Assurant (AIZ) 10-Q 4 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001267238	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ASSURANT INC	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	70,255,038
Trading Symbol	'AIZ	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments:	'	'
Fixed maturity securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost - $10,482,812 in 2014 and $10,520,310 in 2013)	$11,624,009	$11,291,875
Equity securities available for sale, at fair value (cost - $458,965 in 2014 and $417,535 in 2013)	521,707	458,358
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate, at amortized cost	1,253,424	1,287,032
Policy loans	48,979	51,678
Short-term investments	465,295	470,458
Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements	95,977	95,215
Other investments	599,423	589,399
Total investments	14,608,814	14,244,015
Cash and cash equivalents	1,411,266	1,717,184
Premiums and accounts receivable, net	1,340,200	1,080,171
Reinsurance recoverables	6,149,708	5,752,134
Accrued investment income	151,108	145,189
Deferred acquisition costs	3,277,810	3,128,931
Property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation	274,419	253,630
Goodwill	816,818	784,561
Value of business acquired	47,492	53,549
Other intangible assets, net	369,021	354,636
Other assets	354,382	258,942
Assets held in separate accounts	1,872,091	1,941,747
Total assets	30,673,129	29,714,689
Liabilities	'	'
Future policy benefits and expenses	8,813,702	8,646,572
Unearned premiums	6,784,089	6,662,672
Claims and benefits payable	3,577,964	3,389,371
Commissions payable	596,990	429,636
Reinsurance balances payable	110,507	106,932
Funds held under reinsurance	78,707	76,778
Deferred gain on disposal of businesses	88,362	99,311
Obligation under securities agreements	95,973	95,206
Accounts payable and other liabilities	1,793,509	1,662,348
Deferred income taxes, net	323,073	129,148
Tax payable	24,594	3,371
Debt	1,171,005	1,638,118
Liabilities related to separate accounts	1,872,091	1,941,747
Total liabilities	25,330,566	24,881,210
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)	'	'
Stockholders’ equity	'	'
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 70,809,613 and 71,828,208 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	1,490	1,482
Additional paid-in capital	3,117,645	3,087,533
Retained earnings	4,778,645	4,415,875
Accumulated other comprehensive income	659,746	426,830
Treasury stock, at cost; 77,803,252 and 76,039,652 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	-3,214,963	-3,098,241
Total stockholders’ equity	5,342,563	4,833,479
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$30,673,129	$29,714,689

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Fixed maturity securities available for sale, amortized cost	$10,482,812	$10,520,310
Equity securities available for sale, cost	$458,965	$417,535
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	70,809,613	71,828,208
Treasury stock, shares, at cost	77,803,252	76,039,652

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	$2,257,809	$1,947,431	$6,490,005	$5,714,293
Net investment income	162,009	159,209	497,575	489,118
Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses	17,744	-2,429	43,612	31,573
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	-1,230	-69	-1,409
Portion of net loss recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes	0	28	39	100
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	0	-1,202	-30	-1,309
Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses	3,645	4,074	10,949	12,238
Fees and other income	261,281	151,567	716,850	401,126
Total revenues	2,702,488	2,258,650	7,758,961	6,647,039
Benefits, losses and expenses	'	'	'	'
Policyholder benefits	1,123,693	933,832	3,281,338	2,708,143
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired	386,709	372,750	1,098,080	1,101,998
Underwriting, general and administrative expenses	953,559	737,326	2,681,135	2,168,367
Interest expense	13,776	20,771	44,617	57,369
Total benefits, losses and expenses	2,477,737	2,064,679	7,105,170	6,035,877
Income before provision for income taxes	224,751	193,971	653,791	611,162
Provision for income taxes	84,454	65,183	232,639	231,071
Net income	$140,297	$128,788	$421,152	$380,091
Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.94	$1.70	$5.80	$4.89
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.92	$1.68	$5.74	$4.84
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$0.27	$0.25	$0.79	$0.71
Share Data	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic per share calculations (in shares)	72,182,547	75,544,542	72,561,191	77,662,796
Plus: Dilutive securities (in shares)	864,157	915,249	866,171	899,205
Weighted average shares used in diluted per share calculations (in shares)	73,046,704	76,459,791	73,427,362	78,562,001

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$140,297	$128,788	$421,152	$380,091
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes of $27,439, $21,164, $(129,418) and $220,190, respectively	-51,617	-43,305	259,350	-431,554
Change in other-than-temporary impairment gains, net of taxes of $48, $(150), $(1,236) and $(1,064), respectively	-89	279	2,295	1,976
Change in foreign currency translation, net of taxes of $(10,957), $(1,627), $1,396 and $4,178, respectively	-54,264	5,578	-34,434	-28,653
Amortization of pension and postretirement unrecognized net periodic benefit cost, net of taxes of $(885), $(1,748), $(3,073) and $(7,610), respectively	1,644	3,246	5,705	14,134
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	-104,326	-34,202	232,916	-444,097
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$35,971	$94,586	$654,068	($64,006)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net change in unrealized gains on securities, taxes	$27,439	$21,164	($129,418)	$220,190
Net change in other-than-temporary impairment gains, taxes	48	-150	-1,236	-1,064
Net change in foreign currency translation, taxes	-10,957	-1,627	1,396	4,178
Amortization of pension and postretirement unrecognized net periodic benefit cost, taxes	($885)	($1,748)	($3,073)	($7,610)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Treasury Stock
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$4,833,479	$1,482	$3,087,533	$4,415,875	$426,830	($3,098,241)
Stock plan exercises	-19,282	8	-19,290	0	0	0
Stock plan compensation expense	35,015	0	35,015	0	0	0
Change in tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	14,387	0	14,387	0	0	0
Dividends	-58,382	0	0	-58,382	0	0
Acquisition of common stock	-116,722	0	0	0	0	-116,722
Net income	421,152	0	0	421,152	0	0
Other comprehensive income	232,916	0	0	0	232,916	0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$5,342,563	$1,490	$3,117,645	$4,778,645	$659,746	($3,214,963)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]	'		'
Net cash provided by operating activities	$514,664		$724,038
Sales of:	'		'
Fixed maturity securities available for sale	1,288,291		1,814,687
Equity securities available for sale	83,488		173,499
Other invested assets	60,598		42,312
Property and equipment and other	173		154
Maturities, calls, prepayments, and scheduled redemption of:	'		'
Fixed maturity securities available for sale	585,263		695,398
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	119,085		150,920
Purchases of:	'		'
Fixed maturity securities available for sale	-1,877,572		-2,446,127
Equity securities available for sale	-122,071		-168,097
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	-88,531		-109,504
Other invested assets	-28,402		-37,524
Property and equipment and other	-58,879		-33,519
Subsidiary, net of cash transferred	-88,155	[1]	-49,987	[1]
Equity interest	-20,950	[2]	0	[2]
Change in short-term investments	2,326		-673,579
Change in policy loans	2,576		823
Change in collateral held/pledged under securities agreements	-768		-1,047
Net cash used in investing activities	-143,528		-641,591
Financing activities	'		'
Issuance of debt	0		698,093
Repayment of debt	-467,330		-32,310
Change in tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements	14,387		-1,724
Acquisition of common stock	-115,866		-299,624
Dividends paid	-58,382		-55,777
Payment of contingent obligations	-31,871	[3]	0	[3]
Change in obligation under securities agreements	768		1,047
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-658,294		309,705
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-18,760		-14,859
Change in cash and cash equivalents	-305,918		377,293
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,717,184		909,404
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$1,411,266		$1,286,697
[1]	2014 includes the acquisitions of StreetLinks, LLC and eMortgage Logic, LLC. 2013 includes the acquisition of Field Asset Services Group Limited.
[2]	Relates to the purchase of equity interest in Iké Asistencia.
[3]	Relates to the delayed and contingent liability payments established at the time of acquisition of Lifestyle Services Group. Change in amount paid, in comparison to December 31, 2013 amount disclosed, is mainly due to foreign currency translation.

Nature_of_Operations

Nature of Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Nature Of Operations [Abstract]	'
Nature Of Operations	'
	Nature of Operations
	Assurant, Inc. (the “Company”) is a holding company whose subsidiaries provide specialized insurance products and related services in North America, Latin America, Europe and other select worldwide markets.
	The Company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AIZ".
	Through its operating subsidiaries, the Company provides mobile device protection, debt protection administration, credit-related insurance, warranties and service contracts, pre-funded funeral insurance, lender-placed homeowners insurance, property, appraisal, preservation and valuation services, renters insurance and related products, manufactured housing homeowners insurance, individual health and small employer group health insurance, group dental insurance, group disability insurance, and group life insurance.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
	The interim financial data as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is unaudited; in the opinion of management, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
	The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and the rules and regulations thereunder (together, the “Affordable Care Act”) introduced new and significant premium stabilization programs in 2014. These programs required the Company to record amounts to our consolidated financial statements based on assumptions and estimates which could materially change as experience develops.
	Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Adopted
	On January 1, 2014, the Company adopted the new guidance on presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments in this guidance state that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. An exception to this guidance would be where a net operating loss carryforward or similar tax loss or credit carryforward would not be available under the tax law to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose. In such a case, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The adoption of this new presentation guidance did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
	On January 1, 2014, the Company adopted the other expenses guidance that addresses how health insurers should recognize and classify in their statements of operations fees mandated by the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act imposes an annual fee on health insurers for each calendar year beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The amendments specify that the liability for the fee should be estimated and recorded in full once the entity provides qualifying health insurance in the applicable calendar year in which the fee is payable with a corresponding deferred cost that is amortized to expense ratably over the calendar year during which it is payable. The Company’s adoption of this guidance impacts the results of our Assurant Health and Assurant Employee Benefits segments. During the third quarter of 2014, the final assessment of the annual insurer fee of $25,723 was paid to the federal government. As a result of this payment, the estimated liability for the mandated fees was reduced to $0. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $19,292 of amortization expense related to the deferred costs in underwriting, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations, resulting in an ending balance in deferred costs, recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, of $6,431 as of September 30, 2014.
	Not Yet Adopted
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance on revenue recognition. The amended guidance affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. Insurance contracts are within the scope of other standards and therefore are specifically excluded from the scope of the amended revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of the amended guidance is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve the core principle, the entity applies a five step process outlined in the amended guidance. The amended guidance also includes a cohesive set of disclosure requirements. The amended guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. Therefore, the Company is required to adopt the guidance on January 1, 2017. An entity can choose to apply the amended guidance using either the full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of the revenue recognition guidance as it relates to its non-insurance contract revenue and the potential impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	As previously disclosed, on December 30, 2013, the Company paid Mex$1,191,499 (U.S.D. $91,420) for a 40% investment in the Mexican operations of Iké Asistencia (“Iké”), an assistance services business with operations in Mexico and other countries in Latin America. In addition, on February 10, 2014, the Company made a previously disclosed payment of Mex$272,541 (U.S.D. $20,950) for 40% of Iké’s Latin American operations. Following the February 10, 2014 payment, the Company owns 40% of the equity interests and outstanding shares of Iké and, under the terms of the agreements, will also have options to acquire the remaining interest in Iké over time.
	On March 24, 2014, the Company made the required delayed payment of £3,000 ($4,951) and contingent payment of £16,313 ($26,920) to complete the previously disclosed October 25, 2013 acquisition of Lifestyle Services Group. The contingent payment was made given the stipulated contractual renewal of a key client.
	On April 16, 2014, the Company acquired StreetLinks, LLC, a leading independent appraisal management company, from Novation Companies, Inc. The acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled $65,905, which consists of an initial cash payment of $60,905 and a contingent payment of $5,000. The contingent consideration arrangement is based on future expected revenue. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded $47,970 of customer and technology based intangible assets, all of which are amortizable over a 2 to 12 year period, and $14,738 of goodwill, none of which is tax-deductible. The primary factor contributing to the recognition of goodwill is the future expected growth of this business within Assurant Specialty Property.
	On September 3, 2014, the Company acquired eMortgage Logic, LLC, a national provider of residential valuation products and valuation technology services. The acquisition-date fair value totaled $28,263, which primarily consists of an initial cash payment of $17,000 and a contingent payment of $10,231. The contingent consideration arrangement is based on future expected revenue. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded $11,270 of customer and technology based intangible assets, all of which are amortizable over a 3 to 11 year period, and $14,058 of goodwill, all of which is tax-deductible. The primary factor contributing to the recognition of goodwill is the future expected growth of this business within Assurant Specialty Property.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	The following tables show the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, fair value and other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of our fixed maturity and equity securities as of the dates indicated:
		30-Sep-14
		Cost or			Gross				Gross			Fair Value			OTTI in
		Amortized			Unrealized				Unrealized						AOCI
		Cost			Gains				Losses						(a)
	Fixed maturity securities:
	United States government and	$	172,994		$	5,053			$	(639	)	$	177,408		$	—
	government agencies and authorities
	States, municipalities and political	758,072			72,812				(517		)	830,367			—
	subdivisions
	Foreign governments	610,000			60,062				(1,706		)	668,356			—
	Asset-backed	4,061			1,729				(32		)	5,758			1,620
	Commercial mortgage-backed	56,527			1,534				—			58,061			—
	Residential mortgage-backed	949,236			51,815				(3,446		)	997,605			19,404
	Corporate	7,931,922			966,302				(11,770		)	8,886,454			23,163
	Total fixed maturity securities	$	10,482,812		$	1,159,307			$	(18,110	)	$	11,624,009		$	44,187
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks	$	21,129		$	13,743			$	(49	)	$	34,823		$	—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	437,836			51,485				(2,437		)	486,884			—
	Total equity securities	$	458,965		$	65,228			$	(2,486	)	$	521,707		$	—
		December 31, 2013
		Cost or			Gross				Gross			Fair Value			OTTI in
		Amortized			Unrealized				Unrealized						AOCI
		Cost			Gains				Losses						(a)
	Fixed maturity securities:
	United States government and	$	408,378		$	4,166			$	(1,888	)	$	410,656		$	—
	government agencies and authorities
	States, municipalities and political	774,233			63,543				(2,624		)	835,152			—
	subdivisions
	Foreign governments	647,486			35,543				(7,608		)	675,421			—
	Asset-backed	4,320			1,910				(56		)	6,174			1,773
	Commercial mortgage-backed	57,594			2,850				(82		)	60,362			—
	Residential mortgage-backed	919,216			41,905				(13,217		)	947,904			19,525
	Corporate	7,709,083			684,776				(37,653		)	8,356,206			19,359
	Total fixed maturity securities	$	10,520,310		$	834,693			$	(63,128	)	$	11,291,875		$	40,657
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks	$	17,890		$	11,352			$	(10	)	$	29,232		$	—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	399,645			38,880				(9,399		)	429,126			—
	Total equity securities	$	417,535		$	50,232			$	(9,409	)	$	458,358		$	—
	(a)	Represents the amount of OTTI recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Amount includes unrealized gains and losses on impaired securities relating to changes in the value of such securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date.
	Our states, municipalities and political subdivisions holdings are highly diversified across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, with no individual state’s exposure (including both general obligation and revenue securities) exceeding 0.5% of the overall investment portfolio as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the securities include general obligation and revenue bonds issued by states, cities, counties, school districts and similar issuers, including $275,657 and $234,640, respectively, of advance refunded or escrowed-to-maturity bonds (collectively referred to as “pre-refunded bonds”), which are bonds for which an irrevocable trust has been established to fund the remaining payments of principal and interest. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, revenue bonds account for 51% and 53% of the holdings, respectively. Excluding pre-refunded revenue bonds, the activities supporting the income streams of the Company’s revenue bonds are across a broad range of sectors, primarily highway, water, airport and marina, higher education, specifically pledged tax revenues, and other miscellaneous sources such as bond banks, finance authorities and appropriations.
	The Company’s investments in foreign government fixed maturity securities are held mainly in countries and currencies where the Company has policyholder liabilities, which allow the assets and liabilities to be more appropriately matched. At September 30, 2014, approximately 74%, 11% and 5% of the foreign government securities were held in the Canadian government/provincials and the governments of Brazil and Germany, respectively. At December 31, 2013, approximately 70%, 15% and 6% of the foreign government securities were held in the Canadian government/provincials and the governments of Brazil and Germany, respectively. No other country represented more than 3% of our foreign government securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	The Company has European investment exposure in its corporate fixed maturity and equity securities of $1,075,379 with an unrealized gain of $108,088 at September 30, 2014 and $1,082,129 with an unrealized gain of $78,126 at December 31, 2013. Approximately 23% and 25% of the corporate European exposure is held in the financial industry at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Our largest European country exposure represented approximately 5% and 6% of the fair value of our corporate securities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Approximately 5% of the fair value of the corporate European securities are pound and euro-denominated and are not hedged to U.S. dollars, but held to support those foreign-denominated liabilities. Our international investments are managed as part of our overall portfolio with the same approach to risk management and focus on diversification.
	The cost or amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2014 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
		Cost or			Fair Value
		Amortized
		Cost
	Due in one year or less	$	339,714		$	344,017
	Due after one year through five years	2,437,561			2,571,729
	Due after five years through ten years	2,690,101			2,832,899
	Due after ten years	4,005,612			4,813,940
	Total	9,472,988			10,562,585
	Asset-backed	4,061			5,758
	Commercial mortgage-backed	56,527			58,061
	Residential mortgage-backed	949,236			997,605
	Total	$	10,482,812		$	11,624,009
	The following table summarizes the proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and the gross realized gains and gross realized losses that have been included in earnings as a result of those sales.
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
	Proceeds from sales	$	401,627		$	525,996			$	1,403,671		$	2,028,274
	Gross realized gains	18,109			9,865				49,696			46,290
Gross realized losses	1,607			12,339				8,174			23,391
The following table sets forth the net realized gains (losses), including OTTI, recognized in the statement of operations as follows:
	Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
	September 30,							September 30,
	2014			2013				2014			2013
Net realized gains (losses) related to sales and other:
Fixed maturity securities	$	17,848		$	(2,232	)		$	39,538		$	20,215
Equity securities	(149		)	82				4,988			4,753
Other investments	45			(279		)		(914		)	6,605
Total net realized gains (losses) related to sales and	17,744			(2,429		)		43,612			31,573
other
Net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments:
Fixed maturity securities	—			(660		)		(30		)	(767		)
Other investments	—			(542		)		—			(542		)
Total net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	—			(1,202		)		(30		)	(1,309		)
Total net realized gains (losses)	$	17,744		$	(3,631	)		$	43,582		$	30,264
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments
The Company follows the OTTI guidance which requires entities to separate an OTTI of a debt security into two components when there are credit related losses associated with the impaired debt security for which the Company asserts that it does not have the intent to sell, and it is more likely than not that it will not be required to sell before recovery of its cost basis. Under the OTTI guidance, the amount of the OTTI related to a credit loss is recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other, non-credit factors (e.g., interest rates, market conditions, etc.) is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In instances where no credit loss exists but the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the debt security prior to the anticipated recovery, the decline in market value below amortized cost is recognized as an OTTI in earnings. In periods after the recognition of an OTTI on debt securities, the Company accounts for such securities as if they had been purchased on the measurement date of the OTTI at an amortized cost basis equal to the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings. For debt securities for which OTTI was recognized in earnings, the difference between the new amortized cost basis and the cash flows expected to be collected will be accreted or amortized into net investment income.
There was no OTTI for the three months ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $69 of OTTI, of which $30 was related to credit losses and recorded as net OTTI losses recognized in earnings, with the remaining $39 related to all other factors and recorded as an unrealized loss component of AOCI. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded $1,230 and $1,409, respectively, of OTTI, of which $1,202 and $1,309, respectively, was related to credit losses and recorded as net OTTI losses recognized in earnings, with the remaining $28 and $100, respectively, related to all other factors and recorded as an unrealized loss component of AOCI.
The following tables set forth the amount of credit loss impairments recognized within the results of operations on fixed maturity securities held by the Company as of the dates indicated, for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in AOCI, and the corresponding changes in such amounts.
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Balance, June 30,	$	39,248		$	93,745
Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over	(506		)	(597		)
the remaining life of the security
Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which	(1,662		)	(190		)
matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period
Balance, September 30,	$	37,080		$	92,958
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Balance, January 1,	$	45,278		$	95,589
Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities	30			107
previously impaired
Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over	(3,151		)	(1,465		)
the remaining life of the security
Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which	(5,077		)	(1,273		)
matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period
Balance, September 30,	$	37,080		$	92,958
We regularly monitor our investment portfolio to ensure investments that may be other-than-temporarily impaired are identified in a timely fashion, properly valued, and charged against earnings in the proper period. The determination that a security has incurred an other-than-temporary decline in value requires the judgment of management. Assessment factors include, but are not limited to, the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition and rating of the issuer, whether any collateral is held, the intent and ability of the Company to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for recovery for equity securities and the intent to sell or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell for fixed maturity securities. Inherently, there are risks and uncertainties involved in making these judgments. Changes in circumstances and critical assumptions such as a continued weak economy, a more pronounced economic downturn or unforeseen events which affect one or more companies, industry sectors, or countries could result in additional impairments in future periods for other-than-temporary declines in value. Any equity security whose price decline is deemed other-than-temporary is written down to its then current market value with the amount of the impairment reported as a realized loss in that period. The impairment of a fixed maturity security that the Company has the intent to sell or that it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell is deemed other-than-temporary and is written down to its market value at the balance sheet date with the amount of the impairment reported as a realized loss in that period. For all other-than-temporarily impaired fixed maturity securities that do not meet either of these two criteria, the Company is required to analyze its ability to recover the amortized cost of the security by calculating the net present value of projected future cash flows. For these other-than-temporarily impaired fixed maturity securities, the net amount recognized in earnings is equal to the difference between the amortized cost of the fixed maturity security and its net present value.
The Company considers different factors to determine the amount of projected future cash flows and discounting methods for corporate debt and residential and commercial mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities. For corporate debt securities, the split between the credit and non-credit losses is driven principally by assumptions regarding the amount and timing of projected future cash flows. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company’s best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the security at the date of acquisition. For residential and commercial mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, cash flow estimates, including prepayment assumptions, are based on data from widely accepted third-party data sources or internal estimates. In addition to prepayment assumptions, cash flow estimates vary based on assumptions regarding the underlying collateral including default rates, recoveries and changes in value. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company’s best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the fixed maturity security prior to impairment at the balance sheet date. The discounted cash flows become the new amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity security.
In periods subsequent to the recognition of an OTTI, the Company generally accretes the discount (or amortizes the reduced premium) into net investment income, up to the non-discounted amount of projected future cash flows, resulting from the reduction in cost basis, based upon the amount and timing of the expected future cash flows over the estimated period of cash flows.
The investment category and duration of the Company’s gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities and equity securities at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	30-Sep-14
	Less than 12 months							12 Months or More						Total
	Fair Value			Unrealized				Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value		Unrealized
				Losses							Losses					Losses
Fixed maturity securities:
United States Government and	$	37,746		$	(104	)		$	24,895		$	(535	)	$	62,641	$	(639	)
government agencies and authorities
States, municipalities and political	7,080			(383		)		4,565			(134		)	11,645		(517		)
subdivisions
Foreign governments	43,539			(112		)		46,480			(1,594		)	90,019		(1,706		)
Asset-backed	—			—				1,462			(32		)	1,462		(32		)
Residential mortgage-backed	104,337			(379		)		124,490			(3,067		)	228,827		(3,446		)
Corporate	720,525			(7,245		)		196,815			(4,525		)	917,340		(11,770		)
Total fixed maturity securities	$	913,227		$	(8,223	)		$	398,707		$	(9,887	)	$	1,311,934	$	(18,110	)
Equity securities:
Common stock	$	1,078		$	(46	)		$	193		$	(3	)	$	1,271	$	(49	)
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	58,042			(756		)		31,314			(1,681		)	89,356		(2,437		)
Total equity securities	$	59,120		$	(802	)		$	31,507		$	(1,684	)	$	90,627	$	(2,486	)
	31-Dec-13
	Less than 12 months							12 Months or More						Total
	Fair Value			Unrealized				Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value		Unrealized
				Losses							Losses					Losses
Fixed maturity securities:
United States Government and	$	52,615		$	(1,464	)		$	3,514		$	(424	)	$	56,129	$	(1,888	)
government agencies and authorities
States, municipalities and political	30,145			(2,624		)		—			—			30,145		(2,624		)
subdivisions
Foreign governments	217,708			(7,596		)		111			(12		)	217,819		(7,608		)
Asset-backed	—			—				1,442			(56		)	1,442		(56		)
Commercial mortgage-backed	5,036			(82		)		—			—			5,036		(82		)
Residential mortgage-backed	407,808			(11,667		)		31,498			(1,550		)	439,306		(13,217		)
Corporate	1,412,611			(36,848		)		19,291			(805		)	1,431,902		(37,653		)
Total fixed maturity securities	$	2,125,923		$	(60,281	)		$	55,856		$	(2,847	)	$	2,181,779	$	(63,128	)
Equity securities:
Common stock	$	187		$	(10	)		$	—		$	—		$	187	$	(10	)
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	159,723			(8,200		)		11,807			(1,199		)	171,530		(9,399		)
Total equity securities	$	159,910		$	(8,210	)		$	11,807		$	(1,199	)	$	171,717	$	(9,409	)
Total gross unrealized losses represent approximately 2% and 3% of the aggregate fair value of the related securities at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Approximately 44% and 94% of these gross unrealized losses have been in a continuous loss position for less than twelve months at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The total gross unrealized losses are comprised of 477 and 667 individual securities at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. In accordance with its policy described above, the Company concluded that for these securities an adjustment to its results of operations for other-than-temporary impairments of the gross unrealized losses was not warranted at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. These conclusions were based on a detailed analysis of the underlying credit and expected cash flows of each security. As of September 30, 2014, the gross unrealized losses that have been in a continuous loss position for twelve months or more were concentrated in the Company’s foreign governments, residential mortgage-backed, and corporate fixed maturity securities, and in non-redeemable preferred stocks. Within the Company’s corporate fixed maturity securities, the majority of the loss position relates to securities in the industrial sector. The industrial sector’s gross unrealized losses of twelve months or more were $1,365, or 30%, of the corporate fixed maturity securities total. The non-redeemable preferred stocks are perpetual preferred securities that have characteristics of both debt and equity securities. To evaluate these securities, we apply an impairment model similar to that used for our fixed maturity securities. As of September 30, 2014, the Company did not intend to sell these securities and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell them and no underlying cash flow issues were noted. Therefore, the Company did not recognize an OTTI on those perpetual preferred securities that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or more. As of September 30, 2014, the Company did not intend to sell the fixed maturity securities and it was not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the securities before the anticipated recovery of their amortized cost basis. The gross unrealized losses are primarily attributable to widening credit spreads associated with an underlying shift in overall credit risk premium.
The Company has entered into commercial mortgage loans, collateralized by the underlying real estate, on properties located throughout the U.S. and Canada. At September 30, 2014, approximately 39% of the outstanding principal balance of commercial mortgage loans was concentrated in the states of California, New York, and Utah. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, an economic downturn could have an adverse impact on the ability of its debtors to repay their loans. The outstanding balance of commercial mortgage loans ranges in size from $6 to $15,288 at September 30, 2014 and from $9 to $15,574 at December 31, 2013.
Credit quality indicators for commercial mortgage loans are loan-to-value and debt-service coverage ratios. Loan-to-value and debt-service coverage ratios are measures commonly used to assess the credit quality of commercial mortgage loans. The loan-to-value ratio compares the principal amount of the loan to the fair value of the underlying property collateralizing the loan, and is commonly expressed as a percentage. The debt-service coverage ratio compares a property’s net operating income to its debt-service payments and is commonly expressed as a ratio. The loan-to-value and debt-service coverage ratios are generally updated annually in the third quarter.
The following summarizes our loan-to-value and average debt-service coverage ratios as of the dates indicated:
	September 30, 2014
Loan-to-Value	Carrying			% of Gross			Debt-Service
	Value			Mortgage			Coverage Ratio
				Loans
70% and less	$	1,129,193		89.8	%		2.03
71 – 80%	87,488			7	%		1.25
81 – 95%	34,694			2.7	%		0.97
Greater than 95%	6,531			0.5	%		0.43
Gross commercial mortgage loans	1,257,906			100	%		1.94
Less valuation allowance	(4,482		)
Net commercial mortgage loans	$	1,253,424
	December 31, 2013
Loan-to-Value	Carrying			% of Gross			Debt-Service
	Value			Mortgage			Coverage Ratio
				Loans
70% and less	$	1,143,200		88.5	%		1.97
71 – 80%	73,603			5.7	%		1.44
81 – 95%	58,752			4.6	%		1.19
Greater than 95%	15,959			1.2	%		0.87
Gross commercial mortgage loans	1,291,514			100	%		1.89
Less valuation allowance	(4,482		)
Net commercial mortgage loans	$	1,287,032
All commercial mortgage loans that are individually impaired have an established mortgage loan valuation allowance for losses. Changing economic conditions affect our valuation of commercial mortgage loans. Changing vacancies and rents are incorporated into the discounted cash flow analysis that we perform for monitored loans and may contribute to the establishment of (or an increase or decrease in) a commercial mortgage loan valuation allowance for losses. In addition, we continue to monitor the entire commercial mortgage loan portfolio to identify risk. Areas of emphasis are properties that have exposure to specific geographic events, have deteriorating credits or have experienced a reduction in debt-service coverage ratio. Where warranted, we have established or increased a valuation allowance based upon this analysis.
Collateralized Transactions
The Company engages in transactions in which fixed maturity securities, primarily bonds issued by the U.S. government and government agencies and authorities, and U.S. corporations, are loaned to selected broker/dealers. Collateral, greater than or equal to 102% of the fair value of the securities lent, plus accrued interest, is received in the form of cash and cash equivalents held by a custodian bank for the benefit of the Company. The use of cash collateral received is unrestricted. The Company reinvests the cash collateral received, generally in investments of high credit quality that are designated as available-for-sale. The Company monitors the fair value of securities loaned and the collateral received, with additional collateral obtained, as necessary. The Company is subject to the risk of loss to the extent there is a loss on the re-investment of cash collateral.
As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our collateral held under securities lending agreements, of which its use is unrestricted, was $95,977 and $95,215, respectively, and is included in the consolidated balance sheets under the collateral held/pledged under securities agreements. Our liability to the borrower for collateral received was $95,973 and $95,206, respectively, and is included in the consolidated balance sheets under obligation under securities agreements. The difference between the collateral held and obligations under securities lending is recorded as an unrealized gain (loss) and is included as part of AOCI. There was one security in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2014 and it has been in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. All securities were in an unrealized gain position as of December 31, 2013. The Company includes the available-for-sale investments purchased with the cash collateral in its evaluation of other-than-temporary impairments.
Cash proceeds that the Company receives as collateral for the securities it lends and subsequent repayment of the cash are regarded by the Company as cash flows from financing activities, since the cash received is considered a borrowing. Since the Company reinvests the cash collateral generally in investments that are designated as available-for-sale, the reinvestment is presented as cash flows from investing activities.

