,279,000		'	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	($2,979,929,000)		'	($2,870,369,000)		'	'	'

[1]	Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and OCI (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Revenue:	'		'		'		'
Net premiums earned	$124,825,000		$142,933,000		$251,098,000		$269,786,000
Net investment income (expense)	17,645,000		17,808,000		35,337,000		36,352,000
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-596,000		11,686,000		-1,111,000		25,004,000
Net impairment losses on investments	-136,000		-1,516,000		-224,000		-1,937,000
Other income (expense)	1,194,000		-315,000		2,711,000		1,077,000
Total revenue	142,932,000		170,596,000		287,811,000		330,282,000
Expenses:	'		'		'		'
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	50,865,000		62,667,000		77,374,000		76,665,000
Net acquisition expenses	27,848,000		30,313,000		55,349,000		60,532,000
Operating expenses	21,434,000		19,718,000		39,717,000		39,023,000
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	34,000		-859,000		-153,000		-1,079,000
Interest expense	4,788,000		4,780,000		9,574,000		9,559,000
Total expenses	104,969,000		116,619,000		181,861,000		184,700,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	37,963,000		53,977,000		105,950,000		145,582,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,783,000		4,123,000		6,035,000		9,212,000
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	36,180,000		49,854,000		99,915,000		136,370,000
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0		0		0		0
Net income (loss)	36,180,000		49,854,000		99,915,000		136,370,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss)	36,180,000		49,854,000		99,915,000		136,370,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:	'		'		'		'
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded	-19,000		-200,000		15,000		-614,000
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities	18,976,000		-64,027,000		48,306,000		-58,217,000
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses	18,957,000		-64,227,000		48,321,000		-58,831,000
Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:	'		'		'		'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-56,000		-12,968,000		-56,000		-27,243,000
Net impairment losses on investments	136,000		1,516,000		224,000		1,937,000
Total reclassifications to net income (loss)	80,000		-11,452,000		168,000		-25,306,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	19,037,000		-75,679,000		48,489,000		-84,137,000
Income tax (expense) benefit	-2,245,000		8,943,000		-5,222,000		10,814,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)	16,792,000		-66,736,000		43,267,000		-73,323,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries	0		0		0		0
Comprehensive income (loss)	52,972,000		-16,882,000		143,182,000		63,047,000
Platinum Holdings [Member]	'		'		'		'
Revenue:	'		'		'		'
Net premiums earned	0		0		0		0
Net investment income (expense)	2,000		9,000		12,000		22,000
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	0		0		0		0
Net impairment losses on investments	0		0		0		0
Other income (expense)	1,010,000		716,000		2,533,000		4,845,000
Total revenue	1,012,000		725,000		2,545,000		4,867,000
Expenses:	'		'		'		'
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	0		0		0		0
Net acquisition expenses	0		0		0		0
Operating expenses	7,335,000		6,175,000		13,301,000		11,801,000
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	0		0		0		0
Interest expense	0		0		0		0
Total expenses	7,335,000		6,175,000		13,301,000		11,801,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	-6,323,000		-5,450,000		-10,756,000		-6,934,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	0		0		0		0
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	-6,323,000		-5,450,000		-10,756,000		-6,934,000
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	42,503,000		55,304,000		110,671,000		143,304,000
Net income (loss)	36,180,000		49,854,000		99,915,000		136,370,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss)	36,180,000		49,854,000		99,915,000		136,370,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:	'		'		'		'
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded	0		0		0		0
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities	0		0		0		0
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses	0		0		0		0
Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:	'		'		'		'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	0		0		0		0
Net impairment losses on investments	0		0		0		0
Total reclassifications to net income (loss)	0		0		0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	0		0		0		0
Income tax (expense) benefit	0		0		0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0		0		0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries	16,792,000		-66,736,000		43,267,000		-73,323,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	52,972,000		-16,882,000		143,182,000		63,047,000
Platinum Finance [Member]	'		'		'		'
Revenue:	'		'		'		'
Net premiums earned	0		0		0		0
Net investment income (expense)	-46,000		-8,000		-93,000		-30,000
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	0		0		0		0
Net impairment losses on investments	0		0		0		0
Other income (expense)	0		0		0		4,000
Total revenue	-46,000		-8,000		-93,000		-26,000
Expenses:	'		'		'		'
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	0		0		0		0
Net acquisition expenses	0		0		0		0
Operating expenses	88,000		39,000		122,000		73,000
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	0		0		0		0
Interest expense	4,788,000		4,780,000		9,574,000		9,559,000
Total expenses	4,876,000		4,819,000		9,696,000		9,632,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	-4,922,000		-4,827,000		-9,789,000		-9,658,000
Income tax expense (benefit)	-1,638,000		-1,608,000		-3,292,000		-3,196,000
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	-3,284,000		-3,219,000		-6,497,000		-6,462,000
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	9,377,000		11,363,000		22,729,000		34,293,000
