AmTrust Financial Services (AFSIP) 10-Q 9 Nov 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Nov. 02, 2015
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	AFSI
Entity Registrant Name	AMTRUST FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1,365,555
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		82,914,099

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $5,112,504; $4,137,146)	$ 5,125,808	$ 4,253,274
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $110,990; $84,075)	106,118	81,044
Equity securities, trading, at fair value (cost $20,745; $25,407)	19,860	26,749
Short-term investments	36,043	63,916
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries – related party	138,867	119,712
Other investments (recorded at fair value $21,826; $13,315)	97,184	31,186
Total investments	5,523,880	4,575,881
Cash and cash equivalents	910,653	902,750
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	257,050	186,225
Accrued interest and dividends	49,814	42,173
Premiums receivable, net	2,322,442	1,851,682
Reinsurance recoverable (related party $1,982,243; $1,517,499)	2,951,764	2,440,627
Prepaid reinsurance premium (related party $1,123,040; $918,505)	1,684,986	1,302,848
Other assets (related party $179,625; $136,516; recorded at fair value $271,249; $264,517)	1,448,665	1,094,943
Deferred policy acquisition costs	714,226	628,383
Property and equipment, net	225,826	154,175
Goodwill	501,025	352,685
Intangible assets	362,108	314,996
Total assets	16,952,439	13,847,368
Liabilities:
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	6,694,036	5,664,205
Unearned premiums	4,134,048	3,447,203
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable (related party $483,120; $410,075)	806,353	683,421
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (related party $167,975; $167,975; recorded at fair value $106,022; $31,619)	1,507,048	991,504
Deferred income taxes	0	106,363
Debt	1,010,334	757,871
Total liabilities	$ 14,151,819	$ 11,650,567
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable non-controlling interest	$ 1,140	$ 600
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 150,000 shares authorized, 98,227 and 98,211 issued in 2015 and 2014, respectively; 82,908 and 77,739 outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively	982	980
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000 shares authorized, 4,968 and 4,785 issued and outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively, Aggregated liquidation preference $482,500, $300,000 in 2015 and 2014, respectively	482,500	300,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,122,504	1,022,769
Treasury stock at cost; 15,319 and 20,472 shares in 2015 and 2014, respectively	(218,927)	(297,586)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(61,118)	56,123
Retained earnings	1,296,765	954,734
Total AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. equity	2,622,706	2,037,020
Non-controlling interest	176,774	159,181
Total stockholders’ equity	2,799,480	2,196,201
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 16,952,439	$ 13,847,368

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, amortized cost	$ 5,112,504	$ 4,137,146
Equity securities, available-for-sale, cost	110,990	84,075
Trading securities, cost basis	20,745	25,407
Other Investments	21,826	13,315
Reinsurance recoverable	2,951,764	2,440,627
Prepaid reinsurance premium	1,684,986	1,302,848
Other assets, fair value	271,249	264,517
Other assets	1,448,665	1,094,943
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable	806,353	683,421
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	106,022	31,619
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (related party $167,975; $167,975; recorded at fair value $106,022; $31,619)	$ 1,507,048	$ 991,504
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	98,227,000	98,211,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	82,908,000	77,739,000
Liquidation preference	$ 482,500	$ 300,000
Preferred stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred Stock, shares issued	4,968,000	4,785,000
Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	4,968,000	4,785,000
Treasury stock, at cost, shares	15,319,000	20,472,000
Related Party Transactions
Reinsurance recoverable	$ 1,982,243	$ 1,517,499
Prepaid reinsurance premium	1,123,040	918,505
Other assets	179,625	136,516
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable	483,120	410,075
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (related party $167,975; $167,975; recorded at fair value $106,022; $31,619)	$ 167,975	$ 167,975

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Premium income:
Net written premium	$ 1,142,983	$ 1,004,196	$ 3,194,893	$ 3,058,147
Change in unearned premium	(97,575)	(89,783)	(231,138)	(439,746)
Net earned premium	1,045,408	914,413	2,963,755	2,618,401
Service and fee income (related parties - three months $19,250; $14,737 and nine months $57,935; $42,055)	126,143	117,583	346,766	308,083
Net investment income	40,425	34,552	111,281	95,673
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments	17,682	5,086	30,693	14,431
Total revenues	1,229,658	1,071,634	3,452,495	3,036,588
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expense	709,604	609,352	1,961,362	1,755,155
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (net of ceding commission - related party - three months $138,036; $109,540 and nine months $385,945; $288,891)	258,016	225,512	728,402	620,181
Other	116,900	103,493	313,487	278,672
Total expenses	1,084,520	938,357	3,003,251	2,654,008
Income before other income (expense), income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	145,138	133,277	449,244	382,580
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (net of interest income - related party - three months $2,115; $365 and nine months $6,514; $365)	12,862	11,801	32,763	35,885
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(557)	0	(5,271)	0
Gain (loss) on investment in life settlement contracts net of profit commission	4,616	(2,910)	19,085	(5,180)
Foreign currency gain	24,721	26,594	17,355	25,826
Acquisition gain on purchase	5,826	0	5,826	0
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0	0	0	6,631
Total other income (expense)	21,744	11,883	4,232	(8,608)
Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	166,882	145,160	453,476	373,972
(Benefit ) provision for income taxes	(12,649)	(7,664)	38,635	37,746
Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	179,531	152,824	414,841	336,226
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries – related parties	13,477	4,332	23,048	26,847
Net income	193,008	157,156	437,889	363,073
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest and non-controlling interest of subsidiaries	(1,511)	2,939	(6,940)	7,029
Net income attributable to AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.	191,497	160,095	430,949	370,102
Dividends on preferred stock	(8,789)	(3,505)	(22,797)	(7,387)
Net income attributable to AmTrust common stockholders	$ 182,708	$ 156,590	$ 408,152	$ 362,715
Earnings per common share: (usd per share)
Basic earnings per share (usd per share)	$ 2.21	$ 2.09	$ 4.96	$ 4.84
Diluted earnings per share (usd per share)	2.17	1.97	4.86	4.57
Dividends declared per common share (usd per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.2	$ 0.8	$ 0.6
Net realized gain on investments:
Total other-than-temporary impairment loss	$ (7,636)	$ (464)	$ (10,118)	$ (4,003)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(7,636)	(464)	(10,118)	(4,003)
Net realized gain on available for sale securities	16,049	3,385	29,306	16,618
Net unrealized gain on trading securities	9,269	2,165	11,505	1,816
Net realized investment gain	$ 17,682	$ 5,086	$ 30,693	$ 14,431

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Service and fee income	$ 126,143	$ 117,583	$ 346,766	$ 308,083
Interest Income form related party	2,115	365	6,514	365
Related Party Transactions
Service and fee income	19,250	14,737	57,935	42,055
Ceding commission - earned	$ 141,117	$ 109,540	$ 389,026	$ 288,891

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 193,008	$ 157,156	$ 437,889	$ 363,073
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	2,128	(13,092)	(49,204)	(5,289)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap	107	347	297	581
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities:
Gross unrealized holding (loss) gain	(25,611)	(2,654)	(106,105)	131,886
Tax (benefit) expense arising during period	(8,964)	(929)	(37,137)	46,160
Net unrealized holding (loss) gain	(16,647)	(1,725)	(68,968)	85,726
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	1,088	0	1,046	0
Other net realized gain (loss) on investments	751	(1,574)	(412)	(3,370)
Reclassification adjustments for investment gain/loss included in net income:	1,839	(1,574)	634	(3,370)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(12,573)	(16,044)	(117,241)	77,648
Comprehensive income	180,435	141,112	320,648	440,721
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest and non-controlling interest	1,511	(2,939)	6,940	(7,029)
Comprehensive income attributable to AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.	$ 178,924	$ 144,051	$ 313,708	$ 447,750

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net income	$ 437,889	$ 363,073
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	61,602	45,085
Net amortization of bond premium or discount	11,845	13,059
Equity earnings on investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	(23,048)	(26,847)
(Gain) loss on investment in life settlement contracts, net	(19,085)	5,180
Realized gain on available for sale securities and unrealized gain on trading securities	(40,811)	(18,046)
Non-cash write-down of available for sale securities	10,118	4,003
Discount on notes payable	4,226	2,425
Stock based compensation	16,678	13,911
Loss on extinguishment of debt	5,271	0
Bad debt expense	13,943	22,459
Foreign currency loss	(17,355)	(25,826)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	(5,826)	(6,631)
Changes in assets - (increase) decrease:
Premiums and note receivables	(492,354)	(259,697)
Reinsurance recoverable	(510,397)	(352,731)
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net	(87,597)	(184,997)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(304,361)	(248,403)
Other assets	(352,931)	(37,931)
Changes in liabilities - increase (decrease):
Reinsurance premium payable	138,192	5,655
Loss and loss expense reserve	999,371	910,360
Unearned premiums	495,499	710,590
Funds held under reinsurance treaties	20,685	1,019
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	360,490	35,511
Deferred tax liability	(178,363)	(73,654)
Net cash provided by operating activities	543,681	897,567
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturities, available-for-sale	(1,671,330)	(2,018,811)
Purchases of equity securities, available-for-sale	(32,898)	(287,743)
Purchase of equity securities, trading	(154,524)	(13,703)
Purchase of other investments	(74,562)	(6,145)
Sales and maturity of fixed maturities, available-for-sale	971,448	1,336,830
Sales of equity securities, available-for-sale	18,639	231,295
Sales of equity securities, trading	161,723	9,520
Sales of other investments	2,960	17,854
Net sales (purchases) of short term investments	48,165	62,829
Acquisition of life settlement contracts	0	(25,419)
Receipt of life settlement contract proceeds	86,033	5,027
Loan to ACP Re	0	(125,000)
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash obtained	(219,568)	(75,914)
Sale of subsidiary, net of cash for subsidiary	0	20,059
Increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(70,846)	(72,060)
Purchase of property and equipment	(100,421)	(64,742)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,035,181)	(1,006,123)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Revolving credit facility borrowings	430,000	0
Revolving credit facility payments	(420,000)	0
Repurchase agreements, net	0	(293,222)
Secured loan proceeds	10,250	30,500
Secured loan agreements payments	(5,234)	(806)
Promissory notes payments	0	(10,695)
Convertible senior notes settlement	(62,079)	0
Subordinated notes due 2055 proceeds	285,000	0
Financing fees	(9,451)	(967)
Common stock issuance (purchase), net	171,672	(44,564)
Preferred stock issuance, net	176,529	178,641
Non-controlling interest capital contributions for consolidated subsidiaries, net	14,451	16,877
Stock option exercise and other	(219)	4,981
Dividends distributed on common stock	(60,498)	(40,705)
Dividends distributed on preferred stock	(22,797)	(7,387)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	507,624	(167,347)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(8,221)	(7,878)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,903	(283,781)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	902,750	830,022
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	910,653	546,241
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Income tax payments	231,684	42,624
Interest payments on debt	$ 31,573	$ 29,129

Basis of Reporting

Basis of Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Reporting	Basis of Reporting The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust” or the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 , previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 2, 2015. The balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative, if annualized, of those to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A detailed description of the Company’s significant accounting policies and management judgments is located in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 , included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. To facilitate period-to-period comparisons, certain reclassifications have been made to prior period consolidated financial statement amounts to conform to current period presentation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements With the exception of those discussed below, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , as compared to those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 , that are of significance, or potential significance, to the Company. In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments , which requires that an acquirer in a business combination transaction recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The ASU requires that the acquirer record, in the same period's financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. It also requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes to the financial statements the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The updated guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this ASU with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company elected to early adopt this ASU on September 30, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-09, Financial Services - Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosure about Short-Duration Contracts , which provides certain new and additional disclosure requirements about the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses associated with short-duration contracts as defined in Topic 944. Pursuant to the updated guidance, all insurance entities that issue short-duration contracts are required to disclose, among other things, incurred and paid claims development information, a reconciliation of such information to the aggregate carrying amount of the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, and significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses, including the reasons for the change and the effects on the financial statements. The updated guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and should be applied retrospectively by providing comparative disclosures for each period presented, except for those requirements that apply only to the current period. The adoption of this guidance is expected to be limited to disclosure requirements and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) , which provides guidance that removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient as well as limits certain disclosure requirements only to investments for which the entity elects to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. The updated guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and should be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement , which provides guidance to determine whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The updated guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and can be adopted either prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date, or retrospectively. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs , which provides updated guidance to clarify the required presentation of debt issuance costs. The amended guidance requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the recognized debt liability, consistent with the treatment of debt discounts. Amortization of debt issuance costs is to be reported as interest expense. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the updated guidance. The updated guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis , which provides amended guidance on a reporting entity's evaluation whether to consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the amendments will modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities ("VIEs") or voting entities, eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities with interests in VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships, and provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The updated guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-16, Derivative and Hedging (Topic 815): Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share Is More Akin to Debt or to Equity , which requires an entity (an issuer or an investor) of hybrid financial instruments to determine the nature of the host contract by considering the economic characteristics and risks of the entire hybrid financial instrument, including the embedded derivative feature that is being evaluated for separate accounting from the host contract. The updated guidance is effective for periods ending after December 31, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Compensation--Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period, to clarify how entities should treat performance targets that can be met after the requisite service period of a share-based payment award. The ASU states that the share-based payment award should be treated as a performance condition that affects vesting and, therefore, an entity would not record compensation expense (measured as of the grant date without taking into account the effect of the performance target) related to an award for which transfer to the employee is contingent on the entity’s satisfaction of a performance target until it becomes probable that the performance target will be met. No new disclosures are required under this ASU. ASU 2014-12 is effective beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. In addition, all entities will have the option of applying the guidance either prospectively (i.e., only to awards granted or modified on or after the effective date of the issue) or retrospectively. Retrospective application would only apply to awards with performance targets outstanding at or after the beginning of the first annual period presented (i.e., the earliest presented comparative period). The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company's results of operations, financial condition or liquidity. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. The new guidance aligned accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements executed as a repurchase financing with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. These transactions would all be accounted for as secured borrowings. The revised guidance also requires expanded disclosure for certain transactions comprising of (1) a transfer of a financial asset accounted for as a sale, and (2) an agreement with the same transferee entered into in contemplation of the initial transfer that results in the transferor retaining substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial asset throughout the term of the transaction, as well as expands disclosure for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions that are accounted for as secured borrowings. The Company adopted ASU 2014-11 on April 1, 2015 and the adoption did not have a material effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue. While insurance contracts are not within the scope of this updated guidance, the Company’s service and fee income will be subject to this updated guidance. The updated guidance requires an entity to recognize revenue as performance obligations are met, in order to reflect the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity is entitled to receive for those goods or services. The following steps are applied in the updated guidance: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to the quarter ending March 31, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Investments (a) Available-for-Sale Securities The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available-for-sale as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , are presented below: (Amounts in Thousands) As of September 30, 2015 Cost or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair Value Preferred stock $ 4,869 $ 124 $ (38 ) $ 4,955 Common stock 106,121 2,662 (7,620 ) 101,163 U.S. treasury securities 56,714 1,878 (35 ) 58,557 U.S. government agencies 36,014 387 (84 ) 36,317 Municipal bonds 533,385 14,399 (2,837 ) 544,947 Foreign government 105,209 5,571 (637 ) 110,143 Corporate bonds: Finance 1,277,615 42,064 (28,485 ) 1,291,194 Industrial 1,571,174 25,514 (62,229 ) 1,534,459 Utilities 143,081 2,456 (6,830 ) 138,707 Commercial mortgage backed securities 146,329 3,838 (673 ) 149,494 Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 929,389 24,312 (1,702 ) 951,999 Non-agency backed 112,954 1,037 (1,374 ) 112,617 Collateralized loan / debt obligations 177,144 50 (3,487 ) 173,707 Asset-backed securities 23,496 206 (35 ) 23,667 $ 5,223,494 $ 124,498 $ (116,066 ) $ 5,231,926 (Amounts in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014 Cost or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value Preferred stock $ 3,349 $ 158 $ (1 ) $ 3,506 Common stock 80,726 4,673 (7,861 ) 77,538 U.S. treasury securities 42,416 1,558 (104 ) 43,870 U.S. government agencies 12,968 575 (5 ) 13,538 Municipal bonds 469,646 13,950 (1,555 ) 482,041 Foreign government 106,054 6,760 (83 ) 112,731 Corporate bonds: Finance 1,167,011 60,322 (5,471 ) 1,221,862 Industrial 1,187,818 38,317 (23,275 ) 1,202,860 Utilities 137,169 3,200 (1,677 ) 138,692 Commercial mortgage backed securities 36,964 1,890 (169 ) 38,685 Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 954,320 23,340 (1,878 ) 975,782 Non-agency backed 22,071 696 (264 ) 22,503 Asset backed securities 709 2 (1 ) 710 $ 4,221,221 $ 155,441 $ (42,344 ) $ 4,334,318 Investments in foreign government securities include securities issued by national entities as well as instruments that are unconditionally guaranteed by such entities. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company's foreign government securities were issued or guaranteed primarily by governments in Canada and Europe. Proceeds from the sale of investments in available-for-sale securities during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were approximately $417,517 and $845,278 , respectively. Proceeds from the sale of investments in available-for-sale securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were approximately $990,087 and $1,568,125 , respectively. A summary of the Company’s available-for-sale fixed maturities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , by contractual maturity, is shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (Amounts in Thousands) Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 103,977 $ 104,473 $ 106,041 $ 105,839 Due after one through five years 820,364 829,386 682,632 704,344 Due after five through ten years 2,453,188 2,431,882 1,998,740 2,062,942 Due after ten years 345,664 348,582 335,669 342,468 Mortgage and asset backed securities 1,389,311 1,411,485 1,014,064 1,037,681 Total fixed maturities $ 5,112,504 $ 5,125,808 $ 4,137,146 $ 4,253,274 Other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") charges of our fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available-for-sale are presented below: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Equity securities recognized in earnings $ 84 $ — $ 1,276 $ 2,291 Fixed-maturity securities recognized in earnings 7,552 464 8,842 1,712 $ 7,636 $ 464 $ 10,118 $ 4,003 The tables below summarize the gross unrealized losses of our fixed maturity and equity securities by length of time the security has continuously been in an unrealized position as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total (Amounts in Thousands) Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses No. of Positions Held Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses No. of Positions Held Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Common and preferred stock $ 69,168 $ (7,658 ) 81 $ — $ — — $ 69,168 $ (7,658 ) U.S. treasury securities 6,782 (25 ) 24 3,254 (10 ) 9 10,036 (35 ) U.S. government agencies 4,675 (83 ) 2 185 (1 ) 2 4,860 (84 ) Municipal bonds 122,756 (2,218 ) 113 18,579 (619 ) 34 141,335 (2,837 ) Foreign government 13,522 (612 ) 20 6,246 (25 ) 1 19,768 (637 ) Corporate bonds: Finance 547,924 (27,553 ) 269 49,527 (932 ) 20 597,451 (28,485 ) Industrial 690,152 (51,144 ) 443 80,010 (11,085 ) 60 770,162 (62,229 ) Utilities 57,481 (4,169 ) 79 6,000 (2,661 ) 2 63,481 (6,830 ) Commercial mortgage backed securities 25,593 (593 ) 82 3,172 (80 ) 6 28,765 (673 ) Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 67,582 (1,249 ) 73 23,118 (453 ) 28 90,700 (1,702 ) Non-agency backed 58,051 (1,323 ) 21 4,337 (51 ) 4 62,388 (1,374 ) Collateralized loan / debt obligations 148,697 (3,487 ) 56 — — — 148,697 (3,487 ) Asset-backed securities 9,316 (35 ) 24 — — — 9,316 (35 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 1,821,699 $ (100,149 ) 1,287 $ 194,428 $ (15,917 ) 166 $ 2,016,127 $ (116,066 ) Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total (Amounts in Thousands) Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses No. of Positions Held Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses No. of Positions Held Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Common and preferred stock $ 38,970 $ (7,764 ) 21 $ 400 $ (98 ) 2 $ 39,370 $ (7,862 ) U.S. treasury securities 1,030 (54 ) 7 3,219 (50 ) 9 4,249 (104 ) U.S. government agencies 1,736 (3 ) 3 222 (2 ) 4 1,958 (5 ) Municipal bonds 24,695 (240 ) 64 93,201 (1,315 ) 98 117,896 (1,555 ) Foreign government 7,644 (83 ) 4 — — — 7,644 (83 ) Corporate bonds: Finance 192,520 (4,297 ) 143 66,715 (1,174 ) 27 259,235 (5,471 ) Industrial 236,845 (17,230 ) 194 60,511 (6,045 ) 43 297,356 (23,275 ) Utilities 12,188 (490 ) 22 13,908 (1,187 ) 3 26,096 (1,677 ) Commercial mortgage backed securities 15 — 2 4,729 (169 ) 8 4,744 (169 ) Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 41,187 (101 ) 10 66,172 (1,777 ) 29 107,359 (1,878 ) Non-agency backed 5,092 (263 ) 3 28 (1 ) 2 5,120 (264 ) Asset-backed securities 148 — 1 110 (1 ) 2 258 (1 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 562,070 $ (30,525 ) 474 $ 309,215 $ (11,819 ) 227 $ 871,285 $ (42,344 ) There are 1,453 and 701 securities at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, that account for the gross unrealized loss, none of which is deemed by the Company to be OTTI. At September 30, 2015 , we have determined that the unrealized losses on fixed maturities were primarily due to market interest rate movements since their date of purchase. The Company considers an investment to be impaired when it has been in a significant unrealized loss position (in excess of 35% of cost if the issuer has a market capitalization of under $1,000,000 and in excess of 25% of cost if the issuer has a market capitalization of $1,000,000 or more) for over 24 months. Additionally, other factors influencing the Company’s determination that unrealized losses were temporary included an evaluation of the investment’s discounted cash flows, the magnitude of the unrealized losses in relation to each security’s cost, near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer ability to have adequate resources to fulfill contractual obligations, the nature of the investment and management’s intent not to sell these securities, it being not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these investments before anticipated recovery of fair value to the Company’s cost basis. As of September 30, 2015, for the $15,917 of unrealized losses related to securities in unrealized loss positions for a period of twelve or more consecutive months, $7,484 of those unrealized losses were related to securities in unrealized loss positions greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost or cost. (b) Trading Securities The original or amortized cost, estimated market value and gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of trading securities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented in the tables below: (Amounts in Thousands) Cost or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Market value Common stock $ 20,745 $ 405 $ (1,290 ) $ 19,860 (Amounts in Thousands) Cost or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Market value Common stock $ 25,407 $ 1,614 $ (272 ) $ 26,749 Proceeds from the sale of investments in trading securities during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were approximately $53,398 and $9,520 , respectively. Proceeds from the sale of investments in trading securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were approximately $161,723 and $9,520 , respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , the Company recognized approximately $12,362 and $4,638 gross realized gain, respectively, and approximately $3,108 and $2,472 gross realized loss, respectively, related to its investments in trading securities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , the Company recognized approximately $19,568 and $6,942 gross realized gain, respectively, and approximately $8,077 and $5,126 gross realized loss, respectively, related to its investments in trading securities. (c) Investment Income Net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was derived from the following sources: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Fixed maturities, available-for-sale $ 39,452 $ 34,112 $ 107,404 $ 92,852 Equity securities, available-for-sale 1,183 249 2,253 550 Equity securities, trading (640 ) 77 (600 ) 77 Cash and short term investments 844 854 3,432 4,278 40,839 35,292 112,489 97,757 Investment expenses (414 ) (740 ) (1,208 ) (2,084 ) $ 40,425 $ 34,552 $ 111,281 $ 95,673 (d) Derivatives The Company from time to time invests in a limited number of derivatives and other financial instruments as part of its investment portfolio to manage interest rate changes or other exposures to a particular financial market. The Company records changes in valuation on its derivative positions not designated as a hedge as a component of net realized gains and losses. The Company records changes in valuation on its hedge positions as a component of other comprehensive income. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company had two interest rate swaps designated as hedges that were recorded as a liability in the total amount of $1,576 and $2,033 , respectively, and were included as a component of accrued expenses and other liabilities. The following table presents the notional amounts by remaining maturity of the Company’s interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2015 : Remaining Life of Notional Amount (1) (Amounts in Thousands) One Year Two Through Five Years Six Through Ten Years After Ten Years Total Interest rate swaps $ 30,000 $ 40,000 $ — $ — $ 70,000 (1) Notional amount is not representative of either market risk or credit risk and is not recorded in the consolidated balance sheet. (e) Restricted Cash and Investments The Company, in order to conduct business in certain states, is required to maintain letters of credit or assets on deposit to support state mandated regulatory requirements and certain third party agreements. The Company also utilizes trust accounts to collateralize business with its reinsurance counterparties. These assets are primarily in the form of cash and certain high grade securities. The fair values of the Company's restricted assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 Restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 257,050 $ 186,225 Restricted investments - fixed maturities at fair value 1,344,393 734,271 Total restricted cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 1,601,443 $ 920,496 (f) Other Securities sold but not yet purchased are securities that the Company has sold, but does not own, in anticipation of a decline in the market value of the security. The Company's risk is that the value of the security will increase rather than decline. Consequently, the settlement amount of the liability for securities sold, not yet purchased may exceed the amount recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as the Company is obligated to purchase the securities sold, not yet purchased in the market at prevailing prices to settle the obligations. To establish a position in security sold, not yet purchased, the Company needs to borrow the security for delivery to the buyer. When the transaction is open, the liability for the obligation to replace the borrowed security is marked to market and an unrealized gain or loss is recorded. At the time the transaction is closed, the Company realizes a gain or loss equal to the differences between the price at which the security was sold and the cost of replacing the borrowed security. While the transaction is open, the Company will also incur an expense for any dividends or interest which will be paid to the lender of the securities. The Company’s liability for securities to be delivered is measured at their fair value and was $88,627 and $13,052 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The securities sold but not yet purchased consisted primarily of equity and fixed maturity securities, and the liability for securities sold but not yet purchased is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments The following tables present the level within the fair value hierarchy at which the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities are measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: U.S. treasury securities $ 58,557 $ 58,557 $ — $ — U.S. government agencies 36,317 — 36,317 — Municipal bonds 544,947 — 544,947 — Foreign government 110,143 — 110,143 — Corporate bonds and other bonds: Finance 1,291,194 — 1,291,194 — Industrial 1,534,459 — 1,534,459 — Utilities 138,707 — 138,707 — Commercial mortgage backed securities 149,494 — 149,494 — Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 951,999 — 951,999 — Non-agency backed 112,617 — 112,617 — Collateralized loan / debt obligations 173,707 — 97,701 — Asset-backed securities 23,667 — 23,667 — Equity securities, available-for-sale 106,118 31,861 34,068 40,189 Equity securities, trading 19,860 19,860 — — Short term investments 36,043 36,043 — — Other investments 21,826 — — 21,826 Life settlement contracts 271,249 — — 271,249 $ 5,580,904 $ 146,321 $ 5,025,313 $ 333,264 Liabilities: Equity securities sold but not yet purchased $ 42,170 $ 42,170 $ — $ — Fixed maturity securities sold but not yet purchased 46,457 — 46,457 — Life settlement contract profit commission 15,819 — — 15,819 Derivatives 1,576 — 1,576 — $ 106,022 $ 42,170 $ 48,033 $ 15,819 (Amounts in Thousands) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: U.S. treasury securities $ 43,870 $ 43,870 $ — $ — U.S. government agencies 13,538 — 13,538 — Municipal bonds 482,041 — 482,041 — Foreign government 112,731 — 112,731 — Corporate bonds and other bonds: Finance 1,221,862 — 1,221,862 — Industrial 1,202,860 — 1,202,860 — Utilities 138,692 — 138,692 — Commercial mortgage backed securities 38,685 — 38,685 — Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 975,782 — 975,782 — Non-agency backed 22,503 — 22,503 — Asset-backed securities 710 — 710 — Equity securities, available-for-sale 81,044 24,484 21,674 34,886 Equity securities, trading 26,749 26,749 — — Short term investments 63,916 63,916 — — Other investments 13,315 — — 13,315 Life settlement contracts 264,517 — — 264,517 $ 4,702,815 $ 159,019 $ 4,231,078 $ 312,718 Liabilities: Equity securities sold but not yet purchased $ 13,052 $ 13,052 $ — $ — Life settlement contract profit commission 16,534 — — 16,534 Derivatives 2,033 — 2,033 — $ 31,619 $ 13,052 $ 2,033 $ 16,534 The Company classifies its financial assets and liabilities in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. This classification requires judgment in assessing the market and pricing methodologies for a particular security. The fair value hierarchy includes the following three levels: • Level 1 – Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical financial assets or liabilities. Examples of instruments utilizing Level 1 inputs include: exchange-traded securities and U.S. Treasury bonds. • Level 2 – Valuations of financial assets and liabilities are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets obtained from third party pricing services or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data. The fair value of securities in this category are determined by management after reviewing market prices obtained from independent pricing services and brokers. Examples of instruments utilizing Level 2 inputs include: U.S. government-sponsored agency securities; non-U.S. government obligations; corporate and municipal bonds; mortgage-backed bonds; asset-backed securities, listed derivatives that are not actively traded and equity securities that are not publicly traded. • Level 3 – Valuations are based on unobservable inputs for assets and liabilities where there is little or no market activity. Management’s assumptions are used in internal valuation pricing models to determine the fair value of financial assets or liabilities, which may include projected cash flows, collateral performance or liquidity circumstances in the security or similar securities that may have occurred since the prior pricing period. Examples of instruments utilizing Level 3 inputs include: hedge and credit funds with partial transparency. The following tables provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) Balance as of June 30, 2015 Net income Other comprehensive income Purchases and issuances Sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of September 30, Other investments $ 14,759 $ (793 ) $ (5,300 ) $ 160 $ — $ 13,000 $ 21,826 Equity securities, available-for-sale 40,232 — 3 — (46 ) — 40,189 Life settlement contracts 267,393 13,875 — — (10,019 ) — 271,249 Life settlement contract profit commission (16,994 ) 1,175 — — — — (15,819 ) Total $ 305,390 $ 14,257 $ (5,297 ) $ 160 $ (10,065 ) $ 13,000 $ 317,445 (Amounts in Thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014 Net income Other comprehensive income Purchases and issuances Sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of September 30, Other investments $ 13,315 $ (379 ) $ (5,300 ) $ 1,527 $ (337 ) $ 13,000 $ 21,826 Equity securities, available-for-sale 34,886 — 5,395 — (92 ) — 40,189 Life settlement contracts 264,517 52,765 — — (46,033 ) — 271,249 Life settlement contract profit commission (16,534 ) 715 — — — — (15,819 ) Total $ 296,184 $ 53,101 $ 95 $ 1,527 $ (46,462 ) $ 13,000 $ 317,445 (Amounts in Thousands) Balance as of June 30, 2014 Net income Other comprehensive income Purchases and issuances Sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of September 30, 2014 Other investments $ 14,095 $ — $ — $ 2,828 $ (481 ) $ — $ 16,442 Life settlement contracts 276,199 7,001 — — — — 283,200 Life settlement contract profit commission (12,529 ) 1,272 — — — — (11,257 ) Total $ 277,765 $ 8,273 $ — $ 2,828 $ (481 ) $ — $ 288,385 (Amounts in Thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2013 Net income Other comprehensive income Purchases and issuances Sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of September 30, 2014 Other investments $ 25,749 $ 2,402 $ — $ 6,145 $ (17,854 ) $ — $ 16,442 Life settlement contracts 233,024 29,784 — 25,419 (5,027 ) — 283,200 Life settlement contract profit commission (11,945 ) 688 — — — — (11,257 ) Total $ 246,828 $ 32,874 $ — $ 31,564 $ (22,881 ) $ — $ 288,385 The Company changed its valuation methodology for certain privately placed investments of approximately $13,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . As a result of the change in valuation methodology, the Company included the investment as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company had no transfers between fair value hierarchy levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The Company's policy is to recognize transfers between fair value hierarchy levels when events or circumstances warrant transfers. A reconciliation of net income for life settlement contracts in the above table to gain (loss) on investment in life settlement contracts net of profit commission included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net income $ 13,875 $ 7,001 $ 52,765 $ 29,784 Premiums paid (11,326 ) (10,728 ) (33,614 ) (33,200 ) Profit commission 1,175 1,272 715 688 Other expenses 892 (455 ) (781 ) (2,452 ) Gain (loss) on investment in life settlement contracts $ 4,616 $ (2,910 ) $ 19,085 $ (5,180 ) The Company uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments: • Equity and Fixed Income Investments: Fair value disclosures for these investments are disclosed above in this note. The Company also holds certain equity securities that are issued by private-held entities or direct equity investments that do not have an active market. The Company estimates the fair value of these securities primarily based on inputs such as third party broker quotes, issuers' book value, market multiples, and other inputs. These securities are classified as Level 3 due to significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation. • Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and short term investments: The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and short term investments approximate their respective fair value and are classified as Level 1 in the financial hierarchy. • Premiums Receivable: The carrying values reported in the accompanying balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair values due to the short term nature of the asset and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. • Other Investments: Other investments consisted primarily of investment in private equity limited partnerships, real estate partnerships and annuities. Other investments accounted for approximately 1.5% of the Company's investment portfolio as of September 30, 2015 , which the Company believes is immaterial to its overall financial position or the results of operations. The Company uses the equity method of accounting to account for a majority of its other investments. The financial statements prepared by the investee are received by the Company typically on a three-month lag basis. For its other investments reported at fair value the Company estimates the fair value based on significant unobservable inputs in the valuations process. As a result, the Company classified the fair value estimates as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. • Equity Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - Related Party: The Company has an ownership percentage of approximately 12% in National General Holdings Corp. ("NGHC"). The Company accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting as it has the ability to exert significant influence on NGHC. The fair value of the investment was approximately $237,179 as of September 30, 2015 . The carrying value was $138,867 as of September 30, 2015 . • Subordinated Debentures and Debt: For the Company's material debt arrangements, the current fair value of the Company's debt was as follows: Carrying Value Fair Value 7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055 $ 150,000 $ 149,760 7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055 135,000 135,540 2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044 161,706 228,371 6.125% Notes due 2023 250,000 249,528 Junior subordinated debentures 123,714 79,400 Revolving credit facility 130,000 130,000 The 7.25% subordinated notes due 2055, 7.50% subordinated notes due 2055, 2.75% convertible senior notes due 2044, and the 6.125% notes due 2023 are publicly traded instruments and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the revolving credit facility approximates its carrying value due to the short period to maturity. The fair value of the junior subordinated debentures was determined using the Black-Derman-Toy interest rate lattice model and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. • Derivatives: The Company classifies interest rate swaps as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company uses these interest rate swaps to hedge floating interest rates on its debt, thereby changing the variable rate exposure to a fixed rate exposure for interest on these obligations. The estimated fair value of the interest rate swaps, which is obtained from a third party pricing service, is measured using discounted cash flow analysis that incorporates significant observable inputs, including the LIBOR forward curve and a measurement of volatility. • Repurchase Agreements: The carrying value of the repurchase agreements in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets represents their fair values and are classified as Level 2 in the financial hierarchy. • Life settlement contracts and life settlement contract profit commission: The fair value of life settlement contracts as well as life settlement profit commission liability is based on information available to the Company at the end of the reporting period. These financial instruments are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company considers the following factors in its fair value estimates: cost at date of purchase, recent purchases and sales of similar investments (if available and applicable), financial standing of the issuer, changes in economic conditions affecting the issuer, maintenance cost, premiums, benefits, standard actuarially developed mortality tables and life expectancy reports prepared by nationally recognized and independent third party medical underwriters. The Company estimates the fair value of a life insurance policy by applying an investment discount rate based on the cost of funding the Company's life settlement contracts as compared to returns on investments in asset classes with comparable credit quality, which the Company has determined to be 7.5% , to the expected cash flow generated by the policies in the Company's life settlement portfolio (death benefits less premium payments), net of policy specific adjustments and reserves. In order to confirm the integrity of its calculation of fair value, the Company, quarterly, retains an independent third-party actuary to verify that the actuarial modeling used by the Company to determine fair value was performed correctly and that the valuation, as determined through the Company’s actuarial modeling, is consistent with other methodologies. The Company considers this information in its assessment of the reasonableness of the life expectancy and discount rate inputs used in the valuation of these investments. The Company adjusts the standard mortality for each insured for the insured's life expectancy based on reviews of the insured's medical records and the independent life expectancy reports based thereon. The Company establishes policy specific reserves for the following uncertainties: improvements in mortality, the possibility that the high net worth individuals represented in its portfolio may have access to better health care, the volatility inherent in determining the life expectancy of insureds with significant reported health impairments, the possibility that the issuer of the policy or a third party will contest the payment of the death benefit payable to the Company, and the future expenses related to the administration of the portfolio. The application of the investment discount rate to the expected cash flow generated by the portfolio, net of the policy specific reserves, yields the fair value of the portfolio. The effective discount rate reflects the relationship between the fair value and the expected cash flow gross of these reserves. The following summarizes data utilized in estimating the fair value of the portfolio of life insurance policies as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and, as described in Note 5. "Investments in Life Settlements", only includes data for policies to which the Company assigned value at those dates: September 30, December 31, Average age of insured 81.8 years 81.1 years Average life expectancy, months (1) 114 121 Average face amount per policy (Amounts in thousands) $ 6,588 $ 6,624 Effective discount rate (2) 13.9 % 14.0 % (1) Standard life expectancy as adjusted for specific circumstances. (2) Effective Discount Rate ("EDR") is the Company's estimated internal rate of return on its life settlement contract portfolio and is determined from the gross expected cash flows and valuation of the portfolio. The valuation of the portfolio is calculated net of all reserves using a 7.5% discount rate. The EDR is inclusive of the reserves and the gross expected cash flows of the portfolio. The Company anticipates that the EDR's range is between 12.5% and 17.5% and reflects the uncertainty that exists surrounding the information available as of the reporting date. As the accuracy and reliability of information improves (declines), the EDR will decrease (increase). The Company's assumptions are, by their nature, inherently uncertain and the effect of changes in estimates may be significant. The fair value measurements used in estimating the present value calculation are derived from valuation techniques generally used in the industry that include inputs for the asset that are not based on observable market data. The extent to which the fair value could reasonably vary in the near term has been quantified by evaluating the effect of changes in significant underlying assumptions used to estimate the fair value amount. If the life expectancies were increased or decreased by 4 months and the discount factors were increased or decreased by 1% while all other variables were held constant, the carrying value of the investment in life insurance policies would increase or (decrease) by the unaudited amounts summarized below as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : Change in life expectancy (Amounts in Thousands) Plus 4 Months Minus 4 Months Investment in life policies: September 30, 2015 $ (35,235 ) $ 37,787 December 31, 2014 $ (34,686 ) $ 36,486 Change in discount rate (1) (Amounts in Thousands) Plus 1% Minus 1% Investment in life policies: September 30, 2015 $ (22,330 ) $ 24,938 December 31, 2014 $ (22,705 ) $ 25,456 (1) Discount rate is a present value calculation that considers legal risk, credit risk and liquidity risk and is a component of EDR.

