Tower Group International (TWGP) 10-K 2 May 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'TWGP	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Tower Group International, Ltd.	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001289592	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	57,305,726	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$1,107,799,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale investments, at fair value:	'	'
Fixed-maturity securities	$1,642,695	$2,344,711
Total investments	1,851,377	2,553,505
Cash and cash equivalents	293,898	83,800
Investment income receivable	17,493	25,332
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	'	71,894
Premiums receivable	309,499	412,045
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	68,963	17,609
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	570,860	459,457
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	186,476	63,923
Deferred acquisition costs, net	95,096	181,198
Intangible assets	79,936	106,768
Goodwill	0	241,458
Funds held by reinsured companies	98,816	137,545
Other assets	383,131	357,981
Total assets	3,955,545	4,712,515
Liabilities	'	'
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	2,081,285	1,895,679
Unearned premium	763,112	921,271
Reinsurance balances payable	89,820	41,312
Funds held under reinsurance agreements	222,159	98,581
Other liabilities	286,171	296,960
Deferred income taxes	29,508	24,763
Debt	382,770	449,731
Total liabilities	3,854,825	3,728,297
Contingencies (Note 17)	'	'
Shareholders' equity	'	'
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 57,437,157 and 53,048,011 shares issued, and 57,381,686 and 43,513,678 shares outstanding)	574	530
Treasury stock (55,471 and 9,534,333 shares)	-39	-181,435
Paid-in-capital	815,119	780,036
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-19,507	82,756
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	-700,596	268,171
Tower Group International, Ltd. shareholders' equity	95,551	950,058
Noncontrolling interests	5,169	34,160
Total shareholders' equity	100,720	984,218
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	3,955,545	4,712,515
Tower	'	'
Available-for-sale investments, at fair value:	'	'
Fixed-maturity securities	1,390,146	2,064,148
Equity securities	104,107	140,695
Short-term investments	5,897	4,750
Other invested assets	96,155	57,786
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	66,974	16,927
Deferred acquisition costs, net	85,485	169,834
Intangible assets	73,599	99,914
Liabilities	'	'
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	'	1,759,888
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'
Available-for-sale investments, at fair value:	'	'
Fixed-maturity securities	252,549	280,563
Equity securities	2,523	5,563
Cash and cash equivalents	5,684	9,782
Investment income receivable	2,325	2,610
Premiums receivable	42,348	44,285
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	1,989	682
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	15,392	52,389
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	22,226	17,803
Deferred acquisition costs, net	9,611	11,364
Intangible assets	6,337	6,854	[1]
Other assets	1,395	1,559
Liabilities	'	'
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	107,315	135,791
Unearned premium	106,067	103,216
Reinsurance balances payable	4,872	6,979
Funds held under reinsurance agreements	22	500
Other liabilities	17,234	21,346
Deferred income taxes	$19,181	$19,719
[1]	In 2012, Tower transferred a licensed insurance subsidiary shell to the Reciprocal Exchanges, as discussed in Note 2-Accounting Policies and Procedures. This resulted in classifying $2.6 million insurance licenses out of Tower and into the Reciprocal Exchange.

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Fixed-maturity securities, amortized cost	$1,613,634	$2,190,186
Cash and cash equivalents	293,898	83,800
Investment income receivable	17,493	25,332
Premiums receivable	309,499	412,045
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	68,963	17,609
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	570,860	459,457
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	186,476	63,923
Deferred acquisition costs, net	95,096	181,198
Intangible assets	79,936	106,768
Other assets	383,131	357,981
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	2,081,285	1,895,679
Unearned premium	763,112	921,271
Reinsurance balances payable	89,820	41,312
Funds held under reinsurance agreements	222,159	98,581
Other liabilities	286,171	296,960
Deferred income taxes	29,508	24,763
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	57,437,157	53,048,011
Common stock, shares outstanding	57,381,686	43,513,678
Treasury stock, shares	55,471	9,534,333
Tower	'	'
Fixed-maturity securities, amortized cost	1,364,157	1,926,236
Equity securities, cost	94,957	144,204
Short-term investments, cost	5,925	4,749
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	66,974	16,927
Deferred acquisition costs, net	85,485	169,834
Intangible assets	73,599	99,914
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	'	1,759,888
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'
Fixed-maturity securities, amortized cost	249,477	263,950
Equity securities, cost	2,751	5,144
Cash and cash equivalents	5,684	9,782
Investment income receivable	2,325	2,610
Premiums receivable	42,348	44,285
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	1,989	682
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	15,392	52,389
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	22,226	17,803
Deferred acquisition costs, net	9,611	11,364
Intangible assets	6,337	6,854	[1]
Other assets	1,395	1,559
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	107,315	135,791
Unearned premium	106,067	103,216
Reinsurance balances payable	4,872	6,979
Funds held under reinsurance agreements	22	500
Other liabilities	17,234	21,346
Deferred income taxes	$19,181	$19,719
[1]	In 2012, Tower transferred a licensed insurance subsidiary shell to the Reciprocal Exchanges, as discussed in Note 2-Accounting Policies and Procedures. This resulted in classifying $2.6 million insurance licenses out of Tower and into the Reciprocal Exchange.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues	'		'		'
Net premiums earned	$1,512,915		$1,721,864		$1,593,850
Ceding commission revenue	81,382		32,335		33,968
Insurance services revenue	1,150		3,420		1,570
Policy billing fees	12,299		12,615		10,534
Net investment income	109,208		127,165		126,474
Net realized investment gains (losses):	'		'		'
Other-than-temporary impairments	-14,396		-9,919		-3,509
Portion of loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	981		286		264
Other net realized investment gains	38,463		35,109		12,639
Total net realized investment gains (losses)	25,048		25,476		9,394
Total revenues	1,742,002		1,922,875		1,775,790
Expenses	'		'		'
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	1,519,834		1,263,758		1,076,986
Commission expense	365,031		359,307		309,826
Other operating expenses	369,893		317,497		284,847
Acquisition-related transaction costs	21,322		9,229		360
Interest expense	33,594		32,630		34,290
Total expenses	2,309,674		1,982,421		1,706,309
Other income (expense)	'		'		'
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliate	6,962		-1,470		'
Goodwill and fixed asset impairment	-397,211		'		'
Other	5,000		'		'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-952,921		-61,016		69,481
Income tax expense (benefit)	8,431		-29,099		14,051
Net income (loss)	-961,352		-31,917		55,430
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling interests	-18,736		2,317		10,995
Net income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.	($942,616)		($34,234)		$44,435
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. shareholders:	'		'		'
Basic	($17.37)	[1]	($0.81)	[1]	$0.96
Diluted	($17.37)	[1]	($0.81)	[1]	$0.96
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'		'		'
Basic	54,297		42,902		45,226
Diluted	54,297		42,902		45,337
Dividends declared and paid per common share	$0.50		$0.66		$0.61
[1]	Since the weighted-average shares for the quarters are calculated independently of the weighted-average shares for the year, quarterly earnings (loss) per share may not total to annual earnings per share. Earnings (loss) per share has been calculated using weighted-average shares that have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio resulting from the Canopius Merger Transaction.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net income (loss)	($961,352)	($31,917)	$55,430
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	'	'	'
Gross unrealized investment holding gains (losses) arising during periods	-89,416	62,326	50,851
Less: Reclassification adjustment for investment (gains) losses included in net income	-25,048	-25,476	-9,394
Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income	-981	-286	-264
Cumulative translation adjustment	-1,204	1,852	'
Deferred gain (loss) on cash flow hedge	1,881	-2,422	-10,541
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax	-114,768	35,994	30,652
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Unrealized investment holding gains (losses) arising during periods	'	-22,546	-9,430
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	'	8,917	1,742
Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income	'	100	49
Cumulative translation adjustment	'	-648	'
Deferred gain (loss) on cash flow hedge	'	571	1,955
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	-114,768	22,388	24,968
Comprehensive income (loss)	-1,076,120	-9,529	80,398
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Noncontrolling interests	-31,241	5,001	21,189
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.	($1,044,879)	($14,530)	$59,209

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss)	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interests
In Thousands
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010	$1,039,150	$518	($91,779)	$763,003	$48,279	$314,939	$4,190
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	'	51,826	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared	-27,894	'	'	'	'	-27,894	'
Stock based compensation (in shares)	'	800	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	8,831	8	-1,834	10,657	'	'	'
Deferred taxes on stock option activity	-783	'	'	-783	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-64,572	'	-64,572	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	55,430	'	'	'	'	44,435	10,995
Other comprehensive income (loss)	24,968	'	'	'	14,774	'	10,194
Noncontrolling interest in acquired consolidated partnership	2,001	'	'	'	'	'	2,001
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2011	1,037,131	526	-158,185	772,877	63,053	331,480	27,380
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	52,626	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared	-29,075	'	'	'	'	-29,075	'
Stock based compensation (in shares)	'	422	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	6,678	4	-2,263	8,937	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-20,987	'	-20,987	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-31,917	'	'	'	'	-34,234	2,317
Transfer of assets to Reciprocal Exchange	'	'	'	-1,778	'	'	1,778
Other comprehensive income (loss)	22,388	'	'	'	19,703	'	2,685
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2012	984,218	530	-181,435	780,036	82,756	268,171	34,160
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	53,048	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared	-26,151	'	'	'	'	-26,151	'
Stock based compensation (in shares)	'	245	'	'	'	'	'
Stock based compensation	8,635	3	-5,892	14,524	'	'	'
Merger Transaction with Canopius Bermuda (in shares)	'	14,026	'	'	'	'	'
Merger Transaction with Canopius Bermuda	207,347	140	'	207,207	'	'	'
Extinguishment of treasury stock in connection with Merger Transaction (in shares)	'	-9,882	'	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of treasury stock in connection with Canopius Merger Transaction	'	-99	187,288	-187,189	'	'	'
Termination of convertible senior notes hedge and warrants	541	'	'	541	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-961,352	'	'	'	'	-942,616	-18,736
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-114,768	'	'	'	-102,263	'	-12,505
Increase in noncontrolling interest in consolidated partnership	2,250	'	'	'	'	'	2,250
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$100,720	$574	($39)	$815,119	($19,507)	($700,596)	$5,169
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	57,437	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($961,352)	($31,917)	$55,430
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operations:	'	'	'
Gain on investment in acquired unconsolidated affiliate	-6,962	-1,064	'
Net realized investment (gains) losses	-25,048	-25,476	-9,394
Depreciation and amortization	29,704	33,609	30,940
Goodwill and fixed asset impairment	397,211	'	'
Intangible asset impairment	21,917	0	0
Amortization of bond premium or discount	10,136	11,447	9,239
Amortization of debt issuance costs	-4,290	-1,667	-1,712
Amortization of restricted stock	13,195	8,247	10,292
Deferred income taxes	4,745	-14,935	5,847
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Investment income receivable	7,839	1,450	-2,912
Premiums receivable	111,527	4,387	-15,832
Reinsurance recoverable	305,970	-161,382	-20,934
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	29,878	-9,886	23,590
Deferred acquisition costs, net	91,920	-12,340	-4,735
Funds held by reinsured companies	737,548	-67,790	-66,176
Other assets	94,528	-43,048	15,371
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:	'	'	'
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	-445,007	263,566	21,692
Unearned premium	-337,103	28,095	21,150
Reinsurance balances payable	41,910	27,116	-14,243
Funds held under reinsurance agreements	-437,136	1,855	3,573
Other liabilities	-31,173	99,066	21,568
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operations	-350,043	109,333	82,754
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:	'	'	'
Net cash (used in) acquired from acquisitions	133,294	'	2,274
Purchase of fixed assets	-30,880	-44,951	-53,568
Sale of (investment in) unconsolidated affiliate	69,743	-71,512	'
Purchase - fixed-maturity securities	-1,273,710	-1,855,590	-2,019,603
Purchase - equity securities	-1,258,780	-1,525,206	-819,180
Short-term investments, net	25,844	-4,750	1,560
Purchase of other invested assets	-39,039	-13,440	-42,346
Sale of fixed-maturity securities	1,730,078	1,813,628	2,032,027
Maturity of fixed-maturity securities	150,975	205,534	'
Sale - equity securities	1,291,343	1,442,225	793,886
Change in restricted cash	-97,562	-46,592	-6,997
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	701,306	-100,654	-111,947
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:	'	'	'
(Payments under) proceeds from capital lease financing	-7,603	'	39,839
Increase in deposit assets	-35,151	'	'
Proceeds from credit facility borrowings	'	20,000	67,000
Repayment of credit facility borrowings	-70,000	'	-17,000
Noncontrolling interests investment in consolidated partnership	2,250	'	'
Proceeds from convertible senior notes hedge termination	2,380	'	'
Payments for warrants termination	-1,000	'	'
Issuance of common stock under stock-based compensation programs	2	'	'
Proceeds from share-based payment arrangements	'	345	534
Treasury stock acquired-net employee share-based compensation	-5,892	-2,263	-1,834
Repurchase of Common Stock	'	-20,987	-64,572
Dividends paid	-26,151	-29,075	-27,894
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	-141,165	-31,980	-3,927
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	210,098	-23,301	-33,120
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	83,800	107,101	140,221
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	293,898	83,800	107,101
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes	'	'	3,000
Cash paid for interest	$18,494	$20,917	$25,880

Nature_of_Business

Nature of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Nature of Business	'
	Note 1—Nature of Business
	Tower Group International, Ltd. (the “TGIL”, the Company” or “Tower”) offers a range of commercial, assumed reinsurance and personal property and casualty insurance products and services through its subsidiaries to businesses and to individuals. On March 13, 2013, the Company and Tower Group, Inc. (“TGI”) completed a merger transaction under which the Company, formerly known as Canopius Holdings Bermuda Limited (“Canopius Bermuda”), was re-named Tower Group International, Ltd. and became the ultimate parent company (the “Canopius Merger Transaction”). The Company’s Common Shares (as defined below) are publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “TWGP”, which was also the symbol of TGI common shares on that exchange prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction. See “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction” for further discussion of the Canopius Merger Transaction and the Company’s succession to TGI as registrant. As stated above, the registrant is deemed to be the successor to Tower Group, Inc. pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act and, following the consummation of the merger described above by the registrant and Tower Group, Inc., the consolidated financial statements of Tower Group, Inc. for the periods through March 13, 2013, closing date of the merger, became the registrant’s consolidated statements for the same periods. Accordingly, as used herein, unless the context requires otherwise, references to “Tower”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our” (i) with respect to any period, event or occurrence prior to March 13, 2013, are to Tower Group, Inc. and (ii) with respect to any subsequent period, event or occurrence, are to Tower Group International, Ltd., and, in each case include the Company’s insurance subsidiaries, managing general agencies and management companies.
	Significant Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties
	Proposed Merger with ACP Re
	On January 3, 2014, Tower entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“ACP Re Merger Agreement”) with ACP Re Ltd. (“ACP Re”), and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACP Re (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions therein, Merger Sub would merge with and into Tower, with Tower as the surviving corporation in the merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of ACP Re. The transaction would close in the summer of 2014, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions contained in the ACP Re Merger Agreement. ACP Re is a Bermuda based reinsurance company. The controlling shareholder of ACP Re is a trust established by the founder of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust”), National General Holdings Corporation (“NGHC”) and Maiden Holdings, Ltd.
	Notwithstanding any other statement in this Form 10-K or any other document, many of the conditions for closing the ACP Re Merger Agreement remain outstanding and there can be no assurance that they will be satisfied or that the transaction will be consummated or when it may close.
	Pursuant to the terms of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the merger, each outstanding share of Tower’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Shares”), following the settlement of all outstanding equity awards, will be converted into the right to receive $3.00 in cash, with an aggregate value of approximately $172.1 million.
	Each of the parties has made representations and warranties in the ACP Re Merger Agreement. Tower has agreed to certain covenants and agreements, including, among others, (i) to conduct its business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, during the period between the execution of the ACP Re Merger Agreement and the closing of the merger, (ii) not to solicit alternate transactions, subject to a customary “fiduciary out” provision which allows Tower under certain circumstances to provide information to and participate in discussions with third parties with respect to unsolicited alternative acquisition proposals that Tower’s Board of Directors has determined, in its good faith judgment, is appropriate in furtherance of the best interests of Tower, and (iii) to call and hold a special shareholders’ meeting and recommend adoption of the ACP Re Merger Agreement.
	Concurrently with the execution of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, several subsidiaries of Tower have entered into two Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements, pursuant to which a subsidiary of AmTrust and a subsidiary of NGHC will provide 100% quota share reinsurance and a cut-through endorsement to cover all eligible new and renewal commercial and personal lines business, respectively, and at their option, losses incurred on or after January 1, 2014 on not less than 60% of the in-force business. Tower received confirmation on January 16, 2014 from AmTrust and NGHC that they would exercise such option to reinsure on a cut-through basis losses incurred on or after January 1, 2014 under in-force policies with respect to (1) in the case of AmTrust, approximately 65.7% of Tower’s unearned premium reserves as of December 31, 2013 with respect to its ongoing commercial lines business, and (2) in the case of NGHC, 100% of Tower’s unearned premium reserves as of December 31, 2013 with respect to its personal lines segment business. Tower will receive a 20% ceding commission from AmTrust or NGHC on all Tower unearned premiums that are subject to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements and a 22% ceding commission on 2014 ceded premiums.
	Concurrently with the execution of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, the controlling shareholder of ACP Re has provided to Tower a guarantee for the payment of the merger consideration, effective upon the closing of the merger.
	The ACP Re Merger Agreement was unanimously approved by the respective Boards of Directors of ACP Re and Tower, and is conditioned, among other things, on: (i) the approval of Tower’s shareholders, (ii) receipt of governmental approvals, including antitrust and insurance regulatory approvals (on January 30, 2014, the Company was granted early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period which requires persons contemplating certain mergers or acquisitions to give the Federal Trade Commission and the Assistant Attorney General advanced notice and to wait designated periods before consummation of such plans), (iii) the absence of any law, order or injunction prohibiting the merger, (iv) the accuracy of each party’s representations and warranties (subject to customary materiality qualifiers), and (v) each party’s compliance with its covenants and agreements contained in the ACP Re Merger Agreement. In addition, ACP Re’s obligation to consummate the merger is subject to the non-occurrence of any material adverse effect on Tower, as well as the absence of any insolvency-related event affecting Tower. The transaction is also conditioned on holders of not more than 15% of Tower’s common stock dissenting to the merger.
	There is no financing condition to consummation of the transactions contemplated by the ACP Re Merger Agreement.
	The ACP Re Merger Agreement provides certain termination rights for each of Tower and ACP Re, and further provides that upon termination of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, under certain circumstances, Tower will be obligated to reimburse ACP Re for certain of its transaction expenses, subject to a cap of $2 million, and to pay ACP Re a termination fee of $8.18 million, net of any transaction expenses it has reimbursed.
	Michael H. Lee, the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tower, who beneficially owns approximately 4.2% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Tower as of January 3, 2014, has entered into a support agreement pursuant to which he has agreed to vote his shares in favor of the merger.
	Loss reserve increase, goodwill and fixed asset impairment and deferred tax valuation allowance
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 recorded in the statement of operations included an increase of $533.0 million, excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges relating to reserve increases associated with losses from prior accident years. This unfavorable loss development arose primarily from accident years 2008-2012 within the workers’ compensation, commercial multi-peril liability (“CMP”), other liability and commercial auto liability lines of business partially offset by a modest amount of favorable development from more recent years within the short tail property lines of business. The Company performed comprehensive updates to its internal reserve study in response to continued observance in the second, third quarters and fourth of 2013 of higher than expected reported loss development. In conjunction with its comprehensive internal reviews, the Company also retained a consulting actuary to perform an independent reserve study in the fourth quarter of 2013 covering lines of business comprising over 98% of the Company’s loss reserves. Since 2010, the Company has changed the mix of business by reducing the amount of program and middle market workers’ compensation and liability business that it underwrites.
	The 2013 reserve increase was viewed by the Company as an event or circumstance that required the Company to perform a detailed quantitative analysis of whether its recorded goodwill was impaired. After performing the quantitative analysis in the second quarter of 2013, it was determined that $214.0 million of goodwill, which represents all of the goodwill allocated to the Commercial Insurance reporting unit, was impaired. In the third quarter of 2013, management in its judgment concluded that the remaining $55.5 million of goodwill, all of which was allocated to the Personal Insurance reporting unit, was impaired. In addition, $1.9 million of additional goodwill resulting from the acquisition of marine and energy business in July of 2013 was fully impaired as of September 30, 2013. Additionally, in 2013, the Company impaired $125.8 million of fixed assets. At December 31, 2013, there was no goodwill remaining on the balance sheet. See “Note 7 – Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Asset Impairments” for additional detail on the goodwill and fixed asset impairments.
	As a result of the reserve increase and goodwill and fixed assets impairment charges, the Company’s U.S. based operations have a pre-tax loss for 2013, which results in a three-year cumulative tax loss position on its U.S. subsidiaries. After considering this negative evidence and uncertainty regarding the Company’s ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in the United States, the Company concluded that it should not recognize any net deferred tax assets (comprised principally of net operating loss carryforwards). The Company, therefore, has provided a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax asset at December 31, 2013.
	Reinsurance Agreements
	In the third quarter of 2013, Tower entered into agreements with three reinsurers, Arch Reinsurance Ltd. (“Arch”), Hannover Re (Ireland) Plc. (“Hannover”) and Southport Re (Cayman), Ltd. (“Southport Re”). These agreements provided for surplus enhancement and improved certain financial leverage ratios, while increasing the Company’s financial flexibility. The agreements with Arch and Hannover each consisted of one reinsurance agreement while the arrangement with Southport Re consisted of several agreements. Each of these is described below.
	The first agreement was between Tower Insurance Company of New York (“TICNY”), on its behalf and on behalf of each of its pool participants, and Arch. Under this multi-line quota share agreement, TICNY ceded 17.5% on a quota share of certain commercial automobile liability, commercial multi-peril property, commercial multi-peril liability and brokerage other liability (mono line liability) businesses. The agreement covers losses occurring on or after July 1, 2013 for policies in-force as of June 30, 2013 and policies written or renewed from July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
	The second agreement was between TICNY, on its behalf and on behalf of each of its pool participants, and Hannover. Under this multi-line quota share agreement, TICNY ceded 14% on a quota share of certain brokerage commercial automobile liability, brokerage commercial multi-peril property, brokerage commercial multi-peril liability, brokerage other liability (mono line liability) and brokerage workers’ compensation businesses. The agreement covers losses occurring on or after July 1, 2013 for policies in-force as of June 30, 2013 and policies written or renewed from July 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013.
	The third arrangement with Southport Re consisted of two separate agreements with TICNY, on its behalf and on behalf of each of its pool participants, and a third reinsurance agreement with Tower Reinsurance, Ltd. (“TRL”). Under the first of the agreements with TICNY, TICNY ceded to Southport Re a 30% quota share of its workers’ compensation and employer’s liability business (the “Southport Quota Share”). The Southport Quota Share covers losses occurring on or after July 1, 2013 for policies in force at June 30, 2013 and policies written or renewed during the term of the agreement and has been accounted for using deposit accounting treatment. Deposit assets of $28.7 million as of December 31, 2013 related to the Southport Quota Share are reflected in Other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Under the second of these agreements with TICNY, an aggregate excess of loss agreement, Southport Re assumed a portion of the losses incurred by TICNY on its workers’ compensation and employer’s liability business between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2013, but paid by TICNY on or after June 1, 2013 (the “TICNY/Southport Re ADC”). Finally, TRL, a wholly-owned Bermuda-domiciled reinsurance subsidiary of Tower, also entered into an aggregate excess of loss agreement with Southport Re, in which Southport Re assumed a portion of the losses incurred by TRL on its assumed workers’ compensation and employer’s liability business between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2013, but paid by TRL on or after June 1, 2013 (the “TRL/Southport Re ADC”, or, collectively, the “Southport Re ADCs”).
	The reinsurance agreements with Arch and Hannover Re resulted in ceded premiums earned, ceding commission revenue and ceded loss and loss adjustment expenses of $76.8 million, $22.3 million, and $41.1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	As a result of the announced merger agreement with ACP Re, it was decided that the Southport treaties should be commuted. As a result of a negotiation between the Company and Southport, all of these treaties were commuted effective as of February 19, 2014, with the result of the commutation being that all premiums paid to Southport by the Company were returned to the Company, and all liabilities assumed by Southport were cancelled, and such liabilities became the obligation of the Company. In 2014, the company will record a gain of approximately $6.4 million resulting from the terminations.
	A.M. Best, Fitch and Demotech Downgrade the Company’s Financial Strength and Issuer Credit Ratings
	On December 20, 2013, A.M. Best lowered the financial strength ratings of each of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries from “B++” (Good) to “B” (Fair) (the seventh highest of fifteen rating levels), as well as the issuer credit ratings of each of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries from “bbb” to “bb”. Previously, on October 8, 2013, A.M. Best had downgraded the financial strength rating of each of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries to “B++” (Good) and their respective issuer credit ratings to “bbb” from “a-”. In addition, on December 20, 2013 A.M. Best downgraded the issuer credit rating of TGI as well as the debt rating on its $147.7 million 5.00% senior convertible notes due 2014 (the “Notes”) to “b-” from “bb”. On the same date, A.M. Best also downgraded the financial strength rating of CastlePoint Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (Bermuda) to “B” (Fair) from “B++” (Good) and its issuer credit rating to “bb” from “bbb” and downgraded the issuer credit rating of Tower Group International, Ltd. to “b-” from “bb”. TGI and each of its insurance subsidiaries currently are and will continue to be under review with negative implications pending further discussions between A.M. Best and management. In downgrading Tower’s ratings, A.M. Best stated that its actions “consider the magnitude of the charges taken and the material adverse impact on Tower’s risk-adjusted capitalization, financial leverage, liquidity and coverage ratios,” “consider the reduced financial flexibility [of the Company] given [its] delay in earnings, the decline in shareholder confidence and the corresponding decline in share price” and “reflect the potential for further adverse reserve development, increased competitive challenges and due to the ratings downgrade, potential actions taken by third party reinsurers and lenders.” Following the announcement of the ACP Re merger, on January 10, 2014 A.M. Best maintained the under review status of Tower’s financial strength and issuer credit ratings and revised the implications from “negative” to “developing” for all of these ratings. A.M. Best stated that, “[t]he under review status with developing implications reflects the potential benefits to be garnered from the transaction as well as the potential downside from any additional adverse reserve development and/or any unforeseen events that might transpire up until the close of the transaction…”
	On January 2, 2014, Fitch downgraded Tower’s issuer default rating from “B” to “CC” and the insurer strength ratings of its insurance subsidiaries from “BB” to “B”. On October 7, 2013, Fitch downgraded Tower’s issuer default rating to “B” (the sixth highest of 11 such ratings) from “BBB” and the insurer strength ratings of its insurance subsidiaries to “B” (the fifth highest of Fitch Ratings’ nine such ratings) from “A-”. In downgrading such ratings, Fitch stated that it “is concerned that Tower’s competitive position has been materially damaged, negatively impacting the Company’s financial flexibility and ability to write new business” and that “the magnitude of the second quarter charges was large enough to cause several key ratios to fall well outside of previously established ratings downgrade triggers, which resulted in the multi-notch downgrade.” On January 6, 2014, Fitch revised Tower’s rating watch status to “evolving” from “negative” following the ACP Re merger announcement, and stated that “[t]he Evolving Watch reflects that the ratings could go up if the merger closes; however, ratings could be lowered if the merger does not occur and [the Company] is unsuccessful in addressing upcoming debt maturity or if additional reserve deficiencies develop.”
	On December 24, 2013, Demotech, Inc. (“Demotech”) announced the withdrawal of its Financial Stability Ratings® (FSRs) assigned to the following insurance subsidiaries: Kodiak Insurance Company, Massachusetts Homeland Insurance Company, Tower Insurance Company of New York and York Insurance Company of Maine. Concurrently, Demotech advised that the FSRs assigned to Adirondack Insurance Exchange, Mountain Valley Indemnity Company, New Jersey Skylands Insurance Association and New Jersey Skylands Insurance Company remain under review.
	Previously, on October 7, 2013, Demotech had lowered its rating on TICNY and three other U.S. based insurance subsidiaries (Kodiak Insurance Company, Massachusetts Homeland Insurance Company and York Insurance Company of Maine) from A’ (A prime) to A (A exceptional). In addition, Demotech removed its previous A’ (A prime) rating on six other U.S. based insurance subsidiaries (CastlePoint Florida Insurance Company, CastlePoint Insurance Company, CastlePoint National Insurance Company, Hermitage Insurance Company, North East Insurance Company and Preserver Insurance Company). Demotech also affirmed its A ratings on Adirondack Insurance Exchange, New Jersey Skylands Insurance Association, New Jersey Skylands Insurance Company and Mountain Valley Indemnity Company.
	Management expects these rating actions, in combination with other items that have impacted the Company in 2013, to result in a significant decrease in the amount of premiums the insurance subsidiaries are able to write. Direct written premiums were $1,606.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. Business written through certain program underwriting agents requires an A.M. Best rating of A- or greater.
	Tower’s products include the following lines of business: commercial multiple-peril packages, other liability, workers’ compensation, commercial automobile, fire and allied lines, inland marine, personal package, homeowners, personal automobile and assumed reinsurance. These products are sold, primarily, through retail agencies, wholesale agencies, program underwriting agents, and reinsurance brokerage units. With the exception of the personal automobile insurance written through retail agencies and wholesale agencies, which represents $98.1 million of written premiums (excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges) for the year ended December 31, 2013, management believes the Company will be unable to continue writing the majority of its business following the second A.M. Best rating downgrade on December 20, 2013. The total effect of these ratings actions on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity is not determinable at this stage.
	In January 2014, Tower’s Board of Directors approved Tower’s merger with ACP Re. In light of the adverse ratings actions, concurrent with entering into its merger agreement with ACP Re, Tower entered into cut-through reinsurance treaties with affiliates of ACP Re. As a result of this merger, and the execution of the cut-through reinsurance treaties, Tower believes its insurance subsidiaries will retain significant portions of their business. (See “Note 9 - Reinsurance” for a discussion of the cut-through reinsurance treaties).
	In addition, one of Tower’s ceding companies requested as a result of contractual provisions that $26.3 million of additional collateral be provided to support the recoverability of their reinsurance receivable from Tower. The $26.3 million was funded in October 2013. Tower’s U.S. based insurance subsidiaries are also required to post collateral for various statutory purposes, and such requests are received from time to time from various regulatory authorities.
	Statutory Capital
	The Company is required to maintain minimum capital and surplus for each of its insurance subsidiaries.
	U.S. based insurance companies are required to maintain capital and surplus above Company Action Level, which is a calculated capital and surplus number using a risk-based formula adopted by the state insurance regulators. The basis for this formula is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (“NAIC’s”) risk-based capital (“RBC”) system and is designed to measure the adequacy of a U.S. regulated insurer’s statutory capital and surplus compared to risks inherent in its business. If an insurance entity falls into Company Action Level, its management is required to submit a comprehensive financial plan that identifies the conditions that contributed to the financial condition. This plan must contain proposals to correct the financial problems and provide projections of the financial condition, both with and without the proposed corrections. The plan must also outline the key assumptions underlying the projections and identify the quality of, and problems associated with, the underlying business. Depending on the level of actual capital and surplus in comparison to the Company Action Level, the state insurance regulators could increase their regulatory oversight, restrict the placement of new business, or place the company under regulatory control. Bermuda based insurance entities minimum capital and surplus requirements are calculated from a solvency formula prescribed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “BMA”).
	Tower has in place several intercompany reinsurance transactions between its U.S. based insurance subsidiaries and its Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries. The U.S. based insurance subsidiaries have historically reinsured on a quota share basis obligations to CastlePoint Reinsurance Company (“CastlePoint Re”), one of its Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries. The 2013 obligations that CastlePoint Re assumes from the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries are then retroceded to TRL, Tower’s other Bermuda based insurance subsidiary. In addition, CastlePoint Re also entered into a loss portfolio transaction with TRL where its reserves associated with the U.S. insurance subsidiary business for underwriting years prior to 2013 were all transferred to TRL. CastlePoint Re is required to collateralize $648.9 million of its assumed reserves in a reinsurance trust for the benefit of TICNY, the lead pool company of the U.S. insurance companies. On February 5, 2014, the BMA approved the transfer of $167.3 million in unencumbered liquid assets from TRL to CastlePoint Re, allowing CastlePoint Re to increase the funding in the reinsurance trust for the benefit of TICNY. The New York State Department of Financial Services (the “NYDFS”) has confirmed this will be acceptable for the purpose of admitted surplus and capital on TICNY’s 2013 statutory basis financial statements. For the 2013 statutory basis financial statements, CastlePoint Re reported $581.7 million in its reinsurance trust.
	Based on RBC calculations as of December 31, 2013, six of Tower’s ten U.S. based insurance subsidiaries have capital and surplus below Company Action Level and do not meet the minimum capital and surplus requirements of their respective state regulators. As a result, management has discussed the ACP Re Merger Agreement and the Cut- Through Reinsurance Agreement and provided its 2014 RBC forecasts to the regulators to document the Company’s business plan to bring two of these U.S based insurance subsidiaries’ capital and surplus levels above Company Action Level.
	As a result of the recognition of the ceding commission relating to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements executed with AmTrust and NGHC in January 2014, the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries’ capital and surplus will increase significantly from December 31, 2013 to January 1, 2014, as the U.S. based subsidiaries will transfer a significant portion of their commercial lines unearned premium to a subsidiary of AmTrust and all of their personal lines unearned premiums to a subsidiary of NGHC. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2014, the effect of the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements increased the surplus of two of the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries such that their capital and surplus levels exceeded Company Action Level.
	In 2013, the NYDFS issued orders for seven of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries, subjecting them to heightened regulatory oversight, which includes providing the NYDFS with increased information with respect to the insurance subsidiaries’ business, operations and financial condition. In addition, the NYDFS has placed limitations on payments and transactions outside the ordinary course of business and material changes in the insurance subsidiaries’ management and related matters. Tower’s management and Board of Directors have held discussions with the NYDFS, and Tower has been complying with the orders and oversight.
	On April 21, 2014, the NYDFS issued additional orders for two of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries instructing them to provide plans to address weaknesses in such insurance subsidiaries’ risk based capital levels as shown in their statutory annual financial statements, and imposing further enhanced reporting and prior approval requirements and limitations on writings of new business. On the same date, the NYDFS issued a letter pertaining to one of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries requiring the submission of a plan to address weaknesses in risk based capital levels.
	The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (“MDOI”) and Tower management have agreed to certain restrictions on the operations of Tower’s two Massachusetts domiciled insurance subsidiaries. Tower management has agreed to cause these subsidiaries to provide the MDOI with increased information with respect to their business, operations and financial condition, as well as limitations on payments and transactions outside the ordinary course of business and material changes in their management and related matters.
	The Maine Bureau of Insurance entered a Corrective Order imposing certain conditions on Maine domestic insurers York Insurance Company of Maine (“YICM”) and North East Insurance Company (“NEIC”). The Corrective Order imposes increased reporting obligations on YICM and NEIC with respect to business operations and financial condition and imposes restrictions on payments or other transfers of assets from YICM and NEIC outside the ordinary course of business.
	On April 11, 2014, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance imposed an enhanced reporting requirement on the intercompany transactions involving Tower’s two New Jersey domiciled insurance subsidiaries and Tower’s New Jersey managed insurer. Such companies are now required to submit for prior approval any transactions with affiliates, even transactions that would otherwise not be reportable under the applicable holding company act.
	As of December 31, 2013, TRL and CastlePoint Re had capital and surplus that did not meet the minimum solvency requirements of the BMA. Management has discussed the ACP Re Merger Agreement and provided 2014 solvency forecasts to the BMA.
	The BMA has issued directives for TRL and CastlePoint Re, subjecting them to heightened regulatory oversight and requiring BMA approval before certain transactions can be executed. Tower has been complying with the directives issued by the BMA.
	Liquidity
	TGI was the obligor under the bank credit facility agreement dated as of February 15, 2012, as amended, with Bank of America, N.A. and other lenders named therein and is the obligor under the $150 million Convertible Senior Notes (“Notes”) due September 15, 2014. The indebtedness of TGI is guaranteed by TGIL, and for purposes of the credit facility was also guaranteed by several of TGIL’s non-insurance subsidiaries.
	On December 13, 2013, TGI paid in full the $70.0 million outstanding on the bank credit facility and the bank credit facility has been terminated. The $70.0 million was provided, primarily, from the sale of Tower’s 10.7% ownership in Canopius Group Limited (“Canopius Group”) on December 13, 2013.
	The Company’s plan to repay the Notes is related to the closing of the ACP Re Merger Agreement. In the event that the ACP Re Merger Agreement does not close, the Company would evaluate a combination of using proceeds from the sale of assets held at TGI, including but not limited to, renewal rights on its commercial and personal lines of business and certain of its insurance companies to pay down the principal of the Notes. The Company can provide no assurance that it will be successful in finalizing the liquidation of the assets held at TGI or selling certain of its operating assets to satisfy repayment of the Notes.
	As of December 31, 2013, there were $235.1 million of subordinated debentures outstanding. The subordinated debentures do not have financial covenants that would cause an acceleration of their stated maturities. The earliest stated maturity date is on a $10 million debenture, which matures in May 2033. The Company has the ability to defer interest payments on its subordinated debentures for up to twenty quarters. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the entire principal and the interest accrued on the affected subordinated indenture may be declared to be due and payable immediately.
	The merger with ACP Re is expected to close in the summer of 2014, and there are contractual termination rights available to each of Tower and ACP Re under various circumstances. There can be no assurance that the merger will close, or that it will close under the same terms and conditions contained in the ACP Re Merger Agreement, or as to when it may close.
	Going Concern
	There can be no guarantee that the Company will be able to remedy current statutory capital deficiencies in certain of its insurance subsidiaries, maintain adequate levels of statutory capital in the future, or generate sufficient liquidity to repay the Notes due in 2014. Consequently, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Should the Company be unable to successfully execute the merger with ACP Re or generate sufficient funds to repay the Notes and remedy the capital deficiencies, these conditions would have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial position.
	Resignation of Tower’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Appointment of new Chairman of the Board and new President and Chief Executive Officer
	On February 6, 2014, Tower and Michael H. Lee entered into a Separation and Release Agreement in connection with the resignation of Mr. Lee from his positions as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective as of February 6, 2014. Mr. Lee’s employment with the Company was terminated effective as of February 6, 2014. In connection with his resignation, Mr. Lee received on March 31. 2014 a severance payment of approximately $3.3 million calculated pursuant to terms of his employment agreement.
	Jan R. Van Gorder, who is the lead independent director of the Board and a member of the Board’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, was appointed on February 9, 2014 to succeed Mr. Lee as Chairman of the Board. William W. Fox, Jr., who had served as a member of the Board and of the Board’s Audit Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee until his resignation from the Board on December 31, 2013, succeeded Mr. Lee as President and Chief Executive Officer of Tower, effective as of February 14, 2014.
	Expense Control Initiative
	On November 22, 2013, the Company announced the implementation of an expense control initiative to streamline its operations and focus resources on its most profitable lines of business. As part of this initiative, the Company has implemented a workforce reduction affecting approximately 10% of the total employee population of approximately 1,400. The areas that are most significantly impacted are commercial lines underwriting as well as operations. This workforce reduction is expected to result in annualized cost savings of approximately $21.0 million. The Company currently recognized pre-tax charges of $5.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 for severance and other one-time termination benefits and other associated costs.
	Other
	Tower received a document request from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) dated January 13, 2014, as part of an informal inquiry (the “SEC Request”). The SEC Request asks for documents related to Tower’s financial statements, accounting policies, and analysis. Tower is cooperating with the SEC’s inquiry and has provided the requested information.
	The Company and certain of its current and former senior officers have been named as defendants in several class action lawsuits instituted against them by certain shareholders. In addition, the Company and certain of its current and former directors, along with certain other parties, have been named as defendants in a putative class action lawsuit instituted against them by another purported shareholder. See “Note 17 – Contingences” for additional detail on such litigation.

