National General (NTTNP) 10-Q 8 Nov 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Statement - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 07, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	NGHC
Entity Registrant Name	National General Holdings Corp.
Entity Central Index Key	1,578,735
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		106,404,367

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 2,971,135	$ 2,357,414
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	83,596	58,790
Short-term investments	146,126	3,527
Total investments	3,570,141	2,667,710
Cash and cash equivalents (Exchanges - $21,830 and $8,393)	216,374	282,277
Accrued investment income (Exchanges - $3,073 and $2,347)	25,876	20,402
Premiums and other receivables, net (Related parties $19,481 and $62,306) (Exchanges - $56,443 and $56,194)	923,758	758,633
Deferred acquisition costs (Exchanges - $23,282 and $23,803)	206,087	160,531
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses (Related parties - $33,173 and $42,774) (Exchanges - $45,445 and $39,085)	917,708	833,176
Prepaid reinsurance premiums (Exchanges - $65,892 and $61,730)	154,574	128,343
Income tax receivable (Exchanges - $300 and $300)	300	300
Notes receivable from related party	127,049	125,057
Due from affiliate (Exchanges - $0 and $12,060)	10,964	41,536
Premises and equipment, net (Exchanges - $3,936 and $332)	83,732	42,931
Intangible assets, net (Exchanges - $18,229 and $4,825)	366,202	348,898
Goodwill	211,702	112,414
Prepaid and other assets (Exchanges - $92 and $93)	42,961	41,184
Total assets	6,857,428	5,563,392
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves (Exchanges - $140,821 and $132,392)	2,086,934	1,755,624
Unearned premiums (Exchanges - $156,042 and $146,186)	1,469,166	1,192,499
Unearned service contract and other revenue	13,644	12,504
Reinsurance payable (Related parties - $38,096 and $31,923) (Exchanges - $20,415 and $14,357)	100,708	69,172
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (Related parties - $27,285 and $51,755) (Exchanges - $4,956 and $19,845)	323,499	284,902
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value	0	52,484
Deferred tax liability (Exchanges - $27,416 and $32,724)	26,879	12,247
Income tax payable	19,783	5,593
Debt (Exchanges owed to related party - $0 and $45,476)	675,507	491,537
Other liabilities (Exchanges - $44,952 and $38,105)	193,538	150,190
Total liabilities	4,909,658	4,026,752
Commitments (Note 17)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 150,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 106,088,008 shares - 2016; authorized 150,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 105,554,331 shares - 2015	1,061	1,056
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 2,565,000 shares - 2016; authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 2,365,000 shares - 2015. Aggregate liquidation preference $420,000 - 2016, $220,000 - 2015	420,000	220,000
Additional paid-in capital	905,772	900,114
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments	(2,323)	(3,780)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	69,753	(15,634)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	67,430	(19,414)
Retained earnings	518,418	412,044
Total National General Holdings Corp. Stockholders' Equity	1,912,681	1,513,800
Non-controlling interest (Exchanges - $34,876 and $22,619)	35,089	22,840
Total stockholders’ equity	1,947,770	1,536,640
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	6,857,428	5,563,392
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	2,676,115	2,063,051
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	83,596	57,216
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value	35,429	0
Equity securities, trading, at fair value	22,286	0
Short-term investments	142,530	1,528
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	246,781	234,948
Other investments	64,788	13,031
Securities pledged (amortized cost $0 and $54,955)	0	55,394
Reciprocal Exchanges
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	295,020	238,969
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	1,574
Short-term investments	3,596	1,999
Cash and cash equivalents (Exchanges - $21,830 and $8,393)	21,830	8,393
Accrued investment income (Exchanges - $3,073 and $2,347)	3,073	2,347
Premiums and other receivables, net (Related parties $19,481 and $62,306) (Exchanges - $56,443 and $56,194)	56,443	56,194
Deferred acquisition costs (Exchanges - $23,282 and $23,803)	23,282	23,803
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses (Related parties - $33,173 and $42,774) (Exchanges - $45,445 and $39,085)	45,445	39,085
Prepaid reinsurance premiums (Exchanges - $65,892 and $61,730)	65,892	61,730
Income tax receivable (Exchanges - $300 and $300)	300	300
Due from affiliate (Exchanges - $0 and $12,060)	0	12,060
Premises and equipment, net (Exchanges - $3,936 and $332)	3,936	332
Intangible assets, net (Exchanges - $18,229 and $4,825)	18,229	4,825
Prepaid and other assets (Exchanges - $92 and $93)	92	93
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves (Exchanges - $140,821 and $132,392)	140,821	132,392
Unearned premiums (Exchanges - $156,042 and $146,186)	156,042	146,186
Reinsurance payable (Related parties - $38,096 and $31,923) (Exchanges - $20,415 and $14,357)	20,415	14,357
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (Related parties - $27,285 and $51,755) (Exchanges - $4,956 and $19,845)	4,956	19,845
Deferred tax liability (Exchanges - $27,416 and $32,724)	27,416	32,724
Debt (Exchanges owed to related party - $0 and $45,476)	0	45,476
Other liabilities (Exchanges - $44,952 and $38,105)	44,952	38,105
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Non-controlling interest (Exchanges - $34,876 and $22,619)	$ 34,876	$ 22,619

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, amortized cost	$ 2,850,631	$ 2,380,480
Equity securities, available-for-sale, cost	81,676	64,804
Cash and cash equivalents	216,374	282,277
Accrued investment income	25,876	20,402
Premiums and other receivables, net	923,758	758,633
Deferred acquisition costs	206,087	160,531
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	917,708	833,176
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	154,574	128,343
Income tax receivable	300	300
Due from affiliate	10,964	41,536
Premises and equipment, net	83,732	42,931
Intangible assets, net	366,202	348,898
Prepaid and other assets	42,961	41,184
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	2,086,934	1,755,624
Unearned premiums	1,469,166	1,192,499
Reinsurance payable	100,708	69,172
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	323,499	284,902
Deferred tax liability	26,879	12,247
Debt	675,507	491,537
Other liabilities	193,538	150,190
Non-controlling interest	$ 35,089	$ 22,840
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, issued	106,088,008	105,554,331
Common stock, shares outstanding	106,088,008	105,554,331
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	2,565,000	2,365,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	2,565,000	2,365,000
Aggregate liquidation preference	$ 420,000	$ 220,000
Related party transactions
Premiums and other receivables, net	19,481	62,306
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	33,173	42,774
Reinsurance payable	38,096	31,923
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	27,285	51,755
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, amortized cost	2,570,730	2,081,456
Equity securities, available-for-sale, cost	81,676	63,303
Fixed maturities, trading, amortized cost	31,057	0
Equity securities, trading, cost	24,133	0
Securities pledged, cost	0	54,955
Reciprocal Exchanges
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, amortized cost	279,901	244,069
Equity securities, available-for-sale, cost	0	1,501
Cash and cash equivalents	21,830	8,393
Accrued investment income	3,073	2,347
Premiums and other receivables, net	56,443	56,194
Deferred acquisition costs	23,282	23,803
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	45,445	39,085
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	65,892	61,730
Income tax receivable	300	300
Due from affiliate	0	12,060
Premises and equipment, net	3,936	332
Intangible assets, net	18,229	4,825
Prepaid and other assets	92	93
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	140,821	132,392
Unearned premiums	156,042	146,186
Reinsurance payable	20,415	14,357
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,956	19,845
Deferred tax liability	27,416	32,724
Debt	0	45,476
Other liabilities	44,952	38,105
Non-controlling interest	$ 34,876	$ 22,619

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Premium income:
Gross premium written	$ 931,459	$ 626,685	$ 2,598,160	$ 1,845,821
Ceded premiums	(125,074)	(101,046)	(309,739)	(310,747)
Net premium written	806,385	525,639	2,288,421	1,535,074
Change in unearned premium	(36,535)	(22,378)	(150,711)	(83,832)
Net earned premium	769,850	503,261	2,137,710	1,451,242
Ceding commission income	14,597	12,150	24,406	27,200
Service and fee income	95,662	60,907	282,623	173,335
Net investment income	27,676	18,472	76,874	52,955
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments:
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	(22,102)	(6,009)	(22,102)	(8,492)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Other net realized and unrealized gain on investments	11,149	1,415	19,148	5,474
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments	(10,953)	(4,594)	(2,954)	(3,018)
Other revenue (expense)	(56)	(157)	258	(327)
Total revenues	896,776	590,039	2,518,917	1,701,387
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expense	509,853	302,259	1,391,261	895,774
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	140,740	108,744	362,513	295,131
General and administrative expenses	198,737	118,581	566,484	343,426
Interest expense	10,455	9,428	28,535	27,109
Total expenses	859,785	539,012	2,348,793	1,561,440
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	36,991	51,027	170,124	139,947
Provision for income taxes	8,805	8,614	41,439	24,892
Income before equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	28,186	42,413	128,685	115,055
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	2,953	2,288	16,991	8,900
Net income	31,139	44,701	145,676	123,955
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(3,009)	(1,588)	(12,249)	453
Net income attributable to National General Holdings Corp. (NGHC)	28,130	43,113	133,427	124,408
Dividends on preferred stock	(8,208)	(4,125)	(16,458)	(9,900)
Net income attributable to NGHC common stockholders	$ 19,922	$ 38,988	$ 116,969	$ 114,508
Earnings per common share:
Basic earnings per share (usd per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.39	$ 1.11	$ 1.19
Diluted earnings per share (usd per share)	0.18	0.38	1.08	1.16
Dividends declared per common share (usd per common share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.02	$ 0.10	$ 0.06
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	106,002,337	100,360,687	105,801,817	95,877,178
Diluted (in shares)	108,423,998	102,940,728	108,053,177	98,314,808

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net income	$ 31,139	$ 44,701	$ 145,676	$ 123,955
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,812	(208)	1,457	3,544
Gross unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities, net of tax of $6,413 and $(9,906) for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $47,459 and $(14,433) for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	11,910	(15,681)	88,139	(26,746)
Reclassification adjustments for investment gain/loss included in net income:
Other-than-temporary impairment loss, net of tax of $7,736 and $2,103 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $7,736 and $2,972 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	14,366	3,906	14,366	5,520
Other net realized and unrealized gain on investments, net of tax of $(2,190) and $(495) for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $(4,990) and $(1,916) for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively	(4,068)	(920)	(9,267)	(3,558)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	24,020	(12,903)	94,695	(21,240)
Comprehensive income	55,159	31,798	240,371	102,715
Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(4,323)	(1,232)	(20,100)	3,947
Comprehensive income attributable to NGHC	$ 50,836	$ 30,566	$ 220,271	$ 106,662

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Gross unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities, tax	$ 6,413	$ (9,906)	$ 47,459	$ (14,433)
Reclassification adjustments for Other-than-temporary impairment loss, tax	7,736	2,103	7,736	2,972
Reclassification adjustments for Other net realized and unrealized gain on investments, tax	$ (2,190)	$ (495)	$ (4,990)	$ (1,916)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Series B Preferred Stock	Series C Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Preferred Stock	Preferred StockSeries B Preferred Stock	Preferred StockSeries C Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Additional Paid-in CapitalSeries B Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-in CapitalSeries C Preferred Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Non-controlling Interest
Common stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014				93,427,382
Common stock, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014				$ 934
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014					2,200,000
Preferred stock, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014					$ 55,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 1,073,450							$ 690,736			$ 292,832	$ 20,192	$ 13,756
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	123,955										124,408		(453)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	3,544											3,544
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	(24,784)											(21,290)	(3,494)
Change in non-controlling interest	(980)												(980)
Issuance of stock, shares				11,500,000		165,000
Issuance of stock, amount	210,642	$ 159,552		$ 115		$ 165,000		210,527	$ (5,448)
Common stock dividends	(5,813)										(5,813)
Preferred stock dividends	(9,900)										(9,900)
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, shares				506,511
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, value	1,672			$ 5				1,667
Stock-based compensation	(782)							(782)
Common stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015				105,433,893
Common stock, amount, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015				$ 1,054
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015					2,365,000
Preferred stock, amount, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015					$ 220,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 1,530,556							896,700			401,527	2,446	8,829
Common stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	105,554,331			105,554,331
Common stock, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015				$ 1,056
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	2,365,000				2,365,000
Preferred stock, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015					$ 220,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 1,536,640							900,114			412,044	(19,414)	22,840
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect adjustment of change in accounting principle	(22,619)												(22,619)
Net income (loss)	145,676										133,427		12,249
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	1,457											1,457
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	93,238											85,387	7,851
Reciprocal Exchanges' equity on March 31, 2016, date of consolidation	14,768												14,768
Return of capital	(150)							(150)
Issuance of stock, shares							200,000
Issuance of stock, amount			$ 193,518				$ 200,000			$ (6,482)
Common stock dividends	(10,595)										(10,595)
Preferred stock dividends	(16,458)										(16,458)
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, shares				533,677
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, value	4,208			$ 5				4,203
Stock-based compensation	6,471							6,471
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	$ 1,616							1,616
Common stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2016	106,088,008			106,088,008
Common stock, amount, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2016				$ 1,061
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2016	2,565,000				2,565,000
Preferred stock, amount, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2016					$ 420,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 1,947,770							$ 905,772			$ 518,418	$ 67,430	$ 35,089

Condensed Consolidated Stateme8

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 145,676	$ 123,955
Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	49,461	22,134
Net amortization of premium (discount) on fixed maturities	(945)	4,179
Net amortization of discount on debt	551	6,298
Stock-compensation expense	6,471	3,444
Bad debt expense	22,816	16,645
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	22,102	8,492
Other net realized and unrealized gain on investments	(19,148)	(5,474)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	(16,991)	(8,900)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(50)	(1,438)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accrued investment income	(3,593)	(4,208)
Premiums and other receivables	(121,010)	(92,274)
Deferred acquisition costs	(68,595)	(26,577)
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	(67,317)	18,526
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(15,532)	(28,707)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(215)	7,158
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	185,425	3,165
Unearned premiums	166,609	110,306
Unearned service contract and other revenue	1,140	(1,186)
Reinsurance payable	27,665	(18,829)
Accounts payable	(26,749)	526
Income tax payable	14,026	(30,244)
Deferred tax liability	(24,504)	2,743
Other liabilities	36,664	101,530
Net cash provided by operating activities	313,957	211,264
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturities, available-for-sale	(532,387)	(642,838)
Proceeds from sale and maturity of fixed maturities, available-for-sale	421,454	276,697
Purchases of equity securities, available-for-sale	(25,176)	(11,085)
Proceeds from sale of equity securities, available-for-sale	41,225	2,339
Purchases of trading investments	(36,519)	0
Proceeds from sale and maturity of trading investments	7,412	0
Purchases of short-term investments	(162,980)	(82,162)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments	17,754	83,672
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	(6,568)	(68,859)
Distributions from unconsolidated subsidiaries	12,033	2,059
Purchases of other investments	(141,108)	(3,474)
Proceeds from sale of other investments	6,630	0
Purchases of premises and equipment	(24,341)	(9,584)
Acquisition of consolidated subsidiaries, net of cash	(126,008)	(61,413)
Decrease in cash due to deconsolidation of the Reciprocal Exchanges	(8,393)	0
Increase in cash due to consolidation of the Reciprocal Exchanges	2,673	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(554,299)	(514,648)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, net	(52,484)	(5,363)
Proceeds from debt	50,000	96,550
Repayments of debt	0	(631)
Return of capital	(150)	0
Issuance of common stock, net (fees $0 and $7,858, respectively)	0	210,642
Issuance of preferred stock, net (fees $6,482 and $5,448, respectively)	193,518	159,552
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(9,528)	(5,610)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(12,375)	(6,806)
Exercises of stock options	7,271	1,672
Net cash provided by financing activities	176,252	450,006
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,813)	(341)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(65,903)	146,281
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period	282,277	132,615
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period	216,374	278,896
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	20,846	52,700
Cash paid for interest	18,089	8,524
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Promissory note issued for acquisition	178,894	0
Unsettled investment security purchases	22,059	0
Decrease in non-controlling interest due to deconsolidation of the Reciprocal Exchanges	22,619	0
Increase in non-controlling interest due to consolidation of the Reciprocal Exchanges	14,768	0
Common Stock
Dividends Payable
Accrued stock dividends	4,245	2,070
Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable
Accrued stock dividends	$ 8,208	$ 4,125

Condensed Consolidated Stateme9

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Common stock
Cost of issuance of stock	$ 0	$ 7,858
Preferred stock
Cost of issuance of stock	$ 6,482	$ 5,448

Basis of Reporting

Basis of Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Reporting	Basis of Reporting The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National General Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “NGHC”) and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP” or “U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 , previously filed with the SEC on February 29, 2016 . The balance sheet at December 31, 2015 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. The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2016 and the audited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 , also include the accounts and operations of Adirondack Insurance Exchange, a New York reciprocal insurer, and New Jersey Skylands Insurance Association, a New Jersey reciprocal insurer (together with their subsidiaries, the “Reciprocal Exchanges” or "Exchanges"). The unaudited condensed financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 excludes the accounts and operations of the Reciprocal Exchanges, from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016, as these entities did not meet the criteria for consolidation under FASB ASU 2015-02, "Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis," during that period but met the criteria on March 31, 2016. As discussed in Note 2, “Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” ASU 2015-02 was adopted using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative effect adjustment as of January 1, 2016. As a result, periods prior to the adoption were not impacted by the deconsolidation of the Reciprocal Exchanges. The Company does not own the Reciprocal Exchanges but manages their business operations through its wholly-owned management companies. These interim condensed 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 condensed consolidated 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, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC. All significant inter-company transactions and accounts have been eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2016 , as compared to those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 , that are of significance, or potential significance, to the Company. In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-16, "Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or Equity (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)", to reduce diversity in practice in the accounting for hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share. The amendments in ASU 2014-16 do not change the current criteria in GAAP for determining when separation of certain embedded derivative features in a hybrid financial instrument is required. An entity will continue to evaluate whether the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative feature are clearly and closely related to those of the host contract, among other relevant criteria. ASU 2014-16 clarifies how current GAAP should be interpreted in evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. Specifically, ASU 2014-16 clarifies that an entity should consider all relevant terms and features-including the embedded derivative feature being evaluated for bifurcation-in evaluating the nature of the host contract. Furthermore, ASU 2014-16 clarifies that no single term or feature would necessarily determine the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract. Rather, the nature of the host contract depends upon the economic characteristics and risks of the entire hybrid financial instrument. In addition, the amendments in ASU 2014-16 clarify that, in evaluating the nature of a host contract, an entity should assess the substance of the relevant terms and features (that is, the relative strength of the debt-like or equity-like terms and features given the facts and circumstances) when considering how to weight those terms and features. The effects of initially adopting the amendments in ASU 2014-16 are to be applied on a modified retrospective basis to existing hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. Retrospective application is permitted to all relevant prior periods. The amendments in ASU 2014-16 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company adopted ASU 2014-16 on January 1, 2016 and the implementation of the standard did not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, "Income Statement-Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) (simplifying income statement presentation by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items)”, as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. ASU No. 2015-01 eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Subtopic 225-20, Income Statement-Extraordinary and Unusual Items, required that an entity separately classify, present, and disclose extraordinary events and transactions. Previously, an event or transaction was presumed to be an ordinary and usual activity of the reporting entity unless evidence clearly supports its classification as an extraordinary item. If an event or transaction met the criteria for extraordinary classification, an entity was required to segregate the extraordinary item from the results of ordinary operations and show the item separately in the income statement, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. The entity also was required to disclose applicable income taxes and either present or disclose earnings-per-share data applicable to the extraordinary item. An entity has a choice of transition methods. It may apply the amendments in ASU 2015-01 either prospectively or retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The amendments in ASU 2015-01 are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. An entity has the option to adopt the changes earlier provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2015-01 prospectively on January 1, 2016 and the implementation of the standard did not have an impact 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" to address concerns that GAAP might require a reporting entity to consolidate another legal entity in situations in which the reporting entity's contractual rights do not give it the ability to act primarily on its own behalf, the reporting entity does not hold a majority of the legal entity's voting rights, or the reporting entity is not exposed to a majority of the legal entity's economic benefits or obligations. Specifically, the amendments: (1) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities ("VIEs") or voting interest entities; (2) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; (3) affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and (4) 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. ASU 2015-02 amends certain areas in the consolidation analysis including: (i) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination; (ii) the evaluation of fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest; (iii) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination; and (iv) certain investment funds. The amendments in ASU 2015-02 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016 required the Company to evaluate whether its VIEs met the amended criteria for consolidation at the earliest date of involvement unless certain reconsideration events existed. The Reciprocal Exchanges were evaluated based on the facts and circumstances that existed in September 2014 when the Company acquired the managing entities for the Reciprocal Exchanges. As a result of the evaluation, the Company was not required to consolidate the Reciprocal Exchanges as of January 1, 2016 (the Reciprocal Exchanges had previously been included in the Company’s consolidated results). The Company adopted ASU 2015-02 using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative effect adjustment as of January 1, 2016. The total NGHC stockholders’ equity was not affected by this change. On March 31, 2016, the Company purchased the surplus notes representing the obligation of the Reciprocal Exchanges from a related party for consideration of $88,900 . (See Note 3, "Reciprocal Exchanges" for additional information). The Company has significant economic interest in the Reciprocal Exchanges due to its ownership of the surplus notes. In addition, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, earns fees from the Reciprocal Exchanges that are variable interests. The Company is the primary beneficiary because it, through its wholly-owned management companies, has both the power to direct the activities of the Reciprocal Exchanges that most significantly impact their economic performance and the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary that holds the surplus notes, would absorb more than an insignificant amount of expected losses or residual returns of the Reciprocal Exchanges. Therefore, the Company was required to consolidate the Reciprocal Exchanges at March 31, 2016. 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. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2015-07 on January 1, 2016 and the implementation of the standard did not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments" which applies to all entities that have reported provisional amounts for items in a business combination for which the accounting is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs and during the measurement period have an adjustment to provisional amounts recognized. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 require 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. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes 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 amendments in ASU 2015-16 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The only disclosures required at transition will be the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle. An entity should disclose that information in the first annual period of adoption and in the interim periods within the first annual period if there is a measurement-period adjustment during the first annual period in which the changes are effective. The Company adopted ASU 2015-16 on January 1, 2016 and the effects of adoption will be limited to disclosures relating to adjustments for acquisitions to provisional amounts when identified during the measurement period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The implementation of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" to provide users of financial statements with more useful information on the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 affect all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities and make targeted improvements to existing GAAP by: (1) requiring equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer; (2) simplifying the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value; (3) eliminating the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities; (4) eliminating the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (5) requiring public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (6) requiring an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income ("OCI") the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk (also referred to as "own credit") when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; (7) requiring separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and (8) clarifying that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the following provisions in ASU 2016-01 is permitted as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption: (i) the "own credit" provision, in which an organization should present separately in OCI the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk if the organization has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; and (ii) the provision that exempts entities that are not public business entities from the requirement to apply the fair value of financial instruments disclosure guidance. Except for the early application guidance discussed above, early adoption of the amendments in ASU 2016-01 is not permitted. The amendments should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments related to equity securities without readily determinable fair values (including disclosure requirements) should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. The Company currently records equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company had $1,248 and $(3,909) , respectively, of net unrealized gains (losses), net of tax, for equity securities, available-for-sale, recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"). In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)” to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures and is currently unable to estimate the impact of adopting this guidance. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, "Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting" as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The amendments in ASU 2016-07 eliminate the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Therefore, upon qualifying for the equity method of accounting, no retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. In addition, the amendments in ASU 2016-07 require that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The amendments in ASU 2016-07 are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments should be applied prospectively upon their effective date to increases in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence that result in the adoption of the equity method. Earlier application is permitted. No additional disclosures are required at transition. The adoption of ASU 2016-07 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations", which improves the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations by clarifying that: 1) an entity determines whether it is a principal or an agent for each specific good or service promised to the customer; 2) an entity determines the nature of each specific good or service; 3) when another party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer, an entity that is a principal obtains control of (a) a good or another asset from the other party that it then transfers to the customer; (b) a right to a service that will be performed by another party, which gives the entity the ability to direct that party to provide the service to the customer on the entity's behalf, or (c) a good or service from the other party that it combines with other goods or services to provide the specific good or service to the customer; and 4) the purpose of the indicators in paragraph 606-10-55-39 in Topic 606 is to support or assist in the assessment of control. The effective date and transition requirement for ASU 2016-08 are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09, which were deferred to the quarter ending March 31, 2018 by ASU 2015-14. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The areas for simplification in ASU 2016-09 involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Specifically, the amendments require: (1) All excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. The tax effects of exercised or vested awards should be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. An entity also should recognize excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period; (2) Excess tax benefits should be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity; (3) An entity can make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest (current GAAP) or account for forfeitures when they occur; (4) The threshold to qualify for equity classification permits withholding up to the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable jurisdictions; and (5) Cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity. The amendments in ASU 2016-09 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. Amendments related to the timing of when excess tax benefits are recognized, minimum statutory withholding requirements, and forfeitures, should be applied using a modified retrospective transition method by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is adopted. Amendments related to the presentation of employee taxes paid on the statement of cash flows when an employer withholds shares to meet the minimum statutory withholding requirement should be applied retrospectively. Amendments requiring recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement should be applied prospectively. An entity may elect to apply the amendments related to the presentation of excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows using either a prospective transition method or a retrospective transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures and is currently unable to estimate the impact of adopting this guidance. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing", which sought to address certain issues identified in the guidance on identifying performance obligation and licensing by reducing the potential for diversity in practice at initial application and the cost and complexity of applying the guidance in Topic 606 both at transition and on an ongoing basis as noted: 1) identifying performance obligations (a) when identifying performance obligations, whether it is necessary to assess whether promised goods or services are performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the contract; (b) determining whether promised goods and services are separately identifiable (that is, distinct within the context of the contract); (c) determining whether shipping and handling activities are a promised service in a contract or are activities to fulfill an entity’s other promises in the contract; (2) licensing; (a) determining whether the nature of an entity’s promise in granting a license is to provide a right to access the entity’s intellectual property, which is satisfied over time and for which revenue is recognized over time, or to provide a right to use the entity’s intellectual property, which is satisfied at a point in time and for which revenue is recognized at a point in time; (b) the scope and applicability of the guidance about when to recognize revenue for sales-based or usage-based royalties promised in exchange for a license of intellectual property; (c) distinguishing contractual provisions that require an entity to transfer additional licenses (that is, rights to use or access intellectual property) to a customer from contractual provisions that define the attributes of a promised license (for example, restrictions of time, geographical region, or use). The effective date and transition requirement for ASU 2016-10 are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09, which were deferred to the quarter ending March 31, 2018 by ASU 2015-14. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients", which sought to address certain issues identified in the guidance by reducing the potential for diversity in practice at initial application and the cost and complexity of applying the guidance in Topic 606 both at transition and on an ongoing basis as noted: 1) assessing the collectibility criterion in paragraph 606-10-25-1(e) and accounting for contracts that do not meet the criteria for Step 1 (applying paragraph 606-10-25-7), the amendments in ASU 2016-12 clarify the objective of the collectibility criterion in Step 1. The objective of this assessment is to determine whether the contract is valid and represents a substantive transaction on the basis of whether a customer has the ability and intention to pay the promised consideration in exchange for the goods or services that will be transferred to the customer. The amendments in ASU 2016-12 also add a new criterion to paragraph 606-10-25-7 to clarify when revenue would be recognized for a contract that fails to meet the criteria in Step 1. That criterion allows an entity to recognize revenue in the amount of consideration received when the entity has transferred control of the goods or services, the entity has stopped transferring goods or services (if applicable) and has no obligation under the contract to transfer additional goods or services, and the consideration received from the customer is nonrefundable; 2) presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers, the amendments in ASU 2016-12 permit an entity, as an accounting policy election, to exclude amounts collected from customers for all sales (and other similar) taxes from the transaction price; 3) noncash consideration, the amendments in ASU 2016-12 specify that the measurement date for noncash consideration is contract inception and clarify that the variable consideration guidance applies only to variability resulting from reasons other than the form of the consideration; 4) contract modifications at transition, the amendments in ASU 2016-12 provide a practical expedient that permits an entity to reflect the aggregate effect of all modifications that occur before the beginning of the earliest period presented in accordance with the guidance in Topic 606 when identifying the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations, determining the transaction price, and allocating the transaction price to the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations; 5) completed contracts at transition, the amendments in ASU 2016-12 clarify that a completed contract for purposes of transition is a contract for which all (or substantially all) of the revenue was recognized under legacy GAAP before the date of initial application. Accounting for elements of a contract that do not affect revenue under legacy GAAP are irrelevant to the assessment of whether a contract is complete. In addition, the amendments permit an entity to apply the modified retrospective transition method either to all contracts or only to contracts that are not completed contracts; 6) technical correction, the amendments in ASU 2016-12 clarify that an entity that retrospectively applies the guidance in Topic 606 to each prior reporting period is not required to disclose the effect of the accounting change for the period of adoption. However, an entity is still required to disclose the effect of the changes on any prior periods retrospectively adjusted. The effective date and transition requirement for ASU 2016-12 are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09, which were deferred to the quarter ending March 31, 2018 by ASU 2015-14. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", which is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. To achieve this objective, the amendments in ASU 2016-13 replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. Specifically, the amendments require, a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The income statement reflects the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount. An entity must use judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate in its circumstances. The allowance for credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than insignificant amount of credit deterioration since origination (PCD assets) that are measured at amortized cost basis is determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured at amortized cost basis; however, the initial allowance for credit losses is added to the purchase price rather than being reported as a credit loss expense. Only subsequent changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as a credit loss expense for these assets. Interest income for PCD assets should be recognized based on the effective interest rate, excluding the discount embedded in the purchase price that is attributable to the acquirer’s assessment of credit losses at acquisition. Credit losses relating to availa