Investment in Life Settlements

Investment in Life Settlements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Investment in Life Settlements	Investment in Life Settlements The Company currently has a 50% ownership interest in each of four entities (collectively, the "LSC Entities") formed for the purpose of acquiring life settlement contracts, with a subsidiary of NGHC owning the other 50% . A life settlement contract is a contract between the owner of a life insurance policy and a third-party who obtains the ownership and beneficiary rights of the underlying life insurance policy. The LSC Entities may also acquire premium finance loans made in connection with the borrowers’ purchase of life insurance policies that are secured by the policies. The LSC Entities acquire the underlying policies through the borrowers’ voluntary surrender of the policy in satisfaction of the loan or foreclosure. A third party serves as the administrator for two of the life settlement contract portfolios, for which it receives an administrative fee. The third party administrator is eligible to receive a percentage of profits after certain time and performance thresholds have been met. The Company provides certain actuarial and finance functions related to the LSC Entities. In conjunction with the Company’s approximate 12% ownership percentage of NGHC, the Company ultimately receives approximately 56% of the profits and losses of the LSC Entities. As such, in accordance with ASC 810-10, Consolidation, the Company has been deemed the primary beneficiary and, therefore, consolidates the LSC Entities. The Company accounts for investments in life settlements in accordance with ASC 325-30, Investments in Insurance Contracts, which states that an investor shall elect to account for its investments in life settlement contracts by using either the investment method or the fair value method. The election is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. The Company has elected to account for these policies using the fair value method. Refer to Note 4 "Fair Value of Financial Instruments" for the discussion of the determination of the fair value of the Company's investment in life settlement contracts. During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , total capital contributions made to the LSC entities were approximately $0 and $ 11,577 , respectively, of which the Company contributed approximately $0 and $5,789 , in those same periods, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , total capital contributions made to the LSC Entities were approximately $1,130 and $33,353 , respectively, of which the Company contributed approximately $565 and $16,489 in those same periods, respectively. The LSC Entities used the contributed capital to pay premiums and purchase policies. The Company’s investments in life settlements were approximately $271,249 and $264,517 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively, and are included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company recorded a gain of $4,616 and $19,085 on investment in life settlement contracts, net of profit commission, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. The Company recorded a loss of $2,910 and $5,180 on investment in life settlement contracts, net of profit commission, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively. The following tables describe the Company’s investment in life settlements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands, except number of Life Settlement Contracts) Expected Maturity Term in Years Number of Life Settlement Contracts Fair Value (1) Face Value As of September 30, 2015 0-1 — $ — $ — 1-2 — — — 2-3 8 40,905 70,500 3-4 9 22,369 56,500 4-5 10 26,457 73,000 Thereafter 229 181,518 1,430,313 Total 256 $ 271,249 $ 1,630,313 (Amounts in Thousands, except number of Life Settlement Contracts) Expected Maturity Term in Years Number of Life Settlement Contracts Fair Value (1) Face Value As of December 31, 2014 0-1 — $ — $ — 1-2 — — — 2-3 8 43,593 70,500 3-4 5 10,081 22,500 4-5 7 14,335 49,000 Thereafter 254 196,508 1,596,209 Total 274 $ 264,517 $ 1,738,209 (1) The Company determined the fair value as of September 30, 2015 based on 212 policies out of 256 policies, as the Company assigned no value to 44 of the policies as of September 30, 2015 . The Company determined the fair value as of December 31, 2014 based on 218 policies out of 274 policies, as the Company assigned no value to 56 of the policies as of December 31, 2014 . The Company estimated the fair value of a life insurance policy using a cash flow model with an appropriate discount rate. In some cases, the cash flow model calculates the value of an individual policy to be negative, and therefore the fair value of the policy is zero as no liability exists when a negative value is calculated. The Company is not contractually bound to pay the premium on its life settlement contracts and, therefore, would not pay a willing buyer to assume title of these contracts. Additionally, certain of the Company's acquired policies were structured to have low premium payments at inception of the policy term, which later escalate greatly towards the tail end of the policy term. At the current time, the Company expenses all premium paid, even on policies with zero fair value. Once the premium payments escalate, the Company may allow the policies to lapse. In the event that death benefits are realized in the time frame between initial acquisition and premium escalation, it is a benefit to cash flow. For these contracts where the Company determined the fair value to be negative and therefore assigned a fair value of zero, the table below details the amount of premiums paid and the death benefits received during the twelve months preceding September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands, except number of Life Settlement Contracts) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Number of policies with a negative value from discounted cash flow model as of period end 44 56 Premiums paid for the preceding twelve month period for period ended $ 5,439 $ 5,963 Death benefit received $ — $ 4,950 Premiums to be paid by the LSC Entities for each of the five succeeding fiscal years to keep the life insurance policies in force as of September 30, 2015 , are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) Premiums Due on Life Settlement Contracts 2015 $ 45,181 2016 60,707 2017 40,446 2018 40,079 2019 37,652 Thereafter 514,923 Total $ 738,988

Deferred Policy Acquisitions Co

Deferred Policy Acquisitions Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs The following table reflects the amounts of policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized for the the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Balance, beginning of period $ 695,150 $ 609,743 $ 628,383 $ 468,404 Acquisition costs deferred 190,632 165,892 582,091 536,895 Amortization (171,556 ) (143,951 ) (496,248 ) (373,615 ) Balance, end of period $ 714,226 $ 631,684 $ 714,226 $ 631,684

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt The Company’s outstanding debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Revolving credit facility $ 130,000 $ 120,000 5.5% Convertible senior notes due 2021 (the "2021 Notes") 5,163 56,745 6.125% Senior notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes") 250,000 250,000 Junior subordinated debentures due 2035 through 2037 (the "2035-2037 Notes") 123,714 123,714 2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044 (the "2044 Notes") 161,706 157,679 7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the "7.25% 2055 Notes") 150,000 — 7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the "7.50% 2055 Notes") 135,000 — Secured loan agreements 40,251 35,233 Promissory notes 14,500 14,500 $ 1,010,334 $ 757,871 Aggregate scheduled maturities of the Company’s outstanding debt at September 30, 2015 are: (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 $ 131,768 (1) 2016 7,186 2017 7,423 2018 9,590 2019 4,467 Thereafter 849,900 (2) (1) Amount includes debt outstanding under revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2015. (2) Amount includes debt outstanding under the 2021 Notes and 2044 Notes, which is net of unamortized original issue discount of $878 and $50,887 , respectively. Additionally, the Company utilizes various letters of credit in its operations. The following is a summary of the Company's letters of credit as of September 30, 2015 : (Amounts in Thousands) Letters of Credit Limit Letters of Credit Outstanding Letters of Credit Available Revolving credit facility $ 175,000 $ 118,014 $ 56,986 Funds at Lloyd's facility, in USD equivalent 355,485 355,485 — Comerica bank letters of credit 75,000 48,467 26,533 Other letters of credit, in aggregate 255 255 — Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discount and deferred origination costs, as well as applicable bank fees, related to the Company's outstanding debt and letters of credit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revolving credit facility $ 1,092 $ 356 $ 2,636 $ 1,107 Funds at Lloyd's facility 639 754 2,320 2,067 2021 Notes 117 3,709 711 11,031 2023 Notes 3,896 3,896 11,690 11,690 2035-2037 Notes 1,442 2,028 5,157 6,076 2044 Notes 3,065 — 9,096 — 7.25% 2055 Notes 2,750 — 3,118 — 7.50% 2055 Notes 408 — 408 — Secured loan agreements 212 138 671 309 Promissory notes 157 264 467 524 Other, including interest income (916 ) 656 (3,511 ) 3,081 $ 12,862 $ 11,801 $ 32,763 $ 35,885 7.25% 2055 Notes In June 2015, the Company issued $150,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7.25% 2055 Notes through an underwritten public offering. The 7.25% 2055 Notes bear interest at an annual rate equal to 7.25% , payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2015. The 7.25% 2055 Notes mature on June 15, 2055 . The Company has the right to redeem the 7.25% 2055 Notes, in whole or in part, on June 18, 2020 , or on any interest payment date thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 7.25% 2055 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. The 7.25% 2055 Notes are the Company’s subordinated unsecured obligations and rank (i) senior in right of payment to any existing and future junior subordinated debt, (ii) equal in right of payment with any unsecured, subordinated debt that the Company incurs in the future that ranks equally with the 7.25% 2055 Notes (including the 7.50% 2055 Notes discussed below), and (iii) subordinate in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future senior debt. In addition, the 7.25% 2055 Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company incurred $4,990 in deferred origination costs associated with the 7.25% 2055 Notes, which is being amortized over the term of the 7.25% 2055 Notes. Deferred origination costs are included in other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. 7.50% 2055 Notes In September 2015, the Company issued $135,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7.50% 2055 Notes through an underwritten public offering. The 7.50% 2055 Notes bear interest at an annual rate equal to 7.50% , payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing December 15, 2015. The 7.50% 2055 Notes mature on September 15, 2055 . The Company has the right to redeem the 7.50% 2055 Notes, in whole or in part, on September 16, 2020 , or on any interest payment date thereafter, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 7.50% 2055 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. The 7.50% 2055 Notes are the Company’s subordinated unsecured obligations and rank (i) senior in right of payment to any of the Company's existing and future junior subordinated debt, (ii) equal in right of payment with any of the Company's existing and future unsecured, subordinated debt that ranks equally with the 7.50% 2055 Notes (including the 7.25% 2055 Notes), and (iii) subordinate in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future senior debt. In addition, the 7.50% 2055 Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Company incurred $4,461 in deferred origination costs associated with the 7.50% 2055 Notes, which is being amortized over the term of the 7.50% 2055 Notes. Deferred origination costs are included in other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. Credit Facilities In July 2015, ING Bank transferred £50,000 (or $75,635 ) of its £235,000 (or $355,485 ) commitment under the Funds at Lloyd's facility to The Bank of Nova Scotia. As a result of The Bank of Nova Scotia's participation, the Company changed the title of its description of the former ING Credit Facility to the Funds at Lloyd's facility. Secured Loan Agreements In September 2015, the Company, through a subsidiary, entered into a seven year mortgage agreement in the aggregate principal amount of $10,250 to finance the purchase of a building. The mortgage bears interest at an annual rate equal to 3.75% and matures on September 18, 2022 , with an option to extend the maturity date for an additional five years. The mortgage does not require monthly installments of principal until November 2017, but will require monthly principal payments thereafter. The final monthly payment will equal the then outstanding principal balance of the mortgage, together with all accrued and unpaid interest. 2021 Notes Conversion Prior to September 15, 2021, the 2021 Notes are convertible during any fiscal quarter, and only during any such fiscal quarter, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock was greater than or equal to 130% of the applicable conversion price for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the previous fiscal quarter (the "Sale Price Condition"). During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , $8,470 and $62,078 , respectively, of the 2021 Notes were converted under the Sales Price Condition for cash in the amount of $8,470 and $62,079 , respectively, and issuance of 200,328 and 1,270,539 shares of common stock, respectively. As a result of the conversion, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $557 and $5,271 , respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 . As of September 30, 2015 , $6,041 in aggregate principal amount of the 2021 Notes remains outstanding.

Acquisition Costs and Other Und

Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses [Abstract]
Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses	Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses The following table summarizes the components of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Policy acquisition expenses $ 131,083 $ 122,331 $ 336,977 $ 332,219 Salaries and benefits 112,769 92,621 355,927 262,150 Other insurance general and administrative expenses 14,164 10,560 35,498 25,812 $ 258,016 $ 225,512 $ 728,402 $ 620,181

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted ASC subtopic 260-10, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payments Transactions Are Participating Securities . ASC 260-10 provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are participating securities and are to be included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method. The Company’s unvested restricted shares contain rights to receive nonforfeitable dividends and are participating securities, requiring the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The following table is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands, except for earnings per share) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Basic earnings per share: Net income attributable to AmTrust common shareholders $ 182,708 $ 156,590 $ 408,152 $ 362,715 Less: Net income allocated to participating securities and redeemable non-controlling interest 469 545 1,072 1,174 Net income allocated to AmTrust common shareholders $ 182,239 $ 156,045 $ 407,080 $ 361,541 Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic 82,804 74,809 82,235 74,934 Less: Weighted average participating shares outstanding 213 261 216 243 Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 82,591 74,548 82,019 74,691 Net income per AmTrust common share - basic $ 2.21 $ 2.09 $ 4.96 $ 4.84 Diluted earnings per share: Net income attributable to AmTrust common shareholders $ 182,708 $ 156,590 $ 408,152 $ 362,715 Less: Net income allocated to participating securities and redeemable non-controlling interest 469 545 1,072 1,174 Net income allocated to AmTrust common shareholders $ 182,239 $ 156,045 $ 407,080 $ 361,541 Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic 82,591 74,548 82,019 74,691 Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options, convertible debt, other 1,545 4,841 1,727 4,394 Weighted average common shares outstanding – dilutive 84,136 79,389 83,746 79,085 Net income per AmTrust common shares – diluted $ 2.17 $ 1.97 $ 4.86 $ 4.57 For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , there were approximately 16,000 anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per share. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, there were approximately 5,000 anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per share.

