Partnerre (PREJF) 10-Q 4 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 27, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document type	10-Q
Document period end date	31-Mar-15
Amendment flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity registrant name	PARTNERRE LTD.
Entity central index key	911421
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity voluntary filers	No
Current fiscal year end date	-19
Entity filer category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity well known seasoned issuer	Yes
Entity common stock shares outstanding		47,734,606

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2015, $12,920,945; 2014, $13,489,633)	$13,412,011	$13,918,745
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2015, $20,054; 2014, $25,699)	20,055	25,678
Equities, at fair value (cost: 2015, $1,115,408; 2014, $843,429)	1,320,284	1,056,514
Other invested assets	286,596	298,827
Total investments	15,038,946	15,299,764
Funds held – directly managed (cost: 2015, $581,850; 2014, $600,379)	592,609	608,853
Cash and cash equivalents	1,413,799	1,313,468
Accrued investment income	150,255	158,737
Reinsurance balances receivable	2,899,821	2,454,850
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses	290,018	246,158
Funds held by reinsured companies	659,058	765,905
Deferred acquisition costs	706,779	661,186
Deposit assets	75,692	92,973
Net tax assets	10,600	6,876
Goodwill	456,380	456,380
Intangible assets	152,836	159,604
Other assets	41,802	45,603
Total assets	22,488,595	22,270,357
Liabilities
Unpaid losses and loss expenses	9,401,397	9,745,806
Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts	1,996,519	2,050,107
Unearned premiums	2,159,446	1,750,607
Other reinsurance balances payable	188,941	182,395
Deposit liabilities	52,638	70,325
Net tax liabilities	275,700	240,989
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	338,137	304,728
Debt related to senior notes	750,000	750,000
Debt related to capital efficient notes	70,989	70,989
Total liabilities	15,233,767	15,165,946
Shareholders’ Equity
Common shares (par value $1.00; issued: 2015 and 2014, 87,237,220 shares)	87,237	87,237
Preferred shares (par value $1.00; issued and outstanding: 2015 and 2014, 34,150,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2015 and 2014, $853,750)	34,150	34,150
Additional paid-in capital	3,959,465	3,949,665
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-37,240	-34,083
Retained earnings	6,442,442	6,270,811
Common shares held in treasury, at cost (2015, 39,572,572 shares; 2014, 39,400,936 shares)	-3,288,909	-3,258,870
Total shareholders’ equity attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	7,197,145	7,048,910
Noncontrolling interests	57,683	55,501
Total shareholders’ equity	7,254,828	7,104,411
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$22,488,595	$22,270,357

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Fixed maturities, amortized cost	$12,920,945	$13,489,633
Short-term investments, amortized cost	20,054	25,699
Equities, cost	1,115,408	843,429
Funds held - directly managed, cost	581,850	600,379
Shareholders’ Equity
Common shares, par value	$1	$1
Common shares, shares issued	87,237,220	87,237,220
Preferred shares, par value	$1	$1
Number of preferred shares issued	34,150,000	34,150,000
Preferred shares, shares outstanding	34,150,000	34,150,000
Aggregate liquidation value	$853,750	$853,750
Common shares held in treasury, shares	39,572,572	39,400,936

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues
Gross premiums written	$1,748,933		$1,871,740
Net premiums written	1,653,215		1,738,494
Increase in unearned premiums	-418,493		-484,712
Net premiums earned	1,234,722		1,253,782
Net investment income	104,631		116,867
Net realized and unrealized investment gains	115,645		142,172
Other income	4,292		404
Total revenues	1,459,290		1,513,225
Expenses
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	721,281		749,457
Acquisition costs	275,791		264,608
Other expenses	124,750		111,462
Interest expense	12,245		12,238
Amortization of intangible assets	6,768		7,002
Net foreign exchange gains	-13,147		-670
Total expenses	1,127,688		1,144,097
Income before taxes and interest in (losses) earnings of equity method investments	331,602		369,128
Income tax expense	79,665		62,305
Interest in (losses) earnings of equity method investments	-3,838		6,064
Net income	248,099		312,887
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2,182		-3,044
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	245,917		309,843
Preferred dividends	14,184		14,184
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders	231,733		295,659
Comprehensive income
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	245,917		309,843
Change in currency translation adjustment	-2,504		-15,223
Change in unfunded pension obligation, net of tax	-436		-1
Change in unrealized losses on investments, net of tax	-217		-225
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-3,157		-15,449
Comprehensive income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	$242,760		$294,394
Per share data attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.common shareholders
Basic net income	$4.88		$5.72
Diluted net income	$4.76	[1]	$5.61	[1]
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	47,525,344		51,652,177
Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding	48,710,228		52,727,573
Dividends declared per common share	$0.70		$0.67
[1]	Where the exercise price of share based awards is greater than the average market price of the common shares, the common shares are considered anti-dilutive and are excluded from the calculation of weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding - diluted.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Shares [Member]	Preferred shares	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member]	Foreign Currency translation adjustment [Member]	Unfunded pension obligation [Member]	Unrealized gain (loss) on investment [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Common shares held in treasury [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013		$86,657	$34,150	$3,901,627	($12,238)	$977	($17,509)	$4,294	$5,406,797	($2,707,461)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common shares		222		1,101
Stock compensation expense, net of taxes paid				4,619
Change in currency translation adjustment						-15,223
Change in net unrealized gain on designated net investment hedges						0
Change in unfunded pension obligation, net of tax	-1						-1
Change in unrealized losses on investments, net of tax	-225							-225
Net income	312,887								312,887
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-3,044								-3,044
Reissuance of common shares									0	0
Dividends on common shares									-34,588
Dividends on preferred shares	-14,184								-14,184
Repurchase of common shares										-180,168
Noncontrolling interests											59,671
Total shareholders' equity	6,840,599
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2014	6,780,928	86,879	34,150	3,907,347	-27,687	-14,246	-17,510	4,069	5,667,868	-2,887,629
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2014	7,048,910	87,237	34,150	3,949,665	-34,083	-7,915	-29,576	3,408	6,270,811	-3,258,870
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common shares		0		0
Stock compensation expense, net of taxes paid				9,800
Change in currency translation adjustment						-5,063
Change in net unrealized gain on designated net investment hedges						2,559
Change in unfunded pension obligation, net of tax	-436						-436
Change in unrealized losses on investments, net of tax	-217							-217
Net income	248,099								248,099
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-2,182								-2,182
Reissuance of common shares									26,917	-29,227
Dividends on common shares									-33,185
Dividends on preferred shares	-14,184								-14,184
Repurchase of common shares										-59,266
Noncontrolling interests	57,683										57,683
Total shareholders' equity	7,254,828
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2015	$7,197,145	$87,237	$34,150	$3,959,465	($37,240)	($10,419)	($30,012)	$3,191	$6,442,442	($3,288,909)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Shareholders Equity Parentheticals
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$7,254,828,000	$6,840,599,000
Unfunded pension obligation [Member]
Shareholders Equity Parentheticals
Balance at end of period, unfunded pension obligation, tax impact	8,432,000	5,023,000
Unrealized gain on investments [Member]
Shareholders Equity Parentheticals
Balance at end of period, unrealized gain on investments, tax impact	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$248,099	$312,887
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of net premium on investments	29,911	29,366
Amortization of intangible assets	6,768	7,002
Net realized and unrealized investment gains	-115,645	-142,172
Changes in:
Reinsurance balances, net	-572,301	-581,275
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, net of ceded premiums payable	45,691	86,002