Reciprocal Exchanges

Reciprocal Exchanges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Reciprocal Exchanges	Reciprocal Exchanges As of September 15 , 2014, t hrough its wholly-owned management companies, the Company manages the business operations of the Reciprocal Exchanges and has the ability to direct their activities. The Reciprocal Exchanges are insurance carriers organized as unincorporated associations. Each policyholder insured by the Reciprocal Exchanges shares risk with the other policyholders. In the event of dissolution, policyholders would share any residual unassigned surplus in the same proportion as the amount of insurance purchased but are not subject to assessment for any deficit in unassigned surplus of the Reciprocal Exchanges. The Company receives management fee income for the services provided to the Reciprocal Exchanges. The assets of the Reciprocal Exchanges can be used only to settle the obligations of the Reciprocal Exchanges and general creditors to their liabilities have no recourse to the Company. Effective March 31, 2016, a subsidiary of the Company, purchased from subsidiaries of ACP Re Ltd. ("ACP Re"), a related party, the surplus notes that were issued by the Reciprocal Exchanges when they were originally capitalized. The purchase price of $88,900 was based on an independent third party valuation of the fair market value of the surplus notes. The obligation to repay principal and interest on the surplus notes is subordinated to the Reciprocal Exchanges’ other liabilities including obligations to policyholders and claimants for benefits under insurance policies. Principal and interest on the surplus notes are payable only with regulatory approval. The Company has no ownership interest in the Reciprocal Exchanges. Under ASU 2015-02, as a result of the Company's purchase of the surplus notes effective March 31, 2016, the Company determined that it holds a variable interest in each of the Reciprocal Exchanges. The Company would absorb more than an insignificant amount of the Reciprocal Exchanges expected losses or residual returns through its ownership of the surplus notes. In addition, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, earns fees from the Reciprocal Exchanges that are variable interests. Each of the Reciprocal Exchanges qualifies as a Variable Interest Entity ("VIE") because they do not have sufficient equity to finance their operations without the surplus notes. The policyholders of the Reciprocal Exchanges lack the ability to direct the activities of the Reciprocal Exchanges that have a significant impact on the Reciprocal Exchanges' economic performance. The Company is the primary beneficiary because it, through its wholly-owned management companies, has both the power to direct the activities of the Reciprocal Exchanges that most significantly impact their economic performance and the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary that holds surplus notes, would absorb more than an insignificant amount of expected losses or residual returns of the Reciprocal Exchanges. Accordingly, the Company consolidates these Reciprocal Exchanges as of March 31, 2016 and for the periods thereafter, and eliminates all intercompany balances and transactions with the Company. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2015-02 on January 1, 2016, the Company consolidated the Reciprocal Exchanges under the previous guidance. Upon adoption of ASU 2015-02, on January 1, 2016, and before the purchase of the surplus notes, the Company did not meet the requirements for consolidation as it did not hold a variable interest in the Reciprocal Exchanges. Therefore, the operations of the Reciprocal Exchanges for the period from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016 are not included in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. The following table presents the opening balance sheet of the Reciprocal Exchanges as of March 31, 2016: March 2016 Assets: Cash and investments $ 258,274 Accrued investment income 2,658 Premiums and other receivables, net 52,922 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 43,401 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 59,706 Income tax receivable 300 Due from affiliate 11,703 Premises and equipment, net 2,386 Intangible assets, net 32,638 Prepaid and other assets 187 Total assets $ 464,175 Liabilities: Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves $ 137,093 Unearned premiums 143,194 Reinsurance payable 11,982 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 6,972 Deferred tax liability 23,716 Debt 88,900 Other liabilities 37,550 Total liabilities 449,407 Stockholders’ equity: Non-controlling interest 14,768 Total stockholders’ equity 14,768 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 464,175 The consolidation of the Reciprocal Exchanges at March 31, 2016 is treated as a business combination with the assets, liabilities and non-controlling interest recognized at fair value at the date of consolidation. The Company has no ownership in the Reciprocal Exchanges. Therefore, the difference between the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired represents the fair value of non-controlling interest acquired. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 , the Reciprocal Exchanges recognized total revenues, total expenses and net income of $52,829 , $49,856 and $2,973 , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Reciprocal Exchanges recognized total revenues, total expenses and net income of $107,350 , $95,153 and $12,197 , respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 , the Reciprocal Exchanges recognized total revenues, total expenses and net income of $52,498 , $50,934 and $1,564 , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Reciprocal Exchanges recognized total revenues, total expenses and net loss of $136,702 , $137,223 and $(521) , respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , the Company earned service and fee income from the Reciprocal Exchanges in the amounts of $11,334 and $11,194 , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , the Company earned service and fee income from the Reciprocal Exchanges in the amounts of $31,731 and $30,504 , respectively. Such amounts are eliminated in the Company's consolidated earnings, except for $9,590 of service and fee income included in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , for the period in which the Company and the Reciprocal Exchanges did not meet requirements for consolidation.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Investments (a) Available-for-Sale Securities The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value on available-for-sale securities were as follows: September 30, 2016 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Fixed maturities and securities pledged: U.S. Treasury $ 22,397 $ 1,594 $ — $ 23,991 Federal agencies 431 8 — 439 States and political subdivision bonds 403,649 11,801 (374 ) 415,076 Foreign government 60,084 978 (352 ) 60,710 Corporate bonds 1,574,781 92,902 (5,400 ) 1,662,283 Residential mortgage-backed securities 401,765 12,886 (61 ) 414,590 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 106,280 3,471 (448 ) 109,303 Structured securities 281,244 4,512 (1,013 ) 284,743 Total fixed maturities and securities pledged 2,850,631 128,152 (7,648 ) 2,971,135 Equity securities: Common stock 65,855 5,061 (3,141 ) 67,775 Preferred stock 15,821 515 (515 ) 15,821 Total equity securities 81,676 5,576 (3,656 ) 83,596 Total $ 2,932,307 $ 133,728 $ (11,304 ) $ 3,054,731 Less: Securities pledged — — — — Total net of securities pledged $ 2,932,307 $ 133,728 $ (11,304 ) $ 3,054,731 NGHC $ 2,652,406 $ 118,161 $ (10,856 ) $ 2,759,711 Reciprocal Exchanges 279,901 15,567 (448 ) 295,020 Total $ 2,932,307 $ 133,728 $ (11,304 ) $ 3,054,731 December 31, 2015 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Fixed maturities and securities pledged: U.S. Treasury $ 19,348 $ 1,052 $ (48 ) $ 20,352 Federal agencies 1,945 7 — 1,952 States and political subdivision bonds 193,017 4,516 (609 ) 196,924 Foreign government 31,383 31 (352 ) 31,062 Corporate bonds 1,375,336 22,224 (47,902 ) 1,349,658 Residential mortgage-backed securities 419,293 6,254 (978 ) 424,569 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 135,134 720 (3,649 ) 132,205 Structured securities 205,024 15 (4,347 ) 200,692 Total fixed maturities and securities pledged 2,380,480 34,819 (57,885 ) 2,357,414 Equity securities: Common stock 53,356 569 (6,960 ) 46,965 Preferred stock 11,448 377 — 11,825 Total equity securities 64,804 946 (6,960 ) 58,790 Total $ 2,445,284 $ 35,765 $ (64,845 ) $ 2,416,204 Less: Securities pledged 54,955 439 — 55,394 Total net of securities pledged $ 2,390,329 $ 35,326 $ (64,845 ) $ 2,360,810 NGHC $ 2,199,714 $ 34,773 $ (58,826 ) $ 2,175,661 Reciprocal Exchanges 245,570 992 (6,019 ) 240,543 Total $ 2,445,284 $ 35,765 $ (64,845 ) $ 2,416,204 As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company had no other-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI")recognized in AOCI. Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available for sale were $163,885 and $34,012 during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available for sale were $352,282 and $148,508 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturities and securities pledged, held as of September 30, 2016 , by contractual maturity, are shown in the table below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total September 30, 2016 Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Due in one year or less $ 34,921 $ 35,088 $ 75 $ 76 $ 34,996 $ 35,164 Due after one year through five years 479,553 501,849 42,896 45,598 522,449 547,447 Due after five years through ten years 1,223,595 1,280,579 179,652 190,135 1,403,247 1,470,714 Due after ten years 347,517 357,760 34,377 36,157 381,894 393,917 Mortgage-backed securities 485,144 500,839 22,901 23,054 508,045 523,893 Total $ 2,570,730 $ 2,676,115 $ 279,901 $ 295,020 $ 2,850,631 $ 2,971,135 (b) Gross Unrealized Losses The tables below summarize the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available for sale, by length of time the security has continuously been in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total September 30, 2016 Fair Unrealized No. of Fair Unrealized No. of Fair Unrealized Fixed maturities: States and political subdivision bonds $ 40,021 $ (203 ) 49 $ 5,457 $ (171 ) 10 $ 45,478 $ (374 ) Foreign government 17,742 (352 ) 4 — — — 17,742 (352 ) Corporate bonds 141,601 (3,950 ) 51 31,439 (1,450 ) 24 173,040 (5,400 ) Residential mortgage-backed securities 6,096 (19 ) 4 2,278 (42 ) 5 8,374 (61 ) Commercial mortgage-backed securities 8,015 (127 ) 4 5,392 (321 ) 4 13,407 (448 ) Structured securities 28,733 (113 ) 15 39,953 (900 ) 20 68,686 (1,013 ) Equity securities: Common stock 14,882 (3,133 ) 32 168 (8 ) 3 15,050 (3,141 ) Preferred stock 10,410 (515 ) 6 — — — 10,410 (515 ) Total $ 267,500 $ (8,412 ) 165 $ 84,687 $ (2,892 ) 66 $ 352,187 $ (11,304 ) NGHC $ 255,970 $ (8,231 ) 156 $ 77,117 $ (2,625 ) 51 $ 333,087 $ (10,856 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 11,530 (181 ) 9 7,570 (267 ) 15 19,100 (448 ) Total $ 267,500 $ (8,412 ) 165 $ 84,687 $ (2,892 ) 66 $ 352,187 $ (11,304 ) Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total December 31, 2015 Fair Unrealized No. of Fair Unrealized No. of Fair Unrealized Fixed maturities: U.S. Treasury $ 7,141 $ (48 ) 5 $ — $ — — $ 7,141 $ (48 ) States and political subdivision bonds 17,674 (501 ) 22 4,878 (108 ) 10 22,552 (609 ) Foreign government 21,322 (352 ) 4 — — — 21,322 (352 ) Corporate bonds 684,613 (37,919 ) 229 32,121 (9,983 ) 38 716,734 (47,902 ) Residential mortgage-backed securities 102,889 (919 ) 23 1,655 (59 ) 9 104,544 (978 ) Commercial mortgage-backed securities 66,222 (3,472 ) 30 2,364 (177 ) 2 68,586 (3,649 ) Structured securities 153,042 (4,347 ) 65 — — — 153,042 (4,347 ) Equity securities: Common stock 39,490 (6,932 ) 5 130 (28 ) 2 39,620 (6,960 ) Total $ 1,092,393 $ (54,490 ) 383 $ 41,148 $ (10,355 ) 61 $ 1,133,541 $ (64,845 ) NGHC $ 988,188 $ (50,599 ) 284 $ 28,691 $ (8,227 ) 34 $ 1,016,879 $ (58,826 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 104,205 (3,891 ) 99 12,457 (2,128 ) 27 116,662 (6,019 ) Total $ 1,092,393 $ (54,490 ) 383 $ 41,148 $ (10,355 ) 61 $ 1,133,541 $ (64,845 ) There were 231 and 444 securities at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, that account for the gross unrealized loss, none of which are deemed by the Company to be other-than-temporary impairments. At September 30, 2016 , the Company determined that the unrealized losses on fixed maturities were primarily due to fluctuations in market interest rates since their date of purchase. At September 30, 2016 , the Company determined that the unrealized losses on common stock were primarily due to continued weakness in the equities market. Significant factors influencing the Company’s determination that none of these securities were OTTI included the length of time and/or magnitude of unrealized losses in relation to cost, the nature of the investment, the current financial condition of the issuer and its future prospects, the ability to recover to cost in the near term, and management’s intent not to sell these securities and it being more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these investments before anticipated recovery of fair value to the Company’s cost basis. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , of the $2,892 and $10,355 , respectively, of unrealized losses related to securities in unrealized loss positions for a period of twelve or more consecutive months, $467 and $8,466 , respectively, of those unrealized losses were related to securities in unrealized loss positions greater than or equal to 20% of its amortized cost or cost. Those unrealized losses were evaluated based on factors such as discounted cash flows and near-term and long-term prospects of the issue or issuer and were determined to have adequate resources to fulfill contractual obligations. The Company reviewed its investments at September 30, 2016 , and determined that no additional OTTI existed in the gross unrealized holding losses other than certain fixed maturities and equity securities, that were in a loss position, for which the Company had the intention to sell before it can recover its cost basis. At September 30, 2016 the Company intends to sell these securities. The impairment for these securities is equal to the difference between its amortized cost or cost and its fair value, and were as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Fixed maturities - Corporate bonds $ 7,238 $ 6,009 $ 7,238 $ 6,009 Equity securities - Common stock 14,864 — 14,864 2,483 Total OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ 22,102 $ 6,009 $ 22,102 $ 8,492 NGHC $ 22,102 $ 6,009 $ 22,102 $ 8,492 Reciprocal Exchanges — — — — Total OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ 22,102 $ 6,009 $ 22,102 $ 8,492 The Company regularly monitors its investments that have fair values less than cost or amortized cost for signs of other-than-temporary impairment, an assessment that requires significant management judgment regarding the evidence known. Such judgments could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could negatively impact the amounts reported. Among the factors that management considers for fixed maturity securities are the financial condition of the issuer including receipt of scheduled principal and interest cash flows, and intent to sell, including if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investments before recovery. When a fixed maturity has been determined to have an other-than-temporary impairment and the Company does not have the intention to sell, the impairment charge is separated into an amount representing the credit loss, which is recognized in earnings as a realized loss, and the amount related to non-credit factors, which is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. Future increases or decreases in fair value, if not other-than-temporary, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , the Company did not recognize any impairment charges due to credit loss for which a portion of the OTTI was recognized in AOCI. The Company considers different factors to determine the amount of projected future cash flows and discounting methods for corporate bonds and residential and commercial mortgage-backed or structured securities. For corporate bond securities, the split between the credit and non-credit losses is driven principally by assumptions regarding the amount and timing of projected future cash flows. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company’s best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the security at the date of acquisition. For residential and commercial mortgage-backed and structured securities, cash flow estimates, including prepayment assumptions, are based on data from widely accepted third-party data sources or internal estimates. In addition to prepayment assumptions, cash flow estimates vary based on assumptions regarding the underlying collateral including default rates, recoveries and changes in value. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company’s best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the fixed maturity security prior to impairment at the balance sheet date. The discounted cash flows become the new amortized cost basis of the fixed maturity security. Among the factors that management considers for equity securities and other invested assets are the length of time and/or the significance of decline below cost, the Company’s ability and intent to hold these securities through their recovery periods, the current financial condition of the issuer and its future business prospects, and the ability of the market value to recover to cost in the near term. When an equity security or other invested asset has been determined to have a decline in fair value that is other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the security is adjusted to fair value. This results in a charge to earnings as a realized loss, which is not reversed for subsequent recoveries in fair value. Future increases or decreases in fair value, if not other-than-temporary, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. (c) Unrealized Gains and Losses Unrealized gains (losses) on investments classified as available for sale as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following: September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Net unrealized gain (loss) on fixed maturities $ 120,504 $ (23,066 ) Net unrealized gain (loss) on common stock 1,920 (6,391 ) Net unrealized gain on preferred stock — 377 Net unrealized gain (loss) on other 8 (20 ) Deferred income tax (42,851 ) 10,185 Unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax $ 79,581 $ (18,915 ) NGHC $ 69,753 $ (15,634 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 9,828 (3,281 ) Unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax 79,581 (18,915 ) Non-controlling interest (9,828 ) 3,281 NGHC unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax $ 69,753 $ (15,634 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015: September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 NGHC change in unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax $ 85,387 $ (21,290 ) Non-controlling interest change in unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax $ 7,851 $ (3,494 ) (d) Trading Securities The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value on trading securities were as follows: September 30, 2016 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Gross Fair Fixed maturities: Corporate bonds $ 31,057 $ 4,419 $ (47 ) $ 35,429 Equity securities: Common stock 24,133 1,180 (3,027 ) 22,286 Total $ 55,190 $ 5,599 $ (3,074 ) $ 57,715 NGHC $ 55,190 $ 5,599 $ (3,074 ) $ 57,715 Reciprocal Exchanges — — — — Total $ 55,190 $ 5,599 $ (3,074 ) $ 57,715 Proceeds from sales of trading securities were $7,412 and $7,412 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. The Company reclassified certain available-for-sale securities to trading securities for the purpose of buying and selling them in the near term and benefit from the change in market prices or spreads. (e) Investment Income The components of net investment income consisted of the following: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Interest income Cash and short-term investments $ 1,265 $ 2 $ 4,122 $ 11 Fixed maturities 26,129 17,321 69,747 48,243 Equity securities 996 102 1,387 299 Investment income 28,390 17,425 75,256 48,553 Investment expenses (2,479 ) (1,110 ) (5,163 ) (2,381 ) Repurchase agreements interest income (expense) (102 ) 78 (422 ) (25 ) Other income (1) 1,867 2,079 7,203 6,808 Net Investment Income $ 27,676 $ 18,472 $ 76,874 $ 52,955 NGHC $ 24,271 $ 16,140 $ 71,221 $ 46,403 Reciprocal Exchanges 3,405 2,332 5,653 6,552 Net Investment Income $ 27,676 $ 18,472 $ 76,874 $ 52,955 (1 ) Includes interest income of $2,049 and $2,115 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $6,424 and $6,514 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, under the ACP Re Credit Agreement. (See Note 15, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information). (f) Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) Purchases and sales of investments are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses are determined based on the specific identification method. The tables below indicate impairment write-downs on investments, realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, and realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 the Company reclassified $23,636 available-for-sale securities to trading securities with $58 gross gains and $3,050 gross losses from AOCI to earnings. Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Gross Gains Gross Losses Net Gains (Losses) OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ — $ (22,102 ) $ (22,102 ) Fixed maturities, available-for-sale 15,796 (2,299 ) 13,497 Equity securities, available-for-sale 1,536 (5,783 ) (4,247 ) Fixed maturities, trading 4,427 (533 ) 3,894 Equity securities, trading 1,374 (3,369 ) (1,995 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 23,133 $ (34,086 ) $ (10,953 ) NGHC $ 23,037 $ (34,086 ) $ (11,049 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 96 — 96 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 23,133 $ (34,086 ) $ (10,953 ) Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Gross Gains Gross Losses Net Gains (Losses) OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ — $ (6,009 ) $ (6,009 ) Fixed maturities, available-for-sale 1,579 (109 ) 1,470 Equity securities, available-for-sale — (55 ) (55 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 1,579 $ (6,173 ) $ (4,594 ) NGHC $ 1,349 $ (6,067 ) $ (4,718 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 230 (106 ) 124 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 1,579 $ (6,173 ) $ (4,594 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Gross Gains Gross Losses Net Gains (Losses) OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ — $ (22,102 ) $ (22,102 ) Fixed maturities, available-for-sale 25,648 (4,563 ) 21,085 Equity securities, available-for-sale 2,240 (6,076 ) (3,836 ) Fixed maturities, trading 4,427 (533 ) 3,894 Equity securities, trading 1,374 (3,369 ) (1,995 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 33,689 $ (36,643 ) $ (2,954 ) NGHC $ 33,423 $ (36,614 ) $ (3,191 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 266 (29 ) 237 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 33,689 $ (36,643 ) $ (2,954 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Gross Gains Gross Losses Net Gains (Losses) OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ — $ (8,492 ) $ (8,492 ) Fixed maturities, available-for-sale 6,669 (1,145 ) 5,524 Equity securities, available-for-sale 5 (55 ) (50 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 6,674 $ (9,692 ) $ (3,018 ) NGHC $ 5,537 $ (8,826 ) $ (3,289 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 1,137 (866 ) 271 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 6,674 $ (9,692 ) $ (3,018 ) (g) Credit Quality of Investments The tables below summarize the credit quality of the Company's fixed maturities, securities pledged and preferred securities as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , as rated by Standard & Poor’s. NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges September 30, 2016 Cost or Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Securities Cost or Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Securities U.S. Treasury $ 16,463 $ 18,006 0.7 % $ 5,934 $ 5,985 2.0 % AAA 224,610 230,539 8.5 % 19,506 19,714 6.7 % AA, AA+, AA- 750,467 773,631 28.4 % 27,927 30,011 10.2 % A, A+, A- 680,757 711,917 26.1 % 84,218 89,524 30.3 % BBB, BBB+, BBB- 702,716 734,792 26.9 % 129,314 135,531 45.9 % BB+ and lower 242,595 258,480 9.4 % 13,002 14,255 4.9 % Total $ 2,617,608 $ 2,727,365 100.0 % $ 279,901 $ 295,020 100.0 % NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges December 31, 2015 Cost or Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Securities Cost or Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Securities U.S. Treasury $ 13,416 $ 14,448 0.7 % $ 5,932 $ 5,904 2.5 % AAA 343,128 348,073 16.4 % 39,724 38,888 16.2 % AA, AA+, AA- 379,560 383,888 18.0 % 36,866 36,934 15.4 % A, A+, A- 501,409 508,884 23.9 % 50,612 50,153 20.8 % BBB, BBB+, BBB- 634,250 623,742 29.3 % 82,417 80,322 33.4 % BB+ and lower 274,594 249,660 11.7 % 30,020 28,343 11.7 % Total $ 2,146,357 $ 2,128,695 100.0 % $ 245,571 $ 240,544 100.0 % The tables below summarize the investment quality of the Company's corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . September 30, 2016 AAA AA+, A+, BBB+, BB+ or Fair % of Corporate Bonds: Financial institutions 0.5 % 2.6 % 19.9 % 11.1 % 2.1 % $ 615,292 36.2 % Industrials — % 3.1 % 15.7 % 28.1 % 8.5 % 939,758 55.4 % Utilities/Other 0.9 % 0.1 % 2.3 % 3.0 % 2.1 % 142,662 8.4 % Total 1.4 % 5.8 % 37.9 % 42.2 % 12.7 % $ 1,697,712 100.0 % NGHC 1.4 % 5.3 % 32.9 % 34.4 % 11.9 % $ 1,458,583 85.9 % Reciprocal Exchanges — % 0.5 % 5.0 % 7.8 % 0.8 % 239,129 14.1 % Total 1.4 % 5.8 % 37.9 % 42.2 % 12.7 % $ 1,697,712 100.0 % December 31, 2015 AAA AA+, A+, BBB+, BB+ or Fair % of Corporate Bonds: Financial institutions — % 2.8 % 21.2 % 12.7 % 2.1 % $ 524,250 38.8 % Industrials — % 3.9 % 15.4 % 32.3 % 4.6 % 757,907 56.2 % Utilities/Other 0.4 % — % 0.4 % 3.4 % 0.8 % 67,501 5.0 % Total 0.4 % 6.7 % 37.0 % 48.4 % 7.5 % $ 1,349,658 100.0 % NGHC 0.4 % 6.1 % 33.9 % 42.7 % 6.3 % $ 1,206,442 89.4 % Reciprocal Exchanges — % 0.6 % 3.1 % 5.7 % 1.2 % 143,216 10.6 % Total 0.4 % 6.7 % 37.0 % 48.4 % 7.5 % $ 1,349,658 100.0 % (h) 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 held are primarily in the form of cash or certain high grade securities. The fair values of the Company's restricted assets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows: September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Restricted cash $ 13,688 $ 13,776 Restricted investments - fixed maturities, at fair value 47,118 40,174 Total $ 60,806 $ 53,950 The increase in restricted cash and restricted investments from December 31, 2015 to September 30, 2016 , was primarily due to the Company's acquisition of Century-National Insurance Company. (i) Short-term Investments and Other Investments The Company had short-term investments of $146,126 and $3,527 , as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively. Short-term investments consisted of commercial paper issued by large banks and corporations, this commercial paper was rated by Standard & Poor’s as A, A+ and A-. The increase from December 31, 2015 to September 30, 2016 was a result of the Company's issuance of preferred stock. The table below summarizes the composition of other investments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Limited partnerships, equity method $ 36,745 $ 5,691 Investments at cost or amortized cost 28,043 7,340 Total $ 64,788 $ 13,031 The Company’s other investments consisted primarily of limited partnerships, having investments in residential and commercial real estate, real estate debt funds and preferred securities. The Company believes its exposure to risk associated with these investments is generally limited to the investment carrying amounts. The increase from December 31, 2015 to September 30, 2016 was to diversify the Company’s alternative investment portfolio. (j) Reverse Repurchase and Repurchase Agreements The Company enters into reverse repurchase and repurchase agreements, which are accounted for as either collateralized lending or borrowing transactions and are recorded at contract amounts, which approximate fair value. For the collateralized borrowing transactions (i.e., repurchase agreements), the Company receives cash or securities that it invests or holds in short-term or fixed income securities. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company had no collateralized lending transaction principal outstanding. As of September 30, 2016 , the Company had no collateralized borrowings transactions. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company had collateralized borrowing transaction principal outstanding of $52,484 , at interest rate of 0.80% . Interest expense associated with these repurchase borrowing agreements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $102 and $422 , respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $78 interest income and $25 interest expense, respectively. The Company had $55,394 of collateral pledged in support for these agreements as of December 31, 2015 . The table below summarizes the remaining contractual maturity of the Company's repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2015 . December 31, 2015 Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Repurchase Agreements Overnight and Continuous Up to 30 days 30 - 90 days Greater Than 90 days Total Repurchase agreements: Residential mortgage-backed securities $ — $ 52,484 $ — $ — $ 52,484 Total Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value $ — $ 52,484 $ — $ — $ 52,484 Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), at contract value are accounted for as collateralized borrowing transactions and are recorded at their contracted repurchase amounts, plus accrued interest. Under repurchase agreements, the Company borrows cash from a counterparty at an agreed-upon interest rate for an agreed-upon time frame and the Company transfers either corporate debt securities or U.S. government or government agency securities (pledged collateral). For securities repurchase agreements, the cash received is typically invested in cash equivalents, short-term investments or fixed maturities, with the offsetting obligation to repay the loan included as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets. At the end of the agreement, the counterparty returns the collateral to the Company, and the Company, in turn, repays the loan amount along with the agreed-upon interest. There are potential risks associated with repurchase agreements and the related collateral pledged, including obligations arising from a decline in the market value of the collateral pledged. The Company is generally required to maintain collateral in the amount of 105.0% to 110.0% of the value of the securities the Company has sold with agreement to repurchase, which are subject to daily mark-to-market margining (i.e., if the collateral falls in value, a margin call can be triggered requiring the Company to pay cash or post extra securities to maintain the 105.0% to 110.0% threshold). Conversely, if the value of the Company’s collateral pledged appreciates in value there is credit risk that the lending counterparty could default and not return/sell the securities back. The Company minimizes the credit risk that counterparties might be unable to fulfill their contractual obligations by monitoring its counterparty exposure and related collateral pledged. Additionally, repurchase agreements are only transacted with pre-approved counterparties.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. The standard applies when GAAP requires or allows assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value; therefore, it does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstance. The Company utilized a pricing service to estimate fair value measurements for approximately 100.0% of its fixed maturities. For investments that have quoted market prices in active markets, the Company uses the quoted market prices as fair value and includes these prices in the amounts disclosed in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company receives the quoted market prices from nationally recognized third-party pricing services (“pricing services”). When quoted market prices are unavailable, the Company utilizes a pricing service to determine an estimate of fair value. This pricing method is used, primarily, for fixed maturities. The fair value estimates provided by the pricing service are included in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. If the Company determines that the fair value estimate provided by the pricing service does not represent fair value or if quoted market prices and an estimate from pricing services are unavailable, the Company produces an estimate of fair value based on dealer quotations of the bid price for recent activity in positions with the same or similar characteristics to that being valued or through consensus pricing of a pricing service. Depending on the level of observable inputs, the Company will then determine if the estimate is in Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The following describes the valuation techniques used by the Company to determine the fair value of financial instruments held as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . Equity Securities ‑ The Company utilized a pricing service to estimate the fair value of the majority of its available for sale and trading equity securities. The pricing service utilizes market quotations for equity securities that have quoted market prices in active markets and their respective quoted prices are provided as fair value. The Company classifies the values of these equity securities as Level 1. The pricing service also provides fair value estimates for certain equity securities whose fair value is based on observable market information rather than market quotes. The Company classifies the value of these equity securities as Level 2. From time to time, the Company also holds certain equity securities that are issued by privately-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 quote, issuers' book value, market multiples, and other inputs. These equity securities are classified as Level 3 due to significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation. U.S. Treasury and Federal Agencies ‑ Comprised of primarily bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, the Federal Home Loan Bank, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Government National Mortgage Association and the Federal National Mortgage Association. The fair values of U.S. government securities are based on quoted market prices in active markets, and are included in the Level 1 fair value hierarchy. The Company believes the market for U.S. Treasury securities is an actively traded market given the high level of daily trading volume. The fair values of U.S. government agency securities are priced using the spread above the risk-free yield curve. As the yields for the risk-free yield curve and the spreads for these securities are observable market inputs, the fair values of U.S. government agency securities are included in the Level 2 fair value hierarchy. States and Political Subdivision Bonds ‑ Comprised of bonds and auction rate securities issued by U.S. state and municipal entities or agencies. The fair values of municipal bonds are generally priced by pricing services. The pricing services typically use spreads obtained from broker-dealers, trade prices and the new issue market. As the significant inputs used to price the municipal bonds are observable market inputs, these are classified within Level 2. Municipal auction rate securities are reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at cost which approximates their fair value. Foreign Government ‑ Comprised of bonds issued by foreign governments, and are generally priced by pricing services. As the significant inputs used to price foreign government bonds are observable market inputs, the fair values of foreign government bonds are included in the Level 2 fair value hierarchy. Corporate Bonds ‑ Comprised of bonds issued by corporations and are generally priced by pricing services. The fair values of short-term corporate bonds are priced, by the pricing services, using the spread above the London Interbank Offering Rate ("LIBOR") yield curve and the fair value of long-term corporate bonds are priced using the spread above the risk-free yield curve. The spreads are sourced from broker-dealers, trade prices and the new issue market. Where pricing is unavailable from pricing services, the Company obtains non-binding quotes from broker-dealers. As the significant inputs used to price corporate bonds are observable market inputs, the fair values of corporate bonds are included in the Level 2 fair value hierarchy. Mortgage, Asset-backed and Structured Securities ‑ Comprised of commercial and residential mortgage-backed and structured securities. These securities are priced by independent pricing services and brokers. The pricing provider applies dealer quotes and other available trade information, prepayment speeds, yield curves and credit spreads to the valuation. As the significant inputs used to price are observable market inputs, the fair value of these securities are included in the Level 2 fair value hierarchy. Debt - The amount reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets for these financial instruments represents the carrying value of the debt. (See Note 10, "Debt" for additional information). The Company's 7.625% Notes are publicly traded and classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company's 6.75% Notes are not publicly traded and their fair value as of September 30, 2016 was determined using market-based metrics and the magnitude and timing of contractual interest and principal payments. The fair value of the Company’s 6.75% Notes as of December 31, 2015 was determined using the direct transaction method of the Market Approach. The Company executed an arm’s length private market transaction in the 6.75% Notes in the fourth quarter of 2015 which provided reasonably supportable indication of fair value for the 6.75% Notes as of December 31, 2015 . Non-direct market-based metrics and the magnitude and timing of contractual interest and principal payments were analyzed to support the indication of fair value provided by the direct transaction method of the Market Approach as of December 31, 2015 . As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the fair value of the Company's Imperial Surplus Notes, which are not publicly traded were valued using the Black-Derman-Toy interest rate lattice model. As of September 30, 2016 , the fair value of the Credit Agreement was determined using the discounted cash flow method. As of September 30, 2016 , the fair value of the Century-National Promissory Note was determined using the direct transaction method of the Market Approach. The Century-National Promissory Note is not a publicly traded instrument. The Company executed an arm’s length private market transaction on June 1, 2016 which provided reasonably supportable indication of fair value for the Century-National Promissory Note as of September 30, 2016 given the proximity to the valuation date. Non-direct market-based metrics and the magnitude and timing of contractual interest and principal payments were analyzed to support the indication of fair value provided by the direct transaction method of the Market Approach as of September 30, 2016 . The Company's 6.75% Notes, Imperial Surplus Notes, Credit Agreement, Century-National Promissory Note and Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Effective March 31, 2016, the Company purchased the Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes from ACP Re for an aggregate amount of approximately $88,900 . The purchase price was based on an independent third party valuation of the fair market value of the surplus notes. At September 30, 2016 , the surplus notes receivable and surplus notes payable are eliminated upon consolidation. (See Note 15, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information). The following table presents the carrying amount and fair value estimates of debt not carried at fair value: September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Carrying amount Fair value Carrying amount Fair value 7.625% Notes $ 96,648 $ 103,880 $ 96,583 $ 98,240 6.75% Notes 344,965 379,668 344,478 350,000 Credit Agreement 50,000 53,778 — — Imperial Surplus Notes 5,000 4,985 5,000 4,979 Century-National Promissory Note 178,894 179,313 — — Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes — — 45,476 50,300 Total $ 675,507 $ 721,624 $ 491,537 $ 503,519 Contingent payments - The fair value of contingent payments, as described below, are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. In accordance with ASC 820, assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows: September 30, 2016 Recurring Fair Value Measures Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Available-for-sale securities: Fixed maturities and securities pledged: U.S. Treasury $ 23,991 $ — $ — $ 23,991 Federal agencies 439 — — 439 States and political subdivision bonds — 415,076 — 415,076 Foreign government — 60,710 — 60,710 Corporate bonds — 1,662,283 — 1,662,283 Residential mortgage-backed securities — 414,590 — 414,590 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 109,303 — 109,303 Structured securities — 284,743 — 284,743 Total fixed maturities and securities pledged 24,430 2,946,705 — 2,971,135 Equity securities: Common stock 67,775 — — 67,775 Preferred stock — 15,821 — 15,821 Total equity securities 67,775 15,821 — 83,596 Total available-for-sale securities 92,205 2,962,526 — 3,054,731 Trading securities: Fixed maturities - Corporate bonds — 35,429 — 35,429 Equity securities - Common stock 22,286 — — 22,286 Total trading securities 22,286 35,429 — 57,715 Short-term investments — 146,126 — 146,126 Total assets $ 114,491 $ 3,144,081 $ — $ 3,258,572 NGHC $ 104,910 $ 2,855,046 $ — $ 2,959,956 Reciprocal Exchanges 9,581 289,035 — 298,616 Total assets $ 114,491 $ 3,144,081 $ — $ 3,258,572 Liabilities Contingent payments $ — $ — $ 4,927 $ 4,927 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 4,927 $ 4,927 NGHC $ — $ — $ 4,927 $ 4,927 Reciprocal Exchanges — — — — Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 4,927 $ 4,927 December 31, 2015 Recurring Fair Value Measures Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Available-for-sale securities: Fixed maturities and securities pledged: U.S. Treasury $ 20,352 $ — $ — $ 20,352 Federal agencies 1,952 — — 1,952 States and political subdivision bonds — 196,924 — 196,924 Foreign government — 31,062 — 31,062 Corporate bonds — 1,349,658 — 1,349,658 Residential mortgage-backed securities — 424,569 — 424,569 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 132,205 — 132,205 Structured securities — 200,692 — 200,692 Total fixed maturities and securities pledged 22,304 2,335,110 — 2,357,414 Equity securities: Common stock 46,965 — — 46,965 Preferred stock — 11,825 — 11,825 Total equity securities 46,965 11,825 — 58,790 Total available-for-sale securities 69,269 2,346,935 — 2,416,204 Short-term investments — 3,527 — 3,527 Total assets $ 69,269 $ 2,350,462 $ — $ 2,419,731 NGHC $ 61,413 $ 2,115,776 $ — $ 2,177,189 Reciprocal Exchanges 7,856 234,686 — 242,542 Total assets $ 69,269 $ 2,350,462 $ — $ 2,419,731 Liabilities Contingent payments $ — $ — $ 24,652 $ 24,652 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 24,652 $ 24,652 NGHC $ — $ — $ 24,652 $ 24,652 Reciprocal Exchanges — — — — Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 24,652 $ 24,652 The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015 : Balance as of Net income / loss Other comprehensive Purchases and Payments, sales and Net transfers Balance as of September 30, 2016 Contingent payments $ 24,652 $ (707 ) $ — $ — $ (19,018 ) $ — $ 4,927 Total liabilities $ 24,652 $ (707 ) $ — $ — $ (19,018 ) $ — $ 4,927 Balance as of Net income / loss Other comprehensive Purchases and Payments, sales and Net transfers Balance as of Common stock $ 34,389 $ — $ 2,526 $ — $ — $ (36,915 ) $ — Total assets $ 34,389 $ — $ 2,526 $ — $ — $ (36,915 ) $ — Contingent payments $ 23,499 $ 2,357 $ — $ 8,581 $ (9,785 ) $ — $ 24,652 Total liabilities $ 23,499 $ 2,357 $ — $ 8,581 $ (9,785 ) $ — $ 24,652 As of December 31, 2015 , the fair value measurement for the Company's ACP Re contingent payments of $16,071 was valued based on discounted cash flows (see Note 15, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information). As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the fair value measurement for the Company's contingent payments related to the acquisition of Assigned Risk Solutions Ltd. of $2,677 and $4,081 , respectively, and the contingent payments related to the acquisition of Healthcare Solutions Team, LLC of $2,250 and $4,500 , respectively, were valued based on estimated earnings and projected payouts. There have not been any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, or Level 2 and Level 3, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 . During the year ended December 31, 2015 , there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company transferred $36,915 out of Level 3 and into Level 1 due to the public offering of a previously privately-placed common stock investment. The Company's policy is to recognize transfers between levels as of the end of each reporting period, consistent with the date of determination of fair value. Other than Goodwill, the Company does not measure any assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . Goodwill is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 8, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net" for additional information on how the Company tested goodwill for impairment. The carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, premiums and other receivables, accrued investment income and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value given the short-term nature of such items and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value of the Company’s securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximates fair value given the short-term nature of the agreements and are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Equity Investments in Unconsoli