Share Based Compensation

Share Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share Based Compensation	Share Based Compensation The Company’s 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which permits the Company to grant to its officers, employees and non-employee directors incentive compensation directly linked to the price of the Company’s stock, authorizes up to an aggregate of 7,315,068 shares of Company stock for awards of options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock ("Stock Option"), restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSU”), performance share units (“PSU”) or appreciation rights. Shares used may be either newly issued shares or treasury shares or both. The aggregate number of shares of common stock for which awards may be issued may not exceed 7,315,068 shares, subject to the authority of the Company’s board of directors to adjust this amount in the event of a consolidation, reorganization, stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or similar transaction affecting the Company’s common stock. As of September 30, 2015 , approximately 4,200,000 shares of Company common stock remained available for grants under the Plan. The Company recognizes compensation expense under FASB ASC 718-10-25 for its share-based payments based on the fair value of the awards. Compensation expense for all share-based payments under ASC 718-10-30 was approximately $6,242 and $5,250 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $16,678 and $13,911 , for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company has unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options, restricted stock and non-vested RSU awards of $44,876 and $36,882 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Stock Options The Company grants stock options at prices equal to the closing stock price of the Company’s stock on the dates the options are granted. The options have a term of ten years from the date of grant and vest primarily in equal annual installments over the four year period following the date of grant for employee options. The Company uses the simplified method in determining the expected life. Employees have three months after the employment relationship ends to exercise all vested options. The fair value of each option grant is separately estimated for each vesting date. The fair value of each option is amortized into compensation expense on a straight-line basis between the grant date for the award and each vesting date. The Company has estimated the fair value of all stock option awards as of the date of the grant by applying the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of compensation expense. The following schedule shows all options granted, exercised, and expired under the Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : 2015 2014 Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at beginning of period 1,934,370 $ 11.60 2,997,460 $ 10.49 Granted 42,500 54.17 27,500 32.49 Exercised (509,475 ) 9.30 (765,603 ) 8.81 Canceled or terminated (37,574 ) 18.34 (8,470 ) 7.03 Outstanding at end of period 1,429,821 13.50 2,250,887 11.35 The weighted average per share fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $21.87 and $14.16 , respectively. The per share fair value of options was estimated at the date of grant based on the following weighted average assumptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: 2015 2014 Volatility 40.95 % 41.89 % Risk-free interest rate 1.95 % 2.73 % Weighted average expected lives in years 6.25 6.25 Dividend rate 1.85 % 1.72 % Forfeiture rate 0.50 % 0.50 % The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $24,000 and $22,867 , respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options that were outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and 2014 was $70,743 and $64,088 , respectively. Cash received from options exercised was $4,582 and $4,981 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The excess tax benefit from award exercises was approximately $7,561 and $4,721 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Restricted stock, RSU and PSU The Company grants restricted shares, RSUs and PSUs with a grant date fair value equal to the closing stock price of the Company’s stock on the dates the shares or units are granted. The restricted shares and RSUs vest over a period of one to four years, while PSUs vest based on the terms of the awards. A summary of the Company’s restricted stock and RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is shown below: 2015 2014 Shares or Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Shares or Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at beginning of period 1,305,511 $ 33.41 917,015 $ 24.43 Granted 232,700 58.37 883,323 38.94 Vested (419,459 ) 29.06 (321,353 ) 22.57 Forfeited (16,824 ) 41.90 (6,123 ) 23.20 Non-vested at end of period 1,101,928 40.21 1,472,862 33.54 The Company has 379,297 PSUs outstanding as of September 30, 2015 . PSUs are conditional grants of a specified maximum number of common shares. In general, grants are earned, subject to the attainment of pre-specified performance goals at the end of the pre-determined period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company granted 186,814 PSUs with an aggregated fair value of $ 11,183 . During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company granted 169,075 PSUs with an aggregated fair value of $7,641 . In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, 347,875 PSUs were converted to restricted share awards based on achievement of certain performance targets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , 77,921 PSUs vested, while 39,710 PSUs vested during the same period in 2014. In addition, 4,431 and 11,547 PSUs were forfeited during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The following table is a reconciliation of the Company’s statutory income tax expense to its effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries $ 166,882 $ 145,160 $ 453,476 $ 373,972 Tax at federal statutory rate of 35% $ 58,409 $ 50,806 $ 158,717 $ 130,890 Tax effects resulting from: Loss of non-includible foreign subsidiaries 10,816 (30,604 ) (6,797 ) (93,737 ) Other, net (81,874 ) (27,866 ) (113,285 ) 593 $ (12,649 ) $ (7,664 ) $ 38,635 $ 37,746 Effective tax rate (7.6 )% (5.3 )% 8.5 % 10.1 % The Company's effective tax rate was positively impacted by approximately 12.4% and 9.8% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, due to a decrease in the deferred tax liability associated with the Company's equalization reserves for its Luxembourg reinsurers. Without the impact of the equalization reserve, the effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 would have been 7.1% and 19.9% , respectively. The Company did not utilize any of the equalization reserves of its Luxembourg reinsurers during the three and ninth months ended September 30, 2015. In addition, the overall decrease in the effective tax rates in the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014 was impacted by a change in the profitability by jurisdiction. The effective tax rate during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 was impacted by favorable return to provision adjustments in connection with the filing of the Company's 2014 and 2013 federal income tax returns, respectively. Without the impacts of the favorable return to provision adjustments and the decrease in deferred tax liability associated with the equalization reserves, the Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 would have been approximately 27.2% and 25.9% , respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 would have been approximately 25.6% and 27.2% , respectively. The Company’s management believes that as of September 30, 2015 , except for a portion of foreign net operating losses ("NOLs"), it will realize the benefits of its deferred tax assets, which are included as a component of the net deferred income taxes on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. As a result, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $17,013 as of September 30, 2015 related to the foreign NOLs. No valuation allowance was recorded as of December 31, 2014. The earnings of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have been indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Therefore, no provision has been made for any U.S. taxes or foreign withholding taxes that may be applicable upon any repatriation or disposition. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company has U.S. NOL of $24,368 that expire beginning in 2019 through 2033 . In addition, these NOLs are subject to certain limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code due to changes in ownership of $1,723 per year. The Company also has foreign NOLs of $503,483 that currently have no expiration. The Company’s major taxing jurisdictions include the U.S. (federal and state), the United Kingdom and Ireland. The years subject to potential audit vary depending on the tax jurisdiction. Generally, the Company’s statute of limitation is open for tax years ended December 31, 2011 and forward. As permitted by FASB ASC 740-10 Income Taxes , the Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in its income tax provision. The Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits and, therefore, has not recorded any unrecognized tax benefits, or any related interest and penalties, as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 . No interest or penalties have been recorded by the Company for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to its total unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions Significant Transactions with Maiden Holdings, Ltd. The Company has various reinsurance and service agreements with Maiden Holdings, Ltd. (“Maiden”). Maiden is a publicly-held Bermuda insurance holding company (Nasdaq: MHLD) formed by Michael Karfunkel, George Karfunkel and Barry Zyskind, principal shareholders, and, respectively, the chairman of the board of directors, a director, and the chief executive officer and director of the Company. As of September 30, 2015 , our principal shareholders, Michael Karfunkel, Leah Karfunkel (wife of Michael Karfunkel and sole trustee of The Michael Karfunkel Family 2005 Trust), George Karfunkel and Barry Zyskind, own or control approximately 6.1% , 7.5% , 2.3% and 4.4% , respectively, of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Maiden. Mr. Zyskind serves as the non-executive chairman of the board of Maiden’s board of directors. Maiden Reinsurance Ltd. (“Maiden Reinsurance”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maiden, is a Bermuda reinsurer. The following section describes the agreements in place between the Company and its subsidiaries and Maiden and its subsidiaries. Reinsurance Agreements with Maiden Holdings, Ltd. In 2007, the Company and Maiden entered into a master agreement, as amended, by which the parties caused the Company’s Bermuda subsidiary, AmTrust International Insurance, Ltd. (“AII”), and Maiden Reinsurance to enter into a quota share reinsurance agreement (the “Maiden Quota Share”), as amended, by which AII retrocedes to Maiden Reinsurance an amount equal to 40% of the premium written by the Company’s U.S., Irish and U.K. insurance companies (the “AmTrust Ceding Insurers”), net of the cost of unaffiliated inuring reinsurance (and in the case of the Company’s U.K. insurance subsidiary, AmTrust Europe Ltd. ("AEL"), net of commissions). AII also retrocedes 40% of losses. Certain business that the Company commenced writing after the effective date of the Maiden Quota Share, including the Company’s European medical liability business discussed below, business assumed from Tower Group International, Ltd. ("Tower") pursuant to the cut-through quota share reinsurance agreement, and risks, other than workers’ compensation risks and certain business written by the Company’s Irish subsidiary, AmTrust International Underwriters Limited (“AIU”), for which the AmTrust Ceding Insurers’ net retention exceeds $5,000 is not ceded to Maiden Reinsurance under the Maiden Quota Share (ceded business defined as “Covered Business”). AII receives a ceding commission of 31% of ceded written premiums with respect to all Covered Business other than retail commercial package business, for which the ceding commission remains 34.375% . With regards to the Specialty Program portion of Covered Business only, the Company will be responsible for ultimate net loss otherwise recoverable from Maiden Reinsurance to the extent that the loss ratio to Maiden Reinsurance, which shall be determined on an inception to date basis from July 1, 2007 through the date of calculation, is between 81.5% and 95% (the "Specialty Program Loss Corridor"). For the purpose of determining whether the loss ratio falls within the Specialty Program Loss Corridor, workers’ compensation business written in the Company’s Specialty Program segment from July 1, 2007 through December 31, 2012 is excluded from the loss ratio calculation. The Maiden Quota Share was renewed through June 30, 2019 and will automatically renew for successive three -year terms unless either AII or Maiden Reinsurance notifies the other of its election not to renew not less than nine months prior to the end of any such three-year term. In addition, either party is entitled to terminate on thirty days’ notice or less upon the occurrence of certain early termination events, which include a default in payment, insolvency, change in control of AII or Maiden Reinsurance, run-off, or a reduction of 50% or more of the shareholders’ equity of Maiden Reinsurance or the combined shareholders’ equity of AII and the AmTrust Ceding Insurers. The Company, through its subsidiaries AEL and AIU, has a reinsurance agreement with Maiden Reinsurance by which the Company cedes to Maiden Reinsurance 40% of its European medical liability business, including business in force at April 1, 2011. The quota share had an initial term of one year and has been renewed through March 31, 2016. The agreement can be terminated by either party on four months’ prior written notice. Maiden Reinsurance pays the Company a 5% ceding commission, and the Company will earn a profit commission of 50% of the amount by which the ceded loss ratio is lower than 65% . The following is the effect on the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 related to Maiden Reinsurance agreements: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Results of operations: Premium written – ceded $ (453,981 ) $ (385,452 ) $ (1,504,701 ) $ (1,157,716 ) Change in unearned premium – ceded (13,522 ) 25,474 204,170 169,632 Earned premium - ceded $ (467,503 ) $ (359,978 ) $ (1,300,531 ) $ (988,084 ) Ceding commission on premium written $ 144,625 $ 131,893 $ 473,480 $ 361,202 Ceding commission – deferred (6,589 ) (22,353 ) (87,535 ) (72,311 ) Ceding commission – earned $ 138,036 $ 109,540 $ 385,945 $ 288,891 Incurred loss and loss adjustment expense – ceded $ 346,123 $ 229,045 $ 932,053 $ 666,026 Note Payable to Maiden – Collateral for Proportionate Share of Reinsurance Obligations In conjunction with the Maiden Quota Share, as described above, the Company entered into a loan agreement with Maiden Reinsurance during the fourth quarter of 2007, whereby Maiden Reinsurance loaned to the Company the amount equal to AII's quota share of the obligations of the AmTrust Ceding Insurers that AII was then obligated to secure. The loan agreement provides for interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 90 basis points and is payable on a quarterly basis. Advances under the loan are secured by a promissory note and totaled $167,975 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The Company recorded $471 and $453 of interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1,380 and $1,344 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Effective December 1, 2008, AII and Maiden Reinsurance entered into a Reinsurer Trust Assets Collateral agreement whereby Maiden Reinsurance is required to provide AII the assets required to secure Maiden’s proportional share of the Company’s obligations to its U.S. subsidiaries. The amount of this collateral as of September 30, 2015 was approximately $2,481,112 . Maiden retains ownership of the collateral in the trust account. Reinsurance Brokerage Agreement The Company, through a subsidiary, has a reinsurance brokerage agreement with Maiden. Pursuant to the brokerage agreement, the Company provides brokerage services relating to the Maiden Quota Share for a fee equal to 1.25% of reinsured premium. The Company recorded $5,828 and $4,814 of brokerage commission during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $18,688 and $14,484 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The brokerage commission was recorded as a component of service and fee income. Asset Management Agreement The Company, through a subsidiary, has an asset management agreement with Maiden Reinsurance, pursuant to which the Company provides investment management services to Maiden Reinsurance and certain of its affiliates. As of September 30, 2015 , the Company managed approximately $4,148,964 of assets related to this agreement. The asset management services fee is an annual rate of 0.20% for periods in which average invested assets are $1,000,000 or less and an annual rate of 0.15% for periods in which the average invested assets exceeds $1,000,000 . As a result of this agreement, the Company recorded $1,518 and $1,325 of asset management fees during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $4,455 and $3,814 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The asset management fees were recorded as a component of service and fee income. Significant Transactions with National General Holding Corp. The Company has an ownership interest in NGHC of approximately 12% . NGHC is a publicly-held specialty personal lines insurance holding company (Nasdaq: NGHC) that operates fifteen insurance companies in the United States and provides a variety of insurance products, including personal and commercial automobile, homeowners and umbrella, and supplemental health. As of September 30, 2015, NGHC's two largest shareholders are The Michael Karfunkel 2005 Family Trust (the “Trust”) and Michael Karfunkel individually. Michael Karfunkel is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company and the father-in-law of Barry D. Zyskind, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The ultimate beneficiaries of the Trust include Michael Karfunkel’s children, one of whom is married to Mr. Zyskind. In addition, Michael Karfunkel is the chairman, president and chief executive offer of NGHC. In accordance with ASC 323-10-15, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures , the Company accounts for its investment in NGHC under the equity method as it has the ability to exert significant influence on NGHC's operations. In August 2015, NGHC issued 11,500,000 shares in a follow on public offering, which resulted in the Company reducing its ownership percentage in NGHC from 13% to 12% . As a result of the stock issuance, the Company recognized a gain on sale of its equity investment of approximately $9,271 , which is included in equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary. Similarly, during the first quarter of 2014, the Company recognized a gain on sale of its equity investment of approximately $14,712 as a result of NGHC's issuance of shares in a follow on Rule 144A offering. In total, the Company recorded $13,477 and $4,332 of income during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $23,048 and $26,847 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. related to its equity investment in NGHC. Master Services Agreement The Company provides NGHC and its affiliates information technology development services in connection with the development and licensing of a policy management system. The Company provides the license at a cost that is currently 1.25% of gross written premium of NGHC and its affiliates plus the Company’s costs for development and support services. The Company provides development services at a price of cost plus 20% . In addition, the Company provides NGHC and its affiliates printing and mailing services at a per piece cost for policy and policy related materials, such as invoices, quotes, notices and endorsements, associated with the policies the Company processes for NGHC and its affiliates on the policy management system. The Company recorded approximately $8,650 and $6,140 of fee income during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $26,019 and $19,203 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to this agreement.The fees for these services were recorded as a component of service and fee income. Asset Management Agreement A subsidiary of the Company manages the assets of certain of NGHC's subsidiaries, including the assets of reciprocal insurers managed by subsidiaries of NGHC, for an annual fee equal to 0.20% of the average aggregate value of the assets under management for the preceding quarter if the average aggregate value for the preceding quarter is $1,000,000 or less and 0.15% of the average aggregate value of the assets under management for the preceding quarter if the average aggregate value for that quarter is more than $1,000,000 . The Company managed approximately $1,715,275 of assets as of September 30, 2015 related to this agreement. As a result of this agreement, the Company earned approximately $720 and $564 of asset management fees during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1,859 and $1,454 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The asset management fees were recorded as a component of service and fee income. As a result of the above service agreements with NGHC, the Company recorded fees totaling approximately $9,370 and $7,761 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $27,878 and $21,714 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. 800 Superior, LLC The Company and NGHC each have a fifty percent ownership interest in 800 Superior, LLC ("800 Superior"), which owns an office building in Cleveland, Ohio. The cost of the building was approximately $7,500 . The Company has been appointed managing member of 800 Superior. Additionally, in conjunction with the Company’s 12% ownership percentage of NGHC, the Company ultimately receives 56% of the profits and losses of 800 Superior. As such, in accordance with ASC 810-10, Consolidation, the Company consolidates this entity. NGHC's portion of the net assets and earnings are recorded within non-controlling interest in the condensed consolidated financial statements. NGHC has an office lease agreement with 800 Superior under which it currently leases approximately 157,000 square feet of office space. The lease agreement is through 2027. NGHC paid 800 Superior approximately $663 and $560 of rent during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1,929 and $1,495 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, under the lease agreement. As discussed in Note 14. "New Market Tax Credit," 800 Superior, the Company and NGHC participated in a financing transaction related to capital improvements on the office building. As part of that transaction, NGHC and the Company entered into an agreement related to the payment and performance guaranties provided by the Company to the various parties to the financing transaction whereby NGHC has agreed to contribute 50% toward any payments the Company is required to make pursuant to the guaranties. 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC The Company and NGHC each have a fifty percent ownership interest in 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC ("4455 LBJ Freeway"), which owns an office building in Dallas, Texas. The cost of the building was approximately $21,050 . The Company has been appointed managing member of 4455 LBJ Freeway. Additionally, in conjunction with the Company’s 12% ownership percentage of NGHC, the Company ultimately receives 56% of the profits and losses of 4455 LBJ Freeway. As such, in accordance with ASC 810-10, Consolidation, the Company consolidates this entity. NGHC's portion of the net assets and earnings are recorded within non-controlling interest in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Significant Transactions with ACP Re, Ltd. ACP Re, Ltd. (“ACP Re”) is a privately-held Bermuda reinsurance holding company owned by the Trust. ACP Re operates 10 insurance companies in the United States and Bermuda as a result of its merger with Tower during the third quarter of 2014. The following section describes the agreements in place between the Company and its subsidiaries and ACP Re and its subsidiaries. Asset Management Agreement A subsidiary of the Company provides asset management services to ACP Re and certain of its subsidiaries at (i) an annual rate of 0.20% of the average value of the invested assets under management, excluding investment in AmTrust stock, for the preceding calendar quarter if the average value of such assets for the quarter was $1,000,000 or less, or (ii) an annual rate of 0.15% of the average value of the invested assets under management, excluding investment in AmTrust stock, for the preceding calendar quarter if the average value of such assets for the quarter was greater than $1,000,000 . The Company managed approximately $1,221,803 of assets as of September 30, 2015 , which included assets of the ten statutory insurance companies that ACP Re acquired as a result of its September 15, 2014 merger with Tower described below. The Company recorded approximately $457 and $66 of asset management fees during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1,281 and $182 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The asset management fees were recorded as a component of service and fee income. Agreements as a result of ACP Re / Tower Merger In January 2014, ACP Re, through a subsidiary, agreed to acquire 100% of the outstanding stock of Tower and merge with Tower on September 15, 2014 (the “Merger”). As a result of the Merger, the Company and ACP Re entered into the agreements and transactions described below, as well as an asset management agreement described above. Commercial Lines Master Agreement On July 23, 2014, the Company and ACP Re entered into the Amended and Restated Commercial Lines Master Agreement (the “Master Agreement”), which provides for the implementation of the various transactions associated with the acquisition of Tower by ACP Re pursuant to the Merger, including entering into the agreements described below, all of which became effective on September 15, 2014. In addition, the Master Agreement requires the Company to pay ACP Re contingent consideration in the form of a three year earn-out (the “Contingent Payments”), payable semi-annually on the last day of January and July, of 3% of gross written premium of the Tower commercial lines business written or assumed by the Company following the Merger. The Contingent Payments to be made by the Company are subject to a maximum of $30,000 , in the aggregate, over the three-year period. NGHC will pay contingent consideration to ACP Re on the same terms. As a result of entering into this agreement, the Company initially assigned a value of $25,200 to the renewal rights, $1,700 to goodwill, and $26,900 to the contingent consideration, which is recorded as a component of accrued expense and other liability. Commercial Lines Reinsurance Agreements Technology Insurance Company, Inc. ("TIC") entered into the Commercial Lines Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement (the “CL Reinsurance Agreement”) with Tower’s ten statutory insurance companies (the “Tower Companies”) pursuant to which TIC reinsures 100% of all losses under the Tower Companies’ new and renewal commercial lines business written after September 15, 2014. The ceding commission payable by TIC under the CL Reinsurance Agreement is equal to the sum of (i) reimbursement of the Tower Companies’ acquisition costs in respect of the business covered, including commission payable to AmTrust North America, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company (“ANA”), pursuant to the CL MGA Agreement described below, and premium taxes and (ii) 2% of gross written premium (net of cancellations and return premiums) collected pursuant to the CL MGA Agreement described below. The CL Reinsurance Agreement will remain in effect until termination of the CL MGA Agreement. As a result of the Master Agreement and CL Reinsurance Agreement, the Company generated approximately $104,984 and $296,825 of gross written premium, recorded approximately $100,162 and $266,149 of earned premium, and incurred approximately $24,449 and $95,124 of loss and loss adjustment expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. In connection with the execution of the CL Reinsurance Agreement, the Commercial Lines Cut-Through Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement, dated January 3, 2014, between TIC and the Tower Companies whereby TIC, through a 100% quota share, reinsured at least 60% of the Tower Companies’ then in-force commercial lines policies and most new and renewal commercial lines business from January 3, 2014 forward, was terminated on a run-off basis, with the reinsurance of all policies reinsured under that agreement remaining in effect. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , the Company assumed approximately $68,312 and $475,038 of gross written premium, respectively, recorded approximately $104,250 and $300,288 of earned premium, respectively, and incurred approximately $72,586 and $198,050 of loss and loss adjustment expense, respectively, related to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement. Additionally, the Company incurred approximately $26,302 and $71,712 of commission expense and $4,384 and $12,444 of unallocated claims expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , respectively. Commercial Lines MGA Agreement ANA produces and manages all new and renewal commercial lines business written by the Tower Companies pursuant to the Commercial Lines Managing General Agency Agreement (the “CL MGA Agreement”). As described above, all post-September 15, 2014 commercial lines business written by the Tower Companies is reinsured by TIC pursuant to the CL Reinsurance Agreement. The Tower Companies pay ANA a 10% commission on all business written pursuant to the CL MGA Agreement and reimburse ANA for commissions payable to agents producing such business. All payments by the Tower Companies to ANA pursuant to the CL MGA Agreement will be netted out of the ceding commission payable by TIC to the Tower Companies pursuant to the CL Reinsurance Agreement. The CL MGA Agreement has a term of ten years. The Company recorded $1,386 and $3,444 of commission under the CL MGA Agreement during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. The impact of the CL MGA Agreement on the Company during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was immaterial. The commission income was recorded as a component of service and fee income. Commercial Lines Administrative Services Agreement ANA, the Tower Companies and CastlePoint Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (“CP Re,” a subsidiary of ACP Re) entered into the Commercial Lines LPTA Administrative Services Agreement (the “CL Administrative Agreement”) pursuant to which ANA administers the runoff of CP Re’s and the Tower Companies’ commercial lines business written prior to September 15, 2014 at cost. CP Re and the Tower Companies reimburse ANA for its actual costs, including costs incurred in connection with claims operations, out-of-pocket expenses, costs incurred in connection with any required modifications to ANA’s claims systems and an allocated portion of the claims service expenses paid by TIC to the Tower Companies pursuant to the CL Reinsurance Agreement. The CL Administrative Agreement will remain in effect until the first to occur of (i) the completed performance of all obligations and duties arising under the agreement, or (ii) mutual written consent. The Company charged ACP Re $6,033 and $29,589 for these services during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, which were recorded as a reduction of salary and other expense. Stop-Loss and Retrocession Agreements AII and National General Re, Ltd., a subsidiary of NGHC (“NG Re Ltd.”), as reinsurers, entered into a $250,000 Aggregate Stop Loss Reinsurance Agreement (the “Stop-Loss Agreement”) with CP Re. AII and NG Re Ltd. also entered into an Aggregate Stop Loss Retrocession Contract (the “Retrocession Agreement”) with ACP Re pursuant to which ACP Re will reinsure the full amount of any payments that AII and NG Re Ltd. are obligated to make to CP Re under the Stop-Loss Agreement. Pursuant to the Stop-Loss Agreement, each of the Company and NGHC will provide, severally, $125,000 of stop loss coverage with respect to the run-off of the Tower business written on or before September 15, 2014. The reinsurers’ obligation to indemnify CP Re under the Stop-Loss Agreement will be triggered only at such time as CP Re’s ultimate net loss related to the run-off of the pre-September 15, 2014 Tower business exceeds a retention equal to the Tower Companies’ loss and loss adjustment reserves and unearned premium reserves as of September 15, 2014. CP Re will pay AII and NG Re Ltd. total premium of $56,000 on the five -year anniversary of the Stop-Loss Agreement. The premium payable by AII and NG Re Ltd. to ACP Re pursuant to the Retrocession Agreement will be $56,000 in the aggregate, less a ceding commission of 5.5% to be retained by AII and NG Re Ltd. Credit Agreement The Company, AII, and NG Re Ltd. entered into a credit agreement (the “ACP Re Credit Agreement”) among the Company, as Administrative Agent, ACP Re and Tower, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACP Re, as the borrowers (collectively, the “Borrowers”), ACP Re Holdings, LLC, as Guarantor, and AII and NG Re Ltd., as Lenders pursuant to which the Lenders made a $250,000 loan ( $125,000 made by each Lender) to the Borrowers. ACP Re used the proceeds of such loan to (i) finance the Merger, (ii) repay certain indebtedness of Tower and its related companies in connection with the Merger, and (iii) pay certain transaction costs and expenses incurred by the Borrowers in connection with the Merger. The ACP Re Credit Agreement has a maturity date of September 15, 2021 . Outstanding borrowings under the ACP Re Credit Agreement bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 7% , payable semi-annually on the last day of January and July. Fees payable to the Company for its service as Administrative Agent include an annual fee equal to $30 , plus reimbursement of costs, expenses and certain other charges. The obligations of the Borrowers are secured by (i) a first-priority pledge of 100% of the stock of ACP Re and ACP Re’s U.S. subsidiaries and 65% of the stock of certain of ACP Re’s foreign subsidiaries, and (ii) a first-priority lien on all of the assets of the Borrowers and Guarantor and certain of the assets of ACP Re’s subsidiaries (other than the Tower Companies). The Borrowers have the right to prepay the amounts borrowed, in whole or in part. The Borrowers are required to prepay the amounts borrowed within thirty (30) days from the receipt of net cash proceeds received by ACP Re from (i) certain asset sales, (ii) the disposition of certain equity interests, (iii) the issuance or incurrence of certain debt, (iv) any dividend or distribution from Tower subsidiaries to ACP Re, (v) premiums and other payments received pursuant to the Retrocession Agreement, and (vi) any tax refunds, pension plan reversions, insurance proceeds, indemnity payments, purchase price adjustments (excluding working capital adjustments) under acquisition agreements, litigation proceeds and other similar receipts received by the Borrowers after the effective date of the ACP Re Credit Agreement, unless any of the foregoing proceeds (other than payments received pursuant to the Retrocession Agreement) are required for the ordinary course business operations of the Borrowers. The Borrowers are also required to deposit any excess cash flow (including payments under the Master Agreement) into a reserve account that also secures Borrowers’ obligations under the ACP Re Credit Agreement. Any funds in the reserve account after January 1, 2018 that exceed the amount of interest payable by the Borrowers for the remainder of the term of the ACP Re Credit Agreement must be applied by the Borrowers as a prepayment of principal under the ACP Re Credit Agreement. The ACP Re Credit Agreement contains certain customary restrictive covenants (subject to negotiated exceptions and baskets), including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, acquisitions and investments, dispositions, creation of subsidiaries and restricted payments. There are also financial covenants that require ACP Re to maintain minimum current assets, a maximum leverage ratio, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. If ACP Re fails to comply with the leverage ratio or fixed charge coverage ratio covenants as of any measurement date, the Borrowers may cure such breach by making a capital contribution to ACP Re sufficient to bring the Borrowers into compliance. The ACP Re Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default, with grace periods where appropriate, including failure to pay principal when due, failure to pay interest or fees within three business days after becoming due, failure to comply with covenants, breaches of representations and warranties, default under certain other indebtedness, certain insolvency, receivership or insurance regulatory events affecting the Borrowers, the occurrence of certain material judgments, certain amounts of reportable ERISA or foreign pension plan noncompliance events, a change in control of the Guarantor, any security interest created under the ACP Re Credit Agreement ceases to be in full force and effect, or if ACP Re defaults on its obligations under the Retrocession Agreement. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default, the Company, as Administrative Agent, upon the request of any Lender, will declare the Borrowers’ obligations under the ACP Re Credit Agreement immediately due and payable and/or exercise any and all remedies and other rights under the ACP Re Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company recorded $127,188 and $127,601 , respectively, of loan and related interest receivable as a component of other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company recorded total interest income of approximately $2,115 and $6,514 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, and $365 for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, under the ACP Re Credit Agreement. Other Related Party Transactions Lease Agreements The Company has a lease for its office space at 59 Maiden Lane in New York, New York from 59 Maiden Lane Associates, LLC, an entity that is wholly-owned by Michael Karfunkel and George Karfunkel. The Company currently leases 39,992 square feet of office space and the lease term is through May 2023. The Company paid approximately $527 and $490 of rent during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $1,475 and $1,410 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for the leased office space. The Company leases 26,849 square feet of office space in Chicago, Illinois from 135 LaSalle Property, LLC, an entity that is wholly-owned by entities controlled by Michael Karfunkel and George Karfunkel. The lease term is through November 30, 2022. The Company paid rent of approximately $196 and $74 during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $466 and $259 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for the leased office space. Equity Investments In February 2015, the Company invested approximately $9,700 in North Dearborn Building Company, L.P. (“North Dearborn”), a limited partnership that owns an office building in Chicago, Illinois. NGHC is also a limited partner in North Dearborn, and the general partner is NA Advisors GP LLC (“NA Advisors”), an entity controlled by Michael Karfunkel and managed by an unrelated third party. The Company and NGHC each received a 45% limited partnership interest in North Dearborn for their respective $9,700 investments, while NA Advisors invested approximately $2,200 and holds a 10% general partnership interest and a 10% profit interest, which NA Advisors pays to the unrelated third party manager. North Dearborn appointed NA Advisors as the general manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the office building and pays NA Advisors an annual fee for these services. This investment is included within other investments and is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company recorded $319 and $542 of income from this investment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. In August 2015, certain of the Company's subsidiaries invested approximately $53,715 in Illinois Center Building Company, L.P. ("Illinois Center"), a limited partnership that owns an office building complex in Chicago, Illinois. NGHC and ACP Re are also limited partners in Illinois Center, and the general partner is NA Advisors. The Company and NGHC each have a 37.5% limited partnership interest in Illinois Center, while ACP Re has a 15.0% limited partnership interest. NA Advisors holds a 10% general partnership interest and a 10% profit interest, which NA Advisors pays to the unrelated third party manager. Illinois Center appointed NA Advisors as the general manager to oversee the day-to-day operati