Funds held by reinsured companies and funds held – directly managed	71,350	17,627
Deferred acquisition costs	-76,800	-79,315
Net tax assets and liabilities	37,445	-33,973
Unpaid losses and loss expenses including life policy benefits	80,728	13,732
Unearned premiums	418,493	484,712
Other net changes in operating assets and liabilities	-34,992	-35,852
Net cash provided by operating activities	138,747	78,741
Payments/ proceeds from trading securities [Line Items]
Redemptions of fixed maturities	161,229	180,311
Sales and redemptions of short-term investments	12,692	15,830
Purchases of short-term investments	-7,391	-31,141
Other, net	-573	13,295
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	114,775	-71,214
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to common and preferred shareholders	-47,369	-48,772
Repurchase of common shares	-71,376	-180,383
Reissuance of treasury shares and issuance of common shares, net of taxes paid	-4,084	-2,581
Net cash used in financing activities	-122,829	-231,736
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	-30,362	-3,239
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	100,331	-227,448
Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of period	1,313,468	1,496,485
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period	1,413,799	1,269,037
Supplemental cash flow information:
Taxes paid	42,257	95,871
Interest paid	0	0
Fixed maturities [Member]
Payments/ proceeds from trading securities [Line Items]
Sales of fixed maturities and sales of equities	2,495,633	1,734,246
Purchases of fixed maturities and purchases of equities	-2,293,577	-1,963,428
Equities [Member]
Payments/ proceeds from trading securities [Line Items]
Sales of fixed maturities and sales of equities	120,973	9,094
Purchases of fixed maturities and purchases of equities	($374,211)	($29,421)

Organization

Organization	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure - Organization [Abstract]
Organization	1. Organization
	PartnerRe Ltd. (PartnerRe or the Company) predominantly provides reinsurance and certain specialty insurance lines on a worldwide basis through its principal wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Partner Reinsurance Company Ltd., Partner Reinsurance Europe SE, Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S. and, effective April 1, 2015, Partner Reinsurance Asia Pte. Ltd (PartnerRe Asia). Risks reinsured include, but are not limited to, property, casualty, motor, agriculture, aviation/space, catastrophe, credit/surety, engineering, energy, marine, specialty property, specialty casualty, multiline and other lines, mortality, longevity, accident and health and alternative risk products. The Company’s alternative risk products include weather and credit protection to financial, industrial and service companies on a worldwide basis.
	In January 2015, the Company announced that PartnerRe Asia was licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to operate as a non-life and life reinsurer in Singapore. As of April 1, 2015, PartnerRe Asia became the principal reinsurance carrier for the Company’s business underwritten in the Asia Pacific region. The establishment of PartnerRe Asia will enable the Company's Asian reinsurance operations to be consolidated into one regional, well-capitalized entity and will support its growing underwriting presence in the region.
	On January 25, 2015, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation (the Amalgamation Agreement) with Axis Capital Holdings Limited, a Bermuda exempted company (AXIS), pursuant to which the Company would amalgamate with AXIS (Amalgamation), and the two companies would continue as a single Bermuda exempted company (Amalgamated Company). The transaction, which is structured as a merger of equals, has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. Under the terms of the Amalgamation Agreement, the Company’s shareholders would receive 2.18 shares of the Amalgamated Company’s common shares for each share of the Company’s common shares they own and AXIS’ shareholders would receive one share of the Amalgamated Company’s common shares for each share of AXIS’ common shares they own. Upon completion of the transaction, shareholders of the Company and shareholders of AXIS would own approximately 51.5% and 48.5% of the Amalgamated Company, respectively. The Amalgamated Company's headquarters would be located in Bermuda. The transaction is subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies, regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions. Both companies will continue to operate as two independent entities until the closing of the transaction and such conditions are met.
	On May 3, 2015, the Company and AXIS amended the Amalgamation Agreement (the Amendment to the Amalgamation Agreement) to allow the Company to pay a one-time special dividend of $11.50 per share to PartnerRe common shareholders in connection with the closing of the Amalgamation. See Notes 8 (b) and 10 for further details.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	2. Significant Accounting Policies
	The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While Management believes that the amounts included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect its best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s principal estimates include:
	•	Unpaid losses and loss expenses;
	•	Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts;
	•	Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned;
	•	Recoverability of deferred acquisition costs;
	•	Recoverability of deferred tax assets;
	•	Valuation of goodwill and intangible assets; and
	•	Valuation of certain assets and derivative financial instruments that are measured using significant unobservable inputs.
	In the opinion of Management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods have been made. As the Company’s reinsurance operations are exposed to low-frequency, high-severity risk events, some of which are seasonal, results for certain interim periods may include unusually low loss experience, while results for other interim periods may include significant catastrophic losses. Consequently, the Company’s results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance on the consolidation of voting interest entities and variable interest entities. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	4. Fair Value
	(a) Fair Value of Financial Instrument Assets
	The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value by maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. The level in the hierarchy within which a given fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement.
	The Company determines the appropriate level in the hierarchy for each financial instrument that it measures at fair value. In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches, including market, income and cost approaches. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the observability of inputs as follows:
	•	Level 1 inputs—Unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.
	The Company’s financial instruments that it measures at fair value using Level 1 inputs generally include: equities and real estate investment trusts listed on a major exchange, exchange traded funds and exchange traded derivatives, including futures that are actively traded.
	•	Level 2 inputs—Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets and significant directly or indirectly observable inputs, other than quoted prices, used in industry accepted models.
	The Company’s financial instruments that it measures at fair value using Level 2 inputs generally include: U.S. government issued bonds; U.S. government sponsored enterprises bonds; U.S. state, territory and municipal entities bonds; non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related bonds consisting primarily of bonds issued by non-U.S. national governments and their agencies, non-U.S. regional governments and supranational organizations; investment grade and high yield corporate bonds; asset-backed securities; mortgage-backed securities; short-term investments; certain equities traded on foreign exchanges; certain fixed income mutual funds; foreign exchange forward contracts and over-the-counter derivatives such as foreign currency option contracts, credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and to-be-announced mortgage-backed securities (TBAs).
	•	Level 3 inputs—Unobservable inputs.
	The Company’s financial instruments that it measures at fair value using Level 3 inputs generally include: inactively traded fixed maturities including U.S. state, territory and municipal bonds; special purpose financing asset-backed bonds; unlisted equities; real estate and certain other mutual fund investments; inactively traded weather derivatives; notes and loan receivables, notes securitizations, annuities and residuals, private equities and longevity and other total return swaps.
	The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers between the hierarchy levels at the beginning of the period.
