HCC Insurance 10-Q 3 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'
Entity Registrant Name	'HCC INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC/DE/
Entity Central Index Key	'0000888919
Document Type	'10-Q
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14
Amendment Flag	'false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	96.8

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014 - $6,339,054 and 2013 - $5,921,487)	$6,576,541	$6,022,473
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value (cost: 2014 - $280,663 and 2013 - $464,388)	286,194	517,466
Short-term investments, at cost (approximates fair value)	250,867	178,753
Total investments	7,113,602	6,718,692
Cash	70,817	58,301
Restricted cash and securities	131,516	125,777
Premium, claims and other receivables	650,751	580,107
Reinsurance recoverables	1,194,034	1,277,257
Ceded unearned premium	330,224	305,438
Ceded life and annuity benefits	50,114	56,491
Deferred policy acquisition costs	230,350	201,698
Goodwill	899,148	895,200
Other assets	147,419	125,559
Total assets	10,817,975	10,344,520
LIABILITIES	'	'
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable	3,776,924	3,902,132
Life and annuity policy benefits	50,114	56,491
Reinsurance, premium and claims payable	375,299	332,985
Unearned premium	1,263,307	1,134,849
Deferred ceding commissions	97,276	89,528
Notes payable	744,213	654,098
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	620,177	500,007
Total liabilities	6,927,310	6,670,090
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 250,000 shares authorized (shares issued: 2014 - 126,371 and 2013 - 125,577; outstanding: 2014 - 98,162 and 2013 - 100,336)	126,371	125,577
Additional paid-in capital	1,103,774	1,073,105
Retained earnings	3,356,841	3,085,501
Accumulated other comprehensive income	170,632	118,651
Treasury stock, at cost (shares: 2014 - 28,209 and 2013 - 25,241)	-866,953	-728,404
Total shareholders' equity	3,890,665	3,674,430
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$10,817,975	$10,344,520

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Investments	'	'
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, amortized cost	$6,339,054	$5,921,487
Equity securities, available for sale, cost	$280,663	$464,388
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000	250,000
Common stock, shares issued	126,371	125,577
Common stock, shares outstanding	98,162	100,336
Treasury stock	28,209	25,241

Consolidated_Statement_of_Earn

Consolidated Statement of Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
REVENUE	'	'	'	'
Net earned premium	$586,935	$556,668	$1,721,795	$1,679,210
Net investment income	54,236	54,208	167,480	165,641
Other operating income	9,483	7,679	28,732	24,308
Net realized investment gain	39,384	17,922	64,535	31,115
Total revenue	690,038	636,477	1,982,542	1,900,274
EXPENSE	'	'	'	'
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	311,937	320,376	960,875	992,547
Policy acquisition costs, net	76,210	65,642	218,221	203,387
Other operating expense	90,344	103,785	285,299	268,357
Interest expense	6,890	6,574	20,874	19,656
Total expense	485,381	496,377	1,485,269	1,483,947
Earnings before income taxes	204,657	140,100	497,273	416,327
Income tax expense	64,390	41,925	151,959	124,140
Net earnings	$140,267	$98,175	$345,314	$292,187
Earnings per common share	'	'	'	'
Basic	$1.41	$0.98	$3.45	$2.91
Diluted	$1.41	$0.98	$3.45	$2.90

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	$140,267	$98,175	$345,314	$292,187
Investment gains (losses):	'	'	'	'
Investment gains (losses) during the period	-26,336	14,948	153,489	-232,481
Income tax charge (benefit)	-9,467	4,917	54,351	-82,526
Investments gains (losses), net of tax	-16,869	10,031	99,138	-149,955
Less reclassification adjustments to:	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gain	39,384	17,922	64,535	31,115
Income tax expense	13,784	6,272	22,587	10,890
Total reclassifications included in net earnings, net of tax	25,600	11,650	41,948	20,225
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	-42,469	-1,619	57,190	-170,180
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-7,059	5,410	-5,368	4,265
Income tax charge (benefit)	262	-92	-159	-646
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	-7,321	5,502	-5,209	4,911
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-49,790	3,883	51,981	-165,269
Comprehensive income	$90,477	$102,058	$397,295	$126,918

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]	Treasury stock [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$3,674,430	$125,577	$1,073,105	$3,085,501	$118,651	($728,404)
Net earnings	345,314	'	'	345,314	'	'
Other comprehensive income	51,981	'	'	'	51,981	'
Issuance of 363 shares for exercise of options, including tax effect	12,638	363	12,275	'	'	'
Issuance of 92 shares for employee stock purchase plan	3,439	92	3,347	'	'	'
Purchase of 2,968 common shares	-138,549	'	'	'	'	-138,549
Stock-based compensation	15,386	339	15,047	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared, $0.745 per share	-73,974	'	'	-73,974	'	'
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$3,890,665	$126,371	$1,103,774	$3,356,841	$170,632	($866,953)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan1

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Issuance of shares for exercise of options	363
Issuance of shares for employee stock purchase plan	92
Purchase of common shares	2,968
Cash dividends declared	$0.75

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating activities	'	'
Net earnings	$345,314	$292,187
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Change in premium, claims and other receivables	-56,631	-52,395
Change in reinsurance recoverables	60,074	-138,103
Change in ceded unearned premium	-25,071	-44,809
Change in loss and loss adjustment expense payable	-95,341	241,126
Change in unearned premium	129,226	95,395
Change in reinsurance, premium and claims payable	44,117	21,516
Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-43,608	-145,740
Stock-based compensation expense	18,718	10,100
Depreciation and amortization expense	12,476	13,962
Gain on investments	-64,535	-31,115
Other, net	35,625	9,288
Cash provided by operating activities	360,364	271,412
Investing activities	'	'
Sales of available for sale fixed maturity securities	314,424	337,895
Sales of equity securities	436,126	95,989
Sales of other investments	0	23,719
Maturity or call of available for sale fixed maturity securities	413,290	488,817
Cost of available for sale fixed maturity securities acquired	-1,159,975	-1,109,233
Cost of equity securities acquired	-191,639	-226,601
Change in short-term investments	-79,714	134,515
Payments for purchase of businesses, net of cash received	-7,003	-8,214
Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries	16,589	1,327
Other, net	-5,051	-6,575
Cash used by investing activities	-262,953	-268,361
Financing activities	'	'
Advances on line of credit	195,000	130,000
Payments on line of credit	-105,000	-60,000
Sale of common stock	16,077	8,725
Purchase of common stock	-126,226	-47,869
Dividends paid	-67,564	-49,773
Other, net	2,818	-487
Cash used by financing activities	-84,895	-19,404
Net increase (decrease) in cash	12,516	-16,353
Cash at beginning of year	58,301	71,390
Cash at end of period	$70,817	$55,037

General_Information

General Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
General Information [Abstract]	'
General Information	'
	(1) General Information
	HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (HCC) and its subsidiaries (collectively we, us or our) include domestic and foreign property and casualty and life insurance companies and underwriting agencies with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland. We underwrite a variety of largely non-correlated specialty insurance products, including property and casualty, accident and health, surety and credit product lines, in approximately 180 countries. We market our products through a network of independent agents and brokers, through managing general agents owned by the company, and directly to consumers. In addition, we assume insurance written by other insurance companies.
	Basis of Presentation
	Our unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of HCC and its subsidiaries. We have made all adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary for a fair statement of results of the interim periods, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 was derived from the audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.
	Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and in disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates.
	Goodwill
	We conducted our 2014 goodwill impairment test as of June 30, 2014, which is consistent with the timeframe for our annual assessment in prior years. Based on our latest assessment, the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount.
	Recent Accounting Guidance
	A new accounting standard issued in 2014 will change the manner in which most companies recognize revenue. The standard requires that revenue reflect the transfer of goods or services to customers based on the consideration/payment the company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services; however, the standard does not change the accounting for insurance contracts or investment income. The new standard also requires enhanced disclosures about revenue. This accounting guidance is effective in the first quarter of 2017 and may be applied on a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. We are currently assessing the impact the implementation of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.
	Acquisition
	On September 29, 2014, we executed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire all of the capital stock of Producers Ag Insurance Group, Inc. (ProAg) for $110.0 million cash, subject to a net worth adjustment at closing as described in the purchase agreement. The transaction is expected to close in early 2015 following the necessary regulatory approvals. ProAg writes multi-peril crop, crop hail, named peril and livestock insurance.