Significant Acquisitions

Significant Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Significant Acquisitions	Acquisitions Warranty Solutions On September 25, 2015 , the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Warranty Solutions, a Wells Fargo business ("Warranty Solutions") for $157,841 in cash. Warranty Solutions designs, markets, administers and underwrites vehicle service contracts for new and used automobiles through a national network of more than 70 active agencies and 1,500 franchised and independent dealers. A summary of the preliminary assets acquired and liabilities assumed for Warranty Solutions are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) Assets Cash and investments $ 188,545 Prepaid reinsurance premium 77,777 Other assets 50,399 Deferred tax asset 24,460 Goodwill and Intangible assets 80,293 Total assets $ 421,474 Liabilities Loss and loss expense reserves $ 3,013 Unearned premiums 175,549 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 85,071 Total liabilities $ 263,633 Acquisition price $ 157,841 The goodwill and intangible assets associated with the acquisition was initially measured at $80,293 . The Company is in the process of completing its acquisition accounting and expects to have it completed in 2016. The Company does not expect the goodwill to be taxable. The goodwill and intangible assets as well as Warranty Solutions' results of operations will be included as a component of the Special Risk and Extended Warranty segment. CorePointe Insurance Company On March 2, 2015 , the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of CorePointe Insurance Company ("CorePointe"). CorePointe, a Michigan-based specialty property and casualty insurance company, markets commercial package insurance products primarily to automobile and motorcycle dealerships and auto repair shops. The majority of CorePointe's insurance products and services are distributed through managing general agents ("MGAs") with whom it has long-standing relationships. In 2014, Corepointe had revenue of approximately $50,782 and net income of approximately $4,118 . A summary of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for CorePointe are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) Assets Cash and investments $ 123,338 Premium receivables 20,441 Reinsurance recoverable 1,635 Other assets 1,703 Deferred tax asset 4,303 Property and equipment 226 Intangible assets 2,710 Total assets $ 154,356 Liabilities Loss and loss expense reserves $ 46,539 Unearned premiums 24,230 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 7,781 Deferred tax liability 1,206 Total liabilities $ 79,756 Acquisition price $ 68,774 Acquisition gain $ 5,826 The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting and therefore increased the acquired loss reserves by approximately $10,107 to their fair value. The Company adjusted the acquired loss and LAE reserves to fair value by recording the acquired loss reserves based on the Company’s existing accounting policies and then discounting them based on expected reserve payout patterns using a current risk-free rate of interest. This risk-free interest rate was then adjusted based on different cash flow scenarios that use different payout and ultimate reserve assumptions deemed to be reasonably possible based upon the inherent uncertainties present in determining the amount and timing of payment of such reserves. The difference between the acquired loss and LAE reserves and the Company’s best estimate of the fair value of such reserves at the acquisition date was recorded as an intangible asset in the amount of approximately $1,210 and will be amortized proportionately to the decrease in the acquired loss and LAE reserves over the payout period for the acquired loss and LAE reserves. Additionally, the Company recorded approximately $1,500 for state licenses and have an indefinite life. These intangible assets, as well as CorePointe's results of operations, are included as a component of the Specialty Program segment. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company finalized its acquisition accounting for CorePointe, which resulted in a gain on acquisition of approximately $5,826 . The majority of the gain related to deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations, and therefore recognized the acquisition gain during the three months ended September 30, 2015. Under prior accounting guidance, any adjustments to provisional amounts would have been recognized retrospectively to the period of acquisition. Any amount recorded in current-period earnings that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date were immaterial to the Company's results of operations. In addition, the Company recorded approximately $10,193 and $33,530 of written premium related to CorePointe during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. TMI Solutions, LLC On January 6, 2015 , the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of TMI Solutions, LLC ("TMIS"). TMIS offers monthly billed warranty solutions for a variety of consumer electronics as well as consumer protection services. TMIS's warranties are primarily distributed in conjunction with large telecommunication monthly customer billing services and their customers include various Fortune 500 companies. The purchase agreement required the Company to pay approximately $29,503 in cash on the acquisition date and contained an earn-out provision that is contingent on TMIS meeting certain performance conditions over a three -year period. The contingent consideration associated with the earn-out provision was initially valued at $32,000 as of the acquisition date. A summary of the preliminary assets acquired and liabilities assumed for TMIS are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) Assets Cash and investments $ 749 Other assets 1,354 Property and equipment 53 Goodwill and intangible assets 70,791 Total assets $ 72,947 Liabilities Accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 69 Deferred tax liability 11,375 Total liabilities $ 11,444 Acquisition price $ 61,503 As part of the acquisition, the Company obtained identifiable intangible assets of approximately $32,500 , which included customer relationships for $28,000 and software for $1,000 with finite lives ranging from four to eight years and tradenames of $2,500 and licenses of $1,000 with indefinite lives. A remaining value of $38,291 was assigned to goodwill and will not be taxable. The goodwill and intangible assets, as well as TMIS's results of operations, are included as a component of the Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty segment. The Company is in the process of completing its acquisition accounting and expects to have it completed in 2015. As a result of this acquisition, the Company recorded approximately $3,420 and $10,087 of service and fee income related to TMIS during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. Oryx Insurance Brokerage, Inc. On January 6, 2015 , the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Oryx Insurance Brokerage, Inc. ("Oryx"). Oryx, established in 1996, is a managing general agent and wholesaler providing insurance products to the construction industry in upstate New York. For 2014, Oryx placed $80,000 in premiums through over 135 agencies with the majority of business underwritten by the Company. The purchase agreement required the Company to pay approximately $30,556 in cash on the acquisition date and contained an earn-out provision that is contingent on Oryx meeting certain performance conditions over a five -year period. The contingent consideration associated with the earn-out provision was initially valued at $12,444 as of the acquisition date. A summary of the preliminary assets acquired and liabilities assumed for Oryx are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) Assets Cash and investments $ 4,669 Premium receivables 3,438 Other assets 1,717 Goodwill 41,975 Total assets $ 51,799 Liabilities Loss and loss expense reserves $ 1,405 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 7,394 Total liabilities $ 8,799 Acquisition price $ 43,000 The goodwill and intangible assets, as well as Oryx's results of operations, are included as a component of the Specialty Program segment. The Company is in the process of completing its acquisition accounting and expects to have it completed in 2015. As a result of its underwriting relationship with Oryx, the Company had approximately $11,853 and $9,143 of written premium during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and approximately $76,829 and $62,128 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company recorded approximately $60 and $299 of service and fee income related to Oryx during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. Additionally, the Company reduced its overall commission expense by approximately $1,276 and $3,577 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively, as a result of this acquisition. Other The Company had additional immaterial acquisitions totaling approximately $27,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. No individual acquisition or acquisitions in the aggregate were significant. Therefore, the Company is not required to include any pro forma financial information in this report.

New Market Tax Credit

New Market Tax Credit	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
New Market Tax Credit [Abstract]
New Market Tax Credit	New Market Tax Credit In 2012, the Company's subsidiary, 800 Superior, LLC (an entity owned equally by the Company and NGHC) received $19,400 in net proceeds from a financing transaction the Company and NGHC entered into with Key Community Development Corporation (“KCDC”) related to a capital improvement project for an office building in Cleveland, Ohio owned by 800 Superior, LLC. The Company, NGHC and KCDC collectively made capital contributions (net of allocation fees) and loans to 800 Superior NMTC Investment Fund II LLC and 800 Superior NMTC Investment Fund I LLC (collectively, the “Investment Funds”) under a qualified New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) program. The NMTC program was provided for in the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (the “Act”) and is intended to induce capital investment in qualified lower income communities. The Act permits taxpayers to claim credits against their federal income taxes for up to 39% of qualified investments in the equity of community development entities (“CDEs”). CDEs are privately managed investment institutions that are certified to make qualified low-income community investments (“QLICIs”). In addition to the capital contributions and loans from the Company, NGHC and KCDC, as part of the transaction, the Investment Funds received, directly and indirectly, proceeds of approximately $8,000 from two loans originating from state and local governments of Ohio. These loans are each for a period of 15 years and have a weighted average interest rate approximately of 2.0% per annum. The Investment Funds then contributed the loan proceeds and capital contributions of $19,400 to two CDEs, which, in turn, loaned the funds on similar terms to 800 Superior, LLC. The proceeds of the loans from the CDEs (including loans representing the capital contribution made by KCDC, net of allocation fees) will be used to fund the capital improvement project. As collateral for these loans, the Company has granted a security interest in the assets acquired with the loan proceeds. The Company and NGHC are each entitled to receive an equal portion of 49% of the benefits derived from the NMTCs generated by 800 Superior Investment Fund II LLC, while KCDC is entitled to the remaining 51% . The NMTC is subject to 100% recapture for a period of 7 years as provided in the Internal Revenue Code. During this seven-year compliance period, the entities involved are required to be in compliance with various regulations and contractual provisions that apply to the NMTC arrangement. Non-compliance with applicable requirements could result in the projected tax benefits not being realized and, therefore, could require the Company to indemnify KCDC for any loss or recapture of NMTCs related to the financing until such time as the obligation to deliver tax benefits is relieved. The Company does not anticipate any credit recaptures will be required in connection with this arrangement. In addition, this transaction includes a put/call provision whereby the Company may be obligated or entitled to repurchase KCDC's interest in the Investment Funds in September 2019 at the end of the recapture period. The Company believes that KCDC will exercise its put option and, therefore, attributed an insignificant value to the put/call. The Company has determined that the Investment Funds are variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The ongoing activities of the Investment Funds - collecting and remitting interest and fees and NMTC compliance - were all considered in the initial design and are not expected to significantly affect economic performance throughout the life of the Investment Funds. When determining whether to consolidate the Investment Funds, Company management considered the contractual arrangements that obligate it to deliver tax benefits and provide various other guarantees to the structure, KCDC's lack of a material interest in the underlying economics of the project, and the fact that the Company is obligated to absorb losses of the Investment Funds. Also, the Company has an approximate 12% ownership in NGHC. The Company concluded that it was the primary beneficiary and consolidated the Investment Funds, as VIEs, in accordance with the accounting standard for consolidation. KCDC's contribution, net of syndication fees, is included as accrued liability in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Direct costs incurred in structuring the financing arrangement are deferred and will be recognized as expense over the term of the loans. Incremental costs to maintain the structure during the compliance period are recognized as incurred.

Shareholder Equity and Accumula

Shareholder Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholder Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Stockholder's Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Issuance of Common Stock During 2015, the Company issued an aggregate of 3,450,000 shares of Common Stock in an underwritten public offering. Proceeds received from this offering were $172,500 . Fees and expenses related to the offering were approximately $250 . Issuances of Preferred Stock On March 19, 2015 , the Company completed a public offering of 6,600,000 of its depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of its 7.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D, $0.01 par value per share (the "Series D Preferred Stock"), with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share). Each depositary share entitles the holder to a proportional fractional interest in all rights and preferences of the Series D Preferred Stock represented thereby (including any dividend, liquidation, redemption and voting rights). Dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares will be payable on the liquidation preference amount, on a non-cumulative basis, when, as and if declared by the Company’s board of directors, at a rate of 7.50% per annum, quarterly in arrears, on March 15 , June 15 , September 15 , and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2015 , from and including the date of original issuance. The Series D Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares is not redeemable prior to March 19, 2020. After that date, the Company may redeem at its option, in whole or in part, the Series D Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares at a redemption price of $1,000 per share (equivalent to $25 per depositary share) plus any declared and unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods and accrued but unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) for the then current dividend period. On March 19, 2015 , the underwriters exercised, in part, their over-allotment option with respect to 700,000 additional depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of Series D Preferred Stock, on the same terms and conditions as the original issuance. A total of 7,300,000 depositary shares (equivalent to 182,500 shares of Series D Preferred Stock) were issued. Net proceeds from this offering, including the over-allotment, were $176,511 . In addition, the Company incurred $5,989 in underwriting discount and commissions and expenses, which were recognized as a reduction to additional paid-in capital. Stockholders' Equity The following table summarizes the ownership components of total stockholders' equity: 2015 2014 (Amounts in Thousands) AmTrust Non-Controlling Interest Total AmTrust Non-Controlling Interest Total Balance, December 31, $ 2,037,020 $ 159,181 $ 2,196,201 $ 1,441,005 $ 137,860 $ 1,578,865 Net income (loss) 430,949 5,978 436,927 370,102 (7,029 ) 363,073 Unrealized holding (loss) gain (68,968 ) — (68,968 ) 85,726 — 85,726 Reclassification adjustment 634 — 634 (3,370 ) — (3,370 ) Foreign currency translation (49,204 ) 6 (49,198 ) (5,289 ) (271 ) (5,560 ) Unrealized gain on interest rate swap 297 — 297 581 — 581 Extinguishment of 2021 senior notes, equity component (3,764 ) — (3,764 ) — — Share exercises, compensation and other 16,459 — 16,459 18,892 — 18,892 Common share issuance (purchase), net 171,672 — 171,672 (44,564 ) — (44,564 ) Common share dividends (66,121 ) — (66,121 ) (45,147 ) — (45,147 ) Preferred stock issuance, net of fees 176,529 — 176,529 178,641 — 178,641 Preferred stock dividends (22,797 ) — (22,797 ) (7,387 ) — (7,387 ) Capital contribution, net — 11,609 11,609 — 24,013 24,013 Balance, September 30, $ 2,622,706 $ 176,774 $ 2,799,480 $ 1,989,190 $ 154,573 $ 2,143,763 During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , net income attributable to non-controlling interest was $5,978 and net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest was $962 . Net income for AmTrust, Non-controlling interest and Redeemable non-controlling interest totaled $437,889 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Additionally, the Company made a distribution of $422 for redeemable non-controlling interest during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The following table summarizes the activities and components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss): (Amounts in Thousands) Foreign Currency Items Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments Interest Rate Swap Hedge Net Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations Recognized in Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance, June 30, 2015 $ (66,108 ) $ 21,487 $ (1,131 ) $ (2,793 ) $ (48,545 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification 3,274 (25,611 ) 165 — (22,172 ) Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income — 2,830 — — 2,830 Income tax benefit (expense) (1,146 ) 7,973 (58 ) — 6,769 Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income 2,128 (14,808 ) 107 — (12,573 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (63,980 ) $ 6,679 $ (1,024 ) $ (2,793 ) $ (61,118 ) Balance, June 30, 2014 $ 10,385 $ 78,632 $ (1,751 ) $ (1,738 ) $ 85,528 Other comprehensive income before reclassification (20,142 ) (16,433 ) 534 — (36,041 ) Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income — (2,422 ) — — (2,422 ) Income tax benefit (expense) 7,050 15,556 (187 ) — 22,419 Net current-period other comprehensive income (13,092 ) (3,299 ) 347 — (16,044 ) Balance, September 30, 2014 $ (2,707 ) $ 75,333 $ (1,404 ) $ (1,738 ) $ 69,484 (Amounts in Thousands) Foreign Currency Items Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments Interest Rate Swap Hedge Net Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations Recognized in Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance, December 31, 2014 $ (14,776 ) $ 75,013 $ (1,321 ) $ (2,793 ) $ 56,123 Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification (75,698 ) (106,105 ) 457 — (181,346 ) Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income — 976 — — 976 Income tax benefit (expense) 26,494 36,795 (160 ) — 63,129 Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income (49,204 ) (68,334 ) 297 — (117,241 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (63,980 ) $ 6,679 $ (1,024 ) $ (2,793 ) $ (61,118 ) Balance, December 31, 2013 $ 2,582 $ (7,023 ) $ (1,985 ) $ (1,738 ) $ (8,164 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassification (8,137 ) 118,107 894 — 110,864 Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income — (5,185 ) — — (5,185 ) Income tax benefit (expense) 2,848 (30,566 ) (313 ) (28,031 ) Net current-period other comprehensive income (5,289 ) 82,356 581 — 77,648 Balance, September 30, 2014 $ (2,707 ) $ 75,333 $ (1,404 ) $ (1,738 ) $ 69,484

Contingent Liabilities

Contingent Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitment and Contingent Liabilities	Contingent Liabilities Litigation From time to time, the Company is subject to routine legal proceedings, including arbitrations, arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are named as defendants in various legal actions arising principally from claims made under insurance policies and contracts. Those actions are considered by the Company in estimating the loss and LAE reserves. The Company’s management believes the resolution of those actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. ARI Mutual Insurance Company In March 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ARI Mutual Insurance Company ("ARI") following the completion of the conversion of ARI to a stock company from a mutual company, which requires regulatory and policyholder approval. ARI is an underwriter of commercial automobile insurance in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The acquisition is anticipated to close during the fourth quarter of 2015. The Company expects that the aggregate purchase price for the stock of ARI will be between $23,800 and $32,200 . N.V. Nationale Borg-Maatschappij In August 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire N.V. Nationale Borg-Maatschappij and its affiliates ("Nationale Borg") from Egeria and HAL Investments for approximately €154,000 (or $172,126 ). Nationale Borg is a 120 -year old, Amsterdam-based international direct writer and reinsurer of surety and trade credit insurance with business in over 70 countries. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015. Republic Companies, Inc In September 2015, the Company entered into agreements to acquire Republic Companies, Inc. and its affiliates ("Republic") from Delek Group Ltd. and Republic Insurance Holdings, LLC, for approximately $233,000 , which is subject to purchase price adjustments. The purchase price consisted of $112,000 in cash at closing, $16,000 in cash to be paid over five years and $105,000 in a note to be issued by the Company to Delek Group Ltd. bearing annual interest of 5.75% with a four year maturity and scheduled principal payments to be made over the term of the note. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the first half of 2016.

Segments

Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	Segments The Company currently operates three business segments: Small Commercial Business; Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty; and Specialty Program. The Company also has a former segment, Personal Lines Reinsurance, which is in run-off and is now included within its Corporate and Other segment. The Corporate and Other segment also represents the activities of the holding company as well as a portion of service and fee revenue. In determining total assets (excluding cash and invested assets) by segment, the Company identifies those assets that are attributable to a particular segment such as deferred acquisition cost, reinsurance recoverable, goodwill, intangible assets and prepaid reinsurance while the remaining assets are allocated based on gross written premium by segment. In determining cash and invested assets by segment, the Company matches certain identifiable liabilities such as unearned premium and loss and loss adjustment expense reserves by segment. The remaining cash and invested assets are then allocated based on gross written premium by segment. Investment income and realized gains (losses) are determined by calculating an overall annual return on cash and invested assets and applying that overall return to the cash and invested assets by segment. Ceding commission is allocated to each segment based on that segment’s proportionate share of the Company’s overall acquisition costs. Interest expense is allocated based on gross written premium by segment. Income taxes are allocated on a pro-rata basis based on the Company’s effective tax rate. Additionally, management reviews the performance of underwriting income in assessing the performance of and making decisions regarding the allocation of resources to the segments. Underwriting income excludes, primarily, service and fee revenue, investment income and other revenues, other expenses, interest expense and income taxes. Management believes that providing this information in this manner is essential to providing Company’s stockholders with an understanding of the Company’s business and operating performance. During each of the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 , the Company's Specialty Program segment derived over ten percent of its gross written premium primarily from one agent. The following tables summarize the results of operations of the business segments for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2015: Gross written premium $ 797,654 $ 577,284 $ 405,875 $ — $ 1,780,813 Net written premium 459,290 380,600 303,093 — 1,142,983 Change in unearned premium 34,364 (30,218 ) (101,721 ) — (97,575 ) Net earned premium 493,654 350,382 201,372 — 1,045,408 Loss and loss adjustment expense (320,391 ) (253,136 ) (136,077 ) — (709,604 ) Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (130,792 ) (69,876 ) (57,348 ) — (258,016 ) (451,183 ) (323,012 ) (193,425 ) — (967,620 ) Underwriting income 42,471 27,370 7,947 — 77,788 Service and fee income 24,793 79,064 482 21,804 126,143 Investment income and realized gain 24,359 21,312 12,423 13 58,107 Other expenses (53,047 ) (37,471 ) (26,382 ) — (116,900 ) Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt (6,038 ) (4,333 ) (3,048 ) — (13,419 ) Foreign currency gain — 24,721 — — 24,721 Gain on life settlement contracts 1,926 1,584 1,106 — 4,616 Acquisition gain on purchase 5,826 — — — 5,826 Benefit for income taxes 2,880 7,898 245 1,626 12,649 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party — — — 13,477 13,477 Net income $ 43,170 $ 120,145 $ (7,227 ) $ 36,920 $ 193,008 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2014: Gross written premium $ 722,897 $ 436,845 $ 358,739 $ — $ 1,518,481 Net written premium 422,539 331,590 250,067 — 1,004,196 Change in unearned premium (815 ) (3,564 ) (85,551 ) 147 (89,783 ) Net earned premium 421,724 328,026 164,516 147 914,413 Loss and loss adjustment expense (279,056 ) (219,535 ) (110,654 ) (107 ) (609,352 ) Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (111,939 ) (68,612 ) (44,915 ) (46 ) (225,512 ) (390,995 ) (288,147 ) (155,569 ) (153 ) (834,864 ) Underwriting income 30,729 39,879 8,947 (6 ) 79,549 Service and fee income 26,781 75,178 117 15,507 117,583 Investment income and realized gain 16,819 13,770 9,016 33 39,638 Other expenses (49,901 ) (29,992 ) (23,600 ) — (103,493 ) Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt (5,619 ) (3,396 ) (2,786 ) — (11,801 ) Foreign currency gain — 26,594 — — 26,594 Loss on life settlement contracts (1,449 ) (859 ) (602 ) — (2,910 ) Benefit for income taxes 1,709 2,646 689 2,620 7,664 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party — — — 4,332 4,332 Net income $ 19,069 $ 123,820 $ (8,219 ) $ 22,486 $ 157,156 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015: Gross written premium $ 2,574,602 $ 1,528,017 $ 1,087,719 $ — $ 5,190,338 Net written premium 1,499,922 975,073 719,898 — 3,194,893 Change in unearned premium (99,218 ) (11,592 ) (120,328 ) — (231,138 ) Net earned premium 1,400,704 963,481 599,570 — 2,963,755 Loss and loss adjustment expense (909,081 ) (647,121 ) (405,160 ) — (1,961,362 ) Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (365,184 ) (197,450 ) (165,768 ) — (728,402 ) (1,274,265 ) (844,571 ) (570,928 ) — (2,689,764 ) Underwriting income 126,439 118,910 28,642 — 273,991 Service and fee income 76,468 208,596 846 60,856 346,766 Investment income and realized gain 63,209 49,859 28,789 117 141,974 Other expenses (155,502 ) (92,289 ) (65,696 ) — (313,487 ) Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt (18,866 ) (11,197 ) (7,971 ) — (38,034 ) Foreign currency gain — 17,355 — — 17,355 Gain on life settlement contracts 9,466 5,619 4,000 — 19,085 Acquisition gain on purchase 5,826 — — — 5,826 (Provision) benefit for income taxes (8,678 ) (24,068 ) 923 (6,812 ) (38,635 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party — — — 23,048 23,048 Net income $ 98,362 $ 272,785 $ (10,467 ) $ 77,209 $ 437,889 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014: Gross written premium $ 2,366,451 $ 1,387,651 $ 874,215 $ — $ 4,628,317 Net written premium 1,526,347 933,245 598,555 — 3,058,147 Change in unearned premium (337,362 ) (12,096 ) (99,197 ) 8,909 (439,746 ) Net earned premium 1,188,985 921,149 499,358 8,909 2,618,401 Loss and loss adjustment expense (792,224 ) (618,469 ) (338,483 ) (5,979 ) (1,755,155 ) Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (299,082 ) (185,120 ) (133,355 ) (2,624 ) (620,181 ) (1,091,306 ) (803,589 ) (471,838 ) (8,603 ) (2,375,336 ) Underwriting income 97,679 117,560 27,520 306 243,065 Service and fee income 69,801 193,534 328 44,420 308,083 Investment income and realized gain 45,390 42,604 21,912 198 110,104 Other expenses (142,484 ) (83,551 ) (52,637 ) — (278,672 ) Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt (18,348 ) (10,759 ) (6,778 ) — (35,885 ) Foreign currency gain — 25,826 — — 25,826 Loss on life settlement contracts (2,649 ) (1,553 ) (978 ) — (5,180 ) Gain on sale of a subsidiary 6,631 — — — 6,631 (Provision) benefit for income taxes (5,276 ) (26,713 ) 1,001 (6,758 ) (37,746 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party — — — 26,847 26,847 Net income $ 50,744 $ 256,948 $ (9,632 ) $ 65,013 $ 363,073 The following tables summarize net earned premium by major line of business, by segment, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2015: Workers' compensation $ 328,099 $ — $ 86,454 $ — $ 414,553 Warranty — 143,202 — — 143,202 Other liability 12,081 36,042 58,072 — 106,195 Commercial auto and liability, physical damage 89,078 (413 ) 27,170 — 115,835 Medical malpractice — 52,879 — — 52,879 Other 64,396 118,672 29,676 — 212,744 Total net earned premium $ 493,654 $ 350,382 $ 201,372 $ — $ 1,045,408 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2014: Workers' compensation $ 268,351 $ — $ 70,029 $ — $ 338,380 Warranty — 159,178 51 — 159,229 Other liability 28,330 46,971 40,676 — 115,977 Commercial auto and liability, physical damage 53,581 11,994 29,670 23 95,268 Medical malpractice — 44,385 — — 44,385 Other 71,462 65,498 24,090 124 161,174 Total net earned premium $ 421,724 $ 328,026 $ 164,516 $ 147 $ 914,413 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015: Workers' compensation $ 942,867 $ — $ 250,400 $ — $ 1,193,267 Warranty — 439,049 — — 439,049 Other liability 37,025 101,338 133,925 — 272,288 Commercial auto and liability, physical damage 208,489 11,741 96,868 — 317,098 Medical malpractice — 129,333 — — 129,333 Other 212,323 282,020 118,377 — 612,720 Total net earned premium $ 1,400,704 $ 963,481 $ 599,570 $ — $ 2,963,755 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014: Workers' compensation $ 770,578 $ — $ 184,650 $ — $ 955,228 Warranty — 421,680 224 — 421,904 Other liability 56,837 147,444 144,621 — 348,902 Commercial auto and liability, physical damage 123,739 26,721 84,359 1,564 236,383 Medical malpractice — 135,982 — — 135,982 Other 237,831 189,322 85,504 7,345 520,002 Total net earned premium $ 1,188,985 $ 921,149 $ 499,358 $ 8,909 $ 2,618,401 The following table summarizes total assets of the business segments as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Small Commercial Business $ 7,663,693 $ 6,142,645 Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 6,222,438 5,441,378 Specialty Program 3,052,297 2,248,901 Corporate and Other 5,508 14,444 $ 16,943,936 $ 13,847,368