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries	Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries The Company has a 50% ownership interest in each of three entities (collectively, the "LSC Entities") formed for the purpose of acquiring life settlement contracts, with AmTrust owning the remaining 50%. The LSC Entities are: Tiger Capital LLC (“Tiger”); AMT Capital Alpha, LLC (“AMT Alpha”); and AMT Capital Holdings, S.A. (“AMTCH ”). 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 Company, along with AmTrust, is obligated to pay premiums on these life insurance policies as they come due. 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. Tiger, AMT Alpha and AMTCH (collectively “LSC Entities”) are considered to be VIEs, for which the Company is not a primary beneficiary. In determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the Company considered qualitative and quantitative factors, including, but not limited to, activities that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and which party controls such activities. The Company does not have the ability to direct the activities of the LSC Entities that most significantly impact its economic performance. The Company’s maximum exposure to a loss as a result of its involvement with the unconsolidated VIE is limited to its recorded investment plus additional capital commitments. The Company uses the equity method of accounting to account for its investments in the LSC Entities. The following tables present the investment activity in the LSC Entities. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Balance at beginning of the period $ 153,661 $ 146,089 Distributions — (1,923 ) Contributions 5,500 565 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries 13,001 8,588 Change in equity method investments 18,501 7,230 Balance at end of the period $ 172,162 $ 153,319 The following tables summarize total assets, total liabilities and members' equity as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and the results of operations for the Company’s unconsolidated equity method investment in the LSC Entities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . Condensed balance sheet data September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Investments in life settlement contracts, at fair value $ 332,084 $ 264,001 Total assets 364,239 334,026 Total liabilities 19,915 26,704 Members' equity 344,324 307,322 NGHC's 50% ownership interest $ 172,162 $ 153,661 Three Months Ended September 30, Condensed results of operations 2016 2015 Revenue, net of commission $ 6,106 $ 5,400 Total expenses 1,168 1,246 Net income $ 4,938 $ 4,154 NGHC's 50% ownership interest $ 2,469 $ 2,077 Nine Months Ended September 30, Condensed results of operations 2016 2015 Revenue, net of commission $ 30,756 $ 21,541 Total expenses 4,754 4,365 Net income $ 26,002 $ 17,176 NGHC's 50% ownership interest $ 13,001 $ 8,588 The LSC Entities account 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 LSC Entities have elected to account for these policies using the fair value method. The fair value of life settlement contracts as well as life settlement profit commission liability is based on information available to the LSC Entities at the end of the reporting period. The LSC Entities consider the following factors in their 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 LSC Entities estimate the fair value of a life insurance policy by applying an investment discount rate based on the cost of funding their life settlement contracts as compared to returns on investments in asset classes with comparable credit quality, which the LSC Entities have determined to be 7.5% to the expected cash flow generated by the policies in the life settlement portfolio (death benefits less premium payments), net of policy specific adjustments and reserves. In order to confirm the integrity of their calculation of fair value, the LSC Entities, quarterly, retain an independent third-party actuary to verify that the actuarial modeling used by the LSC Entities to determine fair value was performed correctly and that the valuation, as determined through the LSC Entities’ actuarial modeling, is consistent with other methodologies. The LSC Entities consider this information in their assessment of the reasonableness of the life expectancy and discount rate inputs used in the valuation of these investments. The LSC Entities adjust 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 report based thereon. The LSC Entities establish policy specific reserves for the following uncertainties: improvements in mortality, the possibility that the high net worth individuals represented in their portfolios may have access to better health care, the volatility inherent in determining the life expectancy of insureds with significant reported health impairments 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and, only includes data for policies to which the LSC Entities assigned value at those dates: September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Average age of insured 82.7 years 82.0 years Average life expectancy, months (1) 107 114 Average face amount per policy $ 6,569 $ 6,564 Effective discount rate (2) 12.7 % 13.7 % (1) Standard life expectancy as adjusted for specific circumstances. (2) Effective Discount Rate ("EDR") is the LSC Entities' 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 LSC Entities anticipate 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 LSC Entities' 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Change in life expectancy Plus 4 Months Minus 4 Months Investment in life policies: September 30, 2016 $ (42,844 ) $ 46,044 December 31, 2015 $ (37,697 ) $ 40,997 Change in discount rate (1) Plus 1% Minus 1% Investment in life policies: September 30, 2016 $ (28,584 ) $ 31,712 December 31, 2015 $ (26,558 ) $ 29,644 (1) Discount rate is a present value calculation that considers legal risk, credit risk and liquidity risk and is a component of EDR. The Company and AmTrust are committed to providing additional capital support to the LSC Entities to keep the life settlement policies in-force. The Company and AmTrust, each, are committed to provide 50% of the additional required capital. Below is a summary of total premiums to be paid for each of the five succeeding fiscal years to keep the existing life insurance policies in force as of September 30, 2016 . The actual capital commitment may differ from the amounts shown based on policy lapses and terminations, death benefits received and other operating cash flows of the LSC Entities: Premiums Due on Life Settlement Contracts 2016 $ 66,685 2017 46,386 2018 47,392 2019 44,589 2020 40,979 Thereafter 469,780 Total $ 715,811 In August 2011, the Company formed 800 Superior, LLC with AmTrust, for the purposes of acquiring an office building in Cleveland, Ohio. The cost of the building was approximately $7,500 . AmTrust has been appointed managing member of 800 Superior, LLC. The Company and AmTrust each have a 50% ownership interest in 800 Superior, LLC for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Additionally, in 2012, the Company entered into an office lease with 800 Superior, LLC, which as of September 30, 2016 , was approximately 156,176 square feet. The lease period is for 15 years and the Company paid 800 Superior, LLC $693 and $2,059 in rent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company paid 800 Superior, LLC $664 and $1,992 , respectively. The Company’s equity interest in 800 Superior, LLC as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $1,595 and $1,720 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 800 Superior, LLC of $(17) and $(125) , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 800 Superior, LLC of $(190) and $(349) , respectively. (See Note 15, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information). In September 2012, the Company formed East Ninth & Superior, LLC and 800 Superior NMTC Investment Fund II, LLC with AmTrust (collectively “East Ninth & Superior”). The Company and AmTrust each have a 50% ownership interest in East Ninth and Superior, LLC and a 24.5% ownership interest in 800 Superior NMTC Investment Fund II, LLC for which the Company is not a primary beneficiary. The Company’s equity interest in East Ninth & Superior as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $4,179 and $4,139 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from East Ninth & Superior of $12 and $40 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from East Ninth & Superior of $13 and $50 , respectively. In February 2015, the Company invested $9,714 in North Dearborn Building Company, L.P. (“North Dearborn”), a limited partnership that owns an office building in Chicago, Illinois. AmTrust is also a limited partner in North Dearborn, and the general partner is NA Advisors GP LLC (“NA Advisors”), an entity controlled by Leah Karfunkel and managed by an unrelated third party. The Company and AmTrust each received a 45% limited partnership interest in North Dearborn for their respective $9,714 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. North Dearborn is considered to be a VIE, for which the Company is not a primary beneficiary. The Company accounts for North Dearborn using the equity method of accounting. The Company's total exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment. The Company’s equity interest in North Dearborn as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $11,829 and $9,862 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from North Dearborn of $225 and $842 , respectively, and made contributions of $0 and $1,125 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from North Dearborn of $319 and $542 , respectively. (See Note 15, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information). In August 2015, the Company formed 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC with AmTrust, for the purposes of acquiring an office building in Dallas, Texas. The cost of the building was approximately $21,000 . AmTrust has been appointed managing member of 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC. The Company and AmTrust each have a 50% ownership interest in 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC. The Company accounts for 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC using the equity method of accounting. Additionally, in March 2016, the Company entered into a lease agreement with 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC for approximately 81,822 square feet. The lease period is for 12 years and the Company paid 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC $425 and $968 in rent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. The Company’s equity interest in 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $662 and $10,559 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC of $8 and $261 , respectively, and received distributions of $0 and $10,158 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC of $69 and $69 , respectively. (See Note 15, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information). In August 2015, the Company invested $53,715 in Illinois Center Building, L.P. (“Illinois Center”), a limited partnership that owns an office building in Chicago, Illinois. AmTrust and ACP Re Group, Inc. ("ACP Re Group") are also limited partners in Illinois Center and the general partner is NA Advisors. The Company and AmTrust each received a 37.5% limited partnership interest in Illinois Center for their respective $53,715 investments, while ACP Re Group invested $21,486 for its 15.0% limited partnership interest. NA Advisors invested $14,324 and holds a 10.0% general partnership interest and a 10.0% 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 operations of the office building. Illinois Center is considered to be a VIE, for which the Company is not a primary beneficiary. The Company accounts for Illinois Center using the equity method of accounting. The Company's total exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment. The Company’s equity interest in Illinois Center as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $56,289 and $55,007 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from Illinois Center of $256 and $3,157 , respectively, received distributions of $1,875 and $1,875 , respectively. (See Note 15, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information).

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions Century-National On June 1, 2016 , the Company closed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Century-National Insurance Company ("Century-National"), a California domiciled property and casualty insurance company, and Western General Agency, Inc. ("Western General"), a California corporation from Kramer-Wilson Company, Inc. The purchase price for the transaction was approximately $322,694 . The purchase price includes an upfront cash payment of approximately $143,800 with the remaining balance of $178,894 in the form of a promissory note, payable over a period of two years . (See Note 10, "Debt - Century-National Promissory Note " for additional information). The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date: June 2016 Assets: Cash and invested assets $ 413,343 Accrued interest 3,531 Premium receivable 68,410 Reinsurance recoverable 12,904 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 12,723 Premises and equipment 5,216 Intangible assets 26,875 Deferred tax asset 4,185 Other assets 226 Total assets 547,413 Liabilities: Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves 132,912 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 17,420 Unearned premiums 113,608 Reinsurance payable 6,308 Other Liabilities 7,239 Total liabilities 277,487 Net assets purchased 269,926 Purchase price 322,694 Goodwill recorded $ 52,768 The goodwill and intangible assets related to the acquisition of Century-National and Western General were assigned to the Property and Casualty segment. Goodwill of $52,768 is deductible for tax purposes. Intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of Century-National consisted of State licenses of $7,875 with an indefinite life and Value in policies in force of $19,000 with a weighted average amortization life of one year . The Company anticipates completing its acquisition accounting by the end of May 2017. As of September 30, 2016 the Company believes it has substantially completed the opening balance sheet for the acquisition with the exception of intangibles assets and goodwill pending the receipt and review of the third party valuation report and finalization of tax allocations. As a result of the acquisition of Century-National and Western General, the Company recorded $68,851 and $88,835 of gross premium written and $2,147 and $2,639 of service and fee income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. LPI Business On October 1, 2015, the Company closed on a master transaction agreement with QBE Investments (North America), Inc. (“QBE Parent”) and its subsidiary, QBE Holdings, Inc. (together with QBE Parent, “QBE”), pursuant to which the Company acquired QBE’s lender-placed insurance business (“LPI Business”), including certain of QBE’s affiliates engaged in the LPI Business. The transaction included the acquisition of certain assets, including loan-tracking systems and technology, client servicing accounts, intellectual property, and vendor relationships, as well as the assumption of the related insurance liabilities in a reinsurance transaction through which the Company received the loss reserves, unearned premium reserves, and invested assets. The aggregate consideration for the transaction was approximately $95,726 . The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date: October 2015 Assets: Cash and invested assets $ 293,473 Premium receivable 101,357 Premises and equipment 1,540 Intangible assets 61,645 Other assets 1,013 Total assets 459,028 Liabilities: Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves 104,123 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 69,056 Unearned premiums 245,827 Total liabilities 419,006 Net assets purchased 40,022 Purchase price 95,726 Goodwill recorded $ 55,704 The goodwill and intangible assets related to the acquisition of the LPI Business were assigned to the Property and Casualty segment. Goodwill of $48,204 is deductible for tax purposes. Intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of the LPI Business consisted of Agent/Customer relationships of $50,000 , Proprietary technology of $10,000 and Other of $1,645 , with weighted average amortization lives of 15 , 10 and 7 years, respectively. The increase in goodwill of $35,978 from December 31, 2015 to September 30, 2016 was related to the increase in the provisional amounts recorded for Cash and invested assets, Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and Accounts payable and accrued expenses, and the decrease in Premium receivable, Premises and equipment, and Other assets, since the initial accounting was in the process of being completed. As of September 30, 2016 the Company has completed the opening balance sheet for the acquisition. As a result of the acquisition of the LPI Business, the Company recorded $104,621 and $324,808 of gross premium written and $8,602 and $25,769 of service and fee income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. Assurant Health On October 1, 2015, the Company closed its acquisition of certain business lines and assets from Assurant Health, which is a business segment of Assurant, Inc. As part of the transaction, the Company acquired the small group self-funded and supplemental product lines, as well as North Star Marketing, a proprietary small group sales channel. The purchase price was an aggregate cash payment of $14,000 . The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date: October 2015 Assets: Cash and invested assets $ 43,448 Premium receivable 16,440 Intangible assets 10,493 Total assets 70,381 Liabilities: Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves 74,671 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 281 Unearned premiums 2,505 Deferred tax liability 3,887 Other liabilities 678 Total liabilities 82,022 Net assets purchased (11,641 ) Purchase price 14,000 Goodwill recorded $ 25,641 The goodwill and intangible assets related to the acquisition of the business lines and assets from Assurant Health were assigned to the Accident and Health segment. Goodwill of $12,275 is deductible for tax purposes. The increase in goodwill of $10,532 from December 31, 2015 to September 30, 2016 was related to the decrease in the provisional amounts recorded for Premium receivable and an increase in Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves, since the initial accounting was in the process of being completed. As of September 30, 2016 the Company has completed the opening balance sheet for the acquisition. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recorded $46,439 and $144,602 of gross premium written and $15,847 and $45,872 of service and fee income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. No individual acquisition or acquisitions in the aggregate were materially significant that required any pro forma financial information.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets,

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net	Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net Goodwill Goodwill is calculated as the excess of purchase price over the net fair value of assets acquired. The Company performs an annual impairment analysis to identify potential goodwill impairment and measures the amount of a goodwill impairment loss to be recognized. This annual test is performed during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently, if events or circumstances change in a way that requires the Company to perform the impairment analysis on an interim basis. Goodwill impairment testing requires an evaluation of the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. An impairment charge is recorded if the estimated fair value is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit. Intangible Assets Intangible assets consist of finite and indefinite life assets. Finite life intangible assets include customer and producer relationships and trademarks. Insurance company licenses and managements contracts are considered indefinite life intangible assets subject to annual impairment testing. The composition of goodwill and intangible assets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following: September 30, 2016 Gross Balance Accumulated Amortization Net Value Useful Life Trademarks $ 900 $ 90 $ 810 5 years Loss reserve discount 12,694 12,179 515 7 years Agent/Customer relationships 148,462 28,097 120,365 11 - 17 years Affinity partners 800 490 310 11 years Renewal rights 26,100 10,810 15,290 7 years Value in policies in force 47,638 20,652 26,986 1 year Property technology 11,800 1,514 10,286 3 - 10 years Management contracts 118,600 — 118,600 indefinite life State licenses 73,040 — 73,040 indefinite life Goodwill 211,702 — 211,702 indefinite life Total $ 651,736 $ 73,832 $ 577,904 NGHC $ 619,098 $ 59,423 $ 559,675 Reciprocal Exchanges 32,638 14,409 18,229 Total $ 651,736 $ 73,832 $ 577,904 December 31, 2015 Gross Balance Accumulated Amortization Net Value Useful Life Trademarks $ 8,200 $ 6,744 $ 1,456 5 years Loss reserve discount 15,089 12,779 2,310 7 years Agent/Customer relationships 148,419 18,562 129,857 11 - 17 years Affinity partners 800 436 364 11 years Renewal rights 26,100 6,375 19,725 7 years Proprietary technology 11,800 379 11,421 3 - 10 years Management contracts 118,600 — 118,600 indefinite life State licenses 65,165 — 65,165 indefinite life Goodwill 112,414 — 112,414 indefinite life Total $ 506,587 $ 45,275 $ 461,312 NGHC $ 501,187 $ 44,700 $ 456,487 Reciprocal Exchanges 5,400 575 4,825 Total $ 506,587 $ 45,275 $ 461,312 The increase in intangible assets before accumulated amortization of $45,861 from December 31, 2015 to September 30, 2016 was related to the Company's Reciprocal Exchanges consolidation and the Century-National acquisition. The increase in goodwill of $99,288 from December 31, 2015 to September 30, 2016 was related to the Company's Century-National acquisition and the adjustments to provisional amounts recorded to the LPI Business and Assurant Health acquisitions. (See Note 7, "Acquisitions" for additional information). Goodwill and intangible assets are subject to annual impairment testing or on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may not be recoverable. Included in the Company’s amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 is an impairment charge of $0 and $132 , respectively, related to indefinite-lived state license intangible asset. Included in the Company’s amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 is an impairment charge of $0 and $367 , respectively, related to certain agent and customer relationships intangible assets. No goodwill impairment was recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized under the straight-line method, except for loss reserve discount, which the Company amortizes using an accelerated method, which approximates underlying claim payments. The Company also uses the accelerated method of amortization for affinity partners and agents’ relationships based on the estimated attrition of those relationships. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company amortized $17,498 and $37,557 , respectively, related to its intangible assets with a finite life, which includes amortization relating to intangible assets owned by the Reciprocal Exchanges of $7,204 and $14,409 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company amortized approximately $4,403 and $13,637 , respectively, related to its intangible assets with a finite life, which includes amortization relating to intangible assets owned by the Reciprocal Exchanges of $1,355 and $5,220 , respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is: Year ending NGHC Reciprocal Total 2016 (remaining three months) $ 9,885 $ 7,204 $ 17,089 2017 27,885 7,339 35,224 2018 15,618 180 15,798 2019 14,260 180 14,440 2020 13,822 180 14,002 2021 12,064 46 12,110 Thereafter 65,899 — 65,899 Total $ 159,433 $ 15,129 $ 174,562

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity Series C Preferred Stock On July 7, 2016 , the Company completed a public offering of 8,000,000 of its depositary shares, each representing a 1/40th interest in a share of its 7.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C, $0.01 par value per share (the "Series C 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 C Preferred Stock represented thereby (including any dividend, liquidation, redemption and voting rights). Dividends on the Series C 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 January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2016, from and including the date of original issuance. The Series C Preferred Stock represented by the depositary shares is not redeemable prior to July 15, 2021 . After that date, the Company may redeem at its option, in whole or in part, the Series C 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. A total of 8,000,000 depositary shares (equivalent to 200,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock) were issued, including the underwriters' over-allotment option. Net proceeds from this offering were $193,518 . The Company incurred approximately $6,482 in underwriting discounts, commissions and expenses, which were recognized as a reduction to additional paid-in capital.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt 7.625% Subordinated Notes due 2055 On August 18, 2015, the Company sold $100,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 7.625% subordinated notes due 2055 (the “ 7.625% Notes”) in a public offering. The net proceeds the Company received from the issuance was approximately $96,550 , after deducting the underwriting discount, commissions and expenses. The 7.625% Notes bear interest at a rate equal to 7.625% per year, payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning on December 15, 2015. The 7.625% Notes are the Company’s subordinated unsecured obligations and rank (i) senior in right of payment to any 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 7.625% Notes, and (iii) subordinate in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future senior debt, including amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility, the Company’s 6.75% notes and certain of the Company’s other obligations. In addition, the 7.625% Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of the Company’s subsidiaries. The 7.625% Notes mature on September 15, 2055, unless earlier redeemed or purchased by the Company. Interest expense on the 7.625% Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $1,922 and $5,703 , respectively. Interest expense on the 7.625% Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $1,056 and $1,056 , respectively. The indenture contains customary covenants, such as reporting of annual and quarterly financial results, and restrictions on certain mergers and consolidations. The indenture also includes covenants relating to the incurrence of debt if the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio would exceed 0.35 to 1.00 a limitation on liens, a limitation on the disposition of stock of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and a limitation on transactions with certain of the Company’s affiliates. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants contained in the indenture as of September 30, 2016 . 6.75% Notes due 2024 On May 23, 2014, the Company sold $250,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.75% notes due 2024 (the “ 6.75% Notes”) to certain purchasers in a private placement. The net proceeds the Company received from the issuance was approximately $245,000 , after deducting the issuance expenses. The 6.75% Notes bear interest at a rate equal to 6.75% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2014. The 6.75% Notes are the Company’s general unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with its other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any of its indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the 6.75% Notes. The 6.75% Notes are also effectively subordinated to any of the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness and are structurally subordinated to the existing and future indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries (including trade payables). The 6.75% Notes mature on May 15, 2024, unless earlier redeemed or purchased by the Company. On October 8, 2015 , the Company sold an additional $100,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 6.75% Notes to certain purchasers in a private placement. The additional 6.75% Notes bear interest at a rate equal to 6.75% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning on November 15, 2015 . The additional 6.75% Notes mature on May 15, 2024 , unless earlier redeemed or purchased by the Company. The net proceeds the Company received from the issuance was approximately $98,850 , after deducting the estimated issuance expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the issuance for general corporate purposes, including strategic acquisitions and to support its current and future policy writings. The additional 6.75% Notes were issued under the same indenture as the original 6.75% Notes. Interest expense on the 6.75% Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $5,955 and $17,670 , respectively. Interest expense on the 6.75% Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $4,317 and $12,809 , respectively. The indenture contains customary covenants, such as reporting of annual and quarterly financial results, and restrictions on certain mergers and consolidations. The indenture also includes covenants relating to the incurrence of debt if the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio would exceed 0.35 to 1.00 , a limitation on liens, a limitation on the disposition of stock of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and a limitation on transactions with certain of the Company’s affiliates. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants contained in the indenture as of September 30, 2016 . Revolving Credit Agreement On January 25, 2016 , the Company entered into a $225,000 credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, KeyBank National Association as Syndication Agent, and Associated Bank, National Association and First Niagara Bank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, and the various lending institutions party thereto. The credit facility is a revolving credit facility with a letter of credit sublimit of $112,500 and an expansion feature not to exceed $50,000 . Proceeds of borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be used for working capital, acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The Credit Agreement has a maturity date of January 25, 2020 . The Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type (subject to negotiated exceptions and baskets), including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, acquisitions and investments, restricted payments and dispositions. There are also financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a minimum consolidated net worth, a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum risk-based capital and a minimum statutory surplus. The Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default, with grace periods where customary, 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 or receivership events affecting the Company and its subsidiaries, the occurrence of certain material judgments, or a change in control of the Company. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default, the administrative agent, upon the request of the requisite percentage of the lenders, may terminate the obligations of the lenders to make loans and to issue letters of credit under the Credit Agreement, declare the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement to become immediately due and payable and/or exercise any and all remedies and other rights under the Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at either the Alternate Base Rate ("ABR") or LIBOR. ABR borrowings (which are borrowings bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the ABR) under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at (x) the greatest of (a) the prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate on such day plus 0.5 percent or (c) the adjusted LIBOR for a one-month interest period on such day plus 1 percent . Eurodollar borrowings under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at the adjusted LIBOR for the interest period in effect. Fees payable by the Company under the Credit Agreement include a letter of credit participation fee (the margin applicable to Eurodollar borrowings), a letter of credit fronting fee with respect to each letter of credit ( 0.125% ) and a commitment fee on the available commitments of the lenders (a range of 0.20% to 0.30% based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, and which rate was 0.30% as of September 30, 2016 ). On May 31, 2016, the Company borrowed $50,000 under the Credit Agreement, Eurodollar borrowings was elected for interest rate. Interest payments are due the last day of the interest period in intervals of three months duration, commencing on the date of such borrowing. The borrowing bears interest at the adjusted LIBOR rate which was 3.25% as of September 30, 2016 . Interest expense on the Credit Agreement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $378 and $501 , respectively. The Company was in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2016 . Imperial-related Debt The Company's subsidiary, Imperial Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, is the issuer of $5,000 principal amount of Surplus Notes due 2034 ("Imperial Surplus Notes"). The notes bear interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 4.05% , payable quarterly. The notes are redeemable by the Company at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount. Interest expense on the Imperial Surplus Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $61 and $177 , respectively. Interest expense on the Imperial Surplus Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $56 and $164 , respectively. Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes The Reciprocal Exchanges issued surplus notes ("Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes") when they were originally capitalized. The obligation to repay principal and interest on these surplus notes is subordinated to the Reciprocal Exchanges’ other liabilities, including obligations to policyholders and claimants for benefits under insurance policies. Principal and interest on these surplus notes are payable only with regulatory approval. Interest expense on the Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $3,584 and $11,078 , respectively, which includes amortization of $1,908 and $6,081 , respectively. Effective March 31, 2016, the Company purchased the Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes from subsidiaries of ACP Re for an aggregate amount of approximately $88,900 . The purchase price was based on an independent third party valuation of the fair market value of the surplus notes. At September 30, 2016 , the surplus notes receivable and surplus notes payable are eliminated upon consolidation. Interest income and interest expense from the purchased date were also eliminated upon consolidation. (See Note 3, "Reciprocal Exchanges" and Note 15, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information). Century-National Promissory Note On June 1, 2016, in connection with the closing of the Company's acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Century-National and Western General, the Company issued a promissory note ("Century-National Promissory Note") in the approximate amount of $178,894 to the seller to fund a portion of the purchase price for the acquisition. The Century-National Promissory Note is unsecured and has a two -year term. Principal on the Century-National Promissory Note is payable in two equal installments of approximately $89,447 on June 1, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Interest on the outstanding principal balance of the Century-National Promissory Note accrues at an annual rate of 4.4% and is payable in arrears on each of the two payment dates. The Century-National Promissory Note may be prepaid at any time, without penalty. The Century-National Promissory Note contains a cross-acceleration provision that is triggered in the event that payment under the Company’s Credit Agreement is accelerated and such acceleration is not revoked, rescinded or withdrawn within 30 days of such acceleration. The Century-National Promissory Note also contains customary events of default. Interest expense on the Century-National Promissory Note for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $1,957 and $2,594 , respectively. (See Note 7, "Acquisitions" for additional information). Maturities of the Company's debt for the five years subsequent to September 30, 2016 are as follows: 2016 (remaining three months) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter Total 7.625% Notes $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 100,000 $ 100,000 6.75% Notes — — — — — — 350,000 350,000 Credit Agreement — — — — 50,000 — — 50,000 Imperial Surplus Notes — — — — — — 5,000 5,000 Century-National Promissory Note — 89,447 89,447 — — — — 178,894 Total principal amount of debt $ — $ 89,447 $ 89,447 $ — $ 50,000 $ — $ 455,000 $ 683,894 Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discount (8,387 ) Carrying amount of debt $ 675,507

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The following is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income attributable to NGHC $ 28,130 $ 43,113 $ 133,427 $ 124,408 Less: Dividends on preferred stock (8,208 ) (4,125 ) (16,458 ) (9,900 ) Net income attributable to NGHC common stockholders $ 19,922 $ 38,988 $ 116,969 $ 114,508 Denominator: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic 106,002,337 100,360,687 105,801,817 95,877,178 Potentially dilutive securities: Share options 1,940,507 2,217,367 1,853,573 2,074,956 Restricted stock units 481,154 362,674 397,787 362,674 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted 108,423,998 102,940,728 108,053,177 98,314,808 Basic earnings per share attributable to NGHC common stockholders $ 0.19 $ 0.39 $ 1.11 $ 1.19 Diluted earnings per share attributable to NGHC common stockholders $ 0.18 $ 0.38 $ 1.08 $ 1.16 As of September 30, 2016 and 2015 , 1,634,386 and 2,155,484 share options, respectively, were excluded from diluted earnings per common share as they were anti-dilutive.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation The Company currently has two equity incentive plans (the “Plans”). The Plans authorize up to an aggregate of 7,435,000 shares of Company stock for awards of options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), unrestricted stock and other performance awards. The aggregate number of shares of common stock for which awards may be issued may not exceed 7,435,000 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, 2016 , 1,498,628 shares of Company common stock remained available for grants under the Plans. The Company recognizes compensation expense under ASC 718-10-25 for its share-based payments based on the fair value of the awards. The Company grants stock options at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the Company’s stock on the dates the options are granted. The options have a maximum term of ten years from the date of grant and vest primarily in equal annual installments over a range of one to five years following the date of grant for employee options. If a participant’s employment relationship ends, the participant’s vested awards will remain exercisable for the shorter of a period of 30 days or the period ending on the latest date on which such award could have been exercisable. The fair value of each option grant is separately estimated for each grant 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 Company grants RSUs with a grant date value equal to the closing stock price of the Company’s stock on the dates the units are granted and the RSUs generally vest over a period of three or four years. A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is shown below: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Shares Weighted Shares Weighted Outstanding at beginning of period 4,123,809 $ 9.31 5,110,593 $ 8.88 Forfeited (11,448 ) 7.52 (30,759 ) 8.26 Exercised (455,492 ) 8.27 (835,801 ) 6.41 Outstanding at end of period 3,656,869 $ 9.45 4,244,033 $ 9.37 No options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . The Company had approximately $7,378 and $9,069 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , all option grants outstanding had an approximate weighted average remaining life of 6.6 and 6.8 years, respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , options exercisable had an approximate weighted average remaining life of 6.1 and 6.7 years, respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , there were 2,826,940 and 2,686,762 exercisable shares with a weighted average exercise price of $8.93 and $8.79 , respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $5,840 and $7,243 , respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options that were outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $46,845 and $32,647 , respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options that were exercisable as of September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $37,639 and $26,845 , respectively. Cash received from options exercised was $7,271 and $1,672 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. A summary of the Company's RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is shown below: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 RSUs Weighted RSUs Weighted Non-vested at beginning of period 362,674 $ 19.16 327,555 $ 17.44 Granted 297,292 20.59 216,910 20.34 Vested (78,185 ) 19.29 (66,240 ) 17.67 Forfeited (15,602 ) 17.87 (115,551 ) 17.57 Withheld (1) (43,787 ) 19.10 — — Non-vested at end of period 522,392 $ 20.00 362,674 $ 19.16 (1) Represents shares withheld by the Company to satisfy income tax withholding liability in connection with RSU vesting. Compensation expense for all share-based compensation under ASC 718-10-30 was $2,323 and $6,471 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, and $1,180 and $3,444 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively.