Fair_Value_Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures	'
	Fair Value Disclosures
	Fair Values, Inputs and Valuation Techniques for Financial Assets and Liabilities Disclosures
	The fair value measurements and disclosures guidance defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In accordance with this guidance, the Company has categorized its recurring basis financial assets and liabilities into a three-level fair value hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique.
	The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
	The levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
	•	Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company can access.
	•	Level 2 inputs utilize other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable in the marketplace for the asset. The observable inputs are used in valuation models to calculate the fair value for the asset.
	•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable but are significant to the fair value measurement for the asset, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset.
	A review of fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy.
	The following tables present the Company’s fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The amounts presented below for Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements, Other investments, Cash equivalents, Other assets, Assets and Liabilities held in separate accounts and Other liabilities differ from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets because only certain investments or certain assets and liabilities within these line items are measured at estimated fair value. Other investments are comprised of investments in the Assurant Investment Plan, American Security Insurance Company Investment Plan, Assurant Deferred Compensation Plan, a modified coinsurance arrangement and other derivatives. Other liabilities are comprised of investments in the Assurant Investment Plan, contingent consideration related to a business combination and other derivatives. The fair value amount and the majority of the associated levels presented for Other investments and Assets and Liabilities held in separate accounts are received directly from third parties.
		September 30, 2014
		Total			Level 1					Level 2				Level 3
	Financial Assets
	Fixed maturity securities:
	United States Government and government agencies	$	177,408		$	—				$	177,408			$	—
	and authorities
	State, municipalities and political subdivisions	830,367			—					830,367				—
	Foreign governments	668,356			705					667,651				—
	Asset-backed	5,758			—					5,758				—
	Commercial mortgage-backed	58,061			—					57,608				453
	Residential mortgage-backed	997,605			—					997,605				—
	Corporate	8,886,454			—					8,771,973				114,481
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks	34,823			34,139					684				—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	486,884			—					482,839				4,045
	Short-term investments	465,295			392,642			b		72,653		c		—
	Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements	74,976			66,971			b		8,005		c		—
	Other investments	268,842			58,021			a		208,234		c		2,587			d
	Cash equivalents	821,233			818,528			b		2,705		c		—
	Other assets	1,735			—					755		f		980			e
	Assets held in separate accounts	1,820,241			1,639,251			a		180,990		c		—
	Total financial assets	$	15,598,038		$	3,010,257				$	12,465,235			$	122,546
	Financial Liabilities
	Other liabilities	$	86,155		$	58,021		a		$	34	f		$	28,100		f
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	1,820,241			1,639,251			a		180,990		c		—
	Total financial liabilities	$	1,906,396		$	1,697,272				$	181,024			$	28,100
		December 31, 2013
		Total			Level 1					Level 2				Level 3
	Financial Assets
	Fixed maturity securities:
	United States Government and government agencies	$	410,656		$	—				$	410,656			$	—
	and authorities
	State, municipalities and political subdivisions	835,152			—					812,495				22,657
	Foreign governments	675,421			789					657,775				16,857
	Asset-backed	6,174			—					6,174				—
	Commercial mortgage-backed	60,362			—					59,764				598
	Residential mortgage-backed	947,904			—					943,737				4,167
	Corporate	8,356,206			—					8,240,862				115,344
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks	29,232			28,548					684				—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	429,126			—					421,616				7,510
	Short-term investments	470,458			273,518			b		196,940		c		—
	Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements	74,212			67,202			b		7,010		c		—
	Other investments	246,748			66,659			a		175,918		c		4,171			d
	Cash equivalents	1,233,701			967,372			b		266,329		c		—
	Other assets	3,726			—					1,235		f		2,491			e
	Assets held in separate accounts	1,887,988			1,696,811			a		191,177		c		—
	Total financial assets	$	15,667,066		$	3,100,899				$	12,392,372			$	173,795
	Financial Liabilities
	Other liabilities	$	106,992		$	54,794		a		$	31,868	g		$	20,330		f
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	1,887,988			1,696,811			a		191,177		c		—
	Total financial liabilities	$	1,994,980		$	1,751,605				$	223,045			$	20,330
	a.	Mainly includes mutual funds.
b.	Mainly includes money market funds.
c.	Mainly includes fixed maturity securities.
d.	Mainly includes fixed maturity securities and other derivatives.
e.	Mainly includes the Consumer Price Index Cap Derivatives (“CPI Caps”).
f.	Mainly includes other derivatives.
g.	Mainly includes contingent consideration liability related to a business combination.
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 financial assets during either period. However, there were transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 financial assets during the periods, which are reflected in the “Transfers in” and “Transfers out” columns below. Transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 most commonly occur from changes in the availability of observable market information and re-evaluation of the observability of pricing inputs. Any remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers who provide non-binding broker quotes or are priced by other qualified sources.
The following tables summarize the change in balance sheet carrying value associated with Level 3 financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Balance,			Total				Net unrealized			Purchases				Sales			Transfers		Transfers			Balance,
	beginning			gains (losses)				(losses) gains										in (3)		out (3)			end of
	of			(realized/				included in															period
	period			unrealized)				other
				included in				comprehensive
				earnings (1)				income (2)
Financial Assets
Fixed Maturity Securities
Commercial mortgage-	$	503		$	—			$	(5	)	$	—			$	(45	)	$	—	$	—		$	453
backed
Corporate	116,827			1,684				(1,840		)	9,637				(3,325		)	1,515		(10,017		)	114,481
Equity Securities
Non-redeemable preferred	4,099			(1		)		(53		)	—				—			—		—			4,045
stocks
Other investments	2,615			(437		)		2			439				(32		)	—		—			2,587
Other assets	2,268			(1,288		)		—			—				—			—		—			980
Financial Liabilities
Other liabilities	(23,160		)	(4,940		)		—			—				—			—		—			(28,100		)
Total level 3 assets and	$	103,152		$	(4,982	)		$	(1,896	)	$	10,076			$	(3,402	)	$	1,515	$	(10,017	)	$	94,446
liabilities
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Balance,			Total				Net unrealized			Purchases				Sales			Transfers		Transfers			Balance,
	beginning of			(losses)				(losses) gains										in (3)		out (3)			end of
	period			gains				included in															period
				(realized/				other
				unrealized)				comprehensive
				included in				income (2)
				earnings  (1)
Financial Assets
Fixed Maturity Securities
United States Government	$	84		$	—			$	—		$	—			$	(84	)	$	—	$	—		$	—
and government agencies
and authorities
Foreign governments	21,032			(2		)		(433		)	—				—			—		—			20,597
Commercial mortgage-	683			—				—			—				(42		)	—		—			641
backed
Residential mortgage-	20,326			(18		)		64			—				(583		)	—		(9,004		)	10,785
backed
Corporate	133,623			109				(2,070		)	—				(1,543		)	—		(6,965		)	123,154
Equity Securities
Non-redeemable preferred	2,301			—				289			—				—			3,527		—			6,117
stocks
Other investments	10,601			85				693			—				(636		)	—		—			10,743
Other assets	2,963			(217		)		—			—				—			—		—			2,746
Financial Liabilities
Other liabilities	(1,590		)	(589		)		—			(1,897		)		—			—		—			(4,076		)
Total level 3 assets and	$	190,023		$	(632	)		$	(1,457	)	$	(1,897	)		$	(2,888	)	$	3,527	$	(15,969	)	$	170,707
liabilities
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Balance,			Total				Net unrealized			Purchases				Sales			Transfers		Transfers			Balance,
	beginning of			(losses)				gains (losses)										in (3)		out (3)			end of
	period			gains				included in															period
				(realized/				other
				unrealized)				comprehensive
				included in				income (2)
				earnings (1)
Financial Assets
Fixed Maturity Securities
States, municipalities and	$	22,657		$	—			$	—		$	—			$	—		$	—	$	(22,657	)	$	—
political subdivisions
Foreign governments	16,857			(2		)		18			—				—			—		(16,873		)	—
Commercial mortgage-	598			—				(14		)	—				(131		)	—		—			453
backed
Residential mortgage-	4,167			—				—			—				—			—		(4,167		)	—
backed
Corporate	115,344			1,739				2,286			19,578				(8,608		)	1,515		(17,373		)	114,481
Equity Securities
Non-redeemable preferred	7,510			327				(186		)	—				(1,830		)	—		(1,776		)	4,045
stocks
Other investments	4,171			(1,952		)		11			439				(82		)	—		—			2,587
Other assets	2,491			(1,511		)		—			—				—			—		—			980
Financial Liabilities
Other liabilities	(20,330		)	(3,770		)		—			(4,000		)		—			—		—			(28,100		)
Total level 3 assets and	$	153,465		$	(5,169	)		$	2,115		$	16,017			$	(10,651	)	$	1,515	$	(62,846	)	$	94,446
liabilities
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Balance,			Total				Net unrealized			Purchases				Sales			Transfers		Transfers			Balance,
	beginning of			(losses)				(losses) gains										in (3)		out (3)			end of
	period			gains				included in															period
				(realized/				other
				unrealized)				comprehensive
				included in				income (2)
				earnings  (1)
Financial Assets
Fixed Maturity Securities
United States Government	$	4,175		$	—			$	(3	)	$	—			$	(4,172	)	$	—	$	—		$	—
and government agencies
and authorities
Foreign governments	23,097			(4		)		(2,496		)	—				—			—		—			20,597
Commercial mortgage-	1,774			20				(30		)	—				(1,123		)	—		—			641
backed
Residential mortgage-	8,211			(31		)		(1,145		)	29,938				(1,326		)	—		(24,862		)	10,785
backed
Corporate	158,003			(390		)		(4,000		)	5,325				(25,045		)	4,997		(15,736		)	123,154
Equity Securities
Non-redeemable preferred	14			12				309			4,308				(2,040		)	3,527		(13		)	6,117
stocks
Other investments	11,327			(813		)		1,275			8				(1,054		)	—		—			10,743
Other assets	5,886			(3,140		)		—			—				—			—		—			2,746
Financial Liabilities
Other liabilities	(2,560		)	381				—			(1,897		)		—			—		—			(4,076		)
Total level 3 assets and	$	209,927		$	(3,965	)		$	(6,090	)	$	37,682			$	(34,760	)	$	8,524	$	(40,611	)	$	170,707
liabilities
-1	Included as part of net realized gains on investments in the consolidated statement of operations.
-2	Included as part of change in unrealized gains on securities in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
-3	Transfers are primarily attributable to changes in the availability of observable market information and re-evaluation of the observability of pricing inputs.
Three different valuation techniques can be used in determining fair value for financial assets and liabilities: the market, income or cost approaches. The three valuation techniques described in the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance are consistent with generally accepted valuation methodologies. The market approach valuation techniques use prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. When possible, quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets are used as of the period-end date (such as for mutual funds and money market funds). Otherwise, valuation techniques consistent with the market approach including matrix pricing and comparables are used. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique employed principally to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for those securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Market approach valuation techniques often use market multiples derived from a set of comparables. Multiples might lie in ranges with a different multiple for each comparable. The selection of where within the range the appropriate multiple falls requires judgment, considering both qualitative and quantitative factors specific to the measurement.
Income approach valuation techniques convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount, or a discounted amount. These techniques rely on current market expectations of future amounts as of the period-end date. Examples of income approach valuation techniques include present value techniques, option-pricing models, binomial or lattice models that incorporate present value techniques and the multi-period excess earnings method.
Cost approach valuation techniques are based upon the amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset at the period-end date, or the current replacement cost. That is, from the perspective of a market participant (seller), the price that would be received for the asset is determined based on the cost to a market participant (buyer) to acquire or construct a substitute asset of comparable utility, adjusted for obsolescence.
While not all three approaches are applicable to all financial assets or liabilities, where appropriate, one or more valuation techniques may be used. For all the classes of financial assets and liabilities included in the above hierarchy, excluding the CPI Caps and certain privately placed corporate bonds, the market valuation technique is generally used. For certain privately placed corporate bonds, the CPI Caps, and certain derivatives, the income valuation technique is generally used. For the periods ended September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the application of the valuation technique applied to the Company’s classes of financial assets and liabilities has been consistent.
Level 1 Securities
The Company’s investments and liabilities classified as Level 1 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, consisted of mutual funds and money market funds, foreign government fixed maturities and common stocks that are publicly listed and/or actively traded in an established market.
Level 2 Securities
The Company’s Level 2 securities are valued using various observable market inputs obtained from a pricing service. The pricing service prepares estimates of fair value measurements for our Level 2 securities using proprietary valuation models based on techniques such as matrix pricing which include observable market inputs. The fair value measurements and disclosures guidance defines observable market inputs as the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. The extent of the use of each observable market input for a security depends on the type of security and the market conditions at the balance sheet date. Depending on the security, the priority of the use of observable market inputs may change as some observable market inputs may not be relevant or additional inputs may be necessary. The following observable market inputs (“standard inputs”), listed in the approximate order of priority, are utilized in the pricing evaluation of Level 2 securities: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data including market research data. Further details for Level 2 investment types follow:
United States Government and government agencies and authorities: U.S. government and government agencies and authorities securities are priced by our pricing service utilizing standard inputs. Included in this category are U.S. Treasury securities which are priced using vendor trading platform data in addition to the standard inputs.
State, municipalities and political subdivisions: State, municipalities and political subdivisions securities are priced by our pricing service utilizing material event notices and new issue data inputs in addition to the standard inputs.
Foreign governments: Foreign government securities are primarily fixed maturity securities denominated in Canadian dollars which are priced by our pricing service utilizing standard inputs. The pricing service also evaluates each security based on relevant market information including relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news.
Commercial mortgage-backed, residential mortgage-backed and asset-backed: Commercial mortgage-backed, residential mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are priced by our pricing service utilizing monthly payment information and collateral performance information in addition to the standard inputs. Additionally, commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities utilize new issue data while residential mortgage-backed securities utilize vendor trading platform data.
Corporate: Corporate securities are priced by our pricing service utilizing standard inputs. Non-investment grade securities within this category are priced by our pricing service utilizing observations of equity and credit default swap curves related to the issuer in addition to the standard inputs. Certain privately placed corporate bonds are priced by a non-pricing service source using a model with observable inputs including, but not limited to, the credit rating, credit spreads, sector add-ons, and issuer specific add-ons.
Non-redeemable preferred stocks: Non-redeemable preferred stocks are priced by our pricing service utilizing observations of equity and credit default swap curves related to the issuer in addition to the standard inputs.
Short-term investments, collateral held/pledged under securities agreements, other investments, cash equivalents, and assets/liabilities held in separate accounts: To price the fixed maturity securities in these categories, the pricing service utilizes the standard inputs.
Other liabilities: The contingent consideration liability related to a business combination is valued at the contractual amount stated in the purchase agreement plus accrued interest. The contractual amount plus interest represents the fair value and is a market observable input due to the fact that the amount is specifically stated in the agreement and there is a short time frame (less than three months) for determining whether the payment will be made or not.
Valuation models used by the pricing service can change period to period, depending on the appropriate observable inputs that are available at the balance sheet date to price a security. When market observable inputs are unavailable to the pricing service, the remaining unpriced securities are submitted to independent brokers who provide non-binding broker quotes or are priced by other qualified sources. If the Company cannot corroborate the non-binding broker quotes with Level 2 inputs, these securities are categorized as Level 3 securities.
Level 3 Securities
The Company’s investments classified as Level 3 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 consisted of fixed maturity and equity securities and derivatives. All of the Level 3 fixed maturity and equity securities are priced using non-binding broker quotes which cannot be corroborated with Level 2 inputs. Of our total Level 3 fixed maturity and equity securities, $65,811 and $70,244 were priced by a pricing service using single broker quotes due to insufficient information to provide an evaluated price as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The single broker quotes are provided by market makers or broker-dealers who are recognized as market participants in the markets in which they are providing the quotes. The remaining $53,626 and $97,219 were priced internally using independent and non-binding broker quotes as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The inputs factoring into the broker quotes include trades in the actual bond being priced, trades of comparable bonds, quality of the issuer, optionality, structure and liquidity. Significant changes in interest rates, issuer credit, liquidity, and overall market conditions would result in a significantly lower or higher broker quote. The prices received from both the pricing service and internally are reviewed for reasonableness by management and if necessary, management works with the pricing service or broker to further understand how they developed their price. Further details on Level 3 derivative investment types follow:
Other investments and other liabilities: Swaptions are priced using a Black-Scholes pricing model incorporating third-party market data, including swap volatility data. Credit default swaps are priced using non-binding quotes provided by market makers or broker-dealers who are recognized as market participants. Inputs factored into the non-binding quotes include trades in the actual credit default swap which is being priced, trades in comparable credit default swaps, quality of the issuer, structure and liquidity. The net option related to the investment in Iké is valued using an income approach; specifically, a Monte Carlo simulation option pricing model. The inputs to the model include, but are not limited to, the projected normalized earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and free cash flow for the underlying asset, the discount rate, and the volatility of and the correlation between the normalized EBITDA and the value of the underlying asset. Significant increases (decreases) in the projected normalized EBITDA relative to the value of the underlying asset in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value.
Other assets: A non-pricing service source prices the CPI Cap derivatives using a model with inputs including, but not limited to, the time to expiration, the notional amount, the strike price, the forward rate, implied volatility and the discount rate.