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event On October 27, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Limited ("GFMI") from a subsidiary of Genworth Financial, Inc. (NYSE:GNW), for approximately $60,000 in cash. Based in the U.K., GFMI is a well-known organization in the European mortgage insurance market, currently providing products in the U.K., Finland, Italy and Germany. As of June 30, 2015, GFMI's tangible book value was approximately $155,000 . The acquisition is expected to close during the first quarter of 2016, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Amortized Cost, Estimated Market Value and Gross Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation of Available-for-sale Securities	The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available-for-sale as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , are presented below: (Amounts in Thousands) As of September 30, 2015 Cost or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair Value Preferred stock $ 4,869 $ 124 $ (38 ) $ 4,955 Common stock 106,121 2,662 (7,620 ) 101,163 U.S. treasury securities 56,714 1,878 (35 ) 58,557 U.S. government agencies 36,014 387 (84 ) 36,317 Municipal bonds 533,385 14,399 (2,837 ) 544,947 Foreign government 105,209 5,571 (637 ) 110,143 Corporate bonds: Finance 1,277,615 42,064 (28,485 ) 1,291,194 Industrial 1,571,174 25,514 (62,229 ) 1,534,459 Utilities 143,081 2,456 (6,830 ) 138,707 Commercial mortgage backed securities 146,329 3,838 (673 ) 149,494 Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 929,389 24,312 (1,702 ) 951,999 Non-agency backed 112,954 1,037 (1,374 ) 112,617 Collateralized loan / debt obligations 177,144 50 (3,487 ) 173,707 Asset-backed securities 23,496 206 (35 ) 23,667 $ 5,223,494 $ 124,498 $ (116,066 ) $ 5,231,926 (Amounts in Thousands) As of December 31, 2014 Cost or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Fair value Preferred stock $ 3,349 $ 158 $ (1 ) $ 3,506 Common stock 80,726 4,673 (7,861 ) 77,538 U.S. treasury securities 42,416 1,558 (104 ) 43,870 U.S. government agencies 12,968 575 (5 ) 13,538 Municipal bonds 469,646 13,950 (1,555 ) 482,041 Foreign government 106,054 6,760 (83 ) 112,731 Corporate bonds: Finance 1,167,011 60,322 (5,471 ) 1,221,862 Industrial 1,187,818 38,317 (23,275 ) 1,202,860 Utilities 137,169 3,200 (1,677 ) 138,692 Commercial mortgage backed securities 36,964 1,890 (169 ) 38,685 Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 954,320 23,340 (1,878 ) 975,782 Non-agency backed 22,071 696 (264 ) 22,503 Asset backed securities 709 2 (1 ) 710 $ 4,221,221 $ 155,441 $ (42,344 ) $ 4,334,318
Amortized Cost, Estimated Market Value and Gross Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation of Trading Securities	The original or amortized cost, estimated market value and gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of trading securities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented in the tables below: (Amounts in Thousands) Cost or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Market value Common stock $ 20,745 $ 405 $ (1,290 ) $ 19,860 (Amounts in Thousands) Cost or amortized cost Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses Market value Common stock $ 25,407 $ 1,614 $ (272 ) $ 26,749
Summary of Available for Sale Fixed Securities by Contractual Maturity	A summary of the Company’s available-for-sale fixed maturities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , by contractual maturity, is shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 (Amounts in Thousands) Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ 103,977 $ 104,473 $ 106,041 $ 105,839 Due after one through five years 820,364 829,386 682,632 704,344 Due after five through ten years 2,453,188 2,431,882 1,998,740 2,062,942 Due after ten years 345,664 348,582 335,669 342,468 Mortgage and asset backed securities 1,389,311 1,411,485 1,014,064 1,037,681 Total fixed maturities $ 5,112,504 $ 5,125,808 $ 4,137,146 $ 4,253,274
Net Investment Income	Net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was derived from the following sources: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Fixed maturities, available-for-sale $ 39,452 $ 34,112 $ 107,404 $ 92,852 Equity securities, available-for-sale 1,183 249 2,253 550 Equity securities, trading (640 ) 77 (600 ) 77 Cash and short term investments 844 854 3,432 4,278 40,839 35,292 112,489 97,757 Investment expenses (414 ) (740 ) (1,208 ) (2,084 ) $ 40,425 $ 34,552 $ 111,281 $ 95,673
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings	Other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") charges of our fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available-for-sale are presented below: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Equity securities recognized in earnings $ 84 $ — $ 1,276 $ 2,291 Fixed-maturity securities recognized in earnings 7,552 464 8,842 1,712 $ 7,636 $ 464 $ 10,118 $ 4,003
Summary of Gross Unrealized Losses of Fixed-maturities and Equity Securities	The tables below summarize the gross unrealized losses of our fixed maturity and equity securities by length of time the security has continuously been in an unrealized position as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total (Amounts in Thousands) Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses No. of Positions Held Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses No. of Positions Held Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Common and preferred stock $ 69,168 $ (7,658 ) 81 $ — $ — — $ 69,168 $ (7,658 ) U.S. treasury securities 6,782 (25 ) 24 3,254 (10 ) 9 10,036 (35 ) U.S. government agencies 4,675 (83 ) 2 185 (1 ) 2 4,860 (84 ) Municipal bonds 122,756 (2,218 ) 113 18,579 (619 ) 34 141,335 (2,837 ) Foreign government 13,522 (612 ) 20 6,246 (25 ) 1 19,768 (637 ) Corporate bonds: Finance 547,924 (27,553 ) 269 49,527 (932 ) 20 597,451 (28,485 ) Industrial 690,152 (51,144 ) 443 80,010 (11,085 ) 60 770,162 (62,229 ) Utilities 57,481 (4,169 ) 79 6,000 (2,661 ) 2 63,481 (6,830 ) Commercial mortgage backed securities 25,593 (593 ) 82 3,172 (80 ) 6 28,765 (673 ) Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 67,582 (1,249 ) 73 23,118 (453 ) 28 90,700 (1,702 ) Non-agency backed 58,051 (1,323 ) 21 4,337 (51 ) 4 62,388 (1,374 ) Collateralized loan / debt obligations 148,697 (3,487 ) 56 — — — 148,697 (3,487 ) Asset-backed securities 9,316 (35 ) 24 — — — 9,316 (35 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 1,821,699 $ (100,149 ) 1,287 $ 194,428 $ (15,917 ) 166 $ 2,016,127 $ (116,066 ) Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total (Amounts in Thousands) Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses No. of Positions Held Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses No. of Positions Held Fair Market Value Unrealized Losses Common and preferred stock $ 38,970 $ (7,764 ) 21 $ 400 $ (98 ) 2 $ 39,370 $ (7,862 ) U.S. treasury securities 1,030 (54 ) 7 3,219 (50 ) 9 4,249 (104 ) U.S. government agencies 1,736 (3 ) 3 222 (2 ) 4 1,958 (5 ) Municipal bonds 24,695 (240 ) 64 93,201 (1,315 ) 98 117,896 (1,555 ) Foreign government 7,644 (83 ) 4 — — — 7,644 (83 ) Corporate bonds: Finance 192,520 (4,297 ) 143 66,715 (1,174 ) 27 259,235 (5,471 ) Industrial 236,845 (17,230 ) 194 60,511 (6,045 ) 43 297,356 (23,275 ) Utilities 12,188 (490 ) 22 13,908 (1,187 ) 3 26,096 (1,677 ) Commercial mortgage backed securities 15 — 2 4,729 (169 ) 8 4,744 (169 ) Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 41,187 (101 ) 10 66,172 (1,777 ) 29 107,359 (1,878 ) Non-agency backed 5,092 (263 ) 3 28 (1 ) 2 5,120 (264 ) Asset-backed securities 148 — 1 110 (1 ) 2 258 (1 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 562,070 $ (30,525 ) 474 $ 309,215 $ (11,819 ) 227 $ 871,285 $ (42,344 )
Notional Amounts of Interest Rate Swaps by Remaining Maturity	The following table presents the notional amounts by remaining maturity of the Company’s interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2015 : Remaining Life of Notional Amount (1) (Amounts in Thousands) One Year Two Through Five Years Six Through Ten Years After Ten Years Total Interest rate swaps $ 30,000 $ 40,000 $ — $ — $ 70,000 (1) Notional amount is not representative of either market risk or credit risk and is not recorded in the consolidated balance sheet.
Fair Values of Restricted Assets	The fair values of the Company's restricted assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 Restricted cash and cash equivalents $ 257,050 $ 186,225 Restricted investments - fixed maturities at fair value 1,344,393 734,271 Total restricted cash, cash equivalents, and investments $ 1,601,443 $ 920,496

Fair Value of Financial Instr27

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities on Recurring Basis	The following tables present the level within the fair value hierarchy at which the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities are measured on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: U.S. treasury securities $ 58,557 $ 58,557 $ — $ — U.S. government agencies 36,317 — 36,317 — Municipal bonds 544,947 — 544,947 — Foreign government 110,143 — 110,143 — Corporate bonds and other bonds: Finance 1,291,194 — 1,291,194 — Industrial 1,534,459 — 1,534,459 — Utilities 138,707 — 138,707 — Commercial mortgage backed securities 149,494 — 149,494 — Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 951,999 — 951,999 — Non-agency backed 112,617 — 112,617 — Collateralized loan / debt obligations 173,707 — 97,701 — Asset-backed securities 23,667 — 23,667 — Equity securities, available-for-sale 106,118 31,861 34,068 40,189 Equity securities, trading 19,860 19,860 — — Short term investments 36,043 36,043 — — Other investments 21,826 — — 21,826 Life settlement contracts 271,249 — — 271,249 $ 5,580,904 $ 146,321 $ 5,025,313 $ 333,264 Liabilities: Equity securities sold but not yet purchased $ 42,170 $ 42,170 $ — $ — Fixed maturity securities sold but not yet purchased 46,457 — 46,457 — Life settlement contract profit commission 15,819 — — 15,819 Derivatives 1,576 — 1,576 — $ 106,022 $ 42,170 $ 48,033 $ 15,819 (Amounts in Thousands) Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets: U.S. treasury securities $ 43,870 $ 43,870 $ — $ — U.S. government agencies 13,538 — 13,538 — Municipal bonds 482,041 — 482,041 — Foreign government 112,731 — 112,731 — Corporate bonds and other bonds: Finance 1,221,862 — 1,221,862 — Industrial 1,202,860 — 1,202,860 — Utilities 138,692 — 138,692 — Commercial mortgage backed securities 38,685 — 38,685 — Residential mortgage backed securities: Agency backed 975,782 — 975,782 — Non-agency backed 22,503 — 22,503 — Asset-backed securities 710 — 710 — Equity securities, available-for-sale 81,044 24,484 21,674 34,886 Equity securities, trading 26,749 26,749 — — Short term investments 63,916 63,916 — — Other investments 13,315 — — 13,315 Life settlement contracts 264,517 — — 264,517 $ 4,702,815 $ 159,019 $ 4,231,078 $ 312,718 Liabilities: Equity securities sold but not yet purchased $ 13,052 $ 13,052 $ — $ — Life settlement contract profit commission 16,534 — — 16,534 Derivatives 2,033 — 2,033 — $ 31,619 $ 13,052 $ 2,033 $ 16,534
Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Assets And Liabilities	The following tables provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) Balance as of June 30, 2015 Net income Other comprehensive income Purchases and issuances Sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of September 30, Other investments $ 14,759 $ (793 ) $ (5,300 ) $ 160 $ — $ 13,000 $ 21,826 Equity securities, available-for-sale 40,232 — 3 — (46 ) — 40,189 Life settlement contracts 267,393 13,875 — — (10,019 ) — 271,249 Life settlement contract profit commission (16,994 ) 1,175 — — — — (15,819 ) Total $ 305,390 $ 14,257 $ (5,297 ) $ 160 $ (10,065 ) $ 13,000 $ 317,445 (Amounts in Thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2014 Net income Other comprehensive income Purchases and issuances Sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of September 30, Other investments $ 13,315 $ (379 ) $ (5,300 ) $ 1,527 $ (337 ) $ 13,000 $ 21,826 Equity securities, available-for-sale 34,886 — 5,395 — (92 ) — 40,189 Life settlement contracts 264,517 52,765 — — (46,033 ) — 271,249 Life settlement contract profit commission (16,534 ) 715 — — — — (15,819 ) Total $ 296,184 $ 53,101 $ 95 $ 1,527 $ (46,462 ) $ 13,000 $ 317,445 (Amounts in Thousands) Balance as of June 30, 2014 Net income Other comprehensive income Purchases and issuances Sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of September 30, 2014 Other investments $ 14,095 $ — $ — $ 2,828 $ (481 ) $ — $ 16,442 Life settlement contracts 276,199 7,001 — — — — 283,200 Life settlement contract profit commission (12,529 ) 1,272 — — — — (11,257 ) Total $ 277,765 $ 8,273 $ — $ 2,828 $ (481 ) $ — $ 288,385 (Amounts in Thousands) Balance as of December 31, 2013 Net income Other comprehensive income Purchases and issuances Sales and settlements Net transfers into (out of) Level 3 Balance as of September 30, 2014 Other investments $ 25,749 $ 2,402 $ — $ 6,145 $ (17,854 ) $ — $ 16,442 Life settlement contracts 233,024 29,784 — 25,419 (5,027 ) — 283,200 Life settlement contract profit commission (11,945 ) 688 — — — — (11,257 ) Total $ 246,828 $ 32,874 $ — $ 31,564 $ (22,881 ) $ — $ 288,385
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring	For the Company's material debt arrangements, the current fair value of the Company's debt was as follows: Carrying Value Fair Value 7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055 $ 150,000 $ 149,760 7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055 135,000 135,540 2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044 161,706 228,371 6.125% Notes due 2023 250,000 249,528 Junior subordinated debentures 123,714 79,400 Revolving credit facility 130,000 130,000
Schedule of Reconciliation of Net Income	A reconciliation of net income for life settlement contracts in the above table to gain (loss) on investment in life settlement contracts net of profit commission included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Net income $ 13,875 $ 7,001 $ 52,765 $ 29,784 Premiums paid (11,326 ) (10,728 ) (33,614 ) (33,200 ) Profit commission 1,175 1,272 715 688 Other expenses 892 (455 ) (781 ) (2,452 ) Gain (loss) on investment in life settlement contracts $ 4,616 $ (2,910 ) $ 19,085 $ (5,180 )
Premiums to be Paid for Each of Five Succeeding Fiscal Years to keep Life Insurance Policies in Force	The following summarizes data utilized in estimating the fair value of the portfolio of life insurance policies as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and, as described in Note 5. "Investments in Life Settlements", only includes data for policies to which the Company assigned value at those dates: September 30, December 31, Average age of insured 81.8 years 81.1 years Average life expectancy, months (1) 114 121 Average face amount per policy (Amounts in thousands) $ 6,588 $ 6,624 Effective discount rate (2) 13.9 % 14.0 % (1) Standard life expectancy as adjusted for specific circumstances. (2) Effective Discount Rate ("EDR") is the Company's estimated internal rate of return on its life settlement contract portfolio and is determined from the gross expected cash flows and valuation of the portfolio. The valuation of the portfolio is calculated net of all reserves using a 7.5% discount rate. The EDR is inclusive of the reserves and the gross expected cash flows of the portfolio. The Company anticipates that the EDR's range is between 12.5% and 17.5% and reflects the uncertainty that exists surrounding the information available as of the reporting date. As the accuracy and reliability of information improves (declines), the EDR will decrease (increase).
Increase or (Decrease) in Carrying Value of Investment in Life Insurance Policies	The Company's assumptions are, by their nature, inherently uncertain and the effect of changes in estimates may be significant. The fair value measurements used in estimating the present value calculation are derived from valuation techniques generally used in the industry that include inputs for the asset that are not based on observable market data. The extent to which the fair value could reasonably vary in the near term has been quantified by evaluating the effect of changes in significant underlying assumptions used to estimate the fair value amount. If the life expectancies were increased or decreased by 4 months and the discount factors were increased or decreased by 1% while all other variables were held constant, the carrying value of the investment in life insurance policies would increase or (decrease) by the unaudited amounts summarized below as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : Change in life expectancy (Amounts in Thousands) Plus 4 Months Minus 4 Months Investment in life policies: September 30, 2015 $ (35,235 ) $ 37,787 December 31, 2014 $ (34,686 ) $ 36,486 Change in discount rate (1) (Amounts in Thousands) Plus 1% Minus 1% Investment in life policies: September 30, 2015 $ (22,330 ) $ 24,938 December 31, 2014 $ (22,705 ) $ 25,456 (1) Discount rate is a present value calculation that considers legal risk, credit risk and liquidity risk and is a component of EDR.

Investment in Life Settlements

Investment in Life Settlements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Investment in Life Settlements	The following tables describe the Company’s investment in life settlements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands, except number of Life Settlement Contracts) Expected Maturity Term in Years Number of Life Settlement Contracts Fair Value (1) Face Value As of September 30, 2015 0-1 — $ — $ — 1-2 — — — 2-3 8 40,905 70,500 3-4 9 22,369 56,500 4-5 10 26,457 73,000 Thereafter 229 181,518 1,430,313 Total 256 $ 271,249 $ 1,630,313 (Amounts in Thousands, except number of Life Settlement Contracts) Expected Maturity Term in Years Number of Life Settlement Contracts Fair Value (1) Face Value As of December 31, 2014 0-1 — $ — $ — 1-2 — — — 2-3 8 43,593 70,500 3-4 5 10,081 22,500 4-5 7 14,335 49,000 Thereafter 254 196,508 1,596,209 Total 274 $ 264,517 $ 1,738,209 (1) The Company determined the fair value as of September 30, 2015 based on 212 policies out of 256 policies, as the Company assigned no value to 44 of the policies as of September 30, 2015 . The Company determined the fair value as of December 31, 2014 based on 218 policies out of 274 policies, as the Company assigned no value to 56 of the policies as of December 31, 2014 . The Company estimated the fair value of a life insurance policy using a cash flow model with an appropriate discount rate. In some cases, the cash flow model calculates the value of an individual policy to be negative, and therefore the fair value of the policy is zero as no liability exists when a negative value is calculated. The Company is not contractually bound to pay the premium on its life settlement contracts and, therefore, would not pay a willing buyer to assume title of these contracts. Additionally, certain of the Company's acquired policies were structured to have low premium payments at inception of the policy term, which later escalate greatly towards the tail end of the policy term. At the current time, the Company expenses all premium paid, even on policies with zero fair value. Once the premium payments escalate, the Company may allow the policies to lapse. In the event that death benefits are realized in the time frame between initial acquisition and premium escalation, it is a benefit to cash flow. For these contracts where the Company determined the fair value to be negative and therefore assigned a fair value of zero, the table below details the amount of premiums paid and the death benefits received during the twelve months preceding September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands, except number of Life Settlement Contracts) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Number of policies with a negative value from discounted cash flow model as of period end 44 56 Premiums paid for the preceding twelve month period for period ended $ 5,439 $ 5,963 Death benefit received $ — $ 4,950
Premiums to be Paid for Each of Five Succeeding Fiscal Years to keep Life Insurance Policies in Force	Premiums to be paid by the LSC Entities for each of the five succeeding fiscal years to keep the life insurance policies in force as of September 30, 2015 , are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) Premiums Due on Life Settlement Contracts 2015 $ 45,181 2016 60,707 2017 40,446 2018 40,079 2019 37,652 Thereafter 514,923 Total $ 738,988

Deferred Policy Acquisitions 29

Deferred Policy Acquisitions Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	The following table reflects the amounts of policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized for the the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Balance, beginning of period $ 695,150 $ 609,743 $ 628,383 $ 468,404 Acquisition costs deferred 190,632 165,892 582,091 536,895 Amortization (171,556 ) (143,951 ) (496,248 ) (373,615 ) Balance, end of period $ 714,226 $ 631,684 $ 714,226 $ 631,684

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Borrowings	The Company’s outstanding debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Revolving credit facility $ 130,000 $ 120,000 5.5% Convertible senior notes due 2021 (the "2021 Notes") 5,163 56,745 6.125% Senior notes due 2023 (the "2023 Notes") 250,000 250,000 Junior subordinated debentures due 2035 through 2037 (the "2035-2037 Notes") 123,714 123,714 2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044 (the "2044 Notes") 161,706 157,679 7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the "7.25% 2055 Notes") 150,000 — 7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the "7.50% 2055 Notes") 135,000 — Secured loan agreements 40,251 35,233 Promissory notes 14,500 14,500 $ 1,010,334 $ 757,871
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities	Additionally, the Company utilizes various letters of credit in its operations. The following is a summary of the Company's letters of credit as of September 30, 2015 : (Amounts in Thousands) Letters of Credit Limit Letters of Credit Outstanding Letters of Credit Available Revolving credit facility $ 175,000 $ 118,014 $ 56,986 Funds at Lloyd's facility, in USD equivalent 355,485 355,485 — Comerica bank letters of credit 75,000 48,467 26,533 Other letters of credit, in aggregate 255 255 —
Aggregate Scheduled Maturities of Borrowings	Aggregate scheduled maturities of the Company’s outstanding debt at September 30, 2015 are: (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 $ 131,768 (1) 2016 7,186 2017 7,423 2018 9,590 2019 4,467 Thereafter 849,900 (2) (1) Amount includes debt outstanding under revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2015. (2) Amount includes debt outstanding under the 2021 Notes and 2044 Notes, which is net of unamortized original issue discount of $878 and $50,887 , respectively.
Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure	Interest expense, including amortization of original issue discount and deferred origination costs, as well as applicable bank fees, related to the Company's outstanding debt and letters of credit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revolving credit facility $ 1,092 $ 356 $ 2,636 $ 1,107 Funds at Lloyd's facility 639 754 2,320 2,067 2021 Notes 117 3,709 711 11,031 2023 Notes 3,896 3,896 11,690 11,690 2035-2037 Notes 1,442 2,028 5,157 6,076 2044 Notes 3,065 — 9,096 — 7.25% 2055 Notes 2,750 — 3,118 — 7.50% 2055 Notes 408 — 408 — Secured loan agreements 212 138 671 309 Promissory notes 157 264 467 524 Other, including interest income (916 ) 656 (3,511 ) 3,081 $ 12,862 $ 11,801 $ 32,763 $ 35,885

Acquisition Costs and Other U31

Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses [Abstract]
Business Acquisitions Components Of Acquisition Related Costs	The following table summarizes the components of acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Policy acquisition expenses $ 131,083 $ 122,331 $ 336,977 $ 332,219 Salaries and benefits 112,769 92,621 355,927 262,150 Other insurance general and administrative expenses 14,164 10,560 35,498 25,812 $ 258,016 $ 225,512 $ 728,402 $ 620,181

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Summary of Elements Used in Calculating Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands, except for earnings per share) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Basic earnings per share: Net income attributable to AmTrust common shareholders $ 182,708 $ 156,590 $ 408,152 $ 362,715 Less: Net income allocated to participating securities and redeemable non-controlling interest 469 545 1,072 1,174 Net income allocated to AmTrust common shareholders $ 182,239 $ 156,045 $ 407,080 $ 361,541 Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic 82,804 74,809 82,235 74,934 Less: Weighted average participating shares outstanding 213 261 216 243 Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 82,591 74,548 82,019 74,691 Net income per AmTrust common share - basic $ 2.21 $ 2.09 $ 4.96 $ 4.84 Diluted earnings per share: Net income attributable to AmTrust common shareholders $ 182,708 $ 156,590 $ 408,152 $ 362,715 Less: Net income allocated to participating securities and redeemable non-controlling interest 469 545 1,072 1,174 Net income allocated to AmTrust common shareholders $ 182,239 $ 156,045 $ 407,080 $ 361,541 Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic 82,591 74,548 82,019 74,691 Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options, convertible debt, other 1,545 4,841 1,727 4,394 Weighted average common shares outstanding – dilutive 84,136 79,389 83,746 79,085 Net income per AmTrust common shares – diluted $ 2.17 $ 1.97 $ 4.86 $ 4.57