Service and Fee Income

Service and Fee Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Service and Fee Income [Abstract]
Service and Fee Income	Service and Fee Income The following table summarizes service and fee income by category: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Installment fees $ 9,826 $ 8,257 $ 27,748 $ 24,689 Commission revenue 31,478 16,843 88,313 46,120 General agent fees 18,378 20,559 55,161 55,991 Late payment fees 4,275 3,063 11,054 8,996 Group health administrative fees 17,222 4,524 53,928 10,461 Finance and processing fees 7,137 6,529 27,002 23,340 Lender service fees 3,722 — 11,634 — Other 3,624 1,132 7,783 3,738 Total $ 95,662 $ 60,907 $ 282,623 $ 173,335

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return. The Reciprocal Exchanges are not included in the Company's consolidated tax return as the Company does not have an ownership interest in the Reciprocal Exchanges, and they are not a part of the consolidated tax sharing agreement. The Company uses the estimated annual effective tax rate method as prescribed under ASC 740, "Income Taxes". Certain items, including those deemed to be unusual, infrequent or that cannot be reliably estimated, are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. In these cases, the actual tax expense or benefit is reported in the same period as the related item. Certain tax effects are also not reflected in the estimated annual effective tax rate, primarily certain changes in the realizability of deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions. The Company establishes deferred tax liabilities equal to approximately 30% of the unutilized statutory equalization reserves carried at its Luxembourg reinsurance companies. The deferred tax liability is adjusted each reporting period based primarily on amounts ceded to the Luxembourg reinsurer under the intercompany reinsurance agreements. As the income or loss of the Luxembourg entity is primarily from intercompany activity, the impact on the consolidated pre-tax income for the consolidated group is generally zero . Accordingly, the reduction of the deferred tax liability for the utilization of equalization reserves creates a deferred tax benefit reflected in the income tax provision in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income. As there is no net effect on the consolidated pre-tax income from the intercompany reinsurance activity, the deferred tax benefit related to these transactions reduces the consolidated effective tax rate of the Company. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company had approximately $9,604 and $45,927 , respectively, of unutilized equalization reserves and an associated deferred tax liability of approximately $2,881 and $13,778 , respectively. The following table is a reconciliation of the difference in the Company’s income tax expense compared to the statutory rate of 35% : Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total Income before provision (benefit) for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries $ 34,303 $ 2,688 $ 36,991 $ 48,689 $ 2,338 $ 51,027 Tax at Federal statutory rate 35% $ 12,006 $ 941 $ 12,947 $ 17,041 $ 818 $ 17,859 Tax effects resulting from: Exempt foreign income (8,165 ) — (8,165 ) (2,574 ) — (2,574 ) Statutory equalization reserves (1,620 ) — (1,620 ) 3,600 — 3,600 Other, net 6,869 (1,226 ) 5,643 (10,227 ) (44 ) (10,271 ) Total income tax reported $ 9,090 $ (285 ) $ 8,805 $ 7,840 $ 774 $ 8,614 Effective tax rate 26.5 % (10.6 )% 23.8 % 16.1 % 33.1 % 16.9 % Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries $ 158,486 $ 11,638 $ 170,124 $ 140,945 $ (998 ) $ 139,947 Tax at Federal statutory rate 35% $ 55,470 $ 4,073 $ 59,543 $ 49,331 $ (349 ) $ 48,982 Tax effects resulting from: Exempt foreign income (12,221 ) — (12,221 ) (7,273 ) — (7,273 ) Statutory equalization reserves (10,897 ) — (10,897 ) (8,887 ) — (8,887 ) Other, net 9,646 (4,632 ) 5,014 (7,802 ) (128 ) (7,930 ) Total income tax reported $ 41,998 $ (559 ) $ 41,439 $ 25,369 $ (477 ) $ 24,892 Effective tax rate 26.5 % (4.8 )% 24.4 % 18.0 % 47.8 % 17.8 % The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate increased by 6.6% from 17.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 to 24.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . This increase was primarily driven by a decrease in the utilization of the Luxembourg statutory equalization reserves. As permitted by ASC 740, "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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . No interest or penalties have been recorded by the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 or for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to its total unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months. All tax liabilities are payable to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and various state and local taxing agencies. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, the Company’s subsidiaries are currently open to audit by the IRS for the years ended December 31, 2012 and thereafter for Federal tax purposes. Excluding the Reciprocal Exchanges, for state and local tax purposes, the Company is open to audit for tax years ended December 31, 2011 forward, depending on jurisdiction.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions The significant shareholder of the Company has an ownership interest in AmTrust, Maiden Holdings Ltd. (“Maiden”) and ACP Re. The Company provides and receives services from these related entities as follows: Agreements with AmTrust and Affiliated Entities Asset Management Agreement Pursuant to an Asset Management Agreement among NGHC and AII Insurance Management Limited (“AIIM”), a subsidiary of AmTrust, the Company pays AIIM a fee for managing the Company’s investment portfolio. Pursuant to the asset management agreement, AIIM provides investment management services for a quarterly fee of 0.0375% of the average value of assets under management if the average value of the account for the previous calendar quarter is greater than $1 billion . Following the initial one -year term, the agreement may be terminated upon 30 days written notice by either party. The amounts charged for such expenses were $734 and $2,532 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, while the amounts charged for such expenses were $628 and $1,717 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , there was a payable to AIIM related to these services in the amount of $798 and $1,909 , respectively. Master Services Agreement AmTrust provides postage and billing services to the Company for premiums written on the Company’s new policy system pursuant to a Master Services Agreement with National General Management Corp. ("Management Corp."), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The agreement is effective for ten years from the acceptance of all phases of the initial work statement and can be automatically renewed thereafter for subsequent five -year terms. The agreement is cancellable for material breach of contract that is not cured within thirty days, if either party fails to perform obligations under contract, if either party is declared bankrupt or insolvent, and in the event of a proposed change of control by either party to a competitor. The services are charged on a work-per-piece basis and are billed to the Company at cost. The Company has the right to audit the books and records as appropriate. AmTrust also provides the Company information technology development services in connection with the development of a policy management system at cost pursuant to a Master Services Agreement with Management Corp. In addition, as consideration for a license for the Company to use that system, AmTrust receives a license fee in the amount of 1.25% of gross premium of NGHC and its affiliates written on the system plus the costs for support services. In 2014, AmTrust also began providing the Company services in managing the premium receipts from its lockbox facilities at a variable cost per item processed. The Company recorded expenses and capitalized costs related to the Master Services Agreement of $13,023 and $34,650 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, while the amounts for such expenses and capitalized costs were $10,239 and $25,141 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , there was a payable related to the services received under this agreement in the amount of $25,861 and $30,122 , respectively. Reinsurance Agreement On March 22, 2012, Integon National entered into a reinsurance agreement with an AmTrust subsidiary, Agent Alliance Reinsurance Company (“AARC”), whereby the Company cedes 25% of the business written by certain agents who are members of the Company’s captive agent program along with 25% of any related losses. The Company receives a ceding commission income of 25% of the associated ceded premiums. Each party may terminate the agreement by providing 90 days written notice. The amounts related to this reinsurance treaty are as follows: September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Reinsurance Recoverable on Unpaid Losses $ 781 $ 829 Commission Receivable 137 107 Reinsurance Payable 511 395 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Ceded Premiums $ 511 $ 387 Ceding Commission Income 87 149 Ceded Losses and LAE 431 221 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Ceded Premiums $ 1,651 $ 1,108 Ceding Commission Income 403 359 Ceded Losses and LAE 974 586 NGHC Quota Share Agreement The Company participated in a quota share reinsurance treaty with the related entities listed below whereby it ceded 50% of the total net earned premiums and net incurred losses and LAE on business with effective dates after March 1, 2010 (“NGHC Quota Share”). On August 1, 2013, the Company provided notice to parties of the NGHC Quota Share agreement that it was terminating the agreement. The Company no longer cedes any net earned premiums and net incurred losses and LAE on business with effective dates after July 31, 2013. The termination was on a run-off basis, meaning the Company continued to cede 50% of the net premiums and the related net losses with respect to policies in force as of July 31, 2013 through the expiration of such policies, the last of which expired on July 31, 2014. The NGHC Quota Share provided that the reinsurers pay a provisional ceding commission equal to 32.5% of ceded earned premium, net of premiums ceded by the Company for inuring reinsurance, subject to adjustment. The ceding commission is subject to adjustment to a maximum of 34.5% if the loss ratio for the reinsured business is 60.0% or less and a minimum of 30.5% if the loss ratio is 64.5% or greater. Effective October 1, 2012, the parties amended the NGHC Quota Share to decrease the provisional ceding commission from 32.5% to 32.0% of ceded earned premium, net of premiums ceded by the Company for inuring reinsurance, subject to adjustment. The ceding commission is subject to adjustment to a minimum of 30.0% (changed from 30.5% ), if the loss ratio is 64.5% or greater. The Company believes that the terms, conditions and pricing of the NGHC Quota Share were determined by arm's length negotiations and reflect market terms and conditions. The percentage breakdown by reinsurer of such 50% is as follows: Name of Insurer Quota Share Percentage ACP Re 15% Maiden Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Maiden 25% Technology Insurance Company, a subsidiary of AmTrust 10% The amounts related to this reinsurance treaty are as follows: September 30, 2016 Reinsurance Recoverable on Paid and Unpaid Losses Commission Receivable Reinsurance Payable ACP Re $ 10,986 $ — $ 11,317 Maiden Insurance Company 30,900 — 18,861 Technology Insurance Company 9,675 — 7,544 Total $ 51,561 $ — $ 37,722 December 31, 2015 Reinsurance Recoverable on Paid and Unpaid Losses Commission Receivable Reinsurance Payable ACP Re $ 17,298 $ — $ 9,025 Maiden Insurance Company 28,830 — 15,041 Technology Insurance Company 11,532 — 6,016 Total $ 57,660 $ — $ 30,082 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Ceded Premiums Ceding Commission Income (Loss) Ceded Losses and LAE ACP Re $ — $ (257 ) $ 2,110 Maiden Insurance Company — (429 ) 3,516 Technology Insurance Company — (171 ) 1,407 Total $ — $ (857 ) $ 7,033 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Ceded Premiums Ceding Commission Income (Loss) Ceded Losses and LAE ACP Re $ — $ (825 ) $ 1,702 Maiden Insurance Company — (1,373 ) 2,825 Technology Insurance Company — (567 ) 1,149 Total $ — $ (2,765 ) $ 5,676 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Ceded Premiums Ceding Commission Income (Loss) Ceded Losses and LAE ACP Re $ — $ (2,292 ) $ 5,266 Maiden Insurance Company — (3,820 ) 8,776 Technology Insurance Company — (1,528 ) 3,511 Total $ — $ (7,640 ) $ 17,553 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Ceded Premiums Ceding Commission Income (Loss) Ceded Losses and LAE ACP Re $ — $ (734 ) $ 2,516 Maiden Insurance Company — (1,224 ) 4,194 Technology Insurance Company — (489 ) 1,678 Total $ — $ (2,447 ) $ 8,388 The Company nets the ceded commission receivable against ceded premium payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as the NGHC Quota Share Agreement allows for net settlement. The agreement also stipulates that if the Company would be denied full statutory credit for reinsurance ceded pursuant to the credit for reinsurance laws or regulations in any applicable jurisdiction, the reinsurers will secure an amount equal to that obligation through a letter of credit; assets held in trust for the benefit of the Company or cash. ACP Re and Maiden Insurance Company held assets in trust in the amount of $0 and $25,239 , respectively, as of September 30, 2016 and $18,677 and $30,797 , respectively, as of December 31, 2015 . The Company and AmTrust have formed the LSC Entities for the purposes of acquiring certain life settlement contracts. For further discussion on the LSC Entities' arrangements (see Note 6, “Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries” for additional information). 800 Superior, LLC As described in Note 6, "Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries", the Company formed 800 Superior, LLC along with AmTrust, whereby each entity owns a 50% interest. In 2012, the Company also entered into a lease agreement with 800 Superior, LLC for a period of 15 years whereby the Company leases as of September 30, 2016 approximately 156,176 square feet. The Company paid 800 Superior, LLC $693 and $2,059 in rent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company paid 800 Superior, LLC $664 and $1,992 , respectively. The Company’s equity interest in 800 Superior, LLC as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $1,595 and $1,720 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 800 Superior, LLC of $(17) and $(125) , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 800 Superior, LLC of $(190) and $(349) , respectively. For more information on the 800 Superior, LLC related party transactions, see Note 16, "Related Party Transactions - 800 Superior, LLC" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 . East Ninth & Superior, LLC In September 2012, the Company formed East Ninth & Superior. The Company and AmTrust each have a 50% ownership interest in East Ninth and Superior, LLC and a 24.5% ownership interest in 800 Superior NMTC Investment Fund II, LLC for which the Company is not a primary beneficiary. The Company’s equity interest in East Ninth & Superior as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $4,179 and $4,139 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from East Ninth & Superior of $12 and $40 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from East Ninth & Superior of $13 and $50 , respectively. North Dearborn Building Company, L.P. In February 2015, the Company invested $9,714 in North Dearborn, a limited partnership that owns an office building in Chicago, Illinois. AmTrust is also a limited partner in North Dearborn, and the general partner is NA Advisors, an entity controlled by Leah Karfunkel and managed by an unrelated third party. The Company and AmTrust each received a 45% limited partnership interest in North Dearborn for their respective $9,714 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. North Dearborn is considered to be a VIE, for which the Company is not a primary beneficiary. The Company accounts for North Dearborn using the equity method of accounting. The Company's total exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment. The Company’s equity interest in North Dearborn as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $11,829 and $9,862 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from North Dearborn of $225 and $842 , respectively, and made contributions of $0 and $1,125 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from North Dearborn of $319 and $542 , respectively. 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC In August 2015, the Company formed 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC with AmTrust, for the purposes of acquiring an office building in Dallas, Texas. The cost of the building was approximately $21,000 . AmTrust has been appointed managing member of 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC. The Company and AmTrust each have a 50% ownership interest in 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC. The Company accounts for 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC using the equity method of accounting. In March 2016, the Company also entered into a lease agreement with 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC for a period of 12 years whereby the Company leased approximately 81,822 square feet. The Company paid 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC $425 and $968 in rent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. The Company’s equity interest in 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $662 and $10,559 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC of $8 and $261 , respectively, and received distributions of $0 and $10,158 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC of $69 and $69 , respectively. Illinois Center Building, L.P. In August 2015, the Company invested $53,715 in Illinois Center, a limited partnership that owns an office building in Chicago, Illinois. AmTrust and ACP Re Group are also limited partners in Illinois Center and the general partner is NA Advisors. The Company and AmTrust each received a 37.5% limited partnership interest in Illinois Center for their respective $53,715 investments, while ACP Re Group invested $21,486 for its 15.0% limited partnership interest. NA Advisors invested $14,324 and holds a 10.0% general partnership interest and a 10.0% 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 operations of the office building. Illinois Center is considered to be a VIE, for which the Company is not a primary beneficiary. The Company accounts for Illinois Center using the equity method of accounting. The Company's total exposure to loss is limited to its equity investment. The Company’s equity interest in Illinois Center as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $56,289 and $55,007 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from Illinois Center of $256 and $3,157 , respectively, and received distributions of $1,875 and $1,875 , respectively. Agreements with ACP Re and Affiliated Entities In connection with the acquisition of Tower Group International, Ltd. ("Tower") by ACP Re in 2014, the Company and ACP Re entered into various agreements. In July 2016, Tower’s ten statutory insurance companies (collectively, the “Tower Companies”) merged into CastlePoint National Insurance Company ("CNIC"), with CNIC as the surviving entity, in connection with a conservation plan developed by the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of California ("Conservation Plan") for CNIC. In September 2016, the Conservation Plan was approved and effective September 20, 2016, the following agreements terminated: (a) the $250,000 Stop-Loss Reinsurance Agreement, dated September 15, 2014, among National General Re, Ltd. (“NG Re Ltd.”), a subsidiary of the Company, and AmTrust International Insurance, Ltd., an affiliate of the Company (“AIIL”), as reinsurers, and CastlePoint Reinsurance Company, Ltd. (“CP Re”), a subsidiary of ACP Re, (b) the Stop-Loss Retrocession Contract among AIIL, NG Re and ACP Re, and (c) the Personal Lines Administrative Services Agreement among Management Corp., a subsidiary of the Company, CP Re and Tower Group’s U.S. insurance companies. The Tower Companies are no longer considered a related party. Personal Lines Master Agreement On July 23, 2014, the Company and ACP Re entered into the Amended and Restated Personal Lines Master Agreement (the "Master Agreement"). The Master Agreement provided for the implementation of the various transactions associated with the acquisition of Tower by ACP Re. In addition, the Master Agreement requires the Company to pay ACP Re contingent consideration in the form of a three -year earnout (the "ACP Re Contingent Payments") of 3% of gross premium written of the Tower personal lines business written or assumed by the Company following the Merger. The Contingent Payments are subject to a maximum of $30,000 , in the aggregate, over the three -year period. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the fair values for the remaining ACP Re Contingent Payments were $0 and $16,071 , respectively. PL Reinsurance Agreement and the Personal Lines Cut-Through Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement Integon National entered into the Personal Lines Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement (the "PL Reinsurance Agreement"), with the Tower Companies, pursuant to which Integon National reinsured 100% of all losses under the Tower Companies’ new and renewal personal lines business written after September 15, 2014. The ceding commission payable by Integon National under the PL Reinsurance Agreement was equal to the sum of (i) reimbursement of the Tower Companies’ acquisition costs in respect of the business covered, including commission payable to National General Insurance Marketing, Inc. (“NGIM”), a subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to the PL MGA Agreement (as defined below), and premium taxes and (ii) 2% of gross premium written (net of cancellations and return premiums) collected pursuant to the PL MGA Agreement. In connection with the execution of the PL Reinsurance Agreement, the Personal Lines Cut-Through Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement, dated January 3, 2014, by and among the Tower Companies and Integon National (the “Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement”), was terminated on a run-off basis, with the reinsurance of all policies reinsured under such agreement remaining in effect. As part of the Conservation Plan the net receivable due from Tower was settled. As of December 31, 2015 , there was a net receivable due from the Tower Companies of $46,565 . As a result of the PL Reinsurance Agreement and the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement and before the Conservation Plan, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company assumed $5,475 and $14,714 , respectively, of premium from the Tower Companies and recorded $2,352 and $3,248 , respectively, of assumed commission expense, while during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company assumed $26,752 and $127,232 , respectively, of premium from the Tower Companies and recorded $11,873 and $44,591 , respectively, of assumed commission expense. Additionally, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company earned premium of $11,998 and $52,985 , respectively, while during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company earned premium of $54,508 and $212,080 , respectively, under these reinsurance agreements. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses of $10,471 and $44,694 , respectively, and during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses of $29,629 and $121,884 , respectively, under these reinsurance agreements. PL MGA Agreement NGIM produced and managed all new and renewal personal lines business of the Tower Companies pursuant to a Personal Lines Managing General Agency Agreement (the "PL MGA Agreement"). As described above, all post-September 15, 2014 personal lines business written by the Tower Companies were reinsured by Integon National pursuant to the PL Reinsurance Agreement. The Tower Companies paid NGIM a 10% commission on all business written pursuant to the PL MGA Agreement. All payments by the Tower Companies to NGIM pursuant to the PL MGA Agreement were netted out of the ceding commission payable by Integon National to the Tower Companies pursuant to the PL Reinsurance Agreement. Before the Conservation Plan, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recorded $547 and $1,471 , res pectively, while during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recorded $2,607 and $10,634 , respectively, of commission income, as a result of the PL MGA Agreement. PL Administrative Services Agreement Management Corp., a subsidiary of the Company, the Tower Companies and an affiliated company, CP Re, entered into the Personal Lines LPTA Administrative Services Agreement (the "PL Administrative Agreement"), pursuant to which Management Corp. administered the run-off of CP Re’s and the Tower Companies’ personal lines business written prior to September 15, 2014 at cost. CP Re and the Tower Companies reimbursed Management Corp. 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 Management Corp.'s claims systems and an allocated portion of the claims service expenses paid by Integon National to the Tower Companies pursuant to the Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement. As a result of the PL Administrative Agreement and before the Conservation Plan, the Company was reimbursed $30,930 and $68,471 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively, while during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company was reimbursed $13,640 and $19,408 , respectively. As part of the Conservation Plan the receivable related to the PL Administrative Agreement was settled. As of December 31, 2015 , there was a receivable related to the PL Administrative Agreement of $11,795 . On September 20, 2016, the PL Administrative Agreement was terminated. Stop-Loss and Retrocession Agreements NG Re Ltd, a subsidiary of the Company, along with AIIL, an affiliate of the Company, as reinsurers, entered into a $250,000 Aggregate Stop-Loss Reinsurance Agreement (the "Stop-Loss Agreement") with CP Re. NG Re Ltd. and AIIL also entered into an Aggregate Stop-Loss Retrocession Contract (the "Retrocession Agreement") with ACP Re pursuant to which ACP Re was obligated to reinsure the full amount of any payments that NG Re Ltd. and AIIL were obligated to make to CP Re under the Stop-Loss Agreement. Pursuant to the Stop-Loss Agreement, each of NG Re Ltd. and AIIL provided, 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 was triggered only at such time as CP Re’s ultimate paid net loss related to the run-off of the pre-September 15, 2014 Tower business exceeded a retention equal to the Tower Companies’ loss and loss adjustment reserves and unearned premium reserves as of September 15, 2014, which, the parties to the Loss Portfolio Transfer Agreement have agreed will be established upon reevaluation as of December 31, 2015. CP Re was to pay AIIL and NG Re Ltd. total premium of $56,000 on the fifth anniversary of the Stop-Loss Agreement. The premium payable by NG Re Ltd. and AIIL to ACP Re pursuant to the Retrocession Agreement was $56,000 in the aggregate, less a ceding commission of 5.5% to be retained by NG Re Ltd. and AII. The Company recorded this reinsurance transaction under the deposit method of accounting. On September 20, 2016, the Stop-Loss Agreement and Retrocession Agreement were terminated. Credit Agreement On September 15, 2014, NG Re Ltd. entered into a credit agreement (the “ACP Re Credit Agreement”) by and among AmTrust, as Administrative Agent, ACP Re and London Acquisition Company Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACP Re, as the borrowers (collectively, the “Borrowers”), ACP Re Holdings, LLC, as Guarantor, and AIIL 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 on the terms and conditions contained within the ACP Re Credit Agreement. On July 28, 2016, the parties entered into a restatement agreement (the “Restatement Agreement”) to the ACP Re Credit Agreement. The parties to the Restatement Agreement agreed to restate the ACP Re Credit Agreement as a result of a $200,000 contribution (the "Contribution") by the Michael Karfunkel Family 2005 Trust (the “Trust”) and members of the Michael Karfunkel family to CNIC. The Contribution was made in connection with the Conservation Plan developed by the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of California for CNIC as successor by merger to the Tower Companies. The restated terms of the ACP Re Credit Agreement became effective on September 20, 2016. Under the restated terms, the borrower became ACP Re Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company owned by the Trust. The Trust will cause ACP Re Holdings, LLC to maintain assets having a value greater than 115% of the value of the then outstanding loan balance, and if there is a shortfall, the Trust will make a contribution to ACP Re Holdings, LLC of assets having a market value of at least the shortfall (the “Maintenance Covenant”). The amounts borrowed are secured by equity interests, cash and cash equivalents, other investments held by ACP Re Holdings, LLC and proceeds of the foregoing in an amount equal to the requirements of the Maintenance Covenant. The maturity date changed from September 15, 2021 to September 20, 2036. Interest on the outstanding principal balance of $250,000 changed from a fixed annual rate of 7% to a fixed annual rate of 3.7% , provided that up to 1.2% thereof may be paid in kind. Commencing on September 20, 2026, and for each year thereafter, two percent of the then outstanding principal balance of the loan (inclusive of any amounts previously paid in kind) is due and payable. A change of control of greater than 50% and an uncured breach of the Maintenance Covenant are included as events of default. The Company recorded interest income of $2,049 and $2,115 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $6,424 and $6,514 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, under the ACP Re Credit Agreement. At June 30, 2016 , based on the consolidated financial condition of ACP Re and the continued losses from its subsidiaries' legacy Tower book of business, management of the Company identified the loan for impairment evaluation. Management determined that it was probable for the Company to be unable to collect all the contractual principal and interest payments as scheduled in the original ACP Re Credit Agreement, deeming the loan impaired. While the loan was considered impaired at June 30, 2016 , the Restatement Agreement contains a Maintenance Covenant with a collateral interest which exceeded the $125,000 outstanding balance. As such, management determined no write down or reserve was needed for the carrying value of the loan at June 30, 2016 or September 30, 2016 . Interest income during the period the loan was impaired was $2,049 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. Management evaluates the loan for impairment on a quarterly basis, including the adequacy of our reserve position based on collateral levels maintained. The Company continues to accrue interest on the loan as all contractually required interest payments have been made in accordance with the terms of the ACP Re Credit Agreement. Surplus Notes of the Reciprocal Exchanges The Reciprocal Exchanges issued the Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes when they were originally capitalized. The obligation to repay principal and interest on the Reciprocal Exchanges’ Surplus Notes is subordinated to the Reciprocal Exchanges’ other liabilities. Principal and interest on the Reciprocal Exchanges’ Surplus Notes are payable only with regulatory approval. Effective March 31, 2016, the Company purchased the Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes from subsidiaries of ACP Re for an aggregate amount of approximately $88,900 . The purchase price was based on an independent third party valuation of the fair market value of the surplus notes. At September 30, 2016 , the surplus notes receivable and the surplus notes payable are eliminated upon consolidation. (See Note 10, "Debt" for additional information). AIBD Health Plan On September 1, 2012, the Company purchased The Association Benefits Solution companies, a group of companies affiliated with the accident and health insurance industry. As part of the purchase, the Company is now affiliated with AIBD Health Plan which is a welfare benefit plan for several member groups. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company had a receivable of $5,425 and $5,418 , respectively. Also, as part of this plan, the Company utilizes an employer trust to administer additional claims. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company had a receivable to the employer trust in the amount of $1,810 and $2,950 , respectively.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company currently operates two business segments, Property and Casualty and Accident and Health. The “Corporate and Other” column represents the activities of the holding company, as well as income from the Company’s investment portfolio. The Company evaluates segment performance based on segment profit separately from the results of the Company's investment portfolio. Other operating expenses allocated to the segments are called General and Administrative expenses which are allocated on an actual basis except salaries and benefits where management’s judgment is applied. In determining total 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 to Corporate and Other. The Property and Casualty segment, which includes the Reciprocal Exchanges and the Management Companies, reports the management fees earned by NGHC from the Reciprocal Exchanges for underwriting, investment management and other services as service and fee income for the Company. The effects of these transactions between NGHC and the Reciprocal Exchanges are eliminated in consolidation to derive consolidated net income. The following tables summarize the results of operations of the Company’s operating segments: Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenue: Gross premium written $ 833,835 $ 97,624 $ — $ 931,459 Ceded premiums (114,825 ) (10,249 ) — (125,074 ) Net premium written 719,010 87,375 — 806,385 Change in unearned premium (54,242 ) 17,707 — (36,535 ) Net earned premium 664,768 105,082 — 769,850 Ceding commission income 14,270 327 — 14,597 Service and fee income 55,504 40,158 — 95,662 Total underwriting revenues 734,542 145,567 — 880,109 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 432,706 77,147 — 509,853 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 107,904 32,836 — 140,740 General and administrative expenses 166,368 32,369 — 198,737 Total underwriting expenses 706,978 142,352 — 849,330 Underwriting income 27,564 3,215 — 30,779 Net investment income — — 27,676 27,676 Net realized and unrealized loss on investments — — (10,953 ) (10,953 ) Other expense — — (56 ) (56 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries — — 2,953 2,953 Interest expense — — (10,455 ) (10,455 ) Provision for income taxes — — (8,805 ) (8,805 ) Net (income) attributable to non-controlling interest — — (3,009 ) (3,009 ) Net income attributable NGHC $ 27,564 $ 3,215 $ (2,649 ) $ 28,130 NGHC $ 26,280 $ 3,215 $ (1,365 ) $ 28,130 Reciprocal Exchanges 1,284 — (1,284 ) — Net income attributable NGHC $ 27,564 $ 3,215 $ (2,649 ) $ 28,130 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenue: Gross premium written $ 583,091 $ 43,594 $ — $ 626,685 Ceded premiums (91,301 ) (9,745 ) — (101,046 ) Net premium written 491,790 33,849 — 525,639 Change in unearned premium (33,636 ) 11,258 — (22,378 ) Net earned premium 458,154 45,107 — 503,261 Ceding commission income 11,883 267 — 12,150 Service and fee income 41,247 19,660 — 60,907 Total underwriting revenues 511,284 65,034 — 576,318 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 268,740 33,519 — 302,259 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 91,379 17,365 — 108,744 General and administrative expenses 104,520 14,061 — 118,581 Total underwriting expenses 464,639 64,945 — 529,584 Underwriting income 46,645 89 — 46,734 Net investment income — — 18,472 18,472 Net realized and unrealized loss on investments — — (4,594 ) (4,594 ) Other expense — — (157 ) (157 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries — — 2,288 2,288 Interest expense — — (9,428 ) (9,428 ) Provision for income taxes — — (8,614 ) (8,614 ) Net (income) attributable to non-controlling interest — — (1,588 ) (1,588 ) Net income attributable NGHC $ 46,645 $ 89 $ (3,621 ) $ 43,113 NGHC $ 43,179 $ 89 $ (155 ) $ 43,113 Reciprocal Exchanges 3,466 — (3,466 ) — Net income attributable NGHC $ 46,645 $ 89 $ (3,621 ) $ 43,113 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenue: Gross premium written $ 2,242,788 $ 355,372 $ — $ 2,598,160 Ceded premiums (275,932 ) (33,807 ) — (309,739 ) Net premium written 1,966,856 321,565 — 2,288,421 Change in unearned premium (137,010 ) (13,701 ) — (150,711 ) Net earned premium 1,829,846 307,864 — 2,137,710 Ceding commission income 23,351 1,055 — 24,406 Service and fee income 170,153 112,470 — 282,623 Total underwriting revenues 2,023,350 421,389 — 2,444,739 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 1,158,994 232,267 — 1,391,261 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 281,341 81,172 — 362,513 General and administrative expenses 472,635 93,849 — 566,484 Total underwriting expenses 1,912,970 407,288 — 2,320,258 Underwriting income 110,380 14,101 — 124,481 Net investment income — — 76,874 76,874 Net realized and unrealized loss on investments — — (2,954 ) (2,954 ) Other revenue — — 258 258 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries — — 16,991 16,991 Interest expense — — (28,535 ) (28,535 ) Provision for income taxes — — (41,439 ) (41,439 ) Net (income) attributable to non-controlling interest — — (12,249 ) (12,249 ) Net income attributable NGHC $ 110,380 $ 14,101 $ 8,946 $ 133,427 NGHC $ 100,454 $ 14,101 $ 18,872 $ 133,427 Reciprocal Exchanges 9,926 — (9,926 ) — Net income attributable NGHC $ 110,380 $ 14,101 $ 8,946 $ 133,427 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenue: Gross premium written $ 1,692,412 $ 153,409 $ — $ 1,845,821 Ceded premiums (284,121 ) (26,626 ) — (310,747 ) Net premium written 1,408,291 126,783 — 1,535,074 Change in unearned premium (69,598 ) (14,234 ) — (83,832 ) Net earned premium 1,338,693 112,549 — 1,451,242 Ceding commission income 26,380 820 — 27,200 Service and fee income 118,584 54,751 — 173,335 Total underwriting revenues 1,483,657 168,120 — 1,651,777 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 816,022 79,752 — 895,774 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 254,855 40,276 — 295,131 General and administrative expenses 301,187 42,239 — 343,426 Total underwriting expenses 1,372,064 162,267 — 1,534,331 Underwriting income 111,593 5,853 — 117,446 Net investment income — — 52,955 52,955 Net realized and unrealized loss on investments — — (3,018 ) (3,018 ) Other expense — — (327 ) (327 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries — — 8,900 8,900 Interest expense — — (27,109 ) (27,109 ) Provision for income taxes — — (24,892 ) (24,892 ) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest — — 453 453 Net income attributable NGHC $ 111,593 $ 5,853 $ 6,962 $ 124,408 NGHC $ 108,336 $ 5,853 $ 10,219 $ 124,408 Reciprocal Exchanges 3,257 — (3,257 ) — Net income attributable NGHC $ 111,593 $ 5,853 $ 6,962 $ 124,408 The following tables summarize the financial position of the Company's operating segments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : September 30, 2016 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Premiums and other receivables, net $ 776,742 $ 147,016 $ — $ 923,758 Deferred acquisition costs 193,930 12,157 — 206,087 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 906,513 11,195 — 917,708 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 154,574 — — 154,574 Goodwill and Intangible assets, net 468,309 109,595 — 577,904 Prepaid and other assets 12,629 22,781 7,551 42,961 Corporate and other assets — — 4,034,436 4,034,436 Total assets $ 2,512,697 $ 302,744 $ 4,041,987 $ 6,857,428 December 31, 2015 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Premiums and other receivables, net $ 684,857 $ 73,776 $ — $ 758,633 Deferred acquisition costs 153,767 6,764 — 160,531 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 832,593 583 — 833,176 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 128,343 — — 128,343 Goodwill and Intangible assets, net 366,021 95,291 — 461,312 Prepaid and other assets 19,914 17,504 3,766 41,184 Corporate and other assets — — 3,180,213 3,180,213 Total assets $ 2,185,495 $ 193,918 $ 3,183,979 $ 5,563,392 The following table shows an analysis of the Company's gross and net premiums written and net earned premium by geographical location for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 NGHC Reciprocal Total NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross premium written - North America $ 842,984 $ 80,978 $ 923,962 $ 536,583 $ 79,864 $ 616,447 Gross premium written - Europe 7,497 — 7,497 10,238 — 10,238 Total $ 850,481 $ 80,978 $ 931,459 $ 546,821 $ 79,864 $ 626,685 Net premium written - North America $ 448,539 $ 39,066 $ 487,605 $ 209,390 $ 43,650 $ 253,040 Net premium written - Bermuda 311,283 — 311,283 262,361 — 262,361 Net premium written - Europe 7,497 — 7,497 10,238 — 10,238 Total $ 767,319 $ 39,066 $ 806,385 $ 481,989 $ 43,650 $ 525,639 Net earned premium - North America $ 398,239 $ 35,507 $ 433,746 $ 183,113 $ 34,296 $ 217,409 Net earned premium - Bermuda 311,282 — 311,282 264,161 — 264,161 Net earned premium - Europe 24,822 — 24,822 21,691 — 21,691 Total $ 734,343 $ 35,507 $ 769,850 $ 468,965 $ 34,296 $ 503,261 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 NGHC Reciprocal Total NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross premium written - North America $ 2,352,809 $ 158,148 $ 2,510,957 $ 1,553,584 $ 217,830 $ 1,771,414 Gross premium written - Europe 87,203 — 87,203 74,407 — 74,407 Total $ 2,440,012 $ 158,148 $ 2,598,160 $ 1,627,991 $ 217,830 $ 1,845,821 Net premium written - North America $ 1,258,915 $ 78,196 $ 1,337,111 $ 600,386 $ 93,053 $ 693,439 Net premium written - Bermuda 837,107 — 837,107 727,228 — 727,228 Net premium written - Europe 114,203 — 114,203 114,407 — 114,407 Total $ 2,210,225 $ 78,196 $ 2,288,421 $ 1,442,021 $ 93,053 $ 1,535,074 Net earned premium - North America $ 1,129,163 $ 71,535 $ 1,200,698 $ 525,233 $ 98,440 $ 623,673 Net earned premium - Bermuda 837,107 — 837,107 727,228 — 727,228 Net earned premium - Europe 99,905 — 99,905 100,341 — 100,341 Total $ 2,066,175 $ 71,535 $ 2,137,710 $ 1,352,802 $ 98,440 $ 1,451,242 The following tables show an analysis of the Company's gross premium written, net premium written and net earned premium by product type for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Gross Premium Written 2016 2015 2016 2015 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 384,384 $ 307,799 $ 1,107,457 $ 935,339 Homeowners 135,833 103,423 306,360 263,544 RV/Packaged 42,964 40,447 129,260 121,093 Commercial Auto 72,692 48,052 191,209 139,880 Lender-placed insurance 105,249 — 325,436 — Other 11,735 3,506 24,918 14,726 Property and Casualty $ 752,857 $ 503,227 $ 2,084,640 $ 1,474,582 Accident and Health 97,624 43,594 355,372 153,409 NGHC Total $ 850,481 $ 546,821 $ 2,440,012 $ 1,627,991 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 25,345 $ 24,177 $ 48,466 $ 67,641 Homeowners 53,534 53,836 105,170 144,201 Other 2,099 1,851 4,512 5,988 Reciprocal Exchanges Total $ 80,978 $ 79,864 $ 158,148 $ 217,830 Total $ 931,459 $ 626,685 $ 2,598,160 $ 1,845,821 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Net Premium Written 2016 2015 2016 2015 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 344,605 $ 257,432 $ 977,212 $ 805,081 Homeowners 120,242 105,028 276,677 250,874 RV/Packaged 42,705 40,113 128,582 119,781 Commercial Auto 66,790 43,502 174,731 127,753 Lender-placed insurance 99,824 — 317,206 — Other 5,778 2,065 14,252 11,749 Property and Casualty $ 679,944 $ 448,140 $ 1,888,660 $ 1,315,238 Accident and Health 87,375 33,849 321,565 126,783 NGHC Total $ 767,319 $ 481,989 $ 2,210,225 $ 1,442,021 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 15,047 $ (3,683 ) $ 28,500 $ 38,619 Homeowners 22,948 45,686 46,483 48,235 Other 1,071 1,647 3,213 6,199 Reciprocal Exchanges Total $ 39,066 $ 43,650 $ 78,196 $ 93,053 Total $ 806,385 $ 525,639 $ 2,288,421 $ 1,535,074 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Net Earned Premium 2016 2015 2016 2015 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 312,654 $ 251,754 $ 875,480 $ 786,397 Homeowners 100,875 92,283 256,870 219,633 RV/Packaged 40,727 38,489 117,261 112,041 Commercial Auto 59,791 39,440 155,105 111,491 Lender-placed insurance 103,751 — 335,076 — Other 11,463 1,892 18,519 10,691 Property and Casualty $ 629,261 $ 423,858 $ 1,758,311 $ 1,240,253 Accident and Health 105,082 45,107 307,864 112,549 NGHC Total $ 734,343 $ 468,965 $ 2,066,175 $ 1,352,802 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 13,860 $ 14,494 $ 26,840 $ 60,965 Homeowners 20,275 18,404 39,879 33,452 Other 1,372 1,398 4,816 4,023 Reciprocal Exchanges Total $ 35,507 $ 34,296 $ 71,535 $ 98,440 Total $ 769,850 $ 503,261 $ 2,137,710 $ 1,451,242