Management evaluates the following factors in order to determine whether the market for a financial asset is inactive. The factors include, but are not limited to:
•	There are few recent transactions,
•	Little information is released publicly,
•	The available prices vary significantly over time or among market participants,
•	The prices are stale (i.e., not current), and
•	The magnitude of the bid-ask spread.
Illiquidity did not have a material impact in the fair value determination of the Company’s financial assets.
The Company generally obtains one price for each financial asset. The Company performs a monthly analysis to assess if the evaluated prices represent a reasonable estimate of their fair value. This process involves quantitative and qualitative analysis and is overseen by investment and accounting professionals. Examples of procedures performed include, but are not limited to, initial and on-going review of pricing service methodologies, review of the prices received from the pricing service, review of pricing statistics and trends, and comparison of prices for certain securities with two different appropriate price sources for reasonableness. Following this analysis, the Company generally uses the best estimate of fair value based upon all available inputs. On infrequent occasions, a non-pricing service source may be more familiar with the market activity for a particular security than the pricing service. In these cases the price used is taken from the non-pricing service source. The pricing service provides information to indicate which securities were priced using market observable inputs so that the Company can properly categorize our financial assets in the fair value hierarchy.
For the net option, the Company will perform a periodic analysis to assess if the evaluated price represents a reasonable estimate of the fair value for the financial liability. This process will involve quantitative and qualitative analysis overseen by finance and accounting professionals. Examples of procedures to be performed include, but are not limited to, initial and on-going review of the pricing methodology and review of the projection for the underlying asset including the probability distribution of possible scenarios.
Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
The Company also measures the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurring basis, generally on an annual basis, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. These assets include commercial mortgage loans, goodwill and finite-lived intangible assets.
The Company utilizes both the income and market valuation approaches to measure the fair value of its reporting units when required. Under the income approach, the Company determined the fair value of the reporting units considering distributable earnings, which were estimated from operating plans. The resulting cash flows were then discounted using a market participant weighted average cost of capital estimated for the reporting units. After discounting the future discrete earnings to their present value, the Company estimated the terminal value attributable to the years beyond the discrete operating plan period. The discounted terminal value was then added to the aggregate discounted distributable earnings from the discrete operating plan period to estimate the fair value of the reporting units. Under the market approach, the Company derived the fair value of the reporting units based on various financial multiples, including but not limited to: price to tangible book value of equity, price to estimated 2014 earnings and price to estimated 2014 earnings, which were estimated based on publicly available data related to comparable guideline companies. In addition, financial multiples were also estimated from publicly available purchase price data for acquisitions of companies operating in the insurance industry. The estimated fair value of the reporting units was more heavily weighted towards the income approach because in the current economic environment the earnings capacity of a business is generally considered the most important factor in the valuation of a business enterprise. This fair value determination was categorized as Level 3 (unobservable) in the fair value hierarchy.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Disclosures
The financial instruments guidance requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, as defined therein, for which it is practicable to estimate such fair value. Therefore, it requires fair value disclosure for financial instruments that are not recognized or are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets. However, this guidance excludes certain financial instruments, including those related to insurance contracts and those accounted for under the equity method and joint ventures guidance (such as real estate joint ventures).
For the financial instruments included within the following financial assets and financial liabilities, the carrying value in the consolidated balance sheets equals or approximates fair value. Please refer to the Fair Value Inputs and Valuation Techniques for Financial Assets and Liabilities Disclosures section above for more information on the financial instruments included within the following financial assets and financial liabilities and the methods and assumptions used to estimate fair value:
•	Cash and cash equivalents
•	Fixed maturity securities
•	Equity securities
•	Short-term investments
•	Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements
•	Other investments
•	Other assets
•	Assets held in separate accounts
•	Other liabilities
•	Liabilities related to separate accounts
In estimating the fair value of the financial instruments that are not recognized or are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, the Company used the following methods and assumptions:
Commercial mortgage loans: the fair values of mortgage loans are estimated using discounted cash flow models. The model inputs include mortgage amortization schedules and loan provisions, an internally developed credit spread based on the credit risk associated with the borrower and the U.S. Treasury spot curve. Mortgage loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.
Policy loans: the carrying value of policy loans reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates fair value.
Policy reserves under investment products: the fair values for the Company’s policy reserves under investment products are determined using discounted cash flow analysis. Key inputs to the valuation include projections of policy cash flows, reserve run-off, market yields and risk margins.
Funds held under reinsurance: the carrying value reported approximates fair value due to the short maturity of the instruments.
Debt: the fair value of debt is based upon matrix pricing performed by the pricing service utilizing the standard inputs.
Obligation under securities agreements: obligation under securities agreements is reported at the amount of cash received from the selected broker/dealers.
The following tables disclose the carrying value, fair value amount and hierarchy level of the financial instruments that are not recognized or are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:
	30-Sep-14
				Fair Value
	Carrying			Total				Level 1			Level 2				Level 3
	Value
Financial Assets
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	$	1,253,424		$	1,434,289			$	—		$	—			$	1,434,289
Policy loans	48,979			48,979				48,979			—				—
Total financial assets	$	1,302,403		$	1,483,268			$	48,979		$	—			$	1,434,289
Financial Liabilities
Policy reserves under investment products	$	766,039		$	787,947			$	—		$	—			$	787,947
(Individual and group annuities, subject
to discretionary withdrawal) (1)
Funds withheld under reinsurance	78,707			78,707				78,707			—				—
Debt	1,171,005			1,273,705				—			1,273,705				—
Obligations under securities agreements	95,973			95,973				95,973			—				—
Total financial liabilities	$	2,111,724		$	2,236,332			$	174,680		$	1,273,705			$	787,947
	31-Dec-13
				Fair Value
	Carrying			Total				Level 1			Level 2				Level 3
	Value
Financial Assets
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	$	1,287,032		$	1,444,974			$	—		$	—			$	1,444,974
Policy loans	51,678			51,678				51,678			—				—
Total financial assets	$	1,338,710		$	1,496,652			$	51,678		$	—			$	1,444,974
Financial Liabilities
Policy reserves under investment products	$	809,628		$	808,734			—			—				$	808,734
(Individual and group annuities, subject
to discretionary withdrawal) (1)
Funds withheld under reinsurance	76,778			76,778				76,778			—				—
Debt	1,638,118			1,656,588				—			1,656,588				—
Obligations under securities agreements	95,206			95,206				95,206			—				—
Total financial liabilities	$	2,619,730		$	2,637,306			$	171,984		$	1,656,588			$	808,734
-1	Only the fair value of the Company’s policy reserves for investment-type contracts (those without significant mortality or morbidity risk) are reflected in the table above.
Reinsurance Recoverables Credit Disclosures
A key credit quality indicator for reinsurance is the A.M. Best financial strength ratings of the reinsurer. The A.M. Best ratings are an independent opinion of a reinsurer’s ability to meet ongoing obligations to policyholders. The A.M. Best ratings for new reinsurance agreements where there is material credit exposure are reviewed at the time of execution. The A.M. Best ratings for existing reinsurance agreements are reviewed on a periodic basis, at least annually. The A.M. Best ratings have not changed significantly since December 31, 2013.
An allowance for doubtful accounts for reinsurance recoverables is recorded on the basis of periodic evaluations of balances due from reinsurers (net of collateral), reinsurer solvency, management’s experience and current economic conditions. The Company carries an allowance for doubtful accounts for reinsurance recoverables of $10,820 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instruments [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	On March 28, 2013, the Company issued two series of senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $700,000 (the “2013 Senior Notes”). The Company received net proceeds of $698,093 from this transaction, which represents the principal amount less the discount before offering expenses. The discount of $1,907 is being amortized over the life of the 2013 Senior Notes and is included as part of interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations. The first series is $350,000 in principal amount, bears interest at 2.50% per year and is payable in a single installment due March 15, 2018 and was issued at a 0.18% discount. The second series is $350,000 in principal amount, bears interest at 4.00% per year and is payable in a single installment due March 15, 2023 and was issued at a 0.37% discount. Interest on the 2013 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year. The 2013 Senior Notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally with all of the Company’s other senior unsecured indebtedness. The Company may redeem each series of the 2013 Senior Notes in whole or in part at any time and from time to time before their maturity at the redemption price set forth in the Indenture. The 2013 Senior Notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
	The interest expense incurred related to the 2013 Senior Notes was $5,745 and $5,870 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $17,234 and $11,613 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There was $948 of accrued interest at both September 30, 2014 and 2013. The Company made interest payments on the 2013 Senior Notes of $11,375 on March 15, 2014 and $11,375 and $10,553 on September 15, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	In February 2004, the Company issued two series of senior notes with an aggregate principal amount of $975,000 (the “2004 Senior Notes”). The Company received proceeds of $971,537 from this transaction, which represents the principal amount less the discount before offering expenses. The discount of $3,463 is being amortized over the life of the 2004 Senior Notes and is included as part of interest expense on the statements of operations. The first series was $500,000 in principal amount, issued at a 0.11% discount, bore interest at 5.63% per year and was repaid on February 18, 2014. The second series is $475,000 in principal amount, bears interest at 6.75% per year and is payable in a single installment due February 15, 2034 and was issued at a 0.61% discount. Interest on the 2004 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year. The 2004 Senior Notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally with all of the Company’s other senior unsecured indebtedness. The 2004 Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to maturity. All of the holders of the 2004 Senior Notes exchanged their notes in May 2004 for new notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
	The interest expense incurred related to the 2004 Senior Notes was $8,031 and $14,714 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $27,383 and $44,795 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There was $4,008 and $7,523 of accrued interest at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company made interest payments on the 2004 Senior Notes of $30,094 on February 15, 2014 and 2013 and $16,031 and $30,094 on August 15, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Credit Facility
	On September 16, 2014, the Company entered into a five-year unsecured $400,000 revolving credit agreement (the “2014 Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of banks arranged by JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo, N.A. The 2014 Credit Facility replaces the Company's prior four-year $350,000 revolving credit facility (the "2011 Credit Facility"), which was entered into on September 21, 2011 and was scheduled to expire in September 2015. The 2011 Credit Facility terminated upon the effectiveness of the 2014 Credit Facility. The 2014 Credit Facility provides for revolving loans and the issuance of multi-bank, syndicated letters of credit and/or letters of credit from a sole issuing bank in an aggregate amount of $400,000 and is available until September 2019, provided the Company is in compliance with all covenants. The 2014 Credit Facility has a sublimit for letters of credit issued thereunder of $50,000. The proceeds of these loans may be used for the Company’s commercial paper program or for general corporate purposes. The Company may increase the total amount available under the 2014 Credit Facility to $525,000 subject to certain conditions. No bank is obligated to provide commitments above their share of the $400,000 facility.
	The Company’s commercial paper program requires the Company to maintain liquidity facilities either in an available amount equal to any outstanding notes from the commercial paper program or in an amount sufficient to maintain the ratings assigned to the notes issued from the commercial paper program. The Company’s subsidiaries do not maintain commercial paper or other borrowing facilities at their level. This program is currently backed up by a $400,000 senior revolving credit facility, of which $395,740 was available at September 30, 2014, due to $4,260 of outstanding letters of credit related to this program.
	The Company did not use the commercial paper program during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and there were no amounts outstanding relating to the commercial paper program at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company made no borrowings using either the 2011 Credit Facility or the 2014 Credit Facility and no loans are outstanding at September 30, 2014.
	The 2014 Credit Facility contains restrictive covenants and requires that the Company maintain certain specified minimum ratios and thresholds. Among others, these covenants include maintaining a maximum debt to capitalization ratio and a minimum consolidated adjusted net worth. At September 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all covenants, minimum ratios and thresholds.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Certain amounts included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income are net of reclassification adjustments. The following tables summarize those reclassification adjustments (net of taxes):
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Foreign				Unrealized				OTTI			Pension			Accumulated
		currency				gains on							under-			other
		translation				securities							funding			comprehensive
		adjustment														income
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	(18,937	)		$	837,038			$	28,811		$	(82,840	)	$	764,072
	Other comprehensive loss before	(54,264		)		(60,219		)		(1,193		)	—			(115,676		)
	reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other	—				8,602				1,104			1,644			11,350
	comprehensive income
	Net current-period other comprehensive (loss)	(54,264		)		(51,617		)		(89		)	1,644			(104,326		)
	income
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(73,201	)		$	785,421			$	28,722		$	(81,196	)	$	659,746
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Foreign				Unrealized				OTTI			Pension			Accumulated
		currency				gains on							under-			other
		translation				securities							funding			comprehensive
		adjustment														income
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	(27,349	)		$	593,630			$	25,558		$	(171,331	)	$	420,508
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before	5,578				(45,212		)		279			—			(39,355		)
	reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other	—				1,907				—			3,246			5,153
	comprehensive income
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	5,578				(43,305		)		279			3,246			(34,202		)
	(loss)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	(21,771	)		$	550,325			$	25,837		$	(168,085	)	$	386,306
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Foreign				Unrealized				OTTI			Pension			Accumulated
		currency				gains on							under-			other
		translation				securities							funding			comprehensive
		adjustment														income
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(38,767	)		$	526,071			$	26,427		$	(86,901	)	$	426,830
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before	(34,434		)		235,940				1,211			—			202,717
	reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other	—				23,410				1,084			5,705			30,199
	comprehensive income
	Net current-period other comprehensive (loss)	(34,434		)		259,350				2,295			5,705			232,916
	income
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(73,201	)		$	785,421			$	28,722		$	(81,196	)	$	659,746
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Foreign				Unrealized				OTTI			Pension			Accumulated
		currency				gains on							under-			other
		translation				securities							funding			comprehensive
		adjustment														income
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	6,882			$	981,879			$	23,861		$	(182,219	)	$	830,403
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before	(28,653		)		(449,116		)		1,952			—			(475,817		)
	reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other	—				17,562				24			14,134			31,720
	comprehensive income
	Net current-period other comprehensive (loss)	(28,653		)		(431,554		)		1,976			14,134			(444,097		)
	income
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	(21,771	)		$	550,325			$	25,837		$	(168,085	)	$	386,306
	The following tables summarize the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Details about accumulated other comprehensive income components		Amount reclassified from								Affected line item in the
			accumulated other								statement where net
			comprehensive income								income is presented
			Three Months Ended September 30,
			2014				2013
	Unrealized gains on securities		$	13,234			$	2,934			Net realized gains on investments, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses
			(4,632		)		(1,027		)		Provision for income taxes
			$	8,602			$	1,907			Net of tax
OTTI		$	1,697			$	—			Portion of net loss recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes
		(593		)		—				Provision for income taxes
		$	1,104			$	—			Net of tax
Amortization of pension and
postretirement unrecognized net
periodic benefit cost:
Amortization of prior service cost		$	(24	)		$	12			-1
Amortization of net loss		2,553				4,983				-1
		2,529				4,995				Total before tax
		(885		)		(1,749		)		Provision for income taxes
		$	1,644			$	3,246			Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period		$	11,350			$	5,153			Net of tax
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income components		Amount reclassified from								Affected line item in the
		accumulated other								statement where net
		comprehensive income								income is presented
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014				2013
Unrealized gains on securities		$	36,015			$	27,019			Net realized gains on investments, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses
		(12,605		)		(9,457		)		Provision for income taxes
		$	23,410			$	17,562			Net of tax
OTTI		$	1,667			$	37			Portion of net loss recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes
		(583		)		(13		)		Provision for income taxes
		$	1,084			$	24			Net of tax
Amortization of pension and
postretirement unrecognized net
periodic benefit cost:
Amortization of prior service cost		$	(74	)		$	(88	)		-1
Amortization of net loss		8,853				21,833				-1
		8,779				21,745				Total before tax
		(3,074		)		(7,611		)		Provision for income taxes
		$	5,705			$	14,134			Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period		$	30,199			$	31,720			Net of tax
-1	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 12 - Retirement and Other Employee Benefits for additional information.