	The Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value include investments and the segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value were classified between Levels 1, 2 and 3 as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
	31-Mar-15		Quoted prices in				Significant				Significant				Total
			active markets for				other observable				unobservable
			identical assets				inputs				inputs
			(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
	Fixed maturities
	U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	2,299,063			$	—			$	2,299,063
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		—				473,388				147,683				621,071
	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related		—				1,557,126				—				1,557,126
	Corporate		—				5,494,967				—				5,494,967
	Asset-backed securities		—				670,115				451,583				1,121,698
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		—				2,263,463				—				2,263,463
	Other mortgage-backed securities		—				54,623				—				54,623
	Fixed maturities		$	—			$	12,812,745			$	599,266			$	13,412,011
	Short-term investments		$	—			$	20,055			$	—			$	20,055
	Equities
	Real estate investment trusts		$	177,130			$	—			$	—			$	177,130
	Insurance		123,839				4,682				—				128,521
	Consumer noncyclical		113,740				—				—				113,740
	Energy		108,648				—				—				108,648
	Finance		75,760				8,086				20,532				104,378
	Technology		56,709				—				8,602				65,311
	Consumer cyclical		59,747				—				—				59,747
	Industrials		58,435				—				—				58,435
	Communications		50,665				—				2,723				53,388
	Utilities		28,946				—				—				28,946
	Other		21,959				—				—				21,959
	Mutual funds and exchange traded funds		142,104				—				257,977				400,081
	Equities		$	1,017,682			$	12,768			$	289,834			$	1,320,284
	Other invested assets
	Derivative assets
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	—			$	15,414			$	—			$	15,414
	Foreign currency option contracts		—				1,848				—				1,848
	Insurance-linked securities		—				—				23				23
	Total return swaps		—				—				1,061				1,061
	TBAs		—				1,409				—				1,409
	Other
	Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		—				—				51,103				51,103
	Annuities and residuals		—				—				12,155				12,155
	Private equities		—				—				64,642				64,642
	Derivative liabilities
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		—				(7,623		)		—				(7,623		)
	Futures contracts		(21,382		)		—				—				(21,382		)
	Insurance-linked securities		—				—				(343		)		(343		)
	Total return swaps		—				—				(2,118		)		(2,118		)
	Interest rate swaps		—				(21,074		)		—				(21,074		)
	Other invested assets		$	(21,382	)		$	(10,026	)		$	126,523			$	95,115
	Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	155,341			$	—			$	155,341
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		—				—				132				132
	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related		—				111,021				—				111,021
	Corporate		—				145,062				—				145,062
	Short-term investments		—				10,984				—				10,984
Other invested assets		—				—				12,008				12,008
Funds held – directly managed		$	—			$	422,408			$	12,140			$	434,548
Total		$	996,300			$	13,257,950			$	1,027,763			$	15,282,013
31-Dec-14		Quoted prices in				Significant other				Significant				Total
		active markets for				observable				unobservable
		identical assets				inputs				inputs
		(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
Fixed maturities
U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	2,315,422			$	—			$	2,315,422
U.S. states, territories and municipalities		—				380,875				149,728				530,603
Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related		—				1,976,202				—				1,976,202
Corporate		—				5,604,160				—				5,604,160
Asset-backed securities		—				681,502				449,918				1,131,420
Residential mortgage-backed securities		—				2,306,476				—				2,306,476
Other mortgage-backed securities		—				54,462				—				54,462
Fixed maturities		$	—			$	13,319,099			$	599,646			$	13,918,745
Short-term investments		$	—			$	25,678			$	—			$	25,678
Equities
Real estate investment trusts		$	213,770			$	—			$	—			$	213,770
Insurance		140,916				4,521				—				145,437
Energy		123,978				—				—				123,978
Consumer noncyclical		100,134				—				—				100,134
Finance		70,621				7,354				20,353				98,328
Technology		52,707				—				8,555				61,262
Communications		51,829				—				2,640				54,469
Industrials		49,983				—				—				49,983
Consumer cyclical		39,002				—				—				39,002
Utilities		31,748				—				—				31,748
Other		11,571				—				—				11,571
Mutual funds and exchange traded funds		118,246				—				8,586				126,832
Equities		$	1,004,505			$	11,875			$	40,134			$	1,056,514
Other invested assets
Derivative assets
Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	—			$	20,033			$	—			$	20,033
Futures contracts		846				—				—				846
Insurance-linked securities		—				—				3				3
Total return swaps		—				—				485				485
TBAs		—				154				—				154
Other
Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		—				—				44,817				44,817
Annuities and residuals		—				—				13,243				13,243
Private equities		—				—				59,872				59,872
Derivative liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts		—				(7,446		)		—				(7,446		)
Foreign currency option contracts		—				(1,196		)		—				(1,196		)
Futures contracts		(467		)		—				—				(467		)
Insurance-linked securities		—				—				(339		)		(339		)
Total return swaps		—				—				(2,007		)		(2,007		)
Interest rate swaps		—				(16,282		)		—				(16,282		)
TBAs		—				(240		)		—				(240		)
Other invested assets		$	379			$	(4,977	)		$	116,074			$	111,476
Funds held – directly managed
U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	153,483			$	—			$	153,483
U.S. states, territories and municipalities		—				—				132				132
Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related		—				128,233				—				128,233
Corporate		—				177,347				—				177,347
Other invested assets		—				—				13,398				13,398
Funds held – directly managed		$	—			$	459,063			$	13,530			$	472,593
Total		$	1,004,884			$	13,810,738			$	769,384			$	15,585,006
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the aggregate carrying amounts of items included in Other invested assets that the Company did not measure at fair value were $191.5 million and $187.3 million, respectively, which related to the Company’s investments that are accounted for using the cost method of accounting or equity method of accounting.
In addition to the investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account held at fair value of $434.5 million and $472.6 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, the funds held – directly managed account also included cash and cash equivalents, carried at fair value, of $53.9 million and $42.3 million, respectively, and accrued investment income of $4.9 million and $5.7 million, respectively. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the aggregate carrying amounts of items included in the funds held – directly managed account that the Company did not measure at fair value were $99.3 million and $88.3 million, respectively, which primarily related to other assets and liabilities held by Colisée Re related to the underlying business, which are carried at cost (see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014).
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, substantially all of the accrued investment income in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets relate to the Company’s investments and the investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account for which the fair value option was elected.
During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
Disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments that the Company does not measure at fair value exclude insurance contracts and certain other financial instruments. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair values of financial instrument assets recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets not described above, approximate their carrying values.