Commitments

Commitments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments	Commitments Direct General On June 24, 2016, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Elara Holdings, Inc. (the “Acquired Company”), a Delaware corporation and parent company of Direct General Corporation ("Direct General"), a Tennessee based property and casualty insurance company, Bluebird Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”) and Shareholder Representative Services LLC, a Colorado limited liability company, solely in its capacity as the Company Holders’ Representative thereunder. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company purchased all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Acquired Company in a reverse subsidiary merger transaction, whereby Merger Sub merged with and into the Acquired Company, with the Acquired Company continuing as the surviving corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The aggregate consideration for the transaction was approximately $161,590 . (See Note 18, “Subsequent Events” for additional information).

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events Direct General On November 1, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of the Direct General. The purchase price for the transaction was approximately $161,590 , subject to customary post-closing adjustments. The Company will complete the opening balance sheet for the acquisition and anticipates completing its acquisition accounting as soon as reasonably practical, and in any event by the end of October 2017. This acquisition adds a direct marketing distribution channel to the Company's core non-standard auto business and expands the Company's presence in this product line in the Southeast. (See Note 17, “Commitments” for additional information). Standard Property and Casualty Insurance Company On October 6, 2016 , in a special meeting of the members of Standard Mutual Insurance Company, an Illinois based property and casualty insurance underwriter ("SMIC"), the members approved, among other matters, the conversion of SMIC from a mutual company to a stock company named Standard Property and Casualty Insurance Company ("SPCIC"). In addition, the Company completed its offering of shares of its common stock for cash on a subscription basis to certain of the SMIC members and to non-employee directors of SMIC. The Company received subscriptions of approximately $4,942 . The Company sold the shares at a purchase price of $18.1237 per share, which represented an 18.4507% discount to the volume-weighted average trading price of a share of its common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, for the 10-trading day period ending October 5, 2016 , which was $22.2242 . On October 7, 2016 , the Company completed the acquisition and delivered 272,609 shares of its common stock, which represents the number of shares sold in the offering. The Company will complete the opening balance sheet for the acquisition and anticipates completing its acquisition accounting as soon as reasonably practical, and in any event by the end of September 2017. This acquisition expands the Company's packaged home and auto offerings in Illinois and Indiana.

Reciprocal Exchanges (Tables)

Reciprocal Exchanges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule Of Variable Interest Entity Balance Sheet	The following table presents the opening balance sheet of the Reciprocal Exchanges as of March 31, 2016: March 2016 Assets: Cash and investments $ 258,274 Accrued investment income 2,658 Premiums and other receivables, net 52,922 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 43,401 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 59,706 Income tax receivable 300 Due from affiliate 11,703 Premises and equipment, net 2,386 Intangible assets, net 32,638 Prepaid and other assets 187 Total assets $ 464,175 Liabilities: Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves $ 137,093 Unearned premiums 143,194 Reinsurance payable 11,982 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 6,972 Deferred tax liability 23,716 Debt 88,900 Other liabilities 37,550 Total liabilities 449,407 Stockholders’ equity: Non-controlling interest 14,768 Total stockholders’ equity 14,768 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 464,175 The consolidation of the Reciprocal Exchanges at March 31, 2016 is treated as a business combination with the assets, liabilities and non-controlling interest recognized at fair value at the date of consolidation. The Company has no ownership in the Reciprocal Exchanges. Therefore, the difference between the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired represents the fair value of non-controlling interest acquired.

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Securities	The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value on available-for-sale securities were as follows: September 30, 2016 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Fixed maturities and securities pledged: U.S. Treasury $ 22,397 $ 1,594 $ — $ 23,991 Federal agencies 431 8 — 439 States and political subdivision bonds 403,649 11,801 (374 ) 415,076 Foreign government 60,084 978 (352 ) 60,710 Corporate bonds 1,574,781 92,902 (5,400 ) 1,662,283 Residential mortgage-backed securities 401,765 12,886 (61 ) 414,590 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 106,280 3,471 (448 ) 109,303 Structured securities 281,244 4,512 (1,013 ) 284,743 Total fixed maturities and securities pledged 2,850,631 128,152 (7,648 ) 2,971,135 Equity securities: Common stock 65,855 5,061 (3,141 ) 67,775 Preferred stock 15,821 515 (515 ) 15,821 Total equity securities 81,676 5,576 (3,656 ) 83,596 Total $ 2,932,307 $ 133,728 $ (11,304 ) $ 3,054,731 Less: Securities pledged — — — — Total net of securities pledged $ 2,932,307 $ 133,728 $ (11,304 ) $ 3,054,731 NGHC $ 2,652,406 $ 118,161 $ (10,856 ) $ 2,759,711 Reciprocal Exchanges 279,901 15,567 (448 ) 295,020 Total $ 2,932,307 $ 133,728 $ (11,304 ) $ 3,054,731 December 31, 2015 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value Fixed maturities and securities pledged: U.S. Treasury $ 19,348 $ 1,052 $ (48 ) $ 20,352 Federal agencies 1,945 7 — 1,952 States and political subdivision bonds 193,017 4,516 (609 ) 196,924 Foreign government 31,383 31 (352 ) 31,062 Corporate bonds 1,375,336 22,224 (47,902 ) 1,349,658 Residential mortgage-backed securities 419,293 6,254 (978 ) 424,569 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 135,134 720 (3,649 ) 132,205 Structured securities 205,024 15 (4,347 ) 200,692 Total fixed maturities and securities pledged 2,380,480 34,819 (57,885 ) 2,357,414 Equity securities: Common stock 53,356 569 (6,960 ) 46,965 Preferred stock 11,448 377 — 11,825 Total equity securities 64,804 946 (6,960 ) 58,790 Total $ 2,445,284 $ 35,765 $ (64,845 ) $ 2,416,204 Less: Securities pledged 54,955 439 — 55,394 Total net of securities pledged $ 2,390,329 $ 35,326 $ (64,845 ) $ 2,360,810 NGHC $ 2,199,714 $ 34,773 $ (58,826 ) $ 2,175,661 Reciprocal Exchanges 245,570 992 (6,019 ) 240,543 Total $ 2,445,284 $ 35,765 $ (64,845 ) $ 2,416,204 As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the Company had no other-than-temporary impairments ("OTTI")recognized in AOCI.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity	The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale fixed maturities and securities pledged, held as of September 30, 2016 , by contractual maturity, are shown in the table below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total September 30, 2016 Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Due in one year or less $ 34,921 $ 35,088 $ 75 $ 76 $ 34,996 $ 35,164 Due after one year through five years 479,553 501,849 42,896 45,598 522,449 547,447 Due after five years through ten years 1,223,595 1,280,579 179,652 190,135 1,403,247 1,470,714 Due after ten years 347,517 357,760 34,377 36,157 381,894 393,917 Mortgage-backed securities 485,144 500,839 22,901 23,054 508,045 523,893 Total $ 2,570,730 $ 2,676,115 $ 279,901 $ 295,020 $ 2,850,631 $ 2,971,135
Gross Unrealized Losses	The tables below summarize the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities and equity securities classified as available for sale, by length of time the security has continuously been in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total September 30, 2016 Fair Unrealized No. of Fair Unrealized No. of Fair Unrealized Fixed maturities: States and political subdivision bonds $ 40,021 $ (203 ) 49 $ 5,457 $ (171 ) 10 $ 45,478 $ (374 ) Foreign government 17,742 (352 ) 4 — — — 17,742 (352 ) Corporate bonds 141,601 (3,950 ) 51 31,439 (1,450 ) 24 173,040 (5,400 ) Residential mortgage-backed securities 6,096 (19 ) 4 2,278 (42 ) 5 8,374 (61 ) Commercial mortgage-backed securities 8,015 (127 ) 4 5,392 (321 ) 4 13,407 (448 ) Structured securities 28,733 (113 ) 15 39,953 (900 ) 20 68,686 (1,013 ) Equity securities: Common stock 14,882 (3,133 ) 32 168 (8 ) 3 15,050 (3,141 ) Preferred stock 10,410 (515 ) 6 — — — 10,410 (515 ) Total $ 267,500 $ (8,412 ) 165 $ 84,687 $ (2,892 ) 66 $ 352,187 $ (11,304 ) NGHC $ 255,970 $ (8,231 ) 156 $ 77,117 $ (2,625 ) 51 $ 333,087 $ (10,856 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 11,530 (181 ) 9 7,570 (267 ) 15 19,100 (448 ) Total $ 267,500 $ (8,412 ) 165 $ 84,687 $ (2,892 ) 66 $ 352,187 $ (11,304 ) Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total December 31, 2015 Fair Unrealized No. of Fair Unrealized No. of Fair Unrealized Fixed maturities: U.S. Treasury $ 7,141 $ (48 ) 5 $ — $ — — $ 7,141 $ (48 ) States and political subdivision bonds 17,674 (501 ) 22 4,878 (108 ) 10 22,552 (609 ) Foreign government 21,322 (352 ) 4 — — — 21,322 (352 ) Corporate bonds 684,613 (37,919 ) 229 32,121 (9,983 ) 38 716,734 (47,902 ) Residential mortgage-backed securities 102,889 (919 ) 23 1,655 (59 ) 9 104,544 (978 ) Commercial mortgage-backed securities 66,222 (3,472 ) 30 2,364 (177 ) 2 68,586 (3,649 ) Structured securities 153,042 (4,347 ) 65 — — — 153,042 (4,347 ) Equity securities: Common stock 39,490 (6,932 ) 5 130 (28 ) 2 39,620 (6,960 ) Total $ 1,092,393 $ (54,490 ) 383 $ 41,148 $ (10,355 ) 61 $ 1,133,541 $ (64,845 ) NGHC $ 988,188 $ (50,599 ) 284 $ 28,691 $ (8,227 ) 34 $ 1,016,879 $ (58,826 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 104,205 (3,891 ) 99 12,457 (2,128 ) 27 116,662 (6,019 ) Total $ 1,092,393 $ (54,490 ) 383 $ 41,148 $ (10,355 ) 61 $ 1,133,541 $ (64,845 )
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses	The Company reviewed its investments at September 30, 2016 , and determined that no additional OTTI existed in the gross unrealized holding losses other than certain fixed maturities and equity securities, that were in a loss position, for which the Company had the intention to sell before it can recover its cost basis. At September 30, 2016 the Company intends to sell these securities. The impairment for these securities is equal to the difference between its amortized cost or cost and its fair value, and were as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Fixed maturities - Corporate bonds $ 7,238 $ 6,009 $ 7,238 $ 6,009 Equity securities - Common stock 14,864 — 14,864 2,483 Total OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ 22,102 $ 6,009 $ 22,102 $ 8,492 NGHC $ 22,102 $ 6,009 $ 22,102 $ 8,492 Reciprocal Exchanges — — — — Total OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ 22,102 $ 6,009 $ 22,102 $ 8,492
Unrealized Gains and Losses	Unrealized gains (losses) on investments classified as available for sale as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following: September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Net unrealized gain (loss) on fixed maturities $ 120,504 $ (23,066 ) Net unrealized gain (loss) on common stock 1,920 (6,391 ) Net unrealized gain on preferred stock — 377 Net unrealized gain (loss) on other 8 (20 ) Deferred income tax (42,851 ) 10,185 Unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax $ 79,581 $ (18,915 ) NGHC $ 69,753 $ (15,634 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 9,828 (3,281 ) Unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax 79,581 (18,915 ) Non-controlling interest (9,828 ) 3,281 NGHC unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax $ 69,753 $ (15,634 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015: September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 NGHC change in unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax $ 85,387 $ (21,290 ) Non-controlling interest change in unrealized gains (losses), net of deferred income tax $ 7,851 $ (3,494 )
Trading Securities	The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value on trading securities were as follows: September 30, 2016 Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Gross Fair Fixed maturities: Corporate bonds $ 31,057 $ 4,419 $ (47 ) $ 35,429 Equity securities: Common stock 24,133 1,180 (3,027 ) 22,286 Total $ 55,190 $ 5,599 $ (3,074 ) $ 57,715 NGHC $ 55,190 $ 5,599 $ (3,074 ) $ 57,715 Reciprocal Exchanges — — — — Total $ 55,190 $ 5,599 $ (3,074 ) $ 57,715
Investment Income	The components of net investment income consisted of the following: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Interest income Cash and short-term investments $ 1,265 $ 2 $ 4,122 $ 11 Fixed maturities 26,129 17,321 69,747 48,243 Equity securities 996 102 1,387 299 Investment income 28,390 17,425 75,256 48,553 Investment expenses (2,479 ) (1,110 ) (5,163 ) (2,381 ) Repurchase agreements interest income (expense) (102 ) 78 (422 ) (25 ) Other income (1) 1,867 2,079 7,203 6,808 Net Investment Income $ 27,676 $ 18,472 $ 76,874 $ 52,955 NGHC $ 24,271 $ 16,140 $ 71,221 $ 46,403 Reciprocal Exchanges 3,405 2,332 5,653 6,552 Net Investment Income $ 27,676 $ 18,472 $ 76,874 $ 52,955 (1 ) Includes interest income of $2,049 and $2,115 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and $6,424 and $6,514 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, under the ACP Re Credit Agreement. (See Note 15, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information).
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses)	The tables below indicate impairment write-downs on investments, realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, and realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 the Company reclassified $23,636 available-for-sale securities to trading securities with $58 gross gains and $3,050 gross losses from AOCI to earnings. Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Gross Gains Gross Losses Net Gains (Losses) OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ — $ (22,102 ) $ (22,102 ) Fixed maturities, available-for-sale 15,796 (2,299 ) 13,497 Equity securities, available-for-sale 1,536 (5,783 ) (4,247 ) Fixed maturities, trading 4,427 (533 ) 3,894 Equity securities, trading 1,374 (3,369 ) (1,995 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 23,133 $ (34,086 ) $ (10,953 ) NGHC $ 23,037 $ (34,086 ) $ (11,049 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 96 — 96 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 23,133 $ (34,086 ) $ (10,953 ) Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Gross Gains Gross Losses Net Gains (Losses) OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ — $ (6,009 ) $ (6,009 ) Fixed maturities, available-for-sale 1,579 (109 ) 1,470 Equity securities, available-for-sale — (55 ) (55 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 1,579 $ (6,173 ) $ (4,594 ) NGHC $ 1,349 $ (6,067 ) $ (4,718 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 230 (106 ) 124 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 1,579 $ (6,173 ) $ (4,594 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Gross Gains Gross Losses Net Gains (Losses) OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ — $ (22,102 ) $ (22,102 ) Fixed maturities, available-for-sale 25,648 (4,563 ) 21,085 Equity securities, available-for-sale 2,240 (6,076 ) (3,836 ) Fixed maturities, trading 4,427 (533 ) 3,894 Equity securities, trading 1,374 (3,369 ) (1,995 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 33,689 $ (36,643 ) $ (2,954 ) NGHC $ 33,423 $ (36,614 ) $ (3,191 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 266 (29 ) 237 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 33,689 $ (36,643 ) $ (2,954 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Gross Gains Gross Losses Net Gains (Losses) OTTI loss recognized in earnings $ — $ (8,492 ) $ (8,492 ) Fixed maturities, available-for-sale 6,669 (1,145 ) 5,524 Equity securities, available-for-sale 5 (55 ) (50 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 6,674 $ (9,692 ) $ (3,018 ) NGHC $ 5,537 $ (8,826 ) $ (3,289 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 1,137 (866 ) 271 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments $ 6,674 $ (9,692 ) $ (3,018 )
Credit Quality of Investments	The tables below summarize the credit quality of the Company's fixed maturities, securities pledged and preferred securities as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , as rated by Standard & Poor’s. NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges September 30, 2016 Cost or Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Securities Cost or Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Securities U.S. Treasury $ 16,463 $ 18,006 0.7 % $ 5,934 $ 5,985 2.0 % AAA 224,610 230,539 8.5 % 19,506 19,714 6.7 % AA, AA+, AA- 750,467 773,631 28.4 % 27,927 30,011 10.2 % A, A+, A- 680,757 711,917 26.1 % 84,218 89,524 30.3 % BBB, BBB+, BBB- 702,716 734,792 26.9 % 129,314 135,531 45.9 % BB+ and lower 242,595 258,480 9.4 % 13,002 14,255 4.9 % Total $ 2,617,608 $ 2,727,365 100.0 % $ 279,901 $ 295,020 100.0 % NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges December 31, 2015 Cost or Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Securities Cost or Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Securities U.S. Treasury $ 13,416 $ 14,448 0.7 % $ 5,932 $ 5,904 2.5 % AAA 343,128 348,073 16.4 % 39,724 38,888 16.2 % AA, AA+, AA- 379,560 383,888 18.0 % 36,866 36,934 15.4 % A, A+, A- 501,409 508,884 23.9 % 50,612 50,153 20.8 % BBB, BBB+, BBB- 634,250 623,742 29.3 % 82,417 80,322 33.4 % BB+ and lower 274,594 249,660 11.7 % 30,020 28,343 11.7 % Total $ 2,146,357 $ 2,128,695 100.0 % $ 245,571 $ 240,544 100.0 % The tables below summarize the investment quality of the Company's corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . September 30, 2016 AAA AA+, A+, BBB+, BB+ or Fair % of Corporate Bonds: Financial institutions 0.5 % 2.6 % 19.9 % 11.1 % 2.1 % $ 615,292 36.2 % Industrials — % 3.1 % 15.7 % 28.1 % 8.5 % 939,758 55.4 % Utilities/Other 0.9 % 0.1 % 2.3 % 3.0 % 2.1 % 142,662 8.4 % Total 1.4 % 5.8 % 37.9 % 42.2 % 12.7 % $ 1,697,712 100.0 % NGHC 1.4 % 5.3 % 32.9 % 34.4 % 11.9 % $ 1,458,583 85.9 % Reciprocal Exchanges — % 0.5 % 5.0 % 7.8 % 0.8 % 239,129 14.1 % Total 1.4 % 5.8 % 37.9 % 42.2 % 12.7 % $ 1,697,712 100.0 % December 31, 2015 AAA AA+, A+, BBB+, BB+ or Fair % of Corporate Bonds: Financial institutions — % 2.8 % 21.2 % 12.7 % 2.1 % $ 524,250 38.8 % Industrials — % 3.9 % 15.4 % 32.3 % 4.6 % 757,907 56.2 % Utilities/Other 0.4 % — % 0.4 % 3.4 % 0.8 % 67,501 5.0 % Total 0.4 % 6.7 % 37.0 % 48.4 % 7.5 % $ 1,349,658 100.0 % NGHC 0.4 % 6.1 % 33.9 % 42.7 % 6.3 % $ 1,206,442 89.4 % Reciprocal Exchanges — % 0.6 % 3.1 % 5.7 % 1.2 % 143,216 10.6 % Total 0.4 % 6.7 % 37.0 % 48.4 % 7.5 % $ 1,349,658 100.0 %
Restricted Cash and Investments	The fair values of the Company's restricted assets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows: September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Restricted cash $ 13,688 $ 13,776 Restricted investments - fixed maturities, at fair value 47,118 40,174 Total $ 60,806 $ 53,950
Other Investments	The table below summarizes the composition of other investments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Limited partnerships, equity method $ 36,745 $ 5,691 Investments at cost or amortized cost 28,043 7,340 Total $ 64,788 $ 13,031
Contractual Maturity of Repurchase Agreements	The table below summarizes the remaining contractual maturity of the Company's repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2015 . December 31, 2015 Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Repurchase Agreements Overnight and Continuous Up to 30 days 30 - 90 days Greater Than 90 days Total Repurchase agreements: Residential mortgage-backed securities $ — $ 52,484 $ — $ — $ 52,484 Total Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value $ — $ 52,484 $ — $ — $ 52,484

Fair Value of Financial Instr30

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments	The following table presents the carrying amount and fair value estimates of debt not carried at fair value: September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Carrying amount Fair value Carrying amount Fair value 7.625% Notes $ 96,648 $ 103,880 $ 96,583 $ 98,240 6.75% Notes 344,965 379,668 344,478 350,000 Credit Agreement 50,000 53,778 — — Imperial Surplus Notes 5,000 4,985 5,000 4,979 Century-National Promissory Note 178,894 179,313 — — Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes — — 45,476 50,300 Total $ 675,507 $ 721,624 $ 491,537 $ 503,519
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	In accordance with ASC 820, assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows: September 30, 2016 Recurring Fair Value Measures Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Available-for-sale securities: Fixed maturities and securities pledged: U.S. Treasury $ 23,991 $ — $ — $ 23,991 Federal agencies 439 — — 439 States and political subdivision bonds — 415,076 — 415,076 Foreign government — 60,710 — 60,710 Corporate bonds — 1,662,283 — 1,662,283 Residential mortgage-backed securities — 414,590 — 414,590 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 109,303 — 109,303 Structured securities — 284,743 — 284,743 Total fixed maturities and securities pledged 24,430 2,946,705 — 2,971,135 Equity securities: Common stock 67,775 — — 67,775 Preferred stock — 15,821 — 15,821 Total equity securities 67,775 15,821 — 83,596 Total available-for-sale securities 92,205 2,962,526 — 3,054,731 Trading securities: Fixed maturities - Corporate bonds — 35,429 — 35,429 Equity securities - Common stock 22,286 — — 22,286 Total trading securities 22,286 35,429 — 57,715 Short-term investments — 146,126 — 146,126 Total assets $ 114,491 $ 3,144,081 $ — $ 3,258,572 NGHC $ 104,910 $ 2,855,046 $ — $ 2,959,956 Reciprocal Exchanges 9,581 289,035 — 298,616 Total assets $ 114,491 $ 3,144,081 $ — $ 3,258,572 Liabilities Contingent payments $ — $ — $ 4,927 $ 4,927 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 4,927 $ 4,927 NGHC $ — $ — $ 4,927 $ 4,927 Reciprocal Exchanges — — — — Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 4,927 $ 4,927 December 31, 2015 Recurring Fair Value Measures Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Assets Available-for-sale securities: Fixed maturities and securities pledged: U.S. Treasury $ 20,352 $ — $ — $ 20,352 Federal agencies 1,952 — — 1,952 States and political subdivision bonds — 196,924 — 196,924 Foreign government — 31,062 — 31,062 Corporate bonds — 1,349,658 — 1,349,658 Residential mortgage-backed securities — 424,569 — 424,569 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 132,205 — 132,205 Structured securities — 200,692 — 200,692 Total fixed maturities and securities pledged 22,304 2,335,110 — 2,357,414 Equity securities: Common stock 46,965 — — 46,965 Preferred stock — 11,825 — 11,825 Total equity securities 46,965 11,825 — 58,790 Total available-for-sale securities 69,269 2,346,935 — 2,416,204 Short-term investments — 3,527 — 3,527 Total assets $ 69,269 $ 2,350,462 $ — $ 2,419,731 NGHC $ 61,413 $ 2,115,776 $ — $ 2,177,189 Reciprocal Exchanges 7,856 234,686 — 242,542 Total assets $ 69,269 $ 2,350,462 $ — $ 2,419,731 Liabilities Contingent payments $ — $ — $ 24,652 $ 24,652 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 24,652 $ 24,652 NGHC $ — $ — $ 24,652 $ 24,652 Reciprocal Exchanges — — — — Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 24,652 $ 24,652
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The following tables provide a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the year ended December 31, 2015 : Balance as of Net income / loss Other comprehensive Purchases and Payments, sales and Net transfers Balance as of September 30, 2016 Contingent payments $ 24,652 $ (707 ) $ — $ — $ (19,018 ) $ — $ 4,927 Total liabilities $ 24,652 $ (707 ) $ — $ — $ (19,018 ) $ — $ 4,927 Balance as of Net income / loss Other comprehensive Purchases and Payments, sales and Net transfers Balance as of Common stock $ 34,389 $ — $ 2,526 $ — $ — $ (36,915 ) $ — Total assets $ 34,389 $ — $ 2,526 $ — $ — $ (36,915 ) $ — Contingent payments $ 23,499 $ 2,357 $ — $ 8,581 $ (9,785 ) $ — $ 24,652 Total liabilities $ 23,499 $ 2,357 $ — $ 8,581 $ (9,785 ) $ — $ 24,652

Equity Investments in Unconso31

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries (Tables) - LSC Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Equity Method Investment Information	The following tables present the investment activity in the LSC Entities. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Balance at beginning of the period $ 153,661 $ 146,089 Distributions — (1,923 ) Contributions 5,500 565 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries 13,001 8,588 Change in equity method investments 18,501 7,230 Balance at end of the period $ 172,162 $ 153,319 The following tables summarize total assets, total liabilities and members' equity as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and the results of operations for the Company’s unconsolidated equity method investment in the LSC Entities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . Condensed balance sheet data September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Investments in life settlement contracts, at fair value $ 332,084 $ 264,001 Total assets 364,239 334,026 Total liabilities 19,915 26,704 Members' equity 344,324 307,322 NGHC's 50% ownership interest $ 172,162 $ 153,661 Three Months Ended September 30, Condensed results of operations 2016 2015 Revenue, net of commission $ 6,106 $ 5,400 Total expenses 1,168 1,246 Net income $ 4,938 $ 4,154 NGHC's 50% ownership interest $ 2,469 $ 2,077 Nine Months Ended September 30, Condensed results of operations 2016 2015 Revenue, net of commission $ 30,756 $ 21,541 Total expenses 4,754 4,365 Net income $ 26,002 $ 17,176 NGHC's 50% ownership interest $ 13,001 $ 8,588
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information	The following summarizes data utilized in estimating the fair value of the portfolio of life insurance policies as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and, only includes data for policies to which the LSC Entities assigned value at those dates: September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Average age of insured 82.7 years 82.0 years Average life expectancy, months (1) 107 114 Average face amount per policy $ 6,569 $ 6,564 Effective discount rate (2) 12.7 % 13.7 % (1) Standard life expectancy as adjusted for specific circumstances. (2) Effective Discount Rate ("EDR") is the LSC Entities' 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 LSC Entities anticipate 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). 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : Change in life expectancy Plus 4 Months Minus 4 Months Investment in life policies: September 30, 2016 $ (42,844 ) $ 46,044 December 31, 2015 $ (37,697 ) $ 40,997 Change in discount rate (1) Plus 1% Minus 1% Investment in life policies: September 30, 2016 $ (28,584 ) $ 31,712 December 31, 2015 $ (26,558 ) $ 29,644 (1) Discount rate is a present value calculation that considers legal risk, credit risk and liquidity risk and is a component of EDR.
Schedule of Premiums to be Paid to Keep Existing Life Insurance Policies in Force	The actual capital commitment may differ from the amounts shown based on policy lapses and terminations, death benefits received and other operating cash flows of the LSC Entities: Premiums Due on Life Settlement Contracts 2016 $ 66,685 2017 46,386 2018 47,392 2019 44,589 2020 40,979 Thereafter 469,780 Total $ 715,811

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Century-National
Business Acquisition
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date: June 2016 Assets: Cash and invested assets $ 413,343 Accrued interest 3,531 Premium receivable 68,410 Reinsurance recoverable 12,904 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 12,723 Premises and equipment 5,216 Intangible assets 26,875 Deferred tax asset 4,185 Other assets 226 Total assets 547,413 Liabilities: Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves 132,912 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 17,420 Unearned premiums 113,608 Reinsurance payable 6,308 Other Liabilities 7,239 Total liabilities 277,487 Net assets purchased 269,926 Purchase price 322,694 Goodwill recorded $ 52,768
LPI Business
Business Acquisition
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date: October 2015 Assets: Cash and invested assets $ 293,473 Premium receivable 101,357 Premises and equipment 1,540 Intangible assets 61,645 Other assets 1,013 Total assets 459,028 Liabilities: Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves 104,123 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 69,056 Unearned premiums 245,827 Total liabilities 419,006 Net assets purchased 40,022 Purchase price 95,726 Goodwill recorded $ 55,704
Assurant Health
Business Acquisition
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date: October 2015 Assets: Cash and invested assets $ 43,448 Premium receivable 16,440 Intangible assets 10,493 Total assets 70,381 Liabilities: Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves 74,671 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 281 Unearned premiums 2,505 Deferred tax liability 3,887 Other liabilities 678 Total liabilities 82,022 Net assets purchased (11,641 ) Purchase price 14,000 Goodwill recorded $ 25,641

Goodwill and Intangible Asset33

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill	The composition of goodwill and intangible assets at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following: September 30, 2016 Gross Balance Accumulated Amortization Net Value Useful Life Trademarks $ 900 $ 90 $ 810 5 years Loss reserve discount 12,694 12,179 515 7 years Agent/Customer relationships 148,462 28,097 120,365 11 - 17 years Affinity partners 800 490 310 11 years Renewal rights 26,100 10,810 15,290 7 years Value in policies in force 47,638 20,652 26,986 1 year Property technology 11,800 1,514 10,286 3 - 10 years Management contracts 118,600 — 118,600 indefinite life State licenses 73,040 — 73,040 indefinite life Goodwill 211,702 — 211,702 indefinite life Total $ 651,736 $ 73,832 $ 577,904 NGHC $ 619,098 $ 59,423 $ 559,675 Reciprocal Exchanges 32,638 14,409 18,229 Total $ 651,736 $ 73,832 $ 577,904 December 31, 2015 Gross Balance Accumulated Amortization Net Value Useful Life Trademarks $ 8,200 $ 6,744 $ 1,456 5 years Loss reserve discount 15,089 12,779 2,310 7 years Agent/Customer relationships 148,419 18,562 129,857 11 - 17 years Affinity partners 800 436 364 11 years Renewal rights 26,100 6,375 19,725 7 years Proprietary technology 11,800 379 11,421 3 - 10 years Management contracts 118,600 — 118,600 indefinite life State licenses 65,165 — 65,165 indefinite life Goodwill 112,414 — 112,414 indefinite life Total $ 506,587 $ 45,275 $ 461,312 NGHC $ 501,187 $ 44,700 $ 456,487 Reciprocal Exchanges 5,400 575 4,825 Total $ 506,587 $ 45,275 $ 461,312
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	The estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years and thereafter is: Year ending NGHC Reciprocal Total 2016 (remaining three months) $ 9,885 $ 7,204 $ 17,089 2017 27,885 7,339 35,224 2018 15,618 180 15,798 2019 14,260 180 14,440 2020 13,822 180 14,002 2021 12,064 46 12,110 Thereafter 65,899 — 65,899 Total $ 159,433 $ 15,129 $ 174,562

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Maturities of the Company's debt for the five years subsequent to September 30, 2016 are as follows: 2016 (remaining three months) 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter Total 7.625% Notes $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 100,000 $ 100,000 6.75% Notes — — — — — — 350,000 350,000 Credit Agreement — — — — 50,000 — — 50,000 Imperial Surplus Notes — — — — — — 5,000 5,000 Century-National Promissory Note — 89,447 89,447 — — — — 178,894 Total principal amount of debt $ — $ 89,447 $ 89,447 $ — $ 50,000 $ — $ 455,000 $ 683,894 Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discount (8,387 ) Carrying amount of debt $ 675,507

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Numerator: Net income attributable to NGHC $ 28,130 $ 43,113 $ 133,427 $ 124,408 Less: Dividends on preferred stock (8,208 ) (4,125 ) (16,458 ) (9,900 ) Net income attributable to NGHC common stockholders $ 19,922 $ 38,988 $ 116,969 $ 114,508 Denominator: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic 106,002,337 100,360,687 105,801,817 95,877,178 Potentially dilutive securities: Share options 1,940,507 2,217,367 1,853,573 2,074,956 Restricted stock units 481,154 362,674 397,787 362,674 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted 108,423,998 102,940,728 108,053,177 98,314,808 Basic earnings per share attributable to NGHC common stockholders $ 0.19 $ 0.39 $ 1.11 $ 1.19 Diluted earnings per share attributable to NGHC common stockholders $ 0.18 $ 0.38 $ 1.08 $ 1.16

Share-Based Compensation (Table

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is shown below: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Shares Weighted Shares Weighted Outstanding at beginning of period 4,123,809 $ 9.31 5,110,593 $ 8.88 Forfeited (11,448 ) 7.52 (30,759 ) 8.26 Exercised (455,492 ) 8.27 (835,801 ) 6.41 Outstanding at end of period 3,656,869 $ 9.45 4,244,033 $ 9.37 No options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 .
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	A summary of the Company's RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is shown below: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 RSUs Weighted RSUs Weighted Non-vested at beginning of period 362,674 $ 19.16 327,555 $ 17.44 Granted 297,292 20.59 216,910 20.34 Vested (78,185 ) 19.29 (66,240 ) 17.67 Forfeited (15,602 ) 17.87 (115,551 ) 17.57 Withheld (1) (43,787 ) 19.10 — — Non-vested at end of period 522,392 $ 20.00 362,674 $ 19.16 (1) Represents shares withheld by the Company to satisfy income tax withholding liability in connection with RSU vesting.