General_Information_Details_Te

General Information (Details Textuals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	countries
General Information [Abstract]	'
Number of countries in which The Company underwrites non-correlated specialty insurance products	180
Amount of cash expected to be paid to acquire an entity	$110

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investment [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	(2) Investments
	The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gain or loss, and fair value of our fixed maturity and equity securities, all of which are classified as available for sale, were as follows:
			Cost or			Gross			Gross
			amortized			unrealized			unrealized
			cost			gain			loss			Fair value
	30-Sep-14
	U.S. government and government agency securities		$	66,347		$	1,063		$	-263		$	67,147
	Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		919,617			59,857			-497			978,977
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		2,272,817			134,571			-3,119			2,404,269
	Corporate securities			1,234,819			37,584			-9,535			1,262,868
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			827,975			16,893			-9,770			835,098
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			603,859			16,567			-5,405			615,021
	Asset-backed securities			329,358			365			-1,752			327,971
	Foreign government securities			84,262			1,932			-1,004			85,190
		Total fixed maturity securities	$	6,339,054		$	268,832		$	-31,345		$	6,576,541
	Equity securities		$	280,663		$	16,731		$	-11,200		$	286,194
	31-Dec-13
	U.S. government and government agency securities		$	91,047		$	2,157		$	-495		$	92,709
	Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		941,580			50,885			-5,979			986,486
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		2,240,412			71,541			-46,758			2,265,195
	Corporate securities			1,195,387			40,860			-11,009			1,225,238
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			622,766			15,289			-19,936			618,119
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			502,069			16,155			-13,336			504,888
	Asset-backed securities			183,660			319			-1,587			182,392
	Foreign government securities			144,566			3,237			-357			147,446
		Total fixed maturity securities	$	5,921,487		$	200,443		$	-99,457		$	6,022,473
	Equity securities		$	464,388		$	58,842		$	-5,764		$	517,466
	Substantially all of our fixed maturity securities are investment grade. The following tables display the gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated.
					Less than 12 months						12 months or more					Total
								Unrealized						Unrealized				Unrealized
					Fair value			losses			Fair value			losses		Fair value		losses
	30-Sep-14
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency
			securities		$	15,675		$	-30		$	11,129		$	-233	$	26,804	$	-263
		Fixed maturity securities of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			12,500			-81			29,505			-416		42,005		-497
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			26,622			-104			176,961			-3,015		203,583		-3,119
		Corporate securities				357,022			-4,672			96,757			-4,863		453,779		-9,535
		Residential mortgage-backed securities				179,700			-917			253,192			-8,853		432,892		-9,770
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities				110,383			-840			144,183			-4,565		254,566		-5,405
		Asset-backed securities				148,445			-863			51,313			-889		199,758		-1,752
		Foreign government securities				29,089			-924			7,162			-80		36,251		-1,004
	Equity securities					123,984			-10,217			4,406			-983		128,390		-11,200
				Total	$	1,003,420		$	-18,648		$	774,608		$	-23,897	$	1,778,028	$	-42,545
	December 31, 2013
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency
			securities		$	23,717		$	-495		$	-		$	-	$	23,717	$	-495
		Fixed maturity securities of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			136,160			-5,277			8,997			-702		145,157		-5,979
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			684,560			-35,832			83,228			-10,926		767,788		-46,758
		Corporate securities				277,853			-8,202			35,437			-2,807		313,290		-11,009
		Residential mortgage-backed securities				306,874			-15,861			31,687			-4,075		338,561		-19,936
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities				203,347			-12,611			4,915			-725		208,262		-13,336
		Asset-backed securities				126,922			-1,587			-			-		126,922		-1,587
		Foreign government securities				78,182			-357			-			-		78,182		-357
Equity securities					75,620			-5,437			7,016			-327		82,636		-5,764
			Total	$	1,913,235		$	-85,659		$	171,280		$	-19,562	$	2,084,515	$	-105,221
At September 30, 2014, we held approximately 2,860 fixed maturity and equity securities, of which 28% included at least one lot in an unrealized loss position. A security has an impairment loss when its fair value is less than its cost or amortized cost at the balance sheet date. We evaluate our securities for possible other-than-temporary impairment losses at each quarter end. Our reviews cover all impaired securities where the loss exceeds $1.0 million and the loss either exceeds 10% of cost or the security had been in a loss position for longer than twelve consecutive months. We do not consider the $42.5 million of gross unrealized losses in our portfolio at September 30, 2014 to be other-than-temporary impairments as these losses relate to non-credit factors, such as interest rate changes and market conditions. We recognized no other-than-temporary impairment losses in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013.
The amortized cost and fair value of our fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. The weighted-average life of our mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities was 5.6 years at September 30, 2014.
			Cost or amortized cost			Fair value
Due in 1 year or less			$	176,344		$	179,920
Due after 1 year through 5 years				1,066,029			1,101,193
Due after 5 years through 10 years				1,353,043			1,429,453
Due after 10 years through 15 years				944,332			1,001,521
Due after 15 years				1,038,114			1,086,364
	Securities with contractual maturities			4,577,862			4,798,451
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities				1,761,192			1,778,090
	Total fixed maturity securities		$	6,339,054		$	6,576,541
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments included the following:
			Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
Gains
	Fixed maturity securities		$	7,634		$	15,848		$	1,484		$	11,709
	Equity securities			68,590			12,932			42,727			6,943
	Other investments			-			5,345			-			-
		Total gains		76,224			34,125			44,211			18,652
Losses
	Fixed maturity securities			-4,889			-994			-1,201			-
	Equity securities			-6,800			-2,016			-3,626			-730
		Total losses		-11,689			-3,010			-4,827			-730
Net
	Fixed maturity securities			2,745			14,854			283			11,709
	Equity securities			61,790			10,916			39,101			6,213
	Other investments			-			5,345			-			-
		Net realized investment gain	$	64,535		$	31,115		$	39,384		$	17,922

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investment [Abstract]	'
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available For Sale	'
			Cost or			Gross			Gross
			amortized			unrealized			unrealized
			cost			gain			loss			Fair value
	30-Sep-14
	U.S. government and government agency securities		$	66,347		$	1,063		$	-263		$	67,147
	Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		919,617			59,857			-497			978,977
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		2,272,817			134,571			-3,119			2,404,269
	Corporate securities			1,234,819			37,584			-9,535			1,262,868
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			827,975			16,893			-9,770			835,098
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			603,859			16,567			-5,405			615,021
	Asset-backed securities			329,358			365			-1,752			327,971
	Foreign government securities			84,262			1,932			-1,004			85,190
		Total fixed maturity securities	$	6,339,054		$	268,832		$	-31,345		$	6,576,541
	Equity securities		$	280,663		$	16,731		$	-11,200		$	286,194
	31-Dec-13
	U.S. government and government agency securities		$	91,047		$	2,157		$	-495		$	92,709
	Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		941,580			50,885			-5,979			986,486
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		2,240,412			71,541			-46,758			2,265,195
	Corporate securities			1,195,387			40,860			-11,009			1,225,238
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			622,766			15,289			-19,936			618,119
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			502,069			16,155			-13,336			504,888
	Asset-backed securities			183,660			319			-1,587			182,392
	Foreign government securities			144,566			3,237			-357			147,446
		Total fixed maturity securities	$	5,921,487		$	200,443		$	-99,457		$	6,022,473
	Equity securities		$	464,388		$	58,842		$	-5,764		$	517,466
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'
					Less than 12 months						12 months or more					Total
								Unrealized						Unrealized				Unrealized
					Fair value			losses			Fair value			losses		Fair value		losses
	30-Sep-14
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency
			securities		$	15,675		$	-30		$	11,129		$	-233	$	26,804	$	-263
		Fixed maturity securities of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			12,500			-81			29,505			-416		42,005		-497
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			26,622			-104			176,961			-3,015		203,583		-3,119
		Corporate securities				357,022			-4,672			96,757			-4,863		453,779		-9,535
		Residential mortgage-backed securities				179,700			-917			253,192			-8,853		432,892		-9,770
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities				110,383			-840			144,183			-4,565		254,566		-5,405
		Asset-backed securities				148,445			-863			51,313			-889		199,758		-1,752
		Foreign government securities				29,089			-924			7,162			-80		36,251		-1,004
	Equity securities					123,984			-10,217			4,406			-983		128,390		-11,200
				Total	$	1,003,420		$	-18,648		$	774,608		$	-23,897	$	1,778,028	$	-42,545
	December 31, 2013
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency
			securities		$	23,717		$	-495		$	-		$	-	$	23,717	$	-495
		Fixed maturity securities of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			136,160			-5,277			8,997			-702		145,157		-5,979
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			684,560			-35,832			83,228			-10,926		767,788		-46,758
		Corporate securities				277,853			-8,202			35,437			-2,807		313,290		-11,009
		Residential mortgage-backed securities				306,874			-15,861			31,687			-4,075		338,561		-19,936
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities				203,347			-12,611			4,915			-725		208,262		-13,336
		Asset-backed securities				126,922			-1,587			-			-		126,922		-1,587
		Foreign government securities				78,182			-357			-			-		78,182		-357
	Equity securities					75,620			-5,437			7,016			-327		82,636		-5,764
				Total	$	1,913,235		$	-85,659		$	171,280		$	-19,562	$	2,084,515	$	-105,221
Amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities investments classified by contractual maturity date	'
				Cost or amortized cost			Fair value
	Due in 1 year or less			$	176,344		$	179,920
	Due after 1 year through 5 years				1,066,029			1,101,193
	Due after 5 years through 10 years				1,353,043			1,429,453
	Due after 10 years through 15 years				944,332			1,001,521
	Due after 15 years				1,038,114			1,086,364
		Securities with contractual maturities			4,577,862			4,798,451
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities				1,761,192			1,778,090
		Total fixed maturity securities		$	6,339,054		$	6,576,541
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments	'
				Nine months ended September 30,						Three months ended September 30,
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	Gains
		Fixed maturity securities		$	7,634		$	15,848		$	1,484		$	11,709
		Equity securities			68,590			12,932			42,727			6,943
		Other investments			-			5,345			-			-
			Total gains		76,224			34,125			44,211			18,652
	Losses
		Fixed maturity securities			-4,889			-994			-1,201			-
		Equity securities			-6,800			-2,016			-3,626			-730
			Total losses		-11,689			-3,010			-4,827			-730
	Net
		Fixed maturity securities			2,745			14,854			283			11,709
		Equity securities			61,790			10,916			39,101			6,213
		Other investments			-			5,345			-			-
			Net realized investment gain	$	64,535		$	31,115		$	39,384		$	17,922