The reconciliations of the beginning and ending balances for all financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
For the three months ended March 31, 2015		Balance at				Realized and				Purchases				Settlements			Net		Balance			Change in
		beginning				unrealized				and				and			transfers		at end			unrealized
		of period				investment				issuances (1)				sales (1)			into/		of period			investment
						(losses) gains											(out of)					(losses) gains
						included in											Level 3					relating to
						net income																assets held at
																						end of period
Fixed maturities
U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	149,728			$	(1,861	)		$	—			$	(184	)	$	—	$	147,683		$	(1,863	)
Asset-backed securities		449,918				1,261				43,422				(43,018		)	—		451,583			1,293
Fixed maturities		$	599,646			$	(600	)		$	43,422			$	(43,202	)	$	—	$	599,266		$	(570	)
Equities
Finance		$	20,353			$	179			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	20,532		$	179
Technology		8,555				47				—				—			—		8,602			47
Communications		2,640				83				—				—			—		2,723			83
Mutual funds and exchange traded funds		8,586				51				249,340				—			—		257,977			51
Equities		$	40,134			$	360			$	249,340			$	—		$	—	$	289,834		$	360
Other invested assets
Derivatives, net		$	(1,858	)		$	481			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	(1,377	)	$	481
Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		44,817				1,104				6,411				(1,229		)	—		51,103			2,623
Annuities and residuals		13,243				231				—				(1,319		)	—		12,155			231
Private equities		59,872				497				5,184				(911		)	—		64,642			497
Other invested assets		$	116,074			$	2,313			$	11,595			$	(3,459	)	$	—	$	126,523		$	3,832
Funds held – directly managed
U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	132			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	132		$	—
Other invested assets		13,398				(1,390		)		—				—			—		12,008			(1,390		)
Funds held – directly managed		$	13,530			$	(1,390	)		$	—			$	—		$	—	$	12,140		$	(1,390	)
Total		$	769,384			$	683			$	304,357			$	(46,661	)	$	—	$	1,027,763		$	2,232
-1	There were no issuances or sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
For the three months ended March 31, 2014		Balance at				Realized and				Purchases				Settlements			Net		Balance			Change in
		beginning				unrealized				and				and			transfers		at end of			unrealized
		of period				investment				issuances (1)				sales (2)			into/(out of)		period			investment
						gains (losses)											Level 3					gains (losses)
						included in																relating to
						net income																assets held at
																						end of period
Fixed maturities
U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	108,380			$	892			$	4,265			$	(70	)	$	—	$	113,467		$	890
Asset-backed securities		446,577				5,996				59,418				(64,290		)	—		447,701			6,259
Fixed maturities		$	554,957			$	6,888			$	63,683			$	(64,360	)	$	—	$	561,168		$	7,149
Equities
Finance		$	20,207			$	2,499			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	22,706		$	2,499
Communications		2,199				(88		)		—				—			—		2,111			(88		)
Technology		7,752				(352		)		—				—			—		7,400			(352		)
Mutual funds and exchange traded funds		7,887				166				—				—			—		8,053			166
Equities		$	38,045			$	2,225			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	40,270		$	2,225
Other invested assets
Derivatives, net		$	(788	)		$	466			$	(720	)		$	—		$	—	$	(1,042	)	$	466
Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		41,446				600				720				(523		)	—		42,243			600
Annuities and residuals		24,064				89				—				(5,208		)	—		18,945			128
Private equities		39,131				433				5,066				(1,975		)	—		42,655			401
Other invested assets		$	103,853			$	1,588			$	5,066			$	(7,706	)	$	—	$	102,801		$	1,595
Funds held – directly managed
U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	286			$	15			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	301		$	15
Other invested assets		15,165				(197		)		255				—			—		15,223			(197		)
Funds held – directly managed		$	15,451			$	(182	)		$	255			$	—		$	—	$	15,524		$	(182	)
Total		$	712,306			$	10,519			$	69,004			$	(72,066	)	$	—	$	719,763		$	10,787
-1	Purchases and issuances of derivatives include issuances of $0.7 million.
-2	There were no sales for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (fair value in thousands of U.S. dollars):
31-Mar-15		Fair value				Valuation techniques		Unobservable inputs		Range
										(Weighted average)
Fixed maturities
U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	147,683			Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		2.6% -10.5% (6.0%)
Asset-backed securities – other		451,583				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		4.0% – 12.0% (7.2%)
Equities
Finance		14,748				Weighted market comparables		Net income multiple		19.0 (19.0)
								Tangible book value multiple		1.3 (1.3)
								Liquidity discount		25.0% (25.0%)
								Comparable return		1.4% (1.4%)
Finance		5,784				Profitability analysis		Projected return on equity		14.0% (14.0%)
Technology		8,602				Weighted market comparables		Revenue multiple		1.6 (1.6)
								Adjusted earnings multiple		10.6 (10.6)
Communications		2,723				Weighted market comparables		Adjusted earnings multiple		9.4 (9.4)
								Comparable return		3.2% (3.2%)
Other invested assets
Total return swaps		(1,057		)		Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		3.8% – 19.9% (14.6%)
Notes and loan receivables		11,607				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		6.1% - 10.6% (9.1%)
Notes and loan receivables		13,209				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		17.5% (17.5%)
								Gross revenue/fair value		1.4 – 1.6 (1.6)
Notes securitization		26,287				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		3.9% – 6.5% (6.4%)
Annuities and residuals		12,155				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		5.2% – 9.1% (7.8%)
								Prepayment speed		0% – 15.0% (3.6%)
								Constant default rate		0.3% – 17.5% (5.6%)
Private equity – direct		9,035				Discounted cash flow and weighted market comparables		Net income multiple		9.2 (9.2)
								Tangible book value multiple		2.0 (2.0)
								Recoverability of intangible assets		0% (0%)
Private equity funds		23,676				Reported market value		Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
								Market adjustments		-2.5% – 3.2% (0.0%)
Private equity – other		31,931				Discounted cash flow		Effective yield		5.8% (5.8%)
Funds held – directly managed
Other invested assets		12,008				Reported market value		Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
								Market adjustments		-19.2% – 0% (-11.1%)
December 31, 2014		Fair value				Valuation techniques		Unobservable inputs		Range
										(Weighted average)
Fixed maturities
U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	149,728			Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		2.2% – 10.1% (4.6%)
Asset-backed securities – other		449,918				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		4.0% – 12.1% (7.1%)
Equities
Finance		14,561				Weighted market comparables		Net income multiple		19.0 (19.0)
								Tangible book value multiple		1.3 (1.3)
								Liquidity discount		25.0% (25.0%)
								Comparable return		7.3% (7.3%)
Finance		5,792				Profitability analysis		Projected return on equity		14.0% (14.0%)
Technology		8,555				Weighted market comparables		Revenue multiple		1.6 (1.6)
								Adjusted earnings multiple		10.2 (10.2)
Communications		2,640				Weighted market comparables		Adjusted earnings multiple		9.4 (9.4)
								Comparable return		-10.6% (-10.6%)
Other invested assets
Total return swaps		(1,522		)		Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		3.6% – 19.3% (16.3%)
Notes and loan receivables		8,068				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		12.6% (12.6%)
Notes and loan receivables		13,237				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		17.5% (17.5%)
								Gross revenue/fair value		1.5 – 1.7 (1.7)
Notes securitization		23,512				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		3.5% – 6.6% (6.4%)
Annuities and residuals		13,243				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		4.9% – 9.6% (7.8%)
								Prepayment speed		0% – 15.0% (4.3%)
								Constant default rate		0.3% – 17.5% (6.3%)
Private equity – direct		8,536				Discounted cash flow and weighted market comparables		Net income multiple		9.0 (9.0)
								Tangible book value multiple		2.0 (2.0)
								Recoverability of intangible assets		0% (0%)
Private equity funds		18,494				Reported market value		Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
								Market adjustments		-7.6% – 11.0% (-1.6%)
Private equity – other		32,842				Discounted cash flow		Effective yield		5.8% (5.8%)
Funds held – directly managed
Other invested assets		13,398				Reported market value		Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
								Market adjustments		-15.4% – 0% (-14.5%)
The tables above do not include financial instruments that are measured using unobservable inputs (Level 3) where the unobservable inputs were obtained from external sources and used without adjustment. These financial instruments include mutual fund investments (included within equities) and certain derivatives.
The Company has established a Valuation Committee which is responsible for determining the Company’s invested asset valuation policy and related procedures, for reviewing significant changes in the fair value measurements of securities classified as Level 3 from period to period, and for reviewing in accordance with the invested asset valuation policy an independent internal peer analysis that is performed on the fair value measurements of significant securities that are classified as Level 3. The Valuation Committee is comprised of members of the Company’s senior management team and meets on a quarterly basis. The Company’s invested asset valuation policy is monitored by the Company’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (Board) and approved annually by the Company’s Risk and Finance Committee of the Board.
Changes in the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments subject to the fair value option during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
	For the three months ended
	31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14
Fixed maturities and short-term investments	$	76,971			$	119,799
Equities	(7,016		)		10,325
Other invested assets	1,833				1,042
Funds held – directly managed	2,540				736
Total	$	74,328			$	131,902
Substantially all of the above changes in fair value are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations under the caption Net realized and unrealized investment gains.
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of each class of financial instrument recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. There have been no material changes in the Company’s valuation techniques during the periods presented.