Accounting_Policies_and_Basis_

Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 2—Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The Canopius Merger Transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition, under which TGI was identified and treated as the accounting acquirer. As such, the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of TGI and its insurance subsidiaries, managing general agencies and management companies as its historical financial statements, with the results of Tower Group International, Ltd., as accounting acquiree, being included from March 13, 2013, the effective date of the Canopius Merger Transaction. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of Adirondack Insurance Exchange, a New York reciprocal insurer, and New Jersey Skylands Insurance Association, a New Jersey reciprocal insurer (together, the “Reciprocal Exchanges”). The Company does not own the Reciprocal Exchanges but manages their business operations through its wholly-owned management companies.
	In 2013, the Company changed the presentation of its business results by allocating its assumed reinsurance previously reported in the Commercial Insurance segment to a new Assumed Reinsurance segment. In addition, the Company redefined the Personal Insurance segment to include its management companies, which provide certain services to the Reciprocal Exchanges for a management fee. The Reciprocal Exchanges continue to be included in the Personal Insurance segment and transactions between the management companies and the Reciprocal Exchanges have been eliminated. The management companies were previously reported in the Insurance Services segment. The Company will no longer present an Insurance Services segment. These changes in presentation reflected the way management organized the Company for operating decisions and assessing profitability in the second quarter of 2013, subsequent to the Canopius Merger Transaction and the significant business developments and risks and uncertainties that occurred in 2013.
	Following the changes in presentation the Company now operates in three business segments: Commercial Insurance, Assumed Reinsurance and Personal Insurance:
	•	Commercial Insurance (“Commercial”) segment offers a range of standard commercial lines property and casualty insurance products to businesses distributed through a network of retail and wholesale agents and through program underwriting agents, on both an admitted and non-admitted basis;
	•	Assumed Reinsurance (“Assumed Reinsurance”) segment offers international assumed reinsurance and certain U.S. based assumed reinsurance; and
	•	Personal Insurance (“Personal”) segment offers a broad range of personal lines property and casualty insurance products to individuals distributed through a network of retail and wholesale agents. Also included in the Personal Insurance segment are the results of the Reciprocal Exchanges.
	See “Note 21 – Segment Information” for further information on the composition of the Company’s operating and reportable segments.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Intercompany transactions
	In the first quarter 2012, Tower transferred a licensed insurance subsidiary shell to the Reciprocal Exchanges and received cash for its statutory book value. At the date of the transfer, Tower’s GAAP carrying basis in this subsidiary exceeded the statutory book value and the transfer resulted in a loss to Tower of $1.8 million. Since this was a non-recurring transaction between entities under common control, assets are transferred at historical book value. Any difference in the consideration paid and the book value of the assets transferred is treated as an adjustment to equity. This transaction had no effect on consolidated shareholders’ equity.
	Reclassifications and Adjustments
	Since the Company accounted for the Canopius Merger Transaction as a reverse acquisition and recapitalization, it has retroactively restated Common Stock, Treasury Stock and Paid-in-Capital accounts and earnings per share for periods prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction to reflect the historical capitalization of TGI, adjusted for the 1.1330 conversion ratio as discussed in “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction”. Certain other reclassifications have also been made to prior years’ financial information to conform to the current year presentation, including the changes in segment presentation discussed in “Note 1 – Nature of Business.”
	The table below reflects the previously reported and revised shareholders’ equity accounts resulting from the Canopius Merger Transaction:
	($ in thousands, except share amounts)	As previously			Revised
		Reported			Amount
	As of December 31, 2012
	Common stock	$	469		$	530
	Treasury stock		(181,435	)		(181,435	)
	Paid-in-capital		780,097			780,036
	As of December 31, 2011
	Common stock		465			526
	Treasury stock		(158,185	)		(158,185	)
	Paid-in-capital		772,938			772,877
	For the year ended December 31, 2012
	Earnings (Loss) per Share:
	Basic	$	(0.73	)	$	(0.81	)
	Diluted		(0.73	)		(0.81	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic		38,795			42,902
	Diluted		38,975			42,902
	For the year ended December 31, 2011
	Earnings (Loss) per Share:
	Basic	$	1.48		$	0.96
	Diluted		1.48			0.96
	Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic		40,833			45,226
	Diluted		40,931			45,337
	Revision to the 2012 Consolidated Balance Sheet and 2012 and 2011 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	Management is revising the Company’s 2012 consolidated balance sheet and 2012 and 2011 consolidated statements of cash flows to properly reflect the changes in restricted cash as change in cash flows from investing activities. In its Amendment No. 2 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company previously recorded $9.1 million and $7.0 million of restricted cash within the “cash and cash equivalents” caption on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These amounts should have been recorded within “other assets,” and management has properly corrected those amounts out of the “cash and cash equivalent” balances in the 2012 and 2011 financial statements contained herein. In addition, in the 2012 consolidated balance sheet, management also corrected the classification of $9.4 million of “receivable for securities” that was originally reported within “cash and cash equivalents” to “other assets.” Also, in the 2012 consolidated balance sheet, management previously reported $0.9 million of receivables from reinsurance within “reinsurance balances payable.” The Company has properly reflected the $0.9 million as a receivable reported within “other assets.” These adjustments had no impact on shareholders’ equity or net income (loss). Management has concluded these corrections were not material to the 2012 consolidated balance sheet.
	In addition, as a result of the immaterial adjustments to the “cash and cash equivalents” balances discussed above, the Company also revised its statement of cash flows. Cash flows used in investing activities increased from $89.1 million as originally reported to $100.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, and cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2012 decreased from $102.3 million to $83.8 million. Cash flows used in investing activities increased from $104.5 million as originally reported to $111.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, and cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2011 decreased from $114.1 million to $107.1 million. Management concluded these corrections were not material to the 2012 or 2011 consolidated statements of cash flows.
	Accounting Policies
	Net Premiums Earned
	The insurance policies issued or reinsured by the Company are short-duration contracts. Accordingly, premium revenue, including direct business and reinsurance assumed, net of business ceded to reinsurers, is recognized on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies. Unearned premiums represent premium applicable to the unexpired risk of in-force insurance contracts at each balance sheet date. Prepaid reinsurance premiums represent the unexpired portion of reinsurance premiums on risks ceded and are earned consistent with premiums. Mandatory reinstatement premiums are recognized and earned at the time a loss event occurs.
	Ceding Commission Revenue
	Commissions on reinsurance premiums ceded are earned in a manner consistent with the recognition of the costs to acquire the underlying policies, generally on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies reinsured. Certain reinsurance agreements contain provisions whereby the ceding commission rates vary based on the loss experience of the policies covered by the agreements. The Company records ceding commission revenue based on its current estimate of losses on the reinsured policies subject to variable commission rates. The Company records adjustments to the ceding commission revenue in the period that changes in the estimated losses are determined.
	Insurance Services Revenue
	Direct commission revenue from the Company’s managing general underwriting services is recognized and earned as insurance policies are placed with the issuing companies of its managing general agencies. Fees relating to the provision of reinsurance intermediary services are earned when the Company’s insurance subsidiaries or the issuing companies of its managing general agencies cede premiums to reinsurers. Management fees earned by the management companies for services provided to the Reciprocal Exchanges are eliminated in consolidation.
	Policy Billing Fees
	Policy billing fees are earned on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies. These fees include installment and other fees related to billing and collections.
	Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses (“LAE”)
	The liability for loss and LAE represents management’s best estimate of the ultimate cost and expense of all reported and unreported losses that are unpaid as of the balance sheet date. The liability for loss and LAE is recorded net of a tabular reserve discount for workers’ compensation and excess workers’ compensation claims in the amount of $5.5 million (net of reinsurance basis) and $8.4 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The 2013 discount relates to $244.7 million of total net reserves for workers’ compensation. The projection of future claims payments and reporting is based on an analysis of the Company’s historical experience, supplemented by analyses of industry loss data. Management believes that the liability for loss and LAE is an adequate reasonable provision to cover the ultimate cost of losses and claims to date; however, because of the uncertainty from various sources, including changes in reporting patterns, claims settlement patterns, judicial decisions, legislation, and economic conditions, actual loss experience may not conform to the assumptions used in determining the estimated amounts for such liability at the balance sheet date. As adjustments to these estimates become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in expense for the period in which the estimates are changed.
	Tower estimates reserves separately for losses, allocated loss adjustment expenses, and unallocated loss adjustment expenses. Allocated loss adjustment expenses (“ALAE”) refers to costs of attorneys as well as miscellaneous costs such as investigators, witness fees and court costs attributable to specific claims that generally are in various stages of litigation. Unallocated loss adjustment expenses (“ULAE”) refers to costs for administering claims that are not related to attorney fees and miscellaneous costs associated with litigated claims. Tower estimates the ALAE liability separately for claims that are defended by in-house attorneys, claims that are handled by other attorneys that are not employees, and miscellaneous ALAE costs such as witness fees and court costs. Similarly, Tower estimates the ULAE liability separately for claims which are handled internally by our employees and for claims which are handled by third party administrators.
	For claims that are defended by in-house attorneys, we attribute to each of these claims a fixed fee for defense work. We allocate to each of these litigated claims 50% of the fixed fee when litigation on a particular claim begins and 50% of the fee when the litigation is closed. The fee is adjusted periodically to reimburse our in-house legal department for all their costs.
	We determine ULAE reserves by applying a paid-to-paid ratio to the case and IBNR reserves by line of business. The paid-to-paid ratio is based on ratios of ULAE payments to loss and ALAE payments for last three calendar years.
	Reinsurance
	The Company uses reinsurance to limit its exposure to certain risks. Management has evaluated its reinsurance arrangements and determined that significant insurance risk is transferred to the reinsurers. Reinsurance agreements have been determined to be short-duration prospective and retrospective contracts. For prospective contracts, the costs of reinsurance are recognized over the life of the contracts in a manner consistent with the earning of premiums on the underlying policies subject to the reinsurance contract. For retroactive reinsurance agreements, when incurred losses and loss reserves exceed consideration paid for the retroactive reinsurance agreement, a gain results. The gain is deferred and amortized over the estimated remaining settlement period.
	Reinsurance recoverable represents management’s best estimate of paid and unpaid loss and LAE recoverable from reinsurers. Ceded losses recoverable are estimated using techniques and assumptions consistent with those used in estimating the liability for loss and LAE. These techniques and assumptions are continually reviewed and updated with any resulting adjustments recorded in current earnings. Loss and LAE incurred as presented in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive net income are net of reinsurance recoveries.
	Management estimates uncollectible amounts receivable from reinsurers based on an assessment of a number of factors. The Company recorded no allowance for uncollectible reinsurance at December 31, 2013 or 2012. The Company did not write-off balances from reinsurers during the three year period ended December 31, 2013.
	Deposit Assets
Deposit assets arise from ceded reinsurance contracts purchased that do not transfer significant underwriting or timing risk. Under deposit accounting, consideration received or paid, excluding non-refundable fees, is recorded as a deposit asset or liability in the balance sheet as opposed to recording premiums and losses in the statement of operations. At December 31, 2013, deposit assets of $28.7 million are included in Other Assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash consists of cash in banks, generally in operating accounts. The Company maintains its cash balances at several financial institutions. Management monitors balances and believes they do not represent a significant credit risk to the Company. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are presented at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash restricted as to use is included in Other Assets.
Restricted Cash
Restricted cash balances relate primarily to “Funds at Lloyd’s” collateral balances for its assumed reinsurance programs. The Company also has restricted cash collateralizing its interest rate swap contracts. Restricted cash balances are reported in “Other Assets” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, these assets were approximately $134.1 million and $44.2 million, respectively. Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income or equity.
Investments
The Company’s fixed-maturity and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. The Company may sell its available-for-sale securities in response to changes in interest rates, risk/reward characteristics, liquidity needs or other factors.
Fair value for fixed-maturity securities and equity securities is primarily based on quoted market prices or a matrix pricing using observable inputs, with limited exceptions as discussed in “Note 6 – Fair Value Measurements”. Changes in unrealized gains and losses, net of tax effects, are reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income while cumulative unrealized gains and losses are reported net of tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method. Investment income is recorded when earned and includes the amortization of premium and discount on investments.
The Company, along with its outside portfolio managers, regularly reviews its fixed-maturity and equity security portfolios to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of investments. In evaluating potential impairment, management considers, among other criteria: (i) the overall financial condition of the issuer, (ii) the current fair value compared to amortized cost or cost, as appropriate; (iii) the length of time the security’s fair value has been below amortized cost or cost; (iv) specific credit issues related to the issuer such as changes in credit rating, reduction or elimination of dividends or non-payment of scheduled interest payments; (v) whether management intends to sell the security and, if not, whether it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost or amortized cost basis; (vi) specific cash flow estimations for fixed-maturity securities and (vii) current economic conditions. If an other-than-temporary-impairment (“OTTI”) loss is determined for a fixed-maturity security (and management does not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security), the credit portion is recorded in the statement of income as net realized losses on investments and the non-credit portion is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The credit portion results in a permanent reduction of the cost basis of the underlying investment. OTTI losses on fixed-maturity securities management has the intent to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell and on equity securities are reported in realized losses for the entire impairment.
The Company’s other invested assets consist of investments in limited partnerships accounted for using the equity method of accounting, real estate and certain securities for which the Company has elected the fair value option. In accounting for the partnerships, management uses the financial information provided by the general partners, which is on a three-month lag. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had future funding commitments of $45.3 million to these limited partnerships. For securities in which the Company has elected the fair value option, interest and dividends are reported in net investment income with the remaining change in overall fair value reported in other net realized investment gains (losses).
Fair Value
GAAP establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) followed by similar but not identical assets or liabilities (Level 2) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded, including during periods of market disruption, and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available.
The Company primarily uses outside pricing services to assist in determining fair values. For investments in active markets, the Company uses the quoted market prices provided by the outside pricing services to determine fair value. In circumstances where quoted market prices are unavailable, the pricing services utilize fair value estimates based upon other observable inputs including matrix pricing, benchmark interest rates, market comparables and other relevant inputs.
As management is responsible for the recorded fair values, the Company has processes in place to validate the market prices obtained from the outside pricing sources including, but not limited to, periodic evaluation of model pricing methodologies and analytical reviews of certain prices. The Company also periodically performs back-testing of selected sales activity to determine whether there are any significant differences between the market price used to value the security prior to sale and the actual sale price.
Premiums Receivable
Premiums receivable represent amounts due from insureds and reinsureds for insurance coverage and are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $17.6 million and $16.5 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The allowance for uncollectible amounts is based on an analysis of amounts receivable giving consideration to historical loss experience and current economic conditions and reflects an amount that, in management’s judgment, is adequate. Uncollectible premiums receivable of $12.1 million, $4.8 million and $3.0 million were written off in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Deferred Acquisition Costs
Acquisition costs represent the costs of writing business that vary with, and are primarily related to, the successful production of insurance business (principally commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting costs). Policy acquisition costs are deferred and recognized as expense as related premiums are earned. Deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) presented in the balance sheet are net of deferred ceding commission revenue.
The value of business acquired (“VOBA”) is an intangible asset relating to the estimated fair value of the unexpired insurance policies acquired in a business combination. VOBA is determined at the time of a business combination and is reported on the consolidated balance sheet with DAC and is amortized in proportion to the timing of the estimated underwriting profit associated with the in force policies acquired. The Company fully amortized the VOBA in the year ended December 31, 2011 and, accordingly, does not have any VOBA recorded on its balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 or 2012. The Company considers anticipated investment income in determining the recoverability of these costs and believes they are fully recoverable. See “Note 8 – Deferred Acquisition Costs” for additional information regarding deferred acquisition costs.
Goodwill
In business combinations, including the acquisition of a group of assets, the Company allocates the purchase price to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired based on their relative fair values. Any portion of the purchase price in excess of this amount results in goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets with a finite useful life are amortized over the period that the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the Company and are tested for impairment when impairment indicators are present. Intangible assets with an indefinite life and goodwill are not amortized and are subject to annual impairment testing at the reporting unit level or more frequently if circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill may be impaired.
To estimate the fair value of its reporting units, the Company may utilize a combination of widely accepted valuation techniques including a stock price and market capitalization analysis, discounted cash flow calculations and peer company price to earnings multiples analysis. The stock price and market capitalization analysis takes into consideration the quoted market price of the Company’s outstanding common stock and includes a control premium, derived from historical insurance industry acquisition activity, in determining the estimated fair value of the consolidated entity before allocating that fair value to individual reporting units. The discounted cash flow analysis utilizes long term assumptions for revenue growth, capital growth, earnings projections including those used in the Company’s strategic plan, and an appropriate discount rate. The peer company price to earnings multiples analysis takes into consideration the price earnings multiples of peer companies for each reporting unit and estimated income from the Company’s strategic plan.
The second and third quarter reserve increases were viewed by the Company as events or circumstances that required the Company to perform a detailed quantitative analysis of whether its recorded goodwill was impaired. After performing the quantitative analysis in the second quarter of 2013, it was determined that $214.0 million of goodwill, which represents all of the goodwill allocated to the Commercial Insurance reporting unit, was impaired. In the third quarter of 2013, management in its judgment impaired the remaining $55.5 million of goodwill, all of which was allocated to the Personal Insurance reporting unit. See “Note 7 – Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Asset Impairments” for additional detail on the Goodwill impairment.
Intangible Assets
Identifiable intangible assets with a finite useful life are amortized over the period in which the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to our future cash flows. Identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives and tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a carrying amount may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized. Rather, they are tested for recoverability at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a carrying amount may not be recoverable. Management performed its impairment analysis on its intangible assets with a finite useful life in 2013 and concluded impairment charges of $21.9 million were required to reduce its customer relationship intangible assets. These charges are reported in Other Operating Expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. No impairment losses were recognized on intangible assets with a finite useful life in 2012 or 2011.
The Company completed its annual indefinite lived intangible asset assessment as of December 31, 2013. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying value of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Any amount of intangible assets determined to be impaired will be recorded as an expense in the period in which the impairment determination is made. No impairment losses were recognized on indefinite lived intangible assets in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
Other Assets
Tower’s other assets balances are comprised primarily of fixed assets, restricted cash, deposit assets, receivables for securities sold, receivables for the participation in involuntary pools and current tax receivables.
Fixed Assets
Furniture, leasehold improvements, computer equipment, and software, including internally developed software, are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets to be held and used. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions and legal factors. Any adverse changes in these factors could cause an impairment in our assets. For long-lived assets to be held and used, if an impairment indicator exists, we compare the expected future undiscounted cash flows against the carrying amount of that asset. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, we record an impairment loss for the carrying amount in excess of the estimated fair value, if any, of the asset. Gross fixed assets and accumulated depreciation were $194.0 million and $54.7 million, as of December 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively. As a result of the reserve increases, rating downgrades and the expected significant declines in net written premiums and the orders and restrictions placed by various insurance departments, management tested fixed assets for recoverability in 2013 and recorded a non-cash charge to earnings of $125.8 million in 2013. Gross fixed assets and accumulated depreciation (after the effects of the impairment) were $20.7 million and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2013.
Other liabilities
Tower’s other liabilities balances are comprised primarily of accrued operating expenses, payables for securities purchased, accrued boards, bureaus and tax expenses, and capital lease obligations.
Variable Interest Entities
The Company consolidates the Reciprocal Exchanges as it has determined that these are variable interest entities and that the Company is the primary beneficiary. See “Note 4 – Variable Interest Entities” for more details.
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate
Although the Company owned less than 20% of the outstanding common stock of Canopius Group at December 31, 2012, it recorded its investment in Canopius Group under the equity method of accounting as it was able to significantly influence the operating and financial policies and decisions of Canopius Group. In the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the change in the value of the Company’s investment in Canopius was a gain of $6.9 million and a loss of $1.5 million, respectively. Changes in the value were recognized in Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliate in the consolidated statement of operations. On December 13, 2013, Tower sold its 10.7% ownership in Canopius Group.
Income Taxes
Pursuant to a written tax agreement (the “Tax Sharing Agreement”), each of the Tower’s subsidiaries is required to make payments to Tower for federal income tax imposed on its taxable income in a manner consistent with filing a separate federal income tax return (but subject to certain limitations that are applied to the Tower consolidated group as a whole). The Reciprocal Exchanges are not subject to the Tax Sharing Agreement but file separate tax returns annually.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Management in its judgment concluded that a full valuation allowance was required for the net deferred tax assets after its consideration of the cumulative three-year pre-tax loss in its U.S. taxed subsidiaries resulting from certain 2013 events and the 2012 pre-tax loss of $61.0 million. In 2013, Tower had $325.6 million of prior year adverse reserve development, of which $149.7 million was recorded in Tower’s U.S. taxed subsidiaries. Management believes that the negative evidence associated with the realizability of its net deferred tax asset (including the cumulative three-year pre-tax loss, the prior year adverse reserve development, and the effects of Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012) outweighed the positive evidence that the deferred tax assets, including the net operating loss carryforward would be realized, and subsequently recorded the full valuation allowance.
Treasury Stock
The Company accounts for the treasury stock at the repurchase price as a reduction to shareholders’ equity as it does not currently intend to retire the treasury stock held at December 31, 2013.
Stock-based Compensation
The Company accounts for restricted stock shares and options awarded at fair value at the date awarded and compensation expense is recorded over the requisite service period that has not been rendered. The Company amortizes awards with graded vesting on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
Assessments
Insurance related assessments are accrued in the period in which they have been incurred. The Company is subject to a variety of assessments. Among such assessments are state guaranty funds and workers’ compensation second injury funds. State guaranty fund assessments are used by state insurance oversight boards to cover losses of policyholders of insolvent insurance companies and for the operating expenses of such agencies. The Company uses estimates derived from state regulators and/or NAIC Tax and Assessments Guidelines.
Earnings (loss) per Share
The Company measures earnings (loss) per share at two levels: basic earnings (loss) per share and diluted earnings (loss) per share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Tower common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Undistributed net earnings (loss) (net income less dividends declared during the period) are allocated to both common stock and unvested share-based payment awards (“unvested restricted stock”). Because the common shareholders and unvested restricted stock holders share in dividends on a 1:1 basis, the earnings per share on undistributed earnings is equivalent; however, undistributed losses are allocated only to common shareholders. Undistributed earnings are allocated to all outstanding share-based payment awards, including those for which the requisite service period is not expected to be rendered. The computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share excludes outstanding options and other common stock equivalents in periods where inclusion of such potential common stock instruments would be anti-dilutive.
Foreign currency
The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar.
Statutory Accounting Principles
The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are required to prepare statutory basis financial statements in accordance with practices prescribed or permitted by the state or country in which they are domiciled. See “Note 18 – Statutory Financial Information and Accounting Policies” for more details.
Concentration and Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration and credit risk are primarily cash and cash equivalents, investments, interest rate swaps, premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables. Investments are diversified through many industries and geographic regions through the use of money managers who employ different investment strategies. The Company limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution and believes that no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to cash and investments. The interest rate swap contracts contain credit support annex agreements with collateral posting provisions which reduces counterparty non-performance risk. The premiums receivable balances are generally diversified due to the number of entities comprising the Company’s distribution network and its customer base, which is largely concentrated in the Northeast, Florida, Texas and California. To reduce credit risk, the Company performs ongoing evaluations of its distribution network’s and customers’ financial condition. The Company also has receivables from its reinsurers. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company periodically evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and, in certain cases, requires collateral from its reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. As of December 31, 2013, the largest uncollateralized reinsurance recoverable balance from any one reinsurer was $56.4 million representing 6.8% of the Company’s total reinsurance recoverable balance. Management’s policy is to review all outstanding receivables at period end as well as the bad debt write-offs experienced in the past and establish an allowance for doubtful accounts, if deemed necessary.
Our largest agent accounted for 9.7%, 7.5% and 10%, respectively, of the insurance subsidiaries’ premiums receivable balances at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Our largest agent accounted for 9%, 7% and 7% of the insurance subsidiaries’ direct premiums written in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting guidance adopted in 2013
In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an accounting standard that allows a company, as a first step in an impairment review, to assess qualitatively whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. We are not required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform a quantitative impairment test unless we determine, based on the results of the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not the asset is impaired. The standard became effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. We adopted the standard on its required effective date of January 1, 2013. (See Note 7 for a discussion of Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Asset Impairments in 2013).
In February 2013, the FASB issued amended guidance on the presentation of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income in one place, either on the face of the income statement or in the footnotes to the financial statements. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 on a prospective basis as prescribed by the amended guidance. As all of the information that this guidance requires to be disclosed is already presented elsewhere in the Company’s financial statements under existing GAAP, and it does not affect the classification, recognition or measurement of items within other comprehensive income, the adoption will not affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Accounting guidance not yet effective
In March 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard addressing whether consolidation guidance or foreign currency guidance applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent sells all or a part of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or net assets that are a business (other than a sale of in-substance real estate) within a foreign entity. The guidance also resolves the diversity in practice for the cumulative translation adjustment treatment in business combinations achieved in stages involving foreign entities.
Under this standard, the entire amount of the cumulative translation adjustment associated with the foreign entity should be released into earnings when there has been: (i) a sale of a subsidiary or group of net assets within a foreign entity and the sale represents a complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or the net assets had resided; (ii) a loss of a controlling financial interest in an investment in a foreign entity; or (iii) a change in accounting method from applying the equity method to an investment in a foreign entity to consolidating the foreign entity. The standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and will be applied prospectively. We plan to adopt the standard on its required effective date of January 1, 2014 and do not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
In July 2013, the FASB clarified the applicable guidance for the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. An unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, 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 as long as it is available, at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction, to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position (with certain exceptions). The assessment of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. This ASC update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.
In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard that permits the Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes in addition to U.S. Treasury rates and LIBOR. The standard also removes the prohibition on the use of differing benchmark rates when entering into similar hedging relationships. The standard became effective on a prospective basis for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013 to the extent the Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate is used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The Company will consider this guidance if and when it enters into any new hedging relationships.

Canopius_Merger_Transaction

Canopius Merger Transaction	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Canopius Merger Transaction	'
	Note 3—Canopius Merger Transaction
	On August 20, 2012, TGI closed on its previously announced $74.9 million acquisition of a 10.7% stake in Canopius Group. In connection with this acquisition, TGI also entered into an agreement dated April 25, 2012 (the “Master Transaction Agreement”) under which Canopius Group committed to assist TGI with the establishment of a presence at Lloyd’s of London through a special purpose syndicate (“SPS Transaction Right and Acquisition Right”) (subject to required approvals) and granted TGI an option (the “Merger Option”) to combine with Canopius Bermuda. On July 30, 2012, TGI announced that it had exercised the Merger Option and executed an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Original Merger Agreement”) with Canopius Bermuda pursuant to which a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canopius Bermuda would acquire all of TGI’s common stock. TGI paid Canopius Group a fee of $1,000,000 to exercise the Merger Option. On November 8, 2012, the Original Merger Agreement was amended by Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger to reflect changes to the merger consideration to be received by TGI shareholders (the Original Merger Agreement as so amended, the “Merger Agreement”).
	Prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction date, Canopius Group priced on March 6, 2013, a private sale of 100% of the shares of Canopius Bermuda to third party investors for net consideration of $205,862,755. This investment resulted in 14,025,737 shares being issued in the private placement immediately preceding the merger.
	On March 13, 2013, Canopius Bermuda and TGI consummated the Canopius Merger Transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement. Canopius Bermuda was re-named Tower Group International, Ltd. and became the ultimate parent company of TGI, with TGI becoming its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, among other things, (i) 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of TGI common stock were cancelled and automatically converted into the right to receive 1.1330 common shares of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Shares”), (ii) each outstanding option to acquire TGI common stock, whether vested or unvested and whether granted under TGI’s 2008 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan or otherwise, automatically vested, free of any forfeiture conditions, and constituted a fully vested option to acquire that number of Common Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number) equal to the number of shares of TGI common stock subject to such option multiplied by 1.1330, on the same terms and conditions (other than vesting and performance conditions) as were applicable to such TGI stock option immediately prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction, with the exercise price of such option adjusted to be the original exercise price divided by 1.1330, and (iii) substantially all issued and outstanding shares of TGI restricted stock, whether granted under TGI’s 2008 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan or otherwise, automatically vested, free of any forfeiture conditions, and were converted into the right to receive, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time, 1.1330 Common Shares.
	Immediately after giving effect to the issuance of Common Shares to the former TGI shareholders in the Canopius Merger Transaction, approximately 57,432,150 Common Shares were outstanding, of which 76% were held by the former TGI shareholders. The remaining 24% of Common Shares outstanding immediately after giving effect to the Canopius Merger Transaction were held by third party investors. TGIL, succeeding to the attributes of TGI as registrant, including TGI’s SEC file number, TGIL’s Common Shares trade on the same exchange, the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and under the same trading symbol, “TWGP,” that the shares of TGI common stock traded on and under prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction.
	The Canopius Merger Transaction was expected to advance the Company’s strategy and create a more efficient global, diversified specialty insurance company consisting of commercial, specialty and personal lines, reinsurance and international specialty products. In addition, the establishment of a Bermuda domicile provided the Company with an international platform through which it accesses the U.S., Bermuda and the Lloyd’s of London (“Lloyd’s”) markets.
	On December 13, 2013, Tower closed a sale to an investment fund managed by Bregal Capital LLP (“Bregal”) of all of the shares of the capital stock of Canopius Group owned by Tower. The initial purchase price for the Canopius shares is $69.7 million (£42.5 million), which has been paid in full to Tower. In addition, if a legally binding contract for the sale or other transfer of shares representing a majority of the voting power of Canopius Group is entered into within six months after the date of Tower’s stock purchase agreement with Bregal, a further cash payment would be made by Bregal to Tower. This additional cash payment would be equivalent to the excess, if any, of (1) one-third of the difference between the amount in British pound sterling paid for the shares previously owned by Tower in such sale and £40.6 million (plus Tower’s share of expenses of such sale), minus (2) £1.95 million (the “Additional Payment”). On December 18, 2013, NKSJ Holdings announced that it had entered into an agreement, through its insurance subsidiary Sompo Japan Insurance, Inc. to purchase 100% of the shares of Canopius Group. This Additional Payment meets the definition of a derivative as of December 31, 2013. Management in its judgment concluded that the initial fair value of this derivative is $7.2 million and has included it in other assets on the balance sheet. In addition, $2.1 million has been recorded in realized gains on the income statement, reflecting the increase in fair value of the derivative from its inception date of December 13, 2013 to the reporting date of December 31, 2013.
	With proceeds from the sale, Tower has paid in full the $70.0 million outstanding on its credit facility led by Bank of America, N.A., and the credit facility has been terminated.
	Accounting for the Canopius Merger Transaction
	The Company has accounted for the Canopius Merger Transaction as a reverse acquisition in which TGI, the legal acquiree, was identified and treated as the accounting acquirer and Tower Group International, Ltd., the legal acquirer, was identified and treated as the accounting acquiree. The identification of the accounting acquirer and acquiree in the Canopius Merger Transaction was primarily based on the fact that immediately following the close of the Canopius Merger Transaction there was a change in control of the Company with TGI designees to the Company’s Board of Directors comprising all of its directors and TGI’s former senior management comprising the Company’s entire senior management team. In accordance with accounting guidance for reverse acquisitions, the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company following the Canopius Merger Transaction have been issued under the name of the Company, as the legal parent, but reflect a continuation of the financial statements of TGI, as the accounting acquirer, with one exception, which was the retroactive adjustment of TGI’s historical legal capital to reflect the transaction as a recapitalization of TGI’s historical capital accounts. On the effective date of the Canopius Merger Transaction, the assets and liabilities of Tower Group International, Ltd. were accounted for under the acquisition method, under which they have been reflected at their respective acquisition date fair values.
	Prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction, Canopius Bermuda restructured its insurance operations as contemplated in the Master Transaction Agreement. This restructuring occurred primarily through the execution of retrocession agreements with Canopius Reinsurance Limited (“CRL”), an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Canopius Group, to retrocede a percentage of Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 4444 (“Syndicate 4444”) business for the Year of Account (“YOA”) 2012, YOA 2011 and prior years, which Canopius Bermuda assumed from Canopius Group. Syndicate 4444 is an insurance syndicate managed by Canopius Group. The Company accounts for these retrocession agreements in accordance with prospective accounting treatment, and reports the assumed and ceded assets and liabilities on a gross basis on the consolidated balance sheet. On September 30, 2013, Tower commuted the Syndicate 4444 YOA 2012 and YOA 2011 and prior years’ retrocession agreements with CRL and novated the assumed reinsurance with Canopius Group on these same contracts.
	In addition, effective January 1, 2013, pursuant to the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement, prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction, TGI entered into a commutation agreement whereby TGI commuted Syndicate 4444 YOA 2012 and YOA 2011 business TGI previously reinsured from Canopius Group in prior years. There was no gain or loss recognized on this commutation.
	The following provides details of the purchase consideration, the fair values of the respective assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the resulting amount of goodwill recorded in connection with the Canopius Merger Transaction on March 13, 2013.
	The purchase consideration was determined based on the total consideration received by Canopius Group for its sale of 100% of its equity ownership of Canopius Bermuda, and the proceeds received for the issuance and exercise of the Merger Option from TGI.
	(in thousands)
	Consideration received by Canopius Group from the third party sale	$	205,863
	Fair value of Merger Option received in connection with TGI’s investment in Canopius Group		484
	Exercise price of Merger Right received from TGI upon exercise		1,000
	Total preliminary purchase consideration	$	207,347
	($ in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	134,741
	Investments		26,485
	Reinsurance recoverables		463,745
	Prepaid reinsurance		152,431
	Funds held by reinsured companies		698,819
	Other assets		80,201
	Liabilities
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses		630,613
	Unearned premiums		169,963
	Funds held under reinsurance agreements		560,714
	Other liabilities		15,916
	Net assets acquired	$	179,216
	Purchase Consideration		207,347
	Goodwill	$	28,131
	Direct costs of the acquisition were expensed as incurred. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized approximately $20.3 million of such costs, all of which have been classified within “acquisition-related transaction costs” on the consolidated statement of operations. Such costs included $11.6 million in compensation expense (of which accelerated vesting of restricted stock was $10.3 million) and $8.7 million in legal and accounting fees.
	The resulting goodwill recognized in connection with the Canopius Merger Transaction was mainly derived from the synergies and economies of scale expected to result from the combined operations of the Company. This goodwill was fully impaired in the second quarter of 2013. See “Note 7 – Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Asset Impairments” for the allocation of the Canopius Merger Transaction goodwill by segment and discussion on the non-cash impairment charge.
	The fair value of loss and loss adjustment expenses includes $19.1 million of reserves for risk premiums (“risk premiums”). The risk premium was determined using a cash flow model. This model used an estimate of net nominal future cash flows related to liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses that a market participant would expect as of the date of the transaction. These future cash flows were adjusted for the time value of money at a risk free rate and a risk margin to compensate an acquirer for bearing the risk associated with the liabilities. The risk premium was fully amortized in the third quarter of 2013 in connection with the September 30, 2013 commutation and novation of the Syndicate 4444 YOA 2012 and YOA 2011 and prior years assumed reinsurance and retrocession agreements.
	The September 30, 2013 commutation of the Syndicate 4444 YOA 2012 and YOA 2011 and prior years retrocession agreements with CRL and the novation of the assumed reinsurance with Canopius Group on these same contracts provided the Company access to $30.3 million of assets that were previously restricted as “Funds at Lloyd’s” assets. No commutation gain or loss was recognized on these transactions.
	Since the effective date of the Canopius Merger Transaction on March 13, 2013 through December 31, 2013, the operations of the acquired business accounted for approximately $53.5 million and $(11.8) million of the Company’s consolidated revenues and net income (loss), respectively.
	The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the consolidated revenues and net income (loss) of the Company for years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, as if the Canopius Merger Transaction had been completed as of January 1, 2012.
	These pro forma amounts exclude any pro forma impacts to the Company’s effective federal income tax rates.
		Year Ended
		December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Revenues	$	1,745,146		$	1,933,942
	Net Income (Loss)		(922,959	)		(19,567	)

Variable_Interest_Entities_VIE

Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs")	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs")	'
	Note 4—Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)
	Through its management companies, Tower is the attorney-in-fact for the Reciprocal Exchanges and has the ability to direct their activities. The Reciprocal Exchanges are policyholder-owned insurance carriers organized as unincorporated associations. Each policyholder insured by the Reciprocal Exchanges shares risk with the other policyholders.
	In the event of dissolution, policyholders would share any residual unassigned surplus in the same proportion as the amount of insurance purchased but are not subject to assessment for any deficit in unassigned surplus of the Reciprocal Exchanges. Tower receives management fee income for the services provided to the Reciprocal Exchanges. The assets of the Reciprocal Exchanges can be used only to settle the obligations of the Reciprocal Exchanges and general creditors to their liabilities have no recourse to Tower as the primary beneficiary.
	In addition, Tower holds the surplus notes issued by the Reciprocal Exchanges when they were originally capitalized. The obligation to repay principal and interest on the surplus notes is subordinated to the Reciprocal Exchanges’ other liabilities including obligations to policyholders and claimants for benefits under insurance policies. Principal and interest on the surplus notes are payable only with regulatory approval. The Company has no ownership interest in the Reciprocal Exchanges.
	The Company determined that each of the Reciprocal Exchanges qualifies as a VIE and that the Company is the primary beneficiary as it has both the power to direct the activities of the Reciprocal Exchanges that most significantly impact their economic performance and the risk of economic loss through its ownership of the surplus notes. Accordingly, the Company consolidates these Reciprocal Exchanges and eliminates all intercompany balances and transactions with Tower.
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Reciprocal Exchanges recognized total revenues, total expenses and net loss of $190.2 million, $211.0 million and $(20.4) million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Reciprocal Exchanges recognized total revenues, total expenses and net income of $204.7 million, $202.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments	'
	Note 5—Investments
	The cost or amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed maturity and equity securities, gross unrealized gains and losses, and other-than-temporary impairment losses as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized as follows:
	($ in thousands)		Cost or			Gross			Gross			Fair Value			Unrealized
			Amortized			Unrealized			Unrealized						OTTI
			Cost			Gains			Losses						Losses (1)
	December 31, 2013
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	370,959		$	729		$	(7,726	)	$	363,962		$	-
	U.S. Agency securities			110,362			1,420			(561	)		111,221			-
	Municipal bonds			277,382			7,981			(6,257	)		279,106			-
	Corporate and other bonds
	Finance			148,132			9,797			(1,028	)		156,901			-
	Industrial			316,474			8,286			(3,008	)		321,752			-
	Utilities			47,838			1,341			(1,890	)		47,289			(17	)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			189,808			16,852			(1,754	)		204,906			(634	)
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Agency backed securities			63,668			891			(1,218	)		63,341			-
	Non-agency backed securities			30,228			4,659			(31	)		34,856			(13	)
	Asset-backed securities			58,783			681			(103	)		59,361			-
	Total fixed-maturity securities			1,613,634			52,637			(23,576	)		1,642,695			(664	)
	Preferred stocks, principally financial sector			21,330			54			(2,536	)		18,848			-
	Common stocks, principally financial and industrial sectors			76,378			11,432			(28	)		87,782			-
	Short-term investments			5,925			-			(28	)		5,897			-
	Total, December 31, 2013		$	1,717,267		$	64,123		$	(26,168	)	$	1,755,222		$	(664	)
	Tower		$	1,465,039		$	56,480		$	(21,369	)	$	1,500,150		$	(664	)
	Reciprocal Exchanges			252,228			7,643			(4,799	)		255,072			-
	Total, December 31, 2013		$	1,717,267		$	64,123		$	(26,168	)	$	1,755,222		$	(664	)
	December 31, 2012
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	183,462		$	1,500		$	(13	)	$	184,949		$	-
	U.S. Agency securities			98,502			4,351			(76	)		102,777			-
	Municipal bonds			633,373			52,914			(244	)		686,043			-
	Corporate and other bonds
	Finance			233,849			21,293			(1,095	)		254,047			-
	Industrial			412,465			26,556			(868	)		438,153			-
	Utilities			51,698			2,958			(191	)		54,465			-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			211,819			30,375			(141	)		242,053			-
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Agency backed securities			283,652			12,326			(262	)		295,716			-
	Non-agency backed securities			38,615			3,575			(34	)		42,156			(6	)
	Asset-backed securities			42,751			1,615			(14	)		44,352			-
	Total fixed-maturity securities			2,190,186			157,463			(2,938	)		2,344,711			(6	)
	Preferred stocks, principally financial sector			31,272			730			(481	)		31,521			-
	Common stocks, principally industrial and financial sectors			118,076			953			(4,292	)		114,737			-
	Short-term investments			4,749			1			-			4,750			-
	Total, December 31, 2012		$	2,344,283		$	159,147		$	(7,711	)	$	2,495,719		$	(6	)
	Tower		$	2,075,189		$	141,614		$	(7,210	)	$	2,209,593		$	(6	)
	Reciprocal Exchanges			269,094			17,533			(501	)		286,126			-
	Total, December 31, 2012		$	2,344,283		$	159,147		$	(7,711	)	$	2,495,719		$	(6	)
	-1	Represents the gross unrealized loss on other-than-temporarily impaired securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, U.S. Treasury Notes and other securities with carrying values of $398.4 million and $351.1 million, respectively, were on deposit with various states to comply with the insurance laws in which the Company is licensed.
	In addition, the Company had $248.9 million and $481.5 million of investments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, held by counterparties as collateral or in trusts to support letters of credit issued on Tower’s behalf, reinsurance liabilities on certain assumed reinsurance treaties and obligations under certain leases.
	Major categories of net investment income are summarized as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Income
	Fixed-maturity securities		$	75,731		$	96,056		$	105,533
	Equity securities			22,912			28,989			24,576
	Cash and cash equivalents			244			1,112			695
	Other invested assets			16,138			6,680			274
	Other			736			387			643
	Total			115,761			133,224			131,721
	Expenses
	Investment expenses			(6,553	)		(6,059	)		(5,247	)
	Net investment income		$	109,208		$	127,165		$	126,474
Tower			106,309			121,907			120,083
Reciprocal Exchanges			9,578			12,575			12,846
Elimination of interest on Reciprocal Exchange surplus notes			(6,679	)		(7,317	)		(6,455	)
Net investment income		$	109,208		$	127,165		$	126,474
Proceeds from the sale of fixed-maturity securities were $1.7 billion, $1.8 billion and $2.0 billion for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Proceeds from the sale of equity securities were $1.3 billion, $1.4 billion and $793.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Gross realized gains, losses and impairment write-downs on investments are summarized as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)		2013			2012			2011
Fixed-maturity securities
Gross realized gains		$	51,598		$	59,319		$	44,550
Gross realized losses			(9,760	)		(2,780	)		(11,101	)
			41,838			56,539			33,449
Equity securities
Gross realized gains			18,004			13,090			8,328
Gross realized losses			(28,649	)		(31,404	)		(29,138	)
			(10,645	)		(18,314	)		(20,810	)
Other (1)
Gross realized gains			12,946			3,432			-
Gross realized losses			(5,676	)		(6,548	)		-
			7,270			(3,116	)		-
Net realized gains on investments			38,463			35,109			12,639
Other-than-temporary impairment losses:
Fixed-maturity securities			(6,682	)		(1,320	)		(580	)
Equity securities			(6,733	)		(8,313	)		(2,665	)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings			(13,415	)		(9,633	)		(3,245	)
Total net realized investment gains (losses)		$	25,048		$	25,476		$	9,394
Tower		$	22,894		$	12,245		$	6,980
Reciprocal Exchanges			2,154			13,231			2,414
Total net realized investment gains (losses)		$	25,048		$	25,476		$	9,394
(1)	Other gross realized gains and losses consists primarily of foreign exchange and “debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased,” which are reported in Other liabilities. The Company recorded a $4.3 million gain from translation of foreign currency transactions to the functional currency.
Management may dispose of a particular security due to changes in facts and circumstances related to the invested asset that have arisen since the last analysis supporting management’s determination whether or not it intended to sell the security, and if not, whether it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.
Impairment Review
Management regularly reviews the Company’s fixed-maturity and equity security portfolios in accordance with its impairment policy to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for OTTI. The determination of OTTI is a subjective process and different judgments and assumptions could affect the timing of loss realization.
Management, in conjunction with its outside portfolio managers, analyzes its non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) using default loss models based on the performance of the underlying loans. Performance metrics include delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, anticipated cash flow prepayments and cumulative losses incurred. The expected losses for a mortgage pool are compared to the break-even loss, which represents the point at which the Company’s tranche begins to experience losses.
The commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) holdings are evaluated using analytical techniques and various metrics including the level of subordination, debt-service-coverage ratios, loan-to-value ratios, delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures.
For the non-structured fixed-maturity securities (U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, municipal bonds, and certain corporate debt), unrealized losses are reviewed to determine whether full recovery of principal and interest will be received. The estimate of expected cash flows is determined by projecting a recovery value and a recovery time frame and assessing whether further principal and interest will be received. The determination of recovery value incorporates an issuer valuation assumption utilizing one or a combination of valuation methods as deemed appropriate by management. The present value of the cash flows is determined by applying the effective yield of the security at the date of acquisition (or the most recent implied rate used to accrete the security if the implied rate has changed as a result of a previous impairment) and an estimated recovery time frame. For securities for which the issuer is financially troubled but not in bankruptcy, that time frame is generally longer. Included in the present value calculation are expected principal and interest payments; however, for securities for which the issuer is classified as bankrupt or in default, the present value calculation assumes no interest payments and a single recovery amount. In situations for which a present value of cash flows cannot be estimated, a write-down to fair value is recorded.
In estimating the recovery value, significant judgment is involved in the development of assumptions relating to a number of factors related to the issuer including, but not limited to, revenue, margin and earnings projections, the likely market or liquidation values of assets, potential additional debt to be incurred pre- or post- bankruptcy/restructuring, the ability to shift existing or new debt to different priority layers, the amount of restructuring/bankruptcy expenses, the size and priority of unfunded pension obligations, litigation or other contingent claims, the treatment of intercompany claims and the likely outcome with respect to inter-creditor conflicts.
The evaluation of equity securities includes management’s intent and ability to hold the security to recovery. Management will record OTTI in those situations where it does not intend to hold the security to recovery or if the security is not expected to recover in value in the near term.
The following table shows the amount of fixed-maturity and equity securities that were OTTI for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. This resulted in recording impairment write-downs included in net realized investment gains (losses), and reduced the unrealized loss in other comprehensive net income:
		Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)		2013			2012			2011
U.S. Treasury securities		$	(801	)	$	-		$	-
U.S. Agency securities			(572	)		-			-
Municipal bonds			(367	)		(113	)		-
Corporate and other bonds			(4,271	)		(1,029	)		-
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			(1,176	)		(430	)		(219	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities			(423	)		(34	)		(235	)
Asset-backed securities			(53	)		-			(391	)
Equities			(6,733	)		(8,313	)		(2,664	)
Other-than-temporary-impairments			(14,396	)		(9,919	)		(3,509	)
Portion of loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			981			286			264
Impairment losses recognized in earnings		$	(13,415	)	$	(9,633	)	$	(3,245	)
Tower		$	(13,414	)	$	(9,919	)	$	(3,245	)
Reciprocal Exchanges			(1	)		286			-
Impairment losses recognized in earnings		$	(13,415	)	$	(9,633	)	$	(3,245	)
The following table provides a rollforward of the cumulative amount of credit related OTTI for securities still held showing the amounts that have been included in earnings on a pretax basis for the years ended 2013 and 2012 (none of such OTTI was included within the Reciprocal Exchanges):
		Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)		2013			2012			2011
Balance, January 1,		$	4,492		$	12,666		$	18,075
Additional credit losses recognized during the period, related to securities for which:
No OTTI has been previously recognized			6,252			1,259			44
OTTI has been previously recognized			430			61			537
Reductions due to:
Securities sold during the period (realized)			(3,357	)		(9,494	)		(5,990	)
Balance, December 31,		$	7,817		$	4,492		$	12,666
Unrealized Losses
There are 511 securities at December 31, 2013, including fixed maturities and equity securities, which account for the gross unrealized loss, none of which is deemed by management to be OTTI. Temporary losses on corporate and other bonds result from purchases made in a lower interest rate environment or lower yield spread environment. In addition, there have been some ratings downgrades on certain of these securities. After analyzing the credit quality, balance sheet strength and company outlook, management believes these securities will recover in value. The structured securities that had significant unrealized losses resulted primarily from declines in both residential and commercial real estate prices. To the extent projected cash flows on structured securities change adversely, they would be considered OTTI, and an impairment loss would be recognized in the current period. Management considered all relevant factors, including expected recoverability of cash flows, in assessing whether a loss was other-than-temporary. The Company does not intend to sell these fixed maturity securities, and it is not more likely than not that these securities will be sold before recovering their cost basis.
For all fixed-maturity securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2013, the Company has received all contractual interest payments (and principal if applicable). Based on the continuing receipt of cash flow and the foregoing analyses, management expects continued timely payments of principal and interest and considers the losses to be temporary.
The unrealized loss position associated with the fixed-maturity portfolio was $23.6 million as of December 31, 2013, consisting primarily of municipal bonds, corporate and other bonds and U.S. Treasury securities of $19.9 million. The total fixed-maturity portfolio of gross unrealized losses included 490 securities which were, in aggregate, approximately 3.0% below amortized cost. Of the 490 fixed maturity investments identified, 68 have been in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. The total unrealized loss on these investments at December 31, 2013 was $4.2 million. Management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
For common stocks, there were 20 securities in a loss position at December 31, 2013 totaling $2.6 million. Management evaluated the financial condition of the common stock issuers, the severity and duration of the impairment, and our ability and intent to hold to recovery and determined these securities are not OTTI. The evaluation consisted of a detailed review, including but not limited to some or all of the following factors for each security: the current S&P rating, analysts’ reports, past earnings trends and analysts’ earnings expectations for the next 12 months, liquidity, near-term financing risk, and whether the company was currently paying dividends on its equity securities. Management does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
The following table presents information regarding invested assets that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 by amount of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:
		Less than 12 Months						12 Months or Longer						Total
($ in thousands)		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Aggregate			Unrealized
		Value			Losses			Value			Losses			Fair Value			Losses
December 31, 2013
U.S. Treasury securities		$	273,217		$	(7,726	)	$	-		$	-		$	273,217		$	(7,726	)
U.S. Agency securities			51,808			(561	)		-			-			51,808			(561	)
Municipal bonds			109,345			(5,056	)		4,268			(1,201	)		113,613			(6,257	)
Corporate and other bonds
Finance			37,811			(1,005	)		335			(23	)		38,146			(1,028	)
Industrial			124,869			(2,550	)		10,023			(458	)		134,892			(3,008	)
Utilities			27,698			(805	)		7,292			(1,085	)		34,990			(1,890	)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			26,469			(597	)		20,397			(1,157	)		46,866			(1,754	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Agency backed			37,660			(925	)		5,166			(293	)		42,826			(1,218	)
Non-agency backed			1,027			(19	)		182			(12	)		1,209			(31	)
Asset-backed securities			32,461			(103	)		-			-			32,461			(103	)
Total fixed-maturity securities			722,365			(19,347	)		47,663			(4,229	)		770,028			(23,576	)
Preferred stocks			10,538			(2,285	)		6,154			(251	)		16,692			(2,536	)
Common stocks			7,125			(28	)		-			-			7,125			(28	)
Short-term investments			3,897			(28	)		-			-			3,897			(28	)
Total, December 31, 2013		$	743,925		$	(21,688	)	$	53,817		$	(4,480	)	$	797,742		$	(26,168	)
Tower		$	663,127		$	(19,335	)	$	23,096		$	(2,034	)	$	686,223		$	(21,369	)
Reciprocal Exchanges			80,798			(2,353	)		30,721			(2,446	)		111,519			(4,799	)
Total, December 31, 2013		$	743,925		$	(21,688	)	$	53,817		$	(4,480	)	$	797,742		$	(26,168	)
December 31, 2012
U.S. Treasury securities		$	44,347		$	(13	)	$	-		$	-		$	44,347		$	(13	)
U.S. Agency securities			22,345			(76	)		-			-			22,345			(76	)
Municipal bonds			21,532			(235	)		251			(9	)		21,783			(244	)
Corporate and other bonds
Finance			16,853			(1,095	)		-			-			16,853			(1,095	)
Industrial			53,576			(667	)		4,188			(201	)		57,764			(868	)
Utilities			20,143			(191	)		7			-			20,150			(191	)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities			23,223			(141	)		95			-			23,318			(141	)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Agency backed			59,009			(261	)		25			(1	)		59,034			(262	)
Non-agency backed			815			(6	)		588			(28	)		1,403			(34	)
Asset-backed securities			1,499			(2	)		4,232			(12	)		5,731			(14	)
Total fixed-maturity securities			263,342			(2,687	)		9,386			(251	)		272,728			(2,938	)
Preferred stocks			9,716			(155	)		5,724			(326	)		15,440			(481	)
Common stocks			55,560			(4,292	)		-			-			55,560			(4,292	)
Total, December 31, 2012		$	328,618		$	(7,134	)	$	15,110		$	(577	)	$	343,728		$	(7,711	)
Tower		$	270,609		$	(6,732	)	$	13,338		$	(478	)	$	283,947		$	(7,210	)
Reciprocal Exchanges			58,009			(402	)		1,772			(99	)		59,781			(501	)
Total, December 31, 2012		$	328,618		$	(7,134	)	$	15,110		$	(577	)	$	343,728		$	(7,711	)
Management evaluated the severity of the impairment in relation to the carrying values for the securities referred to above and considered all relevant factors in assessing whether the loss was other-than-temporary. Management does not intend to sell its fixed-maturity securities, and it is not more likely than not that fixed maturity and equity securities will be sold until there is a recovery of fair value to the original cost basis, which may be at maturity.
Fixed-Maturity Investment—Time to Maturity
The following table shows the composition of the fixed-maturity portfolio by remaining time to maturity at December 31, 2013 and 2012. For securities that are redeemable at the option of the issuer and have a market price that is greater than par value, the maturity used for the table below is the earliest redemption date. For securities that are redeemable at the option of the issuer and have a market price that is less than par value, the maturity used for the table below is the final maturity date.
		Tower						Reciprocal Exchanges						Total
($ in thousands)		Amortized			Fair Value			Amortized			Fair			Amortized			Fair Value
		Cost						Cost			Value			Cost
December 31, 2013
Remaining Time to Maturity
Less than one year		$	33,305		$	33,727		$	7,866		$	8,021		$	41,171		$	41,748
One to five years			507,388			513,841			39,469			41,381			546,857			555,222
Five to ten years			459,070			459,251			82,003			81,515			541,073			540,766
More than 10 years			100,977			102,801			41,069			39,693			142,046			142,494
Mortgage and asset-backed securities			263,417			280,526			79,070			81,939			342,487			362,465
Total		$	1,364,157		$	1,390,146		$	249,477		$	252,549		$	1,613,634		$	1,642,695
December 31, 2012
Remaining Time to Maturity
Less than one year		$	30,082		$	30,614		$	2,678		$	2,715		$	32,760		$	33,329
One to five years			489,939			510,523			45,576			47,275			535,515			557,798
Five to ten years			564,556			607,711			76,480			80,009			641,036			687,720
More than 10 years			346,410			379,045			57,628			62,542			404,038			441,587
Mortgage and asset-backed securities			495,249			536,255			81,588			88,022			576,837			624,277
Total		$	1,926,236		$	2,064,148		$	263,950		$	280,563		$	2,190,186		$	2,344,711
Other Invested Assets
The following table shows the composition of the other invested assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
($ in thousands)		2013			2012
Limited partnerships, equity method		$	46,521		$	23,864
Real estate, amortized cost			6,054			7,422
Securities reported under the fair value option:			43,580			25,000
Other			-			1,500
Total		$	96,155		$	57,786
Securities reported under the fair value option include eight securities for which the Company has elected the fair value option. This election was made to simplify the accounting for these instruments which contain embedded derivatives and other features.
The significant inputs used to determine fair value of these limited partnerships are considered Level 3 pursuant to the fair value hierarchy. See “Note 6 – Fair Value Measurements” below. As of December 31, 2013, the Company and its insurance companies had future funding commitments of $45.3 million including but not limited to the limited partnerships.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note 6—Fair Value Measurements
	GAAP establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. 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). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded, including during periods of market disruption, and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy are as follows:
	Level 1 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets. Included are those equity securities that are traded on active exchanges, such as the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
	Level 2 — Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs. Included are investments in U.S. Treasury and Agency securities and, together with municipal bonds, corporate debt securities, commercial mortgages, residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. Additionally, interest-rate swap contracts utilize Level 2 inputs in deriving fair values.
	Level 3 — Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable in the market for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement. Material assumptions and factors considered in pricing investment securities may include projected cash flows, collateral performance including delinquencies, defaults and recoveries, and any market clearing activity or liquidity circumstances in the security or similar securities that may have occurred since the prior pricing period. Generally included in this valuation methodology are investments in certain mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities and securities the Company is reporting under the fair value option.
	The availability of observable inputs varies and is affected by a wide variety of factors. When the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires significantly more judgment. The degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greatest for investments categorized as Level 3. For investments in this category, management considers prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date. In periods of market dislocation, as characterized by current market conditions, the ability to observe stable prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause a security to be reclassified between levels.
	The Additional Payment derivative’s fair value was calculated as discussed in “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction.” The significant unobservable inputs included the estimated sales price Bregal could sell Canopius Group to a third party and the probability of such a sale closing. In December 2013, Bregal executed a stock purchase agreement with a third party.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value are allocated among levels as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	December 31, 2013
	Fixed-maturity securities
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	-		$	363,962		$	-	$	363,962
	U.S. Agency securities		-			111,221			-		111,221
	Municipal bonds		-			279,106			-		279,106
	Corporate and other bonds		-			522,516			3,426		525,942
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		-			204,906			-		204,906
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Agency		-			63,341			-		63,341
	Non-agency		-			34,856			-		34,856
	Asset-backed securities		-			59,361			-		59,361
	Total fixed-maturities		-			1,639,269			3,426		1,642,695
	Equity securities		106,630			-			-		106,630
	Short-term investments		-			5,897			-		5,897
	Total investments at fair value		106,630			1,645,166			3,426		1,755,222
	Other invested assets (1)		-			-			43,580		43,580
	Other Assets
	Additional Payment derivative		-			-			9,343		9,343
	Other liabilities
	Interest rate swap contracts		-			(6,066	)		-		(6,066	)
	Debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased		-			(11,099	)		-		(11,099	)
	Total, December 31, 2013	$	106,630		$	1,628,001		$	56,349	$	1,790,980
	Tower	$	104,107		$	1,375,452		$	56,349	$	1,535,908
	Reciprocal Exchanges		2,523			252,549			-		255,072
	Total, December 31, 2013	$	106,630		$	1,628,001		$	56,349	$	1,790,980
	December 31, 2012
	Fixed-maturity securities
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	-		$	184,949		$	-	$	184,949
	U.S. Agency securities		-			102,777			-		102,777
	Municipal bonds		-			686,043			-		686,043
	Corporate and other bonds		-			746,665			-		746,665
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		-			242,053			-		242,053
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Agency		-			295,716			-		295,716
	Non-agency		-			42,156			-		42,156
	Asset-backed securities		-			44,352			-		44,352
	Total fixed-maturities		-			2,344,711			-		2,344,711
	Equity securities		146,258			-			-		146,258
	Short-term investments		-			4,750			-		4,750
	Total investments		146,258			2,349,461			-		2,495,719
	Other invested assets (2)		-			-			25,000		25,000
	Other liabilities
	Interest rate swap contracts		-			(9,016	)		-		(9,016	)
	Debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased		-			(17,101	)		-		(17,101	)
	Total, December 31, 2012	$	146,258		$	2,323,344		$	25,000	$	2,494,602
	Tower	$	140,695		$	2,042,780		$	25,000	$	2,208,475
	Reciprocal Exchanges		5,563			280,564			-		286,127
	Total, December 31, 2012	$	146,258		$	2,323,344		$	25,000	$	2,494,602
	(1) $43.6 million of the $96.2 million Other invested assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is reported at fair value. The remaining $52.6 million of Other invested assets is reported under the equity method of accounting.
	(2) $25.0 million of the $57.8 million Other invested assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 is reported at fair value. The remaining $32.8 million of Other invested assets is reported under the equity method of accounting or at amortized cost.
	As of December 31, 2013, substantially all of the investment portfolio recorded at fair value was priced based upon quoted market prices or other observable inputs. For investments in active markets, we used the quoted market prices provided by the outside pricing services to determine fair value. In circumstances where quoted market prices were unavailable, we used fair value estimates based upon other observable inputs including matrix pricing, benchmark interest rates, market comparables and other relevant inputs. When observable inputs were adjusted to reflect management’s best estimate of fair value, such fair value measurements are considered a lower level measurement in the GAAP fair value hierarchy.
	Our process to validate the market prices obtained from the outside pricing sources includes, but is not limited to, periodic evaluation of model pricing methodologies and analytical reviews of certain prices. We also periodically perform testing of the market to determine trading activity, or lack of trading activity, as well as market prices. Several securities sold during the quarter were “back-tested” (i.e., the sales price is compared to the previous month end reported market price to determine reasonableness of the reported market price). If management believes that the price provided from the pricing source is distressed, management will use a valuation method that reflects an orderly transaction between market participants, generally a discounted cash flow method that incorporates relevant interest rate, risk and liquidity factors.
	The ability to observe stable prices and inputs may be reduced for highly-customized and illiquid instruments which had been the case for certain non-agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities in previous periods.
	Substantially all of the portfolio valuations at December 31, 2013 classified as Level 1 or Level 2 in the above table is priced by utilizing the services of several independent pricing services that provide the Company with a price quote for each security. There were no adjustments made to the prices obtained from the independent pricing sources and dealers on securities classified as Level 1 or Level 2.
In 2013, there were no transfers of investments between Level 1 and Level 2 and one investment transfer between Level 2 and Level 3. In 2012, there were no transfers of investments between Level 1 and Level 2 or between Level 2 and Level 3.
The fair values of the interest rate swaps were derived by using an industry standard swap valuation model with market based inputs for swaps having similar characteristics.
The fair values of the debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased were derived by using quoted prices for similar securities in active markets. These instruments resulted in net realized gains of $.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The Company holds seven securities which are reported in other invested assets and have been classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Management utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis to derive the fair values. Two of the seven securities, START VII CLO and HONDIUS CRAFT CLO, are credit linked notes which will mature in 2015 and 2017, respectively, and whose cash flows are supported by underlying short-term loans, the significant unobservable inputs include the underlying short-term loans’ probability of default and loss severity, and a discount for the security’s lack of marketability. Increases in the probability of default and loss severity assumptions (which generally move directionally with each other) would have the effect of decreasing the fair value of this security. The Company obtains credit ratings on the underlying short-term loans quarterly and considers these ratings when updating its assumptions. A third security, Aeolus CHIAT SAC, is an equity instrument which entitles the Company to residual interests of a finite life special purpose vehicle. The significant unobservable inputs include the estimated losses to be incurred by the vehicle and the equity instrument’s lack of marketability. The Company obtains quarterly financial data from the vehicle and evaluates the estimated incurred loss figure. An increase in the vehicle’s estimated incurred losses would have the effect of decreasing the instrument’s fair value. The remaining four securities are preferred equity interests in limited partnerships that invest in leisure hotels. The preferred interests pay a stated quarterly dividend with residual equity incentives payable after the General Partner’s minimum return thresholds are met. The significant unobservable inputs include the market discount rate and the instruments’ lack of marketability. The three of the four preferred equity interest investments closed in the latter part of June 2013 (and the fourth investment closed on July 1, 2013). These four preferred equity interest investments are carried at fair value with changes recorded in the statement of operations.
At December 31, 2013, management transferred a private convertible bond with a fair value of $3.4 million from Level 2 to Level 3. During the fourth quarter, management used a liquidation pricing methodology to determine the convertible bond’s fair value as of December 31, 2013 and the change in pricing methodology for this security resulted in the Company recording an OTTI loss of $3.6 million, which was reported through realized losses.
Management is responsible for the determination of the value of the investments carried at fair value and the supporting methodologies and assumptions. Management has reviewed the pricing techniques and methodologies of the independent pricing sources and believes that their policies adequately consider market activity, either based on specific transactions for the issue valued or based on modeling of securities with similar credit quality, duration, yield and structure that were recently traded. Management monitors security-specific valuation trends and discusses material changes or the absence of expected changes with the portfolio managers to understand the underlying factors and inputs and to validate the reasonableness of pricing. Management also back-tests the prices on numerous sales of securities during the year to validate the previous pricing provided as well as utilizes other pricing sources to validate the pricing provided by our primary provider of the majority of the non-U.S. Treasury securities and non-agency securities included in Level 2.
The following table summarizes changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 for Tower (the Reciprocal Exchanges do not have any Level 3 assets):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2013											2012 (1)		2011(1)
($ in thousands)	Other			Fixed			Additional		Total
	Invested			Maturity			Payment
	Assets			Securities (2)			Derivative
Beginning balance, January 1	$	25,000			-			-		25,000		$	25,000	$	2,058
Total gains (losses)-realized / unrealized
Included in net income		(670	)		-			2,081		(670	)		-		(1,067	)
Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			-		-			-		-
Purchases		19,250			-			7,262		28,593			-		25,000
Issuances		-			-			-		-			-		-
Settlements		-			-			-		-			-		-
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3		-			3,426			-		3,426			-		(991	)
Ending balance, December 31,	$	43,580			3,426			9,343		56,349		$	25,000	$	25,000
(1) All activity for years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is comprised of other invested assets
(2) Comprised of corporate and other bonds