Share Based Compensation (Table

Share Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Option Granted, Exercised and Expired	The following schedule shows all options granted, exercised, and expired under the Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : 2015 2014 Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Outstanding at beginning of period 1,934,370 $ 11.60 2,997,460 $ 10.49 Granted 42,500 54.17 27,500 32.49 Exercised (509,475 ) 9.30 (765,603 ) 8.81 Canceled or terminated (37,574 ) 18.34 (8,470 ) 7.03 Outstanding at end of period 1,429,821 13.50 2,250,887 11.35
Summary of Restricted Stock and RSU Activity	A summary of the Company’s restricted stock and RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is shown below: 2015 2014 Shares or Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Shares or Units Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at beginning of period 1,305,511 $ 33.41 917,015 $ 24.43 Granted 232,700 58.37 883,323 38.94 Vested (419,459 ) 29.06 (321,353 ) 22.57 Forfeited (16,824 ) 41.90 (6,123 ) 23.20 Non-vested at end of period 1,101,928 40.21 1,472,862 33.54
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The per share fair value of options was estimated at the date of grant based on the following weighted average assumptions for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014: 2015 2014 Volatility 40.95 % 41.89 % Risk-free interest rate 1.95 % 2.73 % Weighted average expected lives in years 6.25 6.25 Dividend rate 1.85 % 1.72 % Forfeiture rate 0.50 % 0.50 %

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Statutory Income Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rate	The following table is a reconciliation of the Company’s statutory income tax expense to its effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries $ 166,882 $ 145,160 $ 453,476 $ 373,972 Tax at federal statutory rate of 35% $ 58,409 $ 50,806 $ 158,717 $ 130,890 Tax effects resulting from: Loss of non-includible foreign subsidiaries 10,816 (30,604 ) (6,797 ) (93,737 ) Other, net (81,874 ) (27,866 ) (113,285 ) 593 $ (12,649 ) $ (7,664 ) $ 38,635 $ 37,746 Effective tax rate (7.6 )% (5.3 )% 8.5 % 10.1 %

Related Party Transactions (Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Results of Operations Related to Reinsurance Agreements	The following is the effect on the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 related to Maiden Reinsurance agreements: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, (Amounts in Thousands) 2015 2014 2015 2014 Results of operations: Premium written – ceded $ (453,981 ) $ (385,452 ) $ (1,504,701 ) $ (1,157,716 ) Change in unearned premium – ceded (13,522 ) 25,474 204,170 169,632 Earned premium - ceded $ (467,503 ) $ (359,978 ) $ (1,300,531 ) $ (988,084 ) Ceding commission on premium written $ 144,625 $ 131,893 $ 473,480 $ 361,202 Ceding commission – deferred (6,589 ) (22,353 ) (87,535 ) (72,311 ) Ceding commission – earned $ 138,036 $ 109,540 $ 385,945 $ 288,891 Incurred loss and loss adjustment expense – ceded $ 346,123 $ 229,045 $ 932,053 $ 666,026

Significant Acquisitions (Table

Significant Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Warranty Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Preliminary Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	A summary of the preliminary assets acquired and liabilities assumed for Warranty Solutions are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) Assets Cash and investments $ 188,545 Prepaid reinsurance premium 77,777 Other assets 50,399 Deferred tax asset 24,460 Goodwill and Intangible assets 80,293 Total assets $ 421,474 Liabilities Loss and loss expense reserves $ 3,013 Unearned premiums 175,549 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 85,071 Total liabilities $ 263,633 Acquisition price $ 157,841
Oryx Insurance Brokerage Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Preliminary Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	A summary of the preliminary assets acquired and liabilities assumed for Oryx are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) Assets Cash and investments $ 4,669 Premium receivables 3,438 Other assets 1,717 Goodwill 41,975 Total assets $ 51,799 Liabilities Loss and loss expense reserves $ 1,405 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 7,394 Total liabilities $ 8,799 Acquisition price $ 43,000
TMI Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Preliminary Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	A summary of the preliminary assets acquired and liabilities assumed for TMIS are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) Assets Cash and investments $ 749 Other assets 1,354 Property and equipment 53 Goodwill and intangible assets 70,791 Total assets $ 72,947 Liabilities Accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 69 Deferred tax liability 11,375 Total liabilities $ 11,444 Acquisition price $ 61,503
CorePointe Insurance Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Preliminary Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	A summary of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for CorePointe are as follows: (Amounts in Thousands) Assets Cash and investments $ 123,338 Premium receivables 20,441 Reinsurance recoverable 1,635 Other assets 1,703 Deferred tax asset 4,303 Property and equipment 226 Intangible assets 2,710 Total assets $ 154,356 Liabilities Loss and loss expense reserves $ 46,539 Unearned premiums 24,230 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 7,781 Deferred tax liability 1,206 Total liabilities $ 79,756 Acquisition price $ 68,774 Acquisition gain $ 5,826

Shareholder Equity and Accumu37

Shareholder Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Ownership Components of Total Equity	The following table summarizes the ownership components of total stockholders' equity: 2015 2014 (Amounts in Thousands) AmTrust Non-Controlling Interest Total AmTrust Non-Controlling Interest Total Balance, December 31, $ 2,037,020 $ 159,181 $ 2,196,201 $ 1,441,005 $ 137,860 $ 1,578,865 Net income (loss) 430,949 5,978 436,927 370,102 (7,029 ) 363,073 Unrealized holding (loss) gain (68,968 ) — (68,968 ) 85,726 — 85,726 Reclassification adjustment 634 — 634 (3,370 ) — (3,370 ) Foreign currency translation (49,204 ) 6 (49,198 ) (5,289 ) (271 ) (5,560 ) Unrealized gain on interest rate swap 297 — 297 581 — 581 Extinguishment of 2021 senior notes, equity component (3,764 ) — (3,764 ) — — Share exercises, compensation and other 16,459 — 16,459 18,892 — 18,892 Common share issuance (purchase), net 171,672 — 171,672 (44,564 ) — (44,564 ) Common share dividends (66,121 ) — (66,121 ) (45,147 ) — (45,147 ) Preferred stock issuance, net of fees 176,529 — 176,529 178,641 — 178,641 Preferred stock dividends (22,797 ) — (22,797 ) (7,387 ) — (7,387 ) Capital contribution, net — 11,609 11,609 — 24,013 24,013 Balance, September 30, $ 2,622,706 $ 176,774 $ 2,799,480 $ 1,989,190 $ 154,573 $ 2,143,763 During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , net income attributable to non-controlling interest was $5,978 and net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest was $962 . Net income for AmTrust, Non-controlling interest and Redeemable non-controlling interest totaled $437,889 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Additionally, the Company made a distribution of $422 for redeemable non-controlling interest during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The following table summarizes the activities and components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss): (Amounts in Thousands) Foreign Currency Items Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments Interest Rate Swap Hedge Net Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations Recognized in Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance, June 30, 2015 $ (66,108 ) $ 21,487 $ (1,131 ) $ (2,793 ) $ (48,545 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification 3,274 (25,611 ) 165 — (22,172 ) Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income — 2,830 — — 2,830 Income tax benefit (expense) (1,146 ) 7,973 (58 ) — 6,769 Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income 2,128 (14,808 ) 107 — (12,573 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (63,980 ) $ 6,679 $ (1,024 ) $ (2,793 ) $ (61,118 ) Balance, June 30, 2014 $ 10,385 $ 78,632 $ (1,751 ) $ (1,738 ) $ 85,528 Other comprehensive income before reclassification (20,142 ) (16,433 ) 534 — (36,041 ) Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income — (2,422 ) — — (2,422 ) Income tax benefit (expense) 7,050 15,556 (187 ) — 22,419 Net current-period other comprehensive income (13,092 ) (3,299 ) 347 — (16,044 ) Balance, September 30, 2014 $ (2,707 ) $ 75,333 $ (1,404 ) $ (1,738 ) $ 69,484
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the activities and components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss): (Amounts in Thousands) Foreign Currency Items Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments Interest Rate Swap Hedge Net Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations Recognized in Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance, June 30, 2015 $ (66,108 ) $ 21,487 $ (1,131 ) $ (2,793 ) $ (48,545 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification 3,274 (25,611 ) 165 — (22,172 ) Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income — 2,830 — — 2,830 Income tax benefit (expense) (1,146 ) 7,973 (58 ) — 6,769 Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income 2,128 (14,808 ) 107 — (12,573 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (63,980 ) $ 6,679 $ (1,024 ) $ (2,793 ) $ (61,118 ) Balance, June 30, 2014 $ 10,385 $ 78,632 $ (1,751 ) $ (1,738 ) $ 85,528 Other comprehensive income before reclassification (20,142 ) (16,433 ) 534 — (36,041 ) Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income — (2,422 ) — — (2,422 ) Income tax benefit (expense) 7,050 15,556 (187 ) — 22,419 Net current-period other comprehensive income (13,092 ) (3,299 ) 347 — (16,044 ) Balance, September 30, 2014 $ (2,707 ) $ 75,333 $ (1,404 ) $ (1,738 ) $ 69,484 (Amounts in Thousands) Foreign Currency Items Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments Interest Rate Swap Hedge Net Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations Recognized in Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Balance, December 31, 2014 $ (14,776 ) $ 75,013 $ (1,321 ) $ (2,793 ) $ 56,123 Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification (75,698 ) (106,105 ) 457 — (181,346 ) Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income — 976 — — 976 Income tax benefit (expense) 26,494 36,795 (160 ) — 63,129 Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income (49,204 ) (68,334 ) 297 — (117,241 ) Balance, September 30, 2015 $ (63,980 ) $ 6,679 $ (1,024 ) $ (2,793 ) $ (61,118 ) Balance, December 31, 2013 $ 2,582 $ (7,023 ) $ (1,985 ) $ (1,738 ) $ (8,164 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassification (8,137 ) 118,107 894 — 110,864 Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive income — (5,185 ) — — (5,185 ) Income tax benefit (expense) 2,848 (30,566 ) (313 ) (28,031 ) Net current-period other comprehensive income (5,289 ) 82,356 581 — 77,648 Balance, September 30, 2014 $ (2,707 ) $ 75,333 $ (1,404 ) $ (1,738 ) $ 69,484

Segments (Tables)

Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Results of Operations of Business Segments	The following tables summarize the results of operations of the business segments for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2015: Gross written premium $ 797,654 $ 577,284 $ 405,875 $ — $ 1,780,813 Net written premium 459,290 380,600 303,093 — 1,142,983 Change in unearned premium 34,364 (30,218 ) (101,721 ) — (97,575 ) Net earned premium 493,654 350,382 201,372 — 1,045,408 Loss and loss adjustment expense (320,391 ) (253,136 ) (136,077 ) — (709,604 ) Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (130,792 ) (69,876 ) (57,348 ) — (258,016 ) (451,183 ) (323,012 ) (193,425 ) — (967,620 ) Underwriting income 42,471 27,370 7,947 — 77,788 Service and fee income 24,793 79,064 482 21,804 126,143 Investment income and realized gain 24,359 21,312 12,423 13 58,107 Other expenses (53,047 ) (37,471 ) (26,382 ) — (116,900 ) Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt (6,038 ) (4,333 ) (3,048 ) — (13,419 ) Foreign currency gain — 24,721 — — 24,721 Gain on life settlement contracts 1,926 1,584 1,106 — 4,616 Acquisition gain on purchase 5,826 — — — 5,826 Benefit for income taxes 2,880 7,898 245 1,626 12,649 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party — — — 13,477 13,477 Net income $ 43,170 $ 120,145 $ (7,227 ) $ 36,920 $ 193,008 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2014: Gross written premium $ 722,897 $ 436,845 $ 358,739 $ — $ 1,518,481 Net written premium 422,539 331,590 250,067 — 1,004,196 Change in unearned premium (815 ) (3,564 ) (85,551 ) 147 (89,783 ) Net earned premium 421,724 328,026 164,516 147 914,413 Loss and loss adjustment expense (279,056 ) (219,535 ) (110,654 ) (107 ) (609,352 ) Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (111,939 ) (68,612 ) (44,915 ) (46 ) (225,512 ) (390,995 ) (288,147 ) (155,569 ) (153 ) (834,864 ) Underwriting income 30,729 39,879 8,947 (6 ) 79,549 Service and fee income 26,781 75,178 117 15,507 117,583 Investment income and realized gain 16,819 13,770 9,016 33 39,638 Other expenses (49,901 ) (29,992 ) (23,600 ) — (103,493 ) Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt (5,619 ) (3,396 ) (2,786 ) — (11,801 ) Foreign currency gain — 26,594 — — 26,594 Loss on life settlement contracts (1,449 ) (859 ) (602 ) — (2,910 ) Benefit for income taxes 1,709 2,646 689 2,620 7,664 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party — — — 4,332 4,332 Net income $ 19,069 $ 123,820 $ (8,219 ) $ 22,486 $ 157,156 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015: Gross written premium $ 2,574,602 $ 1,528,017 $ 1,087,719 $ — $ 5,190,338 Net written premium 1,499,922 975,073 719,898 — 3,194,893 Change in unearned premium (99,218 ) (11,592 ) (120,328 ) — (231,138 ) Net earned premium 1,400,704 963,481 599,570 — 2,963,755 Loss and loss adjustment expense (909,081 ) (647,121 ) (405,160 ) — (1,961,362 ) Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (365,184 ) (197,450 ) (165,768 ) — (728,402 ) (1,274,265 ) (844,571 ) (570,928 ) — (2,689,764 ) Underwriting income 126,439 118,910 28,642 — 273,991 Service and fee income 76,468 208,596 846 60,856 346,766 Investment income and realized gain 63,209 49,859 28,789 117 141,974 Other expenses (155,502 ) (92,289 ) (65,696 ) — (313,487 ) Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt (18,866 ) (11,197 ) (7,971 ) — (38,034 ) Foreign currency gain — 17,355 — — 17,355 Gain on life settlement contracts 9,466 5,619 4,000 — 19,085 Acquisition gain on purchase 5,826 — — — 5,826 (Provision) benefit for income taxes (8,678 ) (24,068 ) 923 (6,812 ) (38,635 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party — — — 23,048 23,048 Net income $ 98,362 $ 272,785 $ (10,467 ) $ 77,209 $ 437,889 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014: Gross written premium $ 2,366,451 $ 1,387,651 $ 874,215 $ — $ 4,628,317 Net written premium 1,526,347 933,245 598,555 — 3,058,147 Change in unearned premium (337,362 ) (12,096 ) (99,197 ) 8,909 (439,746 ) Net earned premium 1,188,985 921,149 499,358 8,909 2,618,401 Loss and loss adjustment expense (792,224 ) (618,469 ) (338,483 ) (5,979 ) (1,755,155 ) Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses (299,082 ) (185,120 ) (133,355 ) (2,624 ) (620,181 ) (1,091,306 ) (803,589 ) (471,838 ) (8,603 ) (2,375,336 ) Underwriting income 97,679 117,560 27,520 306 243,065 Service and fee income 69,801 193,534 328 44,420 308,083 Investment income and realized gain 45,390 42,604 21,912 198 110,104 Other expenses (142,484 ) (83,551 ) (52,637 ) — (278,672 ) Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt (18,348 ) (10,759 ) (6,778 ) — (35,885 ) Foreign currency gain — 25,826 — — 25,826 Loss on life settlement contracts (2,649 ) (1,553 ) (978 ) — (5,180 ) Gain on sale of a subsidiary 6,631 — — — 6,631 (Provision) benefit for income taxes (5,276 ) (26,713 ) 1,001 (6,758 ) (37,746 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party — — — 26,847 26,847 Net income $ 50,744 $ 256,948 $ (9,632 ) $ 65,013 $ 363,073 The following tables summarize net earned premium by major line of business, by segment, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2015: Workers' compensation $ 328,099 $ — $ 86,454 $ — $ 414,553 Warranty — 143,202 — — 143,202 Other liability 12,081 36,042 58,072 — 106,195 Commercial auto and liability, physical damage 89,078 (413 ) 27,170 — 115,835 Medical malpractice — 52,879 — — 52,879 Other 64,396 118,672 29,676 — 212,744 Total net earned premium $ 493,654 $ 350,382 $ 201,372 $ — $ 1,045,408 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Three Months Ended September 30, 2014: Workers' compensation $ 268,351 $ — $ 70,029 $ — $ 338,380 Warranty — 159,178 51 — 159,229 Other liability 28,330 46,971 40,676 — 115,977 Commercial auto and liability, physical damage 53,581 11,994 29,670 23 95,268 Medical malpractice — 44,385 — — 44,385 Other 71,462 65,498 24,090 124 161,174 Total net earned premium $ 421,724 $ 328,026 $ 164,516 $ 147 $ 914,413 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015: Workers' compensation $ 942,867 $ — $ 250,400 $ — $ 1,193,267 Warranty — 439,049 — — 439,049 Other liability 37,025 101,338 133,925 — 272,288 Commercial auto and liability, physical damage 208,489 11,741 96,868 — 317,098 Medical malpractice — 129,333 — — 129,333 Other 212,323 282,020 118,377 — 612,720 Total net earned premium $ 1,400,704 $ 963,481 $ 599,570 $ — $ 2,963,755 (Amounts in Thousands) Small Commercial Business Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty Specialty Program Corporate and Other Total Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014: Workers' compensation $ 770,578 $ — $ 184,650 $ — $ 955,228 Warranty — 421,680 224 — 421,904 Other liability 56,837 147,444 144,621 — 348,902 Commercial auto and liability, physical damage 123,739 26,721 84,359 1,564 236,383 Medical malpractice — 135,982 — — 135,982 Other 237,831 189,322 85,504 7,345 520,002 Total net earned premium $ 1,188,985 $ 921,149 $ 499,358 $ 8,909 $ 2,618,401
Long Lived Assets and Total Assets of Business Segments	The following table summarizes total assets of the business segments as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : (Amounts in Thousands) September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Small Commercial Business $ 7,663,693 $ 6,142,645 Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty 6,222,438 5,441,378 Specialty Program 3,052,297 2,248,901 Corporate and Other 5,508 14,444 $ 16,943,936 $ 13,847,368

Investments - Amortized Cost, E

Investments - Amortized Cost, Estimated Market Value and Gross Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	$ 5,223,494	$ 4,221,221
Gross unrealized gains	124,498	155,441
Gross unrealized losses	(116,066)	(42,344)
Fair Value	5,231,926	4,334,318
Preferred stock
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	4,869	3,349
Gross unrealized gains	124	158
Gross unrealized losses	(38)	(1)
Fair Value	4,955	3,506
Common stock
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	106,121	80,726
Gross unrealized gains	2,662	4,673
Gross unrealized losses	(7,620)	(7,861)
Fair Value	101,163	77,538
U.S. treasury securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	56,714	42,416
Gross unrealized gains	1,878	1,558
Gross unrealized losses	(35)	(104)
Fair Value	58,557	43,870
U.S. government agencies
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	36,014	12,968
Gross unrealized gains	387	575
Gross unrealized losses	(84)	(5)
Fair Value	36,317	13,538
Municipal bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	533,385	469,646
Gross unrealized gains	14,399	13,950
Gross unrealized losses	(2,837)	(1,555)
Fair Value	544,947	482,041
Foreign government
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	105,209	106,054
Gross unrealized gains	5,571	6,760
Gross unrealized losses	(637)	(83)
Fair Value	110,143	112,731
Finance | Corporate bonds:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	1,277,615	1,167,011
Gross unrealized gains	42,064	60,322
Gross unrealized losses	(28,485)	(5,471)
Fair Value	1,291,194	1,221,862
Industrial | Corporate bonds:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	1,571,174	1,187,818
Gross unrealized gains	25,514	38,317
Gross unrealized losses	(62,229)	(23,275)
Fair Value	1,534,459	1,202,860
Utilities | Corporate bonds:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	143,081	137,169
Gross unrealized gains	2,456	3,200
Gross unrealized losses	(6,830)	(1,677)
Fair Value	138,707	138,692
Commercial mortgage backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	146,329	36,964
Gross unrealized gains	3,838	1,890
Gross unrealized losses	(673)	(169)
Fair Value	149,494	38,685
Agency backed
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	929,389	954,320
Gross unrealized gains	24,312	23,340
Gross unrealized losses	(1,702)	(1,878)
Fair Value	951,999	975,782
Non-agency backed
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	112,954	22,071
Gross unrealized gains	1,037	696
Gross unrealized losses	(1,374)	(264)
Fair Value	112,617	22,503
Collateralized loan / debt obligations
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	177,144
Gross unrealized gains	50
Gross unrealized losses	(3,487)
Fair Value	173,707
Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost or amortized cost	23,496	709
Gross unrealized gains	206	2
Gross unrealized losses	(35)	(1)
Fair Value	$ 23,667	$ 710

Investments - Summary of Availa

Investments - Summary of Available for Sale Fixed Securities by Contractual Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	$ 5,112,504	$ 4,137,146
Total fixed maturities	5,125,808	4,253,274
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Due in one year or less	103,977	106,041
Due after one through five years	820,364	682,632
Due after five through ten years	2,453,188	1,998,740
Due after ten years	345,664	335,669
Mortgage and asset backed securities	1,389,311	1,014,064
Total fixed maturities	5,112,504	4,137,146
Due in one year or less	104,473	105,839
Due after one through five years	829,386	704,344
Due after five through ten years	2,431,882	2,062,942
Due after ten years	348,582	342,468
Mortgage and asset backed securities	1,411,485	1,037,681
Total fixed maturities	$ 5,125,808	$ 4,253,274

Investments (OTTI) (Details)

Investments (OTTI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	$ 7,636	$ 464	$ 10,118	$ 4,003
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	7,552	464	8,842	1,712
Equity securities, available-for-sale
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	$ 84	$ 0	$ 1,276	$ 2,291

Investments - Summary of Gross

Investments - Summary of Gross Unrealized Losses of Fixed-maturities and Equity Securities (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Contract	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)Contract
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	$ 1,821,699	$ 562,070
Unrealized Losses	$ (100,149)	$ (30,525)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	1,287	474
Fair Market Value	$ 194,428	$ 309,215
Unrealized Losses	$ (15,917)	$ (11,819)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	166	227
Fair Market Value	$ 2,016,127	$ 871,285
Unrealized Losses	(116,066)	(42,344)
Common and preferred stock
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	69,168	38,970
Unrealized Losses	$ (7,658)	$ (7,764)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	81	21
Fair Market Value	$ 0	$ 400
Unrealized Losses	$ 0	$ (98)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	0	2
Fair Market Value	$ 69,168	$ 39,370
Unrealized Losses	(7,658)	(7,862)
U.S. treasury securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	6,782	1,030
Unrealized Losses	$ (25)	$ (54)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	24	7
Fair Market Value	$ 3,254	$ 3,219
Unrealized Losses	$ (10)	$ (50)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	9	9
Fair Market Value	$ 10,036	$ 4,249
Unrealized Losses	(35)	(104)
U.S. government agencies
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	4,675	1,736
Unrealized Losses	$ (83)	$ (3)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	2	3
Fair Market Value	$ 185	$ 222
Unrealized Losses	$ (1)	$ (2)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	2	4
Fair Market Value	$ 4,860	$ 1,958
Unrealized Losses	(84)	(5)
Municipal bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	122,756	24,695
Unrealized Losses	$ (2,218)	$ (240)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	113	64
Fair Market Value	$ 18,579	$ 93,201
Unrealized Losses	$ (619)	$ (1,315)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	34	98
Fair Market Value	$ 141,335	$ 117,896
Unrealized Losses	(2,837)	(1,555)
Foreign government
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	13,522	7,644
Unrealized Losses	$ (612)	$ (83)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	20	4
Fair Market Value	$ 6,246	$ 0
Unrealized Losses	$ (25)	$ 0
No. of Positions Held | Contract	1	0
Fair Market Value	$ 19,768	$ 7,644
Unrealized Losses	(637)	(83)
Finance | Corporate bonds:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	547,924	192,520
Unrealized Losses	$ (27,553)	$ (4,297)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	269	143
Fair Market Value	$ 49,527	$ 66,715
Unrealized Losses	$ (932)	$ (1,174)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	20	27
Fair Market Value	$ 597,451	$ 259,235
Unrealized Losses	(28,485)	(5,471)
Industrial | Corporate bonds:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	690,152	236,845
Unrealized Losses	$ (51,144)	$ (17,230)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	443	194
Fair Market Value	$ 80,010	$ 60,511
Unrealized Losses	$ (11,085)	$ (6,045)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	60	43
Fair Market Value	$ 770,162	$ 297,356
Unrealized Losses	(62,229)	(23,275)
Utilities | Corporate bonds:
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	57,481	12,188
Unrealized Losses	$ (4,169)	$ (490)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	79	22
Fair Market Value	$ 6,000	$ 13,908
Unrealized Losses	$ (2,661)	$ (1,187)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	2	3
Fair Market Value	$ 63,481	$ 26,096
Unrealized Losses	(6,830)	(1,677)
Commercial mortgage backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	25,593	15
Unrealized Losses	$ (593)	$ 0
No. of Positions Held | Contract	82	2
Fair Market Value	$ 3,172	$ 4,729
Unrealized Losses	$ (80)	$ (169)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	6	8
Fair Market Value	$ 28,765	$ 4,744
Unrealized Losses	(673)	(169)
Agency backed
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	67,582	41,187
Unrealized Losses	$ (1,249)	$ (101)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	73	10
Fair Market Value	$ 23,118	$ 66,172
Unrealized Losses	$ (453)	$ (1,777)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	28	29
Fair Market Value	$ 90,700	$ 107,359
Unrealized Losses	(1,702)	(1,878)
Non-agency backed
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	58,051	5,092
Unrealized Losses	$ (1,323)	$ (263)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	21	3
Fair Market Value	$ 4,337	$ 28
Unrealized Losses	$ (51)	$ (1)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	4	2
Fair Market Value	$ 62,388	$ 5,120
Unrealized Losses	(1,374)	(264)
Collateralized loan / debt obligations
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	148,697
Unrealized Losses	$ (3,487)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	56
Fair Market Value	$ 0
Unrealized Losses	$ 0
No. of Positions Held | Contract	0
Fair Market Value	$ 148,697
Unrealized Losses	(3,487)
Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Market Value	9,316	148
Unrealized Losses	$ (35)	$ 0
No. of Positions Held | Contract	24	1
Fair Market Value	$ 0	$ 110
Unrealized Losses	$ 0	$ (1)
No. of Positions Held | Contract	0	2
Fair Market Value	$ 9,316	$ 258
Unrealized Losses	$ (35)	$ (1)

Investments (Trading Securities

Investments (Trading Securities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading securities, cost basis	$ 20,745		$ 20,745		$ 25,407
Market value	19,860		19,860		26,749
Proceeds from sale of trading securities	53,398	$ 9,520	161,723	$ 9,520
Common stock
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading securities, cost basis	20,745		20,745		25,407
Gross unrealized gains	405		405		1,614
Gross unrealized losses	(1,290)		(1,290)		(272)
Market value	$ 19,860		$ 19,860		$ 26,749