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale	'	'
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$6,339,054	$5,921,487
Gross unrealized gain	268,832	200,443
Gross unrealized loss	-31,345	-99,457
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	6,576,541	6,022,473
Available for sale equity securities	'	'
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	280,663	464,388
Gross unrealized gain	16,731	58,842
Gross unrealized loss	-11,200	-5,764
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	286,194	517,466
US Government and Government Agency Securities [Member]	'	'
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale	'	'
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	66,347	91,047
Gross unrealized gain	1,063	2,157
Gross unrealized loss	-263	-495
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	67,147	92,709
Fixed Maturity Securities of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions Securities [Member]	'	'
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale	'	'
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	919,617	941,580
Gross unrealized gain	59,857	50,885
Gross unrealized loss	-497	-5,979
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	978,977	986,486
Special Purpose Revenue Bonds Of States Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale	'	'
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,272,817	2,240,412
Gross unrealized gain	134,571	71,541
Gross unrealized loss	-3,119	-46,758
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	2,404,269	2,265,195
Corporate Securities [Member]	'	'
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale	'	'
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,234,819	1,195,387
Gross unrealized gain	37,584	40,860
Gross unrealized loss	-9,535	-11,009
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	1,262,868	1,225,238
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale	'	'
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	827,975	622,766
Gross unrealized gain	16,893	15,289
Gross unrealized loss	-9,770	-19,936
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	835,098	618,119
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale	'	'
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	603,859	502,069
Gross unrealized gain	16,567	16,155
Gross unrealized loss	-5,405	-13,336
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	615,021	504,888
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale	'	'
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	329,358	183,660
Gross unrealized gain	365	319
Gross unrealized loss	-1,752	-1,587
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	327,971	182,392
Foreign Government Securities [Member]	'	'
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale	'	'
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	84,262	144,566
Gross unrealized gain	1,932	3,237
Gross unrealized loss	-1,004	-357
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	$85,190	$147,446

Investments_Details_1

Investments (Details 1) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	$1,003,420	$1,913,235
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-18,648	-85,659
12 months or more, Fair value	774,608	171,280
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-23,897	-19,562
Total, Fair value	1,778,028	2,084,515
Total, Unrealized losses	-42,545	-105,221
US Government and Government Agency Securities [Member]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	15,675	23,717
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-30	-495
12 months or more, Fair value	11,129	0
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-233	0
Total, Fair value	26,804	23,717
Total, Unrealized losses	-263	-495
Fixed Maturity Securities of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions Securities [Member]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	12,500	136,160
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-81	-5,277
12 months or more, Fair value	29,505	8,997
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-416	-702
Total, Fair value	42,005	145,157
Total, Unrealized losses	-497	-5,979
Special Purpose Revenue Bonds Of States Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	26,622	684,560
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-104	-35,832
12 months or more, Fair value	176,961	83,228
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-3,015	-10,926
Total, Fair value	203,583	767,788
Total, Unrealized losses	-3,119	-46,758
Corporate Securities [Member]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	357,022	277,853
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-4,672	-8,202
12 months or more, Fair value	96,757	35,437
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-4,863	-2,807
Total, Fair value	453,779	313,290
Total, Unrealized losses	-9,535	-11,009
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	179,700	306,874
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-917	-15,861
12 months or more, Fair value	253,192	31,687
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-8,853	-4,075
Total, Fair value	432,892	338,561
Total, Unrealized losses	-9,770	-19,936
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	110,383	203,347
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-840	-12,611
12 months or more, Fair value	144,183	4,915
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-4,565	-725
Total, Fair value	254,566	208,262
Total, Unrealized losses	-5,405	-13,336
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	148,445	126,922
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-863	-1,587
12 months or more, Fair value	51,313	0
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-889	0
Total, Fair value	199,758	126,922
Total, Unrealized losses	-1,752	-1,587
Foreign Government Securities [Member]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	29,089	78,182
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-924	-357
12 months or more, Fair value	7,162	0
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-80	0
Total, Fair value	36,251	78,182
Total, Unrealized losses	-1,004	-357
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position	'	'
Less than 12 months, Fair value	123,984	75,620
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-10,217	-5,437
12 months or more, Fair value	4,406	7,016
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-983	-327
Total, Fair value	128,390	82,636
Total, Unrealized losses	($11,200)	($5,764)

Investments_Details_3

Investments (Details 3) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities investments classified by contractual maturity date	'	'
Due in 1 year or less, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	$176,344	'
Due after 1 year through 5 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,066,029	'
Due after 5 years through 10 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,353,043	'
Due after 10 years through 15 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	944,332	'
Due after 15 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,038,114	'
Securities with contractual maturities, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	4,577,862	'
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,761,192	'
Available-for-sale fixed maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,339,054	5,921,487
Due in 1 year or less, Available for sale, Fair value	179,920	'
Due after 1 year through 5 years, Available for sale, Fair value	1,101,193	'
Due after 5 years through 10 years, Available for sale, Fair value	1,429,453	'
Due after 10 years through 15 years, Available for sale, Fair value	1,001,521	'
Due after 15 years, Available for sale, Fair value	1,086,364	'
Securities with contractual maturities, Available for sale, Fair value	4,798,451	'
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Available for sale, Fair value	1,778,090	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fixed Maturity Securities, Fair value	$6,576,541	$6,022,473

Investments_Details_5

Investments (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments	'	'	'	'
Gains	$44,211	$18,652	$76,224	$34,125
Losses	-4,827	-730	-11,689	-3,010
Net realized investment gain	39,384	17,922	64,535	31,115
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments	'	'	'	'
Gains	1,484	11,709	7,634	15,848
Losses	-1,201	0	-4,889	-994
Net realized investment gain	283	11,709	2,745	14,854
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments	'	'	'	'
Gains	42,727	6,943	68,590	12,932
Losses	-3,626	-730	-6,800	-2,016
Net realized investment gain	39,101	6,213	61,790	10,916
Others [Member]	'	'	'	'
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments	'	'	'	'
Gains	0	0	0	5,345
Losses	0	0	0	0
Net realized investment gain	$0	$0	$0	$5,345

Investments_Details_Textuals

Investments (Details Textuals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment [Abstract]	'	'
Condition for categorizing the impaired securities	$1,000,000	'
Condition for categorizing the impaired securities, percentage	10.00%	'
Weighted-average life of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Years	5.6	'
Number of fixed maturity and equity securities held	2,860	'
Percentage of securities in unrealized loss position	28.00%	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	($42,545,000)	($105,221,000)