Fixed maturities
•	U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises—U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises securities consist primarily of bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury and corporate debt securities issued by government sponsored enterprises and federally owned or established corporations. These securities are generally priced by independent pricing services. The independent pricing services may use actual transaction prices for securities that have been actively traded. For securities that have not been actively traded, each pricing source has its own proprietary method to determine the fair value, which may incorporate option adjusted spreads (OAS), interest rate data and market news. The Company generally classifies these securities in Level 2.
•	U.S. states, territories and municipalities—U.S. states, territories and municipalities securities consist primarily of bonds issued by U.S. states, territories and municipalities and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. These securities are generally priced by independent pricing services using the techniques described for U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises above. The Company generally classifies these securities in Level 2. Certain of the bonds that are issued by municipal housing authorities and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation are not actively traded and are priced based on internal models using unobservable inputs. Accordingly, the Company classifies these securities in Level 3. The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of these U.S. states, territories and municipalities securities classified as Level 3 is credit spreads. A significant increase (decrease) in credit spreads in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
•	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related—Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related securities consist primarily of bonds issued by non-U.S. national governments and their agencies, non-U.S. regional governments and supranational organizations. These securities are generally priced by independent pricing services using the techniques described for U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises above. The Company generally classifies these securities in Level 2.
•	Corporate—Corporate securities consist primarily of bonds issued by U.S. and foreign corporations covering a variety of industries and issuing countries. These securities are generally priced by independent pricing services and brokers. The pricing provider incorporates information including credit spreads, interest rate data and market news into the valuation of each security. The Company generally classifies these securities in Level 2. When a corporate security is inactively traded or the valuation model uses unobservable inputs, the Company classifies the security in Level 3.
•	Asset-backed securities—Asset-backed securities primarily consist of bonds issued by U.S. and foreign corporations that are predominantly backed by student loans, automobile loans, credit card receivables, equipment leases, and special purpose financing. With the exception of special purpose financing, these asset-backed securities are generally priced by independent pricing services and brokers. The pricing provider applies dealer quotes and other available trade information, prepayment speeds, yield curves and credit spreads to the valuation. The Company generally classifies these securities in Level 2. Special purpose financing securities are generally inactively traded and are priced based on valuation models using unobservable inputs. The Company generally classifies these securities in Level 3. The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of these asset-backed securities classified as Level 3 is credit spreads. A significant increase (decrease) in credit spreads in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
•	Residential mortgage-backed securities—Residential mortgage-backed securities primarily consist of bonds issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, as well as private, non-agency issuers. These residential mortgage-backed securities are generally priced by independent pricing services and brokers. When current market trades are not available, the pricing provider or the Company will employ proprietary models with observable inputs including other trade information, prepayment speeds, yield curves and credit spreads. The Company generally classifies these securities in Level 2.
•	Other mortgage-backed securities—Other mortgage-backed securities primarily consist of commercial mortgage-backed securities. These securities are generally priced by independent pricing services and brokers. The pricing provider applies dealer quotes and other available trade information, prepayment speeds, yield curves and credit spreads to the valuation. The Company generally classifies these securities in Level 2.
In general, the methods employed by the independent pricing services to determine the fair value of the securities that have not been actively traded primarily involve the use of “matrix pricing” in which the independent pricing source applies the credit spread for a comparable security that has traded recently to the current yield curve to determine a reasonable fair value. The Company generally uses one pricing source per security and uses a pricing service ranking to consistently select the most appropriate pricing service in instances where it receives multiple quotes on the same security. When fair values are unavailable from these independent pricing sources, quotes are obtained directly from broker-dealers who are active in the corresponding markets. Most of the Company’s fixed maturities are priced from the pricing services or dealer quotes. The Company will typically not make adjustments to prices received from pricing services or dealer quotes; however, in instances where the quoted external price for a security uses significant unobservable inputs, the Company will classify that security as Level 3. The methods used to develop and substantiate the unobservable inputs used are based on the Company’s valuation policy and are dependent upon the facts and circumstances surrounding the individual investments which are generally transaction specific. The Company’s inactively traded fixed maturities are classified as Level 3. For all fixed maturity investments, the bid price is used for estimating fair value.
To validate prices, the Company compares the fair value estimates to its knowledge of the current market and will investigate prices that it considers not to be representative of fair value. The Company also reviews an internally generated fixed maturity price validation report which converts prices received for fixed maturity investments from the independent pricing sources and from broker-dealers quotes and plots OAS and duration on a sector and rating basis. The OAS is calculated using established algorithms developed by an independent risk analytics platform vendor. The OAS on the fixed maturity price validation report are compared for securities in a similar sector and having a similar rating, and outliers are identified and investigated for price reasonableness. In addition, the Company completes quantitative analyses to compare the performance of each fixed maturity investment portfolio to the performance of an appropriate benchmark, with significant differences identified and investigated.
Short-term investments
Short-term investments are valued in a manner similar to the Company’s fixed maturity investments and are generally classified in Level 2.
Equities
Equity securities include U.S. and foreign common and preferred stocks, real estate investment trusts, mutual funds and exchange traded funds. Equities, real estate investment trusts and exchange traded funds are generally classified in Level 1 as the Company uses prices received from independent pricing sources based on quoted prices in active markets. Equities classified as Level 2 are generally mutual funds invested in fixed income securities, where the net asset value of the fund is provided on a daily basis, and common stocks traded in inactive markets. Equities classified as Level 3 are generally mutual funds invested in securities other than the common stock of publicly traded companies, where the net asset value is not provided on a daily basis, and inactively traded common stocks. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of inactively traded common stocks classified as Level 3 include market return information, weighted using management’s judgment, from comparable selected publicly traded companies in the same industry, in a similar region and of a similar size, including net income multiples, tangible book value multiples, comparable returns, revenue multiples, adjusted earnings multiples and projected return on equity ratios. Significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant unobservable inputs used in measuring the fair value measurement of inactively traded common stocks also include a liquidity discount. A significant increase (decrease) in the liquidity discount could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
To validate prices, the Company completes quantitative analyses to compare the performance of each equity investment portfolio to the performance of an appropriate benchmark, with significant differences identified and investigated.
Other invested assets
The Company’s exchange traded derivatives, such as futures, are generally classified as Level 1 as their fair values are quoted prices in active markets. The Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts, foreign currency option contracts, credit default swaps, interest rate swaps and TBAs are generally classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy and are priced by independent pricing services.
Included in the Company’s Level 3 classification, in general, are certain inactively traded weather derivatives, notes and loan receivables, notes securitizations, annuities and residuals, private equities and longevity and other total return swaps. For Level 3 instruments, the Company will generally (i) receive a price based on a manager’s or trustee’s valuation for the asset; (ii) develop an internal discounted cash flow model to measure fair value; or (iii) use market return information, adjusted if necessary and weighted using management’s judgment, from comparable selected publicly traded equity funds in a similar region and of a similar size. Where the Company receives prices from the manager or trustee, these prices are based on the manager’s or trustee’s estimate of fair value for the assets and are generally audited on an annual basis. Where the Company develops its own discounted cash flow models, the inputs will be specific to the asset in question, based on appropriate historical information, adjusted as necessary, and using appropriate discount rates. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of other invested assets classified as Level 3 include credit spreads, prepayment speeds, constant default rates, gross revenue to fair value ratios, net income multiples, effective yields, tangible book value multiples and other valuation ratios. Significant increases (decreases) in any of these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of other invested assets classified as Level 3 also include an assessment of the recoverability of intangible assets and market return information, weighted using management’s judgment, from comparable selected publicly traded companies in the same industry, in a similar region and of a similar size. Significant increases (decreases) in these inputs in isolation could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. As part of the Company’s modeling to determine the fair value of an investment, the Company considers counterparty credit risk as an input to the model, however, the majority of the Company’s counterparties are investment grade rated institutions and the failure of any one counterparty would not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
To validate prices, the Company will compare them to benchmarks, where appropriate, or to the business results generally within that asset class and specifically to those particular assets.