Goodwill_Intangible_and_Fixed_

Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Assets Impairments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Assets Impairments	'
	Note 7—Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Assets Impairments
	Goodwill
	Goodwill is calculated as the excess of purchase price over the net fair value of assets acquired. Under GAAP, the Company is required to allocate goodwill to each of its reporting units. On March 13, 2013, the Company recorded $28.1 million of goodwill in connection with the Canopius Merger Transaction (See “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction”), which was mainly derived from synergies and economies of scale expected to result from the combined operations of the Company. Management allocated the goodwill recognized in the Canopius Merger Transaction to the Commercial Insurance reporting unit.
	2013 Reorganizations
	In the second quarter of 2013, the Company changed the way it presented its results by segment. Following the reorganization, based on information reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, the Company concluded it had three reporting units corresponding to it each of the business segments: (i) Commercial Insurance, (ii) Specialty Insurance and Assumed Reinsurance and (iii) Personal Insurance. (Each of the reporting units corresponds with the Company’s reporting segments).
	In the third quarter of 2013, the Company re-evaluated the way it presents its results by segment, as described in “Note 1 – Nature of Business”. Following the third quarter 2013 reorganization, based on the information reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, the Company concluded it had three reporting units corresponding to it each of the business segments: (i) Commercial Insurance, (ii) Assumed Reinsurance and (iii) Personal Insurance. (Each of the reporting units corresponds with the Company’s reporting segments).
	Goodwill Impairment Testing and Charge
	The Company tests goodwill balances for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each year using a September 30 measurement date, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill may be impaired. Goodwill impairment is performed at the reporting unit level and the test requires a two-step process. In performing Step 1 of the impairment test, management compared the estimated fair values of the applicable reporting units to their aggregate carrying values, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit including goodwill were to exceed the fair value of the reporting unit, Step 2 of the goodwill impairment would be performed. Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test requires comparing the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit’s goodwill against the carrying value of that goodwill.
	The process of evaluating goodwill for impairment requires judgments and assumptions to be made to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, including discounted cash flow calculations, assumptions that market participants would make in valuing each reporting unit and the level of the Company’s own share price. Fair value estimates utilize both the market approach and income approach. Management considered valuation techniques such as peer company price-to-earnings and price-to-book multiples and an in-depth analysis of projected future cash flows and relevant discount rates, which considered market participant inputs. Other significant assumptions include levels of surplus available for distribution, future business growth and earnings projections for each reporting unit. Estimates of fair value are subject to assumptions that are sensitive to change and represent the Company’s reasonable expectation regarding future developments. Management also considers the implied control premium derived from its market capitalization and the implied fair value of the enterprise.
	In its 2012 annual impairment test, management determined that a greater risk of future impairment existed for the Commercial Insurance reporting unit. During the second quarter of 2013, management in its judgment concluded a quarterly impairment test was required as a result of the reorganization and significant prior years’ loss reserves incurred (see “Note 10 – Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense”). In the third quarter of 2013, as a result of the additional significant prior years’ loss reserves incurred, management in its judgment concluded a quarterly impairment test was required again as of September 30, 2013 in the preparation of the September 30, 2013 consolidated financial statements.
	In conducting the goodwill impairment analysis as of June 30, 2013, the Company tested the reporting units prior to the reorganization as required by GAAP. The Company estimated each of the reporting units’ fair values using a market multiple approach based on tangible book values. Historically, the Company also utilized market multiple approaches based on (i) book value, (ii) estimates of projected results for future periods, and (iii) a valuation technique using discounted cash flows. However, based upon the significance of the loss reserve charge recorded in the second quarter of 2013, the reduction to Tower’s insurance subsidiaries’ capital and surplus levels (see “Note 18 – Statutory Financial Information”), management in its judgment concluded a multiple of tangible book value was most indicative of a price a market participant would pay for the reporting units. In addition, the Commercial Insurance reporting unit’s estimated fair value was adjusted for the expected capital infusion a market participant would be expected to fund into the insurance businesses to maintain historical rating agency ratings.
	Step 1 of the impairment test indicated the Commercial Insurance unit’s carrying value exceeded its fair value and the Personal Insurance unit’s fair value exceeded its carrying value.
	Accordingly, the Company performed a Step 2 impairment test on the Commercial Insurance reporting unit. Based on the results, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $214.0 million to write-down all of the goodwill in the Commercial Insurance reporting unit as of June 30, 2013. As of June 30, 2013, the Company reported $55.5 million of goodwill, all of which related to the Personal Insurance reporting unit.
	In conducting the goodwill impairment analysis for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, the Company estimated the Personal Insurance fair values using Tower’s current market capitalization, adjusted for a control premium. Historically, the Company also utilized various market multiple approaches for Personal Insurance reporting unit. However, based upon the significant 2013 events, including A.M. Best’s downgrade to “B” for the insurance subsidiaries, management in its judgment concluded the market capitalization, adjusted for a control premium, was most indicative of a price a market participant would pay for the reporting unit.
	Step 1 of the impairment test as of September 30, 2013 indicated the Personal Insurance unit’s carrying value exceeded its fair value.
	Accordingly, the Company performed a Step 2 impairment test on the Personal Insurance reporting unit. Based on the results, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $55.5 million to write-down all of the goodwill in the Personal Insurance reporting unit as of September 30, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had no goodwill reported on its consolidated balance sheet.
	Marine and Energy Acquisition goodwill
	In the third quarter of 2013, the Company accounted for the Marine and Energy Acquisition as a business combination and recorded $1.9 million of goodwill in the Commercial Insurance reporting unit. As of September 30, 2013, in response to the significant business developments discussed in “Note 1 – Nature of Business,” management in its judgment concluded this goodwill was fully impaired.
	The following table reflects the changes to goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and is presented using the reporting units prior to the reorganizations.
	($ in thousands)	Commercial			Personal			Total
		Insurance			Insurance
	Balance, January 1, 2012	$	185,918		$	55,540		$	241,458
	Adjustments		-			-			-
	Balance, December 31, 2012		185,918			55,540			241,458
	Goodwill from Canopius Merger Transaction		28,131			-			28,131
	Goodwill from Marine and Energy acquisition		1,853			-			1,853
	Goodwill impairment		(215,902	)		(55,540	)		(271,442	)
	Total, December 31, 2013	$	-		$	-		$	-
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets consist of finite and indefinite life assets. Finite life intangible assets include customer relationships and trademarks. Insurance company licenses and management contracts are considered indefinite life intangible assets subject to annual impairment testing.
	The components of intangible assets and their useful lives, accumulated amortization, and net carrying value as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
					December 31, 2013									December 31, 2012
	($ in thousands)	Useful			Gross			Accumulated			Net			Gross			Accumulated			Net
		Life			Carrying			Amortization/			Carrying			Carrying			Amortization/			Carrying
		(in-yrs)			Amount			Impairment			Amount			Amount			Impairment			Amount
	Insurance licenses		-		$	19,003		$	-		$	19,003		$	19,003		$	-		$	19,003
	Management contracts		-			54,600			-			54,600			54,600			-			54,600
	Customer relationships		25-Oct			57,890			(53,030	)		4,860			57,890			(26,754	)		31,136
	Trademarks		5			5,290			(3,817	)		1,473			5,290			(3,261	)		2,029
	Total				$	136,783		$	(56,847	)	$	79,936		$	136,783		$	(30,015	)	$	106,768
	Tower				$	128,283		$	(54,684	)	$	73,599		$	128,283		$	(28,369	)	$	99,914
	Reciprocal Exchanges					8,500			(2,163	)		6,337			8,500			(1,646	)		6,854
	Total				$	136,783		$	(56,847	)	$	79,936		$	136,783		$	(30,015	)	$	106,768
	The activity in the components of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of intangible assets acquired from business combinations and amortization expense as shown in the table below:
	($ in thousands)	Insurance			Management			Customer			Trademarks			Total
		Licenses			Contracts			Relationships
	Balance, January 1, 2012	$	19,003		$	54,600		$	38,463		$	2,854		$	114,920
	Additions		-			-			-			-			-
	Amortization		-			-			(7,327	)		(825	)		(8,152	)
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	19,003		$	54,600		$	31,136		$	2,029		$	106,768
	Tower	$	16,003		$	54,600		$	28,600		$	711		$	99,914
	Reciprocal Exchanges (a)		3,000			-			2,536			1,318			6,854
	Total, December 31, 2012	$	19,003		$	54,600		$	31,136		$	2,029		$	106,768
	Additions		-			-			-			-			-
	Amortization		-			-			(4,359	)		(556	)		(4,915	)
	Impairment		-			-			(21,917	)		-			(21,917	)
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	19,003		$	54,600		$	4,860		$	1,473		$	79,936
	Tower	$	16,003		$	54,600		$	2,608		$	388		$	73,599
	Reciprocal Exchanges		3,000			-			2,252			1,085			6,337
	Total, December 31, 2013	$	19,003		$	54,600		$	4,860		$	1,473		$	79,936
	(a) In 2012, Tower transferred a licensed insurance subsidiary shell to the Reciprocal Exchanges, as discussed in Note 2-Accounting Policies and Procedures. This resulted in classifying $2.6 million insurance licenses out of Tower and into the Reciprocal Exchange.
	Intangible asset impairment testing and amortization
	The Company performs an analysis at least annually to identify potential impairment of intangible assets with both definite and indefinite lives and measures the amount of any impairment loss that may need to be recognized. Intangible asset impairment testing requires an evaluation of the estimated fair value of each identified intangible asset to its carrying value. An impairment charge could be recorded if the estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of the intangible asset. Management assessed the carrying value of its intangible assets in the second quarter of 2013, and concluded an impairment charge of $3.8 million was required to reduce its customer relationship intangible assets. These charges are reported in Other Operating Expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, after further reserve increases and A.M. Best rating downgrades in the third quarter of 2013, management in its judgment concluded an impairment charge of another $18.1 million was required to further reduce the customer relationship intangible asset.
As of December 31, 2013, the Company has $4.9 million of customer relationships and $54.6 million of management contracts recorded as intangible assets. Subsequent intangible asset assessments could result in impairment due to future unfavorable developments, including rating agency downgrades, significant declines in renewal retention rates or increases in expected loss ratios.
No impairments were identified during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The Company recorded amortization expense related to intangible assets with definite lives of $4.9 million, $8.2 million and $8.9 million in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The estimated amortization expense associated with these intangible assets for each of the next five years is:
($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total
				Exchanges
2014	$	544		$	466		$	1,010
2015		303			405			708
2016		191			354			545
2017		171			311			482
2018		155			276			431
Fixed Assets
Furniture, leasehold improvements, computer equipment, and software, including internally developed software, are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. As of December 31, 2012, gross fixed assets and capital leases were $194.0 million and accumulated depreciation was $54.7 million (for net fixed assets and capital leases of $139.3 million).
As a result of ratings downgrades and the expected significant declines in net written premiums and other items more fully discussed in Significant Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties in “Note 1 – Nature of Business”, management tested fixed assets for recoverability in 2013.
Long-lived tangible assets that an entity will continue to hold and use should be reviewed for impairment, which includes two steps. The first step in the impairment test is to determine whether the long-lived assets are recoverable as measured by comparing net carrying value of the asset or asset group to the undiscounted net cash flows to be generated from the use and eventual disposition of that asset or asset group. In performing this step, management concluded that the sum of the undiscounted cash flows was less than the carrying value of the asset group. Accordingly, the Company performed an impairment analysis in which the implied fair value of the fixed assets was determined to be lower than the carrying value.
Management determined the fair value of fixed assets by (i) calculating an estimated software charge (i.e. fee for use of software) a market participant would pay the owner of the asset in return for the ability to use the Company’s software and (ii) performing an orderly liquidation value analysis ranging from 0%-15% for furniture, leasehold improvements and computer equipment, and concluded the fixed assets were impaired as of September 30, 2013. The Company recorded a non-cash charge to earnings of $125.8 million in 2013. This charge is recorded within Goodwill and fixed-assets impairment in the statement of operations. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has recorded $19.7 million of fixed assets in Other Assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

Deferred_Acquisition_Costs_DAC

Deferred Acquisition Costs ("DAC")	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Acquisition Costs ("DAC")	'
	Note 8—Deferred Acquisition Costs (“DAC”)
	Acquisition costs incurred and policy-related ceding commission revenue are deferred and amortized to income on property and casualty business for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013									2012									2011
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges									Exchanges									Exchanges
	Deferred acquisition costs, net, January 1	$	169,834		$	11,364		$	181,198		$	156,992		$	11,866		$	168,858		$	145,917		$	18,206		$	164,123
	Cost incurred and deferred:
	Commissions and brokerage		266,987			32,425			299,412			298,701			31,266			329,967			279,699			31,837			311,536
	Other underwriting and acquisition costs		58,846			7,627			66,473			68,238			7,467			75,705			64,416			5,896			70,312
	Ceding commission revenue		(101,640	)		(18,987	)		(120,627	)		(25,052	)		(15,878	)		(40,930	)		(20,082	)		(11,446	)		(31,528	)
	Net costs incurred and deferred		224,193			21,065			245,258			341,887			22,855			364,742			324,033			26,287			350,320
	Amortization		(308,542	)		(22,818	)		(331,360	)		(329,045	)		(23,357	)		(352,402	)		(312,958	)		(32,627	)		(345,585	)
	Deferred acquisition costs, net, December 31,	$	85,485		$	9,611		$	95,096		$	169,834		$	11,364		$	181,198		$	156,992		$	11,866		$	168,858

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Reinsurance	'
	Note 9—Reinsurance
	The Company utilizes various excess of loss, quota share and catastrophe reinsurance programs to limit its exposure to a maximum loss on any one risk. In addition, as disclosed in “Note 1 – Nature of the Business,” as a result of the 2013 significant business developments, Tower entered into reinsurance agreements with Arch, Hannover and Southport Re.
	Under the terms of the excess of loss programs in 2013, Tower was at risk for $5.0 million on property, $3.5 million on workers’ compensation and $2.5 million on umbrella. The Company then had reinsurance coverage up to $30 million for property, $60 million for workers’ compensation, and $5 million for umbrella. In addition the Company also had “clash coverage” in effect for 2013 for a limit of $5 million in excess of $5 million which applies to the aggregate liability for liability losses from multiple insureds involved in the same occurrence.
	Tower’s 2013 quota share reinsurance program ceded 40.0% of the homeowners business written by the companies obtained in the OBPL transaction in the north east. This coverage had a $250 million per occurrence cap. Tower also ceded 30% of the homeowners business written by the other Tower companies in the north east. This coverage had a $230 million occurrence cap. On November 1, 2013, Tower placed a 35% quota share on the same homeowners subject business. This coverage has an occurrence limit of 135% of the ceded earned premium and will expire on May 31, 2014.
	On July 1, 2013, Tower ceded 17.5% of its auto liability, other liability and commercial package brokerage business to Arch. This coverage has an occurrence limit of $25 million and a loss ratio cap of 120% of the ceded reinsurance premium. This coverage expired on December 31, 2013, on a run-off basis. On July 1, 2013, Tower also ceded 14.0% of its auto liability, other liability, workers’ compensation and commercial package brokerage business to Hannover. This coverage had occurrence limits of $10 million for PCS events, $5 million for auto liability, other liability and commercial package liability, $2 million for workers’ compensation and a per risk limit of $5 million for commercial package property, and a loss ratio cap of 110%. This coverage expired on December 31, 2013, on a run-off basis.
	Effective July 1, 2013, Tower ceded 30% quota share of its workers’ compensation and employer’s liability business to Southport Re. The agreement covered losses occurring on or after July 1, 2013 for policies in force as of June 30, 2013 and policies written or renewed during the term of the agreement, subject to a maximum liability of $1.5 million per loss occurrence and has been accounted for using deposit accounting treatment. Deposit assets of $28.7 million as of December 31, 2013 are reflected in Other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Effective July 1, 2013, Tower also purchased from Southport Re an Aggregate Excess of Loss Agreement covering a portion of the losses incurred by Tower on its workers’ compensation and employer’s liability business between January 1, 2011 and May 31, 2013, but paid by on or after June 1, 2013. The coverage was provided in three layers. Each layer provided coverage for varying percentages of losses per underwriting period, not to exceed a specified percentage of the earned premium on the subject business through May 31, 2013, up to caps applicable to each of the layers. The Southport Quota Share and Southport Re ADCs were terminated on February 14, 2014, after determining that such reinsurance agreements were no longer necessary as of result of Tower’s recent rating agency downgrades. In 2014, the company will record a gain of approximately $6.4 million resulting from the terminations.
	The Company also purchases property catastrophe reinsurance on an excess of loss basis above a specified retention to protect itself from an accumulation of losses resulting from a catastrophic event. At the July 1, 2013 renewal of its property catastrophe program, the Company maintained a retention of $75 million per catastrophe, had 100% catastrophe protection for the next $925 million of loss above the $75 million.
	In 2013 Tower purchased an Original Insured Market Loss Warranty basis, whereby the Company can recover up to the limit of the contract for its ultimate net loss arising from the windstorm peril in the Northeast in an event where the insured market loss exceeds a specified threshold.
	On January 3, 2014, concurrently with the execution of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, Tower had entered into two Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements, pursuant to which a subsidiary of AmTrust and a subsidiary of NGHC agreed to provide 100% quota share reinsurance and a cut-through endorsement to cover all eligible new and renewal commercial and personal lines business, respectively, and at their option, losses incurred on or after January 1, 2014 on not less than 60% of the in-force business. Tower received confirmation on January 16, 2014 from AmTrust and NGHC that they would exercise such option to reinsure on a cut -through basis losses incurred on or after January 1, 2014 under in-force policies with respect to (1) in the case of AmTrust, a significant majority of Tower’s unearned premium reserves as of December 31, 2013 with respect to its ongoing commercial lines business, and (2) in the case of NGHC, 100% of Tower’s unearned premium reserves as of December 31, 2013 with respect to its personal lines segment business. Tower received a 20% ceding commission from AmTrust or NGHC on all Tower premiums that are subject to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements.
	Under the terms of the excess of loss programs in 2012, Tower was at risk of loss for $5.0 million on property, $3.5 million on workers’ compensation and $2.5 million on umbrella. The Company then had reinsurance coverage up to $30 million for property, $60 million for workers’ compensation, and $5 million for umbrella. In addition, the Company also had “clash coverage” in effect for 2012 for a limit of $5 million in excess of $5 million which applies to the aggregate liability for liability losses from multiple insureds involved in the same occurrence.
	Tower’s 2012 quota share reinsurance cedes 35.5% of the homeowners business written by the companies obtained in the OBPL transaction in the north east. This coverage has a $288 million per occurrence cap.
	At the July 1, 2012 renewal of its property catastrophe program, the Company maintained a retention of $75 million per catastrophe, had 100% catastrophe protection for the next $75 million of loss above the $75 million, 70% catastrophe protection for the next $75 million of loss over $150 million and 100% catastrophe protection for the next $700 million of loss in excess of $225 million.
	In 2012 Tower purchased an Original Insured Market Loss Warranty basis, whereby the Company can recover up to the limit of the contract for its ultimate net loss arising from the windstorm peril in the Northeast in an event where the insured market loss exceeds a specified threshold.
	In 2011, Tower was at risk of loss for the first $5.0 million on property, $2.5 million on workers’ compensation and $2.5 million on umbrella. The Company then had reinsurance coverage up to $30 million for property, $50 million for workers’ compensation, and $5 million for umbrella. In addition, the Company also had “clash coverage” in effect for 2012 for a limit of $5 million in excess of $5 million which applies to the aggregate liability for liability losses from multiple insureds involved in the same occurrence. The property catastrophe program renewed on July 1, 2011 had a retention of $75 million per catastrophe, had 60% catastrophe protection for the next $50 million of loss above the $75 million, and 100% percent catastrophe protection for the next $775 million of loss in excess of $125 million.
	The Company maintains funds held liabilities under the liability quota share reinsurance agreements written in 2010 and prior years and is required to credit interest to the reinsurers with annual effective yields ranging from 2.5% to 4.0% on the monthly balance in the funds held liability accounts. The amounts credited for 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $3.9 million, $3.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively, and have been recorded as interest expense. The funds held under reinsurance agreements liability increased from $98.1 million as of December 31, 2012 to $222.1 million as of December 31, 2013 as a result of reinsurance treaties executed in the third and fourth quarters of 2013.
	The Reciprocal Exchanges are not party to the reinsurance agreements discussed above, except for the homeowners quota share treaty whereby in 2013 they ceded 40.0% of homeowners business written. The Reciprocal Exchanges were covered under this treaty in 2012, 2011 and 2010. The Reciprocal Exchanges are also protected under a property catastrophe reinsurance cover placed on an excess of loss basis. In 2012, 2011 and 2010, this coverage was for 100% of $150 million in excess of a $10 million retention and in 2013 it was for $170 million in excess of $10 million.
	Impact of Reinsurance on Premiums
	The table below shows direct, assumed and ceded premiums for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	($ in thousands)	Direct			Assumed			Ceded			Net
	2013
	Premiums written	$	1,606,249		$	121,411		$	495,045		$	1,232,615
	Change in unearned premiums		111,252			187,520			18,472			280,300
	Premiums earned	$	1,717,501		$	308,931		$	513,517		$	1,512,915
	2012
	Premiums written	$	1,755,157		$	215,915		$	231,691		$	1,739,381
	Change in unearned premiums		3,969			(31,370	)		(9,884	)		(17,517	)
	Premiums earned	$	1,759,126		$	184,545		$	221,807		$	1,721,864
	2011
	Premiums written	$	1,692,282		$	118,642		$	172,333		$	1,638,591
	Change in unearned premiums		(8,262	)		(12,890	)		23,589			(44,741	)
	Premiums earned	$	1,684,020		$	105,752		$	195,922		$	1,593,850
	Reinsurance Balances
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had $440.4 million and $495.9 million, respectively, of reinsurance recoverables and ceded unearned premiums with reinsurers rated A- or higher by A.M. Best. These represented 53.0% and 91.7%, respectively, of the Company’s total reinsurance recoverables as of those dates. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the largest reinsurance recoverable balance with any one reinsurer was approximately 364.2% and 8.6% of the Company’s shareholders’ equity. The largest reinsurance recoverable balance as of December 31, 2013 was due from Southport Re, of which 96.1% was collateralized or in a funds withheld account.
	The Company did not record any modifications of its reinsurance recoverables on paid or unpaid losses in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011. The Company recorded no allowance for credit losses on its reinsurance recoverables on paid or unpaid losses as of December 31, 2013 or 2012. The Company did not consider that any of its undisputed reinsurance recoverables on paid or unpaid losses as of years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 to be past due. As discussed in “Note 17 – Contingencies”, certain reinsurance agreements are subject to legal proceedings.
	Under certain reinsurance agreements, collateral and letters of credit (“collateral”) are held to secure performance of reinsurers in meeting their obligations. The amount of such collateral was $540.7 million and $189.6 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The collateral we hold does not apply to our entire outstanding reinsurance recoverable. Rather, collateral is provided on an individual basis. For each individual reinsurer, the collateral held may exceed or fall below the total outstanding recoverable from that individual reinsurer.
	Ceding Commission Revenue
	The Company earns ceding commission revenue under certain quota share reinsurance agreements. In addition, the commission revenue earned on prior reinsurance agreements continue to be adjusted based on a sliding scale of commission rates and ultimate treaty year loss ratios on the policies reinsured under each of these agreements. The sliding scale includes minimum and maximum commission rates in relation to specified ultimate loss ratios. The commission rate and ceding commissions earned increase when the estimated ultimate loss ratio decreases, and conversely, the commission rate and ceding commissions earned decrease when the estimated ultimate loss ratio increases.
	The estimated ultimate loss ratios are the Company’s best estimate based on facts and circumstances known at the end of each period that losses are estimated. The estimation process is complex and involves the use of informed estimates, judgments and actuarial methodologies relative to future claims severity and frequency, the length of time for losses to develop to their ultimate level, possible changes in law and other external factors. The same uncertainties associated with estimating loss and loss adjustment expense reserves affect the estimates of ceding commissions earned. The Company monitors and adjusts the ultimate loss ratio on a quarterly basis to determine the effect on the commission rate and ceding commissions earned. The decrease in estimated ceding commission income relating to prior years recorded in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $9.8 million, $4.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Loss_and_Loss_Adjustment_Expen

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense	'
	Note 10—Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense
	The components of the liability for loss and LAE expenses and related reinsurance recoverables for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		Tower						Reciprocal Exchanges						Total
	($ in thousands)	Gross			Reinsurance			Gross			Reinsurance			Gross			Reinsurance
		Liability			Recoverable			Liability			Recoverable			Liability			Recoverable
	December 31, 2013
	Case-basis reserves	$	936,751		$	290,080		$	63,198		$	5,945		$	999,949		$	296,025
	IBNR reserves		1,037,220			267,377			44,116			7,458			1,081,336			274,835
	Recoverable on paid losses		-			66,974			-			1,989			-			68,963
	Total, December 31, 2013	$	1,973,971		$	624,431		$	107,314		$	15,392		$	2,081,285		$	639,823
	December 31, 2012
	Case-basis reserves	$	913,411		$	79,911		$	63,465		$	10,160		$	976,876		$	90,071
	IBNR reserves		846,477			327,157			72,326			42,229			918,803			369,386
	Recoverable on paid losses		-			16,927			-			682			-			17,609
	Total, December 31, 2012	$	1,759,888		$	423,995		$	135,791		$	53,071		$	1,895,679		$	477,066
	The following tables provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending consolidated balances for unpaid losses and LAE for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013									2012
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges									Exchanges
	Balance at January 1,	$	1,759,888		$	135,791		$	1,895,679		$	1,495,839		$	136,274		$	1,632,113
	Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		(407,068	)		(52,389	)		(459,457	)		(280,968	)		(11,253	)		(292,221	)
			1,352,820			83,402			1,436,222			1,214,871			125,021			1,339,892
	Net reserves, at fair value, of acquired entities		166,868			-			166,868			-			-			-
	Reduction in net reserves for the Southport Re agreements (i)		(306,833	)		-			(306,833	)		-			-			-
	Incurred related to:
	Current year		871,767			109,946			981,713			1,066,411			118,099			1,184,510
	Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development		533,038			5,083			538,121			88,129			(8,881	)		79,248
	Total incurred		1,404,805			115,029			1,519,834			1,154,540			109,218			1,263,758
	Paid related to:
	Current year		502,791			73,771			576,562			431,437			98,682			530,119
	Prior years		696,365			32,739			729,104			585,154			52,155			637,309
	Total paid		1,199,156			106,510			1,305,666			1,016,591			150,837			1,167,428
	Net balance at end of period		1,418,504			91,921			1,510,425			1,352,820			83,402			1,436,222
	Add reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		555,468			15,392			570,860			407,068			52,389			459,457
	Balance at December 31,	$	1,973,972		$	107,313		$	2,081,285		$	1,759,888		$	135,791		$	1,895,679
	(i) In the third quarter of 2013, Tower executed the Southport Re ADCs (see “Note 1 - Nature of the Business” for further description). The Southport Re ADCs resulted in a direct reduction to net loss reserves. A deferred gain of $12.5 million was recorded on the Southport Re ADCs and is reported in Other Liabilities. In addition, Tower executed the Southport Re Quota Share in the third quarter of 2013. This treaty is accounted for using deposit accounting and reduced the net reserves by $7.2 million.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2011
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges
	Balance at January 1,	$	1,439,106		$	171,315		$	1,610,421
	Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		(265,592	)		(11,384	)		(276,976	)
			1,173,514			159,931			1,333,445
	Net reserves, at fair value, of acquired entities		-			-			-
	Incurred related to:
	Current year		933,791			142,254			1,076,045
	Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development		38,776			(37,835	)		941
	Total incurred		972,567			104,419			1,076,986
	Paid related to:
	Current year		337,268			59,078			396,346
	Prior years		593,942			80,251			674,193
	Total paid		931,210			139,329			1,070,539
	Net balance at end of period		1,214,871			125,021			1,339,892
	Add reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		280,968			11,253			292,221
	Balance at December 31,	$	1,495,839		$	136,274		$	1,632,113
	Incurred losses and LAE for the year ended December 31, 2013 attributable to insured events of prior years increased by $538.1 million. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges the incurred losses and LAE increased by $533.0 million.
	The consolidated net loss ratio, which includes the Reciprocal Exchanges, was 100.5% and 73.4% for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, the net loss ratio was 103.9% and 74.1% for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Reciprocal Exchanges’ net loss ratio was 71.3% and 66.7% for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, there was a reserve increase of $533.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 comprised of favorable development of $1.4 million in Personal Insurance, favorable development of $5.4 million in Assumed Reinsurance segment and adverse development of $539.8 million in Commercial Insurance.
	Prior year development is based upon numerous estimates by line of business and accident year. No additional premiums or return premiums have been accrued as a result of the prior year effects, although we recorded changes in ceding commissions on reinsurance treaties of $9.8 million for which the ceding commissions depend in part on loss experience. The Company’s management continually monitors claims activity to assess the appropriateness of carried case and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves, giving consideration to Company and industry trends.
	Incurred losses and LAE for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 included reductions in loss and loss expense reserves pertaining to the amortization of the reserve risk premium on loss reserves recorded in connection with the Company’s acquisitions in prior years. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges these reductions in loss reserves were $19.1 million and $7.2 million, respectively, for 2013 and 2012. The Reciprocal Exchanges had reductions in loss reserves of nil for 2013 and $2.5 million for 2012.
	Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. The reserving process for loss and LAE reserves provides management’s best estimate at a particular point in time of the ultimate unpaid cost of all losses and LAE incurred, including settlement and administration of losses, and is based on facts and circumstances then known and including losses that have been incurred but not yet reported. The process includes using actuarial methodologies to assist in establishing these estimates, judgments relative to estimates of future claims severity and frequency, the length of time before losses will develop to their ultimate level and the possible changes in the law and other external factors that are often beyond our control. There are various actuarial methods that are appropriate for the different lines of business, and our actuaries’ use of a particular method or weighting of methods depends in part on the maturity of each accident year by line of business, the limits of liability covered under the policies, the presence or absence of large claims in the experience, and other considerations. In general, the various actuarial methods can be grouped into three categories: loss ratio projection, loss development methods, and the Bornhuetter-Ferguson (“B-F”) method. For the most recent accident year, and especially for liability lines of business, the actuarial method given the most weight is usually the loss ratio method, since the percentage of ultimate claims reported to date is expected to be low and the immature reported claims experience is not a reliable indicator of ultimate losses for that accident year. For property lines of business for the most recent accident year, the B-F method is usually given the most weight, because experience typically shows that there is a small percentage of claims reported in the subsequent period due to normal lags in reporting and processing of claims in these lines of business that can be relatively reliably estimated as a percentage of premiums, which is reflected in the B-F method. For each line of business, the actuarial reserving method usually given the most weight shifts from the loss ratio projection to the B-F method to the incurred loss projection as each accident year matures.
	This process helps management set carried loss reserves based upon the actuaries’ best estimates, using estimates made by segment, product or line of business, territory, and accident year. The actuaries also separately estimate loss reserves from LAE reserves and within LAE reserves estimates are made for defense and cost containment expenses or Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses (“ALAE”) and for other claims adjusting expenses or Unallocated Loss Adjustment Expenses (“ULAE”). The amount of loss and LAE reserves for reported claims is a matter of judgment based primarily upon a case-by-case evaluation of coverage, liability, injury severity, and any other information considered pertinent to estimating the exposure presented by the claim. The amounts of loss and LAE reserves for unreported claims are determined using historical information by line of business as adjusted to current conditions. Due to the inherent uncertainty associated with the reserving process, the ultimate liability may differ, perhaps substantially, from the original estimate. Such estimates are regularly reviewed and updated, and any resulting adjustments are included in the current year’s results. Reserves are closely monitored and are recomputed periodically using the most recent information on reported claims and a variety of statistical techniques. Specifically, on at least a quarterly basis, we review, by line of business, existing reserves, new claims, changes to existing case reserves and paid losses with respect to the current and prior years. See “Business—Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves” for additional information regarding our loss and LAE reserves.
We segregate our data for estimating loss reserves. The property lines include Fire and Allied Lines, Homeowners-property, Commercial Multi-peril Property and Automobile Physical Damage. The casualty lines include Homeowners-liability, Commercial Multi-peril Liability, Other Liability, Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Automobile Liability, and Personal Automobile Liability. Commercial Insurance segment reserves are estimated separately from Personal Insurance segment reserves. For the Commercial Insurance segment we analyze reserves by line of business and, where appropriate, by program. Within the Personal Insurance segment, we estimate loss and loss expenses reserves separately for the Reciprocal Exchanges, which we manage, and for our owned companies. We utilize line of business breakdowns and, where appropriate, analyze results separately by state.
Two key assumptions that materially impact the estimate of loss reserves are the loss ratio estimate for the current accident year and the loss development factor selections for all accident years. The loss ratio estimate for the current accident year is selected after reviewing historical accident year loss ratios adjusted for rate and price changes, trend, mix of business, and other factors. In addition, as the year matures and, depending upon the line of business, we utilize B-F methods or loss development methods for the current accident year.
In most cases, our data are sufficiently credible to determine loss development factors utilizing our own data. In some cases, we supplement our own loss development experience with industry data and utilize historical loss development experience for particular books of business, programs or treaties obtained from our sources. The loss development factors are reviewed at least annually, and whenever there is a significant change in the underlying business. Each quarter we test the loss development by analyzing actual emerging claims compared to expected development.
Because of the nature of the business historically written, the Company’s management believes that the Company has limited exposure to environmental claim liabilities.
We estimate ALAE reserves separately for claims that are defended by in-house attorneys, claims that are handled by other attorneys that are not employees, and miscellaneous ALAE costs such as investigators, witness fees and court costs.
For claims that are defended by in-house attorneys, we attribute to each of these claims a fixed fee for defense work. We allocate to each of these litigated claims 50% of the fixed fee when litigation on a particular claim begins and 50% of the fee when the litigation is closed. The fee is adjusted periodically to reimburse our in-house legal department for all their costs.
We determine ULAE reserves by applying a paid-to-paid ratio to the case and IBNR reserves by line of business. The paid-to-paid ratio is based on the ratio of ULAE payments to loss and ALAE payments for last three calendar years. For some types of claims and for some programs where we utilize third-party administrators (“TPA”) to adjust claims, we pay them fees which are included in ULAE. In some cases, we arrange for fixed percentages of premiums earned to be the fee for claims administration, and in other cases we arrange for fixed fees per claim or hourly charges for ULAE services. The reserves for ULAE for these situations is estimated based upon the particular arrangement for these types of claims by product or program.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Shareholders' Equity	'
	Note 11—Shareholders’ Equity
	Shares of Common Stock Issued
	As previously discussed in “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction”, the Canopius Merger Transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition with TGI treated as the accounting acquirer. Accordingly, Tower’s historical common stock balance immediately prior to the Merger is the historical common stock of TGI adjusted for the number of shares issued in the Canopius Merger Transaction by the Company to TGI shareholders (i.e., TGI’s outstanding shares immediately prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction multiplied by the conversion ratio of 1.1330).
	Canopius Bermuda had 14,025,737 outstanding common shares outstanding on March 13, 2013 which were sold by Canopius Group to third-party investors in connection with the Canopius Merger Transaction.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, 2,674 and no new common shares, respectively, were issued as the result of employee stock option exercises and 242,626 and 422,176 new common shares, for the same periods, respectively, were issued as the result of restricted stock grants.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, 345,946 and 117,377 shares, respectively, of common stock were purchased from employees in connection with the vesting of restricted stock issued under the 2008 Long Term Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). The shares were withheld at the direction of employees as permitted under the Plan in order to pay the expected amount of tax liability owed by the employees from the vesting of those shares. In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, 57,080 and 28,513 shares, respectively, of common stock were surrendered as a result of restricted stock forfeitures.
	In connection with the Canopius Merger Transaction, all Treasury shares held by TGI as of the effective date of the Canopius Merger Transaction were cancelled. There were 55,471 Treasury shares of the Company held at December 31, 2013.
	Share Repurchase Program
	The Board of Directors of Tower approved a $100 million share repurchase program on March 3, 2011. This authorization was in addition to the $100 million share repurchase program approved on February 26, 2010. Purchases under both programs could be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. In the year ended December 31, 2012, 1.2 million shares were purchased under these programs at an aggregate consideration of $21.0 million. The March 3, 2011 and February 26, 2010 share repurchase programs were terminated in March 2013.
	Tower’s Board of Directors approved a $50 million share repurchase program on May 7, 2013. Purchases under this program can be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. In 2013 no shares of common stock were purchased under this program.
	Dividends Declared
	On November 14, 2013, the Company announced that its Board of Directors determined that it would not declare and pay a dividend to shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2013. The Company paid quarterly dividends of $0.165 per share on February 28, 2013, June 21, 2013 and September 20, 2013.
	The Company will not resume paying dividends in the near future even if the necessary financial conditions are met and if sufficient cash is available for distribution.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Note 12—Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The following table provides a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, by component, for year ended December 31, 2013, with all amounts reflected net of income taxes and noncontrolling interest:
	($ in thousands)	Unrealized			Gains			Cumulative			Total
		gains (losses)			(losses) on			translation
		on available for			cash flow			adjustments
		sale securities			hedges
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	87,412		$	(5,860	)	$	1,204		$	82,756
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax		(80,046	)		(1,496	)		(1,204	)		(82,746	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax		(22,894	)		3,377			-			(19,517	)
	Net current period other comprehensive income		(102,940	)		1,881			(1,204	)		(102,263	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(15,528	)	$	(3,979	)	$	-		$	(19,507	)
	The following provides a summary of the items that have been reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income in their entirety during the year ended December 31, 2013, including the line item on the consolidated statement of operations on which the impact is reflected. Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income when a security is sold or when a non-credit impairment is recorded. Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income when the related hedged item (subordinated debentures floating rate interest payments) are recorded in the statement of operations.
	($ in thousands)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income components	Amounts reclassified			Affected line item in the consolidated statement of operations
		from accumulated other
		comprehensive income
	Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities	$	(22,894	)	Other net realized investment gains
			-		Income tax expense
		$	(22,894	)	Total net of income taxes
	Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges interest rate swaps	$	3,377		Interest expense
			-		Income tax expense
		$	3,377		Total net of income taxes

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt	'
	Note 13—Debt
	The Company’s borrowings consisted of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
			31-Dec-13						31-Dec-12
	($ in thousands)		Carrying			Fair			Carrying		Fair
			Value			Value			Value		Value
	Credit facility		$	-		$	-		$	70,000	$	70,000
	Convertible senior notes			147,712			129,525			144,673		152,063
	Subordinated debentures			235,058			114,900			235,058		232,678
	Total		$	382,770		$	244,425		$	449,731	$	454,741
	The fair value of the convertible senior notes are determined utilizing recent transaction prices for these securities between third-party market participants and the fair value of the subordinated debentures are based on discounted cash flow analysis. The significant inputs used for fair value are considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Aggregate Scheduled Maturities and Interest Expense
	Aggregate scheduled maturities of the Company’s borrowings at December 31, 2013 are:
	($ in thousands)
	2014		$	150,000	(a)
	2033			20,620
	2034			25,775
	2035			13,403
	2036			123,713
	2037			51,547
			$	385,058
	(a) Amount reflected in balance sheet for convertible senior notes is net of unamortized original issue discount of $2.3 million
	Total interest expense incurred, including interest expense on the funds held liabilities disclosed in “Note 9 – Reinsurance”, was $33.6 million, $32.6 million and $34.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Subordinated Debentures
	The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have issued trust preferred securities through wholly-owned Delaware statutory business trusts. The trusts use the proceeds of the sale of the trust preferred securities and common securities that the Company acquired from the trusts to purchase junior subordinated debentures from the Company with terms that match the terms of the trust preferred securities. Interest on the junior subordinated debentures and the trust preferred securities is payable quarterly. In some cases, the interest rate is fixed for an initial period of five years after issuance and then floats with changes in the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and in other cases the interest rate floats with LIBOR without any initial fixed-rate period. The principal terms, before any effects of interest rate swaps, of the outstanding trust preferred securities, including those which were assumed by the Company through acquisitions, are summarized in the following table:
	($ in millions)		Issuer		Maturity Date	Early		Interest Rate	Amount of		Principal
	Issue Date					Redemption			Investment		Amount of
									in Common		Junior
									Securities		Subordinated
									of Trust		Debenture
											Issued to
											Trust
	May-03		Tower Group		May-33	At our option at par on or after May 15, 2008		Three-month LIBOR plus 410 basis points	$	0.3	$	10.3
			Statutory Trust I
	Sep-03		Tower Group		Sep-33	At our option at par on or after September 30, 2008		Three-month LIBOR plus 400 basis points	$	0.3	$	10.3
			Statutory Trust II
	May-04		Preserver Capital		May-34	At our option at par on or after May 24, 2009		Three-month LIBOR plus 425 basis points	$	0.4	$	12.4
			Trust I
	Dec-04		Tower Group		Dec-34	At our option at par on or after December 15, 2009		Three-month LIBOR plus 340 basis points	$	0.4	$	13.4
			Statutory Trust III
	Dec-04		Tower Group		Mar-35	At our option at par on or after March 15, 2010		Three-month LIBOR plus 340 basis points	$	0.4	$	13.4
			Statutory Trust IV
	Mar-06		Tower Group		Apr-36	At our option at par on or after April 7, 2011		Three-month LIBOR plus 330 basis points	$	0.6	$	20.6
			Statutory Trust V
	Jan-07		Tower Group		Mar-37	At our option at par on or after March 15, 2012		8.16% until March 14, 2012; three-month LIBOR plus 300 basis points thereafter	$	0.6	$	20.6
			Statutory Trust VI
	Sep-07		CastlePoint		Dec-37	At our option at par on or after December 15, 2012		8.39% until December 14, 2012; three-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points thereafter.	$	0.9	$	30.9
			Bermuda Capital
			Trust I
	Dec-06		CastlePoint		Dec-36	At our option at par on or after December 15, 2011		Three-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points	$	1.6	$	51.6
			Management
			Statutory Trust II
	Dec-06		CastlePoint		Dec-36	At our option at par on or after December 15, 2011		Three-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points	$	1.6	$	51.6
			Management
			Statutory Trust I
	Total								$	7.1	$	235.1
	Under the terms for all of the subordinated debentures, an event of default may occur upon:
		•		non-payment of interest on the subordinated debentures, unless such non-payment is due to a valid extension of an interest payment period;
		•		non-payment of all or any part of the principal of the subordinated debentures;
		•		our failure to comply with the covenants or other provisions of the indentures or the subordinated debentures;
		•		bankruptcy or liquidation of us or the trusts; or
		•		If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the entire principal and the interest accrued on the affected subordinated debentures and junior subordinated debentures may be declared to be due and payable immediately.
	Interest Rate Swaps
	In October 2010, the Company entered into interest rate swap contracts (the “Swaps”) with $190 million notional value to manage interest costs and cash flows associated with the floating rate subordinated debentures. The Swaps have terms of five years. The majority of the Swaps is forward starting and become effective when the respective subordinated debentures change from fixed to floating rates and convert the subordinated debentures to fixed rates ranging from 5.1% to 5.9%. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Swaps had a fair value of $6.1 million and $9.0 million, respectively, in a liability position and are reported in Other Liabilities.
The Company has designated and accounts for the Swaps as cash flow hedges. The Swaps are considered to have no ineffectiveness and changes in their fair values will be recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”), net of tax. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, $3.4 million, $1.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, was reclassified from AOCI to interest expense for the effects of the hedges. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had collateral on deposit with the counterparty amounting to $6.3 million and $9.1 million, respectively, pursuant to its Credit Support Annex.
Credit Facility
On April 3, 2013, an increase in borrowing capacity up to $220 million became effective pursuant to the second amendment to the credit agreement and consent by and between TGI and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders party to the credit agreement, dated as of November 26, 2012, and the limited waiver and amendment agreement, dated as of March 3, 2013. The increase in the Credit Facility was negotiated in the event that holders of the convertible senior notes put their bonds to Tower as a result of the Canopius Merger Transaction. This put option expired on April 26, 2013. This second amendment and consent also included (i) TGIL as a guarantor of TGI’s obligations under the credit facility and (ii) consent by the lenders to the change in control triggered by the completion of the Canopius Merger Transaction. The maturity date and borrowing fees were not changed in this amendment.
The credit facility contained customary covenants for facilities of this type, including restrictions on indebtedness and liens, limitations on mergers, dividends and the sale of assets, and requirements to maintain certain consolidated net worth, debt to capitalization ratios, minimum risk-based capital and minimum statutory surplus. The credit facility also provided for customary events of default, including failure to pay principal when due, failure to pay interest or fees within three days after becoming due, failure to comply with covenants, any representation or warranty made by TGI or the Company as a guarantor being false in any material respect, default under certain other indebtedness, certain insolvency or receivership events affecting the TGI or the Company as guarantor and its material subsidiaries, the occurrence of certain material judgments, or a change in control of the Company, and upon an event of default, the administrative agent (subject to the consent of the requisite percentage of the lenders) was able to immediately terminate the obligations to make loans and to issue letters of credit, declare the Company’s obligations under the credit facility to become immediately due and payable, and require the Company to deposit in a collateral account cash collateral with a value equal to the then outstanding amount of the aggregate face amount of any outstanding letters of credit.
On December 13, 2013, TGI paid in full the $70.0 million outstanding on the bank credit facility and the bank credit facility has been terminated.
Convertible Senior Notes
In September 2010, TGI issued $150.0 million principal amount of 5.0% convertible senior notes (“the Notes”), which mature on September 15, 2014. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 2011. Holders may convert their Notes into cash or common shares, at TGI’s option, at any time on or after March 15, 2014 or earlier under certain circumstances determined by: (i) the market price of TGI’s stock, (ii) the trading price of the Notes, or (iii) the occurrence of specified corporate transactions. Upon conversion, the Company intends to settle its obligation either entirely or partially in cash.
The adjusted conversion rate at December 31, 2013 is 41.4269 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes (equivalent to a conversion price of $24.14 per share), subject to further adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following: if Tower issues shares of common stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of the common stock, or if Tower effects a share split or share combination; if Tower issues to all or substantially all holders of common stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sales price of the common stock for the ten consecutive trading day period ending on the date of announcement of such issuance; if Tower distributes shares of its capital stock, other indebtedness, other assets or property of Tower or rights, options or warrants to acquire capital stock or other securities of Tower, to all or substantially all holders of capital stock; if any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of the common stock, other than a regular quarterly cash dividend that does not exceed $0.110 per share; if Tower makes a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer for common stock, and the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of common stock exceeds the last reported sale price of the common stock on the trading day next succeeding the last day on which the tenders or exchange may be made.
The proceeds from the issuance of the Notes were allocated to the liability component and the embedded conversion option, or equity component. The equity component was reported as an adjustment to paid-in-capital, net of tax, and is reflected as an original issue discount (“OID”). The OID of $11.5 million and $5.0 million of deferred origination costs relating to the liability component are being amortized into interest expense over the term of the Notes. After considering the contractual interest payments and amortization of the original issue discount, the Notes’ effective interest rate is 7.2%. Transaction costs of $0.4 million associated with the equity component were netted with the equity component in paid-in-capital. Interest expense, including amortization of deferred origination costs, recognized on the Notes was $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The following table shows the amounts recorded for the Notes as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		December 31,
($ in thousands)		2013			2012
Liability component
Outstanding principal		$	150,000		$	150,000
Unamortized OID			(2,288	)		(5,327	)
Liability component			147,712			144,673
Equity component, net of tax		$	7,469		$	7,469
To the extent the market value per share of the Company’s common stock exceeds the conversion price, the Company will use the “treasury stock” method in calculating the dilutive effect on earnings per share.
Convertible Senior Notes Hedge and Warrant Transactions
In connection with the offering of the Notes, the Company also entered into convertible senior notes hedge transactions (the “Note Hedges” or “purchased call options”) and warrant transactions (the “Warrants”) with respect to its common stock with financial institutions. The Note Hedges and Warrants were intended generally to reduce the potential dilution of the Company’s common stock and to offset potential cash payments in excess of the principal of the Notes upon conversion. The Note Hedges and Warrants were separate transactions, entered into by the Company with the financial institutions, and were not part of the terms of the Notes.
In March 2013, as a result of the Canopius Merger Transaction, the Company terminated the Note Hedges and Warrants. The Company received $2.4 million and paid $1.0 million to terminate the Note Hedges and Warrants, respectively. The effects of the terminations and an associated tax adjustment of $0.8 million were recorded directly to paid-in-capital in shareholders’ equity.