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	(3) Fair Value Measurements
	Our financial instruments include assets and liabilities carried at fair value, as well as assets and liabilities carried at cost or amortized cost but disclosed at fair value in our financial statements. In determining fair value, we generally apply the market approach, which uses prices and other relevant data based on market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. We classify our financial instruments into the following three-level hierarchy:
	• Level 1 – Inputs are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.
	• Level 2 – Inputs are based on observable market data (other than quoted prices), or are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
	• Level 3 – Inputs are unobservable and not corroborated by market data.
	Our Level 1 investments consist of U.S. Treasuries, money market funds and equity securities traded in an active exchange market. We use unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments to measure fair value.
	Our Level 2 investments include most of our fixed maturity securities, which consist of U.S. government agency securities, municipal bonds (including those held as restricted securities), corporate debt securities, bank loans, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities (including collateralized loan obligations), and deposits supporting our Lloyd’s syndicate business. Level 2 also includes certificates of deposit and other interest-bearing deposits at banks, which we report as short-term investments. We measure fair value for the majority of our Level 2 investments using matrix pricing and observable market data, including benchmark securities or yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, bids, offers, default rates, loss severity and other economic measures. We measure fair value for our structured securities using observable market data in cash flow models.
	We are responsible for the prices used in our fair value measurements. We use independent pricing services to assist us in determining fair value for 99% of our Level 2 investments. The pricing services provide a single price or quote per security. We use data provided by our third party investment managers and Lloyd’s of London to value the remaining Level 2 investments. To validate that these quoted prices are reasonable estimates of fair value, we perform various quantitative and qualitative procedures, including: 1) evaluation of the underlying methodologies, 2) analysis of recent sales activity, 3) analytical review of our fair values against current market prices and 4) comparison of the pricing services’ fair value to other pricing services’ fair value for the same investment. No markets for our investments were judged to be inactive at period end. Based on these procedures, we did not adjust the prices or quotes provided by our independent pricing services, third party investment managers or Lloyd’s of London as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
	Our Level 2 financial instruments also include our notes payable. We determine the fair value of our 6.30% Senior Notes based on quoted prices in an inactive market. The fair value of borrowings under our Revolving Loan Facility approximates the carrying amount because interest is based on 30-day LIBOR plus a margin.
	Our Level 3 securities include certain fixed maturity securities and an insurance contract that we account for as a derivative and classify in other assets. Our Level 3 category also includes liabilities for future earnout payments due to former owners of businesses we acquired, which are classified within accounts payable and accrued liabilities. We determine fair value of the derivative and the earnout payments based on internally developed models that use assumptions or other data that are not readily observable from objective sources. Fixed maturity securities classified as Level 3 at December 31, 2013 included special purpose revenue bond auction rate securities, which had interest rates that reset at periodic intervals.  These securities were thinly traded and observable market data was not readily available.  We determined the fair value of these securities using prices quoted by a broker.
	The following tables present the fair value of our financial instruments that were carried or disclosed at fair value. Unless indicated, these items were carried at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets.
				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	30-Sep-14
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency securities		$	59,796	$	7,351	$	-	$	67,147
		Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		978,977		-		978,977
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		2,404,269		-		2,404,269
		Corporate securities			-		1,262,719		149		1,262,868
		Residential mortgage-backed securities			-		835,098		-		835,098
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			-		615,021		-		615,021
		Asset-backed securities			-		327,971		-		327,971
		Foreign government securities			-		85,190		-		85,190
			Total fixed maturity securities		59,796		6,516,596		149		6,576,541
	Equity securities				286,194		-		-		286,194
	Short-term investments*				107,702		143,165		-		250,867
	Restricted cash and securities				-		2,348		-		2,348
	Premium, claims and other receivables				-		59,736		-		59,736
	Other assets				19		-		1,201		1,220
		Total assets measured at fair value		$	453,711	$	6,721,845	$	1,350	$	7,176,906
	Notes payable*			$	-	$	793,162	$	-	$	793,162
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities				-		2,348		9,039		11,387
		Total liabilities measured at fair value		$	-	$	795,510	$	9,039	$	804,549
	__________
	* Carried at cost or amortized cost on consolidated balance sheet.
				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	31-Dec-13
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency securities		$	84,032	$	8,677	$	-	$	92,709
		Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		986,486		-		986,486
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		2,255,928		9,267		2,265,195
		Corporate securities			-		1,225,088		150		1,225,238
		Residential mortgage-backed securities			-		618,119		-		618,119
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			-		504,888		-		504,888
		Asset-backed securities			-		182,392		-		182,392
		Foreign government securities			-		147,446		-		147,446
			Total fixed maturity securities		84,032		5,929,024		9,417		6,022,473
	Equity securities				517,466		-		-		517,466
	Short-term investments*				68,958		109,795		-		178,753
	Restricted cash and securities				-		1,853		-		1,853
	Premium, claims and other receivables				-		66,515		-		66,515
	Other assets				20		-		941		961
		Total assets measured at fair value		$	670,476	$	6,107,187	$	10,358	$	6,788,021
	Notes payable*			$	-	$	707,656	$	-	$	707,656
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liability				-		1,853		7,259		9,112
		Total liabilities measured at fair value		$	-	$	709,509	$	7,259	$	716,768
	__________
	*Carried at cost or amortized cost on consolidated balance sheet.
	In the first quarter of 2013, we purchased $9.4 million of special purpose revenue bond auction rate securities, which we continued to hold and classify in Level 3 at December 31, 2013. We sold these securities in the first quarter of 2014. There were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]	'
Assets and liabilities at fair value	'
				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	30-Sep-14
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency securities		$	59,796	$	7,351	$	-	$	67,147
		Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		978,977		-		978,977
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		2,404,269		-		2,404,269
		Corporate securities			-		1,262,719		149		1,262,868
		Residential mortgage-backed securities			-		835,098		-		835,098
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			-		615,021		-		615,021
		Asset-backed securities			-		327,971		-		327,971
		Foreign government securities			-		85,190		-		85,190
			Total fixed maturity securities		59,796		6,516,596		149		6,576,541
	Equity securities				286,194		-		-		286,194
	Short-term investments*				107,702		143,165		-		250,867
	Restricted cash and securities				-		2,348		-		2,348
	Premium, claims and other receivables				-		59,736		-		59,736
	Other assets				19		-		1,201		1,220
		Total assets measured at fair value		$	453,711	$	6,721,845	$	1,350	$	7,176,906
	Notes payable*			$	-	$	793,162	$	-	$	793,162
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities				-		2,348		9,039		11,387
		Total liabilities measured at fair value		$	-	$	795,510	$	9,039	$	804,549
				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	31-Dec-13
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency securities		$	84,032	$	8,677	$	-	$	92,709
		Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		986,486		-		986,486
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		2,255,928		9,267		2,265,195
		Corporate securities			-		1,225,088		150		1,225,238
		Residential mortgage-backed securities			-		618,119		-		618,119
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			-		504,888		-		504,888
		Asset-backed securities			-		182,392		-		182,392
		Foreign government securities			-		147,446		-		147,446
			Total fixed maturity securities		84,032		5,929,024		9,417		6,022,473
	Equity securities				517,466		-		-		517,466
	Short-term investments*				68,958		109,795		-		178,753
	Restricted cash and securities				-		1,853		-		1,853
	Premium, claims and other receivables				-		66,515		-		66,515
	Other assets				20		-		941		961
		Total assets measured at fair value		$	670,476	$	6,107,187	$	10,358	$	6,788,021
	Notes payable*			$	-	$	707,656	$	-	$	707,656
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liability				-		1,853		7,259		9,112
		Total liabilities measured at fair value		$	-	$	709,509	$	7,259	$	716,768

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	$6,576,541	$6,022,473
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value	286,194	517,466
Short-term investments*	250,867	178,753
Restricted cash and securities	2,348	1,853
Premium, claims and other receivables	59,736	66,515
Other assets	1,220	961
Total assets measured at fair value	7,176,906	6,788,021
Notes payable	793,162	707,656
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities	11,387	9,112
Total liabilities measured at fair value	804,549	716,768
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	59,796	84,032
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value	286,194	517,466
Short-term investments*	107,702	68,958
Other assets	19	20
Total assets measured at fair value	453,711	670,476
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	6,516,596	5,929,024
Short-term investments*	143,165	109,795
Restricted cash and securities	2,348	1,853
Premium, claims and other receivables	59,736	66,515
Total assets measured at fair value	6,721,845	6,107,187
Notes payable	793,162	707,656
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities	2,348	1,853
Total liabilities measured at fair value	795,510	709,509
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	149	9,417
Other assets	1,201	941
Total assets measured at fair value	1,350	10,358
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities	9,039	7,259
Total liabilities measured at fair value	9,039	7,259
US Government and Government Agency Securities [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	67,147	92,709
US Government and Government Agency Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	59,796	84,032
US Government and Government Agency Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	7,351	8,677
Fixed Maturity Securities of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions Securities [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	978,977	986,486
Fixed Maturity Securities of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	978,977	986,486
Special Purpose Revenue Bonds Of States Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	2,404,269	2,265,195
Special Purpose Revenue Bonds Of States Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	2,404,269	2,255,928
Special Purpose Revenue Bonds Of States Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	'	9,267
Corporate Securities [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	1,262,868	1,225,238
Corporate Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	1,262,719	1,225,088
Corporate Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	149	150
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	835,098	618,119
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	835,098	618,119
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	615,021	504,888
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	615,021	504,888
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	327,971	182,392
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	327,971	182,392
Foreign Government Securities [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	85,190	147,446
Foreign Government Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Available for sale	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	$85,190	$147,446

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details Textuals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
		Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
		Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Independent pricing services to assist in determining fair value	99.00%	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases	'	$9.40

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Reinsurance [Abstract]	'
Reinsurance	'
	(4) Reinsurance
	In the normal course of business, our insurance companies cede a portion of their premium to reinsurers through treaty and facultative reinsurance agreements. Although reinsurance does not discharge the direct insurer from liability to its policyholder, our insurance companies participate in such agreements in order to limit their loss exposure, protect them against catastrophic losses and diversify their business. The following tables present the effect of such reinsurance transactions on our premium, loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs.
			Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Direct written premium		$	2,033,094	$	1,911,619	$	663,343	$	616,938
	Reinsurance assumed			277,171		296,942		67,471		61,975
	Reinsurance ceded			-487,875		-478,609		-145,620		-157,179
		Net written premium	$	1,822,390	$	1,729,952	$	585,194	$	521,734
	Direct earned premium		$	1,952,997	$	1,860,093	$	664,002	$	622,464
	Reinsurance assumed			231,599		252,902		79,258		81,594
	Reinsurance ceded			-462,801		-433,785		-156,325		-147,390
		Net earned premium	$	1,721,795	$	1,679,210	$	586,935	$	556,668
	Direct loss and loss adjustment expense		$	1,139,471	$	1,210,862	$	413,560	$	517,382
	Reinsurance assumed			80,267		119,315		16,993		8,607
	Reinsurance ceded			-258,863		-337,630		-118,616		-205,613
		Net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	960,875	$	992,547	$	311,937	$	320,376
	Policy acquisition costs		$	331,985	$	309,285	$	116,775	$	105,254
	Ceding commissions			-113,764		-105,898		-40,565		-39,612
		Net policy acquisition costs	$	218,221	$	203,387	$	76,210	$	65,642
	The table below shows the components of our reinsurance recoverables in our consolidated balance sheets.
			September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses		$	108,186	$	156,026
	Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses			454,046		459,134
	Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses			633,302		663,597
	Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance			-1,500		-1,500
		Total reinsurance recoverables	$	1,194,034	$	1,277,257
	Reinsurers not authorized by the respective states of domicile of our U.S. domiciled insurance companies are required to collateralize reinsurance obligations due to us. The table below shows letters of credit and cash that are available to us as collateral, as well as amounts we owe reinsurers that can be offset against amounts due to us.
			September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Payables to reinsurers		$	195,643	$	208,850
	Letters of credit			83,320		100,529
	Funds held in trust			133,282		88,310
		Total credits	$	412,245	$	397,689