Funds held – directly managed
The segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account is comprised of fixed maturities, short-term investments and other invested assets which are fair valued on a basis consistent with the methods described above. Substantially all fixed maturities and short-term investments within the funds held – directly managed account are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
The other invested assets within the segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account, which are classified as Level 3 investments, are primarily real estate mutual fund investments carried at fair value. For the real estate mutual fund investments, the Company receives a price based on the real estate fund manager’s valuation for the asset and further adjusts the price, if necessary, based on appropriate current information on the real estate market. A significant increase (decrease) to the adjustment to the real estate fund manager’s valuation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
To validate prices within the segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account, the Company utilizes the methods described above.
(b) Fair Value of Financial Instrument Liabilities
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair values of financial instrument liabilities recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate their carrying values, with the exception of the debt related to senior notes (Senior Notes) and the debt related to capital efficient notes (CENts).
The methods and assumptions used by the Company in estimating the fair value of each class of financial instrument liability recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for which the Company does not measure that instrument at fair value were as follows:
•	the fair value of the Senior Notes was calculated based on discounted cash flow models using observable market yields and contractual cash flows based on the aggregate principal amount outstanding of $250 million from PartnerRe Finance A LLC and $500 million from PartnerRe Finance B LLC at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; and
•	the fair value of the CENts was calculated based on discounted cash flow models using observable market yields and contractual cash flows based on the aggregate principal amount outstanding of $63 million from PartnerRe Finance II Inc. at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
The carrying values and fair values of the Senior Notes and CENts at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
	31-Mar-15								31-Dec-14
	Carrying Value				Fair Value				Carrying Value				Fair Value
Debt related to Senior Notes (1)	$	750,000			$	870,609			$	750,000			$	853,792
Debt related to CENts (2)	63,384				63,547				63,384				62,309
-1	PartnerRe Finance A LLC and PartnerRe Finance B LLC, the issuers of the Senior Notes, do not meet consolidation requirements under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Company shows the related intercompany debt of $750 million in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
-2	PartnerRe Finance II Inc., the issuer of the CENts, does not meet consolidation requirements under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Company shows the related intercompany debt of $71 million in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s debt related to the Senior Notes and CENts was classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Disclosures about the fair value of financial instrument liabilities exclude insurance contracts and certain other financial instruments.

Derivatives

Derivatives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Derivatives
	The Company’s derivative instruments are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in either net foreign exchange gains and losses or net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, depending on the nature of the derivative instrument. The Company’s objectives for holding or issuing these derivatives are as follows:
	Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
	The Company utilizes foreign exchange forward contracts as part of its overall currency risk management and investment strategies. From time to time, the Company also utilizes foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge a portion of its net investment exposure resulting from the translation of its foreign subsidiaries and branches whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.
	Foreign Currency Option Contracts and Futures Contracts
	The Company utilizes foreign currency option contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk. The Company uses exchange traded treasury note futures contracts to manage portfolio duration and equity futures to hedge certain investments.
	Credit Default Swaps
	The Company purchases protection through credit default swaps to mitigate the risk associated with its underwriting operations, most notably in the credit/surety line, and to manage market exposures.
	The Company also assumes credit risk through credit default swaps to replicate investment positions. The original term of these credit default swaps is generally five years or less and there are no recourse provisions associated with these swaps. The counterparties on the Company’s assumed credit default swaps are all investment grade rated financial institutions, however, the Company would be required to perform in the event of a default by the underlying issuer.
	Insurance-Linked Securities
	The Company enters into various weather derivatives and longevity total return swaps for which the underlying risks reference parametric weather risks for the weather derivatives and longevity risk for the longevity total return swaps.
	Total Return and Interest Rate Swaps and Interest Rate Derivatives
	The Company enters into total return swaps referencing various project, investments and principal finance obligations. The Company enters into interest rate swaps to mitigate the interest rate risk on certain of the total return swaps and certain fixed maturity investments. The Company also uses other interest rate derivatives to mitigate exposure to interest rate volatility.
	To-Be-Announced Mortgage-Backed Securities
	The Company utilizes TBAs as part of its overall investment strategy and to enhance investment performance.
	The net fair values and the related net notional values of derivatives included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
			Asset				Liability			Net derivatives
			derivatives				derivatives
	31-Mar-15		at fair value				at fair value			Net notional			Fair value
										exposure
	Derivatives designated as hedges
	Foreign exchange forward contracts (net investment hedges)		$	2,559			$	—		$	271,250		$	2,559
	Total derivatives designated as hedges		$	2,559			$	—					$	2,559
	Derivatives not designated as hedges
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	12,855			$	(7,623	)	$	2,079,250		$	5,232
	Foreign currency option contracts		1,848				—			70,062			1,848
	Futures contracts		—				(21,382		)	2,741,323			(21,382		)
	Insurance-linked securities (1)		23				(343		)	144,780			(320		)
	Total return swaps		1,061				(2,118		)	42,504			(1,057		)
	Interest rate swaps (2)		—				(21,074		)	200,643			(21,074		)
	TBAs		1,409				—			280,625			1,409
	Total derivatives not designated as hedges		$	17,196			$	(52,540	)				$	(35,344	)
	Total derivatives		$	19,755			$	(52,540	)				$	(32,785	)
			Asset				Liability			Net derivatives
			derivatives				derivatives
	31-Dec-14		at fair value				at fair value			Net notional			Fair value
										exposure
	Derivatives not designated as hedges
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	20,033			$	(7,446	)	$	2,080,276		$	12,587
	Foreign currency option contracts		—				(1,196		)	43,380			(1,196		)
	Futures contracts		846				(467		)	2,348,735			379
	Insurance-linked securities (1)		3				(339		)	145,481			(336		)
	Total return swaps		485				(2,007		)	42,524			(1,522		)
	Interest rate swaps (2)		—				(16,282		)	201,160			(16,282		)
	TBAs		154				(240		)	235,105			(86		)
	Total derivatives		$	21,521			$	(27,977	)				$	(6,456	)
	-1	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, insurance-linked securities include a longevity swap for which the notional amount is not reflective of the overall potential exposure of the swap. As such, the Company has included the probable maximum loss under the swap within the net notional exposure as an approximation of the notional amount.
	-2	The Company enters into interest rate swaps to mitigate notional exposures on certain total return swaps and certain fixed maturities. Only the notional value of interest rate swaps on fixed maturities is presented separately in the table.
	The fair value of all derivatives at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is recorded in Other invested assets in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. On March 31, 2015, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward contracts (with notional amounts of €250 million) to hedge a portion of its net investment exposure to the euro against the U.S. dollar. The effective portion of the net investment hedging derivatives recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2015 was $2.6 million. There were no derivatives designated as hedges at December 31, 2014.