Stock_Based_Compensation

Stock Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Based Compensation	'
	Note 14—Stock Based Compensation
	2008 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan (“2008 LTEP”)
	In 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted and its shareholders approved the 2008 LTEP, which amended and revised the 2004 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan.
	The 2008 LTEP provides for the granting of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, performance shares and other cash or share-based awards. The maximum amount of share-based awards authorized is 2,325,446 of which 73,441 are available for future grants as of December 31, 2013.
	2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2013 LTIP”)
	The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has established, beginning in 2013 a new Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2013 LTIP”), to replace the Company’s existing 2008 Long Term Equity Compensation Plan. The 2013 LTIP was approved by the shareholders in May 2013. The maximum amount of share-based awards authorized is 2,150,000 of which 2,147,531 are available for future grants as of December 31, 2013.
	Restricted Stock
	The following table provides an analysis of restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (historical share counts and fair values have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio, as discussed more fully in “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction”):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013					2012					2011
		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average		Shares			Average		Shares			Average
					Grant Date					Grant Date					Grant Date
					Fair Value					Fair Value					Fair Value
	Outstanding, January 1		1,015,902		$	20.38		1,120,090		$	20.69		670,366		$	20.39
	Granted		242,626			18.09		422,176			19.77		741,185			21.01
	Vested		(965,862	)		20.38		(497,851	)		20.94		(270,115	)		20.79
	Forfeitures		(57,080	)		17.22		(28,513	)		20.69		(21,346	)		20.84
	Outstanding, December 31,		235,586		$	17.98		1,015,902		$	20.38		1,120,090		$	20.69
	On March 13, 2013, 525,548 shares vested as a result of the Canopius Merger Transaction.
	Stock Options
	The following table provides an analysis of stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (historical share counts and fair values have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio, as discussed more fully in “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction”). As of December 31, 2013, the exercise price for all stock options exceeds the December 31, 2013 common share price.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013					2012					2011
		Number of			Average		Number of			Average		Number of			Average
		Shares			Exercise		Shares			Exercise		Shares			Exercise
					Price					Price					Price
	Outstanding, January 1		969,307		$	17.78		969,307		$	17.78		1,039,127		$	17.66
	Exercised		(2,674	)		16.48		-			-		(39,215	)		9.48
	Forfeitures and expirations		(10,829	)		20.19		-			-		(30,605	)		24.35
	Outstanding, December 31		955,804		$	17.75		969,307		$	17.78		969,307		$	17.78
	Exercisable, December 31		955,804		$	17.75		969,307		$	17.78		969,307		$	17.78
	All options outstanding as of December 31, 2013 are fully exercisable as shown on the following table:
		Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices	Number of			Average		Average			Number of		Average
		Shares			Remaining		Exercise			Shares		Exercise
					Contractual		Price					Price
					Life (Years)
	$10.01 - $20.00		769,833			2.6	$	16.32			769,833	$	16.32
	$20.01 - $30.00		183,857			4.1		23.6			183,857		23.6
	$30.01 - $40.00		2,114			1.1		30.35			2,114		30.35
	Total Options		955,804			2.9	$	17.75			955,804	$	17.75
	The fair value of the options granted to replace the CastlePoint options was estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model as of February 5, 2009, the date of conversion from CastlePoint stock options to the Company’s stock options, with the following weighted average assumptions: risk free interest rate of 1.46% to 1.83%, dividend yield of 0.8%, volatility factors of the expected market price of the Company’s common stock of 43.8% to 45.3%, and a weighted-average expected life of the options of 3.3 to 5.3 years.
	The fair value of the options granted to replace the SUA options was estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model as of November 13, 2009, the date of conversion from SUA stock options to the Company’s stock options, with the following weighted average assumptions: risk free interest rate of 1.66%, dividend yield of 1.2%, volatility factors of the expected market price of the Company’s common stock of 43.8%, and a weighted-average expected life of the options of 1.4 years.
	The fair value measurement objective of the relevant GAAP guidance is achieved using the Black-Scholes model as the model (a) is applied in a manner consistent with the fair value measurement objective and other requirements of GAAP, (b) is based on established principles of financial economic theory and generally applied in that field and (c) reflects all substantive characteristics of the instrument.
	Stock Based Compensation Expense
	The following table provides an analysis of stock based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012		2011
	Restricted stock
	Expense, net of tax	$	8,577		$	6,043	$	6,126
	Value of shares vested		21,278			9,485		5,622
	Value of unvested shares		796			15,967		19,940
	Stock options
	Expense, net of tax		-			-		105
	Intrinsic value of outstanding options		-			1,149		1,150
	Intrinsic value of vested outstanding options		-			1,149		1,150
	Unrecognized compensation expense
	Unvested restricted stock, net of tax		851			8,262		9,617
	Weighted average years expense will be recognized		3.2			2.1		2.3

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	'
	Note 15—Income Taxes
	Under current Bermuda Law the Company is not required to pay any taxes on Bermuda based income or capital gains. The Company has received an undertaking from the Minister of Finance in Bermuda that in the event of such taxes being imposed, the Company will be exempted from taxation until the year 2035 pursuant to the Bermuda Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act of 1966. The Company’s United States-based subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local taxes, as applicable, on income and capital gains earned by those subsidiaries.
	The Company and TRL, its Bermuda reinsurance subsidiary, are deemed to have permanent establishments in Bermuda. The Bermuda companies have not and do not expect to be engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. All transactions between Tower’s U.S.-based subsidiaries and the Bermuda companies are subject to transfer pricing rules. The Company has executed certain reinsurance treaties and service agreements between its U.S.-based subsidiaries and TRL and management believes these arrangements to be conducted at current market rates and in accordance with transfer pricing rules.
	TGI files a consolidated Federal income tax return. The Reciprocal Exchanges are not included in TGI’s consolidated tax return as TGI does not have an ownership interest in the Reciprocal Exchanges, and they are not a part of the consolidated tax sharing agreement.
	The provision for Federal, state and local income taxes consist of the following components for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013									2012									2011
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges									Exchanges									Exchanges
	Current Federal income tax expense (benefit)	$	3,000		$	132		$	3,132		$	(17,400	)	$	593		$	(16,807	)	$	6,951		$	1,510		$	8,461
	Current state income tax expense (benefit)		553			-			553			200			-			200			(257	)		-			(257	)
	Deferred Federal and state income tax (benefit)		5,285			(539	)		4,747			(9,872	)		(2,620	)		(12,492	)		4,175			1,672			5,847
	Provision for income taxes	$	8,838		$	(407	)	$	8,431		$	(27,072	)	$	(2,027	)	$	(29,099	)	$	10,869		$	3,182		$	14,051
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined using the enacted tax rates applicable to the period the temporary differences are expected to be recovered. Accordingly, the current period income tax provision can be affected by the enactment of new tax rates. The net deferred income taxes on the balance sheet reflect temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and income tax purposes. Significant components of the consolidated deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
		December 31,
		2013									2012
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges									Exchanges
	Deferred tax assets:
	Claims reserve discount	$	26,994		$	1,554		$	28,548		$	44,528		$	1,747		$	46,275
	Unearned premium		22,614			5,819			28,433			55,134			5,928			61,062
	Equity compensation plans		3,627			-			3,627			6,072			-			6,072
	Net operating loss carryforwards		161,884			11,175			173,059			32,584			4,830			37,414
	Convertible senior note and note hedge OID		-			-			-			618			-			618
	AMT credits		2,008			611			2,619			1,846			508			2,354
	Fair value of interest rate swap		2,123			-			2,123			3,155			-			3,155
	Bad debt reserves		5,793			265			6,058			5,793			22			5,815
	Deferred rent		1,977			-			1,977			1,905			-			1,905
	Accrued interest from foreign affiliate		2,199			-			2,199			3,710			-			3,710
	Adjustment on Retroactive Reinsurance		42,882			-			42,882			-			-			-
	Depreciation and amortization		18,574			-			18,574			-			-			-
	Other		2,052			1,754			3,806			-			1,008			1,008
	Total gross deferred tax assets		292,727			21,178			313,905			155,345			14,043			169,388
	Less: valuation allowance		275,332			17,593			292,925			2,258			4,726			6,984
	Total deferred tax assets		17,395			3,585			20,980			153,087			9,317			162,404
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Deferred acquisition costs net of deferred ceding commission revenue		11,010			3,319			14,329			59,387			3,864			63,251
	Convertible senior note and note hedge OID		2,163			-			2,163			-			-			-
	Depreciation and amortization		-			2,155			2,155			46,025			2,357			48,382
	Net unrealized appreciation of securities		12,030			967			12,997			46,953			5,791			52,744
	Surplus notes		2,519			16,325			18,844			1,800			17,024			18,824
	Unconsolidated affiliate		-			-			-			3,843			-			3,843
	Other		-			-			-			123			-			123
	Total deferred tax liabilities		27,722			22,766			50,488			158,131			29,036			187,167
	Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	$	(10,327	)	$	(19,181	)	$	(29,508	)	$	(5,044	)	$	(19,719	)	$	(24,763	)
	In assessing the valuation of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, Tower’s U.S. taxed subsidiaries (excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges) recognized pre-tax losses of approximately $901.4 million. This resulted in $161.9 million of net operating loss carryforwards in ($161.2 million federal NOL and $0.7 million state NOL) the deferred tax inventory and a net deferred tax asset, before any valuation allowance, of $265.0 million (excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges) as of December 31, 2013. Including the Reciprocal Exchanges, the net deferred tax asset, before any valuation allowance, was $263.4 million.
	At December 31, 2013, a full valuation allowance was recorded against the deferred tax assets. For the year ended December 31, 2013, $240.6 million of the valuation allowance was recorded in income tax expense (benefit) in the statement of operations and $32.5 million was recorded in other comprehensive income as a direct charge to shareholder’s equity ($33.7 million as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and $(1.2) million as a component of additional paid in capital).
	Management in its judgment concluded that a full valuation allowance was required for Tower’s U.S. taxed subsidiaries after its consideration of the cumulative three-year pre-tax loss in its U.S. taxed subsidiaries resulting from certain second quarter 2013 events and the 2012 pre-tax loss of $61.3 million. In the second quarter of 2013, the following items contributed significantly to pre-tax losses in Tower’s U.S. taxed subsidiaries: (i) $325.6 million of prior year reserve increases were recorded, of which $149.7 million related to Tower’s U.S. taxed subsidiaries, and (ii) a $214.0 million goodwill impairment charge, of which $185.9 million related to Tower’s U.S. taxed subsidiaries. Management believes that the negative evidence associated with the realizability of its net deferred tax asset, including the cumulative three-year pre-tax loss, the prior year adverse reserve development recorded in 2012 and 2013, and the effects of Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012 outweighed the positive evidence that the deferred tax assets, including the net operating loss carryforward, would be realized, and recorded the full valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2013, management continues to believe the negative evidence outweighs the positive evidence.
	The United States also imposes an excise tax on insurance and reinsurance premiums paid to non-U.S. insurers or reinsurers with respect to risks located in the United States. The rates of tax, unless reduced by an applicable U.S. tax treaty, are four percent for non-life insurance premiums and one percent for life insurance and all reinsurance premiums. The Company incurs federal excise taxes on certain of its reinsurance transactions, including amounts ceded through intercompany transactions. Tower incurred $8.3 million of federal excise tax in 2013.
	Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 382”) imposes annual limitations on the ability of a corporation to utilize its net operating tax loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) if the corporation experiences an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382. We will perform a Section 382 limitation calculation to determine whether any changes in ownership during 2013, including changes in ownership resulting from the merger with Canopius, caused an “ownership change” that would result in an annual limitation under Section 382. As of December 31, 2013, the Tower NOL totaled $460.6 million, and the NOLs will expire in years 2019 through 2032.
	Preserver Group, Inc. (“PGI”), acquired by the Company in 2007, and CastlePoint, acquired by the Company in 2009, had NOLs at the time of the acquisitions of $43.7 million and $17.4 million, respectively. As a result of the acquisitions, those NOLs of PGI and CastlePoint are subject to annual limitations of $2.8 million and $11.1 million, respectively. Any unused annual limitation may be carried over to later years. The PGI and CastlePoint NOLs will expire in years 2025 through 2029.
	Additionally, Tower and the Reciprocal Exchanges have an AMT credit of $2.6 million that can be carried over indefinitely.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had no material uncertain tax positions and no adjustments to liabilities or operations were required.
	The Internal Revenue Service performed an audit of The Company’s 2006 and 2007 tax years and closed these audits in 2011 with no changes. Additionally, in 2011 the IRS performed an audit of CastlePoint and subsidiary’s federal income tax return for the period ended February 2009 and closed this audit with no changes. CastlePoint’s federal excise tax for the 2009 and 2010 tax years were examined by the IRS in 2012. This audit was closed in 2012 with no changes. One of the Reciprocal Exchanges was under an IRS excise tax examination for the 2011 tax year. This audit closed in 2013 with no changes. The 2008 and 2009 years closed by statute. At the end of March 2014, the IRS notified the Company that its 2010, 2011 and 2012 tax returns were selected for examination.
	The provision for Federal income taxes incurred is different from that which would be obtained by applying the Federal income tax rate to net income before taxes. The items causing this difference at the consolidated level are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013									2012									2011
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges									Exchanges									Exchanges
	Federal income tax expense at
	U.S. statutory rate	$	(326,239	)	$	(7,075	)	$	(333,314	)	$	(21,458	)	$	99		$	(21,359	)	$	19,161		$	4,820		$	23,981
	Rate differential on Non U.S. Operations		10,746			-			10,746			-			-			-			-			-			-
Tax exempt interest		(4,476	)		(397	)		(4,873	)		(7,374	)		(901	)		(8,275	)		(6,823	)		(418	)		(7,241	)
State income taxes net of								-
Federal benefit		359			-			359			130			-			130			488			-			488
Goodwill Impairment		78,465			-			78,465			-			-			-			-			-			-
Acquisition related transaction costs		1,801			-			1,801			2,261			-			2,261			100			-			100
Prior period adjustment		1,408			(784	)		624			(619	)		(162	)		(781	)		207			-			207
Valuation Allowance		242,189			7,944			250,133			-			(1,072	)		(1,072	)		-			(1,757	)		(1,757	)
Other		4,585			(95	)		4,490			(12	)		9			(3	)		(2,264	)		537			(1,727	)
Provision for income taxes	$	8,838		$	(407	)	$	8,431		$	(27,072	)	$	(2,027	)	$	(29,099	)	$	10,869		$	3,182		$	14,051

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	Note 16—Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company maintains a defined contribution Employee Pretax Savings Plan (401(k) Plan) for its employees. The Company matches 50% of each participant’s contribution up to 8% of the participant’s eligible contribution. The Company incurred $3.9 million, $3.6 million, and $3.2 million of expense in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to the 401(k) Plan.
	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”)
	The SERP is a non-qualified defined contribution plan that was established effective as of January 1, 2009 and is intended to enhance retirement benefits for the Company’s most senior executives and certain other key employees. Eligibility to participate in the SERP generally requires three years of prior employment with the Company for Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents and between five and 10 years of prior employment with the Company for other key employees. In 2013, all of the Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”), as well as certain other key executives selected at the discretion of the Compensation Committee, participated in the SERP. Subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee, the Company may make annual contributions to the SERP on behalf of each participant. The SERP is a defined contribution plan and a target benefit level cannot be guaranteed. For all participants, the amount of the annual contribution is presently equal to 5.0% of their annual cash compensation. In general, Company contributions for each participant remain unvested until such participant has completed 10 years of service with the Company, and vest in full upon completion of 10 years of service. However, as a result of the change in control provision as part of the Canopius Merger Transaction in Q1 2013, all previous Company contributions vested at that time. The Compensation Committee has discretion to terminate the SERP at any time or to adjust upward or downward the level of the Company’s contribution each year.

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Contingencies	'
	Note 17—Contingencies
	On August 20, 2013, Robert P. Lang, a purported shareholder of Tower Group International Ltd. (“Tower”), filed a purported class action complaint (the “Lang Complaint”) against Tower and certain of its current and former officers in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Lang Complaint purports to be asserted on behalf of a class of persons who purchased Tower stock between July 30, 2012 and August 8, 2013. The Lang Complaint alleges that Tower and certain of its current and former officers violated federal securities laws and seeks unspecified damages. On September 3, 2013, a second purported shareholder class action complaint was filed by Dennis Feighay, another purported Tower shareholder, containing similar allegations to those set forth in the Lang Complaint (the “Feighay Complaint”). The Feighay Complaint purports to be asserted on behalf of a class of persons who purchased Tower stock between May 9, 2011 and August 7, 2013. On October 4, 2013, a third complaint was filed by Sanju Sharma (the “Sharma Complaint”). The Sharma Complaint names as defendants Tower and certain of its current and former officers, and purports to be asserted on behalf of a plaintiff class who purchased Tower stock between May 10, 2011 and September 17, 2013. On October 18, 2013, an amended complaint was filed in the Sharma case (the “Sharma Amended Complaint”). The Sharma Amended Complaint alleges additional false and misleading statements, and purports to be asserted on behalf of a plaintiff class who purchased Tower stock between March 1, 2011 and October 7, 2013. On October 21, 2013, a number of motions were filed seeking to consolidate the shareholder class actions into one matter and for appointment of a lead plaintiff. The Company believes that it is not probable that the Lang and Feighay Complaints and the Sharma Amended Complaint will result in a loss, and if they would result in a loss, that the amount of any such loss cannot reasonably be estimated.
	On October 18, 2013, Cinium Financial Services Corporation (“Cinium”) and certain other affiliated parties (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) commenced an action against, among others, Tower, CastlePoint Insurance Company (“CastlePoint”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Tower, and certain officers of Tower (the “New York Action”) in New York State Supreme Court. CastlePoint is a party to a Securityholders’ Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2012 (the “Securityholders’ Agreement”), among certain parties including Plaintiffs, and is also the holder of a senior note issued by Cinium dated May 15, 2012 that is convertible into shares of Cinium common stock (the “Senior Note”). On October 29, 2013, Plaintiffs filed a complaint which revised their initial pleading (the “Complaint”). Plaintiffs seek, among other things, (i) a declaratory judgment that CastlePoint has no right to exercise any control over Cinium under the Securityholders’ Agreement or to convert the Senior Note without prior regulatory approval; (ii) rescission of the Senior Note and Securityholders’ Agreement based on alleged fraudulent misrepresentations by Tower at the time these agreements were entered into; and (iii) damages of $150 million for alleged breach of fiduciary duties to Cinium and its shareholders by certain directors, and for alleged lender liability and fraudulent misrepresentation by the Company.
	On April 22, 2014, counsel for Plaintiffs notified counsel for Defendants of its intent to file a stipulation of discontinuance without prejudice of the New York Action within thirty days.
	Tower received a document request from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) dated January 13, 2014, as part of an informal inquiry (the “SEC Request”). The SEC Request asks for documents related to Tower’s financial statements, accounting policies, and analysis. Tower is cooperating with the SEC’s inquiry and has provided the requested information.
	On January 14, 2014, Derek Wilson, a purported shareholder of Tower, filed a purported class action complaint (the “Wilson Complaint”) against Tower, certain of its current and former directors, ACP Re Ltd. (“ACP Re”), London Acquisition Company Limited (“Merger Sub”), and AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust”) in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The Wilson Complaint alleges that the members of the Company’s Board of Directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to the shareholders of Tower under Bermuda law by approving Tower’s entry into the ACP Re Merger Agreement and failing to take steps to maximize the value of Tower to its public shareholders, and that Tower, ACP Re, Merger Sub, and AmTrust aided and abetted such breaches of fiduciary duties. The Wilson Complaint also alleges, among other things, that the proposed transaction undervalues Tower, that the process leading up to the ACP Re Merger Agreement was flawed, and that certain provisions of the ACP Re Merger Agreement improperly favor ACP Re and discourage competing offers for the Company. The Wilson Complaint further alleges oppressive conduct against Tower’s shareholders in violation of Bermuda law. The Wilson Complaint seeks, among other things, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged fiduciary breaches, injunctive relief prohibiting the defendants from consummating the proposed transaction, rescission of the ACP Re Merger Agreement to the extent already implemented, and other forms of equitable relief. On February 27, 2014, the same shareholder filed an amended complaint alleging, in addition, that the defendants disseminated a materially false and misleading preliminary proxy statement regarding the ACP Re Merger Agreement in violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder (the “Wilson Amended Complaint”).
	On March 3, 2014, another purported shareholder filed a purported class action complaint against the Company, certain of its current and former officers and directors, ACP Re, Merger Sub, and AmTrust, also in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Raul Complaint”). The Raul Complaint alleges that the defendants disseminated a materially false and misleading preliminary proxy statement regarding the ACP Re Merger Agreement in violation of sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14a-9.
	On March 24, 2014, two purported shareholders of the Company filed a purported class action and shareholder derivative complaint against the Company, certain of its current and former officers and directors, and Tower Group, Inc., in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York (the “Bekkerman Complaint” and, together with the Wilson Amended Complaint and the Raul Complaint, the “Merger Complaints”). The Bekkerman Complaint alleges, among other things, that the members of the Company’s board of directors breached their fiduciary duties owed to the shareholders of the Company by failing to exercise appropriate oversight over the conduct of the Company’s business, awarding Michael Lee excessive compensation, approving the Company’s entry into the ACP Re Merger Agreement, failing to take steps to maximize the value of the Company to its public shareholders, and misrepresenting or omitting material information in connection with the proposed transaction, and that the Company and Tower Group, Inc., aided and abetted such breaches of fiduciary duties. The Bekkerman Complaint also alleges, among other things, that Lee was unjustly enriched as a result of the compensation he received while allegedly breaching his fiduciary duties and by selling stock while in the possession of material, adverse, non-public information. The Bekkerman Complaint seeks, among other things, an award of money damages, declaratory and injunctive relief concerning the alleged fiduciary breaches, injunctive relief prohibiting the defendants from consummating the proposed transaction, rescission of the ACP Re Merger Agreement to the extent already implemented, and other forms of equitable relief.
	The Company believes that it is not probable that the Merger Complaints will result in a loss, and if they would result in a loss, that the amount of any such loss cannot reasonably be estimated.
	From time to time, the Company is involved in other various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the resolution of any currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or taken as a whole, will have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.
	Leases
	The Company has various lease agreements for office space, furniture and equipment. The terms of the office space lease agreements provide for annual rental increases and certain lease incentives including initial free rent periods and cash allowances for leasehold improvements.
	The Company amortizes scheduled annual rental increases and lease incentives ratably over the term of the lease. The Company’s future minimum lease payments are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Operating		Capital		Total
		Leases		Leases
	2014	$	10,463	$	12,557	$	23,020
	2015		10,397		14,823		25,220
	2016		10,398		3,371		13,769
	2017		9,142		1,787		10,929
	2018		8,850		640		9,490
	Thereafter		26,761		-		26,761
		$	76,011	$	33,178	$	109,189
	Total rental expense was $10.4 million, $9.7 million and $11.1 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Assessments
	Tower’s insurance subsidiaries are also required to participate in various mandatory insurance facilities or in funding mandatory pools, which are generally designed to provide insurance coverage for consumers who are unable to obtain insurance in the voluntary insurance market. The insurance subsidiaries are subject to assessments in New York, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, California and other states for various purposes, including the provision of funds necessary to fund the operations of the New York Insurance Department and the New York Property/Casualty Insurance Security Fund, which pays covered claims under certain policies provided by impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies and various funds administered by the New York Workers’ Compensation Board, which pays covered claims under certain policies provided by impaired, insolvent or failed insurance companies.
	The Company paid $4.9 million, $4.8 million and $5.1 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, for its proportional share of the operating expenses of the New York Insurance Department. Property casualty insurance company insolvencies or failures may result in additional security fund assessments to the Company at some future date. At this time the Company is unable to estimate the possible amounts, if any, of such assessments. Accordingly, the Company is unable to determine the impact, if any; such assessments may have on financial position or results of operations of the Company. The Company is permitted to assess premium surcharges on workers’ compensation policies that are based on statutorily enacted rates. Actual assessments have resulted in differences to the original estimates based on permitted surcharges of $1.1 million in 2011. The Company estimates its liability for future assessments based on actual written premiums and historical rates and available information. As of December 31, 2013, the liability for the various workers’ compensation funds, which includes amounts assessed on workers’ compensation policies, was $10.3 million. This amount is expected to be paid over an eighteen month period ending June 30, 2015. As of December 31, 2012 the liability for the various workers’ compensation funds was $7.5 million.

Statutory_Financial_Informatio

Statutory Financial Information and Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Statutory Financial Information and Accounting Policies	'
	Note 18—Statutory Financial Information and Accounting Policies
	United States
	For regulatory purposes, the Company’s U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries, excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, prepare their statutory basis financial statements in accordance with practices prescribed or permitted by the state they are domiciled in (“statutory basis” or “SAP”). The more significant SAP variances from GAAP are as follows:
	•	Policy acquisition costs are charged to operations in the year such costs are incurred, rather than being deferred and amortized as premiums are earned over the terms of the policies.
	•	Ceding commission revenues are earned when ceded premiums are written except for ceding commission revenues in excess of anticipated acquisition costs, which are deferred and amortized as ceded premiums are earned. GAAP requires that all ceding commission revenues be earned as the underlying ceded premiums are earned over the term of the reinsurance agreements.
	•	Certain assets including certain receivables, a portion of the net deferred tax asset, prepaid expenses and furniture and equipment are not admitted.
	•	Investments in fixed-maturity securities are valued at NAIC value for statutory financial purposes, which is primarily amortized cost. GAAP requires investments in fixed-maturity securities classified as available for sale, to be reported at fair value.
	•	For SAP purposes, changes in deferred income taxes relating to temporary differences between net income for financial reporting purposes and taxable income are recognized as a separate component of gains and losses in surplus rather than included in income tax expense or benefit as required under GAAP.
	•	Investments in stocks of subsidiaries are carried as assets on the statutory basis balance sheet. Under GAAP, investments in stocks of subsidiaries are generally consolidated if the investor owns greater than fifty percent or otherwise demonstrates control of the subsidiary.
	In preparing its statutory basis financial statements, the Company does not use any prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices.
	State insurance laws restrict the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to declare dividends. State insurance regulators require insurance companies to maintain specified levels of statutory capital and surplus. Generally, dividends may only be paid out of earned surplus, and the amount of an insurer’s surplus following payment of any dividends must be reasonable in relation to the insurer’s outstanding liabilities and adequate to meet its financial needs. Further, prior approval of the insurance department of its state of domicile is required before any of our insurance subsidiaries can declare and pay an “extraordinary dividend” to the Company.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries had SAP net (loss) income of $(402.4) million, $ (42.3) million and $ 52.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2013 and 2012 the Company’s insurance subsidiaries had reported SAP capital and surplus of $172.9 million and $594.2 million, respectively, as filed with the insurance regulators.
	The Company is required to maintain minimum capital and surplus for each of its insurance subsidiaries.
	U.S. based insurance companies are required to maintain capital and surplus above Company Action Level, which is a calculated capital and surplus number using a risk-based formula adopted by the state insurance regulators. The basis for this formula is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (“NAIC’s”) risk-based capital (“RBC”) system and is designed to measure the adequacy of a U.S. regulated insurer’s statutory capital and surplus compared to risks inherent in its business. If an insurance entity falls into Company Action Level, its management is required to submit a comprehensive financial plan that identifies the conditions that contributed to the financial condition. This plan must contain proposals to correct the financial problems and provide projections of the financial condition, both with and without the proposed corrections. The plan must also outline the key assumptions underlying the projections and identify the quality of, and problems associated with, the underlying business. Depending on the level of actual capital and surplus in comparison to the Company Action Level, the state insurance regulators could increase their regulatory oversight, restrict the placement of new business, or place the company under regulatory control. Bermuda based insurance entities minimum capital and surplus requirements are calculated from a solvency formula prescribed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “BMA”).
	The Company’s U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries paid zero, $10.2 million and $15.0 million in dividends and or return of capital to TGI in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, none of the Company’s net statutory assets held at the U.S. insurance subsidiaries were available for distribution or advances to Tower (without prior consent from the insurance regulators).
	Tower has in place several intercompany reinsurance transactions between its U.S. based insurance subsidiaries and its Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries. The U.S. based insurance subsidiaries have historically reinsured on a quota share basis obligations to CastlePoint Reinsurance Company (“CastlePoint Re”), one of its Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries. The 2013 obligations that CastlePoint Re assumes from the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries are then retroceded to TRL, Tower’s other Bermuda based insurance subsidiary. In addition, CastlePoint Re also entered into a loss portfolio transaction with TRL where its reserves associated with the U.S. insurance subsidiary business for underwriting years prior to 2013 were all transferred to TRL. CastlePoint Re is required to collateralize $648.9 million of its assumed reserves in a reinsurance trust for the benefit of TICNY, the lead pool company of the U.S. insurance companies. On February 5, 2014, the BMA approved the transfer of $167.3 million in unencumbered liquid assets from TRL to CastlePoint Re, allowing CastlePoint Re to increase the funding in the reinsurance trust for the benefit of TICNY. The New York State Department of Financial Services (the “NYDFS”) has confirmed this will be acceptable for the purpose of admitted surplus and capital on TICNY’s 2013 statutory basis financial statements. For the 2013 statutory basis financial statements, CastlePoint Re reported $581.7 million in its reinsurance trust.
	Based on RBC calculations as of December 31, 2013, six of Tower’s ten U.S. based insurance subsidiaries have capital and surplus below Company Action Level and do not meet the minimum capital and surplus requirements of their respective state regulators. As a result, management has discussed the ACP Re Merger Agreement and the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement and provided its 2014 RBC forecasts to the regulators to document the Company’s business plan to bring two of three U.S based insurance subsidiaries’ capital and surplus levels above Company Action Level.
	As a result of the recognition of the ceding commission relating to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements executed with AmTrust and NGHC in January 2014, the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries’ capital and surplus will increase significantly from December 31, 2013 to January 1, 2014, as the U.S. based subsidiaries will transfer a significant portion of their commercial lines unearned premium to a subsidiary of AmTrust and all of their personal lines unearned premiums to a subsidiary of NGHC. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2014, the effect of the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements increased the surplus of two of the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries such that their capital and surplus levels exceeded Company Action Level.
	In 2013, the NYDFS issued orders for seven of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries, subjecting them to heightened regulatory oversight, which includes providing the NYDFS with increased information with respect to the insurance subsidiaries’ business, operations and financial condition. In addition, the NYDFS has placed limitations on payments and transactions outside the ordinary course of business and material changes in the insurance subsidiaries’ management and related matters. Tower’s management and Board of Directors have held discussions with the NYDFS, and Tower has been complying with the orders and oversight.
	On April 21, 2014, the NYDFS issued additional orders for two of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries instructing them to provide plans to address weaknesses in such insurance subsidiaries’ risk based capital levels as shown in their statutory annual financial statements, and imposing further enhanced reporting and prior approval requirements and limitations on writings of new business. On the same date, the NYDFS issued a letter pertaining to one of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries requiring the submission of a plan to address weaknesses in risk based capital levels.
	The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (“MDOI”) and Tower management have agreed to certain restrictions on the operations of Tower’s two Massachusetts domiciled insurance subsidiaries. Tower management has agreed to cause these subsidiaries to provide the MDOI with increased information with respect to their business, operations and financial condition, as well as limitations on payments and transactions outside the ordinary course of business and material changes in their management and related matters.
	The Maine Bureau of Insurance entered a Corrective Order imposing certain conditions on Maine domestic insurers York Insurance Company of Maine (“YICM”) and North East Insurance Company (“NEIC”). The Corrective Order imposes increased reporting obligations on YICM and NEIC with respect to business operations and financial condition and imposes restrictions on payments or other transfers of assets from YICM and NEIC outside the ordinary course of business.
	On April 11, 2014, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance imposed an enhanced reporting requirement on the intercompany transactions involving Tower’s two New Jersey domiciled insurance subsidiaries and Tower’s New Jersey managed insurer. Such companies are now required to submit for prior approval any transactions with affiliates, even transactions that would otherwise not be reportable under the applicable holding company act.
	Dividends
	U.S. state insurance regulations restrict the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to Tower Group International, Ltd. as their ultimate parent (the “Holding Company”). Generally dividends may only be paid out of earned surplus, and the amount of an insurer’s surplus following payment of any dividends must be reasonable in relation to the insurer’s outstanding liabilities and adequate to meet its financial needs. As of December 31, 2013, no dividends may be paid to the Holding Company without the approval of the state regulators or BMA, as appropriate.
	Bermuda
	CastlePoint Re and TRL are registered as a Class 3 reinsurer under The Insurance Act 1978 (Bermuda), amendments thereto and related regulations (the “Insurance Act”). Under the Insurance Act, CastlePoint Re and TRL are required to prepare Statutory Financial Statements and to file a Statutory Financial Return. The Insurance Act also requires CastlePoint Re and TRL to maintain minimum share capital and surplus, and it has met these requirements as of December 31, 2013.
	For Bermuda registered companies, there are some differences between financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and those prepared on a Bermuda statutory basis. The more significant Bermuda SAP variances from GAAP are as follows:
	•	Deferred policy acquisition costs have been fully expensed to income.
	•	Prepaid expenses and fixed assets have been removed from the statutory balance sheet.
	•	Investments in fixed-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost. GAAP requires investments in fixed-maturity securities classified as available for sale to be reported at fair value.
	•	Deferred income taxes, intangible assets and goodwill are not included in the Bermuda statutory capital and surplus balances.
	•	Investments in stocks of subsidiaries are carried as assets on the statutory basis balance sheet. Under GAAP, investments in stocks of subsidiaries are generally consolidated if the investor owns greater than fifty percent or otherwise demonstrates control of the subsidiary.
	CastlePoint Re and TRL are also subject to dividend limitations imposed by Bermuda under the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda, as amended (the “Companies Act”). As of December 31, 2013, CastlePoint Re and TRL were unable to pay dividends to Tower, without BMA approval.
	Bermuda based insurance entities minimum capital and surplus requirements are calculated from a solvency formula prescribed by the BMA. As of December 31, 2013, TRL and CastlePoint Re had capital and surplus that did not meet the minimum capital and surplus requirements of the BMA. Management has discussed the ACP Re Merger Agreement and provided 2014 solvency forecasts to the BMA.
	The TRL and CastlePoint Re capital and surplus amounts were $14.4 million and $(37.2) million, respectively. The CastlePoint Re negative surplus includes ($109.7) million of a deferred gain associated with retroactive accounting treatment on an intercompany retroactive reinsurance agreement between CastlePoint Re and TRL. This gain will be recognized as the underlying claims are paid on the losses reinsured by TRL. This deferred gain is eliminated in the preparation of the TGIL consolidated financial statements.
	The BMA has issued directives for TRL and CastlePoint Re, subjecting them to heightened regulatory oversight and requiring BMA approval before certain transactions can be executed. Tower has been complying with the directives issued by the BMA.
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Bermuda based insurers had statutory net income (loss) of $ (198.6) million and at December 31, 2013, had statutory surplus of $60.3 million. The statutory capital surplus amounts as of December 31, 2013 include $26.5 million from U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries that are owned by CastlePoint Re.
	CastlePoint Re paid $22.0 million, $2.5 million and $20.0 million in dividends and/or return of capital to TGI in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, none of the Company’s net statutory assets held at its Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries were available for distributions or advances to Tower.
	Reciprocal Exchanges
	The Reciprocal Exchanges prepare their statutory basis financial statements in accordance with SAP. The more significant SAP variances from GAAP are consistent with those discussed above for the U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Reciprocal Exchanges had combined SAP net income (loss) of $(8.8) million, $7.4 million and $16.5 million, respectively. At December 31, 2013 and 2012 the Reciprocal Exchanges had combined capital and surplus of $81.2 million and $91.4 million, respectively.
	The Reciprocal Exchanges are required to maintain minimum capital and surplus. The minimum capital and surplus requirements were determined to be above Company Action Level. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the combined Company Action Level capital and surplus requirement for Adirondack was $34.5 million and $38.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the combined Company Action Level capital and surplus requirement for New Jersey Skylands was $11.2 million and $10.2 million, respectively.
	The Reciprocal Exchanges are not owned by the Company, but managed through management agreements. Accordingly, the Reciprocal Exchanges’ net assets are not available to the Company. In addition, no dividends can be paid from the Reciprocal Exchanges to Tower.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Note 19—Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	GAAP guidance requires all entities to disclose the fair value of financial instruments, both assets and liabilities recognized and not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate fair value. The Company uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
	Fixed maturity and equity securities: Fair value disclosures for investments are included in “Note 6—Fair Value Measurements.”
	Other invested assets: The fair value of securities which are reported under the fair value option are included in “Note 6—Fair Value Measurements.
	Premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverable: The carrying values reported in the accompanying balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair values. Premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverable are considered Level 3 pursuant to the fair value hierarchy due to the lack of available observable inputs for their valuation in the market.
	Debt: Fair value disclosures for debt are included in “Note 13—Debt.” The Company uses a discounted cash flow model to fair value the subordinated debentures. Market quotes are used to fair value the senior convertible notes.
	Reinsurance balances payable and funds held under reinsurance contracts: The carrying value reported in the balance sheet for these financial instruments approximates fair value. Reinsurance balances payable and funds held under reinsurance contracts are considered Level 3 pursuant to the fair value hierarchy due to the lack of available observable inputs for their valuation in the market.

Earnings_loss_per_Share

Earnings (loss) per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings (loss) per Share	'
	Note 20—Earnings (loss) per Share
	Undistributed net earnings (loss) (net income less dividends declared during the period) are allocated to both common stock and unvested share-based payment awards (“unvested restricted stock”). Because the common shareholders and unvested restricted shareholders share in dividends on a 1:1 basis, the earnings per share on undistributed earnings is equivalent, however, undistributed losses are allocated only to common share holders. Undistributed earnings are allocated to all outstanding share-based payment awards, including those for which the requisite service period is not expected to be rendered.
	The following table shows the computation of the earnings per share (historical earnings per share amounts have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio in connection with the Canopius Merger Transaction):
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2012			2011
	Numerator
	Net income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.	$	(942,616	)	$	(34,234	)	$	44,435
	Less: Allocation of income for unvested participating restricted stock		-			-			(370	)
	Less: Dividends on unvested participating restricted stock		(262	)		(686	)		(679	)
	Net income available to common shareholders - Basic		(942,878	)		(34,920	)		43,386
	Reallocation of income for unvested participating restricted stock		-			-			(1	)
	Net income (loss) available to common shareholders - Diluted		(942,878	)		(34,920	)		43,385
	Denominator
	Basic earnings per share denominator		54,297			42,902			45,226
	Effect of dilutive securities:		-			-			111
	Diluted earnings per share denominator		54,297			42,902			45,337
	Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Tower shareholders - Basic
	Common stock:
	Distributed earnings	$	0.5		$	0.66		$	0.61
	Undistributed earnings		(17.86	)		(1.47	)		0.35
	Total - Basic		(17.37	)		(0.81	)		0.96
	Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Tower shareholders - Diluted	$	(17.37	)	$	(0.81	)	$	0.96
	The computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share excludes outstanding options and other common stock equivalents in periods where inclusion of such potential common stock instruments would be anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, 955,800, zero and 166,700, respectively, options and other common stock equivalents to purchase Tower shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Information	'
	Note 21—Segment Information
	The Personal Insurance segment, which includes the Reciprocal Exchanges and the management companies, reports the management fees earned by Tower from the Reciprocal Exchanges for underwriting, investment management and other services as a reduction to other underwriting expenses. The effects of these management fees between Tower and the Reciprocal Exchanges are eliminated in consolidation to derive consolidated net income. However, the management fee income is reported in net income attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and included in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share.
	Segment performance is evaluated based on segment profit, which excludes investment income, realized gains and losses, interest expense, income taxes and incidental corporate expenses. Assets, other than intangible assets and goodwill, are not allocated to segments because investments and assets other than intangible assets and goodwill are considered in total by management for decision-making purposes.
	Business segments results are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Commercial Insurance Segment
	Revenues
	Premiums earned	$	931,693		$	1,104,551		$	1,052,050
	Ceding commission revenue		30,115			7,702			14,786
	Policy billing fees		5,637			5,467			4,345
	Total revenues		967,445			1,117,720			1,071,181
	Expenses
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses		1,185,627			859,707			740,754
	Underwriting expenses		406,908			388,511			352,832
	Total expenses		1,592,535			1,248,218			1,093,586
	Underwriting profit (loss)	$	(625,090	)	$	(130,498	)	$	(22,405	)
	Assumed Reinsurance Segment
	Revenues
	Premiums earned	$	116,417		$	120,015		$	35,861
	Ceding commission revenue		-			-			-
	Total revenues		116,417			120,015			35,861
	Expenses
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses		41,474			52,975			17,456
	Underwriting expenses		57,506			44,124			11,859
	Total expenses		98,980			97,099			29,315
	Underwriting profit (loss)	$	17,437		$	22,916		$	6,546
	Personal Insurance Segment
	Revenues
	Premiums earned	$	464,805		$	497,298		$	505,939
	Ceding commission revenue		51,267			24,633			19,182
	Policy billing fees		6,662			7,148			6,189
	Total revenues		522,734			529,079			531,310
	Expenses
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses		292,733			351,076			318,775
	Underwriting expenses		249,779			228,289			218,463
	Total expenses		542,512			579,365			537,238
	Underwriting profit (loss)	$	(19,778	)	$	(50,286	)	$	(5,928	)
	Tower	$	6,083		$	(31,450	)	$	(11,308	)
	Reciprocal Exchanges		(25,861	)		(18,836	)		5,380
	Total underwriting profit (loss)	$	(19,778	)	$	(50,286	)	$	(5,928	)
	The following table reconciles revenue by segment to consolidated revenues:
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Commercial insurance segment	$	967,445		$	1,117,720		$	1,071,181
	Assumed reinsurance segment		116,417			120,015			35,861
	Personal insurance segment		522,734			529,079			531,310
	Total segment revenues		1,606,596			1,766,814			1,638,352
	Net investment income		109,208			127,165			126,474
	Net realized gains (losses) on investments, including other-than-temporary impairments		25,048			25,476			9,394
	Insurance services revenue		1,150			3,420			1,570
	Consolidated revenues	$	1,742,002		$	1,922,875		$	1,775,790
	The following table reconciles the results of the Company’s individual segments to consolidated income before income taxes:
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Commercial insurance segment underwriting profit (loss)	$	(625,090	)	$	(130,498	)	$	(22,405	)
	Assumed reinsurance segment underwriting profit (loss)		17,437			22,916			(6,546	)
	Personal insurance segment underwriting profit (loss)		(19,778	)		(50,286	)		(5,928	)
	Net investment income		109,208			127,165			126,474
	Net realized gains (loss) on investments, including other-than-temporary impairments		25,048			25,476			9,394
	Corporate expenses, and other income		(14,581	)		(12,460	)		(9,950	)
	Acquisition-related transaction costs		(21,322	)		(9,229	)		(360	)
	Interest expense		(33,594	)		(32,630	)		(34,290	)
Goodwill and fixed asset impairment		(397,211	)		-			-
Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate		6,962			(1,470	)		-
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(952,921	)	$	(61,016	)	$	69,481

Unaudited_Quarterly_Financial_

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information	'
	Note 22—Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
	The following table presents the unaudited quarterly financial information for the Company:
			2013
	($ in thousands, except per share amounts)		First		Second (2)			Third (2) (3)			Fourth			Total
						(as revised)			(as revised)
	Revenues		$	476,483	$	460,518		$	478,881		$	326,120		$	1,742,002
	Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.			12,917		(515,847	)		(348,053	)		(91,633	)		(942,616	)
	Net income (loss) per share attributable to Tower shareholders:
	Basic (1)		$	0.28	$	(9.03	)	$	(6.09	)	$	(1.60	)	$	(17.37	)
	Diluted (1)		$	0.28	$	(9.03	)	$	(6.09	)	$	(1.60	)	$	(17.37	)
			2012
			First		Second			Third			Fourth			Total
	Revenues		$	466,223	$	506,392		$	474,891		$	475,369		$	1,922,875
	Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.			19,166		(16,809	)		21,629			(58,220	)		(34,234	)
	Net income (loss)) per share attributable to Tower shareholders:
	Basic (1)		$	0.43	$	(0.39	)	$	0.5		$	(1.38	)	$	(0.81	)
	Diluted (1)		$	0.43	$	(0.39	)	$	0.5		$	(1.38	)	$	(0.81	)
	-1	Since the weighted-average shares for the quarters are calculated independently of the weighted-average shares for the year, quarterly earnings (loss) per share may not total to annual earnings per share. Earnings (loss) per share has been calculated using weighted-average shares that have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio resulting from the Canopius Merger Transaction.
	-2	Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and per share amounts have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in income tax expenses by $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. The Company adjusted the valuation allowance recorded on its deferred taxes. This correction included an adjustment to increase total liabilities by $8.5 million in second quarter of 2013. This correction resulted in a total increase to liabilities of $8.9 million and cumulative decrease in equity of $8.5 million by the third quarter of 2013. This correction had no impact to cash flows. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.
	-3	Revenues have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in accounting for the Southport Quota Share. In the third quarter of 2013, management should have used deposit accounting. This correction resulted in greater net earned premiums of $46.1 million and less ceded commission revenue of $10.1 million, and additional loss and loss adjustment expense of $36.0 million. This correction had no impact to net income (loss). This correction also resulted in an adjustment to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $23.9 million. Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased and Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased by $35.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events	'
	Note 23—Subsequent Events
	Proposed Merger with ACP Re
	On January 3, 2014, Tower entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (“ACP Re Merger Agreement”) with ACP Re Ltd. (“ACP Re”), and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACP Re (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions therein, Merger Sub would merge with and into Tower, with Tower as the surviving corporation in the merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of ACP Re. The transaction would close in the summer of 2014, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions contained in the ACP Re Merger Agreement. ACP Re is a Bermuda based reinsurance company. The controlling shareholder of ACP Re is a trust established by the founder of AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust”), National General Holdings Corporation (“NGHC”) and Maiden Holdings, Ltd. Notwithstanding any other statement in this Form 10-K or any other document, many of the conditions for closing the ACP Re Merger Agreement remain outstanding and there can be no assurance that they will be satisfied or that the transaction will be consummated or when it may close.
	Pursuant to the terms of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the merger, each outstanding share of Tower’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, following the settlement of all outstanding equity awards, will be converted into the right to receive $3.00 in cash, with an aggregate value of approximately $172.1 million.
	Each of the parties has made representations and warranties in the ACP Re Merger Agreement. Tower has agreed to certain covenants and agreements, including, among others, (i) to conduct its business in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, during the period between the execution of the ACP Re Merger Agreement and the closing of the merger, (ii) not to solicit alternate transactions, subject to a customary “fiduciary out” provision which allows Tower under certain circumstances to provide information to and participate in discussions with third parties with respect to unsolicited alternative acquisition proposals that Tower’s Board of Directors has determined, in its good faith judgment, is appropriate in furtherance of the best interests of Tower, and (iii) to call and hold a special shareholders’ meeting and recommend adoption of the ACP Re Merger Agreement.
	Concurrently with the execution of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, several subsidiaries of Tower have entered into two Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements, pursuant to which a subsidiary of AmTrust and a subsidiary of NGHC agreed to provide 100% quota share reinsurance and a cut-through endorsement to cover all eligible new and renewal commercial and personal lines business, respectively, and at their option, losses incurred on or after January 1, 2014 on not less than 60% of the in-force business. Tower received confirmation on January 16, 2014 from AmTrust and NGHC that they would exercise such option to reinsure on a cut-through basis losses incurred on or after January 1, 2014 under in-force policies with respect to (1) in the case of AmTrust, approximately 65.7% of Tower’s unearned premium reserves as of December 31, 2013 with respect to its ongoing commercial lines business, and (2) in the case of NGHC, 100% of Tower’s unearned premium reserves as of December 31, 2013 with respect to its personal lines segment business. Tower received a 20% ceding commission from AmTrust or NGHC on all Tower unearned premiums that are subject to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements and a 22% ceding commission on 2014 ceded premiums.
	Concurrently with the execution of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, the controlling shareholder of ACP Re has provided to Tower a guarantee for the payment of the merger consideration, effective upon the closing of the merger.
	The ACP Re Merger Agreement was unanimously approved by the respective Boards of Directors of ACP Re and Tower, and is conditioned, among other things, on: (i) the approval of Tower’s shareholders, (ii) receipt of governmental approvals, including antitrust and insurance regulatory approvals (on January 30, 2014, the Company was granted early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period which requires persons contemplating certain mergers or acquisitions to give the Federal Trade Commission and the Assistant Attorney General advanced notice and to wait designated periods before consummation of such plans), (iii) the absence of any law, order or injunction prohibiting the merger, (iv) the accuracy of each party’s representations and warranties (subject to customary materiality qualifiers), and (v) each party’s compliance with its covenants and agreements contained in the ACP Re Merger Agreement. In addition, ACP Re’s obligation to consummate the merger is subject to the non-occurrence of any material adverse effect on Tower, as well as the absence of any insolvency-related event affecting Tower. The transaction is also conditioned on holders of not more than 15% of Tower’s common stock dissenting to the merger.
	There is no financing condition to consummation of the transactions contemplated by the ACP Re Merger Agreement.
	The ACP Re Merger Agreement provides certain termination rights for each of Tower and ACP Re, and further provides that upon termination of the ACP Re Merger Agreement, under certain circumstances, Tower will be obligated to reimburse ACP Re for certain of its transaction expenses, subject to a cap of $2 million, and to pay ACP Re a termination fee of $8.18 million, net of any transaction expenses it has reimbursed.
	Michael H. Lee, the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tower, who beneficially owned approximately 4.2% of the issued and outstanding common stock of Tower as of January 3, 2014, has entered into a support agreement pursuant to which he has agreed to vote his shares in favor of the merger.
	Fitch Downgrades the Company’s Financial Strength and Issuer Credit Ratings
	On January 2, 2014, Fitch downgraded Tower’s issuer default rating from “B” to “CC” and the insurer strength ratings of its insurance subsidiaries from “BB” to “B”. On October 7, 2013, Fitch downgraded Tower’s issuer default rating to “B” (the sixth highest of 11 such ratings) from “BBB” and the insurer strength ratings of its insurance subsidiaries to “B” (the fifth highest of Fitch Ratings’ nine such ratings) from “A-”. In downgrading such ratings, Fitch stated that it “is concerned that Tower’s competitive position has been materially damaged, negatively impacting the Company’s financial flexibility and ability to write new business” and that “the magnitude of the second quarter charges was large enough to cause several key ratios to fall well outside of previously established ratings downgrade triggers, which resulted in the multi-notch downgrade.” On January 6, 2014, Fitch revised Tower’s rating watch status to “evolving” from “negative” following the ACP Re merger announcement, and stated that “[t]he Evolving Watch reflects that the ratings could go up if the merger closes; however, ratings could be lowered if the merger does not occur and [the Company] is unsuccessful in addressing upcoming debt maturity or if additional reserve deficiencies develop.”
	Following the announcement of the ACP Re merger, on January 10, 2014 A.M. Best maintained the under review status of Tower’s financial strength and issuer credit ratings and revised the implications from “negative” to “developing” for all of these ratings. A.M. Best stated that, “[t]he under review status with developing implications reflects the potential benefits to be garnered from the transaction as well as the potential downside from any additional adverse reserve development and/or any unforeseen events that might transpire up until the close of the transaction.”
	Management expects these rating actions, in combination with other items that have impacted the Company in 2013, to result in a significant decrease in the amount of premiums the insurance subsidiaries are able to write. Direct written premiums were $1,606.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, respectively. Business written through certain program underwriting agents requires an A.M. Best rating of A- or greater.
	In January 2014, Tower’s Board of Directors approved Tower’s merger with ACP Re. In light of the adverse ratings actions, concurrent with entering into its merger agreement with ACP Re, Tower entered into cut-through reinsurance treaties with affiliates of ACP Re. As a result of this merger, if it closes, and the execution of the cut-through reinsurance treaties, Tower believes its insurance subsidiaries will retain significant portions of their business. (See “Note 9 –Reinsurance” for a discussion of the cut-through reinsurance treaties).
	Resignation of Tower’s Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Appointment of new Chairman of the Board and new President and Chief Executive Officer
	On February 6, 2014, Tower and Michael H. Lee entered into a Separation and Release Agreement in connection with the resignation of Mr. Lee from his positions as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective as of February 6, 2014. Mr. Lee’s employment with the Company was terminated effective as of February 6, 2014. In connection with his resignation, Mr. Lee received on March 31, 2014 a severance payment of approximately $3.3 million calculated pursuant to terms of his employment agreement.
	Jan R. Van Gorder, who is the lead independent director of the Board and a member of the Board’s Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, was appointed on February 9, 2014 to succeed Mr. Lee as Chairman of the Board. William W. Fox, Jr., who had served as a member of the Board and of the Board’s Audit Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee until his resignation from the Board on December 31, 2013, succeeded Mr. Lee as President and Chief Executive Officer of Tower, effective as of February 14, 2014.
	Other
	On April 7, 2014, the Company and a lessor mutually agreed to enter into a final settlement agreement to terminate a lease agreement for IT systems supporting certain personal lines business. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company paid the lessor $10.4 million from a pledged collateral account funded by the Company for the benefit of the lessor. The final settlement agreement and payment were approved by the NYDFS.