Reinsurance_Tables

Reinsurance (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Reinsurance [Abstract]	'
Effect of reinsurance transactions on our premium, loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs	'
			Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Direct written premium		$	2,033,094	$	1,911,619	$	663,343	$	616,938
	Reinsurance assumed			277,171		296,942		67,471		61,975
	Reinsurance ceded			-487,875		-478,609		-145,620		-157,179
		Net written premium	$	1,822,390	$	1,729,952	$	585,194	$	521,734
	Direct earned premium		$	1,952,997	$	1,860,093	$	664,002	$	622,464
	Reinsurance assumed			231,599		252,902		79,258		81,594
	Reinsurance ceded			-462,801		-433,785		-156,325		-147,390
		Net earned premium	$	1,721,795	$	1,679,210	$	586,935	$	556,668
	Direct loss and loss adjustment expense		$	1,139,471	$	1,210,862	$	413,560	$	517,382
	Reinsurance assumed			80,267		119,315		16,993		8,607
	Reinsurance ceded			-258,863		-337,630		-118,616		-205,613
		Net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	960,875	$	992,547	$	311,937	$	320,376
	Policy acquisition costs		$	331,985	$	309,285	$	116,775	$	105,254
	Ceding commissions			-113,764		-105,898		-40,565		-39,612
		Net policy acquisition costs	$	218,221	$	203,387	$	76,210	$	65,642
Components of our reinsurance recoverables	'
			September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses		$	108,186	$	156,026
	Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses			454,046		459,134
	Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses			633,302		663,597
	Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance			-1,500		-1,500
		Total reinsurance recoverables	$	1,194,034	$	1,277,257
Amounts of letters of credit and cash available to us as collateral, plus other potential offsets	'
			September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	Payables to reinsurers		$	195,643	$	208,850
	Letters of credit			83,320		100,529
	Funds held in trust			133,282		88,310
		Total credits	$	412,245	$	397,689

Reinsurance_Details

Reinsurance (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Effect of reinsurance transactions on our premium, loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs	'	'	'	'
Direct written premium	$663,343	$616,938	$2,033,094	$1,911,619
Reinsurance assumed	67,471	61,975	277,171	296,942
Reinsurance ceded	-145,620	-157,179	-487,875	-478,609
Net written premium	585,194	521,734	1,822,390	1,729,952
Direct earned premium	664,002	622,464	1,952,997	1,860,093
Reinsurance assumed	79,258	81,594	231,599	252,902
Reinsurance ceded	-156,325	-147,390	-462,801	-433,785
Net earned premium	586,935	556,668	1,721,795	1,679,210
Direct loss and loss adjustment expense	413,560	517,382	1,139,471	1,210,862
Reinsurance assumed	16,993	8,607	80,267	119,315
Reinsurance ceded	-118,616	-205,613	-258,863	-337,630
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	311,937	320,376	960,875	992,547
Policy acquisition costs	116,775	105,254	331,985	309,285
Ceding commissions	-40,565	-39,612	-113,764	-105,898
Net policy acquisition costs	$76,210	$65,642	$218,221	$203,387

Reinsurance_Details_1

Reinsurance (Details 1) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of reinsurance recoverables	'	'
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	$108,186	$156,026
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses	454,046	459,134
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses	633,302	663,597
Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance	-1,500	-1,500
Total reinsurance recoverables	$1,194,034	$1,277,257

Reinsurance_Details_4

Reinsurance (Details 4) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Amounts of letters of credit and cash available to us as collateral, plus other potential offsets	'	'
Payables to reinsurers	$195,643	$208,850
Letters of credit	83,320	100,529
Funds held in trust	133,282	88,310
Total credits	$412,245	$397,689

Liability_for_Unpaid_Loss_and_

Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense	'
Liability For Future Policy Benefits And Unpaid Claims Disclosure TextBlock	'
	(5) Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense
	The table below provides a reconciliation of our liability for loss and loss adjustment expense payable (referred to as reserves).
				Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,
				2014		2013		2014		2013
	Reserves at beginning of period			$	3,902,132	$	3,767,850	$	3,841,497	$	3,814,684
	Less reinsurance recoverables on reserves				1,122,731		1,018,047		1,081,249		1,003,663
		Net reserves at beginning of period			2,779,401		2,749,803		2,760,248		2,811,021
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense				960,875		992,547		311,937		320,376
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments				-1,024,673		-884,022		-350,603		-297,696
	Foreign currency adjustment				-26,027		-2,296		-32,006		22,331
		Net reserves at end of period			2,689,576		2,856,032		2,689,576		2,856,032
	Plus reinsurance recoverables on reserves				1,087,348		1,165,815		1,087,348		1,165,815
		Reserves at end of period		$	3,776,924	$	4,021,847	$	3,776,924	$	4,021,847
	The table below details our loss and loss adjustment expense on a consolidated basis, as well as the net (favorable) adverse loss development by segment.
				Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,
				2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net (favorable) adverse loss development
		U.S. Property & Casualty		$	-40,307	$	-40,754	$	-40,307	$	-40,754
		Professional Liability			-978		-26,284		-978		-26,284
		U.S. Surety & Credit			-		-9,492		-		-
		International			15,685		36,896		15,685		39,196
		Exited Lines			-5,051		-		-5,051		-
			Total net favorable loss development		-30,651		-39,634		-30,651		-27,842
	Accident year catastrophe losses				15,886		48,055		5,531		18,134
	All other net loss and loss adjustment expense				975,640		984,126		337,057		330,084
			Net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	960,875	$	992,547	$	311,937	$	320,376
	In the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, we conducted our annual review of the reserves in our U.S. Property & Casualty, Professional Liability and International segments. Based on these annual reviews, we recognized net favorable loss development of $30.7 million and $27.8 million, respectively. These amounts included favorable development of $5.1 million and $5.0 million, respectively from the release of prior years’ catastrophe reserves. In the second quarter of 2013, we conducted a limited review of our U.S. Surety & Credit reserves and recognized favorable development of $9.5 million. We also released $2.3 million of prior years’ catastrophe reserves in the International segment. The primary drivers of development in the respective periods by segment are described below.
	U.S. Property & Casualty
	In the third quarter of 2014, net favorable loss development of $40.3 million was due to better than expected loss experience, primarily in underwriting years 2012 and prior, compared to the same review conducted in the third quarter of 2013. The majority of the development related to our liability business ($20.7 million), our aviation business ($6.6 million) and a run-off assumed quota share contract ($5.0 million).
	In 2013, net favorable development of $40.8 million was due to better than expected loss experience, primarily in underwriting years 2011 and prior, compared to the same review in the third quarter of 2012. This amount included $17.0 million of favorable development related to the run-off assumed quota share contract, which we wrote from 2003 – 2008, for which expected ultimate losses have continued to decline over the past three years.
	Professional Liability
	In the third quarter of 2014, we recognized minimal loss development based on our annual review of reserves.
	In 2013, net favorable development of $26.3 million was due to better than expected loss experience, compared to the same review conducted in the third quarter of 2012. This development included reserve releases related to underwriting years prior to 2007 as well as 2009 and 2010 (totaling $64.2 million), partially offset by reserve strengthening of $37.9 million in underwriting years 2007 and 2008, which were impacted by the worldwide financial crisis.
	U.S. Surety & Credit
	We recognized no loss development in 2014.
	In the second quarter of 2013, we recognized favorable development of $9.5 million. Our review of reserves at that time indicated better experience than our actuarial expectations compared to the prior year review conducted in the fourth quarter of 2012. As a result, we recognized favorable development of $3.7 million and $5.8 million for our surety and credit lines of business, respectively, related to the 2010 and prior underwriting years.
	International
	In the third quarter of 2014, the segment’s $15.7 million net adverse loss development related to $43.5 million of adverse development for the surety & credit line of business, partially offset by $23.2 million of net favorable loss development in various lines of business and a $4.6 million reduction of prior years’ catastrophe reserves. We increased our reserves on a specific class of Spanish surety bonds to reflect our revised estimates of our liability under these bonds in light of our settlement of a large majority of the outstanding claims during the third quarter of 2014. The favorable development primarily related to our energy, property treaty and liability lines of business, which had better than expected loss experience in underwriting years 2013 and prior, compared to our review conducted in the same quarter of 2013. The net favorable development related to catastrophe reserves was primarily due to reserve releases for the 2013 European floods ($6.0 million), partially offset by reserve increases for the 2011 Denmark storms ($1.5 million).
	In the third quarter of 2013, net adverse development of $39.2 million was due to $70.3 million of adverse development in the surety & credit line of business, partially offset by net favorable development in several other lines of business, primarily energy and liability. For surety & credit, we increased our reserves on the Spanish surety bonds discussed above. The increase was made to reflect our revised estimates of our liability under these bonds in light of an adverse Spanish Supreme Court ruling published in September 2013 against an unaffiliated insurance company with respect to a surety bond similar to ours. We recognized net favorable development in our energy ($10.1 million) and U.K. professional liability ($16.1 million) products based on better than expected loss experience, primarily in underwriting years 2011 and prior. In addition, we recognized $3.4 million of favorable development from the release of 2012 catastrophe reserves for Superstorm Sandy, due to lower than expected losses.
	In the second quarter of 2013, we recognized $2.3 million of favorable development on prior years’ catastrophe reserves, due to settlement of the remaining claims related to the 2010 New Zealand earthquake.