Service and Fee Income (Tables)

Service and Fee Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Service and Fee Income [Abstract]
Schedule of Service and Fee Income	The following table summarizes service and fee income by category: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Installment fees $ 9,826 $ 8,257 $ 27,748 $ 24,689 Commission revenue 31,478 16,843 88,313 46,120 General agent fees 18,378 20,559 55,161 55,991 Late payment fees 4,275 3,063 11,054 8,996 Group health administrative fees 17,222 4,524 53,928 10,461 Finance and processing fees 7,137 6,529 27,002 23,340 Lender service fees 3,722 — 11,634 — Other 3,624 1,132 7,783 3,738 Total $ 95,662 $ 60,907 $ 282,623 $ 173,335

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The following table is a reconciliation of the difference in the Company’s income tax expense compared to the statutory rate of 35% : Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total Income before provision (benefit) for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries $ 34,303 $ 2,688 $ 36,991 $ 48,689 $ 2,338 $ 51,027 Tax at Federal statutory rate 35% $ 12,006 $ 941 $ 12,947 $ 17,041 $ 818 $ 17,859 Tax effects resulting from: Exempt foreign income (8,165 ) — (8,165 ) (2,574 ) — (2,574 ) Statutory equalization reserves (1,620 ) — (1,620 ) 3,600 — 3,600 Other, net 6,869 (1,226 ) 5,643 (10,227 ) (44 ) (10,271 ) Total income tax reported $ 9,090 $ (285 ) $ 8,805 $ 7,840 $ 774 $ 8,614 Effective tax rate 26.5 % (10.6 )% 23.8 % 16.1 % 33.1 % 16.9 % Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries $ 158,486 $ 11,638 $ 170,124 $ 140,945 $ (998 ) $ 139,947 Tax at Federal statutory rate 35% $ 55,470 $ 4,073 $ 59,543 $ 49,331 $ (349 ) $ 48,982 Tax effects resulting from: Exempt foreign income (12,221 ) — (12,221 ) (7,273 ) — (7,273 ) Statutory equalization reserves (10,897 ) — (10,897 ) (8,887 ) — (8,887 ) Other, net 9,646 (4,632 ) 5,014 (7,802 ) (128 ) (7,930 ) Total income tax reported $ 41,998 $ (559 ) $ 41,439 $ 25,369 $ (477 ) $ 24,892 Effective tax rate 26.5 % (4.8 )% 24.4 % 18.0 % 47.8 % 17.8 %

Related Party Transactions (Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
AARC
Related Party Transaction
Schedule of Reinsurance Treaties	The amounts related to this reinsurance treaty are as follows: September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Reinsurance Recoverable on Unpaid Losses $ 781 $ 829 Commission Receivable 137 107 Reinsurance Payable 511 395 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Ceded Premiums $ 511 $ 387 Ceding Commission Income 87 149 Ceded Losses and LAE 431 221 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Ceded Premiums $ 1,651 $ 1,108 Ceding Commission Income 403 359 Ceded Losses and LAE 974 586
Quota Share Agreement
Related Party Transaction
Schedule of Percentage Participation by Reinsurer	The percentage breakdown by reinsurer of such 50% is as follows: Name of Insurer Quota Share Percentage ACP Re 15% Maiden Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Maiden 25% Technology Insurance Company, a subsidiary of AmTrust 10%
Schedule of Reinsurance Treaties	The amounts related to this reinsurance treaty are as follows: September 30, 2016 Reinsurance Recoverable on Paid and Unpaid Losses Commission Receivable Reinsurance Payable ACP Re $ 10,986 $ — $ 11,317 Maiden Insurance Company 30,900 — 18,861 Technology Insurance Company 9,675 — 7,544 Total $ 51,561 $ — $ 37,722 December 31, 2015 Reinsurance Recoverable on Paid and Unpaid Losses Commission Receivable Reinsurance Payable ACP Re $ 17,298 $ — $ 9,025 Maiden Insurance Company 28,830 — 15,041 Technology Insurance Company 11,532 — 6,016 Total $ 57,660 $ — $ 30,082 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Ceded Premiums Ceding Commission Income (Loss) Ceded Losses and LAE ACP Re $ — $ (257 ) $ 2,110 Maiden Insurance Company — (429 ) 3,516 Technology Insurance Company — (171 ) 1,407 Total $ — $ (857 ) $ 7,033 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Ceded Premiums Ceding Commission Income (Loss) Ceded Losses and LAE ACP Re $ — $ (825 ) $ 1,702 Maiden Insurance Company — (1,373 ) 2,825 Technology Insurance Company — (567 ) 1,149 Total $ — $ (2,765 ) $ 5,676 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Ceded Premiums Ceding Commission Income (Loss) Ceded Losses and LAE ACP Re $ — $ (2,292 ) $ 5,266 Maiden Insurance Company — (3,820 ) 8,776 Technology Insurance Company — (1,528 ) 3,511 Total $ — $ (7,640 ) $ 17,553 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Ceded Premiums Ceding Commission Income (Loss) Ceded Losses and LAE ACP Re $ — $ (734 ) $ 2,516 Maiden Insurance Company — (1,224 ) 4,194 Technology Insurance Company — (489 ) 1,678 Total $ — $ (2,447 ) $ 8,388

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	The following tables summarize the results of operations of the Company’s operating segments: Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenue: Gross premium written $ 833,835 $ 97,624 $ — $ 931,459 Ceded premiums (114,825 ) (10,249 ) — (125,074 ) Net premium written 719,010 87,375 — 806,385 Change in unearned premium (54,242 ) 17,707 — (36,535 ) Net earned premium 664,768 105,082 — 769,850 Ceding commission income 14,270 327 — 14,597 Service and fee income 55,504 40,158 — 95,662 Total underwriting revenues 734,542 145,567 — 880,109 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 432,706 77,147 — 509,853 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 107,904 32,836 — 140,740 General and administrative expenses 166,368 32,369 — 198,737 Total underwriting expenses 706,978 142,352 — 849,330 Underwriting income 27,564 3,215 — 30,779 Net investment income — — 27,676 27,676 Net realized and unrealized loss on investments — — (10,953 ) (10,953 ) Other expense — — (56 ) (56 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries — — 2,953 2,953 Interest expense — — (10,455 ) (10,455 ) Provision for income taxes — — (8,805 ) (8,805 ) Net (income) attributable to non-controlling interest — — (3,009 ) (3,009 ) Net income attributable NGHC $ 27,564 $ 3,215 $ (2,649 ) $ 28,130 NGHC $ 26,280 $ 3,215 $ (1,365 ) $ 28,130 Reciprocal Exchanges 1,284 — (1,284 ) — Net income attributable NGHC $ 27,564 $ 3,215 $ (2,649 ) $ 28,130 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenue: Gross premium written $ 583,091 $ 43,594 $ — $ 626,685 Ceded premiums (91,301 ) (9,745 ) — (101,046 ) Net premium written 491,790 33,849 — 525,639 Change in unearned premium (33,636 ) 11,258 — (22,378 ) Net earned premium 458,154 45,107 — 503,261 Ceding commission income 11,883 267 — 12,150 Service and fee income 41,247 19,660 — 60,907 Total underwriting revenues 511,284 65,034 — 576,318 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 268,740 33,519 — 302,259 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 91,379 17,365 — 108,744 General and administrative expenses 104,520 14,061 — 118,581 Total underwriting expenses 464,639 64,945 — 529,584 Underwriting income 46,645 89 — 46,734 Net investment income — — 18,472 18,472 Net realized and unrealized loss on investments — — (4,594 ) (4,594 ) Other expense — — (157 ) (157 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries — — 2,288 2,288 Interest expense — — (9,428 ) (9,428 ) Provision for income taxes — — (8,614 ) (8,614 ) Net (income) attributable to non-controlling interest — — (1,588 ) (1,588 ) Net income attributable NGHC $ 46,645 $ 89 $ (3,621 ) $ 43,113 NGHC $ 43,179 $ 89 $ (155 ) $ 43,113 Reciprocal Exchanges 3,466 — (3,466 ) — Net income attributable NGHC $ 46,645 $ 89 $ (3,621 ) $ 43,113 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenue: Gross premium written $ 2,242,788 $ 355,372 $ — $ 2,598,160 Ceded premiums (275,932 ) (33,807 ) — (309,739 ) Net premium written 1,966,856 321,565 — 2,288,421 Change in unearned premium (137,010 ) (13,701 ) — (150,711 ) Net earned premium 1,829,846 307,864 — 2,137,710 Ceding commission income 23,351 1,055 — 24,406 Service and fee income 170,153 112,470 — 282,623 Total underwriting revenues 2,023,350 421,389 — 2,444,739 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 1,158,994 232,267 — 1,391,261 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 281,341 81,172 — 362,513 General and administrative expenses 472,635 93,849 — 566,484 Total underwriting expenses 1,912,970 407,288 — 2,320,258 Underwriting income 110,380 14,101 — 124,481 Net investment income — — 76,874 76,874 Net realized and unrealized loss on investments — — (2,954 ) (2,954 ) Other revenue — — 258 258 Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries — — 16,991 16,991 Interest expense — — (28,535 ) (28,535 ) Provision for income taxes — — (41,439 ) (41,439 ) Net (income) attributable to non-controlling interest — — (12,249 ) (12,249 ) Net income attributable NGHC $ 110,380 $ 14,101 $ 8,946 $ 133,427 NGHC $ 100,454 $ 14,101 $ 18,872 $ 133,427 Reciprocal Exchanges 9,926 — (9,926 ) — Net income attributable NGHC $ 110,380 $ 14,101 $ 8,946 $ 133,427 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenue: Gross premium written $ 1,692,412 $ 153,409 $ — $ 1,845,821 Ceded premiums (284,121 ) (26,626 ) — (310,747 ) Net premium written 1,408,291 126,783 — 1,535,074 Change in unearned premium (69,598 ) (14,234 ) — (83,832 ) Net earned premium 1,338,693 112,549 — 1,451,242 Ceding commission income 26,380 820 — 27,200 Service and fee income 118,584 54,751 — 173,335 Total underwriting revenues 1,483,657 168,120 — 1,651,777 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 816,022 79,752 — 895,774 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 254,855 40,276 — 295,131 General and administrative expenses 301,187 42,239 — 343,426 Total underwriting expenses 1,372,064 162,267 — 1,534,331 Underwriting income 111,593 5,853 — 117,446 Net investment income — — 52,955 52,955 Net realized and unrealized loss on investments — — (3,018 ) (3,018 ) Other expense — — (327 ) (327 ) Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries — — 8,900 8,900 Interest expense — — (27,109 ) (27,109 ) Provision for income taxes — — (24,892 ) (24,892 ) Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest — — 453 453 Net income attributable NGHC $ 111,593 $ 5,853 $ 6,962 $ 124,408 NGHC $ 108,336 $ 5,853 $ 10,219 $ 124,408 Reciprocal Exchanges 3,257 — (3,257 ) — Net income attributable NGHC $ 111,593 $ 5,853 $ 6,962 $ 124,408 The following tables summarize the financial position of the Company's operating segments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 : September 30, 2016 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Premiums and other receivables, net $ 776,742 $ 147,016 $ — $ 923,758 Deferred acquisition costs 193,930 12,157 — 206,087 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 906,513 11,195 — 917,708 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 154,574 — — 154,574 Goodwill and Intangible assets, net 468,309 109,595 — 577,904 Prepaid and other assets 12,629 22,781 7,551 42,961 Corporate and other assets — — 4,034,436 4,034,436 Total assets $ 2,512,697 $ 302,744 $ 4,041,987 $ 6,857,428 December 31, 2015 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Premiums and other receivables, net $ 684,857 $ 73,776 $ — $ 758,633 Deferred acquisition costs 153,767 6,764 — 160,531 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 832,593 583 — 833,176 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 128,343 — — 128,343 Goodwill and Intangible assets, net 366,021 95,291 — 461,312 Prepaid and other assets 19,914 17,504 3,766 41,184 Corporate and other assets — — 3,180,213 3,180,213 Total assets $ 2,185,495 $ 193,918 $ 3,183,979 $ 5,563,392
Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas	The following table shows an analysis of the Company's gross and net premiums written and net earned premium by geographical location for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 NGHC Reciprocal Total NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross premium written - North America $ 842,984 $ 80,978 $ 923,962 $ 536,583 $ 79,864 $ 616,447 Gross premium written - Europe 7,497 — 7,497 10,238 — 10,238 Total $ 850,481 $ 80,978 $ 931,459 $ 546,821 $ 79,864 $ 626,685 Net premium written - North America $ 448,539 $ 39,066 $ 487,605 $ 209,390 $ 43,650 $ 253,040 Net premium written - Bermuda 311,283 — 311,283 262,361 — 262,361 Net premium written - Europe 7,497 — 7,497 10,238 — 10,238 Total $ 767,319 $ 39,066 $ 806,385 $ 481,989 $ 43,650 $ 525,639 Net earned premium - North America $ 398,239 $ 35,507 $ 433,746 $ 183,113 $ 34,296 $ 217,409 Net earned premium - Bermuda 311,282 — 311,282 264,161 — 264,161 Net earned premium - Europe 24,822 — 24,822 21,691 — 21,691 Total $ 734,343 $ 35,507 $ 769,850 $ 468,965 $ 34,296 $ 503,261 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 NGHC Reciprocal Total NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross premium written - North America $ 2,352,809 $ 158,148 $ 2,510,957 $ 1,553,584 $ 217,830 $ 1,771,414 Gross premium written - Europe 87,203 — 87,203 74,407 — 74,407 Total $ 2,440,012 $ 158,148 $ 2,598,160 $ 1,627,991 $ 217,830 $ 1,845,821 Net premium written - North America $ 1,258,915 $ 78,196 $ 1,337,111 $ 600,386 $ 93,053 $ 693,439 Net premium written - Bermuda 837,107 — 837,107 727,228 — 727,228 Net premium written - Europe 114,203 — 114,203 114,407 — 114,407 Total $ 2,210,225 $ 78,196 $ 2,288,421 $ 1,442,021 $ 93,053 $ 1,535,074 Net earned premium - North America $ 1,129,163 $ 71,535 $ 1,200,698 $ 525,233 $ 98,440 $ 623,673 Net earned premium - Bermuda 837,107 — 837,107 727,228 — 727,228 Net earned premium - Europe 99,905 — 99,905 100,341 — 100,341 Total $ 2,066,175 $ 71,535 $ 2,137,710 $ 1,352,802 $ 98,440 $ 1,451,242
Revenue from External Customers by Product Type	The following tables show an analysis of the Company's gross premium written, net premium written and net earned premium by product type for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 : Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Gross Premium Written 2016 2015 2016 2015 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 384,384 $ 307,799 $ 1,107,457 $ 935,339 Homeowners 135,833 103,423 306,360 263,544 RV/Packaged 42,964 40,447 129,260 121,093 Commercial Auto 72,692 48,052 191,209 139,880 Lender-placed insurance 105,249 — 325,436 — Other 11,735 3,506 24,918 14,726 Property and Casualty $ 752,857 $ 503,227 $ 2,084,640 $ 1,474,582 Accident and Health 97,624 43,594 355,372 153,409 NGHC Total $ 850,481 $ 546,821 $ 2,440,012 $ 1,627,991 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 25,345 $ 24,177 $ 48,466 $ 67,641 Homeowners 53,534 53,836 105,170 144,201 Other 2,099 1,851 4,512 5,988 Reciprocal Exchanges Total $ 80,978 $ 79,864 $ 158,148 $ 217,830 Total $ 931,459 $ 626,685 $ 2,598,160 $ 1,845,821 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Net Premium Written 2016 2015 2016 2015 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 344,605 $ 257,432 $ 977,212 $ 805,081 Homeowners 120,242 105,028 276,677 250,874 RV/Packaged 42,705 40,113 128,582 119,781 Commercial Auto 66,790 43,502 174,731 127,753 Lender-placed insurance 99,824 — 317,206 — Other 5,778 2,065 14,252 11,749 Property and Casualty $ 679,944 $ 448,140 $ 1,888,660 $ 1,315,238 Accident and Health 87,375 33,849 321,565 126,783 NGHC Total $ 767,319 $ 481,989 $ 2,210,225 $ 1,442,021 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 15,047 $ (3,683 ) $ 28,500 $ 38,619 Homeowners 22,948 45,686 46,483 48,235 Other 1,071 1,647 3,213 6,199 Reciprocal Exchanges Total $ 39,066 $ 43,650 $ 78,196 $ 93,053 Total $ 806,385 $ 525,639 $ 2,288,421 $ 1,535,074 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Net Earned Premium 2016 2015 2016 2015 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 312,654 $ 251,754 $ 875,480 $ 786,397 Homeowners 100,875 92,283 256,870 219,633 RV/Packaged 40,727 38,489 117,261 112,041 Commercial Auto 59,791 39,440 155,105 111,491 Lender-placed insurance 103,751 — 335,076 — Other 11,463 1,892 18,519 10,691 Property and Casualty $ 629,261 $ 423,858 $ 1,758,311 $ 1,240,253 Accident and Health 105,082 45,107 307,864 112,549 NGHC Total $ 734,343 $ 468,965 $ 2,066,175 $ 1,352,802 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 13,860 $ 14,494 $ 26,840 $ 60,965 Homeowners 20,275 18,404 39,879 33,452 Other 1,372 1,398 4,816 4,023 Reciprocal Exchanges Total $ 35,507 $ 34,296 $ 71,535 $ 98,440 Total $ 769,850 $ 503,261 $ 2,137,710 $ 1,451,242

Recent Accounting Pronounceme41

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Entity
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 67,430	$ (19,414)
Equity securities
Entity
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,248	$ (3,909)
Surplus Notes | Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes
Entity
Payments to acquire notes receivable	$ 88,900

Reciprocal Exchanges Balance Sh

Reciprocal Exchanges Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets:
Accrued investment income	$ 25,876		$ 20,402
Premiums and other receivables, net	923,758		758,633
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	917,708		833,176
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	154,574		128,343
Income tax receivable	300		300
Due from affiliate	10,964		41,536
Premises and equipment, net	83,732		42,931
Intangible assets, net	366,202		348,898
Prepaid and other assets	42,961		41,184
Total Assets	6,857,428		5,563,392
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	2,086,934		1,755,624
Unearned premiums	1,469,166		1,192,499
Reinsurance payable	100,708		69,172
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	323,499		284,902
Deferred tax liability	26,879		12,247
Debt	675,507		491,537
Other liabilities	193,538		150,190
Total Liabilities	4,909,658		4,026,752
Stockholders’ equity:
Non-controlling interest	35,089		22,840
Total Liabilities and Equity	6,857,428		5,563,392
Reciprocal Exchanges
Assets:
Cash and investments		$ 258,274
Accrued investment income	3,073	2,658	2,347
Premiums and other receivables, net	56,443	52,922	56,194
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	45,445	43,401	39,085
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	65,892	59,706	61,730
Income tax receivable	300	300	300
Due from affiliate	0	11,703	12,060
Premises and equipment, net	3,936	2,386	332
Intangible assets, net	18,229	32,638	4,825
Prepaid and other assets	92	187	93
Total Assets		464,175
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	140,821	137,093	132,392
Unearned premiums	156,042	143,194	146,186
Reinsurance payable	20,415	11,982	14,357
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,956	6,972	19,845
Deferred tax liability	27,416	23,716	32,724
Debt	0	88,900	45,476
Other liabilities	44,952	37,550	38,105
Total Liabilities		449,407
Stockholders’ equity:
Non-controlling interest	$ 34,876	14,768	$ 22,619
Total Liabilities and Equity		$ 464,175

Reciprocal Exchanges (Details)

Reciprocal Exchanges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Entity
Total revenues	$ 896,776		$ 590,039	$ 2,518,917	$ 1,701,387
Total expenses	859,785		539,012	2,348,793	1,561,440
Net income (loss)	31,139		44,701	145,676	123,955
Service and fee income	95,662		60,907	282,623	173,335
Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes | Surplus Notes
Entity
Payments to acquire notes receivable				88,900
Reciprocal Exchanges
Entity
Total revenues	52,829		52,498	107,350	136,702
Total expenses	49,856		50,934	95,153	137,223
Net income (loss)	2,973		1,564	12,197	(521)
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Entity
Service and fee income	$ 11,334	$ 9,590	$ 11,194	$ 31,731	$ 30,504

Investments - Available-for-Sal

Investments - Available-for-Sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	$ 2,850,631		$ 2,850,631		$ 2,380,480
Equity securities	81,676		81,676		64,804
Total	2,932,307		2,932,307		2,445,284
Total net of Securities pledged	2,932,307		2,932,307		2,390,329
Gross Unrealized Gains
Fixed maturities	128,152		128,152		34,819
Equity securities	5,576		5,576		946
Total	133,728		133,728		35,765
Total net of Securities pledged	133,728		133,728		35,326
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturities	(7,648)		(7,648)		(57,885)
Equity securities	(3,656)		(3,656)		(6,960)
Total	(11,304)		(11,304)		(64,845)
Total net of Securities pledged	(11,304)		(11,304)		(64,845)
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	2,971,135		2,971,135		2,357,414
Equity securities, at fair value	83,596		83,596		58,790
Total	3,054,731		3,054,731		2,416,204
Total net of Securities pledged	3,054,731		3,054,731		2,360,810
Other-than-temporary impairments recognized in AOCI	0		0		0
Proceeds from sales of equity securities and fixed maturities	163,885	$ 34,012	352,282	$ 148,508
U.S. Treasury
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	22,397		22,397		19,348
Gross Unrealized Gains
Fixed maturities	1,594		1,594		1,052
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturities	0		0		(48)
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	23,991		23,991		20,352
Federal agencies
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	431		431		1,945
Gross Unrealized Gains
Fixed maturities	8		8		7
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturities	0		0		0
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	439		439		1,952
States and political subdivision bonds
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	403,649		403,649		193,017
Gross Unrealized Gains
Fixed maturities	11,801		11,801		4,516
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturities	(374)		(374)		(609)
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	415,076		415,076		196,924
Foreign government
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	60,084		60,084		31,383
Gross Unrealized Gains
Fixed maturities	978		978		31
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturities	(352)		(352)		(352)
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	60,710		60,710		31,062
Corporate bonds
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	1,574,781		1,574,781		1,375,336
Gross Unrealized Gains
Fixed maturities	92,902		92,902		22,224
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturities	(5,400)		(5,400)		(47,902)
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	1,662,283		1,662,283		1,349,658
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	401,765		401,765		419,293
Gross Unrealized Gains
Fixed maturities	12,886		12,886		6,254
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturities	(61)		(61)		(978)
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	414,590		414,590		424,569
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	106,280		106,280		135,134
Gross Unrealized Gains
Fixed maturities	3,471		3,471		720
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturities	(448)		(448)		(3,649)
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	109,303		109,303		132,205
Structured securities
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	281,244		281,244		205,024
Gross Unrealized Gains
Fixed maturities	4,512		4,512		15
Gross Unrealized Losses
Fixed maturities	(1,013)		(1,013)		(4,347)
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	284,743		284,743		200,692
Common stock
Cost or Amortized Cost
Equity securities	65,855		65,855		53,356
Gross Unrealized Gains
Equity securities	5,061		5,061		569
Gross Unrealized Losses
Equity securities	(3,141)		(3,141)		(6,960)
Fair Value
Equity securities, at fair value	67,775		67,775		46,965
Preferred stock
Cost or Amortized Cost
Equity securities	15,821		15,821		11,448
Gross Unrealized Gains
Equity securities	515		515		377
Gross Unrealized Losses
Equity securities	(515)		(515)		0
Fair Value
Equity securities, at fair value	15,821		15,821		11,825
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	2,570,730		2,570,730		2,081,456
Equity securities	81,676		81,676		63,303
Total	2,652,406		2,652,406		2,199,714
Less: Securities pledged	0		0		54,955
Gross Unrealized Gains
Total	118,161		118,161		34,773
Less: Securities pledged	0		0		439
Gross Unrealized Losses
Total	(10,856)		(10,856)		(58,826)
Less: Securities pledged	0		0		0
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	2,676,115		2,676,115		2,063,051
Equity securities, at fair value	83,596		83,596		57,216
Total	2,759,711		2,759,711		2,175,661
Less: Securities pledged	0		0		55,394
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | U.S. Treasury
Cost or Amortized Cost
Total	16,463		16,463		13,416
Fair Value
Total	18,006		18,006		14,448
Reciprocal Exchanges
Cost or Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities	279,901		279,901		244,069
Equity securities	0		0		1,501
Total	279,901		279,901		245,570
Gross Unrealized Gains
Total	15,567		15,567		992
Gross Unrealized Losses
Total	(448)		(448)		(6,019)
Fair Value
Fixed maturities, at fair value	295,020		295,020		238,969
Equity securities, at fair value	0		0		1,574
Total	295,020		295,020		240,543
Reciprocal Exchanges | U.S. Treasury
Cost or Amortized Cost
Total	5,934		5,934		5,932
Fair Value
Total	$ 5,985		$ 5,985		$ 5,904

Investments - Available-for-S45

Investments - Available-for-Sale and Securities Pledged by Contractual Maturity (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$ 34,996
Due after one year through five years	522,449
Due after five years through ten years	1,403,247
Due after ten years	381,894
Mortgage-backed securities	508,045
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged	2,850,631
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	35,164
Due after one year through five years	547,447
Due after five years through ten years	1,470,714
Due after ten years	393,917
Mortgage-backed securities	523,893
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged	2,971,135
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	34,921
Due after one year through five years	479,553
Due after five years through ten years	1,223,595
Due after ten years	347,517
Mortgage-backed securities	485,144
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged	2,570,730
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	35,088
Due after one year through five years	501,849
Due after five years through ten years	1,280,579
Due after ten years	357,760
Mortgage-backed securities	500,839
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged	2,676,115
Reciprocal Exchanges
Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	75
Due after one year through five years	42,896
Due after five years through ten years	179,652
Due after ten years	34,377
Mortgage-backed securities	22,901
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged	279,901
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	76
Due after one year through five years	45,598
Due after five years through ten years	190,135
Due after ten years	36,157
Mortgage-backed securities	23,054
Fixed maturities, including securities pledged	$ 295,020

Investments - Gross Unrealized

Investments - Gross Unrealized Losses (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)security	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)security
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	$ 267,500	$ 1,092,393
12 Months or More	84,687	41,148
Total	352,187	1,133,541
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(8,412)	(54,490)
12 Months or More	(2,892)	(10,355)
Total	$ (11,304)	$ (64,845)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	165	383
12 Months or More | security	66	61
Number of securities with gross unrealized loss | security	231	444
20% of amortized cost or cost	20.00%
Unrealized losses related to securities with unrealized loss position greater than or equal to 20% of amortized cost or cost	$ 467	$ 8,466
U.S. Treasury
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months		7,141
12 Months or More		0
Total		7,141
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months		(48)
12 Months or More		0
Total		$ (48)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security		5
12 Months or More | security		0
States and political subdivision bonds
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	40,021	$ 17,674
12 Months or More	5,457	4,878
Total	45,478	22,552
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(203)	(501)
12 Months or More	(171)	(108)
Total	$ (374)	$ (609)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	49	22
12 Months or More | security	10	10
Foreign government
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	$ 17,742	$ 21,322
12 Months or More	0	0
Total	17,742	21,322
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(352)	(352)
12 Months or More	0	0
Total	$ (352)	$ (352)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	4	4
12 Months or More | security	0	0
Corporate bonds
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	$ 141,601	$ 684,613
12 Months or More	31,439	32,121
Total	173,040	716,734
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(3,950)	(37,919)
12 Months or More	(1,450)	(9,983)
Total	$ (5,400)	$ (47,902)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	51	229
12 Months or More | security	24	38
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	$ 6,096	$ 102,889
12 Months or More	2,278	1,655
Total	8,374	104,544
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(19)	(919)
12 Months or More	(42)	(59)
Total	$ (61)	$ (978)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	4	23
12 Months or More | security	5	9
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	$ 8,015	$ 66,222
12 Months or More	5,392	2,364
Total	13,407	68,586
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(127)	(3,472)
12 Months or More	(321)	(177)
Total	$ (448)	$ (3,649)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	4	30
12 Months or More | security	4	2
Structured securities
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	$ 28,733	$ 153,042
12 Months or More	39,953	0
Total	68,686	153,042
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(113)	(4,347)
12 Months or More	(900)	0
Total	$ (1,013)	$ (4,347)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	15	65
12 Months or More | security	20	0
Common stock
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	$ 14,882	$ 39,490
12 Months or More	168	130
Total	15,050	39,620
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(3,133)	(6,932)
12 Months or More	(8)	(28)
Total	$ (3,141)	$ (6,960)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	32	5
12 Months or More | security	3	2
Preferred stock
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	$ 10,410
12 Months or More	0
Total	10,410
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(515)
12 Months or More	0
Total	$ (515)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	6
12 Months or More | security	0
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	$ 255,970	$ 988,188
12 Months or More	77,117	28,691
Total	333,087	1,016,879
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(8,231)	(50,599)
12 Months or More	(2,625)	(8,227)
Total	$ (10,856)	$ (58,826)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	156	284
12 Months or More | security	51	34
Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Market Value
Less Than 12 Months	$ 11,530	$ 104,205
12 Months or More	7,570	12,457
Total	19,100	116,662
Unrealized Losses
Less Than 12 Months	(181)	(3,891)
12 Months or More	(267)	(2,128)
Total	$ (448)	$ (6,019)
No. of Positions Held
Less Than 12 Months | security	9	99
12 Months or More | security	15	27