Summary_of_Investments_Other_T

Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties	'
	Schedule I – Summary of Investments – Other Than Investments in Related Parties
		December 31, 2013
	($ in thousands)	Cost		Fair		Amount
				Value		Reflected on
						Balance Sheet
	Fixed maturities:
	Available for sale:
	U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies	$	481,321	$	475,183	$	475,183
	Corporate securities		512,444		525,942		525,942
	Mortgage-backed securities		342,487		362,464		362,464
	Municipal securities		277,382		279,106		279,106
	Total fixed maturities		1,613,634		1,642,695		1,642,695
	Preferred stocks		21,330		18,848		18,848
	Common stock:
	Public utilities, industrial and other		76,378		87,782		87,782
	Total equities		97,708		106,630		106,630
	Short-term investments		5,925		5,897		5,897
	Other invested assets		96,155		96,155		96,155
	Total investments	$	1,813,422	$	1,851,377	$	1,851,377
		31-Dec-12
	($ in thousands)	Cost		Fair		Amount
				Value		Reflected on
						Balance Sheet
	Fixed maturities:
	Available for sale:
	U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies	$	281,964	$	287,726	$	287,726
	Corporate securities		698,012		746,665		746,665
	Mortgage-backed securities		576,837		624,277		624,277
	Municipal securities		633,373		686,043		686,043
	Total fixed maturities		2,190,186		2,344,711		2,344,711
	Preferred stocks		31,272		31,521		31,521
	Common stock:
	Public utilities, industrial and other		118,076		114,737		114,737
	Total equities		149,348		146,258		146,258
	Short-term investments		4,749		4,750		4,750
	Other invested assets		57,786		57,786		57,786
	Total investments	$	2,402,069	$	2,553,505	$	2,553,505

Condensed_Financial_Informatio

Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant	'
	Tower Group International, Ltd.
	Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
	Condensed Balance Sheets
		December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Assets
	Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $0 and $7,656)	$	-		$	8,121
	Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost of $0 and $0)		-			-
	Other invested assets		-			2,045
	Cash and cash equivalents		438			17,130
	Investment in subsidiaries		108,961			1,250,436
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliate		-			71,894
	Federal and state taxes recoverable		-			-
	Deferred income taxes		-			15,879
	Investment in statutory business trusts, equity method		-			2,664
	Due from affiliate		-			-
	Other assets		3,317			69,172
	Total assets	$	112,716		$	1,437,341
	Liabilities
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	1,826		$	25,622
	Due to affiliates		15,339			75,823
	Deferred rent liability		-			4,537
	Federal and state income taxes payable		-			-
	Debt		-			381,301
	Total liabilities		17,165			487,283
	Shareholders’ equity		95,551			950,058
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	112,716		$	1,437,341
	The condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the notes to the condensed financial information of the registrant and the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
	Tower Group International, Ltd.
	Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
	Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Revenues
	Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$	221		$	(1,570	)	$	(264	)
	Investment income		8,667			815			1,394
	Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(923,809	)		(6,254	)		61,681
	Total revenues		(914,921	)		(7,009	)		62,811
	Expenses
	Other operating expenses		7,786			11,754			10,067
	Interest expense		4,887			18,782			17,843
	Total expenses		12,673			30,536			27,910
	Other Income
	Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate		954			(1,470	)		-
	Gain on investment in acquired unconsolidated affiliate		-			-			-
	Acquisition related transaction costs		(17,261	)		(9,229	)		(360	)
	Income before income taxes		(943,901	)		(48,244	)		34,541
	Provision/(benefit) for income taxes		(1,285	)		(14,010	)		(9,894	)
	Net income	$	(942,616	)	$	(34,234	)	$	44,435
	Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax		(102,262	)		19,704			14,774
	Comprehensive income (loss)		(1,044,878	)		(14,530	)		59,209
	The condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the notes to the condensed financial information of the registrant and the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
	Tower Group International, Ltd.
	Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
	Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
	Net income	$	(942,616	)	$	(34,234	)	$	44,435
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used) in operations:
	(Gain) loss on sale of investments		-			1,570			264
	Dividends received from consolidated subsidiaries		-			22,954			55,400
	Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries		923,809			2,088			(62,189	)
Depreciation and amortization		-			4,388			3,362
Amortization of debt issuance costs		-			2,830			2,635
Amortization of restricted stock		-			9,283			10,292
Deferred income tax		-			(13,165	)		(3,836	)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		-			(345	)		(162	)
Change in operating assets and liabilities
Investment income receivable		-			-			173
Federal and state income tax recoverable		-			(18,409	)		15,998
Equity loss (income) in unconsolidated affiliate		-			1,746			-
Other assets		-			(20,639	)		(16,763	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		17,166			57,610			6,089
Deferred rent		-			(534	)		(581	)
Net cash flows provided by operations		(4,958	)		15,143			55,117
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Net change in cash from reverse acquisition		(7,683	)		-			-
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate		-			(71,512	)		-
Principal pay-down received on promissory note		14,500			-			-
Sale or maturity - fixed-maturity securities		-			3,947			58,367
Purchase - fixed-maturity securities		-			(6,117	)		(46,848	)
Purchase - equity securities		-			-			(4,224	)
Purchase of other invested assets		-			8,413			(10,458	)
Sale - equity securities		-			8,390			1,304
Net cash flows used in investing activities		6,817			(56,879	)		(1,859	)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Proceeds from credit facility borrowings		-			20,000			67,000
Repayment of credit facility borrowings		-			-			(17,000	)
Proceeds from intercompany borrowings		-			77,968			-
Proceeds from convertible senior notes hedge termination		-			-			-
Payments for warrants termination		-			-			-
Exercise of stock options and warrants		-			(2,263	)		373
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements		-			345			161
Treasury stock acquired-net employee share-based compensation		-			(4	)		(1,834	)
Repurchase of common stock		-			(20,987	)		(64,572	)
Dividends paid		(18,551	)		(29,075	)		(27,894	)
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities		(18,551	)		45,984			(43,766	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(16,692	)		4,248			9,492
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		17,130			12,882			3,390
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	438		$	17,130		$	12,882
The condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the notes to the condensed financial information of the registrant and the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
Tower Group International, Ltd.
Schedule II – Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
Notes to Condensed Financial Information
The accompanying condensed financial statements of Tower Group International, Ltd. (parent company) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Tower Group International, Ltd.
Note 1—Organization and Description of Business
On March 13, 2013, Tower Group, Inc. (“TGI”) completed a merger transaction whereby TGI merged into a subsidiary of Tower Group International, Ltd. (“TGIL”). TGIL was formerly known as Canopius Holdings Bermuda Limited (“Canopius Bermuda”). This merger (referred to as the “Canopius Merger”) was accounted for as a reverse acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations, with TGI treated as the acquiring company for accounting purposes. TGIL is deemed to be the successor to TGI, the predecessor, pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act.
The parent company financial statements presented herein include the historical financial information from TGI for the period from January 1, 2013 through March 13, 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. The parent company financial statements presented herein also include the financial information from TGIL for the period from March 14, 2013 through December 31, 2013 and as of December 31, 2013.
Note 2—Investment in Subsidiaries
This amount is inclusive of a promissory note issued by TGI to TGIL in 2013. The $335.5 million loan is included in Investment in Subsidiaries as the ultimate parent would be required to cover any losses generated by its subsidiaries.
Note 3—Debt
The information relating to debt is incorporated by reference from “Note 13 – Debt” in the consolidated financial statements. The debt disclosed in the balance sheet continued to be held by the predecessor company after the date of the Canopius Merger and was not transferred to the successor company.
Note 4—Income Taxes
Tower Group Inc. files a consolidated Federal income tax return. The Reciprocal Exchanges are not included in Tower Group, Inc’s consolidated tax return as it does not have an ownership interest in the Reciprocal Exchanges, and they are not a part of the consolidated tax sharing agreement. The Federal income tax provision represents an allocation under the consolidated tax sharing agreement.

Supplementary_Insurance_Inform

Supplementary Insurance Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplementary Insurance Information	'
	Schedule III – Supplementary Insurance Information
	($ in thousands)	Deferred		Gross		Gross		Net		Benefits,		Amortization			Operating		Net
		Acquisition		Future		Unearned		Earned		Losses and		of DAC			Expenses		Premiums
		Cost, Net of		Policy		Premiums		Premiums		Loss							Written
		Deferred		Benefits,						Expenses
		Ceding		Losses and
		Commission		Loss
		Revenue		Expenses
	2013
	Commercial Insurance	$	60,879	$	1,102,533	$	417,475	$	931,693	$	1,185,627	$	(197,980	)	$	204,131	$	751,698
	Assumed Reinsurance		10,140		603,380		22,837		116,417		41,474		(40,576	)		7,879		82,530
	Personal Insurance		24,077		375,372		322,800		464,805		292,733		(92,805	)		137,152		398,388
	Total	$	95,096	$	2,081,285	$	763,112	$	1,512,915	$	1,519,834	$	(331,361	)	$	349,162	$	1,232,616
	2012
	Commercial Insurance	$	112,334	$	838,656	$	529,414	$	1,104,551	$	859,707	$	(207,208	)	$	182,891	$	1,077,225
	Assumed Reinsurance		16,831		619,309		65,146		120,015		52,975		(42,582	)		1,542		148,399
	Personal Insurance		52,033		437,714		326,711		497,298		351,076		(102,612	)		117,184		513,816
	Total	$	181,198	$	1,895,679	$	921,271	$	1,721,864	$	1,263,758	$	(352,402	)	$	301,617	$	1,739,440
	2011
	Commercial Insurance	$	111,649	$	1,192,540	$	551,674	$	1,052,050	$	740,755	$	(232,922	)	$	155,576	$	1,079,676
	Assumed Reinsurance		9,006		26,141		36,762		35,861		17,456		(9,490	)		439		72,623
	Personal Insurance		48,203		413,432		304,740		505,939		318,775		(103,173	)		117,313		486,291
	Total	$	168,858	$	1,632,113	$	893,176	$	1,593,850	$	1,076,986	$	(345,585	)	$	273,328	$	1,638,590

Reinsurance1

Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Reinsurance	'
	Tower Group International, Ltd.
	Schedule IV – Reinsurance
	($ in thousands)	Gross		Ceded to		Assumed from		Net		Percentage of
		Amount		Other		Other		Amount		Amount
				Companies		Companies				Assumed to
										Net
	Year ended December 31, 2013
	Premiums
	Property and casualty insurance	$	1,717,501	$	513,517	$	308,931	$	1,512,915		20.4	%
	Accident and health insurance		-		-		-		-		-
	Total Premiums	$	1,717,501	$	513,517	$	308,931	$	1,512,915		20.4	%
	Year ended December 31, 2012
	Premiums
	Property and casualty insurance	$	1,759,126	$	221,807	$	184,545	$	1,721,864		10.7	%
	Accident and health insurance		-		-		-		-		-
	Total Premiums	$	1,759,126	$	221,807	$	184,545	$	1,721,864		10.7	%
	Year ended December 31, 2011
	Premiums
	Property and casualty insurance	$	1,684,020	$	195,922	$	105,752	$	1,593,850		6.6	%
	Accident and health insurance		-		-		-		-		-
	Total Premiums	$	1,684,020	$	195,922	$	105,752	$	1,593,850		6.6	%
	Tower Group International, Ltd.

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
	Schedule V – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	($ in thousands)	Balance,		Additions		Deletions			Balance,
		Beginning of							End of
		Period							Period
	Year ended December 31, 2013
	Premiums receivable	$	16,509		13,144		(12,060	)		17,593
	Deferred income taxes, net		6,984		285,941		-			292,925
	Year ended December 31, 2012
	Premiums receivable		14,383		6,916		(4,790	)		16,509
	Deferred income taxes, net		6,961		23		-			6,984
	Year ended December 31, 2011
	Premiums receivable		7,719		9,669		(3,005	)		14,383
	Deferred income taxes, net		11,824		-		(4,863	)		6,961

Supplemental_Information_Conce

Supplemental Information Concerning Insurance Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Information Concerning Insurance Operations	'
	Schedule VI – Supplemental Information Concerning Insurance Operations
				Reserves										Claims and Claims
				For Unpaid										Adjustment Expenses
														Incurred and Related to
	$ in thousands)	Deferred		Claims and		Discounted		Unearned		Earned		Net		Current		Prior Year*		Amortization			Paid Claims		Net
		Acquisition		Claim		Reserves		Premium		Premium		Investment		Year		Includes		of			and Claim		Premiums
		Cost		Adjustment								Income				PXRE		DAC			Adjustment		Written
				Expenses												Commutation					Expenses
	2013
	Consolidated Insurance Subsidiaries	$	95,096	$	2,081,285	$	7,192	$	763,112	$	1,512,915	$	109,208	$	981,713	$	538,121	$	(331,360	)	$	1,305,666	$	1,232,615
	2012
	Consolidated Insurance Subsidiaries		181,198		1,895,679		8,354		921,271		1,721,864		127,165		1,184,510		79,248		(352,402	)		1,167,428		1,739,382
	2011
	Consolidated Insurance Subsidiaries		168,858		1,632,113		3,674		893,176		1,593,850		126,474		1,076,045		941		(345,585	)		1,070,539		1,638,591

Accounting_Policies_and_Basis_1

Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The Canopius Merger Transaction was accounted for as a reverse acquisition, under which TGI was identified and treated as the accounting acquirer. As such, the Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of TGI and its insurance subsidiaries, managing general agencies and management companies as its historical financial statements, with the results of Tower Group International, Ltd., as accounting acquiree, being included from March 13, 2013, the effective date of the Canopius Merger Transaction. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of Adirondack Insurance Exchange, a New York reciprocal insurer, and New Jersey Skylands Insurance Association, a New Jersey reciprocal insurer (together, the “Reciprocal Exchanges”). The Company does not own the Reciprocal Exchanges but manages their business operations through its wholly-owned management companies.
	In 2013, the Company changed the presentation of its business results by allocating its assumed reinsurance previously reported in the Commercial Insurance segment to a new Assumed Reinsurance segment. In addition, the Company redefined the Personal Insurance segment to include its management companies, which provide certain services to the Reciprocal Exchanges for a management fee. The Reciprocal Exchanges continue to be included in the Personal Insurance segment and transactions between the management companies and the Reciprocal Exchanges have been eliminated. The management companies were previously reported in the Insurance Services segment. The Company will no longer present an Insurance Services segment. These changes in presentation reflected the way management organized the Company for operating decisions and assessing profitability in the second quarter of 2013, subsequent to the Canopius Merger Transaction and the significant business developments and risks and uncertainties that occurred in 2013.
	Following the changes in presentation the Company now operates in three business segments: Commercial Insurance, Assumed Reinsurance and Personal Insurance:
	•	Commercial Insurance (“Commercial”) segment offers a range of standard commercial lines property and casualty insurance products to businesses distributed through a network of retail and wholesale agents and through program underwriting agents, on both an admitted and non-admitted basis;
	•	Assumed Reinsurance (“Assumed Reinsurance”) segment offers international assumed reinsurance and certain U.S. based assumed reinsurance; and
	•	Personal Insurance (“Personal”) segment offers a broad range of personal lines property and casualty insurance products to individuals distributed through a network of retail and wholesale agents. Also included in the Personal Insurance segment are the results of the Reciprocal Exchanges.
	See “Note 21 – Segment Information” for further information on the composition of the Company’s operating and reportable segments.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Intercompany transactions	'
	Intercompany transactions
	In the first quarter 2012, Tower transferred a licensed insurance subsidiary shell to the Reciprocal Exchanges and received cash for its statutory book value. At the date of the transfer, Tower’s GAAP carrying basis in this subsidiary exceeded the statutory book value and the transfer resulted in a loss to Tower of $1.8 million. Since this was a non-recurring transaction between entities under common control, assets are transferred at historical book value. Any difference in the consideration paid and the book value of the assets transferred is treated as an adjustment to equity. This transaction had no effect on consolidated shareholders’ equity.
Reclassifications and Adjustments	'
	Reclassifications and Adjustments
	Since the Company accounted for the Canopius Merger Transaction as a reverse acquisition and recapitalization, it has retroactively restated Common Stock, Treasury Stock and Paid-in-Capital accounts and earnings per share for periods prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction to reflect the historical capitalization of TGI, adjusted for the 1.1330 conversion ratio as discussed in “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction”. Certain other reclassifications have also been made to prior years’ financial information to conform to the current year presentation, including the changes in segment presentation discussed in “Note 1 – Nature of Business.”
	The table below reflects the previously reported and revised shareholders’ equity accounts resulting from the Canopius Merger Transaction:
	($ in thousands, except share amounts)	As previously			Revised
		Reported			Amount
	As of December 31, 2012
	Common stock	$	469		$	530
	Treasury stock		(181,435	)		(181,435	)
	Paid-in-capital		780,097			780,036
	As of December 31, 2011
	Common stock		465			526
	Treasury stock		(158,185	)		(158,185	)
	Paid-in-capital		772,938			772,877
	For the year ended December 31, 2012
	Earnings (Loss) per Share:
	Basic	$	(0.73	)	$	(0.81	)
	Diluted		(0.73	)		(0.81	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic		38,795			42,902
	Diluted		38,975			42,902
	For the year ended December 31, 2011
	Earnings (Loss) per Share:
	Basic	$	1.48		$	0.96
	Diluted		1.48			0.96
	Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic		40,833			45,226
	Diluted		40,931			45,337
	Revision to the 2012 Consolidated Balance Sheet and 2012 and 2011 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	Management is revising the Company’s 2012 consolidated balance sheet and 2012 and 2011 consolidated statements of cash flows to properly reflect the changes in restricted cash as change in cash flows from investing activities. In its Amendment No. 2 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company previously recorded $9.1 million and $7.0 million of restricted cash within the “cash and cash equivalents” caption on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These amounts should have been recorded within “other assets,” and management has properly corrected those amounts out of the “cash and cash equivalent” balances in the 2012 and 2011 financial statements contained herein. In addition, in the 2012 consolidated balance sheet, management also corrected the classification of $9.4 million of “receivable for securities” that was originally reported within “cash and cash equivalents” to “other assets.” Also, in the 2012 consolidated balance sheet, management previously reported $0.9 million of receivables from reinsurance within “reinsurance balances payable.” The Company has properly reflected the $0.9 million as a receivable reported within “other assets.” These adjustments had no impact on shareholders’ equity or net income (loss). Management has concluded these corrections were not material to the 2012 consolidated balance sheet.
	In addition, as a result of the immaterial adjustments to the “cash and cash equivalents” balances discussed above, the Company also revised its statement of cash flows. Cash flows used in investing activities increased from $89.1 million as originally reported to $100.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, and cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2012 decreased from $102.3 million to $83.8 million. Cash flows used in investing activities increased from $104.5 million as originally reported to $111.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, and cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2011 decreased from $114.1 million to $107.1 million. Management concluded these corrections were not material to the 2012 or 2011 consolidated statements of cash flows.
Net Premiums Earned	'
	Net Premiums Earned
	The insurance policies issued or reinsured by the Company are short-duration contracts. Accordingly, premium revenue, including direct business and reinsurance assumed, net of business ceded to reinsurers, is recognized on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies. Unearned premiums represent premium applicable to the unexpired risk of in-force insurance contracts at each balance sheet date. Prepaid reinsurance premiums represent the unexpired portion of reinsurance premiums on risks ceded and are earned consistent with premiums. Mandatory reinstatement premiums are recognized and earned at the time a loss event occurs.
Ceding Commission and Insurance Services Revenue	'
	Ceding Commission Revenue
	Commissions on reinsurance premiums ceded are earned in a manner consistent with the recognition of the costs to acquire the underlying policies, generally on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the policies reinsured. Certain reinsurance agreements contain provisions whereby the ceding commission rates vary based on the loss experience of the policies covered by the agreements. The Company records ceding commission revenue based on its current estimate of losses on the reinsured policies subject to variable commission rates. The Company records adjustments to the ceding commission revenue in the period that changes in the estimated losses are determined.
	Insurance Services Revenue
	Direct commission revenue from the Company’s managing general underwriting services is recognized and earned as insurance policies are placed with the issuing companies of its managing general agencies. Fees relating to the provision of reinsurance intermediary services are earned when the Company’s insurance subsidiaries or the issuing companies of its managing general agencies cede premiums to reinsurers. Management fees earned by the management companies for services provided to the Reciprocal Exchanges are eliminated in consolidation.
Policy Billing Fees	'
	Policy Billing Fees
	Policy billing fees are earned on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies. These fees include installment and other fees related to billing and collections.
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses ("LAE")	'
	Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses (“LAE”)
	The liability for loss and LAE represents management’s best estimate of the ultimate cost and expense of all reported and unreported losses that are unpaid as of the balance sheet date. The liability for loss and LAE is recorded net of a tabular reserve discount for workers’ compensation and excess workers’ compensation claims in the amount of $5.5 million (net of reinsurance basis) and $8.4 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The 2013 discount relates to $244.7 million of total net reserves for workers’ compensation. The projection of future claims payments and reporting is based on an analysis of the Company’s historical experience, supplemented by analyses of industry loss data. Management believes that the liability for loss and LAE is an adequate reasonable provision to cover the ultimate cost of losses and claims to date; however, because of the uncertainty from various sources, including changes in reporting patterns, claims settlement patterns, judicial decisions, legislation, and economic conditions, actual loss experience may not conform to the assumptions used in determining the estimated amounts for such liability at the balance sheet date. As adjustments to these estimates become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in expense for the period in which the estimates are changed.
	Tower estimates reserves separately for losses, allocated loss adjustment expenses, and unallocated loss adjustment expenses. Allocated loss adjustment expenses (“ALAE”) refers to costs of attorneys as well as miscellaneous costs such as investigators, witness fees and court costs attributable to specific claims that generally are in various stages of litigation. Unallocated loss adjustment expenses (“ULAE”) refers to costs for administering claims that are not related to attorney fees and miscellaneous costs associated with litigated claims. Tower estimates the ALAE liability separately for claims that are defended by in-house attorneys, claims that are handled by other attorneys that are not employees, and miscellaneous ALAE costs such as witness fees and court costs. Similarly, Tower estimates the ULAE liability separately for claims which are handled internally by our employees and for claims which are handled by third party administrators.
	For claims that are defended by in-house attorneys, we attribute to each of these claims a fixed fee for defense work. We allocate to each of these litigated claims 50% of the fixed fee when litigation on a particular claim begins and 50% of the fee when the litigation is closed. The fee is adjusted periodically to reimburse our in-house legal department for all their costs.
	We determine ULAE reserves by applying a paid-to-paid ratio to the case and IBNR reserves by line of business. The paid-to-paid ratio is based on ratios of ULAE payments to loss and ALAE payments for last three calendar years.
Reinsurance	'
	Reinsurance
	The Company uses reinsurance to limit its exposure to certain risks. Management has evaluated its reinsurance arrangements and determined that significant insurance risk is transferred to the reinsurers. Reinsurance agreements have been determined to be short-duration prospective and retrospective contracts. For prospective contracts, the costs of reinsurance are recognized over the life of the contracts in a manner consistent with the earning of premiums on the underlying policies subject to the reinsurance contract. For retroactive reinsurance agreements, when incurred losses and loss reserves exceed consideration paid for the retroactive reinsurance agreement, a gain results. The gain is deferred and amortized over the estimated remaining settlement period.
	Reinsurance recoverable represents management’s best estimate of paid and unpaid loss and LAE recoverable from reinsurers. Ceded losses recoverable are estimated using techniques and assumptions consistent with those used in estimating the liability for loss and LAE. These techniques and assumptions are continually reviewed and updated with any resulting adjustments recorded in current earnings. Loss and LAE incurred as presented in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive net income are net of reinsurance recoveries.
	Management estimates uncollectible amounts receivable from reinsurers based on an assessment of a number of factors. The Company recorded no allowance for uncollectible reinsurance at December 31, 2013 or 2012. The Company did not write-off balances from reinsurers during the three year period ended December 31, 2013.
Deposit Assets	'
	Deposit Assets
	Deposit assets arise from ceded reinsurance contracts purchased that do not transfer significant underwriting or timing risk. Under deposit accounting, consideration received or paid, excluding non-refundable fees, is recorded as a deposit asset or liability in the balance sheet as opposed to recording premiums and losses in the statement of operations. At December 31, 2013, deposit assets of $28.7 million are included in Other Assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash consists of cash in banks, generally in operating accounts. The Company maintains its cash balances at several financial institutions. Management monitors balances and believes they do not represent a significant credit risk to the Company. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are presented at cost, which approximates fair value. Cash restricted as to use is included in Other Assets.
Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash balances relate primarily to “Funds at Lloyd’s” collateral balances for its assumed reinsurance programs. The Company also has restricted cash collateralizing its interest rate swap contracts. Restricted cash balances are reported in “Other Assets” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, these assets were approximately $134.1 million and $44.2 million, respectively. Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income or equity.
Investments	'
	Investments
	The Company’s fixed-maturity and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. The Company may sell its available-for-sale securities in response to changes in interest rates, risk/reward characteristics, liquidity needs or other factors.
	Fair value for fixed-maturity securities and equity securities is primarily based on quoted market prices or a matrix pricing using observable inputs, with limited exceptions as discussed in “Note 6 – Fair Value Measurements”. Changes in unrealized gains and losses, net of tax effects, are reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income while cumulative unrealized gains and losses are reported net of tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method. Investment income is recorded when earned and includes the amortization of premium and discount on investments.
	The Company, along with its outside portfolio managers, regularly reviews its fixed-maturity and equity security portfolios to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of investments. In evaluating potential impairment, management considers, among other criteria: (i) the overall financial condition of the issuer, (ii) the current fair value compared to amortized cost or cost, as appropriate; (iii) the length of time the security’s fair value has been below amortized cost or cost; (iv) specific credit issues related to the issuer such as changes in credit rating, reduction or elimination of dividends or non-payment of scheduled interest payments; (v) whether management intends to sell the security and, if not, whether it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its cost or amortized cost basis; (vi) specific cash flow estimations for fixed-maturity securities and (vii) current economic conditions. If an other-than-temporary-impairment (“OTTI”) loss is determined for a fixed-maturity security (and management does not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security), the credit portion is recorded in the statement of income as net realized losses on investments and the non-credit portion is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The credit portion results in a permanent reduction of the cost basis of the underlying investment. OTTI losses on fixed-maturity securities management has the intent to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell and on equity securities are reported in realized losses for the entire impairment.
	The Company’s other invested assets consist of investments in limited partnerships accounted for using the equity method of accounting, real estate and certain securities for which the Company has elected the fair value option. In accounting for the partnerships, management uses the financial information provided by the general partners, which is on a three-month lag. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had future funding commitments of $45.3 million to these limited partnerships. For securities in which the Company has elected the fair value option, interest and dividends are reported in net investment income with the remaining change in overall fair value reported in other net realized investment gains (losses).
Fair Value	'
	Fair Value
	GAAP establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) followed by similar but not identical assets or liabilities (Level 2) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded, including during periods of market disruption, and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available.
	The Company primarily uses outside pricing services to assist in determining fair values. For investments in active markets, the Company uses the quoted market prices provided by the outside pricing services to determine fair value. In circumstances where quoted market prices are unavailable, the pricing services utilize fair value estimates based upon other observable inputs including matrix pricing, benchmark interest rates, market comparables and other relevant inputs.
	As management is responsible for the recorded fair values, the Company has processes in place to validate the market prices obtained from the outside pricing sources including, but not limited to, periodic evaluation of model pricing methodologies and analytical reviews of certain prices. The Company also periodically performs back-testing of selected sales activity to determine whether there are any significant differences between the market price used to value the security prior to sale and the actual sale price.
Premiums Receivable	'
	Premiums Receivable
	Premiums receivable represent amounts due from insureds and reinsureds for insurance coverage and are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $17.6 million and $16.5 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The allowance for uncollectible amounts is based on an analysis of amounts receivable giving consideration to historical loss experience and current economic conditions and reflects an amount that, in management’s judgment, is adequate. Uncollectible premiums receivable of $12.1 million, $4.8 million and $3.0 million were written off in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Deferred Acquisition Costs	'
	Deferred Acquisition Costs
	Acquisition costs represent the costs of writing business that vary with, and are primarily related to, the successful production of insurance business (principally commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting costs). Policy acquisition costs are deferred and recognized as expense as related premiums are earned. Deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) presented in the balance sheet are net of deferred ceding commission revenue.
	The value of business acquired (“VOBA”) is an intangible asset relating to the estimated fair value of the unexpired insurance policies acquired in a business combination. VOBA is determined at the time of a business combination and is reported on the consolidated balance sheet with DAC and is amortized in proportion to the timing of the estimated underwriting profit associated with the in force policies acquired. The Company fully amortized the VOBA in the year ended December 31, 2011 and, accordingly, does not have any VOBA recorded on its balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 or 2012. The Company considers anticipated investment income in determining the recoverability of these costs and believes they are fully recoverable. See “Note 8 – Deferred Acquisition Costs” for additional information regarding deferred acquisition costs.
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill
	In business combinations, including the acquisition of a group of assets, the Company allocates the purchase price to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired based on their relative fair values. Any portion of the purchase price in excess of this amount results in goodwill. Identifiable intangible assets with a finite useful life are amortized over the period that the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the Company and are tested for impairment when impairment indicators are present. Intangible assets with an indefinite life and goodwill are not amortized and are subject to annual impairment testing at the reporting unit level or more frequently if circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill may be impaired.
	To estimate the fair value of its reporting units, the Company may utilize a combination of widely accepted valuation techniques including a stock price and market capitalization analysis, discounted cash flow calculations and peer company price to earnings multiples analysis. The stock price and market capitalization analysis takes into consideration the quoted market price of the Company’s outstanding common stock and includes a control premium, derived from historical insurance industry acquisition activity, in determining the estimated fair value of the consolidated entity before allocating that fair value to individual reporting units. The discounted cash flow analysis utilizes long term assumptions for revenue growth, capital growth, earnings projections including those used in the Company’s strategic plan, and an appropriate discount rate. The peer company price to earnings multiples analysis takes into consideration the price earnings multiples of peer companies for each reporting unit and estimated income from the Company’s strategic plan.
	The second and third quarter reserve increases were viewed by the Company as events or circumstances that required the Company to perform a detailed quantitative analysis of whether its recorded goodwill was impaired. After performing the quantitative analysis in the second quarter of 2013, it was determined that $214.0 million of goodwill, which represents all of the goodwill allocated to the Commercial Insurance reporting unit, was impaired. In the third quarter of 2013, management in its judgment impaired the remaining $55.5 million of goodwill, all of which was allocated to the Personal Insurance reporting unit. See “Note 7 – Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Asset Impairments” for additional detail on the Goodwill impairment.
Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible Assets
	Identifiable intangible assets with a finite useful life are amortized over the period in which the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to our future cash flows. Identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives and tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a carrying amount may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized. Rather, they are tested for recoverability at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a carrying amount may not be recoverable. Management performed its impairment analysis on its intangible assets with a finite useful life in 2013 and concluded impairment charges of $21.9 million were required to reduce its customer relationship intangible assets. These charges are reported in Other Operating Expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. No impairment losses were recognized on intangible assets with a finite useful life in 2012 or 2011.
	The Company completed its annual indefinite lived intangible asset assessment as of December 31, 2013. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying value of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Any amount of intangible assets determined to be impaired will be recorded as an expense in the period in which the impairment determination is made. No impairment losses were recognized on indefinite lived intangible assets in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
Other Assets	'
	Other Assets
	Tower’s other assets balances are comprised primarily of fixed assets, restricted cash, deposit assets, receivables for securities sold, receivables for the participation in involuntary pools and current tax receivables.
Fixed Assets	'
	Fixed Assets
	Furniture, leasehold improvements, computer equipment, and software, including internally developed software, are reported at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets to be held and used. Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on factors such as operational performance, market conditions and legal factors. Any adverse changes in these factors could cause an impairment in our assets. For long-lived assets to be held and used, if an impairment indicator exists, we compare the expected future undiscounted cash flows against the carrying amount of that asset. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, we record an impairment loss for the carrying amount in excess of the estimated fair value, if any, of the asset. Gross fixed assets and accumulated depreciation were $194.0 million and $54.7 million, as of December 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively. As a result of the reserve increases, rating downgrades and the expected significant declines in net written premiums and the orders and restrictions placed by various insurance departments, management tested fixed assets for recoverability in 2013 and recorded a non-cash charge to earnings of $125.8 million in 2013. Gross fixed assets and accumulated depreciation (after the effects of the impairment) were $20.7 million and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2013.
Other liabilities	'
	Other liabilities
	Tower’s other liabilities balances are comprised primarily of accrued operating expenses, payables for securities purchased, accrued boards, bureaus and tax expenses, and capital lease obligations.
Variable Interest Entities	'
	Variable Interest Entities
	The Company consolidates the Reciprocal Exchanges as it has determined that these are variable interest entities and that the Company is the primary beneficiary. See “Note 4 – Variable Interest Entities” for more details.
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	'
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliate
	Although the Company owned less than 20% of the outstanding common stock of Canopius Group at December 31, 2012, it recorded its investment in Canopius Group under the equity method of accounting as it was able to significantly influence the operating and financial policies and decisions of Canopius Group. In the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the change in the value of the Company’s investment in Canopius was a gain of $6.9 million and a loss of $1.5 million, respectively. Changes in the value were recognized in Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliate in the consolidated statement of operations. On December 13, 2013, Tower sold its 10.7% ownership in Canopius Group.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Pursuant to a written tax agreement (the “Tax Sharing Agreement”), each of the Tower’s subsidiaries is required to make payments to Tower for federal income tax imposed on its taxable income in a manner consistent with filing a separate federal income tax return (but subject to certain limitations that are applied to the Tower consolidated group as a whole). The Reciprocal Exchanges are not subject to the Tax Sharing Agreement but file separate tax returns annually.
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
	Management in its judgment concluded that a full valuation allowance was required for the net deferred tax assets after its consideration of the cumulative three-year pre-tax loss in its U.S. taxed subsidiaries resulting from certain 2013 events and the 2012 pre-tax loss of $61.0 million. In 2013, Tower had $325.6 million of prior year adverse reserve development, of which $149.7 million was recorded in Tower’s U.S. taxed subsidiaries. Management believes that the negative evidence associated with the realizability of its net deferred tax asset (including the cumulative three-year pre-tax loss, the prior year adverse reserve development, and the effects of Hurricane Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012) outweighed the positive evidence that the deferred tax assets, including the net operating loss carryforward would be realized, and subsequently recorded the full valuation allowance.
Treasury Stock	'
	Treasury Stock
	The Company accounts for the treasury stock at the repurchase price as a reduction to shareholders’ equity as it does not currently intend to retire the treasury stock held at December 31, 2013.
Stock-based Compensation	'
	Stock-based Compensation
	The Company accounts for restricted stock shares and options awarded at fair value at the date awarded and compensation expense is recorded over the requisite service period that has not been rendered. The Company amortizes awards with graded vesting on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
Assessments	'
	Assessments
	Insurance related assessments are accrued in the period in which they have been incurred. The Company is subject to a variety of assessments. Among such assessments are state guaranty funds and workers’ compensation second injury funds. State guaranty fund assessments are used by state insurance oversight boards to cover losses of policyholders of insolvent insurance companies and for the operating expenses of such agencies. The Company uses estimates derived from state regulators and/or NAIC Tax and Assessments Guidelines.
Earnings (loss) per Share	'
	Earnings (loss) per Share
	The Company measures earnings (loss) per share at two levels: basic earnings (loss) per share and diluted earnings (loss) per share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Tower common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Undistributed net earnings (loss) (net income less dividends declared during the period) are allocated to both common stock and unvested share-based payment awards (“unvested restricted stock”). Because the common shareholders and unvested restricted stock holders share in dividends on a 1:1 basis, the earnings per share on undistributed earnings is equivalent; however, undistributed losses are allocated only to common shareholders. Undistributed earnings are allocated to all outstanding share-based payment awards, including those for which the requisite service period is not expected to be rendered. The computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share excludes outstanding options and other common stock equivalents in periods where inclusion of such potential common stock instruments would be anti-dilutive.
Foreign currency	'
	Foreign currency
	The Company’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar.
Concentration and Credit Risk	'
	Concentration and Credit Risk
	Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration and credit risk are primarily cash and cash equivalents, investments, interest rate swaps, premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables. Investments are diversified through many industries and geographic regions through the use of money managers who employ different investment strategies. The Company limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution and believes that no significant concentration of credit risk exists with respect to cash and investments. The interest rate swap contracts contain credit support annex agreements with collateral posting provisions which reduces counterparty non-performance risk. The premiums receivable balances are generally diversified due to the number of entities comprising the Company’s distribution network and its customer base, which is largely concentrated in the Northeast, Florida, Texas and California. To reduce credit risk, the Company performs ongoing evaluations of its distribution network’s and customers’ financial condition. The Company also has receivables from its reinsurers. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company. The Company periodically evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and, in certain cases, requires collateral from its reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. As of December 31, 2013, the largest uncollateralized reinsurance recoverable balance from any one reinsurer was $56.4 million representing 6.8% of the Company’s total reinsurance recoverable balance. Management’s policy is to review all outstanding receivables at period end as well as the bad debt write-offs experienced in the past and establish an allowance for doubtful accounts, if deemed necessary.
	Our largest agent accounted for 9.7%, 7.5% and 10%, respectively, of the insurance subsidiaries’ premiums receivable balances at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. Our largest agent accounted for 9%, 7% and 7% of the insurance subsidiaries’ direct premiums written in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Accounting guidance adopted in 2013	'
	Accounting guidance adopted in 2013
	In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an accounting standard that allows a company, as a first step in an impairment review, to assess qualitatively whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. We are not required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform a quantitative impairment test unless we determine, based on the results of the qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not the asset is impaired. The standard became effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. We adopted the standard on its required effective date of January 1, 2013. (See Note 7 for a discussion of Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Asset Impairments in 2013).
	In February 2013, the FASB issued amended guidance on the presentation of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income in one place, either on the face of the income statement or in the footnotes to the financial statements. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2013 on a prospective basis as prescribed by the amended guidance. As all of the information that this guidance requires to be disclosed is already presented elsewhere in the Company’s financial statements under existing GAAP, and it does not affect the classification, recognition or measurement of items within other comprehensive income, the adoption will not affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Accounting guidance not yet effective	'
	Accounting guidance not yet effective
	In March 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard addressing whether consolidation guidance or foreign currency guidance applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent sells all or a part of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or net assets that are a business (other than a sale of in-substance real estate) within a foreign entity. The guidance also resolves the diversity in practice for the cumulative translation adjustment treatment in business combinations achieved in stages involving foreign entities.
	Under this standard, the entire amount of the cumulative translation adjustment associated with the foreign entity should be released into earnings when there has been: (i) a sale of a subsidiary or group of net assets within a foreign entity and the sale represents a complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or the net assets had resided; (ii) a loss of a controlling financial interest in an investment in a foreign entity; or (iii) a change in accounting method from applying the equity method to an investment in a foreign entity to consolidating the foreign entity. The standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and will be applied prospectively. We plan to adopt the standard on its required effective date of January 1, 2014 and do not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
	In July 2013, the FASB clarified the applicable guidance for the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. An unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, 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 as long as it is available, at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction, to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position (with certain exceptions). The assessment of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. This ASC update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard that permits the Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes in addition to U.S. Treasury rates and LIBOR. The standard also removes the prohibition on the use of differing benchmark rates when entering into similar hedging relationships. The standard became effective on a prospective basis for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013 to the extent the Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate is used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The Company will consider this guidance if and when it enters into any new hedging relationships.
Accounting for the Merger Transaction	'
	Accounting for the Canopius Merger Transaction
	The Company has accounted for the Canopius Merger Transaction as a reverse acquisition in which TGI, the legal acquiree, was identified and treated as the accounting acquirer and Tower Group International, Ltd., the legal acquirer, was identified and treated as the accounting acquiree. The identification of the accounting acquirer and acquiree in the Canopius Merger Transaction was primarily based on the fact that immediately following the close of the Canopius Merger Transaction there was a change in control of the Company with TGI designees to the Company’s Board of Directors comprising all of its directors and TGI’s former senior management comprising the Company’s entire senior management team. In accordance with accounting guidance for reverse acquisitions, the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company following the Canopius Merger Transaction have been issued under the name of the Company, as the legal parent, but reflect a continuation of the financial statements of TGI, as the accounting acquirer, with one exception, which was the retroactive adjustment of TGI’s historical legal capital to reflect the transaction as a recapitalization of TGI’s historical capital accounts. On the effective date of the Canopius Merger Transaction, the assets and liabilities of Tower Group International, Ltd. were accounted for under the acquisition method, under which they have been reflected at their respective acquisition date fair values.
	Prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction, Canopius Bermuda restructured its insurance operations as contemplated in the Master Transaction Agreement. This restructuring occurred primarily through the execution of retrocession agreements with Canopius Reinsurance Limited (“CRL”), an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Canopius Group, to retrocede a percentage of Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 4444 (“Syndicate 4444”) business for the Year of Account (“YOA”) 2012, YOA 2011 and prior years, which Canopius Bermuda assumed from Canopius Group. Syndicate 4444 is an insurance syndicate managed by Canopius Group. The Company accounts for these retrocession agreements in accordance with prospective accounting treatment, and reports the assumed and ceded assets and liabilities on a gross basis on the consolidated balance sheet. On September 30, 2013, Tower commuted the Syndicate 4444 YOA 2012 and YOA 2011 and prior years’ retrocession agreements with CRL and novated the assumed reinsurance with Canopius Group on these same contracts.
	In addition, effective January 1, 2013, pursuant to the terms of the Master Transaction Agreement, prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction, TGI entered into a commutation agreement whereby TGI commuted Syndicate 4444 YOA 2012 and YOA 2011 business TGI previously reinsured from Canopius Group in prior years. There was no gain or loss recognized on this commutation.
Statutory Financial Information and Accounting Policies	'
	United States
	For regulatory purposes, the Company’s U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries, excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, prepare their statutory basis financial statements in accordance with practices prescribed or permitted by the state they are domiciled in (“statutory basis” or “SAP”). The more significant SAP variances from GAAP are as follows:
	•	Policy acquisition costs are charged to operations in the year such costs are incurred, rather than being deferred and amortized as premiums are earned over the terms of the policies.
	•	Ceding commission revenues are earned when ceded premiums are written except for ceding commission revenues in excess of anticipated acquisition costs, which are deferred and amortized as ceded premiums are earned. GAAP requires that all ceding commission revenues be earned as the underlying ceded premiums are earned over the term of the reinsurance agreements.
	•	Certain assets including certain receivables, a portion of the net deferred tax asset, prepaid expenses and furniture and equipment are not admitted.
	•	Investments in fixed-maturity securities are valued at NAIC value for statutory financial purposes, which is primarily amortized cost. GAAP requires investments in fixed-maturity securities classified as available for sale, to be reported at fair value.
	•	For SAP purposes, changes in deferred income taxes relating to temporary differences between net income for financial reporting purposes and taxable income are recognized as a separate component of gains and losses in surplus rather than included in income tax expense or benefit as required under GAAP.
	•	Investments in stocks of subsidiaries are carried as assets on the statutory basis balance sheet. Under GAAP, investments in stocks of subsidiaries are generally consolidated if the investor owns greater than fifty percent or otherwise demonstrates control of the subsidiary.
	In preparing its statutory basis financial statements, the Company does not use any prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices.
	State insurance laws restrict the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to declare dividends. State insurance regulators require insurance companies to maintain specified levels of statutory capital and surplus. Generally, dividends may only be paid out of earned surplus, and the amount of an insurer’s surplus following payment of any dividends must be reasonable in relation to the insurer’s outstanding liabilities and adequate to meet its financial needs. Further, prior approval of the insurance department of its state of domicile is required before any of our insurance subsidiaries can declare and pay an “extraordinary dividend” to the Company.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries had SAP net (loss) income of $(402.4) million, $ (42.3) million and $ 52.0 million, respectively. At December 31, 2013 and 2012 the Company’s insurance subsidiaries had reported SAP capital and surplus of $172.9 million and $594.2 million, respectively, as filed with the insurance regulators.
	The Company is required to maintain minimum capital and surplus for each of its insurance subsidiaries.
	U.S. based insurance companies are required to maintain capital and surplus above Company Action Level, which is a calculated capital and surplus number using a risk-based formula adopted by the state insurance regulators. The basis for this formula is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (“NAIC’s”) risk-based capital (“RBC”) system and is designed to measure the adequacy of a U.S. regulated insurer’s statutory capital and surplus compared to risks inherent in its business. If an insurance entity falls into Company Action Level, its management is required to submit a comprehensive financial plan that identifies the conditions that contributed to the financial condition. This plan must contain proposals to correct the financial problems and provide projections of the financial condition, both with and without the proposed corrections. The plan must also outline the key assumptions underlying the projections and identify the quality of, and problems associated with, the underlying business. Depending on the level of actual capital and surplus in comparison to the Company Action Level, the state insurance regulators could increase their regulatory oversight, restrict the placement of new business, or place the company under regulatory control. Bermuda based insurance entities minimum capital and surplus requirements are calculated from a solvency formula prescribed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “BMA”).
	The Company’s U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries paid zero, $10.2 million and $15.0 million in dividends and or return of capital to TGI in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, none of the Company’s net statutory assets held at the U.S. insurance subsidiaries were available for distribution or advances to Tower (without prior consent from the insurance regulators).
	Tower has in place several intercompany reinsurance transactions between its U.S. based insurance subsidiaries and its Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries. The U.S. based insurance subsidiaries have historically reinsured on a quota share basis obligations to CastlePoint Reinsurance Company (“CastlePoint Re”), one of its Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries. The 2013 obligations that CastlePoint Re assumes from the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries are then retroceded to TRL, Tower’s other Bermuda based insurance subsidiary. In addition, CastlePoint Re also entered into a loss portfolio transaction with TRL where its reserves associated with the U.S. insurance subsidiary business for underwriting years prior to 2013 were all transferred to TRL. CastlePoint Re is required to collateralize $648.9 million of its assumed reserves in a reinsurance trust for the benefit of TICNY, the lead pool company of the U.S. insurance companies. On February 5, 2014, the BMA approved the transfer of $167.3 million in unencumbered liquid assets from TRL to CastlePoint Re, allowing CastlePoint Re to increase the funding in the reinsurance trust for the benefit of TICNY. The New York State Department of Financial Services (the “NYDFS”) has confirmed this will be acceptable for the purpose of admitted surplus and capital on TICNY’s 2013 statutory basis financial statements. For the 2013 statutory basis financial statements, CastlePoint Re reported $581.7 million in its reinsurance trust.
	Based on RBC calculations as of December 31, 2013, six of Tower’s ten U.S. based insurance subsidiaries have capital and surplus below Company Action Level and do not meet the minimum capital and surplus requirements of their respective state regulators. As a result, management has discussed the ACP Re Merger Agreement and the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement and provided its 2014 RBC forecasts to the regulators to document the Company’s business plan to bring two of three U.S based insurance subsidiaries’ capital and surplus levels above Company Action Level.
	As a result of the recognition of the ceding commission relating to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements executed with AmTrust and NGHC in January 2014, the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries’ capital and surplus will increase significantly from December 31, 2013 to January 1, 2014, as the U.S. based subsidiaries will transfer a significant portion of their commercial lines unearned premium to a subsidiary of AmTrust and all of their personal lines unearned premiums to a subsidiary of NGHC. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2014, the effect of the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreements increased the surplus of two of the U.S. based insurance subsidiaries such that their capital and surplus levels exceeded Company Action Level.
	In 2013, the NYDFS issued orders for seven of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries, subjecting them to heightened regulatory oversight, which includes providing the NYDFS with increased information with respect to the insurance subsidiaries’ business, operations and financial condition. In addition, the NYDFS has placed limitations on payments and transactions outside the ordinary course of business and material changes in the insurance subsidiaries’ management and related matters. Tower’s management and Board of Directors have held discussions with the NYDFS, and Tower has been complying with the orders and oversight.
	On April 21, 2014, the NYDFS issued additional orders for two of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries instructing them to provide plans to address weaknesses in such insurance subsidiaries’ risk based capital levels as shown in their statutory annual financial statements, and imposing further enhanced reporting and prior approval requirements and limitations on writings of new business. On the same date, the NYDFS issued a letter pertaining to one of Tower’s insurance subsidiaries requiring the submission of a plan to address weaknesses in risk based capital levels.
	The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (“MDOI”) and Tower management have agreed to certain restrictions on the operations of Tower’s two Massachusetts domiciled insurance subsidiaries. Tower management has agreed to cause these subsidiaries to provide the MDOI with increased information with respect to their business, operations and financial condition, as well as limitations on payments and transactions outside the ordinary course of business and material changes in their management and related matters.
	The Maine Bureau of Insurance entered a Corrective Order imposing certain conditions on Maine domestic insurers York Insurance Company of Maine (“YICM”) and North East Insurance Company (“NEIC”). The Corrective Order imposes increased reporting obligations on YICM and NEIC with respect to business operations and financial condition and imposes restrictions on payments or other transfers of assets from YICM and NEIC outside the ordinary course of business.
	On April 11, 2014, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance imposed an enhanced reporting requirement on the intercompany transactions involving Tower’s two New Jersey domiciled insurance subsidiaries and Tower’s New Jersey managed insurer. Such companies are now required to submit for prior approval any transactions with affiliates, even transactions that would otherwise not be reportable under the applicable holding company act.
	Dividends
	U.S. state insurance regulations restrict the ability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends to Tower Group International, Ltd. as their ultimate parent (the “Holding Company”). Generally dividends may only be paid out of earned surplus, and the amount of an insurer’s surplus following payment of any dividends must be reasonable in relation to the insurer’s outstanding liabilities and adequate to meet its financial needs. As of December 31, 2013, no dividends may be paid to the Holding Company without the approval of the state regulators or BMA, as appropriate.
	Bermuda
	CastlePoint Re and TRL are registered as a Class 3 reinsurer under The Insurance Act 1978 (Bermuda), amendments thereto and related regulations (the “Insurance Act”). Under the Insurance Act, CastlePoint Re and TRL are required to prepare Statutory Financial Statements and to file a Statutory Financial Return. The Insurance Act also requires CastlePoint Re and TRL to maintain minimum share capital and surplus, and it has met these requirements as of December 31, 2013.
	For Bermuda registered companies, there are some differences between financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP and those prepared on a Bermuda statutory basis. The more significant Bermuda SAP variances from GAAP are as follows:
	•	Deferred policy acquisition costs have been fully expensed to income.
	•	Prepaid expenses and fixed assets have been removed from the statutory balance sheet.
	•	Investments in fixed-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost. GAAP requires investments in fixed-maturity securities classified as available for sale to be reported at fair value.
	•	Deferred income taxes, intangible assets and goodwill are not included in the Bermuda statutory capital and surplus balances.
	•	Investments in stocks of subsidiaries are carried as assets on the statutory basis balance sheet. Under GAAP, investments in stocks of subsidiaries are generally consolidated if the investor owns greater than fifty percent or otherwise demonstrates control of the subsidiary.
	CastlePoint Re and TRL are also subject to dividend limitations imposed by Bermuda under the Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda, as amended (the “Companies Act”). As of December 31, 2013, CastlePoint Re and TRL were unable to pay dividends to Tower, without BMA approval.
	Bermuda based insurance entities minimum capital and surplus requirements are calculated from a solvency formula prescribed by the BMA. As of December 31, 2013, TRL and CastlePoint Re had capital and surplus that did not meet the minimum capital and surplus requirements of the BMA. Management has discussed the ACP Re Merger Agreement and provided 2014 solvency forecasts to the BMA.
	The TRL and CastlePoint Re capital and surplus amounts were $14.4 million and $(37.2) million, respectively. The CastlePoint Re negative surplus includes ($109.7) million of a deferred gain associated with retroactive accounting treatment on an intercompany retroactive reinsurance agreement between CastlePoint Re and TRL. This gain will be recognized as the underlying claims are paid on the losses reinsured by TRL. This deferred gain is eliminated in the preparation of the TGIL consolidated financial statements.
	The BMA has issued directives for TRL and CastlePoint Re, subjecting them to heightened regulatory oversight and requiring BMA approval before certain transactions can be executed. Tower has been complying with the directives issued by the BMA.
	For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Bermuda based insurers had statutory net income (loss) of $ (198.6) million and at December 31, 2013, had statutory surplus of $60.3 million. The statutory capital surplus amounts as of December 31, 2013 include $26.5 million from U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries that are owned by CastlePoint Re.
	CastlePoint Re paid $22.0 million, $2.5 million and $20.0 million in dividends and/or return of capital to TGI in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, none of the Company’s net statutory assets held at its Bermuda based insurance subsidiaries were available for distributions or advances to Tower.