Liability_for_Unpaid_Loss_and_1

Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense	'
Rollforward of Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense	'
				Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,
				2014		2013		2014		2013
	Reserves at beginning of period			$	3,902,132	$	3,767,850	$	3,841,497	$	3,814,684
	Less reinsurance recoverables on reserves				1,122,731		1,018,047		1,081,249		1,003,663
		Net reserves at beginning of period			2,779,401		2,749,803		2,760,248		2,811,021
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense				960,875		992,547		311,937		320,376
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments				-1,024,673		-884,022		-350,603		-297,696
	Foreign currency adjustment				-26,027		-2,296		-32,006		22,331
		Net reserves at end of period			2,689,576		2,856,032		2,689,576		2,856,032
	Plus reinsurance recoverables on reserves				1,087,348		1,165,815		1,087,348		1,165,815
		Reserves at end of period		$	3,776,924	$	4,021,847	$	3,776,924	$	4,021,847
Details of Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense	'
				Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,
				2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net (favorable) adverse loss development
		U.S. Property & Casualty		$	-40,307	$	-40,754	$	-40,307	$	-40,754
		Professional Liability			-978		-26,284		-978		-26,284
		U.S. Surety & Credit			-		-9,492		-		-
		International			15,685		36,896		15,685		39,196
		Exited Lines			-5,051		-		-5,051		-
			Total net favorable loss development		-30,651		-39,634		-30,651		-27,842
	Accident year catastrophe losses				15,886		48,055		5,531		18,134
	All other net loss and loss adjustment expense				975,640		984,126		337,057		330,084
			Net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	960,875	$	992,547	$	311,937	$	320,376

Liability_for_Unpaid_Loss_and_2

Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNetAbstract	'	'	'	'
Reserves at beginning of period	$3,841,497	$3,814,684	$3,902,132	$3,767,850
Less reinsurance recoverables on reserves	1,081,249	1,003,663	1,122,731	1,018,047
Net reserves at beginning of period	2,760,248	2,811,021	2,779,401	2,749,803
Net loss and loss adjustment expense:	'	'	'	'
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	311,937	320,376	960,875	992,547
Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments for claims occurring during:	'	'	'	'
Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments	-350,603	-297,696	-1,024,673	-884,022
Foreign currency adjustment	-32,006	22,331	-26,027	-2,296
Net reserves at end of period	2,689,576	2,856,032	2,689,576	2,856,032
Plus reinsurance recoverables on reserves	1,087,348	1,165,815	1,087,348	1,165,815
Reserves at end of period	$3,776,924	$4,021,847	$3,776,924	$4,021,847

Liability_for_Unpaid_Loss_and_3

Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	($30,651)	($27,842)	'	($30,651)	($39,634)
Accident year catastrophe losses	5,531	18,134	'	15,886	48,055
All other net loss and loss adjustment expense	337,057	330,084	'	975,640	984,126
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	311,937	320,376	'	960,875	992,547
U.S. Property & Casualty [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-40,307	-40,754	'	-40,307	-40,754
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	13,054	13,666	'	106,442	121,060
Professional Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-978	-26,284	'	-978	-26,284
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	50,851	30,100	'	154,172	141,921
Accident & Health [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	0	0	'	0	0
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	178,202	163,143	'	519,497	483,709
U.S. Surety & Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	0	0	-9,500	0	-9,492
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	14,550	13,436	'	43,108	32,287
International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	15,685	39,196	'	15,685	36,896
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	60,429	99,221	'	142,809	204,137
Exited Lines [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	($5,051)	$0	'	($5,051)	$0

Liability_for_Unpaid_Loss_and_4

Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (Details Textuals1) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	($30,651)	($27,842)	'	($30,651)	($39,634)
U.S. Property & Casualty [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-40,307	-40,754	'	-40,307	-40,754
Professional Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-978	-26,284	'	-978	-26,284
Accident & Health [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	0	0	'	0	0
U.S. Surety & Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	0	0	-9,500	0	-9,492
International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	15,685	39,196	'	15,685	36,896
Exited Lines [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-5,051	0	'	-5,051	0
Aviation [Member] | U.S. Property & Casualty [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-6,600	'	'	'	'
Surety [Member] | U.S. Surety & Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	'	'	-3,700	'	'
Credit LOB [Member] | U.S. Surety & Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	'	'	-5,800	'	'
Energy [Member] | International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	'	-10,100	'	'	'
Liability LOB [Member] | U.S. Property & Casualty [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-20,700	'	'	'	'
Liability LOB [Member] | International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	'	-16,100	'	'	'
Surety & Credit [Member] | International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	43,500	70,300	'	43,500	70,300
D&O prior to 2007 and 2009 and 2010 | Professional Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	'	-64,200	'	'	'
D&O 2007 and 2008 | Professional Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	'	37,900	'	'	'
International segment - release of 2010 catastrophe reserves for New Zealand earthquake | International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	'	'	-2,300	'	'
Superstorm Sandy [Member] | International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	'	-3,400	'	'	'
Quota Share Contract Member [Member] | U.S. Property & Casualty [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-5,000	-17,000	'	'	'
Prior Year Catastrophe Reserve Releases [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-5,100	-5,000	'	'	'
Prior Year Catastrophe Reserve Releases [Member] | International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-4,600	'	'	'	'
International segment - release of 2013 catastrophe reserves for European floods | International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-6,000	'	'	'	'
International segment - release of 2011 catastrophe reserves for Denmark storms | International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	1,500	'	'	'	'
International segment - Various LOB [Member] | International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment LOB Event Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	($23,200)	'	'	'	'

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Payable [Abstract]	'
Notes Payable	'
	(6) Notes Payable
	Our notes payable consisted of the following:
			September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	6.30% Senior Notes		$	299,213	$	299,098
	Revolving Loan Facility			445,000		355,000
		Total notes payable	$	744,213	$	654,098
	On April 30, 2014, we entered into an agreement to modify our $600.0 million Revolving Loan Facility (Facility). The amended agreement increased the borrowing capacity under the Facility to $825.0 million and extended the term by two years to April 30, 2019, among other changes. The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings under the Facility at September 30, 2014 was 1.4%. The borrowings and letters of credit issued under the Facility reduced our available borrowing capacity on the Facility to $374.1 million at September 30, 2014.
	There were no other material changes to the Facility or to the terms and conditions of our Senior Notes or Standby Letter of Credit Facility (Standby Facility) from those described in Note 7, “Notes Payable” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	We were in compliance with debt covenants related to our 6.30% Senior Notes, the Facility and the Standby Facility at September 30, 2014.

Notes_Payable_Tables

Notes Payable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Notes Payable [Abstract]	'
Notes Payable	'
			September 30,		December 31,
			2014		2013
	6.30% Senior Notes		$	299,213	$	299,098
	Revolving Loan Facility			445,000		355,000
		Total notes payable	$	744,213	$	654,098

Notes_Payable_Details

Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Notes Payable [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	$744,213	$654,098
6.3% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Notes Payable [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	299,213	299,098
Revolving Loan Facility [Member]	'	'
Notes Payable [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	$445,000	$355,000

Notes_Payable_Detail_Textuals

Notes Payable (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Notes Payable [Abstract]	'	'
Interest rate of senior notes	6.30%	'
Borrowing capacity under line of credit facility	$825	$600
Borrowing rate under revolving loan facility	1.40%	'
Remaining borrowing capacity under Revolving Loan Facility as reduced by outstanding letters of credit	$374.10	'
Line of credit facility expiration date	30-Apr-19	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Text Block]	'
	(7) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income in our consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
					Foreign		Accumulated
			Net unrealized		currency		other
			investment		translation		comprehensive
			gains		adjustment		income
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	99,960	$	18,691	$	118,651
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			57,190		-5,209		51,981
		Balance at September 30, 2014	$	157,150	$	13,482	$	170,632
	Three months ended September 30, 2014
	Balance at June 30, 2014		$	199,619	$	20,803	$	220,422
	Other comprehensive loss			-42,469		-7,321		-49,790
		Balance at September 30, 2014	$	157,150	$	13,482	$	170,632

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'
					Foreign		Accumulated
			Net unrealized		currency		other
			investment		translation		comprehensive
			gains		adjustment		income
	Nine months ended September 30, 2014
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	99,960	$	18,691	$	118,651
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			57,190		-5,209		51,981
		Balance at September 30, 2014	$	157,150	$	13,482	$	170,632
	Three months ended September 30, 2014
	Balance at June 30, 2014		$	199,619	$	20,803	$	220,422
	Other comprehensive loss			-42,469		-7,321		-49,790
		Balance at September 30, 2014	$	157,150	$	13,482	$	170,632

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	$220,422	'	$118,651	'
Other comprehensive income	-49,790	3,883	51,981	-165,269
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	170,632	'	170,632	'
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	199,619	'	99,960	'
Other comprehensive income	-42,469	'	57,190	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	157,150	'	157,150	'
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	20,803	'	18,691	'
Other comprehensive income	-7,321	'	-5,209	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	$13,482	'	$13,482	'

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	(8) Earnings Per Share
	The following table details the numerator and denominator used in our earnings per share calculations.
					Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,
					2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net earnings				$	345,314	$	292,187	$	140,267	$	98,175
	Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock					-5,610		-4,754		-2,328		-1,527
			Net earnings available to common stock		$	339,704	$	287,433	$	137,939	$	96,648
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding					98,340		98,881		97,909		98,723
	Dilutive effect of outstanding securities (determined using
		treasury stock method)				238		254		225		270
			Weighted-average common shares and potential
				common shares outstanding		98,578		99,135		98,134		98,993
	Earnings per common share
			Basic		$	3.45	$	2.91	$	1.41	$	0.98
			Diluted		$	3.45	$	2.9	$	1.41	$	0.98