Investments - Net Investment In

Investments - Net Investment Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income	$ 40,839	$ 35,292	$ 112,489	$ 97,757
Investment expenses	(414)	(740)	(1,208)	(2,084)
Net investment income	40,425	34,552	111,281	95,673
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income	39,452	34,112	107,404	92,852
Equity securities, available-for-sale
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income	1,183	249	2,253	550
Equity securities, trading
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income	(640)	77	(600)	77
Cash and short term investments
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income	$ 844	$ 854	$ 3,432	$ 4,278

Investments - Notional Amounts

Investments - Notional Amounts of Interest Rate Swaps by Remaining Maturity (Details) - Interest rate swaps $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
One Year	$ 30,000
Two Through Five Years	40,000
Six Through Ten Years	0
After Ten years	0
Total	$ 70,000

Investments - Fair Values of Re

Investments - Fair Values of Restricted Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 257,050	$ 186,225
Restricted investments	1,344,393	734,271
Total restricted cash and investments	$ 1,601,443	$ 920,496

Investments - Additional Inform

Investments - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)InvestmentDerivative	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)InvestmentDerivative	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)InvestmentDerivative
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of trading securities	$ 53,398,000	$ 9,520,000	$ 161,723,000	$ 9,520,000
Proceeds from the sale of investments in available-for-sale securities	$ 417,517,000	845,278,000	$ 990,087,000	1,568,125,000
Number of securities account for gross unrealized loss | Investment	1,453		1,453		701
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Other, Percentage of Cost in Excess of Market Capitalization	35.00%		35.00%
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Other, Percentage of Loss to Amortized Cost	25.00%		25.00%
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Other, Market Capitalization Benchmark	$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Other, Period of Market Capitalization			24 months
Number of interest rate swaps | Derivative	2		2		2
Interest rate swaps liability	$ 1,576,000		$ 1,576,000		$ 2,033,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss			(15,917,000)
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss, Greater or Equal to Twenty Percent of Amortized Costs			$ (7,484,000)
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Other, Percentage of Amortized Cost and Costs	20.00%		20.00%
Equity securities, available-for-sale
Investment [Line Items]
Securities sold but not yet purchased, at fair value	$ 88,627,000		$ 88,627,000		$ 13,052,000
Equity securities, available-for-sale | Equity securities, trading
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	12,362,000	4,638,000	19,568,000	6,942,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	$ 3,108,000	$ 2,472,000	$ 8,077,000	$ 5,126,000

Fair Value of Financial Instr48

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Financial Liabilities on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	$ 5,580,904	$ 4,702,815
Fair Value of liabilities	106,022	31,619
Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities		13,052
Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market | Fixed maturities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	46,457
Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	42,170
Life settlement contract profit commission
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	15,819	16,534
Derivatives
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	1,576	2,033
U.S. treasury securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	58,557	43,870
U.S. government agencies
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	36,317	13,538
Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	544,947	482,041
Foreign government
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	110,143	112,731
Finance | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	1,291,194	1,221,862
Industrial | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	1,534,459	1,202,860
Utilities | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	138,707	138,692
Commercial mortgage backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	149,494	38,685
Agency backed
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	951,999	975,782
Non-agency backed
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	112,617	22,503
Collateralized loan / debt obligations
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	173,707
Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	23,667	710
Short term investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	36,043	63,916
Other investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	21,826	13,315
Life settlement contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	271,249	264,517
Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	146,321	159,019
Fair Value of liabilities	42,170	13,052
Level 1 | Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities		13,052
Level 1 | Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market | Fixed maturities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	0
Level 1 | Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	42,170
Level 1 | Life settlement contract profit commission
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	0	0
Level 1 | Derivatives
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	0	0
Level 1 | U.S. treasury securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	58,557	43,870
Level 1 | U.S. government agencies
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Foreign government
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Finance | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Industrial | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Utilities | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Commercial mortgage backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Agency backed
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Non-agency backed
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Collateralized loan / debt obligations
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0
Level 1 | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Short term investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	36,043	63,916
Level 1 | Other investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 1 | Life settlement contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	5,025,313	4,231,078
Fair Value of liabilities	48,033	2,033
Level 2 | Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities		0
Level 2 | Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market | Fixed maturities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	46,457
Level 2 | Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	0
Level 2 | Life settlement contract profit commission
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	0	0
Level 2 | Derivatives
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	1,576	2,033
Level 2 | U.S. treasury securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 2 | U.S. government agencies
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	36,317	13,538
Level 2 | Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	544,947	482,041
Level 2 | Foreign government
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	110,143	112,731
Level 2 | Finance | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	1,291,194	1,221,862
Level 2 | Industrial | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	1,534,459	1,202,860
Level 2 | Utilities | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	138,707	138,692
Level 2 | Commercial mortgage backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	149,494	38,685
Level 2 | Agency backed
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	951,999	975,782
Level 2 | Non-agency backed
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	112,617	22,503
Level 2 | Collateralized loan / debt obligations
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	97,701
Level 2 | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	23,667	710
Level 2 | Short term investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 2 | Other investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 2 | Life settlement contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	333,264	312,718
Fair Value of liabilities	15,819	16,534
Level 3 | Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities		0
Level 3 | Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market | Fixed maturities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	0
Level 3 | Equity securities sold but not yet purchased, market | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	0
Level 3 | Life settlement contract profit commission
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	15,819	16,534
Level 3 | Derivatives
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair Value of liabilities	0	0
Level 3 | U.S. treasury securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | U.S. government agencies
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Municipal bonds
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Foreign government
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Finance | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Industrial | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Utilities | Corporate bonds:
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Commercial mortgage backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Agency backed
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Non-agency backed
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Collateralized loan / debt obligations
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0
Level 3 | Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Short term investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Level 3 | Other investments
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	21,826	13,315
Level 3 | Life settlement contracts
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	271,249	264,517
Available-for-sale | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	106,118	81,044
Available-for-sale | Level 1 | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	31,861	24,484
Available-for-sale | Level 2 | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	34,068	21,674
Available-for-sale | Level 3 | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	40,189	34,886
Trading | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	19,860	26,749
Trading | Level 1 | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	19,860	26,749
Trading | Level 2 | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	0	0
Trading | Level 3 | Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value of Financial Instr49

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Assets And Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 305,390	$ 277,765	$ 296,184	$ 246,828
Net income	14,257	8,273	53,101	32,874
Other comprehensive income	(5,297)	0	95	0
Purchases and issuances	160	2,828	1,527	31,564
Sales and settlements	(10,065)	(481)	(46,462)	(22,881)
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	13,000	0	13,000	0
Ending Balance	317,445	288,385	317,445	288,385
Other investments
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	14,759	14,095	13,315	25,749
Net income	(793)	0	(379)	2,402
Other comprehensive income	(5,300)	0	(5,300)	0
Purchases and issuances	160	2,828	1,527	6,145
Sales and settlements	0	(481)	(337)	(17,854)
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	13,000	0	13,000	0
Ending Balance	21,826	16,442	21,826	16,442
Equity securities, available-for-sale
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	40,232		34,886
Net income	0		0
Other comprehensive income	3		5,395
Purchases and issuances	0		0
Sales and settlements	(46)		(92)
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	0		0
Ending Balance	40,189		40,189
Life settlement contracts
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	267,393	276,199	264,517	233,024
Net income	13,875	7,001	52,765	29,784
Other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Purchases and issuances	0	0	0	25,419
Sales and settlements	(10,019)	0	(46,033)	(5,027)
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	271,249	283,200	271,249	283,200
Life settlement contract profit commission
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(16,994)	(12,529)	(16,534)	(11,945)
Net income	1,175	1,272	715	688
Other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Purchases and issuances	0	0	0	0
Sales and settlements	0	0	0	0
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	$ (15,819)	$ (11,257)	$ (15,819)	$ (11,257)

Fair Value of Financial Instr50

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Net income	$ 14,257	$ 8,273	$ 53,101	$ 32,874
Gain (loss) on investment in life settlement contracts net of profit commission	4,616	(2,910)	19,085	(5,180)
Life settlement contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Net income	13,875	7,001	52,765	29,784
Premiums paid	(11,326)	(10,728)	(33,614)	(33,200)
Other Expenses	892	(455)	(781)	(2,452)
Gain (loss) on investment in life settlement contracts net of profit commission	4,616	(2,910)	19,085	(5,180)
Life settlement contract profit commission
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Net income	$ 1,175	$ 1,272	$ 715	$ 688

Fair Value of Financial Instr51

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Portfolio of Life Insurance Policies (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Life Settlement Contracts, Fair Value Method [Abstract]
Average age of insured	81 years 9 months 6 days	81 years 1 month 6 days
Average life expectancy, months	114 months	121 months
Average face amount per policy	$ 6,588	$ 6,624
Implicit discount rate	13.90%	14.00%

Fair Value of Financial Instr52

Fair Value of Financial Instruments -Fair Value of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
6.125% Senior notes due 2023 (the 2023 Notes)	$ 250,000	$ 250,000
Junior subordinated debentures due 2035 through 2037 (the 2035-2037 Notes)	123,714	123,714
Revolving credit facility	130,000	120,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value
Revolving credit facility	130,000
7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the 7.25% 2055 Notes)	150,000	0
7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055 (the 7.25% 2055 Notes)	135,000	0
2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044 (the 2044 Notes)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044	161,706	$ 157,679
Level 1 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value
7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055	149,760
6.125% Notes due 2023	249,528
Level 1 | 7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value
7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055	135,540
Level 1 | 2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044 (the 2044 Notes) | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value
2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044	228,371
Level 3 | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Fair Value
Junior subordinated debentures	$ 79,400

Fair Value of Financial Instr53

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Increase or (Decrease) in Carrying Value of Investment in Life Insurance Policies (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Life Settlement Contracts, Fair Value Method [Abstract]
Life expectancy Plus 4 Months	$ (35,235)	$ (34,686)
Life expectancy Minus 4 Months	37,787	36,486
Discount Plus 1%	(22,330)	(22,705)
Discount Minus 1%	$ 24,938	$ 25,456

Fair Value of Financial Instr54

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Maximum investment in Limited Partnership and Hedge Funds	1.45233%
Investment discount rate	7.50%
Discount rate	7.50%
Implicit discount rate	13.90%	14.00%
NGHC
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in NGHC	12.00%		13.00%
7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055 | Subordinated Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	7.25%
7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	7.50%
2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044 (the 2044 Notes) | Convertible Notes Payable
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	2.75%
6.125% Notes due 2023 | Promissory Note
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	6.125%
Minimum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Implicit discount rate	12.50%
Maximum
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Implicit discount rate	17.50%
Carrying value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of investment in NGHC	$ 138,867
Fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of investment in NGHC	$ 237,179

Investment in Life Settlement55

Investment in Life Settlements - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Entity	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Entity	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2011
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Profits and losses of investment in life insurance policies and premium finance loans			56.00%
Investments in life settlements and cash value loans	$ 271,249		$ 271,249		$ 264,517
Gain (loss) on investment in life settlement contracts net of profit commission	$ 4,616	$ (2,910)	$ 19,085	$ (5,180)
NGHC
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest	12.00%		12.00%			12.00%
LSC Entities
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest	50.00%		50.00%
Number of entities with ownership interest | Entity	4		4
Life settlement contracts
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Capital contributions	$ 0	1,130	$ 11,577	33,353
Life settlement contracts | AmTrust
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Capital contributions	$ 0	$ 565	$ 5,789	$ 16,489
NGHC | LSC Entities
Schedule of Cost-method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest	50.00%		50.00%

Investment in Life Settlement56

Investment in Life Settlements (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Contract	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014Contract	Dec. 31, 2014policy
Number of Life Settlement Contracts
0-1 | Contract	0		0
1-2 | Contract	0		0
2-3 | Contract	8		8
3-4 | Contract	9		5
4-5 | Contract	10		7
Thereafter | Contract	229		254
Total	256		274	274
Fair Value
0-1	$ 0	$ 0
1-2	0	0
2-3	40,905	43,593
3-4	22,369	10,081
4-5	26,457	14,335
Thereafter	181,518	196,508
Total	271,249	264,517
Face Value
0-1	0	0
1-2	0	0
2-3	70,500	70,500
3-4	56,500	22,500
4-5	73,000	49,000
Thereafter	1,430,313	1,596,209
Total	$ 1,630,313	$ 1,738,209

Investment in Life Settlement57

Investment in Life Settlements - Additional Information (Footnotes) (Detail) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)Contract	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015policy	Dec. 31, 2014Contract	Dec. 31, 2014policy
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Life settlement contracts, number of contracts with fair value	212				218
Total number of Life Settlement Contracts	256			274	274
Number of policies with a negative value from discounted cash flow model as of period end	44		44		56
Premiums paid for the preceding twelve month period for period ended	$ 5,439	$ 5,963
Death benefit received	$ 0	$ 4,950

Investment in Life Settlement58

Investment in Life Settlements - Premiums to be Paid (Detail) - Premiums Due On Life Settlement Contracts $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Life Insurance Premiums and Related Investment Income [Line Items]
2,015	$ 45,181
2,016	60,707
2,017	40,446
2,018	40,079
2,019	37,652
Thereafter	514,923
Total	$ 738,988

Deferred Policy Acquisitions 59

Deferred Policy Acquisitions Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 695,150	$ 609,743	$ 628,383	$ 468,404
Acquisition costs deferred	190,632	165,892	582,091	536,895
Amortization	(171,556)	(143,951)	(496,248)	(373,615)
Ending balance	$ 714,226	$ 631,684	$ 714,226	$ 631,684

Debt - Borrowings (Detail)

Debt - Borrowings (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 130,000	$ 120,000
6.125% Senior notes due 2023 (the 2023 Notes)	250,000	250,000
Junior subordinated debentures due 2035 through 2037 (the 2035-2037 Notes)	123,714	123,714
Secured loan agreements	40,251	35,233
Promissory notes	14,500	14,500
Total debt	1,010,334	757,871
5.5% Convertible senior notes due 2021 (the 2021 Notes)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible senior notes	5,163	56,745
2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044 (the 2044 Notes)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible senior notes	161,706	157,679
7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subordinate Notes due 2055	150,000	0
7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subordinate Notes due 2055	$ 135,000	$ 0

Debt - Aggregate Scheduled Matu

Debt - Aggregate Scheduled Maturities of Borrowings (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2,015	$ 131,768
2,016	7,186
2,017	7,423
2,018	9,590
2,019	4,467
Thereafter	$ 849,900

Debt - Aggregate Scheduled Ma62

Debt - Aggregate Scheduled Maturities of Borrowings (Footnotes) (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Convertible Notes Payable | 5.5% Convertible senior notes due 2021 (the 2021 Notes)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized OID	$ 878
Senior Notes | 2.75% Convertible senior notes due 2044 (the 2044 Notes)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized OID	$ 50,887

Debt - Credit Facilities (Detai

Debt - Credit Facilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015GBP (£)	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015GBP (£)
Comerica Bank | Letter of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 75,000
Letters of credit, outstanding amount	48,467
Credit agreement, remaining borrowing capacity	26,533
Line of Credit | Revolving credit facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	175,000
Letters of credit, outstanding amount	118,014
Credit agreement, remaining borrowing capacity	56,986
Line of Credit | Other Letters of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	255
Letters of credit, outstanding amount	255
Credit agreement, remaining borrowing capacity	0
Line of Credit | Lloyds | Letter of Credit
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	355,485	£ 235,000,000	$ 75,635	£ 50,000,000
Letters of credit, outstanding amount	355,485
Credit agreement, remaining borrowing capacity	$ 0

Debt - Interest Expense (Detail

Debt - Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	$ 12,862	$ 11,801	$ 32,763	$ 35,885
Convertible Notes Payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	3,065	0	9,096	0
Convertible Notes Payable | 5.5% Convertible senior notes due 2021 (the 2021 Notes)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	117	3,709	711	11,031
Senior Notes | 6.125% Notes due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	3,896	3,896	11,690	11,690
Convertible Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	1,442	2,028	5,157	6,076
Subordinated Debt | 7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	2,750	0	3,118	0
Subordinated Debt | 7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	408	0	408	0
Secured loan agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	212	138	671	309
Promissory notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	157	264	467	524
Other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	(916)	656	(3,511)	3,081
Revolving credit facility | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	1,092	356	2,636	1,107
Lloyds | Letter of Credit | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense (net of interest income)	$ 639	$ 754	$ 2,320	$ 2,067

Debt - 2055 Notes (Details)

Debt - 2055 Notes (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized loan commitment and origination fees and unamortized discounts or premiums	$ 4,990,000
7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subordinate Notes due 2055	$ 150,000,000	$ 0
7.50% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	7.50%
Subordinate Notes due 2055	$ 135,000,000	$ 0
Subordinated Debt | 7.25% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 150,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	7.25%
Redemption price, percentage of principal amount redeemed	100.00%

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		8 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 14, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)dayshares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015GBP (£)	Jul. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2015GBP (£)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion rate for conversion of convertible senior notes | shares		200,328			1,270,539
Loss on extinguishment of debt		$ (557,000)	$ 0		$ (5,271,000)	$ 0
Secured loan agreements
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of the debt instrument	7 years
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 10,250,000	$ 10,250,000			$ 10,250,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	3.75%	3.75%			3.75%		3.75%
Convertible Debt | 2021 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage				130.00%
Debt instrument, convertible, threshold trading days | day					20
Threshold consecutive trading days				30 days
Debt conversion, original debt, amount		$ 8,470,000			$ 62,078,000
Debt outstanding	$ 6,041,000	6,041,000			6,041,000
Letter of Credit | Lloyds | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 355,485,000	355,485,000			355,485,000		£ 235,000,000	$ 75,635,000	£ 50,000,000
5.5% Convertible senior notes due 2021 (the 2021 Notes) | Convertible Notes Payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(557,000)			(5,271,000)
Sales Price Condition for Cash | Convertible Debt | 2021 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt conversion, original debt, amount		$ 8,470,000			$ 62,079,000

Acquisition Costs and Other U67

Acquisition Costs and Other Underwriting Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure Summary Of Components Of Acquisition Costs And Other Underwriting Expenses [Abstract]
Policy acquisition expenses	$ 131,083	$ 122,331	$ 336,977	$ 332,219
Salaries and benefits	112,769	92,621	355,927	262,150
Other insurance general and administrative expenses	14,164	10,560	35,498	25,812
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	$ 258,016	$ 225,512	$ 728,402	$ 620,181

Earnings Per Share - Summary of

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Elements Used in Calculating Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to AmTrust common stockholders	$ 182,708	$ 156,590	$ 408,152	$ 362,715
Less: Net income allocated to participating securities and redeemable non-controlling interest	469	545	1,072	1,174
Net income allocated to AmTrust common shareholders	$ 182,239	$ 156,045	$ 407,080	$ 361,541
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	82,804	74,809	82,235	74,934
Less: Weighted average participating shares outstanding (in shares)	213	261	216	243
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	82,591	74,548	82,019	74,691
Net income per AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. common share - basic (usd per share)	$ 2.21	$ 2.09	$ 4.96	$ 4.84
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income allocated to AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. common shareholders	$ 182,708	$ 156,590	$ 408,152	$ 362,715
Less: Net income allocated to participating securities and redeemable non-controlling interest	469	545	1,072	1,174
Net income allocated to AmTrust common shareholders	$ 182,239	$ 156,045	$ 407,080	$ 361,541
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	82,591	74,548	82,019	74,691
Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options, convertible debt, other (in shares)	1,545	4,841	1,727	4,394
Weighted average common shares outstanding - dilutive (in shares)	84,136	79,389	83,746	79,085
Net income per AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. common shares - diluted (usd per share)	$ 2.17	$ 1.97	$ 4.86	$ 4.57

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from diluted earnings per share	16	5	16	5

Share Based Compensation - Addi

Share Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options, expiration term			10 years
Share based award, vesting period			4 years
Exercise period of vested option after employment relationship end			3 months
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted			$ 21.87	$ 14.16
Stock based compensation	$ 6,242	$ 5,250	$ 16,678	$ 13,911
Intrinsic value of the stock option exercised			24,000	22,867
Intrinsic value of stock options	$ 70,743		70,743		$ 64,088
Proceeds from stock options exercised			4,582	4,981
Excess tax benefit from award exercised			$ 7,561	$ 4,721
Omnibus Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for stock award, maximum						7,315,068
Common stock remained available for grants	4,200,000		4,200,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost			$ 44,876		$ 36,882
Grants in period				347,875
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based award, vesting period			4 years
Performance Share Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total grants	379,297		379,297
Grants in period			186,814	169,075
PSU's granted during the period			$ 11,183	$ 7,641
Vested in period			77,921	39,710
Forfeited			4,431	11,547

Share Based Compensation - Sche

Share Based Compensation - Schedule of Option Granted, Exercised and Expired (Detail) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Shares
Outstanding at beginning of period	1,934,370	2,997,460
Granted	42,500	27,500
Exercised	(509,475)	(765,603)
Cancelled or terminated	(37,574)	(8,470)
Outstanding end of period	1,429,821	2,250,887
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period	$ 11.60	$ 10.49
Granted	54.17	32.49
Exercised	9.30	8.81
Cancelled or terminated	18.34	7.03
Outstanding end of period	$ 13.50	$ 11.35

Share Based Compensation (Weigh

Share Based Compensation (Weighted average assumptions) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Volatility	40.95%	41.89%
Risk-free interest rate	1.95%	2.73%
Weighted average expected lives in years	6 years 3 months	6 years 3 months
Dividend rate	1.85%	1.72%
Forfeiture rate	0.50%	0.50%

Share Based Compensation - Summ

Share Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock and RSU Activity (Detail) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Shares or Units
Non-vested at end of period	1,101,928	1,472,862
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit [Member]
Shares or Units
Non-vested at beginning of period	1,305,511	917,015
Granted	232,700	883,323
Vested	(419,459)	(321,353)
Forfeited	(16,824)	(6,123)
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at beginning of period	$ 33.41	$ 24.43
Granted	58.37	38.94
Vested	29.06	22.57
Forfeited	41.90	23.20
Non-vested at end of period	$ 40.21	$ 33.54

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rate (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 166,882	$ 145,160	$ 453,476	$ 373,972
Tax at federal statutory rate of 35%	58,409	50,806	158,717	130,890
Loss of non-includible foreign subsidiaries	10,816	(30,604)	(6,797)	(93,737)
Other, net	(81,874)	(27,866)	(113,285)	593
Provision for income taxes	$ (12,649)	$ (7,664)	$ 38,635	$ 37,746
Effective tax rate	(7.60%)	(5.30%)	8.50%	10.10%

Income Taxes - Reconciliation75

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to Effective Tax Rate (Footnotes) (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Increase in effective tax rate	(7.60%)	(5.30%)	8.50%	10.10%
Effective income tax rate, without adjustments, percentage		7.10%	19.90%
Effective income tax rate, with adjustments, percentage	27.20%	25.90%	25.60%	27.20%
Operating loss carryforwards, valuation allowance	$ 17,013,000		$ 17,013,000		$ 0
Operating loss carryforwards, limitation on use per year	1,723,000		$ 1,723,000
Reclassification of Intangible to Goodwill
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Increase in effective tax rate		12.40%	9.80%
Domestic Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards	$ 24,368,000		$ 24,368,000
Foreign Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwards					$ 503,483,000

Related Party Transactions (Mai

Related Party Transactions (Maiden) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 05, 2013	Apr. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2007	Sep. 30, 2007	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 01, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable			$ 2,951,764				$ 2,951,764		$ 2,440,627
Brokerage commission			$ 126,143	$ 117,583			$ 346,766	$ 308,083
Maiden Reinsurance Company
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of capital stock			7.50%				7.50%
Assets managed under asset management agreement			$ 4,148,964				$ 4,148,964
Investment management fee							$ 4,455	3,814
Maiden
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of reinsurance brokerage commissions			1.25%				1.25%
Brokerage commission			$ 5,828	4,814			$ 18,688	14,484
Investment management fee			1,518	1,325
AII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Premiums, percentage assumed to net						40.00%
Percentage of reinsurance related losses assumed						40.00%
Ceding commission percentage of ceded written premiums										31.00%
Extension period of reinsurance agreement term							3 years
Increase (decrease) in stockholders equity, percentage	(50.00%)
Interest rate					0.90%
Interest expense on collateral loan			$ 471	$ 453
Maiden Insurance
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceding commission percentage of ceded written premiums											5.00%
Percentage of premiums											40.00%
Term of reinsurance agreement		1 year
Reinsurance ceded profit ratio											50.00%
Chief Executive Officer | Maiden Reinsurance Company
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of capital stock			4.40%				4.40%
Board of Directors Chairman | Maiden Reinsurance Company
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of capital stock			6.10%				6.10%
Director | Maiden Reinsurance Company
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of capital stock			2.30%				2.30%
Minimum | Maiden Reinsurance Company
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management services fee percentage			0.15%				0.15%
Average value of assets under management							$ 1,000,000
Minimum | AII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable						$ 5,000
Minimum | Maiden | AII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance ceded loss ratio										81.50%
Maximum | Maiden Reinsurance Company
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management services fee percentage			0.20%				0.20%
Average value of assets under management							$ 1,000,000
Maximum | Maiden Insurance
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance ceded loss ratio											65.00%
Maximum | Maiden | AII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance ceded loss ratio										95.00%
Retail Business | Maiden | AII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceding commission percentage of ceded written premiums										34.375%
Maiden Reinsurance Company
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Note payable on collateral loan – related party			$ 167,975				167,975
Maiden Reinsurance Company | AII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest expense on collateral loan							1,380	$ 1,344
Collateral debt issued by maiden insurance			$ 2,481,112				$ 2,481,112

Related Party Transactions (Res

Related Party Transactions (Results of Operations Related to Reinsurance Agreements) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Change in unearned premium	$ (97,575)	$ (89,783)	$ (231,138)	$ (439,746)
Incurred loss and loss adjustment expense - ceded	709,604	609,352	1,961,362	1,755,155
Maiden
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Premium written - ceded	(453,981)	(385,452)	(1,504,701)	(1,157,716)
Change in unearned premium	(13,522)	25,474	204,170	169,632
Earned premium - ceded	(467,503)	(359,978)	(1,300,531)	(988,084)
Ceding commission on premium written	144,625	131,893	473,480	361,202
Ceding commission – deferred	(6,589)	(22,353)	(87,535)	(72,311)
Ceding commission - earned	138,036	109,540	385,945	288,891
Incurred loss and loss adjustment expense - ceded	$ 346,123	$ 229,045	$ 932,053	$ 666,026