Net income (loss)	6,093,000		8,144,000		16,232,000		27,831,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss)	6,093,000		8,144,000		16,232,000		27,831,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:	'		'		'		'
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded	0		0		0		0
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities	12,000		-2,000		12,000		-2,000
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses	12,000		-2,000		12,000		-2,000
Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:	'		'		'		'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	0		0		0		0
Net impairment losses on investments	0		0		0		0
Total reclassifications to net income (loss)	0		0		0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	12,000		-2,000		12,000		-2,000
Income tax (expense) benefit	-4,000		2,000		-4,000		2,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,000		0		8,000		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries	4,160,000		-16,610,000		9,689,000		-20,084,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	10,261,000		-8,466,000		25,929,000		7,747,000
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'		'		'
Revenue:	'		'		'		'
Net premiums earned	124,825,000	[1]	142,933,000	[1]	251,098,000	[1]	269,786,000	[1]
Net investment income (expense)	17,689,000	[1]	17,807,000	[1]	35,418,000	[1]	36,360,000	[1]
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-596,000	[1]	11,686,000	[1]	-1,111,000	[1]	25,004,000	[1]
Net impairment losses on investments	-136,000	[1]	-1,516,000	[1]	-224,000	[1]	-1,937,000	[1]
Other income (expense)	184,000	[1]	-1,031,000	[1]	178,000	[1]	-3,772,000	[1]
Total revenue	141,966,000	[1]	169,879,000	[1]	285,359,000	[1]	325,441,000	[1]
Expenses:	'		'		'		'
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	50,865,000	[1]	62,667,000	[1]	77,374,000	[1]	76,665,000	[1]
Net acquisition expenses	27,848,000	[1]	30,313,000	[1]	55,349,000	[1]	60,532,000	[1]
Operating expenses	14,011,000	[1]	13,504,000	[1]	26,294,000	[1]	27,149,000	[1]
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	34,000	[1]	-859,000	[1]	-153,000	[1]	-1,079,000	[1]
Interest expense	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Total expenses	92,758,000	[1]	105,625,000	[1]	158,864,000	[1]	163,267,000	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes	49,208,000	[1]	64,254,000	[1]	126,495,000	[1]	162,174,000	[1]
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,421,000	[1]	5,731,000	[1]	9,327,000	[1]	12,408,000	[1]
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	45,787,000	[1]	58,523,000	[1]	117,168,000	[1]	149,766,000	[1]
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	6,093,000	[1]	8,144,000	[1]	16,232,000	[1]	27,831,000	[1]
Net income (loss)	51,880,000	[1]	66,667,000	[1]	133,400,000	[1]	177,597,000	[1]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss)	51,880,000	[1]	66,667,000	[1]	133,400,000	[1]	177,597,000	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:	'		'		'		'
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded	-19,000	[1]	-200,000	[1]	15,000	[1]	-614,000	[1]
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities	18,964,000	[1]	-64,025,000	[1]	48,294,000	[1]	-58,215,000	[1]
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses	18,945,000	[1]	-64,225,000	[1]	48,309,000	[1]	-58,829,000	[1]
Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:	'		'		'		'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-56,000	[1]	-12,968,000	[1]	-56,000	[1]	-27,243,000	[1]
Net impairment losses on investments	136,000	[1]	1,516,000	[1]	224,000	[1]	1,937,000	[1]
Total reclassifications to net income (loss)	80,000		-11,452,000		168,000	[1]	-25,306,000	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	19,025,000	[1]	-75,677,000	[1]	48,477,000	[1]	-84,135,000	[1]
Income tax (expense) benefit	-2,241,000	[1]	8,941,000	[1]	-5,218,000	[1]	10,812,000	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	16,784,000		-66,736,000		43,259,000		-73,323,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries	4,168,000		-16,610,000		9,697,000		-20,084,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	72,832,000		-16,679,000		186,356,000		84,190,000
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'
Revenue:	'		'		'		'
Net premiums earned	0		0		0		0
Net investment income (expense)	0		0		0		0
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	0		0		0		0
Net impairment losses on investments	0		0		0		0
Other income (expense)	0		0		0		0
Total revenue	0		0		0		0
Expenses:	'		'		'		'
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	0		0		0		0
Net acquisition expenses	0		0		0		0
Operating expenses	0		0		0		0
Net foreign currency exchange losses (gains)	0		0		0		0
Interest expense	0		0		0		0
Total expenses	0		0		0		0
Income (loss) before income taxes	0		0		0		0
Income tax expense (benefit)	0		0		0		0
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries	0		0		0		0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	-57,973,000		-74,811,000		-149,632,000		-205,428,000
Net income (loss)	-57,973,000		-74,811,000		-149,632,000		-205,428,000
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income (loss)	-57,973,000		-74,811,000		-149,632,000		-205,428,000
Other comprehensive income (loss) on available-for-sale securities before reclassifications:	'		'		'		'
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities with other-than-temporary impairments recorded	0		0		0		0
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on all other securities	0		0		0		0
Total change in net unrealized gains and losses	0		0		0		0
Reclassifications to net income on available-for-sale securities:	'		'		'		'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	0		0		0		0
Net impairment losses on investments	0		0		0		0
Total reclassifications to net income (loss)	0		0		0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	0		0		0		0
Income tax (expense) benefit	0		0		0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0		0		0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss) due to change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of subsidiaries	-25,120,000		99,956,000		-62,653,000		113,491,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	($83,093,000)		$25,145,000		($212,285,000)		($91,937,000)