Stock_Based_Compensation

Stock Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock Based Compensation	'
	Stock Based Compensation
	Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan
	In May 2008, the Company’s shareholders approved the Assurant, Inc. Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (“ALTEIP”), which authorized the granting of up to 3,400,000 new shares of the Company’s common stock to employees, officers and non-employee directors. In May 2010, the Company’s shareholders approved an amended and restated ALTEIP, increasing the number of shares of the Company’s common stock authorized for issuance to 5,300,000 new shares. Under the ALTEIP, the Company may grant awards based on shares of its common stock, including stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock (including performance shares), unrestricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance share units (“PSUs”) and dividend equivalents. All share-based grants are awarded under the ALTEIP.
	The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) awards PSUs and RSUs annually. RSUs and PSUs are promises to issue actual shares of common stock at the end of a vesting period or performance period. The RSUs granted to employees under the ALTEIP were based on salary grade and performance and vest one-third each year over a three-year period. RSUs granted to non-employee directors also vest one-third each year over a three-year period, however, issuance of vested shares is deferred until separation from Board service. RSUs receive dividend equivalents in cash during the restricted period and do not have voting rights during the restricted period. PSUs accrue dividend equivalents during the performance period based on a target payout, and will be paid in cash at the end of the performance period based on the actual number of shares issued. The fair value of RSUs is estimated using the fair market value of a share of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant. The fair value of PSUs is estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation model and is described in further detail below.
	For the PSU portion of an award, the number of shares a participant will receive upon vesting is contingent upon the Company’s performance with respect to selected metrics, identified below, compared against a broad index of insurance companies and assigned a percentile ranking. These rankings are then averaged to determine the composite percentile ranking for the performance period. The payout levels can vary between 0% and 150% (maximum) of the target (100%) ALTEIP award amount based on the Company’s level of performance against the selected metrics.
	PSU Performance Goals. The Compensation Committee established book value per share (“BVPS”) growth excluding AOCI, revenue growth and total stockholder return as the three performance measures for PSU awards. BVPS growth is defined as the year-over-year growth of the Company’s stockholders’ equity excluding AOCI divided by the number of fully diluted total shares outstanding at the end of the period. Revenue growth is defined as the year-over-year change in total revenues as disclosed in the Company’s annual statement of operations. Total stockholder return is defined as appreciation in Company stock plus dividend yield to stockholders. Payouts will be determined by measuring performance against the average performance of companies included in an insurance industry market index.
	Since 2009, the Company has used the A.M. Best U.S. Insurance Index to measure its relative performance ranking. In 2014, A.M. Best stopped publishing this index. As of January 1, 2014, the Company is using the S&P Total Market Index to measure the Company’s performance for all new and outstanding PSU awards. Consistent with adjustments made to the A.M. Best U.S. Insurance Index, adjustments will be made to the S&P Total Market Index to exclude companies with revenues of less than $1,000,000 or that are not in the insurance or managed healthcare Global Industry Classification Standard codes. In addition, companies within the Company’s compensation peer group, but not otherwise in the S&P Total Market Index, will be included. The adjusted S&P Total Market Index is substantially similar in composition to the previous A.M. Best U.S. Insurance Index.
	Under the ALTEIP, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) is authorized by the Board of Directors to grant common stock, restricted stock and RSUs to employees other than the executive officers of the Company (as defined in Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). The Board of Directors reviews and ratifies these grants quarterly. Restricted stock and RSUs granted under this program may have different vesting periods.
	Restricted Stock Units
	RSUs granted to employees and to non-employee directors were 27,347 and 14,916 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and 358,611 and 481,134 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The compensation expense recorded related to RSUs was $6,197 and $6,936 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $17,174 and $19,207 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The related total income tax benefit was $2,167 and $2,425 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $6,001 and $6,714 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value for RSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $65.32 and $44.18, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2014, there was $19,197 of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding RSUs. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.16 years. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $1,473 and $982, respectively, and $32,354 and $20,832 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	Performance Share Units
	No PSUs were granted to employees during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. PSUs granted to employees were 380,349 and 408,808 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The compensation expense recorded related to PSUs was $3,460 and $7,839 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $17,022 and $16,688 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The related total income tax benefit was $1,206 and $2,738 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $5,942 and $5,832 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value for PSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $64.93 and $44.22, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2014, there was $23,107 of unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding PSUs. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.87 years.
	The fair value of PSUs with market conditions was estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model, which utilizes multiple variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market condition stipulated in the award. Expected volatilities for awards issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were based on the historical stock prices of the Company’s stock and peer insurance group. The expected term for grants issued during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was assumed to equal the average of the vesting period of the PSUs. The risk-free rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), the Company is authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 new shares to employees who are participants in the ESPP. Eligible employees can purchase shares at a 10% discount applied to the lower of the closing price of the common stock on the first or last day of the offering period.
	In January 2014, the Company issued 75,709 shares at a discounted price of $46.36 for the offering period of July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013. In January 2013, the Company issued 107,535 shares at a discounted price of $31.23 for the offering period of July 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.
	In July 2014, the Company issued 65,867 shares at a discounted price of $58.79 for the offering period of January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014. In July 2013, the Company issued 110,038 shares at a discounted price of $31.93 for the offering period of January 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013.
	The compensation expense recorded related to the ESPP was $308 and $300 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $893 and $798 for the nine months ended 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The fair value of each award under the ESPP was estimated at the beginning of each offering period using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Expected volatilities are based on implied volatilities from traded options on the Company’s stock and the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The dividend yield is based on the current annualized dividend and share price as of the grant date.

Stock_Repurchase

Stock Repurchase	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock Repurchase [Abstract]	'
Stock Repurchase	'
	Stock Repurchase
	The following table shows the shares repurchased during the periods indicated:
	Period in 2014	Number of	Average Price		Total Number of Shares
		Shares Repurchased	Paid Per Share		Repurchased as Part of
					Publicly Announced
					Programs
	January	314,600	$	66.56	314,600
	February	—	—		—
	March	—	—		—
	April	302,000	65.54		302,000
	May	292,000	67.22		292,000
	June	283,000	67.68		283,000
	July	—	—		—
	August	386,000	65.07		386,000
	September	186,000	65		186,000
	Total	1,763,600	$	66.18	1,763,600
	On November 18, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an additional $600,000 of its outstanding common stock, making the total remaining under the total repurchase authorization $752,436 as of that date.
	As of December 31, 2013, there was $704,874 remaining under the total repurchase authorization. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company repurchased 1,763,600 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a cost of $116,686, exclusive of commissions, leaving $588,188 remaining under the total repurchase authorization at September 30, 2014.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	Earnings Per Common Share
	The following table presents net income, the weighted average common shares used in calculating basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) and those used in calculating diluted EPS for each period presented below.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerator
	Net income	$	140,297		$	128,788		$	421,152		$	380,091
	Deduct dividends paid	(19,449		)	(18,833		)	(58,382		)	(55,777		)
	Undistributed earnings	$	120,848		$	109,955		$	362,770		$	324,314
	Denominator
	Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic	72,182,547			75,544,542			72,561,191			77,662,796
	earnings per share
	Incremental common shares from:
	SARs	—			53,172			—			73,307
	PSUs	864,157			859,572			866,171			823,393
	ESPPs	—			2,505			—			2,505
	Weighted average shares used in diluted earnings per	73,046,704			76,459,791			73,427,362			78,562,001
	share calculations
	Earnings per common share - Basic
	Distributed earnings	$	0.27		$	0.25		$	0.79		$	0.71
	Undistributed earnings	1.67			1.45			5.01			4.18
	Net income	$	1.94		$	1.7		$	5.8		$	4.89
	Earnings per common share - Diluted
	Distributed earnings	$	0.27		$	0.25		$	0.79		$	0.71
	Undistributed earnings	1.65			1.43			4.95			4.13
	Net income	$	1.92		$	1.68		$	5.74		$	4.84
	There were no anti-dilutive SARs or PSUs outstanding that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS under the treasury stock method during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Retirement_and_Other_Employee_

Retirement and Other Employee Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Retirement and Other Employee Benefits	'
	Retirement and Other Employee Benefits
	The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s qualified pension benefits plan, nonqualified pension benefits plan and retirement health benefits plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Qualified Pension						Nonqualified Pension				Retirement Health
		Benefits						Benefits (1)				Benefits
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,						For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Three Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	7,966		$	7,832		$	1,139	$	1,008	$	494		$	581
	Interest cost	9,521			8,867			1,636		1,480		959			911
	Expected return on plan assets	(12,427		)	(11,036		)	—		—		(766		)	(799		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			4			218		249		(242		)	(241		)
	Amortization of net loss (gain)	1,792			3,801			969		1,182		(208		)	—
	Curtailment/settlement charge	—			—			436		—		—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	6,852		$	9,468		$	4,398	$	3,919	$	237		$	452
		Qualified Pension						Nonqualified Pension				Retirement Health
		Benefits						Benefits (1)				Benefits
		For the Nine Months Ended September 30,						For the Nine Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	24,366		$	26,432		$	3,139	$	3,308	$	1,694		$	2,281
	Interest cost	27,821			24,017			4,636		3,880		2,909			2,561
	Expected return on plan assets	(37,127		)	(33,186		)	—		—		(2,316		)	(2,199		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			4			618		599		(692		)	(691		)
	Amortization of net loss (gain)	6,342			17,451			2,819		4,382		(308		)	—
	Curtailment/settlement charge	—			—			436		—		—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	21,402		$	34,718		$	11,648	$	12,169	$	1,287		$	1,952
	-1	The Company’s nonqualified plan is unfunded.
	Our qualified pension benefits plan (the “Plan”) was under-funded by $9,867 and over-funded by $18,078 (based on the fair value of Plan assets compared to the projected benefit obligation) at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. This equates to a 99% and 102% funded status at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The change in funded status is mainly due to a decrease in the discount rate used to determine the projected benefit obligation. During the first nine months of 2014, $22,500 in cash was contributed to the Plan. Additional cash, up to $7,500, is expected to be contributed to the Plan over the remainder of 2014.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company has five reportable segments, which are defined based on the nature of the products and services offered: Assurant Solutions, Assurant Specialty Property, Assurant Health, Assurant Employee Benefits, and Corporate & Other. Assurant Solutions provides mobile device protection, debt protection administration, credit-related insurance, warranties and service contracts and pre-funded funeral insurance. Assurant Specialty Property provides lender-placed homeowners insurance, property, appraisal, preservation and valuation services, renters insurance and related products and manufactured housing homeowners insurance. Assurant Health provides individual health and small employer group health insurance. Assurant Employee Benefits primarily provides group dental insurance, group disability insurance and group life insurance. Corporate & Other includes activities of the holding company, financing and interest expenses, net realized gains (losses) on investments and interest income earned from short-term investments held. Corporate & Other also includes the amortization of deferred gains associated with the sales of Fortis Financial Group and Long-Term Care through reinsurance agreements.
	The Company evaluates performance of the operating segments based on segment income (loss) after-tax excluding realized gains (losses) on investments. The Company determines reportable segments in a manner consistent with the way the Chief Operating Decision Maker makes operating decisions and assesses performance.
	The following tables summarize selected financial information by segment:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Solutions		Specialty		Health			Employee		Corporate &			Consolidated
				Property					Benefits		Other
	Revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	812,512	$	654,889	$	526,705		$	263,703	$	—		$	2,257,809
	Net investment income	95,898		24,574		8,312			28,594		4,631			162,009
	Net realized gains on investments	—		—		—			—		17,744			17,744
	Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses	—		—		—			—		3,645			3,645
	Fees and other income	156,807		87,271		10,593			6,305		305			261,281
	Total revenues	1,065,217		766,734		545,610			298,602		26,325			2,702,488
	Benefits, losses and expenses
	Policyholder benefits	257,000		258,344		430,499			177,850		—			1,123,693
	Amortization of deferred acquisition	287,110		90,356		1,511			7,732		—			386,709
	costs and value of business acquired
	Underwriting, general and	442,087		258,589		123,176			92,586		37,121			953,559
	administrative expenses
	Interest expense	—		—		—			—		13,776			13,776
	Total benefits, losses and	986,197		607,289		555,186			278,168		50,897			2,477,737
	expenses
	Segment income (loss) before	79,020		159,445		(9,576		)	20,434		(24,572		)	224,751
	provision (benefit) for income tax
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	27,171		54,716		7,813			7,333		(12,579		)	84,454
	Segment income (loss) after tax	$	51,849	$	104,729	$	(17,389	)	$	13,101	$	(11,993	)
	Net income													$	140,297
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Solutions		Specialty		Health			Employee		Corporate &			Consolidated
				Property					Benefits		Other
	Revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	684,973	$	612,165	$	398,000		$	252,293	$	—		$	1,947,431
	Net investment income	92,845		23,819		9,168			28,516		4,861			159,209
	Net realized losses on investments	—		—		—			—		(3,631		)	(3,631		)
	Amortization of deferred gain on	—		—		—			—		4,074			4,074
	disposal of businesses
	Fees and other income	107,908		29,786		7,630			6,032		211			151,567
	Total revenues	885,726		665,770		414,798			286,841		5,515			2,258,650
	Benefits, losses and expenses
	Policyholder benefits	226,263		228,508		295,534			183,527		—			933,832
	Amortization of deferred acquisition	286,343		79,361		266			6,780		—			372,750
	costs and value of business acquired
	Underwriting, general and	325,537		181,172		107,086			87,329		36,202			737,326
	administrative expenses
	Interest expense	—		—		—			—		20,771			20,771
	Total benefits, losses and	838,143		489,041		402,886			277,636		56,973			2,064,679
	expenses
	Segment income (loss) before	47,583		176,729		11,912			9,205		(51,458		)	193,971
	provision (benefit) for income tax
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	11,374		61,679		5,351			3,056		(16,277		)	65,183
	Segment income (loss) after tax	$	36,209	$	115,050	$	6,561		$	6,149	$	(35,181	)
	Net income													$	128,788
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Solutions		Specialty		Health			Employee		Corporate &			Consolidated
				Property					Benefits		Other
	Revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	2,335,498	$	1,911,589	$	1,454,726		$	788,192	$	—		$	6,490,005
	Net investment income	288,146		77,750		27,538			89,649		14,492			497,575
	Net realized gains on investments	—		—		—			—		43,582			43,582
	Amortization of deferred gain on	—		—		—			—		10,949			10,949
	disposal of businesses
	Fees and other income	461,268		209,035		27,787			18,332		428			716,850
Total revenues	3,084,912		2,198,374		1,510,051			896,173		69,451			7,758,961
Benefits, losses and expenses
Policyholder benefits	781,908		830,073		1,136,113			533,244		—			3,281,338
Amortization of deferred acquisition	824,023		249,189		1,759			23,109		—			1,098,080
costs and value of business acquired
Underwriting, general and	1,238,830		708,837		366,585			274,534		92,349			2,681,135
administrative expenses
Interest expense	—		—		—			—		44,617			44,617
Total benefits, losses and	2,844,761		1,788,099		1,504,457			830,887		136,966			7,105,170
expenses
Segment income (loss) before	240,151		410,275		5,594			65,286		(67,515		)	653,791
provision (benefit) for income tax
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	79,300		139,495		32,554			23,838		(42,548		)	232,639
Segment income (loss) after tax	$	160,851	$	270,780	$	(26,960	)	$	41,448	$	(24,967	)
Net income													$	421,152
	As of September 30, 2014
Segment Assets:
Segment assets, excluding goodwill	$	14,133,609	$	4,060,535	$	1,053,512		$	2,272,749	$	8,335,906		$	29,856,311
Goodwill													816,818
Total assets													$	30,673,129
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Solutions		Specialty		Health			Employee		Corporate &			Consolidated
			Property					Benefits		Other
Revenues
Net earned premiums	$	2,056,300	$	1,727,724	$	1,172,775		$	757,494	$	—		$	5,714,293
Net investment income	282,502		74,723		27,861			88,856		15,176			489,118
Net realized gains on investments	—		—		—			—		30,264			30,264
Amortization of deferred gain on	—		—		—			—		12,238			12,238
disposal of businesses
Fees and other income	279,758		82,202		21,061			17,605		500			401,126
Total revenues	2,618,560		1,884,649		1,221,697			863,955		58,178			6,647,039
Benefits, losses and expenses
Policyholder benefits	647,713		649,554		868,307			541,107		1,462			2,708,143
Amortization of deferred acquisition	851,326		229,686		532			20,454		—			1,101,998
costs and value of business acquired
Underwriting, general and	969,112		520,307		314,085			266,628		98,235			2,168,367
administrative expenses
Interest expense	—		—		—			—		57,369			57,369
Total benefits, losses and	2,468,151		1,399,547		1,182,924			828,189		157,066			6,035,877
expenses
Segment income (loss) before	150,409		485,102		38,773			35,766		(98,888		)	611,162
provision (benefit) for income tax
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	47,902		169,288		33,472			12,060		(31,651		)	231,071
Segment income (loss) after tax	$	102,507	$	315,814	$	5,301		$	23,706	$	(67,237	)
Net income													$	380,091
	As of December 31, 2013
Segment Assets:
Segment assets, excluding goodwill	$	13,321,648	$	3,858,314	$	884,077		$	2,298,698	$	8,567,391		$	28,930,128
Goodwill													784,561
Total assets													$	29,714,689

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	In the normal course of business, letters of credit are issued primarily to support reinsurance arrangements in which the Company is the reinsurer. These letters of credit are supported by commitments under which the Company is required to indemnify the financial institution issuing the letter of credit if the letter of credit is drawn. The Company had $17,708 and $17,343 of letters of credit outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	As previously disclosed, during the first quarter of 2013, the Company and two of its wholly owned subsidiaries in the Assurant Specialty Property segment, American Security Insurance Company (“ASIC”) and American Bankers Insurance Company of Florida (“ABIC”), reached an agreement with the New York Department of Financial Services (the “NYDFS”) regarding the Company’s lender-placed insurance business in the State of New York. Under the terms of the agreement, and without admitting or denying any wrongdoing, ASIC made a $14,000 settlement payment to the NYDFS. In addition, among other things, ASIC and ABIC agreed to modify certain business practices in accordance with requirements that apply to all New York-licensed lender-placed insurers of properties in the state, and filed our new lender-placed program and new rates in New York which were approved in August 2014. The Company also continues to respond to and cooperate with other regulators regarding its lender-placed insurance business.
	In addition, as previously disclosed, the Company is involved in a variety of litigation relating to its current and past business operations and may from time to time become involved in other such actions. In particular, the Company is a defendant in class actions in a number of jurisdictions regarding its lender-placed insurance programs. These cases allege a variety of claims under a number of legal theories. The plaintiffs seek premium refunds and other relief. The Company continues to defend itself vigorously in these class actions. The Company has accrued an estimated loss for this litigation.
	We have participated and may participate in settlements on terms that we consider reasonable given the strength of our defenses. However, the possible loss or range of loss resulting from such litigation and regulatory proceedings, if any, in excess of the amounts accrued is inherently unpredictable and involves significant uncertainty. Consequently, no estimate can be made of any possible loss or range of loss in excess of the above-mentioned accrual.
	In July 2007 an Assurant subsidiary acquired Swansure Group, a privately held U.K. company, which owned D&D Homecare Limited (“D&D”). D&D was a packager of mortgages and certain insurance products, including Payment Protection Insurance (“PPI”) policies that, for a period of time, were underwritten by an Assurant subsidiary and sold by various alleged agents, including Carrington Carr Home Finance Limited (“CCHFL”), which is now in administration. In early 2014, as a result of consumer complaints alleging that CCHFL missold certain D&D-packaged PPI policies between August 8, 2003 and November 1, 2004, the U.K. Financial Ombudsman Service (“FOS”) requested that an Assurant subsidiary, Assurant Intermediary Limited (“AIL”), review complaints relating to CCHFL’s sale of such PPI policies. AIL is cooperating with the FOS. The possible loss or range of loss resulting from such litigation and regulatory proceedings, if any, in excess of the amounts accrued is inherently unpredictable and involves significant uncertainty. Consequently, no estimate can be made of any possible loss or range of loss in excess of the above-mentioned accrual.
	Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of any action, it is possible that such outcome could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows for an individual reporting period. However, based on currently available information, management does not believe that the pending matters are likely to have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on the Company’s financial condition.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company converted the Canadian branch operations of certain U.S. companies to foreign corporate entities. This conversion is an election for U.S. tax classification purposes only and requires the Company to record deferred taxes at local tax rates. As a result of this conversion, the Company recorded a one-time benefit of $20,753, which is reflected in the provision for income taxes line item in the consolidated statements of operations.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company increased its estimated amount of compensation expenses that are non-tax deductible under the Affordable Care Act. Due to this change in estimate, the Company recorded $5,749 of income tax expense in the Assurant Health segment.