Accounting_Policies_and_Basis_2

Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Previously Reported and Revised Shareholders' Equity Accounts Resulting from Merger Transaction	'
	The table below reflects the previously reported and revised shareholders’ equity accounts resulting from the Canopius Merger Transaction:
	($ in thousands, except share amounts)	As previously			Revised
		Reported			Amount
	As of December 31, 2012
	Common stock	$	469		$	530
	Treasury stock		(181,435	)		(181,435	)
	Paid-in-capital		780,097			780,036
	As of December 31, 2011
	Common stock		465			526
	Treasury stock		(158,185	)		(158,185	)
	Paid-in-capital		772,938			772,877
	For the year ended December 31, 2012
	Earnings (Loss) per Share:
	Basic	$	(0.73	)	$	(0.81	)
	Diluted		(0.73	)		(0.81	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic		38,795			42,902
	Diluted		38,975			42,902
	For the year ended December 31, 2011
	Earnings (Loss) per Share:
	Basic	$	1.48		$	0.96
	Diluted		1.48			0.96
	Weighted average common shares outstanding
	Basic		40,833			45,226
	Diluted		40,931			45,337

Canopius_Merger_Transaction_Ta

Canopius Merger Transaction (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Preliminary Purchase Consideration	'
	The purchase consideration was determined based on the total consideration received by Canopius Group for its sale of 100% of its equity ownership of Canopius Bermuda, and the proceeds received for the issuance and exercise of the Merger Option from TGI.
	(in thousands)
	Consideration received by Canopius Group from the third party sale	$	205,863
	Fair value of Merger Option received in connection with TGI’s investment in Canopius Group		484
	Exercise price of Merger Right received from TGI upon exercise		1,000
	Total preliminary purchase consideration	$	207,347
Fair Values of Respective Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	($ in thousands)
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	134,741
	Investments		26,485
	Reinsurance recoverables		463,745
	Prepaid reinsurance		152,431
	Funds held by reinsured companies		698,819
	Other assets		80,201
	Liabilities
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses		630,613
	Unearned premiums		169,963
	Funds held under reinsurance agreements		560,714
	Other liabilities		15,916
	Net assets acquired	$	179,216
	Purchase Consideration		207,347
	Goodwill	$	28,131
Pro Forma Financial Information	'
	These pro forma amounts exclude any pro forma impacts to the Company’s effective federal income tax rates.
		Year Ended
		December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Revenues	$	1,745,146		$	1,933,942
	Net Income (Loss)		(922,959	)		(19,567	)

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Cost or Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments in Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses, and Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Losses	'
	The cost or amortized cost and fair value of the Company’s investments in fixed maturity and equity securities, gross unrealized gains and losses, and other-than-temporary impairment losses as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized as follows:
	($ in thousands)		Cost or			Gross			Gross			Fair Value			Unrealized
			Amortized			Unrealized			Unrealized						OTTI
			Cost			Gains			Losses						Losses (1)
	December 31, 2013
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	370,959		$	729		$	(7,726	)	$	363,962		$	-
	U.S. Agency securities			110,362			1,420			(561	)		111,221			-
	Municipal bonds			277,382			7,981			(6,257	)		279,106			-
	Corporate and other bonds
	Finance			148,132			9,797			(1,028	)		156,901			-
	Industrial			316,474			8,286			(3,008	)		321,752			-
	Utilities			47,838			1,341			(1,890	)		47,289			(17	)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			189,808			16,852			(1,754	)		204,906			(634	)
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Agency backed securities			63,668			891			(1,218	)		63,341			-
	Non-agency backed securities			30,228			4,659			(31	)		34,856			(13	)
	Asset-backed securities			58,783			681			(103	)		59,361			-
	Total fixed-maturity securities			1,613,634			52,637			(23,576	)		1,642,695			(664	)
	Preferred stocks, principally financial sector			21,330			54			(2,536	)		18,848			-
	Common stocks, principally financial and industrial sectors			76,378			11,432			(28	)		87,782			-
	Short-term investments			5,925			-			(28	)		5,897			-
	Total, December 31, 2013		$	1,717,267		$	64,123		$	(26,168	)	$	1,755,222		$	(664	)
	Tower		$	1,465,039		$	56,480		$	(21,369	)	$	1,500,150		$	(664	)
	Reciprocal Exchanges			252,228			7,643			(4,799	)		255,072			-
	Total, December 31, 2013		$	1,717,267		$	64,123		$	(26,168	)	$	1,755,222		$	(664	)
	December 31, 2012
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	183,462		$	1,500		$	(13	)	$	184,949		$	-
	U.S. Agency securities			98,502			4,351			(76	)		102,777			-
	Municipal bonds			633,373			52,914			(244	)		686,043			-
	Corporate and other bonds
	Finance			233,849			21,293			(1,095	)		254,047			-
	Industrial			412,465			26,556			(868	)		438,153			-
	Utilities			51,698			2,958			(191	)		54,465			-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			211,819			30,375			(141	)		242,053			-
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Agency backed securities			283,652			12,326			(262	)		295,716			-
	Non-agency backed securities			38,615			3,575			(34	)		42,156			(6	)
	Asset-backed securities			42,751			1,615			(14	)		44,352			-
	Total fixed-maturity securities			2,190,186			157,463			(2,938	)		2,344,711			(6	)
	Preferred stocks, principally financial sector			31,272			730			(481	)		31,521			-
	Common stocks, principally industrial and financial sectors			118,076			953			(4,292	)		114,737			-
	Short-term investments			4,749			1			-			4,750			-
	Total, December 31, 2012		$	2,344,283		$	159,147		$	(7,711	)	$	2,495,719		$	(6	)
	Tower		$	2,075,189		$	141,614		$	(7,210	)	$	2,209,593		$	(6	)
	Reciprocal Exchanges			269,094			17,533			(501	)		286,126			-
	Total, December 31, 2012		$	2,344,283		$	159,147		$	(7,711	)	$	2,495,719		$	(6	)
	-1	Represents the gross unrealized loss on other-than-temporarily impaired securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Summary of Major Categories of Net Investment Income	'
	Major categories of net investment income are summarized as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Income
	Fixed-maturity securities		$	75,731		$	96,056		$	105,533
	Equity securities			22,912			28,989			24,576
	Cash and cash equivalents			244			1,112			695
	Other invested assets			16,138			6,680			274
	Other			736			387			643
	Total			115,761			133,224			131,721
	Expenses
	Investment expenses			(6,553	)		(6,059	)		(5,247	)
	Net investment income		$	109,208		$	127,165		$	126,474
	Tower			106,309			121,907			120,083
	Reciprocal Exchanges			9,578			12,575			12,846
	Elimination of interest on Reciprocal Exchange surplus notes			(6,679	)		(7,317	)		(6,455	)
	Net investment income		$	109,208		$	127,165		$	126,474
Summary of Gross Realized Gains, Losses and Impairment Write-Downs on Investments	'
	Gross realized gains, losses and impairment write-downs on investments are summarized as follows:
			Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Fixed-maturity securities
	Gross realized gains		$	51,598		$	59,319		$	44,550
	Gross realized losses			(9,760	)		(2,780	)		(11,101	)
				41,838			56,539			33,449
	Equity securities
	Gross realized gains			18,004			13,090			8,328
	Gross realized losses			(28,649	)		(31,404	)		(29,138	)
				(10,645	)		(18,314	)		(20,810	)
	Other (1)
	Gross realized gains			12,946			3,432			-
	Gross realized losses			(5,676	)		(6,548	)		-
				7,270			(3,116	)		-
	Net realized gains on investments			38,463			35,109			12,639
	Other-than-temporary impairment losses:
	Fixed-maturity securities			(6,682	)		(1,320	)		(580	)
	Equity securities			(6,733	)		(8,313	)		(2,665	)
	Total other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings			(13,415	)		(9,633	)		(3,245	)
	Total net realized investment gains (losses)		$	25,048		$	25,476		$	9,394
	Tower		$	22,894		$	12,245		$	6,980
	Reciprocal Exchanges			2,154			13,231			2,414
	Total net realized investment gains (losses)		$	25,048		$	25,476		$	9,394
	(1)	Other gross realized gains and losses consists primarily of foreign exchange and “debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased,” which are reported in Other liabilities. The Company recorded a $4.3 million gain from translation of foreign currency transactions to the functional currency.
Amount of Fixed-Maturity and Equity Securities that were Other-Than-Temporary Impairment	'
	The following table shows the amount of fixed-maturity and equity securities that were OTTI for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. This resulted in recording impairment write-downs included in net realized investment gains (losses), and reduced the unrealized loss in other comprehensive net income:
			Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	(801	)	$	-		$	-
	U.S. Agency securities			(572	)		-			-
	Municipal bonds			(367	)		(113	)		-
	Corporate and other bonds			(4,271	)		(1,029	)		-
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			(1,176	)		(430	)		(219	)
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			(423	)		(34	)		(235	)
	Asset-backed securities			(53	)		-			(391	)
	Equities			(6,733	)		(8,313	)		(2,664	)
	Other-than-temporary-impairments			(14,396	)		(9,919	)		(3,509	)
	Portion of loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			981			286			264
	Impairment losses recognized in earnings		$	(13,415	)	$	(9,633	)	$	(3,245	)
	Tower		$	(13,414	)	$	(9,919	)	$	(3,245	)
	Reciprocal Exchanges			(1	)		286			-
	Impairment losses recognized in earnings		$	(13,415	)	$	(9,633	)	$	(3,245	)
Rollforward of Cumulative Amount of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment for Securities Held Showing Amounts that have been Included in Earnings on Pretax Basis	'
	The following table provides a rollforward of the cumulative amount of credit related OTTI for securities still held showing the amounts that have been included in earnings on a pretax basis for the years ended 2013 and 2012 (none of such OTTI was included within the Reciprocal Exchanges):
			Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Balance, January 1,		$	4,492		$	12,666		$	18,075
	Additional credit losses recognized during the period, related to securities for which:
	No OTTI has been previously recognized			6,252			1,259			44
	OTTI has been previously recognized			430			61			537
	Reductions due to:
	Securities sold during the period (realized)			(3,357	)		(9,494	)		(5,990	)
	Balance, December 31,		$	7,817		$	4,492		$	12,666
Information Regarding Invested Assets that were in Unrealized Loss Position	'
	The following table presents information regarding invested assets that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 by amount of time in a continuous unrealized loss position:
			Less than 12 Months						12 Months or Longer						Total
	($ in thousands)		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Aggregate			Unrealized
			Value			Losses			Value			Losses			Fair Value			Losses
	December 31, 2013
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	273,217		$	(7,726	)	$	-		$	-		$	273,217		$	(7,726	)
	U.S. Agency securities			51,808			(561	)		-			-			51,808			(561	)
	Municipal bonds			109,345			(5,056	)		4,268			(1,201	)		113,613			(6,257	)
	Corporate and other bonds
	Finance			37,811			(1,005	)		335			(23	)		38,146			(1,028	)
	Industrial			124,869			(2,550	)		10,023			(458	)		134,892			(3,008	)
	Utilities			27,698			(805	)		7,292			(1,085	)		34,990			(1,890	)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			26,469			(597	)		20,397			(1,157	)		46,866			(1,754	)
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Agency backed			37,660			(925	)		5,166			(293	)		42,826			(1,218	)
	Non-agency backed			1,027			(19	)		182			(12	)		1,209			(31	)
	Asset-backed securities			32,461			(103	)		-			-			32,461			(103	)
	Total fixed-maturity securities			722,365			(19,347	)		47,663			(4,229	)		770,028			(23,576	)
	Preferred stocks			10,538			(2,285	)		6,154			(251	)		16,692			(2,536	)
	Common stocks			7,125			(28	)		-			-			7,125			(28	)
	Short-term investments			3,897			(28	)		-			-			3,897			(28	)
	Total, December 31, 2013		$	743,925		$	(21,688	)	$	53,817		$	(4,480	)	$	797,742		$	(26,168	)
	Tower		$	663,127		$	(19,335	)	$	23,096		$	(2,034	)	$	686,223		$	(21,369	)
	Reciprocal Exchanges			80,798			(2,353	)		30,721			(2,446	)		111,519			(4,799	)
	Total, December 31, 2013		$	743,925		$	(21,688	)	$	53,817		$	(4,480	)	$	797,742		$	(26,168	)
	December 31, 2012
	U.S. Treasury securities		$	44,347		$	(13	)	$	-		$	-		$	44,347		$	(13	)
	U.S. Agency securities			22,345			(76	)		-			-			22,345			(76	)
	Municipal bonds			21,532			(235	)		251			(9	)		21,783			(244	)
	Corporate and other bonds
	Finance			16,853			(1,095	)		-			-			16,853			(1,095	)
	Industrial			53,576			(667	)		4,188			(201	)		57,764			(868	)
	Utilities			20,143			(191	)		7			-			20,150			(191	)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			23,223			(141	)		95			-			23,318			(141	)
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Agency backed			59,009			(261	)		25			(1	)		59,034			(262	)
	Non-agency backed			815			(6	)		588			(28	)		1,403			(34	)
	Asset-backed securities			1,499			(2	)		4,232			(12	)		5,731			(14	)
	Total fixed-maturity securities			263,342			(2,687	)		9,386			(251	)		272,728			(2,938	)
	Preferred stocks			9,716			(155	)		5,724			(326	)		15,440			(481	)
	Common stocks			55,560			(4,292	)		-			-			55,560			(4,292	)
	Total, December 31, 2012		$	328,618		$	(7,134	)	$	15,110		$	(577	)	$	343,728		$	(7,711	)
	Tower		$	270,609		$	(6,732	)	$	13,338		$	(478	)	$	283,947		$	(7,210	)
	Reciprocal Exchanges			58,009			(402	)		1,772			(99	)		59,781			(501	)
	Total, December 31, 2012		$	328,618		$	(7,134	)	$	15,110		$	(577	)	$	343,728		$	(7,711	)
Composition of Fixed-Maturity Portfolio by Remaining Time to Maturity	'
	The following table shows the composition of the fixed-maturity portfolio by remaining time to maturity at December 31, 2013 and 2012. For securities that are redeemable at the option of the issuer and have a market price that is greater than par value, the maturity used for the table below is the earliest redemption date. For securities that are redeemable at the option of the issuer and have a market price that is less than par value, the maturity used for the table below is the final maturity date.
			Tower						Reciprocal Exchanges						Total
	($ in thousands)		Amortized			Fair Value			Amortized			Fair			Amortized			Fair Value
			Cost						Cost			Value			Cost
	December 31, 2013
	Remaining Time to Maturity
	Less than one year		$	33,305		$	33,727		$	7,866		$	8,021		$	41,171		$	41,748
	One to five years			507,388			513,841			39,469			41,381			546,857			555,222
	Five to ten years			459,070			459,251			82,003			81,515			541,073			540,766
	More than 10 years			100,977			102,801			41,069			39,693			142,046			142,494
	Mortgage and asset-backed securities			263,417			280,526			79,070			81,939			342,487			362,465
	Total		$	1,364,157		$	1,390,146		$	249,477		$	252,549		$	1,613,634		$	1,642,695
	December 31, 2012
	Remaining Time to Maturity
	Less than one year		$	30,082		$	30,614		$	2,678		$	2,715		$	32,760		$	33,329
	One to five years			489,939			510,523			45,576			47,275			535,515			557,798
	Five to ten years			564,556			607,711			76,480			80,009			641,036			687,720
	More than 10 years			346,410			379,045			57,628			62,542			404,038			441,587
	Mortgage and asset-backed securities			495,249			536,255			81,588			88,022			576,837			624,277
	Total		$	1,926,236		$	2,064,148		$	263,950		$	280,563		$	2,190,186		$	2,344,711
Composition of Other Invested Assets	'
	The following table shows the composition of the other invested assets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
	($ in thousands)		2013			2012
	Limited partnerships, equity method		$	46,521		$	23,864
	Real estate, amortized cost			6,054			7,422
	Securities reported under the fair value option:			43,580			25,000
	Other			-			1,500
	Total		$	96,155		$	57,786

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial Instruments at Fair Value among Levels	'
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value are allocated among levels as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
	December 31, 2013
	Fixed-maturity securities
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	-		$	363,962		$	-	$	363,962
	U.S. Agency securities		-			111,221			-		111,221
	Municipal bonds		-			279,106			-		279,106
	Corporate and other bonds		-			522,516			3,426		525,942
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		-			204,906			-		204,906
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Agency		-			63,341			-		63,341
	Non-agency		-			34,856			-		34,856
	Asset-backed securities		-			59,361			-		59,361
	Total fixed-maturities		-			1,639,269			3,426		1,642,695
	Equity securities		106,630			-			-		106,630
	Short-term investments		-			5,897			-		5,897
	Total investments at fair value		106,630			1,645,166			3,426		1,755,222
	Other invested assets (1)		-			-			43,580		43,580
	Other Assets
	Additional Payment derivative		-			-			9,343		9,343
	Other liabilities
	Interest rate swap contracts		-			(6,066	)		-		(6,066	)
	Debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased		-			(11,099	)		-		(11,099	)
	Total, December 31, 2013	$	106,630		$	1,628,001		$	56,349	$	1,790,980
	Tower	$	104,107		$	1,375,452		$	56,349	$	1,535,908
	Reciprocal Exchanges		2,523			252,549			-		255,072
	Total, December 31, 2013	$	106,630		$	1,628,001		$	56,349	$	1,790,980
	December 31, 2012
	Fixed-maturity securities
	U.S. Treasury securities	$	-		$	184,949		$	-	$	184,949
	U.S. Agency securities		-			102,777			-		102,777
	Municipal bonds		-			686,043			-		686,043
	Corporate and other bonds		-			746,665			-		746,665
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		-			242,053			-		242,053
	Residential mortgage-backed securities
	Agency		-			295,716			-		295,716
	Non-agency		-			42,156			-		42,156
	Asset-backed securities		-			44,352			-		44,352
	Total fixed-maturities		-			2,344,711			-		2,344,711
	Equity securities		146,258			-			-		146,258
	Short-term investments		-			4,750			-		4,750
	Total investments		146,258			2,349,461			-		2,495,719
	Other invested assets (2)		-			-			25,000		25,000
	Other liabilities
	Interest rate swap contracts		-			(9,016	)		-		(9,016	)
	Debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased		-			(17,101	)		-		(17,101	)
	Total, December 31, 2012	$	146,258		$	2,323,344		$	25,000	$	2,494,602
	Tower	$	140,695		$	2,042,780		$	25,000	$	2,208,475
	Reciprocal Exchanges		5,563			280,564			-		286,127
	Total, December 31, 2012	$	146,258		$	2,323,344		$	25,000	$	2,494,602
	(1) $43.6 million of the $96.2 million Other invested assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is reported at fair value. The remaining $52.6 million of Other invested assets is reported under the equity method of accounting.
	(2) $25.0 million of the $57.8 million Other invested assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 is reported at fair value. The remaining $32.8 million of Other invested assets is reported under the equity method of accounting or at amortized cost.
Summary of Changes in Level Three Assets Measured at Fair Value	'
	The following table summarizes changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 for Tower (the Reciprocal Exchanges do not have any Level 3 assets):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013											2012 (1)		2011(1)
	($ in thousands)	Other			Fixed			Additional		Total
		Invested			Maturity			Payment
		Assets			Securities (2)			Derivative
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	25,000			-			-		25,000		$	25,000	$	2,058
	Total gains (losses)-realized / unrealized
	Included in net income		(670	)		-			2,081		(670	)		-		(1,067	)
	Included in other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-			-		-			-		-
	Purchases		19,250			-			7,262		28,593			-		25,000
	Issuances		-			-			-		-			-		-
	Settlements		-			-			-		-			-		-
	Net transfers into (out of) Level 3		-			3,426			-		3,426			-		(991	)
	Ending balance, December 31,	$	43,580			3,426			9,343		56,349		$	25,000	$	25,000
	(1) All activity for years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is comprised of other invested assets
	(2) Comprised of corporate and other bonds

Goodwill_Intangible_and_Fixed_1

Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Assets Impairments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Goodwill by Reporting Units	'
	The following table reflects the changes to goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and is presented using the reporting units prior to the reorganizations.
	($ in thousands)	Commercial			Personal			Total
		Insurance			Insurance
	Balance, January 1, 2012	$	185,918		$	55,540		$	241,458
	Adjustments		-			-			-
	Balance, December 31, 2012		185,918			55,540			241,458
	Goodwill from Canopius Merger Transaction		28,131			-			28,131
	Goodwill from Marine and Energy acquisition		1,853			-			1,853
	Goodwill impairment		(215,902	)		(55,540	)		(271,442	)
	Total, December 31, 2013	$	-		$	-		$	-
Components of Intangible Assets and their Useful Lives, Accumulated Amortization, and Net Carrying Value	'
	The components of intangible assets and their useful lives, accumulated amortization, and net carrying value as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
					December 31, 2013									December 31, 2012
	($ in thousands)	Useful			Gross			Accumulated			Net			Gross			Accumulated			Net
		Life			Carrying			Amortization/			Carrying			Carrying			Amortization/			Carrying
		(in-yrs)			Amount			Impairment			Amount			Amount			Impairment			Amount
	Insurance licenses		-		$	19,003		$	-		$	19,003		$	19,003		$	-		$	19,003
	Management contracts		-			54,600			-			54,600			54,600			-			54,600
	Customer relationships		25-Oct			57,890			(53,030	)		4,860			57,890			(26,754	)		31,136
	Trademarks		5			5,290			(3,817	)		1,473			5,290			(3,261	)		2,029
	Total				$	136,783		$	(56,847	)	$	79,936		$	136,783		$	(30,015	)	$	106,768
	Tower				$	128,283		$	(54,684	)	$	73,599		$	128,283		$	(28,369	)	$	99,914
	Reciprocal Exchanges					8,500			(2,163	)		6,337			8,500			(1,646	)		6,854
	Total				$	136,783		$	(56,847	)	$	79,936		$	136,783		$	(30,015	)	$	106,768
Activity in Components of Intangible Assets Consisted of Intangible Assets Acquired from Business Combinations and Amortization Expense	'
	The activity in the components of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 consisted of intangible assets acquired from business combinations and amortization expense as shown in the table below:
	($ in thousands)	Insurance			Management			Customer			Trademarks			Total
		Licenses			Contracts			Relationships
	Balance, January 1, 2012	$	19,003		$	54,600		$	38,463		$	2,854		$	114,920
	Additions		-			-			-			-			-
	Amortization		-			-			(7,327	)		(825	)		(8,152	)
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	19,003		$	54,600		$	31,136		$	2,029		$	106,768
	Tower	$	16,003		$	54,600		$	28,600		$	711		$	99,914
	Reciprocal Exchanges (a)		3,000			-			2,536			1,318			6,854
	Total, December 31, 2012	$	19,003		$	54,600		$	31,136		$	2,029		$	106,768
	Additions		-			-			-			-			-
	Amortization		-			-			(4,359	)		(556	)		(4,915	)
	Impairment		-			-			(21,917	)		-			(21,917	)
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	19,003		$	54,600		$	4,860		$	1,473		$	79,936
	Tower	$	16,003		$	54,600		$	2,608		$	388		$	73,599
	Reciprocal Exchanges		3,000			-			2,252			1,085			6,337
	Total, December 31, 2013	$	19,003		$	54,600		$	4,860		$	1,473		$	79,936
	(a) In 2012, Tower transferred a licensed insurance subsidiary shell to the Reciprocal Exchanges, as discussed in Note 2-Accounting Policies and Procedures. This resulted in classifying $2.6 million insurance licenses out of Tower and into the Reciprocal Exchange.
Estimated Amortization Expense for Each of Next Five Years	'
	The estimated amortization expense associated with these intangible assets for each of the next five years is:
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges
	2014	$	544		$	466		$	1,010
	2015		303			405			708
	2016		191			354			545
	2017		171			311			482
	2018		155			276			431

Deferred_Acquisition_Costs_DAC1

Deferred Acquisition Costs ("DAC") (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisition Costs Incurred and Policy-Related Ceding Commission Revenue Deferred and Amortized to Income on Property and Casualty Business	'
	Acquisition costs incurred and policy-related ceding commission revenue are deferred and amortized to income on property and casualty business for the year ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013									2012									2011
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges									Exchanges									Exchanges
	Deferred acquisition costs, net, January 1	$	169,834		$	11,364		$	181,198		$	156,992		$	11,866		$	168,858		$	145,917		$	18,206		$	164,123
	Cost incurred and deferred:
	Commissions and brokerage		266,987			32,425			299,412			298,701			31,266			329,967			279,699			31,837			311,536
	Other underwriting and acquisition costs		58,846			7,627			66,473			68,238			7,467			75,705			64,416			5,896			70,312
	Ceding commission revenue		(101,640	)		(18,987	)		(120,627	)		(25,052	)		(15,878	)		(40,930	)		(20,082	)		(11,446	)		(31,528	)
	Net costs incurred and deferred		224,193			21,065			245,258			341,887			22,855			364,742			324,033			26,287			350,320
	Amortization		(308,542	)		(22,818	)		(331,360	)		(329,045	)		(23,357	)		(352,402	)		(312,958	)		(32,627	)		(345,585	)
	Deferred acquisition costs, net, December 31,	$	85,485		$	9,611		$	95,096		$	169,834		$	11,364		$	181,198		$	156,992		$	11,866		$	168,858

Reinsurance_Tables

Reinsurance (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Premiums, Written, Ceded and Earned	'
	The table below shows direct, assumed and ceded premiums for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	($ in thousands)	Direct			Assumed			Ceded			Net
	2013
	Premiums written	$	1,606,249		$	121,411		$	495,045		$	1,232,615
	Change in unearned premiums		111,252			187,520			18,472			280,300
	Premiums earned	$	1,717,501		$	308,931		$	513,517		$	1,512,915
	2012
	Premiums written	$	1,755,157		$	215,915		$	231,691		$	1,739,381
	Change in unearned premiums		3,969			(31,370	)		(9,884	)		(17,517	)
	Premiums earned	$	1,759,126		$	184,545		$	221,807		$	1,721,864
	2011
	Premiums written	$	1,692,282		$	118,642		$	172,333		$	1,638,591
	Change in unearned premiums		(8,262	)		(12,890	)		23,589			(44,741	)
	Premiums earned	$	1,684,020		$	105,752		$	195,922		$	1,593,850

Loss_and_Loss_Adjustment_Expen1

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Components of Liability for Loss and Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses and Related Reinsurance Recoverables	'
	The components of the liability for loss and LAE expenses and related reinsurance recoverables for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		Tower						Reciprocal Exchanges						Total
	($ in thousands)	Gross			Reinsurance			Gross			Reinsurance			Gross			Reinsurance
		Liability			Recoverable			Liability			Recoverable			Liability			Recoverable
	December 31, 2013
	Case-basis reserves	$	936,751		$	290,080		$	63,198		$	5,945		$	999,949		$	296,025
	IBNR reserves		1,037,220			267,377			44,116			7,458			1,081,336			274,835
	Recoverable on paid losses		-			66,974			-			1,989			-			68,963
	Total, December 31, 2013	$	1,973,971		$	624,431		$	107,314		$	15,392		$	2,081,285		$	639,823
	December 31, 2012
	Case-basis reserves	$	913,411		$	79,911		$	63,465		$	10,160		$	976,876		$	90,071
	IBNR reserves		846,477			327,157			72,326			42,229			918,803			369,386
	Recoverable on paid losses		-			16,927			-			682			-			17,609
	Total, December 31, 2012	$	1,759,888		$	423,995		$	135,791		$	53,071		$	1,895,679		$	477,066
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Consolidated Balances for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense	'
	The following tables provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending consolidated balances for unpaid losses and LAE for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013									2012
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges									Exchanges
	Balance at January 1,	$	1,759,888		$	135,791		$	1,895,679		$	1,495,839		$	136,274		$	1,632,113
	Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		(407,068	)		(52,389	)		(459,457	)		(280,968	)		(11,253	)		(292,221	)
			1,352,820			83,402			1,436,222			1,214,871			125,021			1,339,892
	Net reserves, at fair value, of acquired entities		166,868			-			166,868			-			-			-
	Reduction in net reserves for the Southport Re agreements (i)		(306,833	)		-			(306,833	)		-			-			-
	Incurred related to:
	Current year		871,767			109,946			981,713			1,066,411			118,099			1,184,510
	Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development		533,038			5,083			538,121			88,129			(8,881	)		79,248
	Total incurred		1,404,805			115,029			1,519,834			1,154,540			109,218			1,263,758
	Paid related to:
	Current year		502,791			73,771			576,562			431,437			98,682			530,119
	Prior years		696,365			32,739			729,104			585,154			52,155			637,309
	Total paid		1,199,156			106,510			1,305,666			1,016,591			150,837			1,167,428
	Net balance at end of period		1,418,504			91,921			1,510,425			1,352,820			83,402			1,436,222
	Add reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		555,468			15,392			570,860			407,068			52,389			459,457
	Balance at December 31,	$	1,973,972		$	107,313		$	2,081,285		$	1,759,888		$	135,791		$	1,895,679
	(i) In the third quarter of 2013, Tower executed the Southport Re ADCs (see “Note 1 - Nature of the Business” for further description). The Southport Re ADCs resulted in a direct reduction to net loss reserves. A deferred gain of $12.5 million was recorded on the Southport Re ADCs and is reported in Other Liabilities. In addition, Tower executed the Southport Re Quota Share in the third quarter of 2013. This treaty is accounted for using deposit accounting and reduced the net reserves by $7.2 million.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2011
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges
	Balance at January 1,	$	1,439,106		$	171,315		$	1,610,421
	Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		(265,592	)		(11,384	)		(276,976	)
			1,173,514			159,931			1,333,445
	Net reserves, at fair value, of acquired entities		-			-			-
	Incurred related to:
	Current year		933,791			142,254			1,076,045
	Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development		38,776			(37,835	)		941
	Total incurred		972,567			104,419			1,076,986
	Paid related to:
	Current year		337,268			59,078			396,346
	Prior years		593,942			80,251			674,193
	Total paid		931,210			139,329			1,070,539
	Net balance at end of period		1,214,871			125,021			1,339,892
	Add reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		280,968			11,253			292,221
	Balance at December 31,	$	1,495,839		$	136,274		$	1,632,113

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following table provides a summary of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, by component, for year ended December 31, 2013, with all amounts reflected net of income taxes and noncontrolling interest:
	($ in thousands)	Unrealized			Gains			Cumulative			Total
		gains (losses)			(losses) on			translation
		on available for			cash flow			adjustments
		sale securities			hedges
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	87,412		$	(5,860	)	$	1,204		$	82,756
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax		(80,046	)		(1,496	)		(1,204	)		(82,746	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax		(22,894	)		3,377			-			(19,517	)
	Net current period other comprehensive income		(102,940	)		1,881			(1,204	)		(102,263	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	(15,528	)	$	(3,979	)	$	-		$	(19,507	)
Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Net Income	'
	The following provides a summary of the items that have been reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income in their entirety during the year ended December 31, 2013, including the line item on the consolidated statement of operations on which the impact is reflected. Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income when a security is sold or when a non-credit impairment is recorded. Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income when the related hedged item (subordinated debentures floating rate interest payments) are recorded in the statement of operations.
	($ in thousands)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income components	Amounts reclassified			Affected line item in the consolidated statement of operations
		from accumulated other
		comprehensive income
	Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities	$	(22,894	)	Other net realized investment gains
			-		Income tax expense
		$	(22,894	)	Total net of income taxes
	Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges interest rate swaps	$	3,377		Interest expense
			-		Income tax expense
		$	3,377		Total net of income taxes

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Borrowings	'
	The Company’s borrowings consisted of the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
	($ in thousands)	Carrying			Fair			Carrying		Fair
		Value			Value			Value		Value
	Credit facility	$	-		$	-		$	70,000	$	70,000
	Convertible senior notes		147,712			129,525			144,673		152,063
	Subordinated debentures		235,058			114,900			235,058		232,678
	Total	$	382,770		$	244,425		$	449,731	$	454,741
Aggregate Scheduled Maturities of Borrowings	'
	Aggregate scheduled maturities of the Company’s borrowings at December 31, 2013 are:
	($ in thousands)
	2014	$	150,000	(a)
	2033		20,620
	2034		25,775
	2035		13,403
	2036		123,713
	2037		51,547
		$	385,058
	(a) Amount reflected in balance sheet for convertible senior notes is net of unamortized original issue discount of $2.3 million
Principal Terms of Subordinated Debentures	'
	The principal terms, before any effects of interest rate swaps, of the outstanding trust preferred securities, including those which were assumed by the Company through acquisitions, are summarized in the following table:
	($ in millions)	Issuer		Maturity Date	Early		Interest Rate	Amount of		Principal
	Issue Date				Redemption			Investment		Amount of
								in Common		Junior
								Securities		Subordinated
								of Trust		Debenture
										Issued  to
										Trust
	May-03	Tower Group		May-33	At our option at par on or after May 15, 2008		Three-month LIBOR plus 410 basis points	$	0.3	$	10.3
		Statutory Trust I
	Sep-03	Tower Group		September 2033	At our option at par on or after September 30, 2008		Three-month LIBOR plus 400 basis points	$	0.3	$	10.3
		Statutory Trust II
	May-04	Preserver Capital		May-34	At our option at par on or after May 24, 2009		Three-month LIBOR plus 425 basis points	$	0.4	$	12.4
		Trust I
	Dec-04	Tower Group		December 2034	At our option at par on or after December 15, 2009		Three-month LIBOR plus 340 basis points	$	0.4	$	13.4
		Statutory Trust III
	Dec-04	Tower Group		Mar-35	At our option at par on or after March 15, 2010		Three-month LIBOR plus 340 basis points	$	0.4	$	13.4
		Statutory Trust IV
	Mar-06	Tower Group		Apr-36	At our option at par on or after April 7, 2011		Three-month LIBOR plus 330 basis points	$	0.6	$	20.6
		Statutory Trust V
	Jan-07	Tower Group		Mar-37	At our option at par on or after March 15, 2012		8.16% until March 14, 2012; three-month LIBOR plus 300 basis points thereafter	$	0.6	$	20.6
		Statutory Trust VI
	Sep-07	CastlePoint		Dec-37	At our option at par on or after December 15, 2012		8.39% until December 14, 2012; three-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points thereafter.	$	0.9	$	30.9
		Bermuda Capital
		Trust I
	Dec-06	CastlePoint		Dec-36	At our option at par on or after December 15, 2011		Three-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points	$	1.6	$	51.6
		Management
		Statutory Trust II
	Dec-06	CastlePoint		Dec-36	At our option at par on or after December 15, 2011		Three-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points	$	1.6	$	51.6
		Management
		Statutory Trust I
	Total							$	7.1	$	235.1
Amounts Recorded for Notes	'
	The following table shows the amounts recorded for the Notes as of December 31, 2013 and 2012:
		December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012
	Liability component
	Outstanding principal	$	150,000		$	150,000
	Unamortized OID		(2,288	)		(5,327	)
	Liability component		147,712			144,673
	Equity component, net of tax	$	7,469		$	7,469

Stock_Based_Compensation_Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Analysis of Restricted Stock Activity	'
	The following table provides an analysis of restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (historical share counts and fair values have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio, as discussed more fully in “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction”):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013					2012					2011
		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average		Shares			Average		Shares			Average
					Grant Date					Grant Date					Grant Date
					Fair Value					Fair Value					Fair Value
	Outstanding, January 1		1,015,902		$	20.38		1,120,090		$	20.69		670,366		$	20.39
	Granted		242,626			18.09		422,176			19.77		741,185			21.01
	Vested		(965,862	)		20.38		(497,851	)		20.94		(270,115	)		20.79
	Forfeitures		(57,080	)		17.22		(28,513	)		20.69		(21,346	)		20.84
	Outstanding, December 31,		235,586		$	17.98		1,015,902		$	20.38		1,120,090		$	20.69
Analysis of Stock Option Activity	'
	The following table provides an analysis of stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (historical share counts and fair values have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio, as discussed more fully in “Note 3 – Canopius Merger Transaction”). As of December 31, 2013, the exercise price for all stock options exceeds the December 31, 2013 common share price.
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013					2012					2011
		Number of			Average		Number of			Average		Number of			Average
		Shares			Exercise		Shares			Exercise		Shares			Exercise
					Price					Price					Price
	Outstanding, January 1		969,307		$	17.78		969,307		$	17.78		1,039,127		$	17.66
	Exercised		(2,674	)		16.48		-			-		(39,215	)		9.48
	Forfeitures and expirations		(10,829	)		20.19		-			-		(30,605	)		24.35
	Outstanding, December 31		955,804		$	17.75		969,307		$	17.78		969,307		$	17.78
	Exercisable, December 31		955,804		$	17.75		969,307		$	17.78		969,307		$	17.78
Options Outstanding and Exercisable	'
	All options outstanding as of December 31, 2013 are fully exercisable as shown on the following table:
		Options Outstanding								Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Prices	Number of			Average		Average			Number of		Average
		Shares			Remaining		Exercise			Shares		Exercise
					Contractual		Price					Price
					Life (Years)
	$10.01 - $20.00		769,833			2.6	$	16.32			769,833	$	16.32
	$20.01 - $30.00		183,857			4.1		23.6			183,857		23.6
	$30.01 - $40.00		2,114			1.1		30.35			2,114		30.35
	Total Options		955,804			2.9	$	17.75			955,804	$	17.75
Analysis of Stock Based Compensation Expense	'
	The following table provides an analysis of stock based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012		2011
	Restricted stock
	Expense, net of tax	$	8,577		$	6,043	$	6,126
	Value of shares vested		21,278			9,485		5,622
	Value of unvested shares		796			15,967		19,940
	Stock options
	Expense, net of tax		-			-		105
	Intrinsic value of outstanding options		-			1,149		1,150
	Intrinsic value of vested outstanding options		-			1,149		1,150
	Unrecognized compensation expense
	Unvested restricted stock, net of tax		851			8,262		9,617
	Weighted average years expense will be recognized		3.2			2.1		2.3

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Provision for Federal, State and Local Income Taxes	'
	The provision for Federal, state and local income taxes consist of the following components for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Year ended December 31,
		2013									2012									2011
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges									Exchanges									Exchanges
	Current Federal income tax expense (benefit)	$	3,000		$	132		$	3,132		$	(17,400	)	$	593		$	(16,807	)	$	6,951		$	1,510		$	8,461
	Current state income tax expense (benefit)		553			-			553			200			-			200			(257	)		-			(257	)
	Deferred Federal and state income tax (benefit)		5,285			(539	)		4,747			(9,872	)		(2,620	)		(12,492	)		4,175			1,672			5,847
	Provision for income taxes	$	8,838		$	(407	)	$	8,431		$	(27,072	)	$	(2,027	)	$	(29,099	)	$	10,869		$	3,182		$	14,051
Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	Significant components of the consolidated deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
		December 31,
		2013									2012
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges									Exchanges
	Deferred tax assets:
	Claims reserve discount	$	26,994		$	1,554		$	28,548		$	44,528		$	1,747		$	46,275
	Unearned premium		22,614			5,819			28,433			55,134			5,928			61,062
	Equity compensation plans		3,627			-			3,627			6,072			-			6,072
	Net operating loss carryforwards		161,884			11,175			173,059			32,584			4,830			37,414
	Convertible senior note and note hedge OID		-			-			-			618			-			618
	AMT credits		2,008			611			2,619			1,846			508			2,354
	Fair value of interest rate swap		2,123			-			2,123			3,155			-			3,155
	Bad debt reserves		5,793			265			6,058			5,793			22			5,815
	Deferred rent		1,977			-			1,977			1,905			-			1,905
	Accrued interest from foreign affiliate		2,199			-			2,199			3,710			-			3,710
	Adjustment on Retroactive Reinsurance		42,882			-			42,882			-			-			-
	Depreciation and amortization		18,574			-			18,574			-			-			-
	Other		2,052			1,754			3,806			-			1,008			1,008
	Total gross deferred tax assets		292,727			21,178			313,905			155,345			14,043			169,388
	Less: valuation allowance		275,332			17,593			292,925			2,258			4,726			6,984
	Total deferred tax assets		17,395			3,585			20,980			153,087			9,317			162,404
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Deferred acquisition costs net of deferred ceding commission revenue		11,010			3,319			14,329			59,387			3,864			63,251
	Convertible senior note and note hedge OID		2,163			-			2,163			-			-			-
	Depreciation and amortization		-			2,155			2,155			46,025			2,357			48,382
	Net unrealized appreciation of securities		12,030			967			12,997			46,953			5,791			52,744
	Surplus notes		2,519			16,325			18,844			1,800			17,024			18,824
	Unconsolidated affiliate		-			-			-			3,843			-			3,843
	Other		-			-			-			123			-			123
	Total deferred tax liabilities		27,722			22,766			50,488			158,131			29,036			187,167
	Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	$	(10,327	)	$	(19,181	)	$	(29,508	)	$	(5,044	)	$	(19,719	)	$	(24,763	)
Items Causing Provision for Federal Income Taxes Incurred Different from that which would be Obtained by Applying Federal Income Tax Rate to Net Income Before Taxes	'
	The provision for Federal income taxes incurred is different from that which would be obtained by applying the Federal income tax rate to net income before taxes. The items causing this difference at the consolidated level are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013									2012									2011
	($ in thousands)	Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total			Tower			Reciprocal			Total
					Exchanges									Exchanges									Exchanges
	Federal income tax expense at
	U.S. statutory rate	$	(326,239	)	$	(7,075	)	$	(333,314	)	$	(21,458	)	$	99		$	(21,359	)	$	19,161		$	4,820		$	23,981
	Rate differential on Non U.S. Operations		10,746			-			10,746			-			-			-			-			-			-
	Tax exempt interest		(4,476	)		(397	)		(4,873	)		(7,374	)		(901	)		(8,275	)		(6,823	)		(418	)		(7,241	)
	State income taxes net of								-
	Federal benefit		359			-			359			130			-			130			488			-			488
	Goodwill Impairment		78,465			-			78,465			-			-			-			-			-			-
	Acquisition related transaction costs		1,801			-			1,801			2,261			-			2,261			100			-			100
	Prior period adjustment		1,408			(784	)		624			(619	)		(162	)		(781	)		207			-			207
	Valuation Allowance		242,189			7,944			250,133			-			(1,072	)		(1,072	)		-			(1,757	)		(1,757	)
	Other		4,585			(95	)		4,490			(12	)		9			(3	)		(2,264	)		537			(1,727	)
	Provision for income taxes	$	8,838		$	(407	)	$	8,431		$	(27,072	)	$	(2,027	)	$	(29,099	)	$	10,869		$	3,182		$	14,051

Contingencies_Tables

Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Future Minimum Lease Payments	'
	The Company’s future minimum lease payments are as follows:
	($ in thousands)	Operating		Capital		Total
		Leases		Leases
	2014	$	10,463	$	12,557	$	23,020
	2015		10,397		14,823		25,220
	2016		10,398		3,371		13,769
	2017		9,142		1,787		10,929
	2018		8,850		640		9,490
	Thereafter		26,761		-		26,761
		$	76,011	$	33,178	$	109,189

Earnings_loss_per_Share_Tables

Earnings (loss) per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table shows the computation of the earnings per share (historical earnings per share amounts have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio in connection with the Canopius Merger Transaction):
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2013			2012			2011
	Numerator
	Net income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.	$	(942,616	)	$	(34,234	)	$	44,435
	Less: Allocation of income for unvested participating restricted stock		-			-			(370	)
	Less: Dividends on unvested participating restricted stock		(262	)		(686	)		(679	)
	Net income available to common shareholders - Basic		(942,878	)		(34,920	)		43,386
	Reallocation of income for unvested participating restricted stock		-			-			(1	)
	Net income (loss) available to common shareholders - Diluted		(942,878	)		(34,920	)		43,385
	Denominator
	Basic earnings per share denominator		54,297			42,902			45,226
	Effect of dilutive securities:		-			-			111
	Diluted earnings per share denominator		54,297			42,902			45,337
	Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Tower shareholders - Basic
	Common stock:
	Distributed earnings	$	0.5		$	0.66		$	0.61
	Undistributed earnings		(17.86	)		(1.47	)		0.35
	Total - Basic		(17.37	)		(0.81	)		0.96
	Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Tower shareholders - Diluted	$	(17.37	)	$	(0.81	)	$	0.96

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Segments Results	'
	Business segments results are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Commercial Insurance Segment
	Revenues
	Premiums earned	$	931,693		$	1,104,551		$	1,052,050
	Ceding commission revenue		30,115			7,702			14,786
	Policy billing fees		5,637			5,467			4,345
	Total revenues		967,445			1,117,720			1,071,181
	Expenses
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses		1,185,627			859,707			740,754
	Underwriting expenses		406,908			388,511			352,832
	Total expenses		1,592,535			1,248,218			1,093,586
	Underwriting profit (loss)	$	(625,090	)	$	(130,498	)	$	(22,405	)
	Assumed Reinsurance Segment
	Revenues
	Premiums earned	$	116,417		$	120,015		$	35,861
	Ceding commission revenue		-			-			-
	Total revenues		116,417			120,015			35,861
	Expenses
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses		41,474			52,975			17,456
	Underwriting expenses		57,506			44,124			11,859
	Total expenses		98,980			97,099			29,315
	Underwriting profit (loss)	$	17,437		$	22,916		$	6,546
	Personal Insurance Segment
	Revenues
	Premiums earned	$	464,805		$	497,298		$	505,939
	Ceding commission revenue		51,267			24,633			19,182
	Policy billing fees		6,662			7,148			6,189
	Total revenues		522,734			529,079			531,310
	Expenses
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses		292,733			351,076			318,775
	Underwriting expenses		249,779			228,289			218,463
	Total expenses		542,512			579,365			537,238
	Underwriting profit (loss)	$	(19,778	)	$	(50,286	)	$	(5,928	)
	Tower	$	6,083		$	(31,450	)	$	(11,308	)
	Reciprocal Exchanges		(25,861	)		(18,836	)		5,380
	Total underwriting profit (loss)	$	(19,778	)	$	(50,286	)	$	(5,928	)
Reconciliation of Revenue by Segment to Consolidated Revenues	'
	The following table reconciles revenue by segment to consolidated revenues:
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Commercial insurance segment	$	967,445		$	1,117,720		$	1,071,181
	Assumed reinsurance segment		116,417			120,015			35,861
	Personal insurance segment		522,734			529,079			531,310
	Total segment revenues		1,606,596			1,766,814			1,638,352
	Net investment income		109,208			127,165			126,474
	Net realized gains (losses) on investments, including other-than-temporary impairments		25,048			25,476			9,394
	Insurance services revenue		1,150			3,420			1,570
	Consolidated revenues	$	1,742,002		$	1,922,875		$	1,775,790
Reconciliation of Results of Individual Segments to Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes	'
	The following table reconciles the results of the Company’s individual segments to consolidated income before income taxes:
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Commercial insurance segment underwriting profit (loss)	$	(625,090	)	$	(130,498	)	$	(22,405	)
	Assumed reinsurance segment underwriting profit (loss)		17,437			22,916			(6,546	)
	Personal insurance segment underwriting profit (loss)		(19,778	)		(50,286	)		(5,928	)
	Net investment income		109,208			127,165			126,474
	Net realized gains (loss) on investments, including other-than-temporary impairments		25,048			25,476			9,394
	Corporate expenses, and other income		(14,581	)		(12,460	)		(9,950	)
	Acquisition-related transaction costs		(21,322	)		(9,229	)		(360	)
	Interest expense		(33,594	)		(32,630	)		(34,290	)
	Goodwill and fixed asset impairment		(397,211	)		-			-
	Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate		6,962			(1,470	)		-
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(952,921	)	$	(61,016	)	$	69,481

Unaudited_Quarterly_Financial_1

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information	'
	The following table presents the unaudited quarterly financial information for the Company:
			2013
	($ in thousands, except per share amounts)		First		Second (2)			Third (2) (3)			Fourth			Total
						(as revised)			(as revised)
	Revenues		$	476,483	$	460,518		$	478,881		$	326,120		$	1,742,002
	Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.			12,917		(515,847	)		(348,053	)		(91,633	)		(942,616	)
	Net income (loss) per share attributable to Tower shareholders:
	Basic (1)		$	0.28	$	(9.03	)	$	(6.09	)	$	(1.60	)	$	(17.37	)
	Diluted (1)		$	0.28	$	(9.03	)	$	(6.09	)	$	(1.60	)	$	(17.37	)
			2012
			First		Second			Third			Fourth			Total
	Revenues		$	466,223	$	506,392		$	474,891		$	475,369		$	1,922,875
	Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.			19,166		(16,809	)		21,629			(58,220	)		(34,234	)
	Net income (loss)) per share attributable to Tower shareholders:
	Basic (1)		$	0.43	$	(0.39	)	$	0.5		$	(1.38	)	$	(0.81	)
	Diluted (1)		$	0.43	$	(0.39	)	$	0.5		$	(1.38	)	$	(0.81	)
	-1	Since the weighted-average shares for the quarters are calculated independently of the weighted-average shares for the year, quarterly earnings (loss) per share may not total to annual earnings per share. Earnings (loss) per share has been calculated using weighted-average shares that have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio resulting from the Canopius Merger Transaction.
	-2	Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and per share amounts have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in income tax expenses by $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. The Company adjusted the valuation allowance recorded on its deferred taxes. This correction included an adjustment to increase total liabilities by $8.5 million in second quarter of 2013. This correction resulted in a total increase to liabilities of $8.9 million and cumulative decrease in equity of $8.5 million by the third quarter of 2013. This correction had no impact to cash flows. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.
	-3	Revenues have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in accounting for the Southport Quota Share. In the third quarter of 2013, management should have used deposit accounting. This correction resulted in greater net earned premiums of $46.1 million and less ceded commission revenue of $10.1 million, and additional loss and loss adjustment expense of $36.0 million. This correction had no impact to net income (loss). This correction also resulted in an adjustment to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $23.9 million. Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased and Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased by $35.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

Nature_of_Business_Additional_

Nature of Business - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Dec. 13, 2013

Nov. 22, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 13, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 20, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 15, 2012

Sep. 30, 2010

Jan. 03, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Feb. 14, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Employee

Agreement

Other Assets

Arch

Hannover

Southport Re

Southport Re

Southport Re

Maximum

TRL

TRL

Tower Insurance Company of New York

Tower Insurance Company of New York

Tower Insurance Company of New York

Tower Insurance Company of New York

Tower Insurance Company of New York

CastlePoint Re

Retail agencies

Wholesale agencies

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Assumed Reinsurance Segment

Assumed Reinsurance Segment

Assumed Reinsurance Segment

Acp Re Ltd

Canopius Group Limited

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Marine Energy Acquisition

2014 Senior Convertible Notes

Convertible Senior Notes

Convertible Senior Notes

Convertible Senior Notes

Convertible Senior Notes

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

2014 Reporting

Arch

Hannover

Southport Re

Southport Re

Southport Re

AmTrust

NGHC

Southport Re

Acp Re Ltd

Acp Re Ltd

Acp Re Ltd

Acp Re Ltd

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Other Assets

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

2014 Ceded Premiums

2014 Ceded Premiums

AmTrust

NGHC

Nature Of Business [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, par value

'

'

$0.01

'

'

'

$0.01

$0.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.01

'

$0.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity awards settlement in cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3

'

$3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding equity awards, aggregate value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$172,100,000

'

$172,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reinsured percentage on losses incurred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60.00%

60.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Commission percentage on premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

20.00%

'

22.00%

22.00%

'

'

Quota share reinsurance cede, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35.50%

'

'

17.50%

14.00%

'

30.00%

'

'

'

'

17.50%

14.00%

'

30.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Unearned premium reserve percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65.70%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65.70%

100.00%

Percentage of common stockholders dissenting to the merger

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

Reimburse transaction expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual cost savings due to workforce reduction

'

21,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,400,000

-8,180,000

-8,180,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

President and Chief Executive Officer of Tower,who beneficially owns percentage of issued and outstanding common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.20%

'

4.20%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

'

'

'

36,000,000

'

'

1,519,834,000

1,263,758,000

1,076,986,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

292,733,000

351,076,000

318,775,000

'

41,474,000

52,975,000

17,456,000

533,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of loss reserves covered by reserve study

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

98.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill impairment charge

'

'

'

'

214,000,000

214,000,000

271,442,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55,500,000

55,500,000

55,540,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

214,000,000

'

'

'

'

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed assets impairment charge

'

'

'

125,800,000

'

'

125,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

'

'

0

'

'

'

0

241,458,000

241,458,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55,540,000

55,540,000

55,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of reinsurers

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deposit assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,700,000

'

'

28,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ceded premium earned

'

'

'

46,100,000

'

'

1,512,915,000

1,721,864,000

1,593,850,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

76,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

464,805,000

497,298,000

505,939,000

'

'

120,015,000

35,861,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ceding commission revenue

'

'

'

10,100,000

'

'

81,382,000

32,335,000

33,968,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ceded loss and adjustment expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

41,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt carrying amount

'

'

385,058,000

'

'

'

385,058,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

147,700,000

150,000,000

150,000,000

150,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Direct written premiums

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,606,249,000

1,755,157,000

1,692,282,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,606,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net written premiums

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,232,615,000

1,739,381,000

1,638,591,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

98,100,000

98,100,000

'

'

398,388,000

513,816,000

486,291,000

'

'

148,399,000

72,623,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional collateral requested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount required to be collateralized against adverse loss reserve development

'

'

222,159,000

'

'

'

222,159,000

98,581,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

648,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unencumbered liquid assets

'

'

68,963,000

'

'

'

68,963,000

17,609,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

167,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

66,974,000

16,927,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Funds held by reinsured companies

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

581,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of credit facility borrowings

70,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

70,000,000

'

17,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of ownership sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subordinated debentures outstanding

'

'

235,058,000

'

'

'

235,058,000

235,058,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subordinated debentures

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subordinated debentures maturity date

'

'

'May 2033

'

'

'

'May 2033

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum number of quarters to defer interest payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'60 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee severance payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of workforce reduction

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total number of employees to be affected by workforce reduction

'

1,400

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognized pre-tax charges for severance and other one-time termination benefits and other associated costs

'

'

$5,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounting_Policies_and_Basis_3

Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 13, 2013

Aug. 20, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Segment

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Largest agent

Largest agent

Largest agent

Reinsurance

Reinsurance

Maximum

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

After the effects of the impairment

As previously Reported

As previously Reported

Actual

Actual

Other Assets

Other Assets

Other Assets

Other Assets

Other Assets

Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses

Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Reinsurers

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash

Receivable for securities

Receivables from reinsurance

Claims Opened

Claims Closed

Personal Insurance

U.S.

U.S.

U.S.

U.S.