[1]	Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed Cash Flow Statement, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$1,419		($49,113)
Proceeds from the sales of:	'		'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	1,655		203,571
Short-term investments	6,613		11,857
Proceeds from maturities or paydowns of:	'		'
Fiixed maturity available-for-sale securities	68,297		93,075
Short-term investments	83,436		176,568
Acquisitions of:	'		'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	-90,026		-218,111
Short-term investments	-61,852		-97,705
Acquisitions of furniture, equipment and other assets	0		-3,805
Dividends from subsidiaries	0		0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	8,123		165,450
Financing Activities:	'		'
Dividends paid to common shareholders	-4,321		-4,921
Repurchase of commons shares	-110,760		-224,233
Proceeds from share-based compensation, including income tax benefits	247		14,144
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-114,834		-215,010
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,604		-12,261
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-102,688		-110,934
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,464,418		1,720,395
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,361,730		1,609,461
Platinum Holdings [Member]	'		'
Condensed Cash Flow Statement, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-8,803		-9,845
Proceeds from the sales of:	'		'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	0		0
Short-term investments	0		0
Proceeds from maturities or paydowns of:	'		'
Fiixed maturity available-for-sale securities	0		0
Short-term investments	0		0
Acquisitions of:	'		'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	0		0
Short-term investments	0		0
Acquisitions of furniture, equipment and other assets	'		-191
Dividends from subsidiaries	105,000		162,500
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	105,000		162,309
Financing Activities:	'		'
Dividends paid to common shareholders	-4,321		-4,921
Repurchase of commons shares	-110,760		-224,233
Proceeds from share-based compensation, including income tax benefits	0		14,144
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-115,081		-215,010
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-18,884		-62,546
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	88,402		70,604
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	69,518		8,058
Platinum Finance [Member]	'		'
Condensed Cash Flow Statement, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-6,514		-5,324
Proceeds from the sales of:	'		'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	0		0
Short-term investments	0		0
Proceeds from maturities or paydowns of:	'		'
Fiixed maturity available-for-sale securities	21		36
Short-term investments	0		0
Acquisitions of:	'		'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	-45,026		0
Short-term investments	0		0
Acquisitions of furniture, equipment and other assets	'		0
Dividends from subsidiaries	0		0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-45,005		36
Financing Activities:	'		'
Dividends paid to common shareholders	0		0
Repurchase of commons shares	0		0
Proceeds from share-based compensation, including income tax benefits	0		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	0		0
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-51,519		-5,288
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	230,818		152,122
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	179,299		146,834
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'
Condensed Cash Flow Statement, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	16,983		-33,944
Proceeds from the sales of:	'		'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	1,655		203,571
Short-term investments	6,613		11,857
Proceeds from maturities or paydowns of:	'		'
Fiixed maturity available-for-sale securities	68,276		93,039
Short-term investments	83,436		176,568
Acquisitions of:	'		'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	-45,000		-218,111
Short-term investments	-61,852		-97,705
Acquisitions of furniture, equipment and other assets	'		-3,614
Dividends from subsidiaries	0		0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	53,128		165,605
Financing Activities:	'		'
Dividends paid to common shareholders	-105,000		-162,500
Repurchase of commons shares	0		0
Proceeds from share-based compensation, including income tax benefits	0		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-105,000		-162,500
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,604		-12,261
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-32,285		-43,100
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,145,198	[1]	1,497,669
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,112,913	[1]	1,454,569
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'		'
Condensed Cash Flow Statement, Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-247		0
Proceeds from the sales of:	'		'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	0		0
Short-term investments	0		0
Proceeds from maturities or paydowns of:	'		'
Fiixed maturity available-for-sale securities	0		0
Short-term investments	0		0
Acquisitions of:	'		'
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	0		0
Short-term investments	0		0
Acquisitions of furniture, equipment and other assets	'		0
Dividends from subsidiaries	-105,000		-162,500
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-105,000		-162,500
Financing Activities:	'		'
Dividends paid to common shareholders	105,000		162,500
Repurchase of commons shares	0		0
Proceeds from share-based compensation, including income tax benefits	247		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	105,247		162,500
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0		0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0		$0

[1]	Amounts represent an aggregation of the non-guarantor subsidiaries and exclude consolidating adjustments.