Catastrophe_Bond_Program

Catastrophe Bond Program	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Catastrophe Bond Program [Abstract]	'
Catastrophe Bond Program	'
	Catastrophe Bond Program
	On January 30, 2012, certain of the Companies’ subsidiaries (“the Subsidiaries”) entered into two reinsurance agreements with Ibis Re II Ltd. (“Ibis Re II”). Ibis Re II is an independent special purpose reinsurance company domiciled in the Cayman Islands. The Ibis Re II agreements provide up to $130,000 of reinsurance coverage for protection against losses over a three-year period from individual hurricane events in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and along the Gulf and Eastern Coasts of the United States. The agreements expire in February 2015. Ibis Re II financed the property catastrophe reinsurance coverage by issuing $130,000 in catastrophe bonds to unrelated investors (the “Series 2012-1 Notes”).
	On June 26, 2013, the Subsidiaries entered into three additional reinsurance agreements with Ibis Re II providing up to $185,000 of reinsurance coverage for protection against losses over a three-year period from individual hurricane events in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and along the Gulf and Eastern Coasts of the United States. The agreements expire in June 2016. Ibis Re II financed the property catastrophe reinsurance coverage by issuing $185,000 in catastrophe bonds to unrelated investors (the “Series 2013-1 Notes”).
	The $315,000 of coverage represents approximately 18% of the expected first event coverage (net of reimbursements of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund) purchased by the Company in excess of the Company’s anticipated retention.
	Under the terms of these reinsurance agreements, the Subsidiaries are obligated to pay annual reinsurance premiums to Ibis Re II for the reinsurance coverage. The reinsurance agreements with Ibis Re II utilize a dual trigger that is based upon an index that is created by applying predetermined percentages to insured industry losses in each state in the covered area as reported by an independent party and the Subsidiaries’ covered losses incurred. Reinsurance contracts that have a separate, pre-identified variable (e.g., a loss-based index) are accounted for as reinsurance if certain conditions are met. In the case of the reinsurance agreements with Ibis Re II, these conditions were met, thus the Company accounted for them as reinsurance in accordance with the guidance for reinsurance contracts.
	Amounts payable to the Subsidiaries under the reinsurance agreements will be determined by the index-based losses, which are designed to approximate the Subsidiaries’ actual losses from any covered event. The amount of actual losses and index losses from any covered event may differ. For each covered event, Ibis Re II pays the Subsidiaries the lesser of the covered index-based losses or the Subsidiaries’ actual losses. The principal amount of the catastrophe bonds will be reduced by any amounts paid to the Subsidiaries under the reinsurance agreements. The Subsidiaries have not incurred any losses subject to the reinsurance agreements since their inception.
	As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had not ceded any losses to Ibis Re II.
	As with any reinsurance agreement, there is credit risk associated with collecting amounts due from reinsurers. With regard to the Series 2012-1 Notes and Series 2013-1 Notes, the credit risk is mitigated by reinsurance trust accounts for each tranche within each Series. The reinsurance trust accounts have been funded by Ibis Re II with money market funds that invest solely in direct government obligations backed by the U.S. government with maturities of no more than 13 months. The money market funds must have a principal stability rating of at least AAA by Standard & Poor’s.
	As a result of an evaluation of the reinsurance agreements with Ibis Re II, the Company concluded that Ibis Re II is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). However, while Ibis Re II is a VIE, the Company concluded that it does not have a significant variable interest in Ibis Re II as the variability in results, caused by the reinsurance agreements, is expected to be absorbed entirely by the bondholders and the Company is not entitled to any residual amounts. Accordingly, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of Ibis Re II and does not consolidate the entities in the Company’s financial statements.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	On October 16, 2014, the Company announced an agreement to sell its general agency business and primary associated insurance carrier, American Reliable Insurance Company ("ARIC") to Global Indemnity Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Global Indemnity plc, for approximately $114,000 in cash. The business is part of the Assurant Specialty Property segment and offers specialty personal lines and agricultural insurance through general and independent agents. This transaction is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2015. The sale price is subject to adjustment based on GAAP book value of the business from June 30, 2014 until the closing date of the of the transaction. The initial accounting for this disposition is incomplete primarily due to the timing of the sale date and an allocation of an estimated portion of Assurant Specialty Property's goodwill. Thus, an estimate of the amount or range of loss cannot be made. As of September 30, 2014, the business had assets, excluding goodwill, of approximately $400,000 (primarily consisting of fixed maturity securities, premiums and accounts receivable and reinsurance recoverables) and liabilities of approximately $285,000 (primarily consisting of unearned premiums, claims and benefits payable and funds held under reinsurance).
	On October 31, 2014, the Company acquired CWI Group, a market leading mobile insurance administrator in France, for approximately €56,000 (U.S.D.$71,000), subject to certain conditions with a possible earnout payment based on future performance. The initial accounting for this acquisition is incomplete due to the timing of the acquisition date, thus the estimated range of outcomes for the contingent consideration and the total amount of other intangible assets and goodwill for Assurant Solutions is not yet available.

Basis_of_Presentation_Basis_of

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Accounting, policy	'
	The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
	The interim financial data as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 is unaudited; in the opinion of management, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.
	The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and the rules and regulations thereunder (together, the “Affordable Care Act”) introduced new and significant premium stabilization programs in 2014. These programs required the Company to record amounts to our consolidated financial statements based on assumptions and estimates which could materially change as experience develops.
	Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Adopted
	On January 1, 2014, the Company adopted the new guidance on presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments in this guidance state that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. An exception to this guidance would be where a net operating loss carryforward or similar tax loss or credit carryforward would not be available under the tax law to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose. In such a case, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The adoption of this new presentation guidance did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
	On January 1, 2014, the Company adopted the other expenses guidance that addresses how health insurers should recognize and classify in their statements of operations fees mandated by the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act imposes an annual fee on health insurers for each calendar year beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The amendments specify that the liability for the fee should be estimated and recorded in full once the entity provides qualifying health insurance in the applicable calendar year in which the fee is payable with a corresponding deferred cost that is amortized to expense ratably over the calendar year during which it is payable. The Company’s adoption of this guidance impacts the results of our Assurant Health and Assurant Employee Benefits segments. During the third quarter of 2014, the final assessment of the annual insurer fee of $25,723 was paid to the federal government. As a result of this payment, the estimated liability for the mandated fees was reduced to $0. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $19,292 of amortization expense related to the deferred costs in underwriting, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations, resulting in an ending balance in deferred costs, recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, of $6,431 as of September 30, 2014.
	Not Yet Adopted
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance on revenue recognition. The amended guidance affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. Insurance contracts are within the scope of other standards and therefore are specifically excluded from the scope of the amended revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of the amended guidance is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve the core principle, the entity applies a five step process outlined in the amended guidance. The amended guidance also includes a cohesive set of disclosure requirements. The amended guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. Therefore, the Company is required to adopt the guidance on January 1, 2017. An entity can choose to apply the amended guidance using either the full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of the revenue recognition guidance as it relates to its non-insurance contract revenue and the potential impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses, Fair Value and OTTI	'
	The following tables show the cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, fair value and other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of our fixed maturity and equity securities as of the dates indicated:
		30-Sep-14
		Cost or			Gross				Gross			Fair Value			OTTI in
		Amortized			Unrealized				Unrealized						AOCI
		Cost			Gains				Losses						(a)
	Fixed maturity securities:
	United States government and	$	172,994		$	5,053			$	(639	)	$	177,408		$	—
	government agencies and authorities
	States, municipalities and political	758,072			72,812				(517		)	830,367			—
	subdivisions
	Foreign governments	610,000			60,062				(1,706		)	668,356			—
	Asset-backed	4,061			1,729				(32		)	5,758			1,620
	Commercial mortgage-backed	56,527			1,534				—			58,061			—
	Residential mortgage-backed	949,236			51,815				(3,446		)	997,605			19,404
	Corporate	7,931,922			966,302				(11,770		)	8,886,454			23,163
	Total fixed maturity securities	$	10,482,812		$	1,159,307			$	(18,110	)	$	11,624,009		$	44,187
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks	$	21,129		$	13,743			$	(49	)	$	34,823		$	—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	437,836			51,485				(2,437		)	486,884			—
	Total equity securities	$	458,965		$	65,228			$	(2,486	)	$	521,707		$	—
		December 31, 2013
		Cost or			Gross				Gross			Fair Value			OTTI in
		Amortized			Unrealized				Unrealized						AOCI
		Cost			Gains				Losses						(a)
	Fixed maturity securities:
	United States government and	$	408,378		$	4,166			$	(1,888	)	$	410,656		$	—
	government agencies and authorities
	States, municipalities and political	774,233			63,543				(2,624		)	835,152			—
	subdivisions
	Foreign governments	647,486			35,543				(7,608		)	675,421			—
	Asset-backed	4,320			1,910				(56		)	6,174			1,773
	Commercial mortgage-backed	57,594			2,850				(82		)	60,362			—
	Residential mortgage-backed	919,216			41,905				(13,217		)	947,904			19,525
	Corporate	7,709,083			684,776				(37,653		)	8,356,206			19,359
	Total fixed maturity securities	$	10,520,310		$	834,693			$	(63,128	)	$	11,291,875		$	40,657
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks	$	17,890		$	11,352			$	(10	)	$	29,232		$	—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	399,645			38,880				(9,399		)	429,126			—
	Total equity securities	$	417,535		$	50,232			$	(9,409	)	$	458,358		$	—
	(a)	Represents the amount of OTTI recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Amount includes unrealized gains and losses on impaired securities relating to changes in the value of such securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Fixed Maturity Securities by Contractual Maturity	'
	The cost or amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2014 by contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers of the securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
		Cost or			Fair Value
		Amortized
		Cost
	Due in one year or less	$	339,714		$	344,017
	Due after one year through five years	2,437,561			2,571,729
	Due after five years through ten years	2,690,101			2,832,899
	Due after ten years	4,005,612			4,813,940
	Total	9,472,988			10,562,585
	Asset-backed	4,061			5,758
	Commercial mortgage-backed	56,527			58,061
	Residential mortgage-backed	949,236			997,605
	Total	$	10,482,812		$	11,624,009
Proceeds from Sales of Available-For-Sale Securities and the Gross Realized Gains and Gross Realized Losses	'
	The following table summarizes the proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and the gross realized gains and gross realized losses that have been included in earnings as a result of those sales.
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
	Proceeds from sales	$	401,627		$	525,996			$	1,403,671		$	2,028,274
	Gross realized gains	18,109			9,865				49,696			46,290
	Gross realized losses	1,607			12,339				8,174			23,391
Net Realized Gains (Losses), Including Other-Than-Temporary Impairments	'
	The following table sets forth the net realized gains (losses), including OTTI, recognized in the statement of operations as follows:
		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
	Net realized gains (losses) related to sales and other:
	Fixed maturity securities	$	17,848		$	(2,232	)		$	39,538		$	20,215
	Equity securities	(149		)	82				4,988			4,753
	Other investments	45			(279		)		(914		)	6,605
	Total net realized gains (losses) related to sales and	17,744			(2,429		)		43,612			31,573
	other
	Net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments:
	Fixed maturity securities	—			(660		)		(30		)	(767		)
	Other investments	—			(542		)		—			(542		)
	Total net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	—			(1,202		)		(30		)	(1,309		)
	Total net realized gains (losses)	$	17,744		$	(3,631	)		$	43,582		$	30,264
Credit Loss Impairments Recognized	'
	The following tables set forth the amount of credit loss impairments recognized within the results of operations on fixed maturity securities held by the Company as of the dates indicated, for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in AOCI, and the corresponding changes in such amounts.
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013
	Balance, June 30,	$	39,248		$	93,745
	Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over	(506		)	(597		)
	the remaining life of the security
	Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which	(1,662		)	(190		)
	matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period
	Balance, September 30,	$	37,080		$	92,958
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013
	Balance, January 1,	$	45,278		$	95,589
	Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities	30			107
	previously impaired
	Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over	(3,151		)	(1,465		)
	the remaining life of the security
	Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which	(5,077		)	(1,273		)
	matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period
	Balance, September 30,	$	37,080		$	92,958
Duration of Gross Unrealized Losses on Fixed Maturity Securities and Equity Securities	'
	The investment category and duration of the Company’s gross unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities and equity securities at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
		30-Sep-14
		Less than 12 months							12 Months or More						Total
		Fair Value			Unrealized				Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value		Unrealized
					Losses							Losses					Losses
	Fixed maturity securities:
	United States Government and	$	37,746		$	(104	)		$	24,895		$	(535	)	$	62,641	$	(639	)
	government agencies and authorities
	States, municipalities and political	7,080			(383		)		4,565			(134		)	11,645		(517		)
	subdivisions
	Foreign governments	43,539			(112		)		46,480			(1,594		)	90,019		(1,706		)
	Asset-backed	—			—				1,462			(32		)	1,462		(32		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	104,337			(379		)		124,490			(3,067		)	228,827		(3,446		)
	Corporate	720,525			(7,245		)		196,815			(4,525		)	917,340		(11,770		)
	Total fixed maturity securities	$	913,227		$	(8,223	)		$	398,707		$	(9,887	)	$	1,311,934	$	(18,110	)
	Equity securities:
	Common stock	$	1,078		$	(46	)		$	193		$	(3	)	$	1,271	$	(49	)
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	58,042			(756		)		31,314			(1,681		)	89,356		(2,437		)
	Total equity securities	$	59,120		$	(802	)		$	31,507		$	(1,684	)	$	90,627	$	(2,486	)
		31-Dec-13
		Less than 12 months							12 Months or More						Total
		Fair Value			Unrealized				Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value		Unrealized
					Losses							Losses					Losses
	Fixed maturity securities:
	United States Government and	$	52,615		$	(1,464	)		$	3,514		$	(424	)	$	56,129	$	(1,888	)
	government agencies and authorities
	States, municipalities and political	30,145			(2,624		)		—			—			30,145		(2,624		)
	subdivisions
	Foreign governments	217,708			(7,596		)		111			(12		)	217,819		(7,608		)
	Asset-backed	—			—				1,442			(56		)	1,442		(56		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	5,036			(82		)		—			—			5,036		(82		)
	Residential mortgage-backed	407,808			(11,667		)		31,498			(1,550		)	439,306		(13,217		)
	Corporate	1,412,611			(36,848		)		19,291			(805		)	1,431,902		(37,653		)
	Total fixed maturity securities	$	2,125,923		$	(60,281	)		$	55,856		$	(2,847	)	$	2,181,779	$	(63,128	)
	Equity securities:
	Common stock	$	187		$	(10	)		$	—		$	—		$	187	$	(10	)
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	159,723			(8,200		)		11,807			(1,199		)	171,530		(9,399		)
	Total equity securities	$	159,910		$	(8,210	)		$	11,807		$	(1,199	)	$	171,717	$	(9,409	)
Credit Quality Indicators for Commercial Mortgage Loans	'
	The following summarizes our loan-to-value and average debt-service coverage ratios as of the dates indicated:
		September 30, 2014
	Loan-to-Value	Carrying			% of Gross			Debt-Service
		Value			Mortgage			Coverage Ratio
					Loans
	70% and less	$	1,129,193		89.8	%		2.03
	71 – 80%	87,488			7	%		1.25
	81 – 95%	34,694			2.7	%		0.97
	Greater than 95%	6,531			0.5	%		0.43
	Gross commercial mortgage loans	1,257,906			100	%		1.94
	Less valuation allowance	(4,482		)
	Net commercial mortgage loans	$	1,253,424
		December 31, 2013
	Loan-to-Value	Carrying			% of Gross			Debt-Service
		Value			Mortgage			Coverage Ratio
					Loans
	70% and less	$	1,143,200		88.5	%		1.97
	71 – 80%	73,603			5.7	%		1.44
	81 – 95%	58,752			4.6	%		1.19
	Greater than 95%	15,959			1.2	%		0.87
	Gross commercial mortgage loans	1,291,514			100	%		1.89
	Less valuation allowance	(4,482		)
	Net commercial mortgage loans	$	1,287,032