Related Party Transactions (NGH

Related Party Transactions (NGHC) (Details) $ in Thousands	Jan. 06, 2015USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)ft²Entity	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)ft²Entityshares	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2012ft²	Aug. 31, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Gain on Sale of Investments		$ 9,271
Shares issued by the company as a part of the agreement | shares					3,450,000
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries – related parties			$ 13,477	$ 4,332	$ 23,048	$ 26,847
Service and fee income			$ 126,143	117,583	346,766	308,083
Cost of acquiring office building	$ 43,000				$ 21,050
Office area under lease | ft²			39,992		39,992
NGHC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership in NGHC			12.00%		12.00%			13.00%
Number of reportable entities | Entity			15		15
Shares issued by the company as a part of the agreement | shares		11,500,000
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries – related parties			$ 13,477	4,332	$ 23,048	26,847
License fee percentage			1.25%		1.25%
Developmental services, percentage			20.00%		20.00%
Technology services fee income			$ 8,650	6,140	$ 26,019	19,203
Assets managed under asset management agreement			1,715,275		1,715,275
Investment management fee			720	564	1,859	1,454
Management fees			$ 9,370	7,761	$ 27,878	21,714
Cost of acquiring office building							$ 7,500
Percentage of ownership interest			12.00%		12.00%					12.00%
Contribution towards payment for guaranties, percentage			50.00%		50.00%
Private Placement | NGHC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Gain on sale of investment		$ 14,712
Maximum | NGHC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management services fee percentage			0.20%		0.20%
Average value of assets under management					$ 1,000,000
Minimum | NGHC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management services fee percentage			0.15%		0.15%
Average value of assets under management					$ 1,000,000
800 Superior LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest			50.00%		50.00%
800 Superior LLC | NGHC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest			50.00%		50.00%
Percentage of profits and losses										56.00%
Office area under lease | ft²									157,000
Office lease expenses			$ 663	$ 560	$ 1,929	$ 1,495

Related Party Transactions (ACP

Related Party Transactions (ACP Re. Ltd) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 15, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 23, 2014USD ($)	Jan. 03, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)company	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)company	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Goodwill					$ 501,025		$ 501,025		$ 352,685
Net earned premium					1,045,408	$ 914,413	2,963,755	$ 2,618,401
Gross written premium					1,780,813	1,518,481	5,190,338	4,628,317
Loss and LAE expense incurred						72,586		198,050
Loss and loss adjustment expense					709,604	609,352	1,961,362	1,755,155
Service and fee income					126,143	117,583	346,766	308,083
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable					806,353		806,353		683,421
Revolving credit facility					130,000		130,000		120,000
Interest income					2,115	365	6,514	365
Tower
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 1,700
Contingent consideration liability	$ 26,900
NGHC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Assets managed under asset management agreement					1,715,275		1,715,275
Management fees					$ 9,370	7,761	$ 27,878	21,714
NGHC | AII | Aggregate Stop Loss Retrocession Contract
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of ceding commission	5.50%
NGHC | Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management services fee percentage					0.20%		0.20%
Average value of assets under management							$ 1,000,000
NGHC | Minimum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management services fee percentage					0.15%		0.15%
Average value of assets under management							$ 1,000,000
NGHC | CP Re | AII | Aggregate Stop Loss Reinsurance Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate stop loss reinsurance agreement	$ 250,000
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable	$ 56,000
Reinsurance agreement, term	5 years
NGHC | CP Re | AII | Aggregate Stop Loss Retrocession Contract
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable	$ 56,000
NGHC | ACP Re, Ltd | AII | Aggregate Stop Loss Retrocession Contract
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate stop loss reinsurance agreement	$ 125,000
Tower | TIC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsured percentage				100.00%
Gross premium written, percentage				2.00%
Net earned premium					$ 100,162		266,149
Gross written premium					104,984
Loss and loss adjustment expense					24,449		95,124
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable					296,825		296,825
Tower | TIC | CL Reinsurance Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsured percentage			100.00%
Net earned premium						104,250		300,288
Percentage reinsured, minimum			60.00%
Assumed premiums						68,312		475,038
Other expenses						4,384		12,444
Insurance commissions						26,302		71,712
ANA
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Insurance commission, percentage	10.00%
Term of agreement	10 years
Service and fee income						1,386	3,444
ACP Re, Ltd
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Assets managed under asset management agreement					$ 1,221,803		$ 1,221,803
Numbers of companies | company					10		10
Management fees					$ 457	$ 66	$ 1,281	182
Loans receivable					127,188		127,188		$ 127,601
Interest income					2,115		6,514	$ 365
ACP Re, Ltd | Commercial Lines Administrative Service Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Service and fee income					$ 6,033		$ 29,589
ACP Re, Ltd | AII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 125,000
ACP Re, Ltd | AmTrust
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Annual fees	$ 30
ACP Re, Ltd | Tower
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding stock acquired										100.00%
Contingent consideration, term	3 years
ACP Re, Ltd | Scenario 1
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management services fee percentage					0.20%		0.20%
ACP Re, Ltd | Scenario 2 | Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Average value of assets under management							$ 1,000,000
ACP Re, Ltd | Scenario 3
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Asset management services fee percentage					0.15%		0.15%
ACP Re, Ltd | Scenario 3 | Minimum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Average value of assets under management							$ 1,000,000
ACP Re, Ltd | NG Re
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 125,000
ACP Re, Ltd | NG Re | AII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility	$ 250,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate	7.00%
Earnout Payable | ACP Re, Ltd | AmTrust | Tower
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Contingent consideration arrangements, percentage of gross written premium		3.00%
Contingent consideration arrangements, maximum consideration		$ 30,000
Renewal Rights | Tower
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Assigned value	$ 25,200
Foreign Subsidiaries | ACP Re, Ltd | NG Re | AII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Stock pledged as collateral, percentage	65.00%
US Subsidiaries | ACP Re, Ltd | NG Re | AII
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Stock pledged as collateral, percentage	100.00%

Related Party Transactions - Ad

Related Party Transactions - Additional information (Detail) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded reinsurance premiums payable			$ 806,353		$ 806,353			$ 683,421
Office area under lease | ft²			39,992		39,992
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party			$ 13,477	$ 4,332	$ 23,048	$ 26,847
NGHC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Management fees			$ 9,370	7,761	$ 27,878	21,714
Percentage of ownership			12.00%		12.00%		13.00%
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party			$ 13,477	4,332	$ 23,048	26,847
59 Maiden Lane Associates, LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Lease payments			$ 527	490	$ 1,475	1,410
33 West Monroe Associates, LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Office area under lease | ft²			26,849		26,849
Lease payments			$ 196	$ 74	$ 466	$ 259
North Dearborn Building Company, L.P.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Limited partnership interest		$ 9,700
Ownership interest, LP		45.00%
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party			319		542
ACP Re, Ltd | Illinois Center Building [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership interest, LP	15.00%
NGHC | North Dearborn Building Company, L.P.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Limited partnership interest		$ 9,700
Ownership interest, LP		45.00%
NGHC | Illinois Center Building [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership interest, LP	37.50%
NA Advisors GP LLC [Member] | North Dearborn Building Company, L.P.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Limited partnership interest		$ 2,200
NA Advisors GP LLC [Member] | Illinois Center Building [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Limited partnership interest	$ 53,715
Ownership interest, GP	10.00%
Profit interest, GP	10.00%
Chief Operating Officer [Member] | Maiden
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aircraft rental and landing fees			70		404
Board of Directors Chairman | Maiden
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aircraft rental and landing fees			$ 91		$ 203

Significant Acquisitions - Addi

Significant Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 25, 2015USD ($)agencydealer	Mar. 02, 2015USD ($)	Jan. 06, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)agency
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues				$ 1,229,658	$ 1,071,634	$ 3,452,495	$ 3,036,588
Net income attributable to AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.				191,497	160,095	430,949	370,102
Payment towards acquisition	$ 157,841
Net written premium				1,142,983	1,004,196	3,194,893	3,058,147
Service and fee income				126,143	117,583	346,766	308,083
Purchase price			$ 43,000			21,050
Goodwill				501,025		501,025		$ 352,685
Net earned premium				1,045,408	914,413	2,963,755	2,618,401
Warranty Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of franchised and independent dealers acquired | dealer	1,500
Goodwill and intangible assets	$ 80,293
Number of agencies | agency	70
Oryx Insurance Brokerage Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payment towards acquisition			$ 30,556
Contingent consideration, term			5 years
Net written premium				11,853	$ 9,143	76,829	62,128
Service and fee income				60		299
Decrease in commission expense				(1,276)		(3,577)
Purchase price			$ 12,444
Goodwill and intangible assets			41,975
TMI Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assigned value			32,500
Payment towards acquisition			$ 29,503
Contingent consideration, term			3 years
Contingent consideration liability			$ 32,000
Service and fee income				3,420		10,087
Purchase price			61,503
Goodwill and intangible assets			70,791
Goodwill			38,291
CorePointe Insurance Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues								50,782
Net income attributable to AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.								4,118
LAE reserves		$ 10,107
Net written premium				$ 10,193		$ 33,530
Purchase price		68,774
Goodwill and intangible assets		2,710
Other Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price							$ 27,000
Oryx Insurance Brokerage Inc. | Oryx Insurance Brokerage Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net earned premium								$ 80,000
Number of agencies | agency								135
LAE Reserve [Member] | CorePointe Insurance Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assigned value		1,210
Licensing Agreements [Member] | CorePointe Insurance Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assigned value		$ 1,500
Customer Relationships [Member] | TMI Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assigned value			28,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets			1,000
Software Development [Member] | TMI Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assigned value			1,000
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] | TMI Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assigned value			$ 2,500
Minimum | Software Development [Member] | TMI Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life of intangibles acquired			4 years
Maximum | Software Development [Member] | TMI Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life of intangibles acquired			8 years

Significant Acquisitions - Purc

Significant Acquisitions - Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 25, 2015	Mar. 02, 2015	Jan. 06, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price			$ 43,000			$ 21,050
Cash paid	$ 157,841
Acquisition gain				$ 5,826	$ 0	$ 5,826	$ 0
Warranty Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and investments	188,545
Premium receivables	77,777
Other assets	50,399
Deferred tax asset	24,460
Goodwill and intangible assets	80,293
Total assets including goodwill	421,474
Unearned premiums	175,549
Loss and loss expense reserves	3,013
Accrued liabilities	85,071
Total liabilities	$ 263,633
Oryx Insurance Brokerage Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price			12,444
Cash and investments			4,669
Premium receivables			3,438
Other assets			1,717
Goodwill and intangible assets			41,975
Total assets including goodwill			51,799
Loss and loss expense reserves			1,405
Accrued liabilities			7,394
Total liabilities			8,799
Cash paid			30,556
TMI Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price			61,503
Cash and investments			749
Other assets			1,354
Property and equipment			53
Goodwill and intangible assets			70,791
Total assets including goodwill			72,947
Accrued liabilities			69
Deferred tax liability			11,375
Total liabilities			11,444
Cash paid			$ 29,503
CorePointe Insurance Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price		$ 68,774
Cash and investments		123,338
Premium receivables		20,441
Reinsurance recoverable		1,635
Other assets		1,703
Deferred tax asset		4,303
Property and equipment		226
Goodwill and intangible assets		2,710
Total assets including goodwill		154,356
Unearned premiums		24,230
Loss and loss expense reserves		46,539
Accrued liabilities		7,781
Deferred tax liability		1,206
Total liabilities		79,756
Acquisition gain		$ 5,826

New Market Tax Credit (Details)

New Market Tax Credit (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012USD ($)LoansCDE
Schedule of Tax Credit [Line Items]
Proceeds from financing transaction		$ 0	$ (293,222)
Percentage of qualified investment income that can be claimed at tax credit against their federal income taxes				39.00%
NGHC
Schedule of Tax Credit [Line Items]
Ownership percentage				12.00%
800 Superior LLC
Schedule of Tax Credit [Line Items]
Number of CDE | CDE				2
800 Superior LLC | NGHC
Schedule of Tax Credit [Line Items]
Total benefit a company is entitled to receive				49.00%
Parent | 800 Superior LLC
Schedule of Tax Credit [Line Items]
Total benefit a company is entitled to receive	49.00%
State and Local Government of Ohio | 800 Superior LLC
Schedule of Tax Credit [Line Items]
Proceeds from financing transaction				$ 8,000
Number of loans | Loans				2
Parent, NGHC, KCDC and State and Local Government of Ohio | 800 Superior LLC
Schedule of Tax Credit [Line Items]
Proceeds from financing transaction				$ 19,400
Key Community Development Corporation | 800 Superior LLC
Schedule of Tax Credit [Line Items]
Total benefit a company is entitled to receive				51.00%
Community Development Entities (CDE) | 800 Superior LLC
Schedule of Tax Credit [Line Items]
Period to recapture				7 years
Promissory Note | State and Local Government of Ohio | 800 Superior LLC
Schedule of Tax Credit [Line Items]
Term of the debt instrument				15 years
Average rate of interest				2.00%

Shareholder Equity and Accumu85

Shareholder Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Preferred Stock Issuance) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Mar. 19, 2015	Jul. 10, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Public offering by the company			3,450,000
Common stock issuance (purchase), net			$ 172,500
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs			$ 250
Preferred stock, par value (usd per share)			$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 25
Discount and expenses on issuance of stock	$ 5,989
American Depository Shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Public offering by the company	6,600,000	7,300,000
Net proceeds from the offering	$ 176,511
Noncumulative Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Public offering by the company	182,500
Rate of interest	7.50%
Preferred stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01
Liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Public offering by the company	700,000

Shareholder Equity and Accumu86

Shareholder Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Ownership Components of Total Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			$ 2,196,201	$ 1,578,865
Net income (loss)			436,927	363,073
Unrealized holding (loss) gain	$ (16,647)	$ (1,725)	(68,968)	85,726
Reclassification adjustment	1,839	(1,574)	634	(3,370)
Foreign currency translation			(49,198)	(5,560)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	107	347	297	581
Extinguishment of 2021 senior notes, equity component			(3,764)
Share exercises, compensation and other			16,459	18,892
Common share issuance (purchase), net			171,672	(44,564)
Common share dividends			(66,121)	(45,147)
Preferred stock dividends	(8,789)	(3,505)	(22,797)	(7,387)
Capital contribution			11,609	24,013
Ending Balance	2,799,480	2,143,763	2,799,480	2,143,763
Net income related to redeemable non-controlling interest	1,511	(2,939)	6,940	(7,029)
Net income	193,008	157,156	437,889	363,073
Non-Controlling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			159,181	137,860
Net income (loss)			5,978	(7,029)
Unrealized holding (loss) gain			0	0
Reclassification adjustment			0	0
Foreign currency translation			6	(271)
Capital contribution			11,609	24,013
Ending Balance	176,774	154,573	176,774	154,573
Net income related to redeemable non-controlling interest			962
Distribution to redeemable non-controlling interest			422
AmTrust
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance			2,037,020	1,441,005
Net income (loss)			430,949	370,102
Unrealized holding (loss) gain			(68,968)	85,726
Reclassification adjustment			634	(3,370)
Foreign currency translation			(49,204)	(5,289)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap			297	581
Extinguishment of 2021 senior notes, equity component			(3,764)
Share exercises, compensation and other			16,459	18,892
Common share dividends			(66,121)	(45,147)
Preferred stock dividends			(22,797)	(7,387)
Ending Balance	$ 2,622,706	$ 1,989,190	2,622,706	1,989,190
Preferred stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Preferred stock issuance, net of fees			176,529	178,641
Preferred stock | AmTrust
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Preferred stock issuance, net of fees				178,641
Common stock | AmTrust
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Common share issuance (purchase), net			$ 171,672	$ (44,564)

Shareholder Equity and Accumu87

Shareholder Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (48,545)	$ 85,528	$ 56,123	$ (8,164)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(22,172)	(36,041)	(181,346)	110,864
Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,830	(2,422)	976	(5,185)
Income tax benefit (expense)	6,769	22,419	63,129	(28,031)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(12,573)	(16,044)	(117,241)	77,648
Ending balance	(61,118)	69,484	(61,118)	69,484
Foreign Currency Items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(66,108)	10,385	(14,776)	2,582
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	3,274	(20,142)	(75,698)	(8,137)
Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0	0	0
Income tax benefit (expense)	(1,146)	7,050	26,494	2,848
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	2,128	(13,092)	(49,204)	(5,289)
Ending balance	(63,980)	(2,707)	(63,980)	(2,707)
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	21,487	78,632	75,013	(7,023)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(25,611)	(16,433)	(106,105)	118,107
Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,830	(2,422)	976	(5,185)
Income tax benefit (expense)	7,973	15,556	36,795	(30,566)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(14,808)	(3,299)	(68,334)	82,356
Ending balance	6,679	75,333	6,679	75,333
Interest Rate Swap Hedge
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,131)	(1,751)	(1,321)	(1,985)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	165	534	457	894
Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0	0	0
Income tax benefit (expense)	(58)	(187)	(160)	(313)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	107	347	297	581
Ending balance	(1,024)	(1,404)	(1,024)	(1,404)
Net Benefit Plan Assets and Obligations Recognized in Stockholders' Equity
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(2,793)	(1,738)	(2,793)	(1,738)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassed from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0	0	$ 0
Income tax benefit (expense)	0	0	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	0	0	0	$ 0
Ending balance	$ (2,793)	$ (1,738)	$ (2,793)	$ (1,738)

Commitment and Contingent Liabi

Commitment and Contingent Liabilities (Narrative) (Details) € in Thousands	Sep. 25, 2015USD ($)agencydealer	Jan. 06, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)country	Dec. 31, 2015EUR (€)country	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cost of acquiring office building		$ 43,000,000				$ 21,050,000
Purchase price in cash	$ 157,841,000
Warranty Solutions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of agencies | agency	70
Number of franchised and independent dealers acquired | dealer	1,500
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | N.V. Nationale Borg-Maatschappij and Affiliates [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of countries in which entity operates | country			70	70
Cost of acquiring office building			$ 172,126,000	€ 154,000
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Republic Companies [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cost of acquiring office building					$ 233,000,000
Purchase price in cash					112,000,000
Note to be issued					$ 16,000,000
Debt instrument, stated interest rate					5.75%
Term of the debt instrument					4 years
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Minimum | ARI Mutual Insurance Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cost of acquiring office building			23,800,000
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Maximum | ARI Mutual Insurance Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cost of acquiring office building			$ 32,200,000
Promissory Note | Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Republic Companies [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Note to be issued					$ 105,000

Segments - Results of Operation

Segments - Results of Operations of Business Segments (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2014USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments | segment			3
Gross written premium	$ 1,780,813	$ 1,518,481	$ 5,190,338	$ 4,628,317
Net written premium	1,142,983	1,004,196	3,194,893	3,058,147
Change in unearned premium	(97,575)	(89,783)	(231,138)	(439,746)
Net earned premium	1,045,408	914,413	2,963,755	2,618,401
Loss and loss adjustment expense	(709,604)	(609,352)	(1,961,362)	(1,755,155)
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	(258,016)	(225,512)	(728,402)	(620,181)
Operating Expenses	(967,620)	(834,864)	(2,689,764)	(2,375,336)
Underwriting income	77,788	79,549	273,991	243,065
Service and fee income	126,143	117,583	346,766	308,083
Investment income and realized gain	58,107	39,638	141,974	110,104
Other expenses	(116,900)	(103,493)	(313,487)	(278,672)
Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt	(13,419)	(11,801)	(38,034)	(35,885)
Foreign currency gain	24,721	26,594	17,355	25,826
(Gain) loss on investment in life settlement contracts, net	4,616	(2,910)	19,085	(5,180)
Gain on sale of a subsidiary				6,631
Acquisition gain on purchase	5,826	0	5,826	0
Benefit for income taxes	12,649	7,664	(38,635)	(37,746)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party	13,477	4,332	23,048	26,847
Net income	193,008	157,156	437,889	363,073
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	1,045,408	914,413	2,963,755	2,618,401
Operating Segments | Small Commercial Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross written premium	797,654	722,897	2,574,602	2,366,451
Net written premium	459,290	422,539	1,499,922	1,526,347
Change in unearned premium	34,364	(815)	(99,218)	(337,362)
Net earned premium	493,654	421,724	1,400,704	1,188,985
Loss and loss adjustment expense	(320,391)	(279,056)	(909,081)	(792,224)
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	(130,792)	(111,939)	(365,184)	(299,082)
Operating Expenses	(451,183)	(390,995)	(1,274,265)	(1,091,306)
Underwriting income	42,471	30,729	126,439	97,679
Service and fee income	24,793	26,781	76,468	69,801
Investment income and realized gain	24,359	16,819	63,209	45,390
Other expenses	(53,047)	(49,901)	(155,502)	(142,484)
Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt	(6,038)	(5,619)	(18,866)	(18,348)
Foreign currency gain	0	0	0	0
(Gain) loss on investment in life settlement contracts, net	1,926	(1,449)	9,466	(2,649)
Gain on sale of a subsidiary				6,631
Acquisition gain on purchase	5,826		5,826
Benefit for income taxes	2,880	1,709	(8,678)	(5,276)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party	0		0	0
Net income	43,170	19,069	98,362	50,744
Operating Segments | Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross written premium	577,284	436,845	1,528,017	1,387,651
Net written premium	380,600	331,590	975,073	933,245
Change in unearned premium	(30,218)	(3,564)	(11,592)	(12,096)
Net earned premium	350,382	328,026	963,481	921,149
Loss and loss adjustment expense	(253,136)	(219,535)	(647,121)	(618,469)
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	(69,876)	(68,612)	(197,450)	(185,120)
Operating Expenses	(323,012)	(288,147)	(844,571)	(803,589)
Underwriting income	27,370	39,879	118,910	117,560
Service and fee income	79,064	75,178	208,596	193,534
Investment income and realized gain	21,312	13,770	49,859	42,604
Other expenses	(37,471)	(29,992)	(92,289)	(83,551)
Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt	(4,333)	(3,396)	(11,197)	(10,759)
Foreign currency gain	24,721	26,594	17,355	25,826
(Gain) loss on investment in life settlement contracts, net	1,584	(859)	5,619	(1,553)
Gain on sale of a subsidiary				0
Acquisition gain on purchase			0
Benefit for income taxes	7,898	2,646	(24,068)	(26,713)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party	0	0	0	0
Net income	120,145	123,820	272,785	256,948
Operating Segments | Specialty Program
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross written premium	405,875	358,739	1,087,719	874,215
Net written premium	303,093	250,067	719,898	598,555
Change in unearned premium	(101,721)	(85,551)	(120,328)	(99,197)
Net earned premium	201,372	164,516	599,570	499,358
Loss and loss adjustment expense	(136,077)	(110,654)	(405,160)	(338,483)
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	(57,348)	(44,915)	(165,768)	(133,355)
Operating Expenses	(193,425)	(155,569)	(570,928)	(471,838)
Underwriting income	7,947	8,947	28,642	27,520
Service and fee income	482	117	846	328
Investment income and realized gain	12,423	9,016	28,789	21,912
Other expenses	(26,382)	(23,600)	(65,696)	(52,637)
Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt	(3,048)	(2,786)	(7,971)	(6,778)
Foreign currency gain	0	0	0	0
(Gain) loss on investment in life settlement contracts, net	1,106	(602)	4,000	(978)
Gain on sale of a subsidiary				0
Acquisition gain on purchase			0
Benefit for income taxes	245	689	923	1,001
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party	0	0	0	0
Net income	(7,227)	(8,219)	(10,467)	(9,632)
Operating Segments | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross written premium	0	0	0	0
Net written premium	0	0	0	0
Change in unearned premium	0	147	0	8,909
Net earned premium	0	147	0	8,909
Loss and loss adjustment expense	0	(107)	0	(5,979)
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	0	(46)	0	(2,624)
Operating Expenses	0	(153)	0	(8,603)
Underwriting income	0	(6)	0	306
Service and fee income	21,804	15,507	60,856	44,420
Investment income and realized gain	13	33	117	198
Other expenses	0	0	0	0
Interest expense and loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency gain	0	0	0	0
(Gain) loss on investment in life settlement contracts, net	0	0	0	0
Gain on sale of a subsidiary				0
Acquisition gain on purchase			0
Benefit for income taxes	1,626	2,620	(6,812)	(6,758)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiary – related party	13,477	4,332	23,048	26,847
Net income	36,920	22,486	77,209	65,013
Workers' compensation | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	414,553	338,380	1,193,267	955,228
Workers' compensation | Operating Segments | Small Commercial Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	328,099	268,351	942,867	770,578
Workers' compensation | Operating Segments | Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Workers' compensation | Operating Segments | Specialty Program
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	86,454	70,029	250,400	184,650
Workers' compensation | Operating Segments | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Warranty | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	143,202	159,229	439,049	421,904
Warranty | Operating Segments | Small Commercial Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Warranty | Operating Segments | Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	143,202	159,178	439,049	421,680
Warranty | Operating Segments | Specialty Program
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	0	51	0	224
Warranty | Operating Segments | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Other liability | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	106,195	115,977	272,288	348,902
Other liability | Operating Segments | Small Commercial Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	12,081	28,330	37,025	56,837
Other liability | Operating Segments | Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	36,042	46,971	101,338	147,444
Other liability | Operating Segments | Specialty Program
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	58,072	40,676	133,925	144,621
Other liability | Operating Segments | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Commercial auto and liability, physical damage | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	115,835	95,268	317,098	236,383
Commercial auto and liability, physical damage | Operating Segments | Small Commercial Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	89,078	53,581	208,489	123,739
Commercial auto and liability, physical damage | Operating Segments | Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	(413)	11,994	11,741	26,721
Commercial auto and liability, physical damage | Operating Segments | Specialty Program
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	27,170	29,670	96,868	84,359
Commercial auto and liability, physical damage | Operating Segments | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	0	23	0	1,564
Medical malpractice | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	52,879	44,385	129,333	135,982
Medical malpractice | Operating Segments | Small Commercial Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Medical malpractice | Operating Segments | Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	52,879	44,385	129,333	135,982
Medical malpractice | Operating Segments | Specialty Program
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Medical malpractice | Operating Segments | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Other | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	212,744	161,174	612,720	520,002
Other | Operating Segments | Small Commercial Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	64,396	71,462	212,323	237,831
Other | Operating Segments | Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	118,672	65,498	282,020	189,322
Other | Operating Segments | Specialty Program
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	29,676	24,090	118,377	85,504
Other | Operating Segments | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net earned premium	$ 0	$ 124	$ 0	$ 7,345

Segments - Long Lived Assets an

Segments - Long Lived Assets and Total Assets of Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 16,952,439	$ 13,847,368
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	16,943,936	13,847,368
Operating Segments | Small Commercial Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	7,663,693	6,142,645
Operating Segments | Specialty Risk and Extended Warranty
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	6,222,438	5,441,378
Operating Segments | Specialty Program
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	3,052,297	2,248,901
Operating Segments | Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 5,508	$ 14,444

Subsequent Event - Additional I

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 27, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015
Genworth Financial Insurance Limited [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Net Assets		$ 155,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Genworth Financial Insurance Limited [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Definitive agreement to acquire	$ 60,000