Investments - Other than Tempor

Investments - Other than Temporary Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	$ 22,102	$ 6,009	$ 22,102	$ 8,492
Corporate bonds
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	7,238	6,009	7,238	6,009
Common Stock
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	14,864	0	14,864	2,483
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	22,102	6,009	22,102	8,492
Reciprocal Exchanges
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Investments - Unrealized Gains

Investments - Unrealized Gains and Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Net unrealized gain (loss), net of deferred income tax	$ 79,581		$ (18,915)
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of deferred income tax	93,238	$ (24,784)
Fixed maturities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, gross	120,504		(23,066)
Common stock
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, gross	1,920		(6,391)
Preferred stock
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, gross	0		377
Other
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, gross	8		(20)
Investments
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Deferred income tax	(42,851)		10,185
Non-controlling interest
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Net unrealized gain (loss), net of deferred income tax	(9,828)		3,281
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of deferred income tax	7,851	(3,494)
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Net unrealized gain (loss), net of deferred income tax	69,753		(15,634)
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of deferred income tax	85,387	(21,290)
Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Net unrealized gain (loss), net of deferred income tax	9,828		$ (3,281)
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of deferred income tax	$ 7,851	$ (3,494)

Investments - Trading Securitie

Investments - Trading Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Trading Securities
Trading securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 55,190	$ 55,190
Trading securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5,599	5,599
Trading securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,074)	(3,074)
Total trading securities	57,715	57,715
Proceeds from sales of trading securities	7,412	7,412
Corporate bonds
Schedule of Trading Securities
Fixed maturities, Amortized cost	31,057	31,057
Trading securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,419	4,419
Trading securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(47)	(47)
Fixed maturities, Fair Value	35,429	35,429
Common stock
Schedule of Trading Securities
Equity securities, Cost	24,133	24,133
Trading securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,180	1,180
Trading securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,027)	(3,027)
Equity securities, Fair value	22,286	22,286
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Trading Securities
Fixed maturities, Amortized cost	31,057	31,057	$ 0
Equity securities, Cost	24,133	24,133	0
Trading securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	55,190	55,190
Trading securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	5,599	5,599
Trading securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,074)	(3,074)
Fixed maturities, Fair Value	35,429	35,429	0
Equity securities, Fair value	22,286	22,286	$ 0
Total trading securities	57,715	57,715
Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Trading Securities
Trading securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	0	0
Trading securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Trading securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Total trading securities	$ 0	$ 0

Investments - Investment Income

Investments - Investment Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net Investment Income
Investment Income	$ 28,390	$ 17,425	$ 75,256	$ 48,553
Investment expenses	(2,479)	(1,110)	(5,163)	(2,381)
Repurchase agreements interest income (expense)	(102)	78	(422)	(25)
Other income (1)	1,867	2,079	7,203	6,808
Net investment income	27,676	18,472	76,874	52,955
Cash and short-term investments
Net Investment Income
Investment Income	1,265	2	4,122	11
Fixed maturities
Net Investment Income
Investment Income	26,129	17,321	69,747	48,243
Equity securities
Net Investment Income
Investment Income	996	102	1,387	299
Affiliated Entity | ACP Re
Net Investment Income
(1) Interest income, related party	2,049	2,115	6,424	6,514
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Net Investment Income
Net investment income	24,271	16,140	71,221	46,403
Reciprocal Exchanges
Net Investment Income
Net investment income	$ 3,405	$ 2,332	$ 5,653	$ 6,552

Investments - Net Realized and

Investments - Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Reclassification from Available-for-Sale to Trading Securities			$ 22,059	$ 0
Available-for-sale Securities, Transfers to Trading, Gross Gains			58
Available-for-sale Securities, Transfers to Trading, Gross Losses			(3,050)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	$ (22,102)	$ (6,009)	(22,102)	(8,492)
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments	(10,953)	(4,594)	(2,954)	(3,018)
Trading Securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Reclassification from Available-for-Sale to Trading Securities			23,636
Fixed maturities
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	15,796	1,579	25,648	6,669
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(2,299)	(109)	(4,563)	(1,145)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	13,497	1,470	21,085	5,524
Trading Securities, Gross Gains	4,427		4,427
Trading Securities, Gross Losses	(533)		(533)
Trading Securities, Gross Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)	3,894		3,894
Equity securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	1,536	0	2,240	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	(5,783)	(55)	(6,076)	(55)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	(4,247)	(55)	(3,836)	(50)
Trading Securities, Gross Gains	1,374		1,374
Trading Securities, Gross Losses	(3,369)		(3,369)
Trading Securities, Gross Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)	(1,995)		(1,995)
Fixed maturities and equity securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains				6,674
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses				(9,692)
Gross Gains on Investments	23,133	1,579	33,689
Gross Losses on Investments	(34,086)	(6,173)	(36,643)
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments	(10,953)	(4,594)	(2,954)	(3,018)
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	(22,102)	(6,009)	(22,102)	(8,492)
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed maturities and equity securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains				5,537
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses				(8,826)
Gross Gains on Investments	23,037	1,349	33,423
Gross Losses on Investments	(34,086)	(6,067)	(36,614)
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments	(11,049)	(4,718)	(3,191)	(3,289)
Reciprocal Exchanges
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	0	0	0	0
Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed maturities and equity securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains				1,137
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses				(866)
Gross Gains on Investments	96	230	266
Gross Losses on Investments	0	(106)	(29)
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments	$ 96	$ 124	$ 237	$ 271

Investments - Credit Quality of

Investments - Credit Quality of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 2,932,307	$ 2,445,284
Total	3,054,731	2,416,204
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,652,406	2,199,714
Total	2,759,711	2,175,661
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed Maturity And Preferred Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,617,608	2,146,357
Total	$ 2,727,365	$ 2,128,695
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	100.00%	100.00%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | U.S. Treasury
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 16,463	$ 13,416
Total	$ 18,006	$ 14,448
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	0.70%	0.70%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed-Maturities and Preferred Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 224,610	$ 343,128
Total	$ 230,539	$ 348,073
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	8.50%	16.40%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed-Maturities and Preferred Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 750,467	$ 379,560
Total	$ 773,631	$ 383,888
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	28.40%	18.00%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed-Maturities and Preferred Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 680,757	$ 501,409
Total	$ 711,917	$ 508,884
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	26.10%	23.90%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed-Maturities and Preferred Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 702,716	$ 634,250
Total	$ 734,792	$ 623,742
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	26.90%	29.30%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed-Maturities and Preferred Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 242,595	$ 274,594
Total	$ 258,480	$ 249,660
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	9.40%	11.70%
Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 279,901	$ 245,570
Total	295,020	240,543
Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed Maturity And Preferred Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	279,901	245,571
Total	$ 295,020	$ 240,544
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	100.00%	100.00%
Reciprocal Exchanges | U.S. Treasury
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 5,934	$ 5,932
Total	$ 5,985	$ 5,904
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	2.00%	2.50%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed-Maturities and Preferred Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 19,506	$ 39,724
Total	$ 19,714	$ 38,888
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	6.70%	16.20%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed-Maturities and Preferred Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 27,927	$ 36,866
Total	$ 30,011	$ 36,934
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	10.20%	15.40%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed-Maturities and Preferred Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 84,218	$ 50,612
Total	$ 89,524	$ 50,153
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	30.30%	20.80%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed-Maturities and Preferred Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 129,314	$ 82,417
Total	$ 135,531	$ 80,322
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	45.90%	33.40%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Fixed-Maturities and Preferred Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 13,002	$ 30,020
Total	$ 14,255	$ 28,343
Percentage of Fixed Maturities and Preferred Stock Securities	4.90%	11.70%

Investments - Investment Qualit

Investments - Investment Quality of Corporate Bonds (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	$ 3,054,731	$ 2,416,204
Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	$ 1,697,712	$ 1,349,658
Percentage Of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	100.00%	100.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	1.40%	0.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	5.80%	6.70%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	37.90%	37.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	42.20%	48.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	12.70%	7.50%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	$ 615,292	$ 524,250
Percentage Of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	36.20%	38.80%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	0.50%	0.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	2.60%	2.80%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	19.90%	21.20%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	11.10%	12.70%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	2.10%	2.10%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	$ 939,758	$ 757,907
Percentage Of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	55.40%	56.20%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	3.10%	3.90%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	15.70%	15.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	28.10%	32.30%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	8.50%	4.60%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	$ 142,662	$ 67,501
Percentage Of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	8.40%	5.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	0.90%	0.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	0.10%	0.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	2.30%	0.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	3.00%	3.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	2.10%	0.80%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	$ 2,759,711	$ 2,175,661
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	$ 1,458,583	$ 1,206,442
Percentage Of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	85.90%	89.40%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	1.40%	0.40%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	5.30%	6.10%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	32.90%	33.90%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	34.40%	42.70%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	11.90%	6.30%
Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	$ 295,020	$ 240,543
Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	$ 239,129	$ 143,216
Percentage Of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	14.10%	10.60%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	0.00%	0.00%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	0.50%	0.60%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	5.00%	3.10%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	7.80%	5.70%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investments, Credit Quality, Percentage Of Portfolio	0.80%	1.20%

Investments - Restricted Cash a

Investments - Restricted Cash and Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Restricted cash	$ 13,688	$ 13,776
Restricted investments - fixed maturities, at fair value	47,118	40,174
Total	$ 60,806	$ 53,950

Investments - Short-term Invest

Investments - Short-term Investments and Other Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investment
Short-term investments	$ 146,126	$ 3,527
Limited partnerships, equity method
Investment
Other investments	36,745	5,691
Investments at cost or amortized cost
Investment
Other investments	28,043	7,340
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Investment
Short-term investments	142,530	1,528
Other investments	$ 64,788	$ 13,031

Investments - Reverse Repurchas

Investments - Reverse Repurchase and Repurchase Agreements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Collateralized lending transactions	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0		0		$ 52,484
Repurchase Agreements Interest (income) expense	$ 102	$ (78)	$ 422	$ 25
Maximum
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, interest rate					0.80%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Collateral pledged in support of repurchase agreements					$ 55,394

Investments - Contractual Matur

Investments - Contractual Maturity Information Regarding Repurchase Agreements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value	$ 0	$ 52,484
Overnight and Continuous
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value		0
Up to 30 days
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value		52,484
30 - 90 days
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value		0
Greater Than 90 days
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value		0
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value		52,484
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Overnight and Continuous
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value		0
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Up to 30 days
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value		52,484
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 30 - 90 days
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value		0
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Greater Than 90 days
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, at contract value		$ 0
Minimum
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Amount of collateral required	105.00%
Maximum
Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase
Amount of collateral required	110.00%

Fair Value of Financial Instr58

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	$ 675,507	$ 491,537
Estimated fair value of debt	721,624	503,519
7.625% Notes | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	96,648	96,583
7.625% Notes | Senior Notes | Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Estimated fair value of debt	103,880	98,240
6.75% Notes | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	344,965	344,478
6.75% Notes | Senior Notes | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Estimated fair value of debt	379,668	350,000
Credit Agreement | Line of Credit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	50,000	0
Credit Agreement | Line of Credit | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Estimated fair value of debt	53,778	0
Imperial Surplus Notes | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	5,000	5,000
Imperial Surplus Notes | Senior Notes | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Estimated fair value of debt	4,985	4,979
Century-National Promissory Note | Promissory Note
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	178,894	0
Century-National Promissory Note | Promissory Note | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Estimated fair value of debt	179,313	0
Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	0	45,476
Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes | Senior Notes | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Estimated fair value of debt	$ 0	$ 50,300

Fair Value of Financial Instr59

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 2,971,135	$ 2,357,414
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	83,596	58,790
Total available-for-sale securities	3,054,731	2,416,204
Total trading securities	57,715
Short-term investments	146,126	3,527
Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	2,971,135	2,357,414
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	83,596	58,790
Total available-for-sale securities	3,054,731	2,416,204
Total trading securities	57,715
Total assets	3,258,572	2,419,731
Contingent payments	4,927	24,652
Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	24,430	22,304
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	67,775	46,965
Total available-for-sale securities	92,205	69,269
Total trading securities	22,286
Total assets	114,491	69,269
Contingent payments	0	0
Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	2,946,705	2,335,110
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	15,821	11,825
Total available-for-sale securities	2,962,526	2,346,935
Total trading securities	35,429
Total assets	3,144,081	2,350,462
Contingent payments	0	0
Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Total available-for-sale securities	0	0
Total trading securities	0
Total assets	0	0
Contingent payments	4,927	24,652
U.S. Treasury
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	23,991	20,352
U.S. Treasury | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	23,991	20,352
U.S. Treasury | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	23,991	20,352
U.S. Treasury | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
U.S. Treasury | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Federal agencies
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	439	1,952
Federal agencies | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	439	1,952
Federal agencies | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	439	1,952
Federal agencies | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Federal agencies | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
States and political subdivision bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	415,076	196,924
States and political subdivision bonds | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	415,076	196,924
States and political subdivision bonds | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
States and political subdivision bonds | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	415,076	196,924
States and political subdivision bonds | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Foreign government
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	60,710	31,062
Foreign government | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	60,710	31,062
Foreign government | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Foreign government | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	60,710	31,062
Foreign government | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	1,662,283	1,349,658
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value	35,429
Corporate bonds | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	1,662,283	1,349,658
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value	35,429
Corporate bonds | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value	0
Corporate bonds | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	1,662,283	1,349,658
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value	35,429
Corporate bonds | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value	0
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	414,590	424,569
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	414,590	424,569
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	414,590	424,569
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	109,303	132,205
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	109,303	132,205
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	109,303	132,205
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Structured securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	284,743	200,692
Structured securities | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	284,743	200,692
Structured securities | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Structured securities | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	284,743	200,692
Structured securities | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Common stock
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	67,775	46,965
Equity securities, trading, at fair value	22,286
Common stock | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	67,775	46,965
Equity securities, trading, at fair value	22,286
Common stock | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	67,775	46,965
Equity securities, trading, at fair value	22,286
Common stock | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Equity securities, trading, at fair value	0
Common stock | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Equity securities, trading, at fair value	0
Preferred stock
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	15,821	11,825
Preferred stock | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	15,821	11,825
Preferred stock | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Preferred stock | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	15,821	11,825
Preferred stock | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	0
Short-term investments | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Short-term investments	146,126	3,527
Short-term investments | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Short-term investments	0	0
Short-term investments | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Short-term investments	146,126	3,527
Short-term investments | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Short-term investments	0	0
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	2,676,115	2,063,051
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	83,596	57,216
Total available-for-sale securities	2,759,711	2,175,661
Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value	35,429	0
Equity securities, trading, at fair value	22,286	0
Total trading securities	57,715
Short-term investments	142,530	1,528
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total assets	2,959,956	2,177,189
Contingent payments	4,927	24,652
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total assets	104,910	61,413
Contingent payments	0	0
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total assets	2,855,046	2,115,776
Contingent payments	0	0
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total assets	0	0
Contingent payments	4,927	24,652
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | U.S. Treasury
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total available-for-sale securities	18,006	14,448
Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value	295,020	238,969
Equity securities, available-for-sale, at fair value	0	1,574
Total available-for-sale securities	295,020	240,543
Total trading securities	0
Short-term investments	3,596	1,999
Reciprocal Exchanges | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total assets	298,616	242,542
Contingent payments	0	0
Reciprocal Exchanges | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total assets	9,581	7,856
Contingent payments	0	0
Reciprocal Exchanges | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total assets	289,035	234,686
Contingent payments	0	0
Reciprocal Exchanges | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total assets	0	0
Contingent payments	0	0
Reciprocal Exchanges | U.S. Treasury
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total available-for-sale securities	$ 5,985	$ 5,904

Fair Value of Financial Instr60

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance as of		$ 0	$ 34,389
Net income / loss		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,526
Purchases and issuances		0
Payments, sales and settlements		0
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3		(36,915)
Net income / loss	$ (707)	2,357
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Purchases and issuances	0	8,581
Payments, sales and settlements	(19,018)	(9,785)
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0
Balance as of	4,927	24,652	23,499
Liability
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Net income / loss	(707)	2,357
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Purchases and issuances	0	8,581
Payments, sales and settlements	(19,018)	(9,785)
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0
Balance as of	$ 4,927	24,652	23,499
Common stock
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance as of		0	$ 34,389
Net income / loss		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)		2,526
Purchases and issuances		0
Payments, sales and settlements		0
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3		$ (36,915)

Fair Value of Financial Instr61

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Percentage of investments priced by service	100.00%	100.00%
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3		$ (36,915)
Common Stock
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Net transfers into (out of) Level 3		(36,915)
Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Contingent payments	$ 4,927	24,652
Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Contingent payments	0	0
Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Contingent payments	$ 4,927	$ 24,652
7.625% Notes | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Interest rate on debt	7.625%
6.75% Notes | Senior Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Interest rate on debt	6.75%	6.75%
Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes | Surplus Notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Payments to acquire notes receivable	$ 88,900
Tower International | ACP Re | Affiliated Entity
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Contingent payments	0	$ 16,071
Assigned Risk Solutions Ltd. (ARS)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Contingent payments	2,677	4,081
Healthcare Solutions Team, LLC (HST)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Contingent payments	$ 2,250	$ 4,500

Equity Investments in Unconso62

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - Investment Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Equity Method Investments
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
VIE, Not primary beneficiary | LSC Entities
Equity Method Investments
Beginning balance			153,661	146,089
Distributions			0	(1,923)
Contributions			5,500	565
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	2,469	2,077	13,001	8,588
Change in equity method investments			18,501	7,230
Ending balance	$ 172,162	$ 153,319	$ 172,162	$ 153,319

Equity Investments in Unconso63

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - Balance Sheet (Details) - VIE, Not primary beneficiary - LSC Entities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Investments in life settlement contracts at fair value	$ 332,084	$ 264,001
Total assets	364,239	334,026
Total liabilities	19,915	26,704
Members' equity	344,324	307,322
NGHC's 50% ownership interest	$ 172,162	$ 153,661	$ 153,319	$ 146,089

Equity Investments in Unconso64

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - Results of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
NGHC's 50% ownership interest	$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
VIE, Not primary beneficiary | LSC Entities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Revenue, net of commission	6,106	5,400	30,756	21,541
Total expenses	1,168	1,246	4,754	4,365
Net income	4,938	4,154	26,002	17,176
NGHC's 50% ownership interest	$ 2,469	$ 2,077	$ 13,001	$ 8,588

Equity Investments in Unconso65

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - Fair Value Quantitative Information (Details) - VIE, Not primary beneficiary - LSC Entities - $ / policy $ / policy in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Average age of insured	82 years 8 months	82 years
Average life expectancy, months	107 months	114 months
Average face amount per policy	6,569	6,564
Effective discount rate	12.70%	13.70%
Investment discount rate	7.50%	7.50%
Minimum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Effective discount rate	12.50%	12.50%
Maximum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Effective discount rate	17.50%	17.50%

Equity Investments in Unconso66

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - Increase (Decrease) in Carrying Value of Investment in Life Insurance Policies (Details) - LSC Entities - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Change in life expectancy plus 4 months	$ (42,844)	$ (37,697)
Change in life expectancy minus 4 months	46,044	40,997
Change in discount rate plus 1%	(28,584)	(26,558)
Change in discount rate minus 1%	$ 31,712	$ 29,644

Equity Investments in Unconso67

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - Premiums Due on Life Settlement Contracts (Details) - LSC Entities $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Premiums Due on Life Settlement Contracts
2,016	$ 66,685
2,017	46,386
2,018	47,392
2,019	44,589
2,020	40,979
Thereafter	469,780
Total	$ 715,811

Equity Investments in Unconso68

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - LSC Entities (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2010
VIE, Not primary beneficiary | LSC Entities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	50.00%
Investment discount rate	7.50%	7.50%
Additional required capital to keep life settlement policies in-force	50.00%
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | Tiger Capital LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage			50.00%

Equity Investments in Unconso69

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - 800 Superior, LLC (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | 800 Superior, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage		50.00%		50.00%
Affiliated Entity | 800 Superior, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage		50.00%		50.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ 1,595		$ 1,595			$ 1,720
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ (17)	(190)	$ (125)	(349)
Affiliated Entity | 800 Superior, LLC | Building
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Approximate cost of the building	$ 7,500
Affiliated Entity | 800 Superior, LLC | 800 Superior, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Area of office lease space (sqft) | ft²		156,176		156,176
Term of lease						15 years
Rent expense		$ 693	$ 664	$ 2,059	$ 1,992

Equity Investments in Unconso70

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - East Ninth & Superior (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | East Ninth & Superior, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | Eight Hundred Superior NMTC investment Fund II
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	24.50%		24.50%
Affiliated Entity | East Ninth & Superior, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 4,179		$ 4,179		$ 4,139
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 12	$ 13	$ 40	$ 50
Affiliated Entity | Eight Hundred Superior NMTC investment Fund II
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	24.50%		24.50%

Equity Investments in Unconso71

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - North Dearborn (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | North Dearborn Building Company, L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Counterparty Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership	$ 9,714
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	45.00%
NA Advisors GP LLC | North Dearborn Building Company, L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Counterparty Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership	$ 2,200
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	10.00%
Limited Partnership, Percentage of Profit Interest	10.00%
Affiliated Entity | North Dearborn Building Company, L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership Interests	$ 9,714
Ownership percentage		45.00%		45.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ 11,829		$ 11,829		$ 9,862
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries		225	$ 319	842	$ 542
Contributions		$ 0		$ 1,125

Equity Investments in Unconso72

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016ft²	Aug. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries			$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation		50.00%
Affiliated Entity | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage			50.00%		50.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries			$ 662		$ 662		$ 10,559
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries			8	$ 69	261	$ 69
Distributions			0		10,158
Affiliated Entity | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC | Building
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Approximate cost of the building		$ 21,000
Affiliated Entity | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Area of office lease space (sqft) | ft²	81,822
Term of lease	12 years
Rent expense			$ 425		$ 968

Equity Investments in Unconso73

Equity Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries - Illinois Center (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
ACP Re Group, Inc. | Illinois Center Building, L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Counterparty Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership	$ 53,715
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	37.50%
ACP Re | Illinois Center Building, L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Counterparty Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership	$ 21,486
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	15.00%
NA Advisors GP LLC | Illinois Center Building, L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Counterparty Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership	$ 14,324
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	10.00%
Limited Partnership, Percentage of Profit Interest	10.00%
Affiliated Entity | Illinois Center Building, L.P.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership Interests	$ 53,715
Ownership percentage		37.50%		37.50%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ 56,289		$ 56,289		$ 55,007
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries		256		3,157
Distributions		$ 1,875		$ 1,875

Acquisitions - Assets and Liabi

Acquisitions - Assets and Liabilities Acquired (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 01, 2016	Oct. 01, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Liabilities:
Goodwill			$ 211,702	$ 112,414
Century-National
Assets:
Cash and invested assets	$ 413,343
Accrued interest	3,531
Premium receivable	68,410
Reinsurance recoverable	12,904
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	12,723
Premises and equipment	5,216
Intangible assets	26,875
Deferred tax asset	4,185
Other assets	226
Total assets	547,413
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	132,912
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	17,420
Unearned premiums	113,608
Reinsurance payable	6,308
Other liabilities	7,239
Total liabilities	277,487
Net assets purchased	269,926
Purchase price	322,694
Goodwill	$ 52,768
LPI Business
Assets:
Cash and invested assets		$ 293,473
Premium receivable		101,357
Premises and equipment		1,540
Intangible assets		61,645
Other assets		1,013
Total assets		459,028
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves		104,123
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		69,056
Unearned premiums		245,827
Total liabilities		419,006
Net assets purchased		40,022
Purchase price		95,726
Goodwill		55,704
Assurant Health
Assets:
Cash and invested assets		43,448
Premium receivable		16,440
Intangible assets		10,493
Total assets		70,381
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves		74,671
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		281
Unearned premiums		2,505
Deferred tax liability		3,887
Other liabilities		678
Total liabilities		82,022
Net assets purchased		(11,641)
Purchase price		14,000
Goodwill		$ 25,641

Acquisitions - Century-National

Acquisitions - Century-National (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition
Goodwill, period increase				$ 99,288
Gross premium written		$ 931,459	$ 626,685	2,598,160	$ 1,845,821
Service and fee income		95,662	$ 60,907	282,623	$ 173,335
Century-National
Business Acquisition
Purchase price	$ 322,694
Upfront cash payment	143,800
Remaining balance in form of promissory note	$ 178,894
Debt instrument, term	2 years
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes	$ 52,768
Gross premium written		68,851		88,835
Service and fee income		$ 2,147		$ 2,639
Century-National | State licenses
Business Acquisition
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	7,875
Century-National | Value in policies in force
Business Acquisition
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 19,000
Weighted average amortization life	1 year

Acquisitions - LPI Business (De

Acquisitions - LPI Business (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition
Goodwill, period increase				$ 99,288
Gross premium written		$ 931,459	$ 626,685	2,598,160	$ 1,845,821
Service and fee income		95,662	$ 60,907	282,623	$ 173,335
LPI Business
Business Acquisition
Purchase price	$ 95,726
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes	48,204
Goodwill, period increase				35,978
Gross premium written		104,621		324,808
Service and fee income		$ 8,602		$ 25,769
LPI Business | Agent/Customer relationships
Business Acquisition
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 50,000
Weighted average amortization life	15 years
LPI Business | Property technology
Business Acquisition
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 10,000
Weighted average amortization life	10 years
LPI Business | Other intangible assets
Business Acquisition
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 1,645
Weighted average amortization life	7 years

Acquisitions - Assurant Health

Acquisitions - Assurant Health (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Business Acquisition
Goodwill, period increase				$ 99,288
Gross premium written		$ 931,459	$ 626,685	2,598,160	$ 1,845,821
Service and fee income		95,662	$ 60,907	282,623	$ 173,335
Assurant Health
Business Acquisition
Purchase price	$ 14,000
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes	$ 12,275
Goodwill, period increase				10,532
Gross premium written		46,439		144,602
Service and fee income		$ 15,847		$ 45,872

Goodwill and Intangible Asset78

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net - Composition of Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill	$ 211,702	$ 112,414
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Accumulated Amortization	73,832	45,275
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	174,562
Goodwill and intangible assets, gross	651,736	506,587
Goodwill and Intangible assets, net	577,904	461,312
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Accumulated Amortization	59,423	44,700
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	159,433
Goodwill and intangible assets, gross	619,098	501,187
Goodwill and Intangible assets, net	559,675	456,487
Reciprocal Exchanges
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Accumulated Amortization	14,409	575
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	15,129
Goodwill and intangible assets, gross	32,638	5,400
Goodwill and Intangible assets, net	18,229	4,825
Management contracts
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Gross Balance	118,600	118,600
State licenses
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Gross Balance	73,040	65,165
Trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Balance	900	8,200
Accumulated Amortization	90	6,744
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 810	$ 1,456
Useful Life	5 years	5 years
Loss reserve discount
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Balance	$ 12,694	$ 15,089
Accumulated Amortization	12,179	12,779
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 515	$ 2,310
Useful Life	7 years	7 years
Agent/Customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Balance	$ 148,462	$ 148,419
Accumulated Amortization	28,097	18,562
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 120,365	$ 129,857
Agent/Customer relationships | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Useful Life	11 years	11 years
Agent/Customer relationships | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Useful Life	17 years	17 years
Affinity partners
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Balance	$ 800	$ 800
Accumulated Amortization	490	436
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 310	$ 364
Useful Life	11 years	11 years
Renewal rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Balance	$ 26,100	$ 26,100
Accumulated Amortization	10,810	6,375
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 15,290	$ 19,725
Useful Life	7 years	7 years
Value in policies in force
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Balance	$ 47,638
Accumulated Amortization	20,652
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 26,986
Useful Life	1 year
Property technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Balance	$ 11,800	$ 11,800
Accumulated Amortization	1,514	379
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 10,286	$ 11,421
Property technology | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Useful Life	3 years	3 years
Property technology | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Useful Life	10 years	10 years

Goodwill and Intangible Asset79

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Intangible assets increase			$ 45,861
Goodwill increase			99,288
Impairment of intangible assets, indefinite-lived state licenses	$ 0		132
Impairment of intangible assets, agent and customer relationships		$ 0		$ 367
Goodwill impairment	0	0	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	17,498	4,403	37,557	13,637
Reciprocal Exchanges
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 7,204	$ 1,355	$ 14,409	$ 5,220

Goodwill and Intangible Asset80

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net - Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Entity Information
2016 (remaining three months)	$ 17,089
2,017	35,224
2,018	15,798
2,019	14,440
2,020	14,002
2,021	12,110
Thereafter	65,899
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	174,562
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Entity Information
2016 (remaining three months)	9,885
2,017	27,885
2,018	15,618
2,019	14,260
2,020	13,822
2,021	12,064
Thereafter	65,899
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	159,433
Reciprocal Exchanges
Entity Information
2016 (remaining three months)	7,204
2,017	7,339
2,018	180
2,019	180
2,020	180
2,021	46
Thereafter	0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 15,129

Stockholders' Equity - Series C

Stockholders' Equity - Series C Preferred Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jul. 07, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Class of Stock
Preferred stock, par value		$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Issuance of preferred stock, net of fees		$ 193,518	$ 159,552
Preferred stock | Noncumulative Preferred Stock
Class of Stock
Issuance of stock, shares	200,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01
Issuance of preferred stock, net of fees	$ 193,518
Interest rate on preferred stock	7.50%
Liquidation Preference (in dollars per share)	$ 1,000
Underwriting discount, commissions and expenses on issuance of preferred stock	$ 6,482
Preferred stock | American Depository Shares
Class of Stock
Issuance of stock, shares	8,000,000
Liquidation Preference (in dollars per share)	$ 25

Debt - 7.625% Subordinated Note

Debt - 7.625% Subordinated Notes due 2055 (Details) - Senior Notes - 7.625% Subordinated Notes - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 18, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument
Interest rate on debt		7.625%		7.625%
Proceeds from Debt, Net of Issuance Costs	$ 96,550
Notes payable	$ 100,000
Interest expense on debt		$ 1,922	$ 1,056	$ 5,703	$ 1,056
Indenture Excess Leverage Ratio | Minimum
Debt Instrument
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital		0.35		0.35
Indenture Excess Leverage Ratio | Maximum
Debt Instrument
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital		1		1

Debt - 6.75% Notes due 2024 (De

Debt - 6.75% Notes due 2024 (Details) - Senior Notes - 6.75% Notes - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 08, 2015	May 23, 2014	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument
Interest rate on debt			6.75%		6.75%		6.75%
Proceeds from Debt, Net of Issuance Costs	$ 98,850	$ 245,000
Notes payable	$ 100,000	$ 250,000
Interest expense on debt			$ 5,955	$ 4,317	$ 17,670	$ 12,809
Indenture Excess Leverage Ratio | Minimum
Debt Instrument
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital			0.35		0.35
Indenture Excess Leverage Ratio | Maximum
Debt Instrument
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital			1		1

Debt - Revolving Credit Agreeme

Debt - Revolving Credit Agreement (Details) - Credit Agreement - JPMorgan Chase, N.A. - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jan. 25, 2016
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$ 225,000
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	$ 50,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		3.25%	3.25%
Letter Of Credit Fronting Fee			0.125%
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage			0.30%
Duration of interest payment intervals	3 months
Interest expense on debt		$ 378	$ 501
Minimum
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity				112,500
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage			0.20%
Maximum
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity				$ 50,000
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage			0.30%
Federal Funds
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis			federal funds
Alternate Base Rate Or LIBOR
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			0.50%
LIBOR
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis			LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			1.00%
Failure To Pay Interest Or Fees
Debt Instrument
Number Of Days Failure to Pay Interest Or Fees			3 days

Debt - Imperial-related Debt (D

Debt - Imperial-related Debt (Details) - Surplus Notes - Imperial Surplus Notes - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 27, 2014
Debt Instrument
Notes payable					$ 5,000
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage			100.00%
Interest expense on debt	$ 61	$ 56	$ 177	$ 164
LIBOR
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Description of Variable Rate Basis			LIBOR
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			4.05%

Debt - Reciprocal Exchanges' Su

Debt - Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes (Details) - Surplus Notes - Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument
Payments to acquire notes receivable		$ 88,900
Interest expense on debt	$ 3,584		$ 11,078
Interest expense, amortization	$ 1,908		$ 6,081

Debt - Century-National Promiss

Debt - Century-National Promissory Note (Details) - Loans Payable - Century-National Promissory Note - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Instrument
Interest rate on debt		4.40%	4.40%
Loans Payable	$ 178,894
Debt Instrument, Frequency of Periodic Payment	2
Debt instrument, term	2 years
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Principal	$ 89,447
Maximum period of time to revoke, rescind, or withdraw acceleration	30 days
Interest expense on debt		$ 1,957	$ 2,594