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Tables

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	'
	The following tables present the Company’s fair value hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The amounts presented below for Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements, Other investments, Cash equivalents, Other assets, Assets and Liabilities held in separate accounts and Other liabilities differ from the amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheets because only certain investments or certain assets and liabilities within these line items are measured at estimated fair value. Other investments are comprised of investments in the Assurant Investment Plan, American Security Insurance Company Investment Plan, Assurant Deferred Compensation Plan, a modified coinsurance arrangement and other derivatives. Other liabilities are comprised of investments in the Assurant Investment Plan, contingent consideration related to a business combination and other derivatives. The fair value amount and the majority of the associated levels presented for Other investments and Assets and Liabilities held in separate accounts are received directly from third parties.
		September 30, 2014
		Total			Level 1					Level 2				Level 3
	Financial Assets
	Fixed maturity securities:
	United States Government and government agencies	$	177,408		$	—				$	177,408			$	—
	and authorities
	State, municipalities and political subdivisions	830,367			—					830,367				—
	Foreign governments	668,356			705					667,651				—
	Asset-backed	5,758			—					5,758				—
	Commercial mortgage-backed	58,061			—					57,608				453
	Residential mortgage-backed	997,605			—					997,605				—
	Corporate	8,886,454			—					8,771,973				114,481
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks	34,823			34,139					684				—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	486,884			—					482,839				4,045
	Short-term investments	465,295			392,642			b		72,653		c		—
	Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements	74,976			66,971			b		8,005		c		—
	Other investments	268,842			58,021			a		208,234		c		2,587			d
	Cash equivalents	821,233			818,528			b		2,705		c		—
	Other assets	1,735			—					755		f		980			e
	Assets held in separate accounts	1,820,241			1,639,251			a		180,990		c		—
	Total financial assets	$	15,598,038		$	3,010,257				$	12,465,235			$	122,546
	Financial Liabilities
	Other liabilities	$	86,155		$	58,021		a		$	34	f		$	28,100		f
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	1,820,241			1,639,251			a		180,990		c		—
	Total financial liabilities	$	1,906,396		$	1,697,272				$	181,024			$	28,100
		December 31, 2013
		Total			Level 1					Level 2				Level 3
	Financial Assets
	Fixed maturity securities:
	United States Government and government agencies	$	410,656		$	—				$	410,656			$	—
	and authorities
	State, municipalities and political subdivisions	835,152			—					812,495				22,657
	Foreign governments	675,421			789					657,775				16,857
	Asset-backed	6,174			—					6,174				—
	Commercial mortgage-backed	60,362			—					59,764				598
	Residential mortgage-backed	947,904			—					943,737				4,167
	Corporate	8,356,206			—					8,240,862				115,344
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks	29,232			28,548					684				—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	429,126			—					421,616				7,510
	Short-term investments	470,458			273,518			b		196,940		c		—
	Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements	74,212			67,202			b		7,010		c		—
	Other investments	246,748			66,659			a		175,918		c		4,171			d
	Cash equivalents	1,233,701			967,372			b		266,329		c		—
	Other assets	3,726			—					1,235		f		2,491			e
	Assets held in separate accounts	1,887,988			1,696,811			a		191,177		c		—
	Total financial assets	$	15,667,066		$	3,100,899				$	12,392,372			$	173,795
	Financial Liabilities
	Other liabilities	$	106,992		$	54,794		a		$	31,868	g		$	20,330		f
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	1,887,988			1,696,811			a		191,177		c		—
	Total financial liabilities	$	1,994,980		$	1,751,605				$	223,045			$	20,330
	a.	Mainly includes mutual funds.
	b.	Mainly includes money market funds.
	c.	Mainly includes fixed maturity securities.
	d.	Mainly includes fixed maturity securities and other derivatives.
	e.	Mainly includes the Consumer Price Index Cap Derivatives (“CPI Caps”).
	f.	Mainly includes other derivatives.
	g.	Mainly includes contingent consideration liability related to a business combination.
Change in Balance Sheet Carrying Value Associated with Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value	'
	The following tables summarize the change in balance sheet carrying value associated with Level 3 financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Balance,			Total				Net unrealized			Purchases				Sales			Transfers		Transfers			Balance,
		beginning			gains (losses)				(losses) gains										in (3)		out (3)			end of
		of			(realized/				included in															period
		period			unrealized)				other
					included in				comprehensive
					earnings (1)				income (2)
	Financial Assets
	Fixed Maturity Securities
	Commercial mortgage-	$	503		$	—			$	(5	)	$	—			$	(45	)	$	—	$	—		$	453
	backed
	Corporate	116,827			1,684				(1,840		)	9,637				(3,325		)	1,515		(10,017		)	114,481
	Equity Securities
	Non-redeemable preferred	4,099			(1		)		(53		)	—				—			—		—			4,045
	stocks
	Other investments	2,615			(437		)		2			439				(32		)	—		—			2,587
	Other assets	2,268			(1,288		)		—			—				—			—		—			980
	Financial Liabilities
	Other liabilities	(23,160		)	(4,940		)		—			—				—			—		—			(28,100		)
	Total level 3 assets and	$	103,152		$	(4,982	)		$	(1,896	)	$	10,076			$	(3,402	)	$	1,515	$	(10,017	)	$	94,446
	liabilities
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Balance,			Total				Net unrealized			Purchases				Sales			Transfers		Transfers			Balance,
		beginning of			(losses)				(losses) gains										in (3)		out (3)			end of
		period			gains				included in															period
					(realized/				other
					unrealized)				comprehensive
					included in				income (2)
					earnings  (1)
	Financial Assets
	Fixed Maturity Securities
	United States Government	$	84		$	—			$	—		$	—			$	(84	)	$	—	$	—		$	—
	and government agencies
	and authorities
	Foreign governments	21,032			(2		)		(433		)	—				—			—		—			20,597
	Commercial mortgage-	683			—				—			—				(42		)	—		—			641
	backed
	Residential mortgage-	20,326			(18		)		64			—				(583		)	—		(9,004		)	10,785
	backed
	Corporate	133,623			109				(2,070		)	—				(1,543		)	—		(6,965		)	123,154
	Equity Securities
	Non-redeemable preferred	2,301			—				289			—				—			3,527		—			6,117
	stocks
	Other investments	10,601			85				693			—				(636		)	—		—			10,743
	Other assets	2,963			(217		)		—			—				—			—		—			2,746
	Financial Liabilities
	Other liabilities	(1,590		)	(589		)		—			(1,897		)		—			—		—			(4,076		)
	Total level 3 assets and	$	190,023		$	(632	)		$	(1,457	)	$	(1,897	)		$	(2,888	)	$	3,527	$	(15,969	)	$	170,707
	liabilities
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Balance,			Total				Net unrealized			Purchases				Sales			Transfers		Transfers			Balance,
		beginning of			(losses)				gains (losses)										in (3)		out (3)			end of
		period			gains				included in															period
					(realized/				other
					unrealized)				comprehensive
					included in				income (2)
					earnings (1)
	Financial Assets
	Fixed Maturity Securities
	States, municipalities and	$	22,657		$	—			$	—		$	—			$	—		$	—	$	(22,657	)	$	—
	political subdivisions
	Foreign governments	16,857			(2		)		18			—				—			—		(16,873		)	—
Commercial mortgage-	598			—				(14		)	—				(131		)	—		—			453
backed
Residential mortgage-	4,167			—				—			—				—			—		(4,167		)	—
backed
Corporate	115,344			1,739				2,286			19,578				(8,608		)	1,515		(17,373		)	114,481
Equity Securities
Non-redeemable preferred	7,510			327				(186		)	—				(1,830		)	—		(1,776		)	4,045
stocks
Other investments	4,171			(1,952		)		11			439				(82		)	—		—			2,587
Other assets	2,491			(1,511		)		—			—				—			—		—			980
Financial Liabilities
Other liabilities	(20,330		)	(3,770		)		—			(4,000		)		—			—		—			(28,100		)
Total level 3 assets and	$	153,465		$	(5,169	)		$	2,115		$	16,017			$	(10,651	)	$	1,515	$	(62,846	)	$	94,446
liabilities
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Balance,			Total				Net unrealized			Purchases				Sales			Transfers		Transfers			Balance,
	beginning of			(losses)				(losses) gains										in (3)		out (3)			end of
	period			gains				included in															period
				(realized/				other
				unrealized)				comprehensive
				included in				income (2)
				earnings  (1)
Financial Assets
Fixed Maturity Securities
United States Government	$	4,175		$	—			$	(3	)	$	—			$	(4,172	)	$	—	$	—		$	—
and government agencies
and authorities
Foreign governments	23,097			(4		)		(2,496		)	—				—			—		—			20,597
Commercial mortgage-	1,774			20				(30		)	—				(1,123		)	—		—			641
backed
Residential mortgage-	8,211			(31		)		(1,145		)	29,938				(1,326		)	—		(24,862		)	10,785
backed
Corporate	158,003			(390		)		(4,000		)	5,325				(25,045		)	4,997		(15,736		)	123,154
Equity Securities
Non-redeemable preferred	14			12				309			4,308				(2,040		)	3,527		(13		)	6,117
stocks
Other investments	11,327			(813		)		1,275			8				(1,054		)	—		—			10,743
Other assets	5,886			(3,140		)		—			—				—			—		—			2,746
Financial Liabilities
Other liabilities	(2,560		)	381				—			(1,897		)		—			—		—			(4,076		)
Total level 3 assets and	$	209,927		$	(3,965	)		$	(6,090	)	$	37,682			$	(34,760	)	$	8,524	$	(40,611	)	$	170,707
liabilities
-1	Included as part of net realized gains on investments in the consolidated statement of operations.
-2	Included as part of change in unrealized gains on securities in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
-3	Transfers are primarily attributable to changes in the availability of observable market information and re-evaluation of the observability of pricing inputs.
Carrying Value and Fair Value of the Financial Instruments that are not recognized or are not Carried at Fair Value	'
	The following tables disclose the carrying value, fair value amount and hierarchy level of the financial instruments that are not recognized or are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:
		30-Sep-14
					Fair Value
		Carrying			Total				Level 1			Level 2				Level 3
		Value
	Financial Assets
	Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	$	1,253,424		$	1,434,289			$	—		$	—			$	1,434,289
	Policy loans	48,979			48,979				48,979			—				—
	Total financial assets	$	1,302,403		$	1,483,268			$	48,979		$	—			$	1,434,289
	Financial Liabilities
	Policy reserves under investment products	$	766,039		$	787,947			$	—		$	—			$	787,947
	(Individual and group annuities, subject
	to discretionary withdrawal) (1)
	Funds withheld under reinsurance	78,707			78,707				78,707			—				—
	Debt	1,171,005			1,273,705				—			1,273,705				—
	Obligations under securities agreements	95,973			95,973				95,973			—				—
	Total financial liabilities	$	2,111,724		$	2,236,332			$	174,680		$	1,273,705			$	787,947
		31-Dec-13
					Fair Value
		Carrying			Total				Level 1			Level 2				Level 3
		Value
	Financial Assets
	Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	$	1,287,032		$	1,444,974			$	—		$	—			$	1,444,974
	Policy loans	51,678			51,678				51,678			—				—
	Total financial assets	$	1,338,710		$	1,496,652			$	51,678		$	—			$	1,444,974
	Financial Liabilities
	Policy reserves under investment products	$	809,628		$	808,734			—			—				$	808,734
	(Individual and group annuities, subject
	to discretionary withdrawal) (1)
	Funds withheld under reinsurance	76,778			76,778				76,778			—				—
	Debt	1,638,118			1,656,588				—			1,656,588				—
	Obligations under securities agreements	95,206			95,206				95,206			—				—
	Total financial liabilities	$	2,619,730		$	2,637,306			$	171,984		$	1,656,588			$	808,734
	-1	Only the fair value of the Company’s policy reserves for investment-type contracts (those without significant mortality or morbidity risk) are reflected in the table above.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax	'
	The following tables summarize those reclassification adjustments (net of taxes):
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Foreign				Unrealized				OTTI			Pension			Accumulated
		currency				gains on							under-			other
		translation				securities							funding			comprehensive
		adjustment														income
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	(18,937	)		$	837,038			$	28,811		$	(82,840	)	$	764,072
	Other comprehensive loss before	(54,264		)		(60,219		)		(1,193		)	—			(115,676		)
	reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other	—				8,602				1,104			1,644			11,350
	comprehensive income
	Net current-period other comprehensive (loss)	(54,264		)		(51,617		)		(89		)	1,644			(104,326		)
	income
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(73,201	)		$	785,421			$	28,722		$	(81,196	)	$	659,746
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Foreign				Unrealized				OTTI			Pension			Accumulated
		currency				gains on							under-			other
		translation				securities							funding			comprehensive
		adjustment														income
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	(27,349	)		$	593,630			$	25,558		$	(171,331	)	$	420,508
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before	5,578				(45,212		)		279			—			(39,355		)
	reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other	—				1,907				—			3,246			5,153
	comprehensive income
	Net current-period other comprehensive income	5,578				(43,305		)		279			3,246			(34,202		)
	(loss)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	(21,771	)		$	550,325			$	25,837		$	(168,085	)	$	386,306
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Foreign				Unrealized				OTTI			Pension			Accumulated
		currency				gains on							under-			other
		translation				securities							funding			comprehensive
		adjustment														income
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(38,767	)		$	526,071			$	26,427		$	(86,901	)	$	426,830
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before	(34,434		)		235,940				1,211			—			202,717
	reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other	—				23,410				1,084			5,705			30,199
	comprehensive income
	Net current-period other comprehensive (loss)	(34,434		)		259,350				2,295			5,705			232,916
	income
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(73,201	)		$	785,421			$	28,722		$	(81,196	)	$	659,746
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Foreign				Unrealized				OTTI			Pension			Accumulated
		currency				gains on							under-			other
		translation				securities							funding			comprehensive
		adjustment														income
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	6,882			$	981,879			$	23,861		$	(182,219	)	$	830,403
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before	(28,653		)		(449,116		)		1,952			—			(475,817		)
	reclassifications
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other	—				17,562				24			14,134			31,720
	comprehensive income
	Net current-period other comprehensive (loss)	(28,653		)		(431,554		)		1,976			14,134			(444,097		)
	income
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	(21,771	)		$	550,325			$	25,837		$	(168,085	)	$	386,306
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following tables summarize the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
	Details about accumulated other comprehensive income components		Amount reclassified from								Affected line item in the
			accumulated other								statement where net
			comprehensive income								income is presented
			Three Months Ended September 30,
			2014				2013
	Unrealized gains on securities		$	13,234			$	2,934			Net realized gains on investments, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses
			(4,632		)		(1,027		)		Provision for income taxes
			$	8,602			$	1,907			Net of tax
	OTTI		$	1,697			$	—			Portion of net loss recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes
			(593		)		—				Provision for income taxes
			$	1,104			$	—			Net of tax
	Amortization of pension and
	postretirement unrecognized net
	periodic benefit cost:
	Amortization of prior service cost		$	(24	)		$	12			-1
	Amortization of net loss		2,553				4,983				-1
			2,529				4,995				Total before tax
			(885		)		(1,749		)		Provision for income taxes
			$	1,644			$	3,246			Net of tax
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	11,350			$	5,153			Net of tax
	Details about accumulated other comprehensive income components		Amount reclassified from								Affected line item in the
			accumulated other								statement where net
			comprehensive income								income is presented
			Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2014				2013
	Unrealized gains on securities		$	36,015			$	27,019			Net realized gains on investments, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses
			(12,605		)		(9,457		)		Provision for income taxes
			$	23,410			$	17,562			Net of tax
	OTTI		$	1,667			$	37			Portion of net loss recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes
			(583		)		(13		)		Provision for income taxes
			$	1,084			$	24			Net of tax
	Amortization of pension and
	postretirement unrecognized net
	periodic benefit cost:
	Amortization of prior service cost		$	(74	)		$	(88	)		-1
	Amortization of net loss		8,853				21,833				-1
			8,779				21,745				Total before tax
			(3,074		)		(7,611		)		Provision for income taxes
			$	5,705			$	14,134			Net of tax
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	30,199			$	31,720			Net of tax
	-1	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 12 - Retirement and Other Employee Benefits for additional information.

Stock_Repurchase_Tables

Stock Repurchase (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock Repurchase [Abstract]	'
Shares Repurchased	'
	The following table shows the shares repurchased during the periods indicated:
	Period in 2014	Number of	Average Price		Total Number of Shares
		Shares Repurchased	Paid Per Share		Repurchased as Part of
					Publicly Announced
					Programs
	January	314,600	$	66.56	314,600
	February	—	—		—
	March	—	—		—
	April	302,000	65.54		302,000
	May	292,000	67.22		292,000
	June	283,000	67.68		283,000
	July	—	—		—
	August	386,000	65.07		386,000
	September	186,000	65		186,000
	Total	1,763,600	$	66.18	1,763,600

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income, Weighted Average Common Shares Used in Calculating Basic Earnings Per Common Share and Diluted EPS	'
	The following table presents net income, the weighted average common shares used in calculating basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) and those used in calculating diluted EPS for each period presented below.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Numerator
	Net income	$	140,297		$	128,788		$	421,152		$	380,091
	Deduct dividends paid	(19,449		)	(18,833		)	(58,382		)	(55,777		)
	Undistributed earnings	$	120,848		$	109,955		$	362,770		$	324,314
	Denominator
	Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic	72,182,547			75,544,542			72,561,191			77,662,796
	earnings per share
	Incremental common shares from:
	SARs	—			53,172			—			73,307
	PSUs	864,157			859,572			866,171			823,393
	ESPPs	—			2,505			—			2,505
	Weighted average shares used in diluted earnings per	73,046,704			76,459,791			73,427,362			78,562,001
	share calculations
	Earnings per common share - Basic
	Distributed earnings	$	0.27		$	0.25		$	0.79		$	0.71
	Undistributed earnings	1.67			1.45			5.01			4.18
	Net income	$	1.94		$	1.7		$	5.8		$	4.89
	Earnings per common share - Diluted
	Distributed earnings	$	0.27		$	0.25		$	0.79		$	0.71
	Undistributed earnings	1.65			1.43			4.95			4.13
	Net income	$	1.92		$	1.68		$	5.74		$	4.84

Retirement_and_Other_Employee_1

Retirement and Other Employee Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	The components of net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s qualified pension benefits plan, nonqualified pension benefits plan and retirement health benefits plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		Qualified Pension						Nonqualified Pension				Retirement Health
		Benefits						Benefits (1)				Benefits
		For the Three Months Ended September 30,						For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Three Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	7,966		$	7,832		$	1,139	$	1,008	$	494		$	581
	Interest cost	9,521			8,867			1,636		1,480		959			911
	Expected return on plan assets	(12,427		)	(11,036		)	—		—		(766		)	(799		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			4			218		249		(242		)	(241		)
	Amortization of net loss (gain)	1,792			3,801			969		1,182		(208		)	—
	Curtailment/settlement charge	—			—			436		—		—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	6,852		$	9,468		$	4,398	$	3,919	$	237		$	452
		Qualified Pension						Nonqualified Pension				Retirement Health
		Benefits						Benefits (1)				Benefits
		For the Nine Months Ended September 30,						For the Nine Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Service cost	$	24,366		$	26,432		$	3,139	$	3,308	$	1,694		$	2,281
	Interest cost	27,821			24,017			4,636		3,880		2,909			2,561
	Expected return on plan assets	(37,127		)	(33,186		)	—		—		(2,316		)	(2,199		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			4			618		599		(692		)	(691		)
	Amortization of net loss (gain)	6,342			17,451			2,819		4,382		(308		)	—
	Curtailment/settlement charge	—			—			436		—		—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	21,402		$	34,718		$	11,648	$	12,169	$	1,287		$	1,952
	-1	The Company’s nonqualified plan is unfunded.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Financial Information by Segment	'
	The following tables summarize selected financial information by segment:
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Solutions		Specialty		Health			Employee		Corporate &			Consolidated
				Property					Benefits		Other
	Revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	812,512	$	654,889	$	526,705		$	263,703	$	—		$	2,257,809
	Net investment income	95,898		24,574		8,312			28,594		4,631			162,009
	Net realized gains on investments	—		—		—			—		17,744			17,744
	Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses	—		—		—			—		3,645			3,645
	Fees and other income	156,807		87,271		10,593			6,305		305			261,281
	Total revenues	1,065,217		766,734		545,610			298,602		26,325			2,702,488
	Benefits, losses and expenses
	Policyholder benefits	257,000		258,344		430,499			177,850		—			1,123,693
	Amortization of deferred acquisition	287,110		90,356		1,511			7,732		—			386,709
	costs and value of business acquired
	Underwriting, general and	442,087		258,589		123,176			92,586		37,121			953,559
	administrative expenses
	Interest expense	—		—		—			—		13,776			13,776
	Total benefits, losses and	986,197		607,289		555,186			278,168		50,897			2,477,737
	expenses
	Segment income (loss) before	79,020		159,445		(9,576		)	20,434		(24,572		)	224,751
	provision (benefit) for income tax
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	27,171		54,716		7,813			7,333		(12,579		)	84,454
	Segment income (loss) after tax	$	51,849	$	104,729	$	(17,389	)	$	13,101	$	(11,993	)
	Net income													$	140,297
		Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		Solutions		Specialty		Health			Employee		Corporate &			Consolidated
				Property					Benefits		Other
	Revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	684,973	$	612,165	$	398,000		$	252,293	$	—		$	1,947,431
	Net investment income	92,845		23,819		9,168			28,516		4,861			159,209
	Net realized losses on investments	—		—		—			—		(3,631		)	(3,631		)
	Amortization of deferred gain on	—		—		—			—		4,074			4,074
	disposal of businesses
	Fees and other income	107,908		29,786		7,630			6,032		211			151,567
	Total revenues	885,726		665,770		414,798			286,841		5,515			2,258,650
	Benefits, losses and expenses
	Policyholder benefits	226,263		228,508		295,534			183,527		—			933,832
	Amortization of deferred acquisition	286,343		79,361		266			6,780		—			372,750
	costs and value of business acquired
	Underwriting, general and	325,537		181,172		107,086			87,329		36,202			737,326
	administrative expenses
	Interest expense	—		—		—			—		20,771			20,771
	Total benefits, losses and	838,143		489,041		402,886			277,636		56,973			2,064,679
	expenses
	Segment income (loss) before	47,583		176,729		11,912			9,205		(51,458		)	193,971
	provision (benefit) for income tax
	Provision (benefit) for income taxes	11,374		61,679		5,351			3,056		(16,277		)	65,183
	Segment income (loss) after tax	$	36,209	$	115,050	$	6,561		$	6,149	$	(35,181	)
	Net income													$	128,788
		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		Solutions		Specialty		Health			Employee		Corporate &			Consolidated
				Property					Benefits		Other
	Revenues
	Net earned premiums	$	2,335,498	$	1,911,589	$	1,454,726		$	788,192	$	—		$	6,490,005
	Net investment income	288,146		77,750		27,538			89,649		14,492			497,575
	Net realized gains on investments	—		—		—			—		43,582			43,582
	Amortization of deferred gain on	—		—		—			—		10,949			10,949
	disposal of businesses
	Fees and other income	461,268		209,035		27,787			18,332		428			716,850
	Total revenues	3,084,912		2,198,374		1,510,051			896,173		69,451			7,758,961
	Benefits, losses and expenses
	Policyholder benefits	781,908		830,073		1,136,113			533,244		—			3,281,338
Amortization of deferred acquisition	824,023		249,189		1,759			23,109		—			1,098,080
costs and value of business acquired
Underwriting, general and	1,238,830		708,837		366,585			274,534		92,349			2,681,135
administrative expenses
Interest expense	—		—		—			—		44,617			44,617
Total benefits, losses and	2,844,761		1,788,099		1,504,457			830,887		136,966			7,105,170
expenses
Segment income (loss) before	240,151		410,275		5,594			65,286		(67,515		)	653,791
provision (benefit) for income tax
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	79,300		139,495		32,554			23,838		(42,548		)	232,639
Segment income (loss) after tax	$	160,851	$	270,780	$	(26,960	)	$	41,448	$	(24,967	)
Net income													$	421,152
	As of September 30, 2014
Segment Assets:
Segment assets, excluding goodwill	$	14,133,609	$	4,060,535	$	1,053,512		$	2,272,749	$	8,335,906		$	29,856,311
Goodwill													816,818
Total assets													$	30,673,129
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Solutions		Specialty		Health			Employee		Corporate &			Consolidated
			Property					Benefits		Other
Revenues
Net earned premiums	$	2,056,300	$	1,727,724	$	1,172,775		$	757,494	$	—		$	5,714,293
Net investment income	282,502		74,723		27,861			88,856		15,176			489,118
Net realized gains on investments	—		—		—			—		30,264			30,264
Amortization of deferred gain on	—		—		—			—		12,238			12,238
disposal of businesses
Fees and other income	279,758		82,202		21,061			17,605		500			401,126
Total revenues	2,618,560		1,884,649		1,221,697			863,955		58,178			6,647,039
Benefits, losses and expenses
Policyholder benefits	647,713		649,554		868,307			541,107		1,462			2,708,143
Amortization of deferred acquisition	851,326		229,686		532			20,454		—			1,101,998
costs and value of business acquired
Underwriting, general and	969,112		520,307		314,085			266,628		98,235			2,168,367
administrative expenses
Interest expense	—		—		—			—		57,369			57,369
Total benefits, losses and	2,468,151		1,399,547		1,182,924			828,189		157,066			6,035,877
expenses
Segment income (loss) before	150,409		485,102		38,773			35,766		(98,888		)	611,162
provision (benefit) for income tax
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	47,902		169,288		33,472			12,060		(31,651		)	231,071
Segment income (loss) after tax	$	102,507	$	315,814	$	5,301		$	23,706	$	(67,237	)
Net income													$	380,091
	As of December 31, 2013
Segment Assets:
Segment assets, excluding goodwill	$	13,321,648	$	3,858,314	$	884,077		$	2,298,698	$	8,567,391		$	28,930,128
Goodwill													784,561
Total assets													$	29,714,689

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen1

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]	'
Mandated fees under Affordable Care Act	$25,723
Liability recorded for mandated fees under Affordable Care Act	0
Deferred costs under Affordable Care Act	6,431
Affordable Care Act	'
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]	'
Amortization of deferred costs	$19,292

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 30, 2013

Dec. 30, 2013

Dec. 30, 2013

Feb. 10, 2014

Feb. 10, 2014

Feb. 10, 2014

Mar. 24, 2014

Mar. 24, 2014

Apr. 16, 2014

Apr. 16, 2014

Sep. 03, 2014

Sep. 03, 2014

Apr. 16, 2014

Sep. 03, 2014

Apr. 16, 2014

Sep. 03, 2014

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

USD ($)

USD ($)

Mexican Operations of Ike

Mexican Operations of Ike

Mexican Operations of Ike

Latin American Operations of Ike

Latin American Operations of Ike

Ike

Lifestyle Services Group Limited

Lifestyle Services Group Limited

Streetlinks LLC

Streetlinks LLC

eMortgage Logic LLC

eMortgage Logic LLC

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

USD ($)

MXN

USD ($)

MXN

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Streetlinks LLC

eMortgage Logic LLC

Streetlinks LLC

eMortgage Logic LLC

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash paid for acquisition

'

'

$91,420

1,191,499

'

$20,950

272,541

'

'

'

$60,905

'

$17,000

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of interest acquired

'

'

'

'

40.00%

40.00%

40.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership interest percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business combination, delayed payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,951

3,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contingent consideration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,920

16,313

'

5,000

'

10,231

'

'

'

'

Fair value of consideration transferred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65,905

'

28,263

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible assets recorded in connection with acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

47,970

'

11,270

'

'

'

'

Amortization period of acquired intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'3 years

'12 years

'11 years

Goodwill

$816,818

$784,561

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$14,738

'

$14,058

'

'

'

'