Non - U.S. and Eliminations

Reciprocal Exchanges

Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of business segments

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Transfer of assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,800,000

Conversion ratio

'

'

'

1.133

1.133

1.133

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prior period adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,100,000

7,000,000

9,400,000

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash flows used in investing activities

'

'

'

701,306,000

-100,654,000

-111,947,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

89,100,000

104,500,000

100,500,000

111,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

'

'

'

293,898,000

83,800,000

107,101,000

140,221,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

102,300,000

114,100,000

83,800,000

107,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Worker compensation discount amount

'

'

'

5,500,000

8,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reserve for workers compensation

'

'

'

244,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allocation percentage of fixed fee per in-house litigation claim

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50.00%

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allowance for uncollectible reinsurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deposit assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted cash

'

'

'

134,100,000

44,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future funding commitments to limited partnerships

'

'

'

45,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allowance for doubtful accounts

'

'

'

17,600,000

16,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Uncollectible premiums receivable written off

'

'

'

12,100,000

4,800,000

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill impairment charge

'

214,000,000

214,000,000

271,442,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

55,500,000

55,500,000

55,540,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

214,000,000

'

'

'

'

185,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment of intangible assets

'

'

'

21,917,000

0

0

'

18,100,000

3,800,000

21,900,000

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed assets impairment charge

125,800,000

'

'

125,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed assets,gross

'

'

'

194,000,000

194,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

'

'

'

54,700,000

54,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain (loss) on investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,900,000

-1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of ownership sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

10.70%

10.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income (loss) before income taxes

'

'

'

-952,921,000

-61,016,000

69,481,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-61,300,000

901,400,000

-61,000,000

'

'

Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development

'

'

'

538,121,000

79,248,000

941,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

325,600,000

533,038,000

88,129,000

38,776,000

1,400,000

149,700,000

'

149,700,000

'

325,600,000

'

Reinsurance recoverable balance

'

'

'

$639,823,000

$477,066,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$56,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$624,431,000

$423,995,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reinsurance recoverable balance, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.80%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Largest agent, premiums receivable balances percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.70%

7.50%

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Largest agent, direct premiums written percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.00%

7.00%

7.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reflects_the_Previously_Report

Reflects the Previously Reported and Revised Shareholders' Equity Accounts (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Common stock

$574

'

'

'

$530

'

'

'

$574

$530

'

Treasury stock

-39

'

'

'

-181,435

'

'

'

-39

-181,435

'

Paid-in-capital

815,119

'

'

'

780,036

'

'

'

815,119

780,036

'

Earnings (Loss) per Share:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic

($1.60)

[1]

($6.09)

[1],[2],[3]

($9.03)

[1],[2]

$0.28

[1]

($1.38)

[1]

$0.50

[1]

($0.39)

[1]

$0.43

[1]

($17.37)

[1]

($0.81)

[1]

$0.96

Diluted

($1.60)

[1]

($6.09)

[1],[2],[3]

($9.03)

[1],[2]

$0.28

[1]

($1.38)

[1]

$0.50

[1]

($0.39)

[1]

$0.43

[1]

($17.37)

[1]

($0.81)

[1]

$0.96

Weighted average common shares outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

54,297,000

42,902,000

45,226,000

Diluted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

54,297,000

42,902,000

45,337,000

As Previously Reported

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock

'

'

'

'

469

'

'

'

'

469

465

Treasury stock

'

'

'

'

-181,435

'

'

'

'

-181,435

-158,185

Paid-in-capital

'

'

'

'

780,097

'

'

'

'

780,097

772,938

Earnings (Loss) per Share:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($0.73)

$1.48

Diluted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($0.73)

$1.48

Weighted average common shares outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38,795

40,833

Diluted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38,975

40,931

Revised

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock

'

'

'

'

530

'

'

'

'

530

526

Treasury stock

'

'

'

'

-181,435

'

'

'

'

-181,435

-158,185

Paid-in-capital

'

'

'

'

$780,036

'

'

'

'

$780,036

$772,877

Earnings (Loss) per Share:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($0.81)

$0.96

Diluted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($0.81)

$0.96

Weighted average common shares outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

42,902

45,226

Diluted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

42,902

45,337

[1]

Since the weighted-average shares for the quarters are calculated independently of the weighted-average shares for the year, quarterly earnings (loss) per share may not total to annual earnings per share. Earnings (loss) per share has been calculated using weighted-average shares that have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio resulting from the Canopius Merger Transaction.

[2]

Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and per share amounts have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in income tax expenses by $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. The Company adjusted the valuation allowance recorded on its deferred taxes. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

[3]

Revenues have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in accounting for the Southport Quota Share. In the third quarter of 2013, management should have used deposit accounting. This correction resulted in lower net earned premiums of $46.1 million and lower ceded commission revenue of $10.1 million, offset by $36.0 million higher loss and loss adjustment expense. This correction had no impact to net income (loss). This correction also resulted in an adjustment to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $23.9 million. Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased and Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased by $35.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

Canopius_Merger_Transaction_Ad

Canopius Merger Transaction - Additional Information (Detail)

1 Months Ended

10 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Dec. 13, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 18, 2013

Jul. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 13, 2013

Dec. 13, 2013

Mar. 06, 2013

Aug. 20, 2012

Dec. 13, 2013

Dec. 13, 2013

Mar. 06, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Realized gains

Other Assets

Direct cost

Compensation expense

Compensation expense

Professional Fees And Other

Tower Group International Ltd

Third Party Investors

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

Canopius Group Limited

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Restricted Stock

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

Condition One

Condition Two

Third Party Investors

USD ($)

GBP (£)

GBP (£)

USD ($)

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial purchase price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$26,485,000

$69,700,000

£ 42,500,000

'

$74,900,000

£ 40,600,000

£ 1,950,000

'

Percentage of ownership interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

10.70%

10.70%

'

10.70%

'

'

'

Payment to exercise merger option

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of private sale of shares to third party investor

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

Net consideration of sale of shares to third party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

205,862,755

Shares issued in private placement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,025,737

'

'

'

'

Merger agreement terms

'

'

'(i) 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of TGI common stock was cancelled and automatically converted into the right to receive 1.1330 common shares of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (the bCommon Sharesb), (ii) each outstanding option to acquire TGI common stock, whether vested or unvested and whether granted under TGIbs 2008 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan or otherwise, automatically vested, free of any forfeiture conditions, and constituted a fully vested option to acquire that number of Common Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole number) equal to the number of shares of TGI common stock subject to such option multiplied by 1.1330, on the same terms and conditions (other than vesting and performance conditions) as were applicable to such TGI stock option immediately prior to the Canopius Merger Transaction, with the exercise price of such option adjusted to be the original exercise price divided by 1.1330, and (iii) substantially all issued and outstanding shares of TGI restricted stock, whether granted under TGIbs 2008 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan or otherwise, automatically vested, free of any forfeiture conditions, and were converted into the right to receive, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time, 1.1330 Common Shares.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion ratio

'

'

1.133

1.133

1.133

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of outstanding shares

'

'

57,381,686

43,513,678

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

57,432,150

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of outstanding shares held

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

76.00%

24.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale of investment to NKSJ Holdings, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial fair value of derivative

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in fair value of the derivative

'

'

'

'

'

2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of credit facility borrowings

70,000,000

'

70,000,000

'

17,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Direct cost of the acquisition

'

'

21,322,000

9,229,000

360,000

'

'

20,300,000

11,600,000

10,300,000

8,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized reserve for risk premium

'

'

19,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unencumbered liquid assets approved to be transferred

'

'

30,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consolidated revenue since effective date of merger

'

53,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consolidated net income (loss) since effective date of merger

'

($11,800,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preliminary_Purchase_Considera

Preliminary Purchase Consideration (Detail) (Canopius Group Limited, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Preliminary purchase consideration	$207,347
Consideration received by Canopius Group from the third party sale	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Preliminary purchase consideration	205,863
Fair value of Merger Option received in connection with TGI's investment in Canopius Group	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Preliminary purchase consideration	484
Exercise price of Merger Right received from TGI upon exercise	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Preliminary purchase consideration	$1,000

Fair_Values_of_Respective_Asse

Fair Values of Respective Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 13, 2013	Dec. 13, 2013	Aug. 20, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Canopius Group Limited	Canopius Group Limited	Canopius Group Limited	Canopius Group Limited	Canopius Group Limited
				USD ($)	USD ($)	GBP (£)	USD ($)	Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
								USD ($)
Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	$134,741	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	26,485	69,700	42,500	74,900	'
Reinsurance recoverables	'	'	'	463,745	'	'	'	'
Prepaid reinsurance	'	'	'	152,431	'	'	'	'
Funds held by reinsured companies	'	'	'	698,819	'	'	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'	80,201	'	'	'	'
Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unearned premiums	'	'	'	169,963	'	'	'	'
Funds held under reinsurance agreements	'	'	'	560,714	'	'	'	'
Other liabilities	'	'	'	15,916	'	'	'	630,613
Net assets acquired	'	'	'	179,216	'	'	'	'
Purchase Consideration	'	'	'	207,347	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	$0	$241,458	$241,458	$28,131	'	'	'	'

Pro_Forma_Financial_Informatio

Pro Forma Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Line Items]	'	'
Revenues	$1,745,146	$1,933,942
Net Income (Loss)	($922,959)	($19,567)

Variable_Interest_Entities_VIE1

Variable Interest Entities ("VIEs") - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total revenues

$326,120

$478,881

[1],[2]

$460,518

[1]

$476,483

$475,369

$474,891

$506,392

$466,223

$1,742,002

$1,922,875

$1,775,790

Total expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,309,674

1,982,421

1,706,309

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-18,736

2,317

10,995

Reciprocal Exchanges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

190,200

204,700

'

Total expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

211,000

202,400

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($20,400)

$2,300

'

[1]

Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and per share amounts have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in income tax expenses by $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. The Company adjusted the valuation allowance recorded on its deferred taxes. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

[2]

Revenues have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in accounting for the Southport Quota Share. In the third quarter of 2013, management should have used deposit accounting. This correction resulted in lower net earned premiums of $46.1 million and lower ceded commission revenue of $10.1 million, offset by $36.0 million higher loss and loss adjustment expense. This correction had no impact to net income (loss). This correction also resulted in an adjustment to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $23.9 million. Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased and Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased by $35.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

Summary_of_Cost_or_Amortized_C

Summary of Cost or Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments in Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses, and Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Losses (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	$1,717,267		$2,344,283
Gross Unrealized Gains	64,123		159,147
Gross Unrealized Losses	-26,168		-7,711
Investments	1,755,222		2,495,719
Unrealized OTTI Losses	-664	[1]	-6	[1]
Tower	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,465,039		2,075,189
Gross Unrealized Gains	56,480		141,614
Gross Unrealized Losses	-21,369		-7,210
Investments	1,500,150		2,209,593
Unrealized OTTI Losses	-664	[1]	-6	[1]
Reciprocal Exchanges	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	252,228		269,094
Gross Unrealized Gains	7,643		17,533
Gross Unrealized Losses	-4,799		-501
Investments	255,072		286,126
Fixed Maturity Securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,613,634		2,190,186
Gross Unrealized Gains	52,637		157,463
Gross Unrealized Losses	-23,576		-2,938
Investments	1,642,695		2,344,711
Unrealized OTTI Losses	-664	[1]	-6	[1]
Fixed Maturity Securities | U.S. Treasury Securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	370,959		183,462
Gross Unrealized Gains	729		1,500
Gross Unrealized Losses	-7,726		-13
Investments	363,962		184,949
Fixed Maturity Securities | U.S. Agency securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	110,362		98,502
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,420		4,351
Gross Unrealized Losses	-561		-76
Investments	111,221		102,777
Fixed Maturity Securities | Municipal Bonds	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	277,382		633,373
Gross Unrealized Gains	7,981		52,914
Gross Unrealized Losses	-6,257		-244
Investments	279,106		686,043
Fixed Maturity Securities | Corporate Securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	525,942		746,665
Fixed Maturity Securities | Corporate Securities | Finance	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	148,132		233,849
Gross Unrealized Gains	9,797		21,293
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,028		-1,095
Investments	156,901		254,047
Fixed Maturity Securities | Corporate Securities | Industrial	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	316,474		412,465
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,286		26,556
Gross Unrealized Losses	-3,008		-868
Investments	321,752		438,153
Fixed Maturity Securities | Corporate Securities | Utilities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	47,838		51,698
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,341		2,958
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,890		-191
Investments	47,289		54,465
Unrealized OTTI Losses	-17	[1]	'
Fixed Maturity Securities | Commercial mortgage-backed securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	189,808		211,819
Gross Unrealized Gains	16,852		30,375
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,754		-141
Investments	204,906		242,053
Unrealized OTTI Losses	-634	[1]	'
Fixed Maturity Securities | Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency backed securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	63,668		283,652
Gross Unrealized Gains	891		12,326
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,218		-262
Investments	63,341		295,716
Fixed Maturity Securities | Residential mortgage-backed securities, Non-agency backed securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	30,228		38,615
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,659		3,575
Gross Unrealized Losses	-31		-34
Investments	34,856		42,156
Unrealized OTTI Losses	-13	[1]	-6	[1]
Fixed Maturity Securities | Asset-Backed Securities	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	58,783		42,751
Gross Unrealized Gains	681		1,615
Gross Unrealized Losses	-103		-14
Investments	59,361		44,352
Preferred stocks	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	21,330		31,272
Gross Unrealized Gains	54		730
Gross Unrealized Losses	-2,536		-481
Investments	18,848		31,521
Common Stocks	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	76,378		118,076
Gross Unrealized Gains	11,432		953
Gross Unrealized Losses	-28		-4,292
Investments	87,782		114,737
Short-term investments	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,925		4,749
Gross Unrealized Gains	'		1
Gross Unrealized Losses	-28		'
Investments	$5,897		$4,750
[1]	Represents the gross unrealized loss on other-than-temporarily impaired securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Investment
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investment, carrying values	$1,717,267,000	$2,344,283,000	'
Proceeds from sale of equity securities	1,291,343,000	1,442,225,000	793,886,000
Number of securities in unrealized loss position not deemed OTTI	511	'	'
Unrealized losses	26,168,000	7,711,000	'
Unrealized losses related to securities in loss position for more than 12 months	4,480,000	577,000	'
Future funding commitments including not limited to limited partnerships	45,300,000	'	'
Fixed Maturity Securities	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale or maturity of fixed maturity securities	1,700,000,000	1,800,000,000	2,000,000,000
Number of securities in unrealized loss position not deemed OTTI	490	'	'
Unrealized losses	23,600,000	'	'
Percentage of fixed maturity securities in unrealized loss position below amortized cost	3.00%	'	'
Number of securities in unrealized loss position for more than 12 months	68	'	'
Unrealized losses related to securities in loss position for more than 12 months	4,200,000	'	'
Common Stocks	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of securities in unrealized loss position not deemed OTTI	20	'	'
Unrealized losses	2,600,000	'	'
Equity securities	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Proceeds from sale of equity securities	1,300,000,000	1,400,000,000	793,900,000
US Treasury Notes and Other Securities | Deposit to Comply with Insurance Laws	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investment, carrying values	398,400,000	351,100,000	'
US Treasury Notes and Other Securities | Held by Counterparties	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investment, carrying values	248,900,000	481,500,000	'
Municipal Bonds Corporate Securities And US Treasury Securities | Fixed Maturity Securities	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrealized losses	19,900,000	'	'
Tower	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Investment, carrying values	1,465,039,000	2,075,189,000	'
Unrealized losses	21,369,000	7,210,000	'
Unrealized losses related to securities in loss position for more than 12 months	$2,034,000	$478,000	'
Tower | Other	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of securities purchased	8	'	'

Summary_of_Major_Categories_of

Summary of Major Categories of Net Investment Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income	$115,761	$133,224	$131,721
Investment expenses	-6,553	-6,059	-5,247
Net investment income	109,208	127,165	126,474
Consolidation, Eliminations	'	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net investment income	-6,679	-7,317	-6,455
Tower	'	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net investment income	106,309	121,907	120,083
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net investment income	9,578	12,575	12,846
Fixed Maturity Securities	'	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income	75,731	96,056	105,533
Equity securities	'	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income	22,912	28,989	24,576
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income	244	1,112	695
Other Invested Asset	'	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income	16,138	6,680	274
Other	'	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income	$736	$387	$643

Summary_of_Gross_Realized_Gain

Summary of Gross Realized Gains, Losses and Impairment Write-Downs on Investments (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$38,463		$35,109		$12,639
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	-13,415		-9,633		-3,245
Total net realized investment gains (losses)	25,048		25,476		9,394
Tower	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	-13,414		-9,919		-3,245
Total net realized investment gains (losses)	22,894		12,245		6,980
Reciprocal Exchanges	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	-1		286		'
Total net realized investment gains (losses)	2,154		13,231		2,414
Fixed Maturity Securities	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gross realized gains	51,598		59,319		44,550
Gross realized losses	-9,760		-2,780		-11,101
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	41,838		56,539		33,449
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	-6,682		-1,320		-580
Equity securities	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gross realized gains	18,004		13,090		8,328
Gross realized losses	-28,649		-31,404		-29,138
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	-10,645		-18,314		-20,810
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	-6,733		-8,313		-2,665
Other	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gross realized gains	12,946	[1]	3,432	[1]	'
Gross realized losses	-5,676	[1]	-6,548	[1]	'
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$7,270		($3,116)		'
[1]	Other gross realized gains and losses consists primarily of foreign exchange and "debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased," which are reported in Other liabilities. The Company recorded a $4.3 million gain from translation of foreign currency transactions to the functional currency.

Summary_of_Gross_Realized_Gain1

Summary of Gross Realized Gains, Losses and Impairment Write-Downs on Investments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'
Gain from foreign currency translation	$4.30

Amount_of_FixedMaturity_and_Eq

Amount of Fixed-Maturity and Equity Securities that were Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	($14,396)	($9,919)	($3,509)
Portion of loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	981	286	264
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	-13,415	-9,633	-3,245
Tower	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	-13,414	-9,919	-3,245
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	-1	286	'
U.S. Treasury Securities	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	-801	'	'
U.S. Agency securities	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	-572	'	'
Municipal Bonds	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	-367	-113	'
Corporate Securities	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	-4,271	-1,029	'
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	-1,176	-430	-219
Residential mortgage-backed securities	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	-423	-34	-235
Asset-Backed Securities	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	-53	'	-391
Equity securities	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	($6,733)	($8,313)	($2,664)

Rollforward_of_Cumulative_Amou

Rollforward of Cumulative Amount of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment for Securities Held Showing Amounts that have been Included in Earnings on Pretax Basis (Detail) (Tower, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Tower	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$4,492	$12,666	$18,075
Additional credit losses recognized during the period, related to securities for which no OTTI has been previously recognized	6,252	1,259	44
Additional credit losses recognized during the period, related to securities for which OTTI has been previously recognized	430	61	537
Reductions due to Securities sold during the period (realized)	-3,357	-9,494	-5,990
Balance at end of period	$7,817	$4,492	$12,666

Information_Regarding_Invested

Information Regarding Invested Assets that were in Unrealized Loss Position (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	$743,925	$328,618
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-21,688	-7,134
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	53,817	15,110
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-4,480	-577
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	797,742	343,728
Total, Unrealized Losses	-26,168	-7,711
Tower	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	663,127	270,609
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-19,335	-6,732
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	23,096	13,338
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-2,034	-478
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	686,223	283,947
Total, Unrealized Losses	-21,369	-7,210
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	80,798	58,009
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-2,353	-402
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	30,721	1,772
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-2,446	-99
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	111,519	59,781
Total, Unrealized Losses	-4,799	-501
Fixed Maturity Securities	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	722,365	263,342
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-19,347	-2,687
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	47,663	9,386
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-4,229	-251
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	770,028	272,728
Total, Unrealized Losses	-23,576	-2,938
Fixed Maturity Securities | U.S. Treasury Securities	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	273,217	44,347
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-7,726	-13
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	273,217	44,347
Total, Unrealized Losses	-7,726	-13
Fixed Maturity Securities | U.S. Agency securities	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	51,808	22,345
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-561	-76
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	51,808	22,345
Total, Unrealized Losses	-561	-76
Fixed Maturity Securities | Municipal Bonds	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	109,345	21,532
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-5,056	-235
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,268	251
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-1,201	-9
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	113,613	21,783
Total, Unrealized Losses	-6,257	-244
Fixed Maturity Securities | Corporate Securities | Finance	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	37,811	16,853
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-1,005	-1,095
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	335	'
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-23	'
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	38,146	16,853
Total, Unrealized Losses	-1,028	-1,095
Fixed Maturity Securities | Corporate Securities | Industrial	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	124,869	53,576
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-2,550	-667
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	10,023	4,188
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-458	-201
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	134,892	57,764
Total, Unrealized Losses	-3,008	-868
Fixed Maturity Securities | Corporate Securities | Utilities	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	27,698	20,143
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-805	-191
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,292	7
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-1,085	'
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	34,990	20,150
Total, Unrealized Losses	-1,890	-191
Fixed Maturity Securities | Commercial mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	26,469	23,223
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-597	-141
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	20,397	95
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-1,157	'
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	46,866	23,318
Total, Unrealized Losses	-1,754	-141
Fixed Maturity Securities | Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency backed securities	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	37,660	59,009
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-925	-261
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,166	25
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-293	-1
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	42,826	59,034
Total, Unrealized Losses	-1,218	-262
Fixed Maturity Securities | Residential mortgage-backed securities, Non-agency backed securities	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	1,027	815
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-19	-6
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	182	588
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-12	-28
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	1,209	1,403
Total, Unrealized Losses	-31	-34
Fixed Maturity Securities | Asset-Backed Securities	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	32,461	1,499
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-103	-2
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	'	4,232
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	'	-12
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	32,461	5,731
Total, Unrealized Losses	-103	-14
Preferred stocks	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	10,538	9,716
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-2,285	-155
12 Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,154	5,724
12 Months or Longer, Unrealized Losses	-251	-326
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	16,692	15,440
Total, Unrealized Losses	-2,536	-481
Common Stocks	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	7,125	55,560
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-28	-4,292
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	7,125	55,560
Total, Unrealized Losses	-28	-4,292
Short-term investments	'	'
Investments, Unrealized Loss Position [Line Items]	'	'
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	3,897	'
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	-28	'
Total, Aggregate Fair Value	3,897	'
Total, Unrealized Losses	($28)	'

Composition_of_FixedMaturity_P

Composition of Fixed-Maturity Portfolio by Remaining Time to Maturity (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than one year, amortized cost	$41,171	$32,760
One to five years, amortized cost	546,857	535,515
Five to ten years, amortized cost	541,073	641,036
More than 10 years, amortized cost	142,046	404,038
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, amortized cost	342,487	576,837
Total at end of period, amortized cost	1,613,634	2,190,186
Less than one year, fair value	41,748	33,329
One to five years, fair value	555,222	557,798
Five to ten years, fair value	540,766	687,720
More than 10 years, fair value	142,494	441,587
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, fair value	362,465	624,277
Total at end of period, fair value	1,642,695	2,344,711
Tower	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than one year, amortized cost	33,305	30,082
One to five years, amortized cost	507,388	489,939
Five to ten years, amortized cost	459,070	564,556
More than 10 years, amortized cost	100,977	346,410
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, amortized cost	263,417	495,249
Total at end of period, amortized cost	1,364,157	1,926,236
Less than one year, fair value	33,727	30,614
One to five years, fair value	513,841	510,523
Five to ten years, fair value	459,251	607,711
More than 10 years, fair value	102,801	379,045
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, fair value	280,526	536,255
Total at end of period, fair value	1,390,146	2,064,148
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less than one year, amortized cost	7,866	2,678
One to five years, amortized cost	39,469	45,576
Five to ten years, amortized cost	82,003	76,480
More than 10 years, amortized cost	41,069	57,628
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, amortized cost	79,070	81,588
Total at end of period, amortized cost	249,477	263,950
Less than one year, fair value	8,021	2,715
One to five years, fair value	41,381	47,275
Five to ten years, fair value	81,515	80,009
More than 10 years, fair value	39,693	62,542
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, fair value	81,939	88,022
Total at end of period, fair value	$252,549	$280,563

Composition_of_Other_Invested_

Composition of Other Invested Assets (Detail) (Tower, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	$96,155	$57,786
Limited partnerships, equity method	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	46,521	23,864
Real estate, amortized cost	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	6,054	7,422
Securities reported under the fair value option	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	43,580	25,000
Other	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	$1,500

Financial_Instruments_at_Fair_

Financial Instruments at Fair Value among Levels (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	$1,755,222		$2,495,719
Other invested assets	43,580	[1]	25,000	[2]
Additional Payment derivative	9,343		'
Other liabilities	'		'
Interest rate swap contracts	-6,066		-9,016
Debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased	-11,099		-17,101
Total investments and Other liabilities	1,790,980		2,494,602
Tower	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	1,500,150		2,209,593
Total investments and Other liabilities	1,535,908		2,208,475
Reciprocal Exchanges	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	255,072		286,126
Total investments and Other liabilities	255,072		286,127
Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	106,630		146,258
Other liabilities	'		'
Total investments and Other liabilities	106,630		146,258
Level 1 | Tower	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total investments and Other liabilities	104,107		140,695
Level 1 | Reciprocal Exchanges	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total investments and Other liabilities	2,523		5,563
Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	1,645,166		2,349,461
Other liabilities	'		'
Interest rate swap contracts	-6,066		-9,016
Debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased	-11,099		-17,101
Total investments and Other liabilities	1,628,001		2,323,344
Level 2 | Tower	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total investments and Other liabilities	1,375,452		2,042,780
Level 2 | Reciprocal Exchanges	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total investments and Other liabilities	252,549		280,564
Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	3,426		'
Other invested assets	43,580	[1]	25,000	[2]
Additional Payment derivative	9,343		'
Other liabilities	'		'
Total investments and Other liabilities	56,349		25,000
Level 3 | Tower	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total investments and Other liabilities	56,349		25,000
Fixed Maturity Securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	1,642,695		2,344,711
Fixed Maturity Securities | U.S. Treasury Securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	363,962		184,949
Fixed Maturity Securities | U.S. Agency securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	111,221		102,777
Fixed Maturity Securities | Municipal Bonds	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	279,106		686,043
Fixed Maturity Securities | Corporate Securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	525,942		746,665
Fixed Maturity Securities | Commercial mortgage-backed securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	204,906		242,053
Fixed Maturity Securities | Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency backed securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	63,341		295,716
Fixed Maturity Securities | Residential mortgage-backed securities, Non-agency backed securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	34,856		42,156
Fixed Maturity Securities | Asset-Backed Securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	59,361		44,352
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	1,639,269		2,344,711
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 2 | U.S. Treasury Securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	363,962		184,949
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 2 | U.S. Agency securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	111,221		102,777
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 2 | Municipal Bonds	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	279,106		686,043
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 2 | Corporate Securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	522,516		746,665
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 2 | Commercial mortgage-backed securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	204,906		242,053
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 2 | Residential mortgage-backed securities, Agency backed securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	63,341		295,716
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 2 | Residential mortgage-backed securities, Non-agency backed securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	34,856		42,156
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 2 | Asset-Backed Securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	59,361		44,352
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	3,426		'
Fixed Maturity Securities | Level 3 | Corporate Securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	3,426		'
Equity securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	106,630		146,258
Equity securities | Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	106,630		146,258
Short-term investments	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	5,897		4,750
Short-term investments | Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Investments	$5,897		$4,750
[1]	$43.6 million of the $96.2 million Other invested assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is reported at fair value. The remaining $52.6 million of Other invested assets is reported under the equity method of accounting.
[2]	$25.0 million of the $57.8 million Other invested assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 is reported at fair value. The remaining $32.8 million of Other invested assets is reported under the equity method of accounting or at amortized cost.

Financial_Instruments_at_Fair_1

Financial Instruments at Fair Value among Levels (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Other invested assets, fair value	$43,580,000	[1]	$25,000,000	[2]
Other invested assets, amortized cost	52,600,000		32,800,000
Tower	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Other invested asset	$96,155,000		$57,786,000
[1]	$43.6 million of the $96.2 million Other invested assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is reported at fair value. The remaining $52.6 million of Other invested assets is reported under the equity method of accounting.
[2]	$25.0 million of the $57.8 million Other invested assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 is reported at fair value. The remaining $32.8 million of Other invested assets is reported under the equity method of accounting or at amortized cost.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	Investment		Private Convertible Bond	Private Convertible Bond	Tower	Tower
					Other	Other
					Investment	Level 3
						Investment
Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross transfers between Level 2 and Level 3	1	'	'	'	'	'
Gross transfers out of Level 3	'	$0	'	'	'	'
Gross transfers out of Level 1 into Level 2	0	0	'	'	'	'
Gross transfers out of Level 2 into Level 1	0	0	'	'	'	'
Net realized gains from fair value of debt and equity securities sold, not yet purchased	600,000	'	'	'	'	'
Number of securities purchased	'	'	'	'	8	7
Fair value of convertible bonds transferred from level 2 to level 3	'	'	'	3,400,000	'	'
Other than temporary impairment loss realized	'	'	$3,600,000	'	'	'

Summary_of_Changes_in_Level_Th

Summary of Changes in Level Three Assets Measured at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'
Beginning balance	$25,000	[1]	$25,000	[1]	$2,058	[1]
Total gains (losses)-realized / unrealized included in net income	-670		'		-1,067	[1]
Total gains (losses)-realized / unrealized included in other comprehensive income (loss)	'		'	[1]	'	[1]
Purchases	28,593		'		25,000	[1]
Issuances	'		'	[1]	'	[1]
Settlements	'		'	[1]	'	[1]
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	3,426		'		-991	[1]
Ending balance	56,349		25,000	[1]	25,000	[1]
Other Invested Asset	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'
Beginning balance	25,000		'		'
Total gains (losses)-realized / unrealized included in net income	-670		'		'
Total gains (losses)-realized / unrealized included in other comprehensive income (loss)	'		'		'
Purchases	19,250		'		'
Issuances	'		'		'
Settlements	'		'		'
Ending balance	43,580		'		'
Fixed Maturity Securities	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'
Total gains (losses)-realized / unrealized included in other comprehensive income (loss)	'	[2]	'		'
Issuances	'	[2]	'		'
Settlements	'	[2]	'		'
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	3,426	[2]	'		'
Ending balance	3,426	[2]	'		'
Additional Payment Derivatives	'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'
Total gains (losses)-realized / unrealized included in net income	2,081		'		'
Total gains (losses)-realized / unrealized included in other comprehensive income (loss)	'		'		'
Purchases	7,262		'		'
Issuances	'		'		'
Settlements	'		'		'
Ending balance	$9,343		'		'
[1]	All activity for years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is comprised of other invested assets
[2]	Comprised of corporate and other bonds

Goodwill_Intangible_and_Fixed_2

Goodwill, Intangible and Fixed Assets Impairments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 13, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Segment

Minimum

Maximum

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Marine Energy Acquisition

Marine Energy Acquisition

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Customer relationships

Management Contract

Intangible Assets And Goodwill [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill from Merger Transaction

$28,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,853,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of business segments

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill impairment charge

'

'

214,000,000

214,000,000

271,442,000

'

'

'

'

55,500,000

55,500,000

55,540,000

'

'

'

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

'

'

'

'

0

241,458,000

241,458,000

'

'

'

'

'

55,500,000

55,540,000

55,540,000

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment of intangible assets

'

'

'

'

21,917,000

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,100,000

3,800,000

21,900,000

0

0

'

Intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,900,000

'

'

54,600,000

Amortization expense related to intangibles

'

'

'

'

4,915,000

8,152,000

8,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,359,000

7,327,000

'

'

Gross fixed assets and capital leases

'

'

'

'

194,000,000

194,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated depreciation

'

'

'

'

54,700,000

54,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net fixed assets and capital leases

'

'

'

'

'

139,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liquidation value analysis range, description

'

'(ii) performing an orderly liquidation value analysis ranging from 0%-15% for furniture, leasehold improvements and computer equipment, and concluded the fixed assets were impaired as of September 30, 2013.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed assets impairment charge

'

125,800,000

'

'

125,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other assets

'

'

'

'

$19,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage Of Liquidation Preference on fixed assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Summary_of_Goodwill_by_Reporti

Summary of Goodwill by Reporting Units (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 13, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Canopius Group Limited

Marine Energy Acquisition

Marine Energy Acquisition

Commercial Insurance

Commercial Insurance

Commercial Insurance

Commercial Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Personal Insurance

Canopius Group Limited

Marine Energy Acquisition

Goodwill [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Opening balance

'

'

$241,458

$241,458

$241,458

'

'

'

$185,918

$185,918

'

'

$55,500

$55,540

$55,540

$55,540

Goodwill acquired

28,100

'

'

'

'

28,131

'

1,853

'

'

28,131

1,853

'

'

'

'

Goodwill impairment

'

-214,000

-214,000

-271,442

'

'

-1,900

'

-215,902

'

'

'

-55,500

-55,500

-55,540

'

Closing balance

'

'

'

$0

$241,458

$28,131

$1,900

'

'

$185,918

'

'

'

'

'

$55,540

Components_of_Intangible_Asset

Components of Intangible Assets and their Useful Lives, Accumulated Amortization, and Net Carrying Value (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Gross Carrying Amount	$136,783	$136,783		'
Accumulated Amortization	-56,847	-30,015		'
Net Carrying Amount	79,936	106,768		114,920
Tower	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Gross Carrying Amount	128,283	128,283		'
Accumulated Amortization	-54,684	-28,369		'
Net Carrying Amount	73,599	99,914		'
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Net Carrying Amount	6,337	6,854	[1]	'
Reciprocal Exchanges | Intangible Assets	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Gross Carrying Amount	8,500	8,500		'
Accumulated Amortization	-2,163	-1,646		'
Net Carrying Amount	6,337	6,854		'
Insurance licenses	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Gross Carrying Amount	19,003	19,003		'
Net Carrying Amount	19,003	19,003		19,003
Intangible asset, useful life	'0 years	'		'
Insurance licenses | Tower	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Net Carrying Amount	16,003	16,003		'
Insurance licenses | Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Net Carrying Amount	3,000	3,000	[1]	'
Management Contract	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible asset, useful life	'0 years	'		'
Customer relationships	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Gross Carrying Amount	57,890	57,890		'
Accumulated Amortization	-53,030	-26,754		'
Net Carrying Amount	4,860	31,136		38,463
Customer relationships | Tower	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Net Carrying Amount	2,608	28,600		'
Customer relationships | Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Net Carrying Amount	2,252	2,536	[1]	'
Customer relationships | Minimum	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible asset, useful life	'10 years	'		'
Customer relationships | Maximum	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible asset, useful life	'25 years	'		'
Trademarks	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Gross Carrying Amount	5,290	5,290		'
Accumulated Amortization	-3,817	-3,261		'
Net Carrying Amount	1,473	2,029		2,854
Intangible asset, useful life	'5 years	'		'
Trademarks | Tower	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Net Carrying Amount	388	711		'
Trademarks | Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Net Carrying Amount	1,085	1,318	[1]	'
Management contracts	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Gross Carrying Amount	54,600	54,600		'
Net Carrying Amount	54,600	54,600		54,600
Management contracts | Tower	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Net Carrying Amount	$54,600	$54,600		'
[1]	In 2012, Tower transferred a licensed insurance subsidiary shell to the Reciprocal Exchanges, as discussed in Note 2-Accounting Policies and Procedures. This resulted in classifying $2.6 million insurance licenses out of Tower and into the Reciprocal Exchange.

Activity_in_Components_of_Inta

Activity in Components of Intangible Assets Consisted of Intangible Assets Acquired from Business Combinations and Amortization Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Beginning balance, intangible assets	$106,768	$114,920		'
Additions	'	'		'
Amortization	-4,915	-8,152		-8,900
Ending balance, intangible assets	79,936	106,768		114,920
Impairment	-21,917	'		'
Tower	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	73,599	99,914		'
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	6,337	6,854	[1]	'
Insurance licenses	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Beginning balance, intangible assets	19,003	19,003		'
Additions	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	19,003	19,003		'
Insurance licenses | Tower	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	16,003	16,003		'
Insurance licenses | Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	3,000	3,000	[1]	'
Management contracts	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Beginning balance, intangible assets	54,600	54,600		'
Additions	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	54,600	54,600		'
Management contracts | Tower	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	54,600	54,600		'
Customer relationships	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Beginning balance, intangible assets	31,136	38,463		'
Additions	'	'		'
Amortization	-4,359	-7,327		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	4,860	31,136		'
Impairment	-21,917	'		'
Customer relationships | Tower	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	2,608	28,600		'
Customer relationships | Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	2,252	2,536	[1]	'
Trademarks	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Beginning balance, intangible assets	2,029	2,854		'
Additions	'	'		'
Amortization	-556	-825		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	1,473	2,029		'
Trademarks | Tower	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	388	711		'
Trademarks | Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Ending balance, intangible assets	$1,085	$1,318	[1]	'
[1]	In 2012, Tower transferred a licensed insurance subsidiary shell to the Reciprocal Exchanges, as discussed in Note 2-Accounting Policies and Procedures. This resulted in classifying $2.6 million insurance licenses out of Tower and into the Reciprocal Exchange.

Activity_in_Components_of_Inta1

Activity in Components of Intangible Assets Consisted of Intangible Assets Acquired from Business Combinations and Amortization Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible assets	$79,936	$106,768		$114,920
Insurance licenses	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible assets	19,003	19,003		19,003
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible assets	6,337	6,854	[1]	'
Reciprocal Exchanges | Insurance licenses	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible assets	3,000	3,000	[1]	'
Reciprocal Exchanges | Insurance licenses | Transferred from Tower to Reciprocal Exchange	'	'		'
Intangible Assets by Major Class [Line Items]	'	'		'
Intangible assets	'	$2,600		'
[1]	In 2012, Tower transferred a licensed insurance subsidiary shell to the Reciprocal Exchanges, as discussed in Note 2-Accounting Policies and Procedures. This resulted in classifying $2.6 million insurance licenses out of Tower and into the Reciprocal Exchange.

Estimated_Amortization_Expense

Estimated Amortization Expense for Each of Next Five Years (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Expected Amortization Expense [Line Items]	'
2014	$1,010
2015	708
2016	545
2017	482
2018	431
Tower	'
Expected Amortization Expense [Line Items]	'
2014	544
2015	303
2016	191
2017	171
2018	155
Reciprocal Exchanges	'
Expected Amortization Expense [Line Items]	'
2014	466
2015	405
2016	354
2017	311
2018	$276

Acquisition_Costs_Incurred_and

Acquisition Costs Incurred and Policy-Related Ceding Commission Revenue Deferred and Amortized to Income on Property and Casualty Business (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred acquisition costs, Beginning Balance	$181,198	$168,858	$164,123
Cost incurred and deferred:	'	'	'
Commissions and brokerage	299,412	329,967	311,536
Other underwriting and acquisition costs	66,473	75,705	70,312
Ceding commission revenue	-120,627	-40,930	-31,528
Net costs incurred and deferred	245,258	364,742	350,320
Amortization	-331,360	-352,402	-345,585
Deferred acquisition costs, Ending Balance	95,096	181,198	168,858
Tower	'	'	'
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred acquisition costs, Beginning Balance	169,834	156,992	145,917
Cost incurred and deferred:	'	'	'
Commissions and brokerage	266,987	298,701	279,699
Other underwriting and acquisition costs	58,846	68,238	64,416
Ceding commission revenue	-101,640	-25,052	-20,082
Net costs incurred and deferred	224,193	341,887	324,033
Amortization	-308,542	-329,045	-312,958
Deferred acquisition costs, Ending Balance	85,485	169,834	156,992
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'	'
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred acquisition costs, Beginning Balance	11,364	11,866	18,206
Cost incurred and deferred:	'	'	'
Commissions and brokerage	32,425	31,266	31,837
Other underwriting and acquisition costs	7,627	7,467	5,896
Ceding commission revenue	-18,987	-15,878	-11,446
Net costs incurred and deferred	21,065	22,855	26,287
Amortization	-22,818	-23,357	-32,627
Deferred acquisition costs, Ending Balance	$9,611	$11,364	$11,866

Reinsurance_Additional_Informa

Reinsurance - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Nov. 22, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Jul. 02, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 01, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Nov. 01, 2013

Nov. 01, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 14, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jul. 02, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jul. 02, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jul. 02, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Jul. 02, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jul. 02, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jul. 02, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Agreement

Reciprocal Exchanges

Reciprocal Exchanges

Maximum

Minimum

Reinsurers Rated A- or Higher

Reinsurers Rated A- or Higher

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity

Homeowners

Homeowners

Homeowners

Homeowners

Arch

Hannover

Southport Re

Southport Re

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Next $925 million of loss above the $75 million

liability quota share reinsurance agreements written in 2010 and prior years

liability quota share reinsurance agreements written in 2010 and prior years

Other tower companies

Property Risks

Property Risks

Property Risks

Property Risks

Property Risks

Property Risks

Workers' Compensation

Workers' Compensation

Workers' Compensation

Workers' Compensation

Workers' Compensation

Workers' Compensation

Workers' Compensation

Umbrella Liability

Umbrella Liability

Umbrella Liability

Umbrella Liability

Umbrella Liability

Umbrella Liability

Pcs Events Risk

Auto Liability, Other Liability and Commercial Package Liability

Commercial Package Property

Next 75 million of loss above 75 million

Next 75 million of loss above 75 million

Next 75 million of loss over 150 million

Next 75 million of loss over 150 million

Next 700 million of loss in excess of 225 million

$150 million in excess of $10 million retention

$150 million in excess of $10 million retention

$150 million in excess of $10 million retention

$170 million in excess of $10 million

Maximum

Minimum

Southport Re

Subsidiary of AmTrust and a subsidiary of NGHC

Subsidiary of AmTrust and a subsidiary of NGHC

Homeowners

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Hannover

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Hannover

Hannover

Hannover

Reciprocal Exchanges

Reciprocal Exchanges

Reciprocal Exchanges

Reciprocal Exchanges

Agreement

Maximum

Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss exposure limits

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,000,000

$5,000,000

$5,000,000

'

'

'

$3,500,000

$3,500,000

$2,500,000

'

'

'

'

$2,500,000

$2,500,000

$2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reinsurance coverage capacity

'

'

'

'

3,900,000

3,600,000

'

2,700,000

'

'

0.04

0.025

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000,000

30,000,000

30,000,000

'

'

'

60,000,000

60,000,000

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

5,000,000

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Clash coverage insurance limit

'

'

'

5,000,000

5,000,000

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

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'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quota share reinsurance cede, percentage

'

'

'

'

35.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

135.00%

35.00%

17.50%

14.00%

30.00%

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

30.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

Quota share reinsurance cedes, coverage per occurrence cap

'

'

'

'

288,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000,000

'

'

25,000,000

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

230,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

5,000,000

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quota share reinsurance ceded coverage, expiration

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-May-14

'

'

'

31-Dec-13

31-Dec-13

14-Feb-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

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'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reinsurance policy, loss ratio cap

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

120.00%

110.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deposit assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

28,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain from termination of agreement

21,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property catastrophe program retention, per catastrophe

'

75,000,000

75,000,000

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

10,000,000

10,000,000

10,000,000

Property catastrophe program coverage per catastrophe, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

60.00%

70.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

Number of reinsurers

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

Reinsurance recoverables, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

53.00%

91.70%

364.20%

8.60%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ceding commission on cut through reinsurance agreements percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Funds held under reinsurance agreements

'

'

'

222,159,000

98,581,000

'

'

'

22,000

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

222,100,000

98,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reinsurance recoverables and ceded unearned premiums

'

'

'

639,823,000

477,066,000

'

'

'

15,392,000

53,071,000

'

'

440,400,000

495,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Collateralized reinsuarnce balance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

96.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Collateral held to secure performance of reinsurers

'

'

'

540,700,000

189,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease in estimated ceding commission income relating to prior years recorded

'

'

'

$9,800,000

$4,200,000

$100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

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'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premiums_Written_Ceded_and_Ear

Premiums Written, Ceded and Earned (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premiums written	'	$1,606,249	$1,755,157	$1,692,282
Change in unearned premiums	'	111,252	3,969	-8,262
Premiums earned, Direct	'	1,717,501	1,759,126	1,684,020
Premiums written, Assumed	'	121,411	215,915	118,642
Change in unearned premiums, Assumed	'	187,520	-31,370	-12,890
Premiums earned, Assumed	'	308,931	184,545	105,752
Premiums written, Ceded	'	495,045	231,691	172,333
Change in unearned premiums, Ceded	'	18,472	-9,884	23,589
Premiums earned, Ceded	'	513,517	221,807	195,922
Premiums written, Net	'	1,232,615	1,739,381	1,638,591
Change in unearned premiums, Net	'	280,300	-17,517	-44,741
Premiums earned, Net	$46,100	$1,512,915	$1,721,864	$1,593,850

Components_of_Liability_for_Lo

Components of Liability for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses and Related Reinsurance Recoverables (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Gross Liability	'	'	'	'
Case-basis reserves	$999,949	$976,876	'	'
IBNR reserves	1,081,336	918,803	'	'
Total	2,081,285	1,895,679	1,632,113	1,610,421
Reinsurance recoverable	'	'	'	'
Case-basis reserves	296,025	90,071	'	'
IBNR reserves	274,835	369,386	'	'
Recoverable on paid losses	68,963	17,609	'	'
Total	639,823	477,066	'	'
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses	'	'	'	'
Gross Liability	'	'	'	'
Total	2,081,285	'	'	'
Tower	'	'	'	'
Gross Liability	'	'	'	'
Case-basis reserves	936,751	913,411	'	'
IBNR reserves	1,037,220	846,477	'	'
Total	'	1,759,888	1,495,839	1,439,106
Reinsurance recoverable	'	'	'	'
Case-basis reserves	290,080	79,911	'	'
IBNR reserves	267,377	327,157	'	'
Recoverable on paid losses	66,974	16,927	'	'
Total	624,431	423,995	'	'
Tower | Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses	'	'	'	'
Gross Liability	'	'	'	'
Total	1,973,971	'	'	'
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'	'	'
Gross Liability	'	'	'	'
Case-basis reserves	63,198	63,465	'	'
IBNR reserves	44,116	72,326	'	'
Total	107,315	135,791	136,274	171,315
Reinsurance recoverable	'	'	'	'
Case-basis reserves	5,945	10,160	'	'
IBNR reserves	7,458	42,229	'	'
Recoverable on paid losses	1,989	682	'	'
Total	15,392	53,071	'	'
Reciprocal Exchanges | Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses	'	'	'	'
Gross Liability	'	'	'	'
Total	$107,314	'	'	'

Reconciliation_of_Beginning_an

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Consolidated Balances for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'		'	'
Balance at beginning of year	'	$1,895,679		$1,632,113	$1,610,421
Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses	'	-459,457		-292,221	-276,976
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	'	1,436,222		1,339,892	1,333,445
Net reserves, at fair value, of acquired entities	'	166,868		'	'
Reduction in net reserves for the Southport Re agreements	'	-306,833	[1]	'	'
Incurred related to:	'	'		'	'
Current year	'	981,713		1,184,510	1,076,045
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	'	538,121		79,248	941
Total incurred	'	1,519,834		1,263,758	1,076,986
Paid related to:	'	'		'	'
Current year	'	576,562		530,119	396,346
Prior years	'	729,104		637,309	674,193
Total paid	'	1,305,666		1,167,428	1,070,539
Net balance at end of period	'	1,510,425		1,436,222	1,339,892
Add reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses	'	570,860		459,457	292,221
Net balance at end of year	'	2,081,285		1,895,679	1,632,113
Loss on loss adjustment expense	'	'		'	'
Paid related to:	'	'		'	'
Net balance at end of year	'	2,081,285		1,895,679	'
Tower	'	'		'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'		'	'
Balance at beginning of year	'	1,759,888		1,495,839	1,439,106
Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses	'	-407,068		-280,968	-265,592
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	'	1,352,820		1,214,871	1,173,514
Net reserves, at fair value, of acquired entities	'	166,868		'	'
Reduction in net reserves for the Southport Re agreements	'	-306,833	[1]	'	'
Incurred related to:	'	'		'	'
Current year	'	871,767		1,066,411	933,791
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	325,600	533,038		88,129	38,776
Total incurred	'	1,404,805		1,154,540	972,567
Paid related to:	'	'		'	'
Current year	'	502,791		431,437	337,268
Prior years	'	696,365		585,154	593,942
Total paid	'	1,199,156		1,016,591	931,210
Net balance at end of period	'	1,418,504		1,352,820	1,214,871
Add reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses	'	555,468		407,068	280,968
Net balance at end of year	'	'		1,759,888	1,495,839
Tower | Loss on loss adjustment expense	'	'		'	'
Paid related to:	'	'		'	'
Net balance at end of year	'	1,973,972		1,759,888	'
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'		'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'		'	'
Balance at beginning of year	'	135,791		136,274	171,315
Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses	'	-52,389		-11,253	-11,384
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	'	83,402		125,021	159,931
Incurred related to:	'	'		'	'
Current year	'	109,946		118,099	142,254
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	'	5,083		-8,881	-37,835
Total incurred	'	115,029		109,218	104,419
Paid related to:	'	'		'	'
Current year	'	73,771		98,682	59,078
Prior years	'	32,739		52,155	80,251
Total paid	'	106,510		150,837	139,329
Net balance at end of period	'	91,921		83,402	125,021
Add reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses	'	15,392		52,389	11,253
Net balance at end of year	'	107,315		135,791	136,274
Reciprocal Exchanges | Loss on loss adjustment expense	'	'		'	'
Paid related to:	'	'		'	'
Net balance at end of year	'	$107,313		$135,791	'
[1]	In the third quarter of 2013, Tower executed the Southport Re ADCs (see "Note 1 - Nature of the Business" for further description). The Southport Re ADCs resulted in a direct reduction to net loss reserves. A deferred gain of $12.5 million was recorded on the Southport Re ADCs and is reported in Other Liabilities. In addition, Tower executed the Southport Re Quota Share in the third quarter of 2013. This treaty is accounted for using deposit accounting and reduced the net reserves by $7.2 million.

Reconciliation_of_Beginning_an1

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Consolidated Balances for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			Southport Re	Other liability
				Southport Re
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'		'	'
Deferred gain	'		'	$12,500,000
Reduction in net reserves for the Southport Re agreements	$306,833,000	[1]	$7,200,000	'
[1]	In the third quarter of 2013, Tower executed the Southport Re ADCs (see "Note 1 - Nature of the Business" for further description). The Southport Re ADCs resulted in a direct reduction to net loss reserves. A deferred gain of $12.5 million was recorded on the Southport Re ADCs and is reported in Other Liabilities. In addition, Tower executed the Southport Re Quota Share in the third quarter of 2013. This treaty is accounted for using deposit accounting and reduced the net reserves by $7.2 million.