Debt - Debt Maturities (Details

Debt - Debt Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument
2016 (remaining three months)	$ 0
2,017	89,447
2,018	89,447
2,019	0
2,020	50,000
2,021	0
Thereafter	455,000
Total principal amount of debt	683,894
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discount	(8,387)
Carrying amount of debt	675,507	$ 491,537
JPMorgan Chase, N.A. | Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument
2016 (remaining three months)	0
2,017	0
2,018	0
2,019	0
2,020	50,000
2,021	0
Thereafter	0
Total principal amount of debt	50,000
Senior Notes | 7.625% Notes
Debt Instrument
2016 (remaining three months)	0
2,017	0
2,018	0
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	0
Thereafter	100,000
Total principal amount of debt	100,000
Carrying amount of debt	96,648	96,583
Senior Notes | 6.75% Notes
Debt Instrument
2016 (remaining three months)	0
2,017	0
2,018	0
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	0
Thereafter	350,000
Total principal amount of debt	350,000
Carrying amount of debt	344,965	344,478
Senior Notes | Imperial Surplus Notes
Debt Instrument
Carrying amount of debt	5,000	$ 5,000
Surplus Notes | Imperial Surplus Notes
Debt Instrument
2016 (remaining three months)	0
2,017	0
2,018	0
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	0
Thereafter	5,000
Total principal amount of debt	5,000
Loans Payable | Century-National Promissory Note
Debt Instrument
2016 (remaining three months)	0
2,017	89,447
2,018	89,447
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	0
Thereafter	0
Total principal amount of debt	$ 178,894

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Net income attributable to NGHC	$ 28,130	$ 43,113	$ 133,427	$ 124,408
Dividends on preferred stock	(8,208)	(4,125)	(16,458)	(9,900)
Net income attributable to NGHC common stockholders	$ 19,922	$ 38,988	$ 116,969	$ 114,508
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	106,002,337	100,360,687	105,801,817	95,877,178
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted	108,423,998	102,940,728	108,053,177	98,314,808
Basic earnings per share (usd per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.39	$ 1.11	$ 1.19
Diluted earnings per share (usd per share)	$ 0.18	$ 0.38	$ 1.08	$ 1.16
Employee Stock Option
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Share options	1,940,507	2,217,367	1,853,573	2,074,956
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Restricted stock units	481,154	362,674	397,787	362,674

Earnings Per Share - Anti-dilut

Earnings Per Share - Anti-dilutive (Details) - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Employee Stock Option
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,634,386	2,155,484

Share-Based Compensation - Narr

Share-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)plan$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Number of equity incentive plans | plan			2
Proceeds from exercises of stock options			$ 7,271	$ 1,672
Share-based compensation expense	$ 2,323	$ 1,180	$ 6,471	$ 3,444
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Maximum term			10 years
Granted | shares			0	0
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 7,378		$ 7,378		$ 9,069
Weighted average remaining life for options grants outstanding			6 years 7 months		6 years 9 months
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term			6 years 1 month		6 years 8 months
Exercisable shares | shares	2,826,940		2,826,940		2,686,762
Weighted-average exercise price of exercisable shares | $ / shares	$ 8.93		$ 8.93		$ 8.79
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised			$ 5,840	$ 7,243
Intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	$ 46,845	32,647	46,845	32,647
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	$ 37,639	$ 26,845	37,639	26,845
Proceeds from exercises of stock options			$ 7,271	$ 1,672
Employee Stock Option | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Award vesting period			1 year
Employee Stock Option | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Award vesting period			5 years
Exercise period upon end of employment			30 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Award vesting period			3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Award vesting period			4 years
Common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Number of shares authorized | shares	7,435,000		7,435,000
Number of shares available | shares	1,498,628		1,498,628

Share-Based Compensation - Stoc

Share-Based Compensation - Stock Option Activity (Details) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Shares
Outstanding, beginning of period	4,123,809	5,110,593
Forfeited	(11,448)	(30,759)
Exercised	(455,492)	(835,801)
Outstanding, end of period	3,656,869	4,244,033
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)
Outstanding at beginning of period	$ 9.31	$ 8.88
Forfeited	7.52	8.26
Exercised	8.27	6.41
Outstanding at end of period	$ 9.45	$ 9.37

Share-Based Compensation - RSU

Share-Based Compensation - RSU Activity (Details) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
RSUs
Non-vested at beginning of period	362,674	327,555
Granted	297,292	216,910
Vested	(78,185)	(66,240)
Forfeited	(15,602)	(115,551)
Withheld (1)	(43,787)	0
Non-vested at end of period	522,392	362,674
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in usd per share)
Non-vested at beginning of period	$ 19.16	$ 17.44
Granted	20.59	20.34
Vested	19.29	17.67
Forfeited	17.87	17.57
Withheld (1)	19.10	0
Non-vested at end of period	$ 20	$ 19.16

Service and Fee Income (Details

Service and Fee Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Service and Fee Income [Abstract]
Installment fees	$ 9,826	$ 8,257	$ 27,748	$ 24,689
Commission revenue	31,478	16,843	88,313	46,120
General agent fees	18,378	20,559	55,161	55,991
Late payment fees	4,275	3,063	11,054	8,996
Group health administrative fees	17,222	4,524	53,928	10,461
Finance and processing fees	7,137	6,529	27,002	23,340
Lender service fees	3,722	0	11,634	0
Other	3,624	1,132	7,783	3,738
Total	$ 95,662	$ 60,907	$ 282,623	$ 173,335

Income Taxes - Effective Income

Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Entity Information
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 36,991	$ 51,027	$ 170,124	$ 139,947
Tax at Federal statutory rate 35%	12,947	17,859	59,543	48,982
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount
Exempt foreign income	(8,165)	(2,574)	(12,221)	(7,273)
Statutory equalization reserves	(1,620)	3,600	(10,897)	(8,887)
Other, net	5,643	(10,271)	5,014	(7,930)
Total income tax reported	$ 8,805	$ 8,614	$ 41,439	$ 24,892
Effective tax rate	23.80%	16.90%	24.40%	17.80%
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Entity Information
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 34,303	$ 48,689	$ 158,486	$ 140,945
Tax at Federal statutory rate 35%	12,006	17,041	55,470	49,331
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount
Exempt foreign income	(8,165)	(2,574)	(12,221)	(7,273)
Statutory equalization reserves	(1,620)	3,600	(10,897)	(8,887)
Other, net	6,869	(10,227)	9,646	(7,802)
Total income tax reported	$ 9,090	$ 7,840	$ 41,998	$ 25,369
Effective tax rate	26.50%	16.10%	26.50%	18.00%
Reciprocal Exchanges
Entity Information
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 2,688	$ 2,338	$ 11,638	$ (998)
Tax at Federal statutory rate 35%	941	818	4,073	(349)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount
Exempt foreign income	0	0	0	0
Statutory equalization reserves	0	0	0	0
Other, net	(1,226)	(44)	(4,632)	(128)
Total income tax reported	$ (285)	$ 774	$ (559)	$ (477)
Effective tax rate	(10.60%)	33.10%	(4.80%)	47.80%

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 36,991	$ 51,027	$ 170,124	$ 139,947
Federal tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effective tax rate	23.80%	16.90%	24.40%	17.80%
Effective tax rate, change			6.60%
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect effective tax rate	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0
Interest and penalties	0		$ 0		0
Foreign Tax Authority
Approximate percent of unutilized statutory equalization reserves carried at Luxembourg reinsurance companies			30.00%
Unutilized equalization reserves	9,604		$ 9,604		45,927
Unutilized equalization reserves, deferred tax liabilities	$ 2,881		2,881		$ 13,778
Luxembourg
Income before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries			$ 0

Related Party Transactions - As

Related Party Transactions - Asset Management Agreement (Details) - Affiliated Entity - Asset Management Fee - AAIM - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction
Asset management fee, threshold to determine fee			$ 1,000,000
Asset management fee percentage, above threshold			0.0375%
Asset management agreement, initial term agreement may not be terminated			1 year
Period allowed for party to cure breach of contract			30 days
Asset management costs	$ 734	$ 628	$ 2,532	$ 1,717
Payable related to management services	$ 798		$ 798		$ 1,909

Related Party Transactions - Ma

Related Party Transactions - Master Service Agreement (Details) - Affiliated Entity - AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Postage And Billing Services
Related Party Transaction
Term of agreement			10 years
Term of subsequent renewals			5 years
Period allowed for party to cure breach of contract			30 days
License Fee For Policy Management System
Related Party Transaction
License fee, percentage			1.25%
Master Service Agreement
Related Party Transaction
Expenses from reinsurance affiliates	$ 13,023	$ 10,239	$ 34,650	$ 25,141
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties	$ (25,861)		$ (25,861)		$ (30,122)

Related Party Transactions - Re

Related Party Transactions - Reinsurance Agreement (Details) - Affiliated Entity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 22, 2012	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Reinsurance | AARC
Related Party Transaction
Percentage of business ceded	25.00%
Percentage of related losses ceded	25.00%
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission	25.00%
Prior notice period required for written notification of termination	90 days
Reinsurance Recoverable on Unpaid Losses
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties		$ 51,561		$ 51,561		$ 57,660
Reinsurance Recoverable on Unpaid Losses | AARC
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties		781		781		829
Commission Receivable
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties		0		0		0
Commission Receivable | AARC
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties		137		137		107
Reinsurance Payable
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties		37,722		37,722		30,082
Reinsurance Payable | AARC
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties		(511)		(511)		$ (395)
Ceded Premiums
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction		0	$ 0	0	$ 0
Ceded Premiums | AARC
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction		511	387	1,651	1,108
Ceding Commission Income
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction		(857)	(2,765)	(7,640)	(2,447)
Ceding Commission Income | AARC
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction		(87)	(149)	(403)	(359)
Ceded Losses and LAE
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction		7,033	5,676	17,553	8,388
Ceded Losses and LAE | AARC
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction		$ (431)	$ (221)	$ (974)	$ (586)

Related Party Transactions - NG

Related Party Transactions - NGHC Quota Share Agreement (Details) - Affiliated Entity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 02, 2012	Mar. 02, 2010	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jul. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015
ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Quota share percentage					15.00%
Assets held-in-trust			$ 0		$ 0			$ 18,677
Maiden Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Maiden
Related Party Transaction
Quota share percentage					25.00%
Assets held-in-trust			$ 25,239		$ 25,239			30,797
Technology Insurance Company
Related Party Transaction
Quota share percentage					10.00%
Reinsurance | ACP Re Ltd., Maiden Insurance Company, and Technology Insurance Company
Related Party Transaction
Percentage of business ceded							50.00%
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission	32.00%	32.50%
Reinsurance | ACP Re Ltd., Maiden Insurance Company, and Technology Insurance Company | Maximum
Related Party Transaction
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission		34.50%
Reinsurance | ACP Re Ltd., Maiden Insurance Company, and Technology Insurance Company | Minimum
Related Party Transaction
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission	30.00%	30.50%
Reinsurance, Threshold To Increase Ceding Commission | ACP Re Ltd., Maiden Insurance Company, and Technology Insurance Company
Related Party Transaction
Threshold percentage of loss ratio			60.00%		60.00%
Reinsurance, Threshold To Decrease Ceding Commission | ACP Re Ltd., Maiden Insurance Company, and Technology Insurance Company
Related Party Transaction
Threshold percentage of loss ratio			64.50%		64.50%
Reinsurance Recoverable on Unpaid Losses
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			$ 51,561		$ 51,561			57,660
Reinsurance Recoverable on Unpaid Losses | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			10,986		10,986			17,298
Reinsurance Recoverable on Unpaid Losses | Maiden Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Maiden
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			30,900		30,900			28,830
Reinsurance Recoverable on Unpaid Losses | Technology Insurance Company
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			9,675		9,675			11,532
Commission Receivable
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			0		0			0
Commission Receivable | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			0		0			0
Commission Receivable | Maiden Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Maiden
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			0		0			0
Commission Receivable | Technology Insurance Company
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			0		0			0
Reinsurance Payable
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			37,722		37,722			30,082
Reinsurance Payable | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			11,317		11,317			9,025
Reinsurance Payable | Maiden Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Maiden
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			18,861		18,861			15,041
Reinsurance Payable | Technology Insurance Company
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties			7,544		7,544			$ 6,016
Ceded Premiums
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			0	$ 0	0	$ 0
Ceded Premiums | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			0	0	0	0
Ceded Premiums | Maiden Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Maiden
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			0	0	0	0
Ceded Premiums | Technology Insurance Company
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			0	0	0	0
Ceding Commission Income (Loss)
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			(857)	(2,765)	(7,640)	(2,447)
Ceding Commission Income (Loss) | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			(257)	(825)	(2,292)	(734)
Ceding Commission Income (Loss) | Maiden Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Maiden
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			(429)	(1,373)	(3,820)	(1,224)
Ceding Commission Income (Loss) | Technology Insurance Company
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			(171)	(567)	(1,528)	(489)
Ceded Losses and LAE
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			7,033	5,676	17,553	8,388
Ceded Losses and LAE | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			2,110	1,702	5,266	2,516
Ceded Losses and LAE | Maiden Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Maiden
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			3,516	2,825	8,776	4,194
Ceded Losses and LAE | Technology Insurance Company
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction			$ 1,407	$ 1,149	$ 3,511	$ 1,678

Related Party Transactions - 80

Related Party Transactions - 800 Superior, LLC (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)ft²	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Related Party Transaction
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | 800 Superior, LLC
Related Party Transaction
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Affiliated Entity | 800 Superior, LLC
Related Party Transaction
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 1,595		$ 1,595			$ 1,720
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ (17)	(190)	$ (125)	(349)
Affiliated Entity | 800 Superior, LLC | 800 Superior, LLC
Related Party Transaction
Area of office lease space (sqft) | ft²	156,176		156,176
Term of lease					15 years
Rent expense	$ 693	$ 664	$ 2,059	$ 1,992

Related Party Transactions - Ea

Related Party Transactions - East Ninth & Superior (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | East Ninth & Superior, LLC
Related Party Transaction
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | Eight Hundred Superior NMTC investment Fund II
Related Party Transaction
Ownership percentage	24.50%		24.50%
Affiliated Entity | East Ninth & Superior, LLC
Related Party Transaction
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 4,179		$ 4,179		$ 4,139
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 12	$ 13	$ 40	$ 50
Affiliated Entity | Eight Hundred Superior NMTC investment Fund II
Related Party Transaction
Ownership percentage	24.50%		24.50%

Related Party Transactions - No

Related Party Transactions - North Dearborn (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | North Dearborn Building Company, L.P.
Related Party Transaction
Counterparty Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership	$ 9,714
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	45.00%
NA Advisors GP LLC | North Dearborn Building Company, L.P.
Related Party Transaction
Counterparty Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership	$ 2,200
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	10.00%
Limited Partnership, Percentage of Profit Interest	10.00%
Affiliated Entity | North Dearborn Building Company, L.P.
Related Party Transaction
Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership Interests	$ 9,714
Ownership percentage		45.00%		45.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ 11,829		$ 11,829		$ 9,862
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries		225	$ 319	842	$ 542
Contributions		$ 0		$ 1,125

Related Party Transactions - 44

Related Party Transactions - 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016ft²	Aug. 31, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Related Party Transaction
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries			$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC
Related Party Transaction
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation		50.00%
Affiliated Entity | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC
Related Party Transaction
Ownership percentage			50.00%		50.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries			$ 662		$ 662		$ 10,559
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries			8	$ 69	261	$ 69
Distributions			0		10,158
Affiliated Entity | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC | Building
Related Party Transaction
Approximate cost of the building		$ 21,000
Affiliated Entity | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC
Related Party Transaction
Area of office lease space (sqft) | ft²	81,822
Term of lease	12 years
Rent expense			$ 425		$ 968

Related Party Transactions - Il

Related Party Transactions - Illinois Center (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
ACP Re Group, Inc. | Illinois Center Building, L.P.
Related Party Transaction
Counterparty Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership	$ 53,715
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	37.50%
ACP Re | Illinois Center Building, L.P.
Related Party Transaction
Counterparty Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership	$ 21,486
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	15.00%
NA Advisors GP LLC | Illinois Center Building, L.P.
Related Party Transaction
Counterparty Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership	$ 14,324
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	10.00%
Limited Partnership, Percentage of Profit Interest	10.00%
Affiliated Entity | Illinois Center Building, L.P.
Related Party Transaction
Payments to Acquire Limited Partnership Interests	$ 53,715
Ownership percentage		37.50%		37.50%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries		$ 56,289		$ 56,289		$ 55,007
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries		256		3,157
Distributions		$ 1,875		$ 1,875

Related Party Transactions - Ag

Related Party Transactions - Agreements with ACP Re and Affiliated Entities (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 28, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 15, 2014USD ($)company	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Related Party Transaction
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries			$ 2,953	$ 2,288	$ 16,991	$ 8,900
Loss and loss adjustment expense			509,853	302,259	1,391,261	895,774
Ceding commission income			14,597	12,150	24,406	27,200
Impaired Financing Receivable, Interest Income, Accrual Method					2,049
Michael Karfunkel Family
Related Party Transaction
Amounts of transaction	$ 200,000
Affiliated Entity | Tower International
Related Party Transaction
Number Of Insurance Companies | company		10
Affiliated Entity | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Percent of outstanding principal balance of loan due and payable annually after tenth anniversary	2.00%
Minimum percent of change in control included as events of default	50.00%
Maintenance Covenant, minimum collateral interest as percent of value of outstanding loan balance	115.00%
Affiliated Entity | Tower International
Related Party Transaction
Financing principal amount, aggregate		$ 125,000
Affiliated Entity | Tower International | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Aggregate stop loss reinsurance issued					250,000
Stop loss coverage provided individually					125,000
Stop loss coverage premium					$ 56,000
Fee as a percent of stop loss premium to be retained by each subsidiary					5.50%
Financing principal amount, aggregate		250,000
Affiliated Entity | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Loans and Leases Receivable, Related Parties		125,000
Interest Income, Related Party			2,049	2,115	$ 6,424	6,514
Affiliated Entity | ACP Re | Tower International
Related Party Transaction
Term of contingent payments					3 years
Contingent payments as a percent of gross written premiums					3.00%
Contingent payments			0		$ 0		$ 16,071
Affiliated Entity | ACP Re | Tower International | Maximum
Related Party Transaction
Contingent payments		$ 30,000
Affiliated Entity | PL Reinsurance Agreement | Tower International
Related Party Transaction
Assumed Premiums Written			5,475	26,752	14,714	127,232
Affiliated Entity | PL Reinsurance Agreement | Integon National | Tower International
Related Party Transaction
Reinsurance Retention Policy, Reinsured Risk, Percentage		100.00%
Affiliated Entity | PL MGA Agreement
Related Party Transaction
Ceding commission income			547	2,607	1,471	10,634
Affiliated Entity | PL MGA Agreement | Integon National
Related Party Transaction
Percentage of gross written premiums collected		2.00%
Affiliated Entity | PL MGA Agreement | Tower International | National General Insurance Marketing, Inc (NGIM)
Related Party Transaction
Commission as percentage of business written		10.00%
Affiliated Entity | PL Reinsurance Agreement and Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement
Related Party Transaction
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties							46,565
Earned premiums			11,998	54,508	52,985	212,080
Loss and loss adjustment expense			10,471	29,629	44,694	121,884
Affiliated Entity | PL Reinsurance Agreement and Cut-Through Reinsurance Agreement | Tower International
Related Party Transaction
Ceding commission expense			2,352	11,873	3,248	44,591
Affiliated Entity | PL Administrative Agreement
Related Party Transaction
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties							$ 11,795
Reimbursement Revenue			$ 30,930	$ 13,640	$ 68,471	$ 19,408
Affiliated Entity | Loans | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Interest rate on debt	3.70%	7.00%
Maximum percent of interest that may be paid in kind	1.20%

Related Party Transactions - Su

Related Party Transactions - Surplus Notes of the Reciprocal Exchanges (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Reciprocal Exchanges' Surplus Notes | Surplus Notes
Related Party Transaction
Payments to acquire notes receivable	$ 88,900

Related Party Transactions - AI

Related Party Transactions - AIBD Health Plan (Details) - Affiliated Entity - Welfare Benefit Plan - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
AIBD Health Plan
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties	$ 5,425	$ 5,418
AIBD Health Plan Employer Trust
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties	$ 1,810	$ 2,950

Segment Information - Results o

Segment Information - Results of Operations of the Business Segments (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of business segments | segment				2
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	$ 931,459		$ 626,685	$ 2,598,160	$ 1,845,821
Ceded premiums	(125,074)		(101,046)	(309,739)	(310,747)
Net premium written	806,385		525,639	2,288,421	1,535,074
Change in unearned premium	(36,535)		(22,378)	(150,711)	(83,832)
Net earned premium	769,850		503,261	2,137,710	1,451,242
Ceding commission income	14,597		12,150	24,406	27,200
Service and fee income	95,662		60,907	282,623	173,335
Total underwriting revenues	880,109		576,318	2,444,739	1,651,777
Loss and loss adjustment expense	509,853		302,259	1,391,261	895,774
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	140,740		108,744	362,513	295,131
General and administrative expenses	198,737		118,581	566,484	343,426
Total underwriting expenses	849,330		529,584	2,320,258	1,534,331
Underwriting income	30,779		46,734	124,481	117,446
Net investment income	27,676		18,472	76,874	52,955
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments	(10,953)		(4,594)	(2,954)	(3,018)
Other revenue (expense)	(56)		(157)	258	(327)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	2,953		2,288	16,991	8,900
Interest expense	(10,455)		(9,428)	(28,535)	(27,109)
Provision for income taxes	(8,805)		(8,614)	(41,439)	(24,892)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(3,009)		(1,588)	(12,249)	453
Net income attributable to NGHC	28,130		43,113	133,427	124,408
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	850,481		546,821	2,440,012	1,627,991
Net premium written	767,319		481,989	2,210,225	1,442,021
Net earned premium	734,343		468,965	2,066,175	1,352,802
Service and fee income	11,334	$ 9,590	11,194	31,731	30,504
Net investment income	24,271		16,140	71,221	46,403
Provision for income taxes	(9,090)		(7,840)	(41,998)	(25,369)
Net income attributable to NGHC	28,130		43,113	133,427	124,408
Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	80,978		79,864	158,148	217,830
Net premium written	39,066		43,650	78,196	93,053
Net earned premium	35,507		34,296	71,535	98,440
Net investment income	3,405		2,332	5,653	6,552
Provision for income taxes	285		(774)	559	477
Net income attributable to NGHC	0		0	0	0
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	833,835		583,091	2,242,788	1,692,412
Ceded premiums	(114,825)		(91,301)	(275,932)	(284,121)
Net premium written	719,010		491,790	1,966,856	1,408,291
Change in unearned premium	(54,242)		(33,636)	(137,010)	(69,598)
Net earned premium	664,768		458,154	1,829,846	1,338,693
Ceding commission income	14,270		11,883	23,351	26,380
Service and fee income	55,504		41,247	170,153	118,584
Total underwriting revenues	734,542		511,284	2,023,350	1,483,657
Loss and loss adjustment expense	432,706		268,740	1,158,994	816,022
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	107,904		91,379	281,341	254,855
General and administrative expenses	166,368		104,520	472,635	301,187
Total underwriting expenses	706,978		464,639	1,912,970	1,372,064
Underwriting income	27,564		46,645	110,380	111,593
Net investment income	0		0	0	0
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments	0		0	0	0
Other revenue (expense)	0		0	0	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	0		0	0	0
Interest expense	0		0	0	0
Provision for income taxes	0		0	0	0
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0	0	0
Net income attributable to NGHC	27,564		46,645	110,380	111,593
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	752,857		503,227	2,084,640	1,474,582
Net premium written	679,944		448,140	1,888,660	1,315,238
Net earned premium	629,261		423,858	1,758,311	1,240,253
Net income attributable to NGHC	26,280		43,179	100,454	108,336
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	80,978		79,864	158,148	217,830
Net premium written	39,066		43,650	78,196	93,053
Net earned premium	35,507		34,296	71,535	98,440
Net income attributable to NGHC	1,284		3,466	9,926	3,257
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	97,624		43,594	355,372	153,409
Ceded premiums	(10,249)		(9,745)	(33,807)	(26,626)
Net premium written	87,375		33,849	321,565	126,783
Change in unearned premium	17,707		11,258	(13,701)	(14,234)
Net earned premium	105,082		45,107	307,864	112,549
Ceding commission income	327		267	1,055	820
Service and fee income	40,158		19,660	112,470	54,751
Total underwriting revenues	145,567		65,034	421,389	168,120
Loss and loss adjustment expense	77,147		33,519	232,267	79,752
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	32,836		17,365	81,172	40,276
General and administrative expenses	32,369		14,061	93,849	42,239
Total underwriting expenses	142,352		64,945	407,288	162,267
Underwriting income	3,215		89	14,101	5,853
Net investment income	0		0	0	0
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments	0		0	0	0
Other revenue (expense)	0		0	0	0
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	0		0	0	0
Interest expense	0		0	0	0
Provision for income taxes	0		0	0	0
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0		0	0	0
Net income attributable to NGHC	3,215		89	14,101	5,853
Accident and Health | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	97,624		43,594	355,372	153,409
Net premium written	87,375		33,849	321,565	126,783
Net earned premium	105,082		45,107	307,864	112,549
Net income attributable to NGHC	3,215		89	14,101	5,853
Accident and Health | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net income attributable to NGHC	0		0	0	0
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	0		0	0	0
Ceded premiums	0		0	0	0
Net premium written	0		0	0	0
Change in unearned premium	0		0	0	0
Net earned premium	0		0	0	0
Ceding commission income	0		0	0	0
Service and fee income	0		0	0	0
Total underwriting revenues	0		0	0	0
Loss and loss adjustment expense	0		0	0	0
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	0		0	0	0
General and administrative expenses	0		0	0	0
Total underwriting expenses	0		0	0	0
Underwriting income	0		0	0	0
Net investment income	27,676		18,472	76,874	52,955
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments	(10,953)		(4,594)	(2,954)	(3,018)
Other revenue (expense)	(56)		(157)	258	(327)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries	2,953		2,288	16,991	8,900
Interest expense	(10,455)		(9,428)	(28,535)	(27,109)
Provision for income taxes	(8,805)		(8,614)	(41,439)	(24,892)
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(3,009)		(1,588)	(12,249)	453
Net income attributable to NGHC	(2,649)		(3,621)	8,946	6,962
Corporate and Other | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net income attributable to NGHC	(1,365)		(155)	18,872	10,219
Corporate and Other | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net income attributable to NGHC	$ (1,284)		$ (3,466)	$ (9,926)	$ (3,257)

Segment Information - Long Live

Segment Information - Long Lived Assets and Total Assets of Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information
Premiums and other receivables, net	$ 923,758	$ 758,633
Deferred acquisition costs	206,087	160,531
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	917,708	833,176
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	154,574	128,343
Goodwill and Intangible assets, net	577,904	461,312
Prepaid and other assets	42,961	41,184
Corporate and other assets	4,034,436	3,180,213
Total Assets	6,857,428	5,563,392
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Premiums and other receivables, net	776,742	684,857
Deferred acquisition costs	193,930	153,767
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	906,513	832,593
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	154,574	128,343
Goodwill and Intangible assets, net	468,309	366,021
Prepaid and other assets	12,629	19,914
Corporate and other assets	0	0
Total Assets	2,512,697	2,185,495
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Premiums and other receivables, net	147,016	73,776
Deferred acquisition costs	12,157	6,764
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	11,195	583
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	0	0
Goodwill and Intangible assets, net	109,595	95,291
Prepaid and other assets	22,781	17,504
Corporate and other assets	0	0
Total Assets	302,744	193,918
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information
Premiums and other receivables, net	0	0
Deferred acquisition costs	0	0
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	0	0
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	0	0
Goodwill and Intangible assets, net	0	0
Prepaid and other assets	7,551	3,766
Corporate and other assets	4,034,436	3,180,213
Total Assets	$ 4,041,987	$ 3,183,979

Segment Information - Schedule

Segment Information - Schedule of Revenue by Geographical Location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	$ 931,459	$ 626,685	$ 2,598,160	$ 1,845,821
Net premium written	806,385	525,639	2,288,421	1,535,074
Net earned premium	769,850	503,261	2,137,710	1,451,242
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	850,481	546,821	2,440,012	1,627,991
Net premium written	767,319	481,989	2,210,225	1,442,021
Net earned premium	734,343	468,965	2,066,175	1,352,802
Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	80,978	79,864	158,148	217,830
Net premium written	39,066	43,650	78,196	93,053
Net earned premium	35,507	34,296	71,535	98,440
North America
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	923,962	616,447	2,510,957	1,771,414
Net premium written	487,605	253,040	1,337,111	693,439
Net earned premium	433,746	217,409	1,200,698	623,673
North America | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	842,984	536,583	2,352,809	1,553,584
Net premium written	448,539	209,390	1,258,915	600,386
Net earned premium	398,239	183,113	1,129,163	525,233
North America | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	80,978	79,864	158,148	217,830
Net premium written	39,066	43,650	78,196	93,053
Net earned premium	35,507	34,296	71,535	98,440
Bermuda
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	311,283	262,361	837,107	727,228
Net earned premium	311,282	264,161	837,107	727,228
Bermuda | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	311,283	262,361	837,107	727,228
Net earned premium	311,282	264,161	837,107	727,228
Bermuda | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	0	0	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Europe
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	7,497	10,238	87,203	74,407
Net premium written	7,497	10,238	114,203	114,407
Net earned premium	24,822	21,691	99,905	100,341
Europe | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	7,497	10,238	87,203	74,407
Net premium written	7,497	10,238	114,203	114,407
Net earned premium	24,822	21,691	99,905	100,341
Europe | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	0	0	0	0
Net premium written	0	0	0	0
Net earned premium	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Segment Information - Gross Pre

Segment Information - Gross Premium Written (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	$ 931,459	$ 626,685	$ 2,598,160	$ 1,845,821
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	850,481	546,821	2,440,012	1,627,991
Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	80,978	79,864	158,148	217,830
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	833,835	583,091	2,242,788	1,692,412
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	752,857	503,227	2,084,640	1,474,582
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Personal Auto
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	384,384	307,799	1,107,457	935,339
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Homeowners
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	135,833	103,423	306,360	263,544
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | RV/Packaged
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	42,964	40,447	129,260	121,093
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Commercial Auto
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	72,692	48,052	191,209	139,880
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Lender-placed insurance
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	105,249	0	325,436	0
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Other
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	11,735	3,506	24,918	14,726
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	80,978	79,864	158,148	217,830
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges | Personal Auto
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	25,345	24,177	48,466	67,641
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges | Homeowners
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	53,534	53,836	105,170	144,201
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges | Other
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	2,099	1,851	4,512	5,988
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	97,624	43,594	355,372	153,409
Accident and Health | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	$ 97,624	$ 43,594	$ 355,372	$ 153,409

Segment Information - Net Premi

Segment Information - Net Premium Written (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	$ 806,385	$ 525,639	$ 2,288,421	$ 1,535,074
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	767,319	481,989	2,210,225	1,442,021
Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	39,066	43,650	78,196	93,053
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	719,010	491,790	1,966,856	1,408,291
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	679,944	448,140	1,888,660	1,315,238
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Personal Auto
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	344,605	257,432	977,212	805,081
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Homeowners
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	120,242	105,028	276,677	250,874
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | RV/Packaged
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	42,705	40,113	128,582	119,781
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Commercial Auto
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	66,790	43,502	174,731	127,753
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Lender-placed insurance
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	99,824	0	317,206	0
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Other
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	5,778	2,065	14,252	11,749
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	39,066	43,650	78,196	93,053
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges | Personal Auto
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	15,047	(3,683)	28,500	38,619
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges | Homeowners
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	22,948	45,686	46,483	48,235
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges | Other
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	1,071	1,647	3,213	6,199
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	87,375	33,849	321,565	126,783
Accident and Health | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	$ 87,375	$ 33,849	$ 321,565	$ 126,783

Segment Information - Net Earne

Segment Information - Net Earned Premium (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	$ 769,850	$ 503,261	$ 2,137,710	$ 1,451,242
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	734,343	468,965	2,066,175	1,352,802
Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	35,507	34,296	71,535	98,440
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	664,768	458,154	1,829,846	1,338,693
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	629,261	423,858	1,758,311	1,240,253
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Personal Auto
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	312,654	251,754	875,480	786,397
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Homeowners
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	100,875	92,283	256,870	219,633
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | RV/Packaged
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	40,727	38,489	117,261	112,041
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Commercial Auto
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	59,791	39,440	155,105	111,491
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Lender-placed insurance
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	103,751	0	335,076	0
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Other
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	11,463	1,892	18,519	10,691
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	35,507	34,296	71,535	98,440
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges | Personal Auto
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	13,860	14,494	26,840	60,965
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges | Homeowners
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	20,275	18,404	39,879	33,452
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges | Other
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	1,372	1,398	4,816	4,023
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	105,082	45,107	307,864	112,549
Accident and Health | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	$ 105,082	$ 45,107	$ 307,864	$ 112,549

Commitments - (Details)

Commitments - (Details) $ in Thousands	Nov. 01, 2016USD ($)
Scenario, Forecast | Elara Holdings, Inc.
Business Acquisition
Aggregate consideration	$ 161,590

Subsequent Events - Direct Gene

Subsequent Events - Direct General (Details) $ in Thousands	Nov. 01, 2016USD ($)
Subsequent Event | Direct General
Subsequent Event
Purchase price	$ 161,590

Subsequent Events - Standard Pr

Subsequent Events - Standard Property and Casualty Insurance Company (Details) - Subsequent Event - Standard Property and Casualty Insurance Company $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Oct. 06, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Subsequent Event
Received subscriptions | $	$ 4,942
Business acquisition, share price	$ 18.1237
Discount to the volume-weighted average trading price	18.4507%
Average price of a share 10-trading day period	$ 22.2242
Business acquisition, number of shares | shares	272,609