	The gains and losses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for derivatives not designated as hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
		For the three months ended
		31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(4,636	)		$	8,255
	Foreign currency option contracts	2,028				395
	Total included in net foreign exchange gains and losses	$	(2,608	)		$	8,650
	Futures contracts	$	(34,539	)		$	(16,073	)
	Credit default swaps (protection purchased)	—				(3		)
	Insurance-linked securities	2				243
	Total return swaps	465				218
	Interest rate swaps	(4,791		)		(5,385		)
	TBAs	3,671				3,747
	Other	2,493				—
	Total included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses	$	(32,699	)		$	(17,253	)
	Total derivatives not designated as hedges	$	(35,307	)		$	(8,603	)
Offsetting of Derivatives
The gross and net fair values of derivatives that are subject to offsetting in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
						Gross			Net amounts of			Gross amounts not offset
						amounts			assets/liabilities			in the balance sheet
						offset in the			presented in the
31-Mar-15		Gross				balance sheet			balance sheet			Financial			Cash collateral			Net amount
		amounts										instruments			received/pledged
		recognized (1)
Total derivative assets		$	19,755			$	—		$	19,755		$	(385	)	$	(17,112	)	$	2,258
Total derivative liabilities		$	(52,540	)		$	—		$	(52,540	)	$	385		$	45,734		$	(6,421	)
31-Dec-14
Total derivative assets		$	21,521			$	—		$	21,521		$	(766	)	$	(8,536	)	$	12,219
Total derivative liabilities		$	(27,977	)		$	—		$	(27,977	)	$	766		$	14,858		$	(12,353	)
-1	Amounts include all derivative instruments, irrespective of whether there is a legally enforceable master netting arrangement in place.

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	6. Net Income per Share
	The reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data):
		For the three months ended
		31-Mar-15		31-Mar-14
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	$	245,917	$	309,843
	Less: preferred dividends	14,184		14,184
	Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders	$	231,733	$	295,659
	Denominator:
	Weighted number of common shares outstanding – basic	47,525,344		51,652,177
	Share options and other (1)	1,184,884		1,075,396
	Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding – diluted	48,710,228		52,727,573
	Basic net income per share	$	4.88	$	5.72
	Diluted net income per share (1)	$	4.76	$	5.61
	Anti-dilutive common shares excluded from weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding - diluted (1)	119,202		69,144
	-1	Where the exercise price of share based awards is greater than the average market price of the common shares, the common shares are considered anti-dilutive and are excluded from the calculation of weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding - diluted.

Noncontrolling_interests

Noncontrolling interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block]	7. Noncontrolling Interests
	In March 2013, the Company formed with other third party investors, Lorenz Re Ltd. (Lorenz Re), a Bermuda domiciled special purpose insurer to provide additional capacity to the Company for a diversified portfolio of catastrophe reinsurance treaties over a multi-year period on a fully collateralized reinsurance basis. Lorenz Re is a segregated cell company under the laws of Bermuda. The original business was written by the Company and was ceded to Lorenz Re effective April 1, 2013.
	Within Lorenz Re, distinct segregated accounts are formed, and capitalized, in order to enter into reinsurance agreements with the Company on a fully collateralized basis. In 2013, Lorenz Re issued non-voting redeemable preferred share capital on behalf of two segregated accounts that is redeemable at the option of the Company and is expected to be redeemed following the commutation of the portfolio back to the Company on or before June 1, 2016.
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the total assets of Lorenz Re were $99.8 million and $100.8 million, respectively, primarily consisting of cash and investments. At March 31, 2015, the total liabilities were $8.5 million primarily consisting of unpaid losses and loss expenses and other reinsurance balances payable. At December 31, 2014, the total liabilities were $13.1 million primarily consisting of unearned premiums, unpaid losses and loss expenses and other reinsurance balances payable. The assets of Lorenz Re can only be used to settle the liabilities of Lorenz Re and there is no recourse to the Company for any liabilities of Lorenz Re.
	The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the noncontrolling interests in Lorenz Re for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
		For the three months ended
		31-Mar-15		31-Mar-14
	Balance at beginning of period	$	55,501	$	56,627
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,182		3,044
	Balance at end of period	$	57,683	$	59,671

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	8. Commitments and Contingencies
	(a) Legal Proceedings
	There has been no significant change in legal proceedings at March 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014. See Note 18(f) to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	(b) Amalgamation related charges
	In connection with the Amalgamation Agreement, the Company expects to incur further charges between $30 million and $35 million related to professional costs. The Company expects to incur these costs primarily in 2015.
	In accordance with the terms of the Amalgamation Agreement and the Amendment to the Amalgamation Agreement, the Company would be obligated to pay AXIS a no approval fee of $55 million if the Company’s shareholders do not approve the transaction. If the Amalgamation Agreement is terminated for certain other reasons described in the Amalgamation Agreement or in certain circumstances the Company enters into a similar transaction with a third party in the 12 months following termination of the Amalgamation Agreement, the Company would be obligated to pay AXIS an aggregate termination fee of $280 million (less any termination fee already paid). In all such cases, the Company would be obligated to reimburse AXIS for costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Amalgamation Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby in an amount not to exceed $35 million.
	(c) Employment Agreements
	Following the signing of the Amalgamation Agreement, the Company has entered into agreements with certain employees that provide for the payment of a cash retention award payable if the employee maintains an active employee status through a pre-determined future date and fulfills certain conduct and performance-related conditions. The award payments are contingent on the successful closing of the proposed Amalgamation.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	9. Segment Information
	The Company monitors the performance of its operations in three segments, Non-life, Life and Health and Corporate and Other as described in Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Non-life segment is further divided into four sub-segments: North America, Global (Non-U.S.) P&C, Global Specialty and Catastrophe.
	The North America sub-segment includes agriculture, casualty, credit/surety, motor, multiline, property and other risks generally originating in the United States. The Global (Non-U.S.) P&C sub-segment includes casualty, motor and property business generally originating outside of the United States. The Global Specialty sub-segment is comprised of business that is generally considered to be specialized due to the sophisticated technical underwriting required to analyze risks, and is global in nature. This sub-segment consists of several lines of business for which the Company believes it has developed specialized knowledge and underwriting capabilities. These lines of business include agriculture, aviation/space, credit/surety, energy, engineering, marine, specialty casualty, specialty property and other lines. The Catastrophe sub-segment is comprised of the Company’s catastrophe line of business. The Life and Health segment includes mortality, longevity and accident and health lines of business. Corporate and Other is comprised of the capital markets and investment related activities of the Company, including principal finance transactions, insurance-linked securities and strategic investments, and its corporate activities, including other expenses.
	Since the Company does not manage its assets by segment, net investment income is not allocated to the Non-life segment. However, because of the interest-sensitive nature of some of the Company’s Life and Health products, net investment income is considered in Management’s assessment of the profitability of the Life and Health segment. The following items are not considered in evaluating the results of the Non-life and Life and Health segments: net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses, interest expense, amortization of intangible assets, net foreign exchange gains and losses, income tax expense or benefit and interest in earnings and losses of equity method investments. Segment results are shown before consideration of intercompany transactions.
	Management measures results for the Non-life segment on the basis of the loss ratio, acquisition ratio, technical ratio, other expense ratio and combined ratio (all defined below). Management measures results for the Non-life sub-segments on the basis of the loss ratio, acquisition ratio and technical ratio. Management measures results for the Life and Health segment on the basis of the allocated underwriting result, which includes revenues from net premiums earned, other income or loss and allocated net investment income for Life and Health, and expenses from life policy benefits, acquisition costs and other expenses.