Loss_and_Loss_Adjustment_Expen2

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	'	$538,121,000	$79,248,000	$941,000
Loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio	'	100.50%	73.40%	'
Changes in ceding commissions on reinsuarnce treaties	'	9,800,000	'	'
Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses | Claims Opened	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocation percentage of fixed fee per in-house litigation claim	'	50.00%	'	'
Allocated Loss Adjustment Expenses | Claims Closed	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Allocation percentage of fixed fee per in-house litigation claim	'	50.00%	'	'
Prior Year	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	'	538,100,000	'	'
Tower	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	325,600,000	533,038,000	88,129,000	38,776,000
Loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio	'	103.90%	74.10%	'
Amortization of reserve risk premium on loss reserves relating to acquisition	'	19,100,000	7,200,000	'
Tower | General Liability Claim	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	'	533,000,000	'	'
Tower | Personal Insurance	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	'	1,400,000	'	'
Tower | Assumed Reinsurance Segment	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	'	5,400,000	'	'
Tower | Commercial Insurance	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	'	539,800,000	'	'
Tower | Prior Year	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	'	533,000,000	'	'
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development	'	5,083,000	-8,881,000	-37,835,000
Loss and loss adjustment expenses ratio	'	71.30%	66.70%	'
Amortization of reserve risk premium on loss reserves relating to acquisition	'	'	$2,500,000	'

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 20, 2013

Jun. 21, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 26, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 13, 2013

Share Repurchase Program, 2011

Share Repurchase Program, 2010

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Restricted Stock

Canopius Bermuda

Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion ratio

'

'

'

1.133

1.133

1.133

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common shares, outstanding

'

'

'

57,381,686

43,513,678

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,025,737

Employee stock option exercises

'

'

'

2,674

0

39,215

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of option, grants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

242,626

422,176

741,185

'

Common stock purchased from employees to pay expected amount of tax liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

345,946

117,377

'

'

Number of shares, forfeitures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

57,080

28,513

21,346

'

Treasury stock held

'

'

'

55,471

9,534,333

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchase program authorized amount

'

'

'

$50,000,000

'

'

$100,000,000

$100,000,000

'

'

'

'

Share repurchase program authorization date

'

'

'

7-May-13

'

'

3-Mar-11

26-Feb-10

'

'

'

'

Repurchase of common stock, shares

'

'

'

0

1,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchase of common stock

'

'

'

'

$20,987,000

$64,572,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share repurchase program termination date

'

'

'

'March 2013

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend per share

$0.17

$0.17

$0.17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Summary_of_Changes_in_Accumula

Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, by Component (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Beginning Balance	$87,412
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax	-80,046
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	-22,894
Net current period other comprehensive income	-102,940
Ending Balance	-15,528
Beginning Balance	-5,860
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax	-1,496
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	3,377
Net current period other comprehensive income	1,881
Ending Balance	-3,979
Beginning Balance	1,204
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax	-1,204
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	'
Net current period other comprehensive income	-1,204
Beginning Balance	82,756
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax	-82,746
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	-19,517
Net current period other comprehensive income	-102,263
Ending Balance	($19,507)

Reclassified_from_Accumulated_

Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Net Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, before income tax	$25,048	$25,476	$9,394
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, Income tax expense	'	8,917	1,742
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, net income tax	-22,894	'	'
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges interest rate swaps, net of income taxes	-3,377	'	'
Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, before income tax	-22,894	'	'
Income Tax Expense	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, Income tax expense	'	'	'
Interest Rate Swaps	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges interest rate swaps, net of income taxes	3,377	'	'
Interest Rate Swaps | Income Tax Expense	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges interest rate swaps, income tax expense	'	'	'
Interest Rate Swaps | Interest Expense	'	'	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges interest rate swaps, interest expense	$3,377	'	'

Borrowings_Detail

Borrowings (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Credit facility	'	$70,000
Subordinated debentures	235,058	235,058
Total	382,770	449,731
Credit facility	'	70,000
Subordinated debentures	114,900	232,678
Total	244,425	454,741
Convertible Senior Notes	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible senior notes	147,712	144,673
Convertible senior notes	$129,525	$152,063

Aggregate_Scheduled_Maturities

Aggregate Scheduled Maturities of Borrowings (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Borrowings	$385,058
Scheduled Maturities of Debt in 2014	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Borrowings	150,000	[1]
Scheduled Maturities of Debt in 2033	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Borrowings	20,620
Scheduled Maturities of Debt in 2034	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Borrowings	25,775
Scheduled Maturities of Debt in 2035	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Borrowings	13,403
Scheduled Maturities of Debt in 2036	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Borrowings	123,713
Scheduled Maturities of Debt in 2037	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Borrowings	$51,547
[1]	Amount reflected in balance sheet for convertible senior notes is net of unamortized original issue discount of $2.3 million

Aggregate_Scheduled_Maturities1

Aggregate Scheduled Maturities of Borrowings (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Convertible Senior Notes, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Convertible Senior Notes	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unamortized OID	$2,288	$5,327	$11,500

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 13, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Apr. 03, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Oct. 31, 2010

Oct. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges

Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges

Interest Rate Swaps

Interest Rate Swaps

Convertible Senior Notes

Convertible Senior Notes

Convertible Senior Notes

Other liability

Other liability

Cash Flow Hedging

Interest Rate Swaps

Interest Rate Swaps

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

$33,594,000

$32,630,000

$34,290,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$11,900,000

'

'

'

Notional amount, interest rate swap contracts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

190,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate swap contracts, terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate range on swaps, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate range on swaps, maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate swap contracts liabilities, fair value

'

'

6,066,000

9,016,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,100,000

9,000,000

Gain (loss) on Swaps designated as cash flow hedges reclassified from AOCI to interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,400,000

1,600,000

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Collateral on deposit with the counterparty

'

'

6,300,000

9,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit facility agreement, borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

220,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payment of outstanding credit facility amount

70,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible senior notes principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

'

'

'

'

Interest rate on convertible senior note, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

'

'

Maturity date of convertible senior notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Sep-14

'

'

'

'

Frequency of interest payment, term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 2011.

'

'

'

'

First interest payment date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Mar-11

'

'

'

'

Earliest conversion date for notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Mar-14

'

'

'

'

Conversion rate of shares of common stock per principal amount of notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

41.4269

'

'

'

Principal amount of Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

'

'

'

Initial conversion price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$24.14

'

'

'

Debt conversion term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'The adjusted conversion rate at December 31, 2013 is 41.4269 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes (equivalent to a conversion price of $24.14 per share), subject to further adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following: if Tower issues shares of common stock as a dividend or distribution on shares of the common stock , or if Tower effects a share split or share combination; if Tower issues to all or substantially all holders of common stock any rights, options or warrants entitling them, for a period of not more than 45 calendar days after the announcement date of such issuance, to subscribe for or purchase shares of the common stock at a price per share that is less than the average of the last reported sales price of the common stock for the ten consecutive trading day period ending on the date of announcement of such issuance; if Tower distributes shares of its capital stock, other indebtedness, other assets or property of Tower or rights, options or warrants to acquire capital stock or other securities of Tower, to all or substantially all holders of capital stock; if any cash dividend or distribution is made to all or substantially all holders of the common stock, other than a regular quarterly cash dividend that does not exceed $0.110 per share; if Tower makes a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer for common stock, and the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of common stock exceeds the last reported sale price of the common stock on the trading day next succeeding the last day on which the tenders or exchange may be made.

'

'

'

Unamortized OID

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,500,000

2,288,000

5,327,000

'

'

Deferred origination costs relating to liability component

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

Effective interest rate on convertible senior note

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.20%

'

'

'

Transaction costs associated with equity component

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000

'

'

'

Proceeds from issuance of note hedge

'

2,400,000

2,380,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments for warrants

'

1,000,000

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tax adjustment recorded in paid-in-capital

'

$800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal_Terms_of_Subordinate

Principal Terms of Subordinated Debentures (Detail) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Tower Group Statutory Trust I

Tower Group Statutory Trust II

Preserver Capital Trust I

Tower Group Statutory Trust III

Tower Group Statutory Trust IV

Tower Group Statutory Trust V

Tower Group Statutory Trust VI

CastlePoint Bermuda Capital Trust I

CastlePoint Management Statutory Trust II

CastlePoint Management Statutory Trust I

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issue Date

'

'

'2003-05

'2003-09

'2004-05

'2004-12

'2004-12

'2006-03

'2007-01

'2007-09

'2006-12

'2006-12

Maturity Date

'

'

'2033-05

'2033-09

'2034-05

'2034-12

'2035-03

'2036-04

'2037-03

'2037-12

'2036-12

'2036-12

Early Redemption

'

'

'At our option at par on or after May 15, 2008

'At our option at par on or after September 30, 2008

'At our option at par on or after May 24, 2009

'At our option at par on or after December 15, 2009

'At our option at par on or after March 15, 2010

'At our option at par on or after April 7, 2011

'At our option at par on or after March 15, 2012

'At our option at par on or after December 15, 2012

'At our option at par on or after December 15, 2011

'At our option at par on or after December 15, 2011

Interest Rate

'

'

'Three-month LIBOR plus 410 basis points

'Three-month LIBOR plus 400 basis points

'Three-month LIBOR plus 425 basis points

'Three-month LIBOR plus 340 basis points

'Three-month LIBOR plus 340 basis points

'Three-month LIBOR plus 330 basis points

'8.16% until March 14, 2012; three-month LIBOR plus 300 basis points thereafter

'8.39% until December 14, 2012; three-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points thereafter.

'Three-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points

'Three-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points

Amount of Investment in Common Securities of Trust

$7,100,000

'

$300,000

$300,000

$400,000

$400,000

$400,000

$600,000

$600,000

$900,000

$1,600,000

$1,600,000

Principal Amount of Junior Subordinated Debenture Issued to Trust

$235,058,000

$235,058,000

$10,300,000

$10,300,000

$12,400,000

$13,400,000

$13,400,000

$20,600,000

$20,600,000

$30,900,000

$51,600,000

$51,600,000

Principal_Terms_of_Subordinate1

Principal Terms of Subordinated Debentures (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Tower Group Statutory Trust I	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Early redemption date	15-May-08
Interest rate basis point above LIBOR	4.10%
Tower Group Statutory Trust II	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Early redemption date	30-Sep-08
Interest rate basis point above LIBOR	4.00%
Preserver Capital Trust I	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Early redemption date	24-May-09
Interest rate basis point above LIBOR	4.25%
Tower Group Statutory Trust III	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Early redemption date	15-Dec-09
Interest rate basis point above LIBOR	3.40%
Tower Group Statutory Trust IV	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Early redemption date	15-Mar-10
Interest rate basis point above LIBOR	3.40%
Tower Group Statutory Trust V	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Early redemption date	7-Apr-11
Interest rate basis point above LIBOR	3.30%
Tower Group Statutory Trust VI	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Early redemption date	15-Mar-12
Tower Group Statutory Trust VI | Interest Rate Thereafter	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Interest rate basis point above LIBOR	3.00%
Tower Group Statutory Trust VI | Interest Rate until March 14th, 2012	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Interest rate, percentage	8.16%
CastlePoint Bermuda Capital Trust I	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Early redemption date	15-Dec-12
CastlePoint Bermuda Capital Trust I | Interest Rate Thereafter	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Interest rate basis point above LIBOR	3.50%
CastlePoint Bermuda Capital Trust I | Interest Rate until December 14th, 2012	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Interest rate, percentage	8.39%
CastlePoint Management Statutory Trust II	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Early redemption date	15-Dec-11
Interest rate basis point above LIBOR	3.50%
CastlePoint Management Statutory Trust I	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Early redemption date	15-Dec-11
Interest rate basis point above LIBOR	3.50%

Amounts_Recorded_for_Notes_Det

Amounts Recorded for Notes (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 15, 2012	Sep. 30, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Liability component	'	'	'	'
Outstanding principal	$385,058	'	'	'
Convertible Senior Notes	'	'	'	'
Liability component	'	'	'	'
Outstanding principal	150,000	150,000	150,000	'
Unamortized OID	-2,288	-5,327	'	-11,500
Liability component	147,712	144,673	'	'
Equity component, net of tax	$7,469	$7,469	'	'

Stock_Based_Compensation_Addit

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 13, 2013	Feb. 05, 2009	Feb. 05, 2009	Feb. 05, 2009	Nov. 13, 2009	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
				Canopius Group Limited	Stock Options	Stock Options	Stock Options	Stock Options	2008 LTEP	2013 LTIP
					CastlePoint Holding, Ltd.	CastlePoint Holding, Ltd.	CastlePoint Holding, Ltd.	Specialty Underwriters' Alliance, Inc.
						Minimum	Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum Share based awards authorized	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,325,446	2,150,000
Shares available for future grants	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	73,441	2,147,531
Number of Shares, Vested	'	'	'	525,548	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion ratio	1.133	1.133	1.133	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Risk free interest rate, minimum	'	'	'	'	1.46%	'	'	'	'	'
Risk free interest rate, maximum	'	'	'	'	1.83%	'	'	'	'	'
Dividend yield	'	'	'	'	0.80%	'	'	1.20%	'	'
Volatility factors, minimum	'	'	'	'	43.80%	'	'	'	'	'
Volatility factors, maximum	'	'	'	'	45.30%	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average expected life	'	'	'	'	'	'3 years 3 months 18 days	'5 years 3 months 18 days	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'	'
Risk free interest rate	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.66%	'	'
Volatility factors	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	43.80%	'	'

Analysis_of_Restricted_Stock_A

Analysis of Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
				Share Based Awards	Share Based Awards	Share Based Awards
Number of Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of Shares, Beginning Balance	1,015,902	1,120,090	670,366	'	'	'
Number of Shares, Granted	242,626	422,176	741,185	'	'	'
Number of Shares, Vested	-965,862	-497,851	-270,115	'	'	'
Number of Shares, Forfeitures	-57,080	-28,513	-21,346	'	'	'
Number of Shares, Ending Balance	235,586	1,015,902	1,120,090	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$20.38	$20.69	'	$20.38	$20.69	$20.39
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$18.09	$19.77	$21.01	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$20.38	$20.94	$20.79	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeitures	$17.22	$20.69	$20.84	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$17.98	$20.38	$20.69	$20.38	$20.69	$20.39

Analysis_of_Stock_Option_Activ

Analysis of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Number of Shares	'	'	'
Number of Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance	969,307	969,307	1,039,127
Number of Shares, Exercised	-2,674	0	-39,215
Number of Shares, Forfeitures and expirations	-10,829	'	-30,605
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance	955,804	969,307	969,307
Number of Shares Exercisable, Ending Balance	955,804	969,307	969,307
Average Exercise Price	'	'	'
Average Exercise Price Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$17.78	$17.78	$17.66
Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$16.48	'	$9.48
Average Exercise Price, Forfeitures and expirations	$20.19	'	$24.35
Average Exercise Price Outstanding, Ending Balance	$17.75	$17.78	$17.78
Average Exercise Price Exercisable, Ending Balance	$17.75	$17.78	$17.78

Options_Outstanding_and_Exerci

Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of Shares	955,804	969,307	969,307	1,039,127
Options Outstanding Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	'2 years 10 months 24 days	'	'	'
Options Outstanding, Average Exercise Price	$17.75	$17.78	$17.78	$17.66
Option Exercisable Number of Shares	955,804	969,307	969,307	'
Options Exercisable, Average Exercise Price	$17.75	$17.78	$17.78	'
$10.01 - $20.00	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$10.01	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$20	'	'	'
Number of Shares	769,833	'	'	'
Options Outstanding Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	'2 years 7 months 6 days	'	'	'
Options Outstanding, Average Exercise Price	$16.32	'	'	'
Option Exercisable Number of Shares	769,833	'	'	'
Options Exercisable, Average Exercise Price	$16.32	'	'	'
$20.01 - $30.00	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$20.01	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$30	'	'	'
Number of Shares	183,857	'	'	'
Options Outstanding Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	'4 years 1 month 6 days	'	'	'
Options Outstanding, Average Exercise Price	$23.60	'	'	'
Option Exercisable Number of Shares	183,857	'	'	'
Options Exercisable, Average Exercise Price	$23.60	'	'	'
$30.01 - $40.00	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Price, Lower Limit	$30.01	'	'	'
Range of Exercise Price, Upper Limit	$40	'	'	'
Number of Shares	2,114	'	'	'
Options Outstanding Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)	'1 year 1 month 6 days	'	'	'
Options Outstanding, Average Exercise Price	$30.35	'	'	'
Option Exercisable Number of Shares	2,114	'	'	'
Options Exercisable, Average Exercise Price	$30.35	'	'	'

Analysis_of_Stock_Based_Compen

Analysis of Stock Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average years expense will be recognized	'3 years 2 months 12 days	'2 years 1 month 6 days	'2 years 3 months 18 days
Restricted Stock	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expense, net of tax	8,577	6,043	6,126
Value of shares vested	21,278	9,485	5,622
Value of unvested shares	796	15,967	19,940
Unrecognized compensation expense	851	8,262	9,617
Employee Stock Option	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expense, net of tax	'	'	105
Intrinsic value of outstanding options	'	1,149	1,150
Intrinsic value of vested outstanding options	'	1,149	1,150

Provision_for_Federal_State_an

Provision for Federal, State and Local Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current Federal income tax expense (benefit)	$3,132	($16,807)	$8,461
Current state income tax expense (benefit)	553	200	-257
Deferred Federal and state income tax (benefit)	4,747	-12,492	5,847
Provision for income taxes	8,431	-29,099	14,051
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Provision for income taxes	8,431	-29,099	14,051
Tower	'	'	'
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current Federal income tax expense (benefit)	3,000	-17,400	6,951
Current state income tax expense (benefit)	553	200	-257
Deferred Federal and state income tax (benefit)	5,285	-9,872	4,175
Tower | Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Provision for income taxes	8,838	-27,072	10,869
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'	'
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current Federal income tax expense (benefit)	132	593	1,510
Deferred Federal and state income tax (benefit)	-539	-2,620	1,672
Reciprocal Exchanges | Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Provision for income taxes	($407)	($2,027)	$3,182

Significant_Components_of_Defe

Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Claims reserve discount	$28,548	$46,275
Unearned premium	28,433	61,062
Equity compensation plans	3,627	6,072
Net operating loss carryforwards	173,059	37,414
Convertible senior note and note hedge OID	2,163	618
AMT credits	2,619	2,354
Fair value of interest rate swap	2,123	3,155
Bad debt reserves	6,058	5,815
Deferred rent	1,977	1,905
Accrued interest from foreign affiliate	2,199	3,710
Depreciation and amortization	18,574	'
Other	3,806	1,008
Total gross deferred tax assets	313,905	169,388
Less: valuation allowance	292,925	6,984
Total deferred tax assets	20,980	162,404
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Deferred acquisition costs net of deferred ceding commission revenue	14,329	63,251
Convertible senior note and note hedge OID	2,163	618
Depreciation and amortization	2,155	48,382
Net unrealized appreciation of securities	12,997	52,744
Surplus notes	18,844	18,824
Unconsolidated affiliate	'	3,843
Other	'	123
Total deferred tax liabilities	50,488	187,167
Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	-29,508	-24,763
Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	-29,508	-24,763
Scenario One	'	'
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Adjustment on Retroactive Reinsurance	42,882	'
Tower	'	'
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Claims reserve discount	26,994	44,528
Unearned premium	22,614	55,134
Equity compensation plans	3,627	6,072
Net operating loss carryforwards	161,884	32,584
Convertible senior note and note hedge OID	2,163	618
AMT credits	2,008	1,846
Fair value of interest rate swap	2,123	3,155
Bad debt reserves	5,793	5,793
Deferred rent	1,977	1,905
Accrued interest from foreign affiliate	2,199	3,710
Depreciation and amortization	18,574	'
Other	2,052	'
Total gross deferred tax assets	292,727	155,345
Less: valuation allowance	275,332	2,258
Total deferred tax assets	17,395	153,087
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Deferred acquisition costs net of deferred ceding commission revenue	11,010	59,387
Convertible senior note and note hedge OID	2,163	618
Depreciation and amortization	'	46,025
Net unrealized appreciation of securities	12,030	46,953
Surplus notes	2,519	1,800
Unconsolidated affiliate	'	3,843
Other	'	123
Total deferred tax liabilities	27,722	158,131
Tower | Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	-10,327	-5,044
Tower | Scenario One	'	'
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Adjustment on Retroactive Reinsurance	42,882	'
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Claims reserve discount	1,554	1,747
Unearned premium	5,819	5,928
Net operating loss carryforwards	11,175	4,830
AMT credits	611	508
Bad debt reserves	265	22
Other	1,754	1,008
Total gross deferred tax assets	21,178	14,043
Less: valuation allowance	17,593	4,726
Total deferred tax assets	3,585	9,317
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Deferred acquisition costs net of deferred ceding commission revenue	3,319	3,864
Depreciation and amortization	2,155	2,357
Net unrealized appreciation of securities	967	5,791
Surplus notes	16,325	17,024
Total deferred tax liabilities	22,766	29,036
Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	-19,181	-19,719
Reciprocal Exchanges | Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Net deferred income tax asset (liability)	($19,181)	($19,719)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2007

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Carried over Indefinitely

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

U.S.

U.S.

U.S.

U.S.

U.S.

Income tax expense (benefit)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

Preserver Group, Inc.

Preserver Group, Inc.

CastlePoint Holding, Ltd.

CastlePoint Holding, Ltd.

Acquired Companies

Non Life Insurance Premiums

Life Insurance and Reinsurance Premiums

Federal

Federal

State

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss)

Additional Paid-in Capital

U.S.

Tower

Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

Tower

U.S.

U.S.

Tower

Tower

Income Taxes [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Income (loss) before income taxes

'

'

($952,921,000)

($61,016,000)

$69,481,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($61,300,000)

$901,400,000

($61,000,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred tax inventory

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

161,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

161,200,000

700,000

Net deferred tax asset

'

'

20,980,000

162,404,000

'

'

'

17,395,000

153,087,000

'

263,400,000

'

'

265,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

240,600,000

32,500,000

33,700,000

-1,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Prior years unfavorable/(favorable) development

'

'

538,121,000

79,248,000

941,000

'

325,600,000

533,038,000

88,129,000

38,776,000

'

149,700,000

'

149,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill impairment charge

214,000,000

214,000,000

271,442,000

'

'

'

214,000,000

'

'

'

'

185,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of excise tax rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

Excise tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,300,000

'

'

Net operating loss carryforwards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,800,000

'

11,100,000

'

460,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration term

'

'

'The PGI and CastlePoint NOLs will expire in years 2025 through 2029.

'

'

'

'

'The NOLs will expire in years 2019 through 2032.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net operating loss carryforwards at the time of acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

43,700,000

'

17,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

AMT credits

'

'

$2,619,000

$2,354,000

'

$2,600,000

'

$2,008,000

$1,846,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Items_Causing_Provision_for_Fe

Items Causing Provision for Federal Income Taxes Incurred Different from that which would be Obtained by Applying Federal Income Tax Rate to Net Income Before Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Federal income tax expense at U.S. statutory rate	($333,314)	($21,359)	$23,981
Rate differential on Non U.S. Operations	10,746	'	'
Tax exempt interest	-4,873	-8,275	-7,241
State income taxes net of Federal benefit	'	130	488
Goodwill Impairment	78,465	'	'
Acquisition related transaction costs	1,801	2,261	100
Prior period adjustment	624	-781	207
Valuation Allowance	250,133	-1,072	-1,757
Other	4,490	-3	-1,727
Provision for income taxes	8,431	-29,099	14,051
Provision for income taxes	'	'	'
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Provision for income taxes	8,431	-29,099	14,051
Tower	'	'	'
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Federal income tax expense at U.S. statutory rate	-326,239	-21,458	19,161
Rate differential on Non U.S. Operations	10,746	'	'
Tax exempt interest	-4,476	-7,374	-6,823
State income taxes net of Federal benefit	359	130	488
Goodwill Impairment	78,465	'	'
Acquisition related transaction costs	1,801	2,261	100
Prior period adjustment	1,408	-619	207
Valuation Allowance	242,189	'	'
Other	4,585	-12	-2,264
Tower | Provision for income taxes	'	'	'
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Provision for income taxes	8,838	-27,072	10,869
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'	'
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Federal income tax expense at U.S. statutory rate	-7,075	99	4,820
Tax exempt interest	-397	-901	-418
Prior period adjustment	-784	-162	'
Valuation Allowance	7,944	-1,072	-1,757
Other	-95	9	537
Reciprocal Exchanges | Provision for income taxes	'	'	'
Reconciliation of Provision of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Provision for income taxes	($407)	($2,027)	$3,182

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Employee Pretax Savings Plan (401(k) Plan), Employer matching contribution to employee	50.00%	'	'
Employee Pretax Savings Plan (401(k) Plan), Employer matching contribution to employee up to participant's eligible contribution	8.00%	'	'
Employee Pretax Savings Plan (401(k) Plan), Expense incurred related to defined contribution employee pretax savings plan	$3.90	$3.60	$3.20
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), Required number of years	'10 years	'	'
Senior vice presidents	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), Required number of years of service	'3 years	'	'
Key Employees	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), Vesting period	'10 years	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), Percentage of annual cash compensation	5.00%	'	'
Key Employees | Minimum	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), Required number of years of service	'5 years	'	'
Key Employees | Maximum	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'	'
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP), Required number of years of service	'10 years	'	'

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 18, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Contingencies, damages sought	$150,000,000	'	'	'
Rental expense	'	10,400,000	9,700,000	11,100,000
Difference due to actual assessment with respect to original assessment made based on permitted surcharges	'	'	'	1,100,000
Liability for workers compensation funds	'	10,300,000	7,500,000	'
New York Insurance Department	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating expense	'	$4,900,000	$4,800,000	$5,100,000

Future_Minimum_Lease_Payments_

Future Minimum Lease Payments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leases	'
2014	$10,463
2015	10,397
2016	10,398
2017	9,142
2018	8,850
Thereafter	26,761
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	76,011
Capital Leases	'
2014	12,557
2015	14,823
2016	3,371
2017	1,787
2018	640
Thereafter	'
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	33,178
Total	'
2014	23,020
2015	25,220
2016	13,769
2017	10,929
2018	9,490
Thereafter	26,761
Contractual Obligation, Total	$109,189

Statutory_Financial_Informatio1

Statutory Financial Information and Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount required to be collateralized against adverse loss reserve development	$222,159,000	$98,581,000	'
Unencumbered liquid assets approved to be transferred	30,300,000	'	'
Deferred gain associated with intercompany reinsurance agreement	-109,700,000	'	'
Reciprocal Exchanges	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory net income (loss)	-8,800,000	7,400,000	16,500,000
Statutory capital and surplus regards to policyholders	81,200,000	91,400,000	'
Dividends paid	0	'	'
Amount required to be collateralized against adverse loss reserve development	22,000	500,000	'
Reciprocal Exchanges | Adirondack	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory capital and surplus requirements	34,500,000	38,100,000	'
Reciprocal Exchanges | New Jersey Skylands	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory capital and surplus requirements	11,200,000	10,200,000	'
CastlePoint Re	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Funds held by reinsured companies	581,700,000	'	'
TRL	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Amount required to be collateralized against adverse loss reserve development	648,900,000	'	'
Unencumbered liquid assets approved to be transferred	167,300,000	'	'
Canopius Bermuda | CastlePoint Re	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory net income (loss)	-198,600,000	'	'
Statutory capital and surplus regards to policyholders	-37,200,000	'	'
Dividends paid	22,000,000	2,500,000	20,000,000
Net statutory assets held	0	'	'
Canopius Bermuda | CastlePoint Re | All Insurance Subsidiaries	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory capital and surplus regards to policyholders	60,300,000	'	'
Canopius Bermuda | CastlePoint Re | Us Subsidiaries	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory capital and surplus regards to policyholders	26,500,000	'	'
Canopius Bermuda | TRL	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory capital and surplus regards to policyholders	14,400,000	'	'
UNITED STATES | Subsidiaries	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'
Statutory net income (loss)	-402,400,000	-42,300,000	52,000,000
Statutory capital and surplus regards to policyholders	172,900,000	594,200,000	'
Dividends paid	0	10,200,000	15,000,000
Net statutory assets held	$0	'	'

Earnings_loss_per_Share_Additi

Earnings (loss) per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Conversion ratio	1.133	1.133	1.133
Options and other common stock equivalents excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	955,800	0	166,700

Computation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh

Computation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Numerator

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.

($91,633)

($348,053)

[1],[2]

($515,847)

[1]

$12,917

($58,220)

$21,629

($16,809)

$19,166

($942,616)

($34,234)

$44,435

Less: Allocation of income for unvested participating restricted stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-370

Less: Dividends on unvested participating restricted stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-262

-686

-679

Net income available to common shareholders - Basic

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-942,878

-34,920

43,386

Reallocation of income for unvested participating restricted stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders - Diluted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($942,878)

($34,920)

$43,385

Denominator

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic earnings per share denominator

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

54,297

42,902

45,226

Effect of dilutive securities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

111

Diluted earnings per share denominator

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

54,297

42,902

45,337

Common stock:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Distributed earnings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.50

$0.66

$0.61

Undistributed earnings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($17.86)

($1.47)

$0.35

Total - Basic

($1.60)

[3]

($6.09)

[1],[2],[3]

($9.03)

[1],[3]

$0.28

[3]

($1.38)

[3]

$0.50

[3]

($0.39)

[3]

$0.43

[3]

($17.37)

[3]

($0.81)

[3]

$0.96

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Tower shareholders - Diluted

($1.60)

[3]

($6.09)

[1],[2],[3]

($9.03)

[1],[3]

$0.28

[3]

($1.38)

[3]

$0.50

[3]

($0.39)

[3]

$0.43

[3]

($17.37)

[3]

($0.81)

[3]

$0.96

[1]

Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and per share amounts have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in income tax expenses by $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. The Company adjusted the valuation allowance recorded on its deferred taxes. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

[2]

Revenues have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in accounting for the Southport Quota Share. In the third quarter of 2013, management should have used deposit accounting. This correction resulted in lower net earned premiums of $46.1 million and lower ceded commission revenue of $10.1 million, offset by $36.0 million higher loss and loss adjustment expense. This correction had no impact to net income (loss). This correction also resulted in an adjustment to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $23.9 million. Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased and Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased by $35.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

[3]

Since the weighted-average shares for the quarters are calculated independently of the weighted-average shares for the year, quarterly earnings (loss) per share may not total to annual earnings per share. Earnings (loss) per share has been calculated using weighted-average shares that have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio resulting from the Canopius Merger Transaction.

Business_Segments_Results_Deta

Business Segments Results (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premiums earned

'

$46,100

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,512,915

$1,721,864

$1,593,850

Ceding commission revenue

'

10,100

'

'

'

'

'

'

81,382

32,335

33,968

Policy billing fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,299

12,615

10,534

Total revenues

326,120

478,881

[1],[2]

460,518

[1]

476,483

475,369

474,891

506,392

466,223

1,742,002

1,922,875

1,775,790

Expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

'

36,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,519,834

1,263,758

1,076,986

Total expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,309,674

1,982,421

1,706,309

Reciprocal Exchanges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

190,200

204,700

'

Expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

211,000

202,400

'

Commercial Insurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premiums earned

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

931,693

1,104,551

1,052,050

Expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,185,627

859,707

740,754

Underwriting expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

406,908

388,511

352,832

Total expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,592,535

1,248,218

1,093,586

Underwriting profit (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-625,090

-130,498

-22,405

Assumed Reinsurance Segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premiums earned

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

120,015

35,861

Expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

41,474

52,975

17,456

Underwriting expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

57,506

44,124

11,859

Total expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

98,980

97,099

29,315

Underwriting profit (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,437

22,916

-6,546

Personal Insurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premiums earned

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

464,805

497,298

505,939

Expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss and loss adjustment expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

292,733

351,076

318,775

Underwriting expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

249,779

228,289

218,463

Total expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

542,512

579,365

537,238

Underwriting profit (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-19,778

-50,286

-5,928

Personal Insurance | Tower

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Underwriting profit (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,083

-31,450

-11,308

Personal Insurance | Reciprocal Exchanges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Underwriting profit (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-25,861

-18,836

5,380

Operating Segments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,606,596

1,766,814

1,638,352

Operating Segments | Commercial Insurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premiums earned

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

931,693

1,104,551

1,052,050

Ceding commission revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,115

7,702

14,786

Policy billing fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,637

5,467

4,345

Total revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

967,445

1,117,720

1,071,181

Operating Segments | Assumed Reinsurance Segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premiums earned

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

116,417

120,015

35,861

Total revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

116,417

120,015

35,861

Operating Segments | Personal Insurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premiums earned

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

464,805

497,298

505,939

Ceding commission revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51,267

24,633

19,182

Policy billing fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,662

7,148

6,189

Total revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$522,734

$529,079

$531,310

[1]

Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and per share amounts have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in income tax expenses by $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. The Company adjusted the valuation allowance recorded on its deferred taxes. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

[2]

Revenues have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in accounting for the Southport Quota Share. In the third quarter of 2013, management should have used deposit accounting. This correction resulted in lower net earned premiums of $46.1 million and lower ceded commission revenue of $10.1 million, offset by $36.0 million higher loss and loss adjustment expense. This correction had no impact to net income (loss). This correction also resulted in an adjustment to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $23.9 million. Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased and Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased by $35.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

Reconciliation_of_Revenue_by_S

Reconciliation of Revenue by Segment to Consolidated Revenues (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net investment income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$109,208

$127,165

$126,474

Net realized gains (losses) on investments, including other-than-temporary impairments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,048

25,476

9,394

Insurance services revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,150

3,420

1,570

Revenues

326,120

478,881

[1],[2]

460,518

[1]

476,483

475,369

474,891

506,392

466,223

1,742,002

1,922,875

1,775,790

Operating Segments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,606,596

1,766,814

1,638,352

Operating Segments | Commercial Insurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

967,445

1,117,720

1,071,181

Operating Segments | Assumed Reinsurance Segment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

116,417

120,015

35,861

Operating Segments | Personal Insurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$522,734

$529,079

$531,310

[1]

Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and per share amounts have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in income tax expenses by $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. The Company adjusted the valuation allowance recorded on its deferred taxes. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

[2]

Revenues have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in accounting for the Southport Quota Share. In the third quarter of 2013, management should have used deposit accounting. This correction resulted in lower net earned premiums of $46.1 million and lower ceded commission revenue of $10.1 million, offset by $36.0 million higher loss and loss adjustment expense. This correction had no impact to net income (loss). This correction also resulted in an adjustment to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $23.9 million. Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased and Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased by $35.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

Reconciliation_of_Results_of_I

Reconciliation of Results of Individual Segments to Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net investment income	$109,208	$127,165	$126,474
Net realized gains (loss) on investments, including other-than-temporary impairments	25,048	25,476	9,394
Corporate expenses, and other income	-14,581	-12,460	-9,950
Acquisition-related transaction costs	-21,322	-9,229	-360
Interest expense	-33,594	-32,630	-34,290
Goodwill and fixed asset impairment	-397,211	'	'
Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate	6,962	-1,470	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-952,921	-61,016	69,481
Commercial Insurance	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'
Underwriting profit (loss)	-625,090	-130,498	-22,405
Assumed Reinsurance Segment	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'
Underwriting profit (loss)	17,437	22,916	-6,546
Personal Insurance	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'	'	'
Underwriting profit (loss)	($19,778)	($50,286)	($5,928)

Unaudited_Quarterly_Financial_2

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

$326,120

$478,881

[1],[2]

$460,518

[1]

$476,483

$475,369

$474,891

$506,392

$466,223

$1,742,002

$1,922,875

$1,775,790

Net income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.

($91,633)

($348,053)

[1],[2]

($515,847)

[1]

$12,917

($58,220)

$21,629

($16,809)

$19,166

($942,616)

($34,234)

$44,435

Net income (loss) per share attributable to Tower shareholders:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basic

($1.60)

[3]

($6.09)

[1],[2],[3]

($9.03)

[1],[3]

$0.28

[3]

($1.38)

[3]

$0.50

[3]

($0.39)

[3]

$0.43

[3]

($17.37)

[3]

($0.81)

[3]

$0.96

Diluted

($1.60)

[3]

($6.09)

[1],[2],[3]

($9.03)

[1],[3]

$0.28

[3]

($1.38)

[3]

$0.50

[3]

($0.39)

[3]

$0.43

[3]

($17.37)

[3]

($0.81)

[3]

$0.96

[1]

Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and per share amounts have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in income tax expenses by $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. The Company adjusted the valuation allowance recorded on its deferred taxes. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

[2]

Revenues have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in accounting for the Southport Quota Share. In the third quarter of 2013, management should have used deposit accounting. This correction resulted in lower net earned premiums of $46.1 million and lower ceded commission revenue of $10.1 million, offset by $36.0 million higher loss and loss adjustment expense. This correction had no impact to net income (loss). This correction also resulted in an adjustment to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $23.9 million. Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased and Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased by $35.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

[3]

Since the weighted-average shares for the quarters are calculated independently of the weighted-average shares for the year, quarterly earnings (loss) per share may not total to annual earnings per share. Earnings (loss) per share has been calculated using weighted-average shares that have been adjusted for the 1.1330 share conversion ratio resulting from the Canopius Merger Transaction.

Unaudited_Quarterly_Financial_3

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
					Revised Amount	Revised Amount
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion ratio	'	1.133	1.133	1.133	'	'
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	$8,431	($29,099)	$14,051	$400	$8,500
Total liabilities	23,900	3,854,825	3,728,297	'	8,900	8,500
Shareholders' equity	'	95,551	950,058	'	8,500	'
Net earned premiums	46,100	1,512,915	1,721,864	1,593,850	'	'
Ceded commission revenue	10,100	81,382	32,335	33,968	'	'
Loss and loss adjustment expense	36,000	1,519,834	1,263,758	1,076,986	'	'
Total assets	23,900	3,955,545	4,712,515	'	'	'
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	$35,100	($141,165)	($31,980)	($3,927)	'	'

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Nov. 22, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 03, 2014

Apr. 07, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Jan. 03, 2014

Assumed Reinsurance Segment

Tower

Tower

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event

AmTrust

NGHC

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Tower

Acp Re Ltd

Acp Re Ltd

Acp Re Ltd

Acp Re Ltd

Minimum

Maximum

2014 Ceded Premiums

2014 Ceded Premiums

AmTrust

NGHC

Maximum

Maximum

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, par value

'

$0.01

$0.01

'

'

'

'

$0.01

'

'

$0.01

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity awards settlement in cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3

'

'

$3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding equity awards, aggregate value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$172,100,000

'

'

$172,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unearned premium reserve percentage

'

'

'

'

'

65.70%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

60.00%

'

'

'

65.70%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

Commission percentage on premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

20.00%

'

'

22.00%

22.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quota share reinsurance percentage

'

'

35.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of common stockholders dissenting to the merger

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reimburse transaction expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

2,000,000

Termination fee, net of any transaction expenses

21,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-8,180,000

-8,180,000

'

'

President and Chief Executive Officer of Tower,who beneficially owns percentage of issued and outstanding common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.20%

'

'

4.20%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Direct written premiums

'

1,606,249,000

1,755,157,000

1,692,282,000

1,606,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Severance payment to President and Chief Executive Officer of Tower

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of terminating a lease agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Summary_of_Investments_Other_T1

Summary of Investments Other Than Investments in Related Parties (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	$1,813,422	$2,402,069
Fair Value	1,851,377	2,553,505
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	1,851,377	2,553,505
Fixed Maturity Securities	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	1,613,634	2,190,186
Fair Value	1,642,695	2,344,711
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	1,642,695	2,344,711
Fixed Maturity Securities | U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	481,321	281,964
Fair Value	475,183	287,726
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	475,183	287,726
Fixed Maturity Securities | Corporate Securities	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	512,444	698,012
Fair Value	525,942	746,665
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	525,942	746,665
Fixed Maturity Securities | Mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	342,487	576,837
Fair Value	362,464	624,277
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	362,464	624,277
Fixed Maturity Securities | Municipal Bonds	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	277,382	633,373
Fair Value	279,106	686,043
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	279,106	686,043
Equity securities	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	97,708	149,348
Fair Value	106,630	146,258
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	106,630	146,258
Equity securities | Preferred stocks	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	21,330	31,272
Fair Value	18,848	31,521
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	18,848	31,521
Equity securities | Common Stocks	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	76,378	118,076
Fair Value	87,782	114,737
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	87,782	114,737
Short-term investments	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	5,925	4,749
Fair Value	5,897	4,750
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	5,897	4,750
Other	'	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	96,155	57,786
Fair Value	96,155	57,786
Amount Reflected on Balance Sheet	$96,155	$57,786

Condensed_Balance_Sheets_Detai

Condensed Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed-maturity securities	$1,642,695	'	$2,344,711	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	293,898	'	83,800	107,101	140,221
Investment in subsidiaries	'	'	71,894	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-29,508	'	-24,763	'	'
Other assets	383,131	'	357,981	'	'
Total assets	3,955,545	23,900	4,712,515	'	'
Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	382,770	'	449,731	'	'
Total liabilities	3,854,825	23,900	3,728,297	'	'
Shareholders' equity	95,551	'	950,058	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	3,955,545	'	4,712,515	'	'
Tower Group International, Ltd.	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	438	'	17,130	12,882	3,390
Successor | Tower Group International, Ltd.	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Equity securities, cost	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	438	'	'	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	108,961	'	'	'	'
Federal and state taxes recoverable	'	'	'	'	'
Due from affiliate	'	'	'	'	'
Other assets	3,317	'	'	'	'
Total assets	112,716	'	'	'	'
Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,826	'	'	'	'
Due to affiliates	15,339	'	'	'	'
Federal and state income taxes payable	'	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	17,165	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' equity	95,551	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	112,716	'	'	'	'
Predecessor | Tower Group International, Ltd.	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed-maturity securities	'	'	8,121	'	'
Equity securities, cost	'	'	'	'	'
Other invested assets	'	'	2,045	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	17,130	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	'	'	1,250,436	'	'
Federal and state taxes recoverable	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes	'	'	15,879	'	'
Investment in statutory business trusts, equity method	'	'	2,664	'	'
Due from affiliate	'	'	'	'	'
Other assets	'	'	69,172	'	'
Total assets	'	'	1,437,341	'	'
Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	'	'	25,622	'	'
Due to affiliates	'	'	75,823	'	'
Deferred rent liability	'	'	4,537	'	'
Federal and state income taxes payable	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	'	'	381,301	'	'
Total liabilities	'	'	487,283	'	'
Shareholders' equity	'	'	950,058	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	'	'	1,437,341	'	'
Predecessor | Unconsolidated affiliate | Tower Group International, Ltd.	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	'	'	$71,894	'	'

Condensed_Balance_Sheets_Paren

Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed-maturity securities, amortized cost	$1,613,634	$2,190,186
Tower Group International, Ltd. | Successor	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed-maturity securities, amortized cost	0	'
Equity securities, cost	0	'
Tower Group International, Ltd. | Predecessor	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed-maturity securities, amortized cost	'	7,656
Equity securities, cost	'	$0

Condensed_Statements_of_Operat

Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total revenues

$326,120

$478,881

[1],[2]

$460,518

[1]

$476,483

$475,369

$474,891

$506,392

$466,223

$1,742,002

$1,922,875

$1,775,790

Expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other operating expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

369,893

317,497

284,847

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33,594

32,630

34,290

Total expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,309,674

1,982,421

1,706,309

Other Income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,962

-1,470

'

Acquisition related transaction costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-21,322

-9,229

-360

Income (loss) before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-952,921

-61,016

69,481

Provision/(benefit) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,431

-29,099

14,051

Net income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.

-91,633

-348,053

[1],[2]

-515,847

[1]

12,917

-58,220

21,629

-16,809

19,166

-942,616

-34,234

44,435

Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-114,768

22,388

24,968

Comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,076,120

-9,529

80,398

Tower Group International, Ltd.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net realized gains (losses) on investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

221

-1,570

-264

Investment income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,667

815

1,394

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-923,809

-6,254

61,681

Total revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-914,921

-7,009

62,811

Expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other operating expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,786

11,754

10,067

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,887

18,782

17,843

Total expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,673

30,536

27,910

Other Income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity income in unconsolidated affiliate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

954

-1,470

'

Gain on investment in acquired unconsolidated affiliate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition related transaction costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-17,261

-9,229

-360

Income (loss) before income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-943,901

-48,244

34,541

Provision/(benefit) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,285

-14,010

-9,894

Net income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-942,616

-34,234

44,435

Other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-102,262

19,704

14,774

Comprehensive income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($1,044,878)

($14,530)

$59,209

[1]

Net Income (loss) attributable to Tower Group International, Ltd. and per share amounts have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in income tax expenses by $8.5 million in the second quarter of 2013 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2013. The Company adjusted the valuation allowance recorded on its deferred taxes. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

[2]

Revenues have been revised from amounts previously reported to adjust for a correction in accounting for the Southport Quota Share. In the third quarter of 2013, management should have used deposit accounting. This correction resulted in lower net earned premiums of $46.1 million and lower ceded commission revenue of $10.1 million, offset by $36.0 million higher loss and loss adjustment expense. This correction had no impact to net income (loss). This correction also resulted in an adjustment to decrease total assets and total liabilities by $23.9 million. Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities increased and Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities decreased by $35.1 million in the third quarter of 2013. Management concluded these revisions were not material to the previously reported financial statements.

Condensed_Statements_of_Cash_F

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$293,898	$83,800	$107,101
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	-942,616	-34,234	44,435
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used) in operations:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	29,704	33,609	30,940
Amortization of restricted stock	13,195	8,247	10,292
Deferred income tax	4,745	-14,935	5,847
Change in operating assets and liabilities	'	'	'
Investment income receivable	7,839	1,450	-2,912
Equity loss (income) in unconsolidated affiliate	-6,962	-1,064	'
Other assets	94,528	-43,048	15,371
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-31,173	99,066	21,568
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operations	-350,043	109,333	82,754
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:	'	'	'
Purchase - fixed-maturity securities	-1,273,710	-1,855,590	-2,019,603
Purchase - equity securities	-1,258,780	-1,525,206	-819,180
Purchase of other invested assets	-39,039	-13,440	-42,346
Sale - equity securities	1,291,343	1,442,225	793,886
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	701,306	-100,654	-111,947
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:	'	'	'
Repayment of credit facility borrowings	-70,000	'	-17,000
Proceeds from convertible senior notes hedge termination	2,380	'	'
Payments for warrants termination	-1,000	'	'
Treasury stock acquired-net employee share-based compensation	-5,892	-2,263	-1,834
Repurchase of Common Stock	'	-20,987	-64,572
Dividends paid	-26,151	-29,075	-27,894
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	-141,165	-31,980	-3,927
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	210,098	-23,301	-33,120
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	83,800	107,101	140,221
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	293,898	83,800	107,101
Tower Group International, Ltd.	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	438	17,130	12,882
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	-942,616	-34,234	44,435
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used) in operations:	'	'	'
(Gain) loss on sale of investments	-221	1,570	264
Dividends received from consolidated subsidiaries	'	22,954	55,400
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries	923,809	2,088	-62,189
Depreciation and amortization	'	4,388	3,362
Amortization of debt issuance costs	'	2,830	2,635
Amortization of restricted stock	'	9,283	10,292
Deferred income tax	'	-13,165	-3,836
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	'	-345	-162
Change in operating assets and liabilities	'	'	'
Investment income receivable	'	'	173
Federal and state income tax recoverable	'	-18,409	15,998
Equity loss (income) in unconsolidated affiliate	'	1,746	'
Other assets	'	-20,639	-16,763
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	17,166	57,610	6,089
Deferred rent	'	-534	-581
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operations	-4,958	15,143	55,117
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:	'	'	'
Net change in cash from reverse acquisition	-7,683	'	'
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate	'	-71,512	'
Principal pay-down received on promissory note	14,500	'	'
Sale or maturity - fixed-maturity securities	'	3,947	58,367
Purchase - fixed-maturity securities	'	-6,117	-46,848
Purchase - equity securities	'	'	-4,224
Purchase of other invested assets	'	8,413	-10,458
Sale - equity securities	'	8,390	1,304
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	6,817	-56,879	-1,859
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from credit facility borrowings	'	20,000	67,000
Repayment of credit facility borrowings	'	'	-17,000
Proceeds from intercompany borrowings	'	77,968	'
Proceeds from convertible senior notes hedge termination	'	'	'
Payments for warrants termination	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options and warrants	'	-2,263	373
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements	'	345	161
Treasury stock acquired-net employee share-based compensation	'	-4	-1,834
Repurchase of Common Stock	'	-20,987	-64,572
Dividends paid	-18,551	-29,075	-27,894
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	-18,551	45,984	-43,766
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-16,692	4,248	9,492
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	17,130	12,882	3,390
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$438	$17,130	$12,882

Schedule_II_Condensed_Financia

Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant - Additional Information (Detail) (Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'
Investment in subsidiaries	$335.50

Supplementary_Insurance_Inform1

Supplementary Insurance Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Acquisition Cost, Net of Deferred Ceding Commission Revenue	'	$95,096	$181,198	$168,858	$164,123
Gross Future Policy Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	2,081,285	1,895,679	1,632,113	1,610,421
Gross Unearned Premiums	'	763,112	921,271	'	'
Net earned premiums	46,100	1,512,915	1,721,864	1,593,850	'
Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	1,519,834	1,263,758	1,076,986	'
Net Premiums Written	'	1,232,615	1,739,381	1,638,591	'
Premiums written	'	'	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Acquisition Cost, Net of Deferred Ceding Commission Revenue	'	'	181,198	168,858	'
Gross Future Policy Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	'	1,895,679	1,632,113	'
Gross Unearned Premiums	'	'	921,271	893,176	'
Net earned premiums	'	'	1,721,864	1,593,850	'
Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	'	1,263,758	1,076,986	'
Amortization of DAC	'	'	-352,402	-345,585	'
Operating Expenses	'	'	301,617	273,328	'
Net Premiums Written	'	'	1,739,440	1,638,590	'
Unearned	'	'	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Acquisition Cost, Net of Deferred Ceding Commission Revenue	'	95,096	'	'	'
Gross Future Policy Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	2,081,285	'	'	'
Gross Unearned Premiums	'	763,112	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	'	1,512,915	'	'	'
Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	1,519,834	'	'	'
Amortization of DAC	'	-331,361	'	'	'
Operating Expenses	'	349,162	'	'	'
Net Premiums Written	'	1,232,616	'	'	'
Commercial Insurance	'	'	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Acquisition Cost, Net of Deferred Ceding Commission Revenue	'	60,879	112,334	111,649	'
Gross Future Policy Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	1,102,533	838,656	1,192,540	'
Gross Unearned Premiums	'	417,475	529,414	551,674	'
Net earned premiums	'	931,693	1,104,551	1,052,050	'
Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	1,185,627	859,707	740,755	'
Amortization of DAC	'	-197,980	-207,208	-232,922	'
Operating Expenses	'	204,131	182,891	155,576	'
Net Premiums Written	'	751,698	1,077,225	1,079,676	'
Assumed Reinsurance Segment	'	'	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Acquisition Cost, Net of Deferred Ceding Commission Revenue	'	'	16,831	9,006	'
Gross Future Policy Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	'	619,309	26,141	'
Gross Unearned Premiums	'	'	65,146	36,762	'
Net earned premiums	'	'	120,015	35,861	'
Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	'	52,975	17,456	'
Amortization of DAC	'	'	-42,582	-9,490	'
Operating Expenses	'	'	1,542	439	'
Net Premiums Written	'	'	148,399	72,623	'
Assumed Reinsurance Segment | Premiums written	'	'	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Acquisition Cost, Net of Deferred Ceding Commission Revenue	'	10,140	'	'	'
Gross Future Policy Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	603,380	'	'	'
Gross Unearned Premiums	'	22,837	'	'	'
Net earned premiums	'	116,417	'	'	'
Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	41,474	'	'	'
Amortization of DAC	'	-40,576	'	'	'
Operating Expenses	'	7,879	'	'	'
Net Premiums Written	'	82,530	'	'	'
Personal Insurance	'	'	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Acquisition Cost, Net of Deferred Ceding Commission Revenue	'	24,077	52,033	48,203	'
Gross Future Policy Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	375,372	437,714	413,432	'
Gross Unearned Premiums	'	322,800	326,711	304,740	'
Net earned premiums	'	464,805	497,298	505,939	'
Benefits, Losses and Loss Expenses	'	292,733	351,076	318,775	'
Amortization of DAC	'	-92,805	-102,612	-103,173	'
Operating Expenses	'	137,152	117,184	117,313	'
Net Premiums Written	'	$398,388	$513,816	$486,291	'

Reinsurance_Detail

Reinsurance (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premiums, Direct	'	$1,606,249	$1,755,157	$1,692,282
Premiums, Ceded	'	495,045	231,691	172,333
Total Premiums, Direct	'	1,717,501	1,759,126	1,684,020
Premiums, Assumed	'	121,411	215,915	118,642
Total Premiums, Ceded	'	513,517	221,807	195,922
Premiums, Net	'	1,232,615	1,739,381	1,638,591
Total Premiums, Assumed	'	308,931	184,545	105,752
Percentage of amount assumed to net	'	20.40%	10.70%	6.60%
Total Premiums, Net	46,100	1,512,915	1,721,864	1,593,850
Property and casualty insurance	'	'	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premiums, Direct	'	1,717,501	1,759,126	1,684,020
Premiums, Ceded	'	513,517	221,807	195,922
Premiums, Assumed	'	308,931	184,545	105,752
Premiums, Net	'	$1,512,915	$1,721,864	$1,593,850
Percentage of amount assumed to net	'	20.40%	10.70%	6.60%

Valuation_and_Qualifying_Accou1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Premiums receivable	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning of Period	$16,509,000	$14,383,000	$7,719,000
Additions	13,144,000	6,916,000	9,669,000
Deletions	-12,060,000	-4,790,000	-3,005,000
Balance, End of Period	17,593,000	16,509,000	14,383,000
Deferred income taxes, net	'	'	'
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Balance, Beginning of Period	6,984,000	6,961,000	11,824,000
Additions	285,941,000	23,000	'
Deletions	'	'	-4,863,000
Balance, End of Period	$292,925,000	$6,984,000	$6,961,000

Supplemental_Information_Conce1

Supplemental Information Concerning Insurance Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred Acquisition Cost	$95,096	$181,198	$168,858
Reserves For Unpaid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses	2,081,285	1,895,679	1,632,113
Discount on Reserves	7,192	8,354	3,674
Unearned Premium	763,112	921,271	893,176
Earned Premium	1,512,915	1,721,864	1,593,850
Net Investment Income	109,208	127,165	126,474
Claims and Claims Adjustment Expenses Incurred and Related to Current Year	981,713	1,184,510	1,076,045
Claims and Claims Adjustment Expenses Incurred and Related to Prior Years	538,121	79,248	941
Amortization of DAC	-331,360	-352,402	-345,585
Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses	1,305,666	1,167,428	1,070,539
Net Premiums Written	$1,232,615	$1,739,382	$1,638,591