Investments_Amortized_Cost_Gro

Investments (Amortized Cost, Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses, Fair Value and OTTI) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed maturity securities, cost or amortized cost	$10,482,812		$10,520,310
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	11,624,009		11,291,875
Equity securities, cost or amortized cost	458,965		417,535
Equity securities, fair value	521,707		458,358
Equity securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Equity securities, cost or amortized cost	458,965		417,535
Equity securities, gross unrealized gains	65,228		50,232
Equity securities, gross unrealized losses	-2,486		-9,409
Equity securities, fair value	521,707		458,358
OTTI in AOCI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Equity securities | Common Stock	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Equity securities, cost or amortized cost	21,129		17,890
Equity securities, gross unrealized gains	13,743		11,352
Equity securities, gross unrealized losses	-49		-10
Equity securities, fair value	34,823		29,232
OTTI in AOCI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fixed maturity securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed maturity securities, cost or amortized cost	10,482,812		10,520,310
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized gains	1,159,307		834,693
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized losses	-18,110		-63,128
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	11,624,009		11,291,875
OTTI in AOCI	44,187	[1]	40,657	[1]
Fixed maturity securities | United States government and government agencies and authorities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed maturity securities, cost or amortized cost	172,994		408,378
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized gains	5,053		4,166
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized losses	-639		-1,888
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	177,408		410,656
OTTI in AOCI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fixed maturity securities | States, municipalities and political subdivisions	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed maturity securities, cost or amortized cost	758,072		774,233
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized gains	72,812		63,543
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized losses	-517		-2,624
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	830,367		835,152
OTTI in AOCI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fixed maturity securities | Foreign governments	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed maturity securities, cost or amortized cost	610,000		647,486
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized gains	60,062		35,543
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized losses	-1,706		-7,608
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	668,356		675,421
OTTI in AOCI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fixed maturity securities | Asset-backed	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed maturity securities, cost or amortized cost	4,061		4,320
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized gains	1,729		1,910
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized losses	-32		-56
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	5,758		6,174
OTTI in AOCI	1,620	[1]	1,773	[1]
Fixed maturity securities | Corporate	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed maturity securities, cost or amortized cost	7,931,922		7,709,083
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized gains	966,302		684,776
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized losses	-11,770		-37,653
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	8,886,454		8,356,206
OTTI in AOCI	23,163	[1]	19,359	[1]
Fixed maturity securities | Commercial mortgage-backed	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed maturity securities, cost or amortized cost	56,527		57,594
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized gains	1,534		2,850
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized losses	0		-82
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	58,061		60,362
OTTI in AOCI	0	[1]	0	[1]
Fixed maturity securities | Residential mortgage-backed	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Fixed maturity securities, cost or amortized cost	949,236		919,216
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized gains	51,815		41,905
Fixed maturity securities, gross unrealized losses	-3,446		-13,217
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	997,605		947,904
OTTI in AOCI	19,404	[1]	19,525	[1]
Non-redeemable preferred stocks | Equity securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Equity securities, cost or amortized cost	437,836		399,645
Equity securities, gross unrealized gains	51,485		38,880
Equity securities, gross unrealized losses	-2,437		-9,399
Equity securities, fair value	486,884		429,126
OTTI in AOCI	$0	[1]	$0	[1]
[1]	Represents the amount of OTTI recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). Amount includes unrealized gains and losses on impaired securities relating to changes in the value of such securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date

Investments_Narrative_Details

Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	security		security		security
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum individual state exposure	0.50%	'	0.50%	'	'
Advance refunded or escrowed-to-maturity securities	$275,657	'	$275,657	'	$234,640
Percentage of revenue securities	51.00%	'	51.00%	'	53.00%
European investment exposure in fixed maturity and equity securities	1,075,379	'	1,075,379	'	1,082,129
Unrealized gain of European investments within corporate fixed maturity and equity securities	108,088	'	108,088	'	78,126
Percentage of European investments held in financial industry classification	23.00%	'	23.00%	'	25.00%
Percentage of investments in any one European country	5.00%	'	5.00%	'	6.00%
Percentage of pound and euro-denominated European securities held to support foreign-denominated liabilities	5.00%	'	5.00%	'	'
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	1,230	69	1,409	'
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings	0	1,202	30	1,309	'
Portion of net (gain) loss recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes	'	28	39	100	'
Percentage of securities representing gross unrealized losses	2.00%	'	2.00%	'	3.00%
Percentage of gross unrealized losses in a continuous loss position less than twelve months	44.00%	'	44.00%	'	94.00%
Individual securities comprising total gross unrealized losses	477	'	477	'	667
Total gross unrealized losses of twelve months or more	1,365	'	1,365	'	'
Total gross unrealized losses of twelve months or more percentage	30.00%	'	30.00%	'	'
Percentage of residential mortgage-backed holdings exposure to sub-prime mortgage collateral	39.00%	'	39.00%	'	'
Outstanding balance of commercial mortgage loans	1,257,906	'	1,257,906	'	1,291,514
Percentage of securities received as collateral	'	'	102.00%	'	'
Collateral held under securities lending	95,977	'	95,977	'	95,215
Liability to the borrower for collateral	95,973	'	95,973	'	95,206
Number of securities in an unrealized position for less than 12 months	1	'	1	'	'
Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding balance of commercial mortgage loans	6	'	6	'	9
Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of investments in foreign governments fixed maturity securities	3.00%	'	3.00%	'	3.00%
Outstanding balance of commercial mortgage loans	$15,288	'	$15,288	'	$15,574
Canadian Government/Provincials	'	'	'	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of investments in foreign governments fixed maturity securities	74.00%	'	74.00%	'	70.00%
Governments of Brazil	'	'	'	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of investments in foreign governments fixed maturity securities	11.00%	'	11.00%	'	15.00%
Governments of Germany	'	'	'	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of investments in foreign governments fixed maturity securities	5.00%	'	5.00%	'	6.00%

Investments_Amortized_Cost_and

Investments (Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Fixed Maturity Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Due in one year or less, cost or amortized cost	$339,714	'
Due after one year through five years, cost or amortized cost	2,437,561	'
Due after five years through ten years, cost or amortized cost	2,690,101	'
Due after ten years, cost or amortized cost	4,005,612	'
Total, cost or amortized cost	9,472,988	'
Fixed maturity securities, cost or amortized cost	10,482,812	10,520,310
Due in one year or less, fair value	344,017	'
Due after one year through five years, fair value	2,571,729	'
Due after five years through ten years, fair value	2,832,899	'
Due after ten years, fair value	4,813,940	'
Total, fair value	10,562,585	'
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	11,624,009	11,291,875
Residential mortgage-backed	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	949,236	'
Fair value	997,605	'
Commercial mortgage-backed	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	56,527	'
Fair value	58,061	'
Asset-backed	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Cost or amortized cost	4,061	'
Fair value	$5,758	'

Investments_Proceeds_from_Sale

Investments (Proceeds from Sales of Available-For-Sale Securities and the Gross Realized Gains and Gross Realized Losses) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sales	$401,627	$525,996	$1,403,671	$2,028,274
Gross realized gains	18,109	9,865	49,696	46,290
Gross realized losses	$1,607	$12,339	$8,174	$23,391

Investments_Net_Realized_Gains

Investments (Net Realized Gains (Losses), Including Other-Than-Temporary Impairments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net realized gains (losses) related to sales and other	$17,744	($2,429)	$43,612	$31,573
Total net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	0	-1,202	-30	-1,309
Total net realized gains (losses)	17,744	-3,631	43,582	30,264
Other investments	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net realized gains (losses) related to sales and other	45	-279	-914	6,605
Total net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	0	-542	0	-542
Fixed maturity securities	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net realized gains (losses) related to sales and other	17,848	-2,232	39,538	20,215
Total net realized losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	0	-660	-30	-767
Equity securities	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net realized gains (losses) related to sales and other	($149)	$82	$4,988	$4,753

Investments_Credit_Loss_Impair

Investments (Credit Loss Impairments Recognized) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$39,248	$93,745	$45,278	$95,589
Additions for credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities previously impaired	'	'	30	107
Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over the remaining life of the security	-506	-597	-3,151	-1,465
Reductions for credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period	-1,662	-190	-5,077	-1,273
Ending balance	$37,080	$92,958	$37,080	$92,958

Investments_Duration_of_Gross_

Investments (Duration of Gross Unrealized Losses on Fixed Maturity Securities and Equity Securities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	$59,120	$159,910
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	-802	-8,210
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	31,507	11,807
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	-1,684	-1,199
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	90,627	171,717
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	-2,486	-9,409
Fixed maturity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	913,227	2,125,923
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	-8,223	-60,281
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	398,707	55,856
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	-9,887	-2,847
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	1,311,934	2,181,779
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	-18,110	-63,128
Fixed maturity securities | Corporate	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	720,525	1,412,611
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	-7,245	-36,848
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	196,815	19,291
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	-4,525	-805
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	917,340	1,431,902
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	-11,770	-37,653
Fixed maturity securities | Residential mortgage-backed	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	104,337	407,808
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	-379	-11,667
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	124,490	31,498
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	-3,067	-1,550
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	228,827	439,306
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	-3,446	-13,217
Fixed maturity securities | Commercial mortgage-backed	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	'	5,036
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	'	-82
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	'	0
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	'	0
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	'	5,036
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	'	-82
Common Stock | Equity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	1,078	187
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	-46	-10
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	193	0
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	-3	0
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	1,271	187
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	-49	-10
Non-redeemable preferred stocks | Equity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	58,042	159,723
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	-756	-8,200
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	31,314	11,807
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	-1,681	-1,199
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	89,356	171,530
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	-2,437	-9,399
United States government and government agencies and authorities | Fixed maturity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	37,746	52,615
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	-104	-1,464
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	24,895	3,514
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	-535	-424
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	62,641	56,129
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	-639	-1,888
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Fixed maturity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	7,080	30,145
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	-383	-2,624
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	4,565	0
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	-134	0
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	11,645	30,145
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	-517	-2,624
Foreign governments | Fixed maturity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	43,539	217,708
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	-112	-7,596
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	46,480	111
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	-1,594	-12
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	90,019	217,819
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	-1,706	-7,608
Asset-backed | Fixed maturity securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, fair value	0	0
Gross unrealized losses on securities, less than 12 months, unrealized losses	0	0
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, fair value	1,462	1,442
Gross unrealized losses on securities, 12 months or more, unrealized losses	-32	-56
Gross unrealized losses on securities, fair value, total	1,462	1,442
Gross unrealized losses on securities, unrealized losses, total	($32)	($56)

Investments_Credit_Quality_Ind

Investments (Credit Quality Indicators for Commercial Mortgage Loans) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Value	$1,257,906	$1,291,514
% of Gross Mortgage Loans	100.00%	100.00%
Debt-Service Coverage Ratio	1.94	1.89
Less valuation allowance	-4,482	-4,482
Net commercial mortgage loans	1,253,424	1,287,032
70% and less	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Value	1,129,193	1,143,200
% of Gross Mortgage Loans	89.80%	88.50%
Debt-Service Coverage Ratio	2.03	1.97
71 – 80%	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Value	87,488	73,603
% of Gross Mortgage Loans	7.00%	5.70%
Debt-Service Coverage Ratio	1.25	1.44
81 – 95%	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Value	34,694	58,752
% of Gross Mortgage Loans	2.70%	4.60%
Debt-Service Coverage Ratio	0.97	1.19
Greater than 95%	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying Value	$6,531	$15,959
% of Gross Mortgage Loans	0.50%	1.20%
Debt-Service Coverage Ratio	0.43	0.87

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Fair_Va

Fair Value Disclosures (Fair Value for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	$15,598,038		$15,667,066
Total financial liabilities	1,906,396		1,994,980
Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	3,010,257		3,100,899
Total financial liabilities	1,697,272		1,751,605
Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	12,465,235		12,392,372
Total financial liabilities	181,024		223,045
Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	122,546		173,795
Total financial liabilities	28,100		20,330
Short-term investments	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	465,295		470,458
Short-term investments | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	392,642	[1]	273,518	[1]
Short-term investments | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	72,653	[2]	196,940	[2]
Short-term investments | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Assets held in separate accounts	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	1,820,241		1,887,988
Assets held in separate accounts | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	1,639,251	[3]	1,696,811	[3]
Assets held in separate accounts | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	180,990	[2]	191,177	[2]
Assets held in separate accounts | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Other assets	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	1,735		3,726
Other assets | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Other assets | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	755	[4]	1,235
Other assets | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	980	[5]	2,491	[5]
Other liabilities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial liabilities	86,155		106,992
Other liabilities | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial liabilities	58,021	[3]	54,794	[3]
Other liabilities | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial liabilities	34	[4]	31,868	[6]
Other liabilities | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial liabilities	28,100	[4]	20,330	[4]
Liabilities related to separate accounts	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial liabilities	1,820,241		1,887,988
Liabilities related to separate accounts | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial liabilities	1,639,251	[3]	1,696,811	[3]
Liabilities related to separate accounts | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial liabilities	180,990	[2]	191,177	[2]
Liabilities related to separate accounts | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial liabilities	0		0
Other investments	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	268,842		246,748
Other investments | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	58,021	[3]	66,659	[3]
Other investments | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	208,234	[2]	175,918	[2]
Other investments | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	2,587	[7]	4,171	[7]
Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	74,976		74,212
Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	66,971	[1]	67,202	[1]
Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	8,005	[2]	7,010	[2]
Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Commercial mortgage-backed | Fixed maturity securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	58,061		60,362
Commercial mortgage-backed | Fixed maturity securities | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Commercial mortgage-backed | Fixed maturity securities | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	57,608		59,764
Commercial mortgage-backed | Fixed maturity securities | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	453		598
Residential mortgage-backed | Fixed maturity securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	997,605		947,904
Residential mortgage-backed | Fixed maturity securities | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Residential mortgage-backed | Fixed maturity securities | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	997,605		943,737
Residential mortgage-backed | Fixed maturity securities | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		4,167
United States Government and government agencies and authorities | Fixed maturity securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	177,408		410,656
United States Government and government agencies and authorities | Fixed maturity securities | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
United States Government and government agencies and authorities | Fixed maturity securities | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	177,408		410,656
United States Government and government agencies and authorities | Fixed maturity securities | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Fixed maturity securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	830,367		835,152
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Fixed maturity securities | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Fixed maturity securities | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	830,367		812,495
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Fixed maturity securities | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		22,657
Foreign governments | Fixed maturity securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	668,356		675,421
Foreign governments | Fixed maturity securities | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	705		789
Foreign governments | Fixed maturity securities | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	667,651		657,775
Foreign governments | Fixed maturity securities | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		16,857
Asset-backed | Fixed maturity securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	5,758		6,174
Asset-backed | Fixed maturity securities | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Asset-backed | Fixed maturity securities | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	5,758		6,174
Asset-backed | Fixed maturity securities | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Corporate | Fixed maturity securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	8,886,454		8,356,206
Corporate | Fixed maturity securities | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Corporate | Fixed maturity securities | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	8,771,973		8,240,862
Corporate | Fixed maturity securities | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	114,481		115,344
Equity securities | Common Stock	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	34,823		29,232
Equity securities | Common Stock | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	34,139		28,548
Equity securities | Common Stock | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	684		684
Equity securities | Common Stock | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Equity securities | Non-redeemable preferred stocks	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	486,884		429,126
Equity securities | Non-redeemable preferred stocks | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	0		0
Equity securities | Non-redeemable preferred stocks | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	482,839		421,616
Equity securities | Non-redeemable preferred stocks | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	4,045		7,510
Cash equivalents	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	821,233		1,233,701
Cash equivalents | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	818,528	[1]	967,372	[1]
Cash equivalents | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	2,705	[2]	266,329	[2]
Cash equivalents | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total financial assets	$0		$0
[1]	Mainly includes money market funds.
[2]	Mainly includes fixed maturity securities.
[3]	Mainly includes mutual funds.
[4]	Mainly includes other derivatives.
[5]	Mainly includes the Consumer Price Index Cap Derivatives (“CPI Caps”).
[6]	Mainly includes contingent consideration liability related to a business combination.
[7]	Mainly includes fixed maturity securities and other derivatives.

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Narrati

Fair Value Disclosures (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 financial assets	$0	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts reinsurance recoverable	10,820,000	10,820,000
Priced externally | Market Approach Valuation Technique	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	65,811,000	70,244,000
Priced internally | Market Approach Valuation Technique	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets	$53,626,000	$97,219,000

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Change_

Fair Value Disclosures (Change in Balance Sheet Carrying Value Associated with Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities Carried at Fair Value) (Details) (Level 3, USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, net	$103,152		$190,023		$153,465		$209,927
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, net	-4,982	[1]	-632	[1]	-5,169	[1]	-3,965	[1]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income	-1,896	[2]	-1,457	[2]	2,115	[2]	-6,090	[2]
Purchases, net	10,076		-1,897		16,017		37,682
Sales, net	-3,402		-2,888		-10,651		-34,760
Transfers into Level 3, net	1,515	[3]	3,527	[3]	1,515	[3]	8,524	[3]
Transfers out of Level 3, net	-10,017	[3]	-15,969	[3]	-62,846	[3]	-40,611	[3]
Balance, end of period, net	94,446		170,707		94,446		170,707
Other assets	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, assets	2,268		2,963		2,491		5,886
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, assets	-1,288	[1]	-217	[1]	-1,511	[1]	-3,140	[1]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income, assets	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Purchases, assets	0		0		0		0
Sales, assets	0		0		0		0
Transfers into Level 3, assets	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Transfers out of Level 3, assets	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Balance, end of period, assets	980		2,746		980		2,746
Other liabilities	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, liabilities	-23,160		-1,590		-20,330		-2,560
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, liabilities	-4,940	[1]	-589	[1]	-3,770	[1]	381	[1]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income, liabilities	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]
Purchases, liabilities	0		1,897		4,000		1,897
Sales, liabilities	0		0		0		0
Transfers into Level 3, liabilities	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Transfers out of Level 3, liabilities	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Balance, end of period, liabilities	-28,100		-4,076		-28,100		-4,076
Other investments	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, assets	2,615		10,601		4,171		11,327
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, assets	-437	[1]	85	[1]	-1,952	[1]	-813	[1]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income, assets	2	[2]	693	[2]	11	[2]	1,275	[2]
Purchases, assets	439		0		439		8
Sales, assets	-32		-636		-82		-1,054
Transfers into Level 3, assets	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Transfers out of Level 3, assets	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Balance, end of period, assets	2,587		10,743		2,587		10,743
Commercial mortgage-backed | Fixed maturity securities	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, assets	503		683		598		1,774
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, assets	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	20	[1]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income, assets	-5	[2]	0	[2]	-14	[2]	-30	[2]
Purchases, assets	0		0		0		0
Sales, assets	-45		-42		-131		-1,123
Transfers into Level 3, assets	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Transfers out of Level 3, assets	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Balance, end of period, assets	453		641	[3]	453		641	[3]
Residential mortgage-backed | Fixed maturity securities	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, assets	'		20,326		4,167		8,211
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, assets	'		-18	[1]	0	[1]	-31	[1]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income, assets	'		64	[2]	0	[2]	-1,145	[2]
Purchases, assets	'		0		0		29,938
Sales, assets	'		-583		0		-1,326
Transfers into Level 3, assets	'		0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Transfers out of Level 3, assets	'		-9,004	[3]	-4,167	[3]	-24,862	[3]
Balance, end of period, assets	0		10,785		0		10,785
United States Government and government agencies and authorities | Fixed maturity securities	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, assets	'		84		'		4,175
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, assets	'		0	[1]	'		0	[1]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income, assets	'		0	[2]	'		-3	[2]
Purchases, assets	'		0		'		0
Sales, assets	'		-84		'		-4,172
Transfers into Level 3, assets	'		0	[3]	'		0	[3]
Transfers out of Level 3, assets	'		0	[3]	'		0	[3]
Balance, end of period, assets	'		0		'		0
States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Fixed maturity securities	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, assets	'		'		22,657		'
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, assets	'		'		0	[1]	'
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income, assets	'		'		0	[2]	'
Purchases, assets	'		'		0		'
Sales, assets	'		'		0		'
Transfers into Level 3, assets	'		'		0	[3]	'
Transfers out of Level 3, assets	'		'		-22,657	[3]	'
Balance, end of period, assets	0		'		0		'
Foreign governments | Fixed maturity securities	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, assets	'		21,032		16,857		23,097
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, assets	'		-2	[1]	-2	[1]	-4	[1]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income, assets	'		-433	[2]	18	[2]	-2,496	[2]
Purchases, assets	'		0		0		0
Sales, assets	'		0		0		0
Transfers into Level 3, assets	'		0	[3]	0	[3]	0	[3]
Transfers out of Level 3, assets	'		0	[3]	-16,873	[3]	0	[3]
Balance, end of period, assets	0		20,597		0		20,597
Corporate | Fixed maturity securities	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, assets	116,827		133,623		115,344		158,003
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, assets	1,684	[1]	109	[1]	1,739	[1]	-390	[1]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income, assets	-1,840	[2]	-2,070	[2]	2,286	[2]	-4,000	[2]
Purchases, assets	9,637		0		19,578		5,325
Sales, assets	-3,325		-1,543		-8,608		-25,045
Transfers into Level 3, assets	1,515	[3]	0	[3]	1,515	[3]	4,997	[3]
Transfers out of Level 3, assets	-10,017	[3]	-6,965	[3]	-17,373	[3]	-15,736	[3]
Balance, end of period, assets	114,481		123,154		114,481		123,154
Non-redeemable preferred stocks | Equity securities	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period, assets	4,099		2,301		7,510		14
Total (losses) gains (realized/unrealized) included in earnings, assets	-1	[1]	0	[1]	327	[1]	12	[1]
Net unrealized (losses) gains included in other comprehensive income, assets	-53	[2]	289	[2]	-186	[2]	309	[2]
Purchases, assets	0		0		0		4,308
Sales, assets	0		0		-1,830		-2,040
Transfers into Level 3, assets	0	[3]	3,527	[3]	0	[3]	3,527	[3]
Transfers out of Level 3, assets	0	[3]	0	[3]	-1,776	[3]	-13	[3]
Balance, end of period, assets	$4,045		$6,117		$4,045		$6,117
[1]	Included as part of net realized gains on investments in the consolidated statement of operations.
[2]	Included as part of change in unrealized gains on securities in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
[3]	Transfers are primarily attributable to changes in the availability of observable market information and re-evaluation of the observability of pricing inputs.