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per share	'
					Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,
					2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net earnings				$	345,314	$	292,187	$	140,267	$	98,175
	Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock					-5,610		-4,754		-2,328		-1,527
			Net earnings available to common stock		$	339,704	$	287,433	$	137,939	$	96,648
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding					98,340		98,881		97,909		98,723
	Dilutive effect of outstanding securities (determined using
		treasury stock method)				238		254		225		270
			Weighted-average common shares and potential
				common shares outstanding		98,578		99,135		98,134		98,993
	Earnings per common share
			Basic		$	3.45	$	2.91	$	1.41	$	0.98
			Diluted		$	3.45	$	2.9	$	1.41	$	0.98

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	$140,267	$98,175	$345,314	$292,187
Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock	2,328	1,527	5,610	4,754
Net earnings available to common stock	137,939	96,648	339,704	287,433
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	97,909	98,723	98,340	98,881
Dilutive effect of outstanding securities (determined using treasury stock method)	225	270	238	254
Weighted-average common shares and potential common shares outstanding	98,134	98,993	98,578	99,135
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$1.41	$0.98	$3.45	$2.91
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$1.41	$0.98	$3.45	$2.90
Net earnings available to common stock	$137,939	$96,648	$339,704	$287,433

Stock_based_Compensation

Stock based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stock based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock based Compensation	'
	(9) Stock-Based Compensation
	In 2014, we granted the following shares of common stock, restricted stock and restricted stock units.
			Weighted-average
		Number	grant date		Aggregate		Vesting
		of shares	fair value		fair value		period
	Common stock	38	$	46.41	$	1,771	None
	Restricted stock	355		43.92		15,603	0 - 4 years
	Restricted stock units	13		45.14		593	4 years
	For common stock grants, we measure fair value based on the closing stock price of our common stock on the grant date and expense it on the grant date.
	Certain awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units contain a performance condition based on the ultimate results for the applicable underwriting year. The number of such shares that vest could be higher or lower than initially granted. We measure fair value for these awards based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date, and we recognize expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for those restricted stock awards or units expected to vest.
	Certain of our executive officers were granted performance-based restricted stock in 2014. This restricted stock vests after three years and can vest from 0% to 200% of the initial shares granted. Vesting is based equally on an operating return on equity performance factor and a total shareholder return performance factor.

Stock_Based_Compensation_Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Common Stock, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
			Weighted-average
		Number	grant date		Aggregate		Vesting
		of shares	fair value		fair value		period
	Common stock	38	$	46.41	$	1,771	None
	Restricted stock	355		43.92		15,603	0 - 4 years
	Restricted stock units	13		45.14		593	4 years

Stock_based_Compensation_Detai

Stock based Compensation (Details Textuals)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
MinimumMember	'
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]	'
Percentage Of Restricted Stock Shares Vesting Range	0.00%
MaximumMember	'
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]	'
Percentage Of Restricted Stock Shares Vesting Range	200.00%

Stock_based_Compensation_Detai1

Stock based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]	'
Number of shares	355
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Weighted-average grant date fair value, awarded	$43.92
Restricted stock units (RSU) [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]	'
Number of shares	13
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Weighted-average grant date fair value, awarded	$45.14

Recovered_Sheet1

Stock based compensation (Details 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Common stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of shares	38
Weighted-average grant date fair value, awarded	$46.41
Aggregate fair value	$1,771
Restricted stock [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of shares	355
Weighted-average grant date fair value, awarded	$43.92
Aggregate fair value	15,603
Restricted stock [Member] | MinimumMember	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Vesting period	'0 years
Restricted stock [Member] | MaximumMember	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Vesting period	'4 years
Restricted stock units (RSU) [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Number of shares	13
Weighted-average grant date fair value, awarded	$45.14
Aggregate fair value	$593
Restricted stock units (RSU) [Member] | MinimumMember	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Vesting period	'4 years
Restricted stock units (RSU) [Member] | MaximumMember	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Vesting period	'4 years

Segments

Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segments [Abstract]	'
Segments	'
	(10) Segments
	We report HCC’s results in six operating segments, including the following five insurance underwriting segments:
	U.S. Property & Casualty
	Professional Liability
	Accident & Health
	U.S. Surety & Credit
	International
	The Investing segment includes our consolidated investment portfolio, as well as all investment income, investment related expenses, realized investment gains and losses, and other-than-temporary impairment credit losses on investments. All investment activity is reported as revenue, consistent with our consolidated presentation.
	In addition to our segments, we include a Corporate & Other category to reconcile segment results to consolidated totals. The Corporate & Other category includes corporate operating expenses not allocated to the segments, interest expense on long-term debt, foreign currency expense (benefit), and underwriting results of our Exited Lines. Our Exited Lines include product lines that we no longer write and do not expect to write in the future.
	The following tables present information by business segment.
				U.S. Property		Professional		Accident		U.S. Surety						Corporate
				& Casualty		Liability		& Health		& Credit		International		Investing		& Other		Consolidated
	Nine months ended
		30-Sep-14
	Net earned premium			$	271,718	$	261,457	$	723,051	$	148,496	$	316,591	$	-	$	482	$	1,721,795
	Other revenue				14,933		800		7,865		1,576		2,745		232,015		813		260,747
		Segment revenue			286,651		262,257		730,916		150,072		319,336		232,015		1,295		1,982,542
	Loss and LAE				106,442		154,172		519,497		43,108		142,809		-		-5,153		960,875
	Other expense				86,807		49,533		114,855		82,052		128,080		-		63,067		524,394
		Segment expense			193,249		203,705		634,352		125,160		270,889		-		57,914		1,485,269
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	93,402	$	58,552	$	96,564	$	24,912	$	48,447	$	232,015	$	-56,619	$	497,273
	Nine months ended
		30-Sep-13
	Net earned premium			$	276,647	$	277,662	$	657,995	$	144,673	$	311,261	$	-	$	10,972	$	1,679,210
	Other revenue				16,198		304		3,736		1,027		2,790		196,756		253		221,064
		Segment revenue			292,845		277,966		661,731		145,700		314,051		196,756		11,225		1,900,274
	Loss and LAE				121,060		141,921		483,709		32,287		204,137		-		9,433		992,547
	Other expense				84,801		46,781		97,414		80,182		114,534		-		67,688		491,400
		Segment expense			205,861		188,702		581,123		112,469		318,671		-		77,121		1,483,947
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	86,984	$	89,264	$	80,608	$	33,231	$	-4,620	$	196,756	$	-65,896	$	416,327
	Three months ended
		30-Sep-14
	Net earned premium			$	86,130	$	87,880	$	250,570	$	51,362	$	111,131	$	-	$	-138	$	586,935
	Other revenue				4,987		330		2,363		708		846		93,620		249		103,103
		Segment revenue			91,117		88,210		252,933		52,070		111,977		93,620		111		690,038
	Loss and LAE				13,054		50,851		178,202		14,550		60,429		-		-5,149		311,937
	Other expense				28,659		14,988		40,601		28,645		48,101		-		12,450		173,444
		Segment expense			41,713		65,839		218,803		43,195		108,530		-		7,301		485,381
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	49,404	$	22,371	$	34,130	$	8,875	$	3,447	$	93,620	$	-7,190	$	204,657
	Three months ended
		30-Sep-13
	Net earned premium			$	91,684	$	92,439	$	223,048	$	47,442	$	100,849	$	-	$	1,206	$	556,668
	Other revenue				4,769		-21		1,406		406		888		72,130		231		79,809
		Segment revenue			96,453		92,418		224,454		47,848		101,737		72,130		1,437		636,477
	Loss and LAE				13,666		30,100		163,143		13,436		99,221		-		810		320,376
	Other expense				32,044		10,909		33,705		26,501		42,613		-		30,229		176,001
		Segment expense			45,710		41,009		196,848		39,937		141,834		-		31,039		496,377
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	50,743	$	51,409	$	27,606	$	7,911	$	-40,097	$	72,130	$	-29,602	$	140,100
	In the first nine months and third quarter of 2013, the Professional Liability segment pretax earnings included net favorable loss development of $26.3 million. In the first nine months and third quarter of 2014, the International segment pretax income included adverse development of $43.5 million related to strengthening reserves for Spanish surety bonds, compared to $70.3 million in the same periods of 2013.