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Carryin

Fair Value Disclosures (Carrying Value and Fair Value of the Financial Instruments that are not recognized or are not Carried at Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	$1,434,289		$1,444,974
Policy loans	48,979		51,678
Total financial assets	1,483,268		1,496,652
Policy reserves under investment products (Individual and group annuities, subject to discretionary withdrawal)	787,947	[1]	808,734	[1]
Funds withheld under reinsurance	78,707		76,778
Debt	1,273,705		1,656,588
Obligations under securities agreements	95,973		95,206
Total financial liabilities	2,236,332		2,637,306
Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	0		0
Policy loans	48,979		51,678
Total financial assets	48,979		51,678
Policy reserves under investment products (Individual and group annuities, subject to discretionary withdrawal)	0	[1]	0	[1]
Funds withheld under reinsurance	78,707		76,778
Debt	0		0
Obligations under securities agreements	95,973		95,206
Total financial liabilities	174,680		171,984
Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	0		0
Policy loans	0		0
Total financial assets	0		0
Policy reserves under investment products (Individual and group annuities, subject to discretionary withdrawal)	0	[1]	0	[1]
Funds withheld under reinsurance	0		0
Debt	1,273,705		1,656,588
Obligations under securities agreements	0		0
Total financial liabilities	1,273,705		1,656,588
Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	1,434,289		1,444,974
Policy loans	0		0
Total financial assets	1,434,289		1,444,974
Policy reserves under investment products (Individual and group annuities, subject to discretionary withdrawal)	787,947	[1]	808,734	[1]
Funds withheld under reinsurance	0		0
Debt	0		0
Obligations under securities agreements	0		0
Total financial liabilities	787,947		808,734
Carrying Value	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	1,253,424		1,287,032
Policy loans	48,979		51,678
Total financial assets	1,302,403		1,338,710
Policy reserves under investment products (Individual and group annuities, subject to discretionary withdrawal)	766,039	[1]	809,628	[1]
Funds withheld under reinsurance	78,707		76,778
Debt	1,171,005		1,638,118
Obligations under securities agreements	95,973		95,206
Total financial liabilities	$2,111,724		$2,619,730
[1]	Only the fair value of the Company’s policy reserves for investment-type contracts (those without significant mortality or morbidity risk) are reflected in the table above.

Debt_Senior_Notes_Details

Debt (Senior Notes) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 15, 2014

Feb. 15, 2014

Aug. 15, 2013

Feb. 15, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 15, 2014

Mar. 15, 2014

Sep. 15, 2013

Mar. 28, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 28, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 28, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 28, 2013

Feb. 29, 2004

Sep. 30, 2014

Feb. 29, 2004

Sep. 30, 2014

Feb. 29, 2004

Senior Notes 2004

Senior Notes 2004

Senior Notes 2004

Senior Notes 2004

Senior Notes 2004

Senior Notes 2004

Senior Notes 2004

Senior Notes 2004

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes

Senior Notes 2013

Senior Notes 2013

Senior Notes 2013

Senior Notes 2013

Senior Notes 2013

Senior Notes 2013

Senior Notes 2013

Senior Notes 2013

Senior Notes 2013

Senior Notes 2013, First Series

Senior Notes 2013, First Series

Senior Notes 2013, Second Series

Senior Notes 2013, Second Series

Senior Notes 2004

Senior Notes 2004, First Series

Senior Notes 2004, First Series

Senior Notes 2004, Second Series

Senior Notes 2004, Second Series

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes with an aggregate principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$700,000,000

'

$350,000,000

'

$350,000,000

$975,000,000

'

$500,000,000

'

$475,000,000

Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt

'

'

0

698,093,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

698,093,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

971,537,000

'

'

'

'

Senior notes unamortized discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,907,000

'

'

'

'

3,463,000

'

'

'

'

Senior notes interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.50%

'

4.00%

'

'

5.63%

'

6.75%

Senior notes maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Mar-18

'

15-Mar-23

'

'

18-Feb-14

'

15-Feb-34

'

Senior notes discount rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.18%

'

0.37%

'

'

0.11%

'

0.61%

Senior notes interest expense

13,776,000

20,771,000

44,617,000

57,369,000

'

'

'

'

8,031,000

14,714,000

27,383,000

44,795,000

'

'

'

'

5,745,000

5,870,000

17,234,000

11,613,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes accrued interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,008,000

7,523,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

948,000

948,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes interest payment

'

'

'

'

$16,031,000

$30,094,000

$30,094,000

$30,094,000

'

'

'

'

$11,375,000

$11,375,000

$10,553,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Credit_Facility_Details

Debt (Credit Facility) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 16, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 16, 2014	Sep. 21, 2011	Sep. 21, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
		Credit Facility 2011	Letter of Credit	Letter of Credit	Revolving Credit Facility	Revolving Credit Facility	Revolving Credit Facility	Revolving Credit Facility	Revolving Credit Facility	Commercial Paper
				Credit Facility 2014		Credit Facility 2014	Credit Facility 2014	Credit Facility 2011	Credit Facility 2011	Credit Facility 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior revolving credit facility borrowing capacity	'	'	'	$50,000,000	$400,000,000	$400,000,000	$400,000,000	'	$350,000,000	'
Senior revolving credit facility available capacity	'	'	'	'	395,740,000	'	'	'	'	'
Amount outstanding	0	'	4,260,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Line of Credit Facility, initiation date	'	'	'	'	'	16-Sep-14	'	'	'	'
Term of debt instrument	'	'	'	'	'	'5 years	'	'4 years	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, expiration date	'	'	'	'	'	1-Sep-19	'	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	'	'	'	'	'	'	525,000,000	'	'	'
Borrowings	'	$0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$764,072	$420,508	$426,830	$830,403
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-115,676	-39,355	202,717	-475,817
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	11,350	5,153	30,199	31,720
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	-104,326	-34,202	232,916	-444,097
Ending balance	659,746	386,306	659,746	386,306
Foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	-18,937	-27,349	-38,767	6,882
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-54,264	5,578	-34,434	-28,653
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	-54,264	5,578	-34,434	-28,653
Ending balance	-73,201	-21,771	-73,201	-21,771
Unrealized gains on securities	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	837,038	593,630	526,071	981,879
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-60,219	-45,212	235,940	-449,116
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	8,602	1,907	23,410	17,562
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	-51,617	-43,305	259,350	-431,554
Ending balance	785,421	550,325	785,421	550,325
OTTI	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	28,811	25,558	26,427	23,861
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-1,193	279	1,211	1,952
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,104	0	1,084	24
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	-89	279	2,295	1,976
Ending balance	28,722	25,837	28,722	25,837
Pension under- funding	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	-82,840	-171,331	-86,901	-182,219
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,644	3,246	5,705	14,134
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	1,644	3,246	5,705	14,134
Ending balance	($81,196)	($168,085)	($81,196)	($168,085)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses	$17,744		($2,429)		$43,612		$31,573
Provision for income taxes	-84,454		-65,183		-232,639		-231,071
Net income	140,297		128,788		421,152		380,091
Portion of net loss recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes	0		28		39		100
Income before provision for income taxes	224,751		193,971		653,791		611,162
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'		'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net income	11,350		5,153		30,199		31,720
Unrealized gains on securities | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'		'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses	13,234		2,934		36,015		27,019
Provision for income taxes	-4,632		-1,027		-12,605		-9,457
Net income	8,602		1,907		23,410		17,562
OTTI | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'		'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Provision for income taxes	-593		0		-583		-13
Net income	1,104		0		1,084		24
Portion of net loss recognized in other comprehensive income, before taxes	1,697		0		1,667		37
Pension under- funding | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'		'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Provision for income taxes	-885		-1,749		-3,074		-7,611
Net income	1,644		3,246		5,705		14,134
Amortization of prior service cost	-24	[1]	12	[1]	-74	[1]	-88	[1]
Amortization of net loss	2,553	[1]	4,983	[1]	8,853	[1]	21,833	[1]
Income before provision for income taxes	$2,529		$4,995		$8,779		$21,745
[1]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 12 - Retirement and Other Employee Benefits for additional information.

Stock_Based_Compensation_Narra

Stock Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-10

31-May-08

Sep. 30, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted Stock Units

Performance Share Units

Performance Share Units

Performance Share Units

Performance Share Units

Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan

Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan

Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Minimum

Maximum

Performance Share Units

Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan

Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan

Performance Share Units

Performance Share Units

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company's common stock authorized to employees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,300,000

3,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

RSU vesting terms for employees and directors

'

'

33.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vesting period (in years)

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of payout level minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

'

Percentage of payout level maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150.00%

Percentage of payout level target

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues benchmark for performance payout

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares granted

27,347

14,916

358,611

481,134

0

0

380,349

408,808

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation expense

6,197

6,936

17,174

19,207

3,460

7,839

17,022

16,688

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

308

300

893

798

'

'

Compensation expenses income tax benefit

2,167

2,425

6,001

6,714

1,206

2,738

5,942

5,832

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant date fair value

'

'

$65.32

$44.18

'

'

$64.93

$44.22

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost

19,197

'

19,197

'

23,107

'

23,107

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period (in years)

'

'

'1 year 1 month 27 days

'

'

'

'10 months 15 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of shares vested and issued during the period

$1,473

$982

$32,354

$20,832

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase shares at discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

Common shares issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65,867

75,709

110,038

107,535

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discounted price of shares issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$58.79

$46.36

$31.93

$31.23

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock_Repurchase_Shares_Repurc

Stock Repurchase (Shares Repurchased) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended									9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	31-May-14	Apr. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock Repurchase [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares repurchased	186,000	386,000	0	283,000	292,000	302,000	0	0	314,600	1,763,600
Average price paid per share	$65	$65.07	$0	$67.68	$67.22	$65.54	$0	$0	$66.56	$66.18
Total number of shares repurchased as part of publicly announced programs	186,000	386,000	0	283,000	292,000	302,000	0	0	314,600	1,763,600

Stock_Repurchase_Narrative_Det

Stock Repurchase (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Jul. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

31-May-14

Apr. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 18, 2013

Stock Repurchase [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding common stock repurchase authorized, value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$600,000

Value remaining under total repurchase authorization

588,188

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

588,188

704,874

752,436

Number of shares repurchased

186,000

386,000

0

283,000

292,000

302,000

0

0

314,600

1,763,600

'

'

Amount of shares repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$116,686

'

'

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Net_

Earnings Per Common Share (Net Income, Weighted Average Common Shares Used in Calculating Basic Earnings Per Common Share and Diluted EPS) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$140,297	$128,788	$421,152	$380,091
Deduct dividends paid	-19,449	-18,833	-58,382	-55,777
Undistributed earnings	$120,848	$109,955	$362,770	$324,314
Weighted average shares outstanding used in basic earnings per share (in shares)	72,182,547	75,544,542	72,561,191	77,662,796
Weighted average shares used in diluted earnings per share calculations (in shares)	73,046,704	76,459,791	73,427,362	78,562,001
Distributed earnings - Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.27	$0.25	$0.79	$0.71
Undistributed earnings - Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.67	$1.45	$5.01	$4.18
Net income - Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.94	$1.70	$5.80	$4.89
Distributed earnings - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.27	$0.25	$0.79	$0.71
Undistributed earnings - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.65	$1.43	$4.95	$4.13
Net income - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.92	$1.68	$5.74	$4.84
SARs	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Incremental common shares (in shares)	0	53,172	0	73,307
PSUs	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Incremental common shares (in shares)	864,157	859,572	866,171	823,393
ESPPs	'	'	'	'
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Incremental common shares (in shares)	0	2,505	0	2,505

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Narr

Earnings Per Common Share (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
SARS	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Outstanding anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted EPS calculation	0	0	0	0
PSUs	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Outstanding anti-dilutive shares excluded from diluted EPS calculation	0	0	0	0

Retirement_and_Other_Employee_2

Retirement and Other Employee Benefits (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Qualified Pension Benefits	'		'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Service cost	$7,966		$7,832		$24,366		$26,432
Interest cost	9,521		8,867		27,821		24,017
Expected return on plan assets	-12,427		-11,036		-37,127		-33,186
Amortization of prior service cost	0		4		0		4
Amortization of net loss (gain)	1,792		3,801		6,342		17,451
Curtailment/settlement charge	0		0		0		0
Net periodic benefit cost	6,852		9,468		21,402		34,718
Non-Qualified Pension Benefits	'		'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Service cost	1,139	[1]	1,008	[1]	3,139	[1]	3,308	[1]
Interest cost	1,636	[1]	1,480	[1]	4,636	[1]	3,880	[1]
Expected return on plan assets	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Amortization of prior service cost	218	[1]	249	[1]	618	[1]	599	[1]
Amortization of net loss (gain)	969	[1]	1,182	[1]	2,819	[1]	4,382	[1]
Curtailment/settlement charge	436	[1]	0		436	[1]	0
Net periodic benefit cost	4,398	[1]	3,919	[1]	11,648	[1]	12,169	[1]
Retirement Health Benefits	'		'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Service cost	494		581		1,694		2,281
Interest cost	959		911		2,909		2,561
Expected return on plan assets	-766		-799		-2,316		-2,199
Amortization of prior service cost	-242		-241		-692		-691
Amortization of net loss (gain)	-208		0		-308		0
Curtailment/settlement charge	0		0		0		0
Net periodic benefit cost	$237		$452		$1,287		$1,952
[1]	The Company’s nonqualified plan is unfunded.

Retirement_and_Other_Employee_3

Retirement and Other Employee Benefits (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Qualified pension benefits plan (under)/over - funded amount	$9,867,000	($18,078,000)
Funded status percentage	99.00%	102.00%
Cash contribution to qualified pension benefits plan	22,500,000	'
Cash expected contribution to plan over remainder of 2014	$7,500,000	'

Segment_Information_Financial_

Segment Information (Financial Information by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	5	'	'
Net earned premiums	$2,257,809	$1,947,431	$6,490,005	$5,714,293	'
Net investment income	162,009	159,209	497,575	489,118	'
Net realized gains on investments	17,744	-3,631	43,582	30,264	'
Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses	3,645	4,074	10,949	12,238	'
Fees and other income	261,281	151,567	716,850	401,126	'
Total revenues	2,702,488	2,258,650	7,758,961	6,647,039	'
Policyholder benefits	1,123,693	933,832	3,281,338	2,708,143	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired	386,709	372,750	1,098,080	1,101,998	'
Underwriting, general and administrative expenses	953,559	737,326	2,681,135	2,168,367	'
Interest expense	13,776	20,771	44,617	57,369	'
Total benefits, losses and expenses	2,477,737	2,064,679	7,105,170	6,035,877	'
Income before provision for income taxes	224,751	193,971	653,791	611,162	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	84,454	65,183	232,639	231,071	'
Net income	140,297	128,788	421,152	380,091	'
Segment assets, excluding goodwill	29,856,311	'	29,856,311	'	28,930,128
Goodwill	816,818	'	816,818	'	784,561
Total assets	30,673,129	'	30,673,129	'	29,714,689
Solutions	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	812,512	684,973	2,335,498	2,056,300	'
Net investment income	95,898	92,845	288,146	282,502	'
Net realized gains on investments	0	0	0	0	'
Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses	0	0	0	0	'
Fees and other income	156,807	107,908	461,268	279,758	'
Total revenues	1,065,217	885,726	3,084,912	2,618,560	'
Policyholder benefits	257,000	226,263	781,908	647,713	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired	287,110	286,343	824,023	851,326	'
Underwriting, general and administrative expenses	442,087	325,537	1,238,830	969,112	'
Interest expense	0	0	0	0	'
Total benefits, losses and expenses	986,197	838,143	2,844,761	2,468,151	'
Income before provision for income taxes	79,020	47,583	240,151	150,409	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	27,171	11,374	79,300	47,902	'
Net income	51,849	36,209	160,851	102,507	'
Segment assets, excluding goodwill	14,133,609	'	14,133,609	'	13,321,648
Specialty Property	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	654,889	612,165	1,911,589	1,727,724	'
Net investment income	24,574	23,819	77,750	74,723	'
Net realized gains on investments	0	0	0	0	'
Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses	0	0	0	0	'
Fees and other income	87,271	29,786	209,035	82,202	'
Total revenues	766,734	665,770	2,198,374	1,884,649	'
Policyholder benefits	258,344	228,508	830,073	649,554	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired	90,356	79,361	249,189	229,686	'
Underwriting, general and administrative expenses	258,589	181,172	708,837	520,307	'
Interest expense	0	0	0	0	'
Total benefits, losses and expenses	607,289	489,041	1,788,099	1,399,547	'
Income before provision for income taxes	159,445	176,729	410,275	485,102	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	54,716	61,679	139,495	169,288	'
Net income	104,729	115,050	270,780	315,814	'
Segment assets, excluding goodwill	4,060,535	'	4,060,535	'	3,858,314
Health	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	526,705	398,000	1,454,726	1,172,775	'
Net investment income	8,312	9,168	27,538	27,861	'
Net realized gains on investments	0	0	0	0	'
Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses	0	0	0	0	'
Fees and other income	10,593	7,630	27,787	21,061	'
Total revenues	545,610	414,798	1,510,051	1,221,697	'
Policyholder benefits	430,499	295,534	1,136,113	868,307	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired	1,511	266	1,759	532	'
Underwriting, general and administrative expenses	123,176	107,086	366,585	314,085	'
Interest expense	0	0	0	0	'
Total benefits, losses and expenses	555,186	402,886	1,504,457	1,182,924	'
Income before provision for income taxes	-9,576	11,912	5,594	38,773	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	7,813	5,351	32,554	33,472	'
Net income	-17,389	6,561	-26,960	5,301	'
Segment assets, excluding goodwill	1,053,512	'	1,053,512	'	884,077
Employee Benefits	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	263,703	252,293	788,192	757,494	'
Net investment income	28,594	28,516	89,649	88,856	'
Net realized gains on investments	0	0	0	0	'
Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses	0	0	0	0	'
Fees and other income	6,305	6,032	18,332	17,605	'
Total revenues	298,602	286,841	896,173	863,955	'
Policyholder benefits	177,850	183,527	533,244	541,107	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired	7,732	6,780	23,109	20,454	'
Underwriting, general and administrative expenses	92,586	87,329	274,534	266,628	'
Interest expense	0	0	0	0	'
Total benefits, losses and expenses	278,168	277,636	830,887	828,189	'
Income before provision for income taxes	20,434	9,205	65,286	35,766	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	7,333	3,056	23,838	12,060	'
Net income	13,101	6,149	41,448	23,706	'
Segment assets, excluding goodwill	2,272,749	'	2,272,749	'	2,298,698
Corporate & Other	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	0	0	0	0	'
Net investment income	4,631	4,861	14,492	15,176	'
Net realized gains on investments	17,744	-3,631	43,582	30,264	'
Amortization of deferred gain on disposal of businesses	3,645	4,074	10,949	12,238	'
Fees and other income	305	211	428	500	'
Total revenues	26,325	5,515	69,451	58,178	'
Policyholder benefits	0	0	0	1,462	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired	0	0	0	0	'
Underwriting, general and administrative expenses	37,121	36,202	92,349	98,235	'
Interest expense	13,776	20,771	44,617	57,369	'
Total benefits, losses and expenses	50,897	56,973	136,966	157,066	'
Income before provision for income taxes	-24,572	-51,458	-67,515	-98,888	'
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	-12,579	-16,277	-42,548	-31,651	'
Net income	-11,993	-35,181	-24,967	-67,237	'
Segment assets, excluding goodwill	$8,335,906	'	$8,335,906	'	$8,567,391

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Letters of credit outstanding	'	$17,708	$17,343
Settlement payment amount	$14,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
					Compensation Expenses
Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
One-time tax benefit from conversion of certain U.S. companies with branch operations in Canada to foreign corporate entities	'	'	$20,753	'	'
Provision for income taxes	$84,454	$65,183	$232,639	$231,071	$5,749

Catastrophe_Bond_Program_Detai

Catastrophe Bond Program (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jan. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 26, 2013	Jan. 30, 2012	Jun. 26, 2013
			January 30, 2012 Ibis Re II Ltd. Agreement	June 26, 2013 Ibis Re II Ltd. Agreement	June 26, 2013 Ibis Re II Ltd. Agreement	Series 2012-1 Notes	Series 2013-1 Notes
Catastrophe Bond Program [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reinsurance coverage for protection against losses	'	'	$130,000,000	'	$185,000,000	'	'
Agreements expire	'	'	'February 2015	'June 2016	'	'	'
Reinsurance coverage by issuing catastrophe bonds	'	'	'	'	'	130,000,000	185,000,000
Collateralized hurricane coverage	315,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
First event coverage percentage	18.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ceded Losses	$0	$0	'	'	'	'	'

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 16, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	USD ($)	American Reliable Insurance Company	Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event
			USD ($)	CWI Group	CWI Group	American Reliable Insurance Company
				USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	'	'	'	'	'	$114,000
Business combination, purchase price	'	'	'	71,000	56,000	'
Assets, excluding goodwill	'	'	400,000	'	'	'
Liabilities	$25,330,566	$24,881,210	$285,000	'	'	'