Segments_Tables

Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segments [Abstract]	'
Information by business segment	'
				U.S. Property		Professional		Accident		U.S. Surety						Corporate
				& Casualty		Liability		& Health		& Credit		International		Investing		& Other		Consolidated
	Nine months ended
		30-Sep-14
	Net earned premium			$	271,718	$	261,457	$	723,051	$	148,496	$	316,591	$	-	$	482	$	1,721,795
	Other revenue				14,933		800		7,865		1,576		2,745		232,015		813		260,747
		Segment revenue			286,651		262,257		730,916		150,072		319,336		232,015		1,295		1,982,542
	Loss and LAE				106,442		154,172		519,497		43,108		142,809		-		-5,153		960,875
	Other expense				86,807		49,533		114,855		82,052		128,080		-		63,067		524,394
		Segment expense			193,249		203,705		634,352		125,160		270,889		-		57,914		1,485,269
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	93,402	$	58,552	$	96,564	$	24,912	$	48,447	$	232,015	$	-56,619	$	497,273
	Nine months ended
		30-Sep-13
	Net earned premium			$	276,647	$	277,662	$	657,995	$	144,673	$	311,261	$	-	$	10,972	$	1,679,210
	Other revenue				16,198		304		3,736		1,027		2,790		196,756		253		221,064
		Segment revenue			292,845		277,966		661,731		145,700		314,051		196,756		11,225		1,900,274
	Loss and LAE				121,060		141,921		483,709		32,287		204,137		-		9,433		992,547
	Other expense				84,801		46,781		97,414		80,182		114,534		-		67,688		491,400
		Segment expense			205,861		188,702		581,123		112,469		318,671		-		77,121		1,483,947
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	86,984	$	89,264	$	80,608	$	33,231	$	-4,620	$	196,756	$	-65,896	$	416,327
	Three months ended
		30-Sep-14
	Net earned premium			$	86,130	$	87,880	$	250,570	$	51,362	$	111,131	$	-	$	-138	$	586,935
	Other revenue				4,987		330		2,363		708		846		93,620		249		103,103
		Segment revenue			91,117		88,210		252,933		52,070		111,977		93,620		111		690,038
	Loss and LAE				13,054		50,851		178,202		14,550		60,429		-		-5,149		311,937
	Other expense				28,659		14,988		40,601		28,645		48,101		-		12,450		173,444
		Segment expense			41,713		65,839		218,803		43,195		108,530		-		7,301		485,381
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	49,404	$	22,371	$	34,130	$	8,875	$	3,447	$	93,620	$	-7,190	$	204,657
	Three months ended
		30-Sep-13
	Net earned premium			$	91,684	$	92,439	$	223,048	$	47,442	$	100,849	$	-	$	1,206	$	556,668
	Other revenue				4,769		-21		1,406		406		888		72,130		231		79,809
		Segment revenue			96,453		92,418		224,454		47,848		101,737		72,130		1,437		636,477
	Loss and LAE				13,666		30,100		163,143		13,436		99,221		-		810		320,376
	Other expense				32,044		10,909		33,705		26,501		42,613		-		30,229		176,001
		Segment expense			45,710		41,009		196,848		39,937		141,834		-		31,039		496,377
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	50,743	$	51,409	$	27,606	$	7,911	$	-40,097	$	72,130	$	-29,602	$	140,100

Segments_Details

Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Information by business segment	'	'	'	'
Net earned premium	$586,935	$556,668	$1,721,795	$1,679,210
Other revenue	103,103	79,809	260,747	221,064
Total revenue	690,038	636,477	1,982,542	1,900,274
Loss and LAE	311,937	320,376	960,875	992,547
Other expense	173,444	176,001	524,394	491,400
Total expense	485,381	496,377	1,485,269	1,483,947
Earnings before income taxes	204,657	140,100	497,273	416,327
U.S. Property & Casualty [Member]	'	'	'	'
Information by business segment	'	'	'	'
Net earned premium	86,130	91,684	271,718	276,647
Other revenue	4,987	4,769	14,933	16,198
Total revenue	91,117	96,453	286,651	292,845
Loss and LAE	13,054	13,666	106,442	121,060
Other expense	28,659	32,044	86,807	84,801
Total expense	41,713	45,710	193,249	205,861
Earnings before income taxes	49,404	50,743	93,402	86,984
Professional Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'
Information by business segment	'	'	'	'
Net earned premium	87,880	92,439	261,457	277,662
Other revenue	330	-21	800	304
Total revenue	88,210	92,418	262,257	277,966
Loss and LAE	50,851	30,100	154,172	141,921
Other expense	14,988	10,909	49,533	46,781
Total expense	65,839	41,009	203,705	188,702
Earnings before income taxes	22,371	51,409	58,552	89,264
Accident & Health [Member]	'	'	'	'
Information by business segment	'	'	'	'
Net earned premium	250,570	223,048	723,051	657,995
Other revenue	2,363	1,406	7,865	3,736
Total revenue	252,933	224,454	730,916	661,731
Loss and LAE	178,202	163,143	519,497	483,709
Other expense	40,601	33,705	114,855	97,414
Total expense	218,803	196,848	634,352	581,123
Earnings before income taxes	34,130	27,606	96,564	80,608
U.S. Surety & Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Information by business segment	'	'	'	'
Net earned premium	51,362	47,442	148,496	144,673
Other revenue	708	406	1,576	1,027
Total revenue	52,070	47,848	150,072	145,700
Loss and LAE	14,550	13,436	43,108	32,287
Other expense	28,645	26,501	82,052	80,182
Total expense	43,195	39,937	125,160	112,469
Earnings before income taxes	8,875	7,911	24,912	33,231
International [Member]	'	'	'	'
Information by business segment	'	'	'	'
Net earned premium	111,131	100,849	316,591	311,261
Other revenue	846	888	2,745	2,790
Total revenue	111,977	101,737	319,336	314,051
Loss and LAE	60,429	99,221	142,809	204,137
Other expense	48,101	42,613	128,080	114,534
Total expense	108,530	141,834	270,889	318,671
Earnings before income taxes	3,447	-40,097	48,447	-4,620
Investing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Information by business segment	'	'	'	'
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Other revenue	93,620	72,130	232,015	196,756
Total revenue	93,620	72,130	232,015	196,756
Loss and LAE	0	0	0	0
Other expense	0	0	0	0
Total expense	0	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	93,620	72,130	232,015	196,756
Corporate & Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Information by business segment	'	'	'	'
Net earned premium	-138	1,206	482	10,972
Other revenue	249	231	813	253
Total revenue	111	1,437	1,295	11,225
Loss and LAE	-5,149	810	-5,153	9,433
Other expense	12,450	30,229	63,067	67,688
Total expense	7,301	31,039	57,914	77,121
Earnings before income taxes	($7,190)	($29,602)	($56,619)	($65,896)

Segments_Textuals

Segments (Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	($30,651)	($27,842)	($30,651)	($39,634)
Professional Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	-978	-26,284	-978	-26,284
International [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	15,685	39,196	15,685	36,896
International [Member] | Surety & Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net (favorable) adverse loss development	$43,500	$70,300	$43,500	$70,300

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	(12) Commitments and Contingencies
	Catastrophe and Large Loss Exposure
	We have exposure to catastrophic and other large losses caused by natural perils (such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hail storms and tornados) and man-made events (such as terrorist attacks). The incidence, timing and severity of these losses are unpredictable. We assess our exposures in areas most vulnerable to natural catastrophes and apply procedures to ascertain our probable maximum loss from a single event. We maintain reinsurance protection to reduce our potential losses from a future event. In the first nine months of 2014, we recognized accident year net catastrophe losses, after reinsurance and reinstatement premium, of $14.3 million related to various small catastrophes. We recognized $44.5 million in the first nine months of 2013, primarily due to European floods, German hail storms and various small catastrophes.
	Litigation
	We are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that arise in the normal course of our business. Many of such lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings involve claims under policies that we underwrite as an insurer or reinsurer, the liabilities for which, we believe, have been adequately included in our loss reserves. Also, from time to time, we are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that relate to disputes with third parties, or that involve alleged errors and omissions on the part of our subsidiaries. We have provided accruals for these items to the extent we deem the losses probable and reasonably estimable. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time, based on present information, the availability of insurance coverage and advice received from our outside legal counsel, we believe the resolution of any such matters will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Indemnifications
	In conjunction with the sales of business assets and subsidiaries, we have provided indemnifications to the buyers. Certain indemnifications cover typical representations and warranties related to our responsibilities to perform under the sales contracts. Under other indemnifications, we agree to reimburse the purchasers for taxes or ERISA-related amounts, if any, assessed after the sale date but related to pre-sale activities. We cannot quantify the maximum potential exposure covered by all of our indemnifications because the indemnifications cover a variety of matters, operations and scenarios and some have no time limit. For those with a time limit, the longest indemnification expires in 2025. We accrue a loss when a valid claim is made by a purchaser and we believe we have potential exposure.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textuals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'
Pretax cat loss after reinsurance	$14.30	$44.50
Longest Indemnification Expiration Date	'2025	'

Supplemental_Information

Supplemental Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Information	'
	(12) Supplemental Information
	Supplemental cash flow information was as follows:
		Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Income taxes paid	$	95,678	$	126,295	$	25,265	$	26,354
	Interest paid		16,758		14,808		1,774		1,486
	Proceeds from sales of available for sale fixed maturity
	securities		314,424		337,895		27,581		166,094
	Proceeds from sales of equity securities		436,126		95,989		265,944		51,681
	Dividends declared but not paid at end of period		28,985		22,540
	Purchases of common stock not paid at end of period		12,323		-

Supplemental_Information_Table

Supplemental Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Information	'
		Nine months ended September 30,				Three months ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Income taxes paid	$	95,678	$	126,295	$	25,265	$	26,354
	Interest paid		16,758		14,808		1,774		1,486
	Proceeds from sales of available for sale fixed maturity
	securities		314,424		337,895		27,581		166,094
	Proceeds from sales of equity securities		436,126		95,989		265,944		51,681
	Dividends declared but not paid at end of period		28,985		22,540
	Purchases of common stock not paid at end of period		12,323		-

Supplemental_Information_Detai

Supplemental Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Information	'	'	'	'
Income taxes paid	$25,265	$26,354	$95,678	$126,295
Interest paid	1,774	1,486	16,758	14,808
Proceeds from sales of available for sale fixed maturity securities	27,581	166,094	314,424	337,895
Proceeds from sales of equity securities	265,944	51,681	436,126	95,989
Dividends declared but not paid at end of period	28,985	22,540	28,985	22,540
Purchases of common stock not paid at end of period	$12,323	'	$12,323	'