	The segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars, except ratios):
	Segment Information
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015
		North			Global			Global			Catastrophe			Total			Life			Corporate			Total
		America			(Non-U.S.)			Specialty						Non-life			and Health			and Other
					P&C									segment			segment
	Gross premiums written	$	473		$	334		$	427		$	191		$	1,425		$	324		$	—		$	1,749
	Net premiums written	$	471		$	331		$	362		$	176		$	1,340		$	313		$	—		$	1,653
	(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums	(132		)	(157		)	3			(118		)	(404		)	(14		)	—			(418		)
	Net premiums earned	$	339		$	174		$	365		$	58		$	936		$	299		$	—		$	1,235
	Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	(172		)	(119		)	(170		)	(20		)	(481		)	(240		)	—			(721		)
	Acquisition costs	(93		)	(52		)	(93		)	(4		)	(242		)	(34		)	—			(276		)
	Technical result	$	74		$	3		$	102		$	34		$	213		$	25		$	—		$	238
	Other income													—			1			3			4
	Other expenses													(52		)	(15		)	(58		)	(125		)
	Underwriting result													$	161		$	11		n/a			$	117
	Net investment income																14			91			105
	Allocated underwriting result (1)																$	25		n/a			n/a
	Net realized and unrealized investment gains																			116			116
	Interest expense																			(12		)	(12		)
	Amortization of intangible assets																			(7		)	(7		)
	Net foreign exchange gains																			13			13
	Income tax expense																			(80		)	(80		)
	Interest in losses of equity method investments																			(4		)	(4		)
	Net income																			n/a			$	248
	Loss ratio (2)	50.7		%	68.4		%	46.7		%	33.7		%	51.4		%
	Acquisition ratio (3)	27.5			30.1			25.4			7			25.9
	Technical ratio (4)	78.2		%	98.5		%	72.1		%	40.7		%	77.3		%
	Other expense ratio (5)													5.5
	Combined ratio (6)													82.8		%
	-1	Allocated underwriting result is defined as net premiums earned, other income or loss and allocated net investment income less life policy benefits, acquisition costs and other expenses.
	-2	Loss ratio is obtained by dividing losses and loss expenses by net premiums earned.
	-3	Acquisition ratio is obtained by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned.
	-4	Technical ratio is defined as the sum of the loss ratio and the acquisition ratio.
	-5	Other expense ratio is obtained by dividing other expenses by net premiums earned.
	-6	Combined ratio is defined as the sum of the technical ratio and the other expense ratio.
	n/a Not applicable
	Segment Information
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014
		North			Global			Global			Catastrophe			Total			Life			Corporate			Total
		America			(Non-U.S.)			Specialty						Non-life			and Health			and Other
					P&C									segment			segment
	Gross premiums written	$	530		$	364		$	479		$	210		$	1,583		$	289		$	—		$	1,872
	Net premiums written	$	527		$	361		$	389		$	179		$	1,456		$	282		$	—		$	1,738
	Increase in unearned premiums	(148		)	(182		)	(34		)	(100		)	(464		)	(20		)	—			(484		)
	Net premiums earned	$	379		$	179		$	355		$	79		$	992		$	262		$	—		$	1,254
	Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	(260		)	(94		)	(201		)	21			(534		)	(215		)	—			(749		)
	Acquisition costs	(92		)	(54		)	(79		)	(8		)	(233		)	(32		)	—			(265		)
	Technical result	$	27		$	31		$	75		$	92		$	225		$	15		$	—		$	240
	Other income (loss)													1			1			(2		)	—
	Other expenses													(65		)	(17		)	(29		)	(111		)
	Underwriting result													$	161		$	(1	)	n/a			$	129
	Net investment income																15			102			117
	Allocated underwriting result																$	14		n/a			n/a
	Net realized and unrealized investment gains																			142			142
	Interest expense																			(12		)	(12		)
	Amortization of intangible assets																			(7		)	(7		)
	Net foreign exchange gains																			—			—
	Income tax expense																			(62		)	(62		)
Interest in earnings of equity method investments																			6			6
Net income																			n/a			$	313
Loss ratio	68.6		%	52.4		%	56.6		%	(26.5		)%	53.8		%
Acquisition ratio	24.3			30.1			22.4			10.1			23.6
Technical ratio	92.9		%	82.5		%	79		%	(16.4		)%	77.4		%
Other expense ratio													6.5
Combined ratio													83.9		%

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	10. Subsequent Events
	On April 14, 2015, the Company announced receipt of an unsolicited proposal from EXOR S.p.A. (EXOR), a European investment company controlled by the Agnelli family, to acquire 100% of the common shares of the Company for $130.00 per share in cash.
	On May 3, 2015, the Company and AXIS amended the Amalgamation Agreement to allow the Company to pay a one-time special dividend of $11.50 per share to PartnerRe common shareholders in connection with the closing of the Amalgamation and to increase the termination fee from $250 million to $280 million.
	On May 4, 2015, the Company’s Board announced that it had terminated discussions with EXOR regarding its $130 per share offer.
	On April 17, 2015, PartnerRe U.S. Corporation (PRUS), a subsidiary of the Company, signed a settlement agreement with the former shareholders of Presidio Reinsurance Group, Inc. whereby PRUS paid $29 million in consideration for terminating all obligations of PRUS to pay earn-out consideration pursuant to an earn-out agreement dated December 31, 2012.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of accounting	The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use Of Estimates	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While Management believes that the amounts included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect its best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s principal estimates include:
	•	Unpaid losses and loss expenses;
	•	Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts;
	•	Gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned;
	•	Recoverability of deferred acquisition costs;
	•	Recoverability of deferred tax assets;
	•	Valuation of goodwill and intangible assets; and
	•	Valuation of certain assets and derivative financial instruments that are measured using significant unobservable inputs.

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial instruments measured at fair value and categorized between Levels 1, 2 and 3	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value were classified between Levels 1, 2 and 3 as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
	31-Mar-15		Quoted prices in				Significant				Significant				Total
			active markets for				other observable				unobservable
			identical assets				inputs				inputs
			(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
	Fixed maturities
	U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	2,299,063			$	—			$	2,299,063
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		—				473,388				147,683				621,071
	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related		—				1,557,126				—				1,557,126
	Corporate		—				5,494,967				—				5,494,967
	Asset-backed securities		—				670,115				451,583				1,121,698
	Residential mortgage-backed securities		—				2,263,463				—				2,263,463
	Other mortgage-backed securities		—				54,623				—				54,623
	Fixed maturities		$	—			$	12,812,745			$	599,266			$	13,412,011
	Short-term investments		$	—			$	20,055			$	—			$	20,055
	Equities
	Real estate investment trusts		$	177,130			$	—			$	—			$	177,130
	Insurance		123,839				4,682				—				128,521
	Consumer noncyclical		113,740				—				—				113,740
	Energy		108,648				—				—				108,648
	Finance		75,760				8,086				20,532				104,378
	Technology		56,709				—				8,602				65,311
	Consumer cyclical		59,747				—				—				59,747
	Industrials		58,435				—				—				58,435
	Communications		50,665				—				2,723				53,388
	Utilities		28,946				—				—				28,946
	Other		21,959				—				—				21,959
	Mutual funds and exchange traded funds		142,104				—				257,977				400,081
	Equities		$	1,017,682			$	12,768			$	289,834			$	1,320,284
	Other invested assets
	Derivative assets
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	—			$	15,414			$	—			$	15,414
	Foreign currency option contracts		—				1,848				—				1,848
	Insurance-linked securities		—				—				23				23
	Total return swaps		—				—				1,061				1,061
	TBAs		—				1,409				—				1,409
	Other
	Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		—				—				51,103				51,103
	Annuities and residuals		—				—				12,155				12,155
	Private equities		—				—				64,642				64,642
	Derivative liabilities
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		—				(7,623		)		—				(7,623		)
	Futures contracts		(21,382		)		—				—				(21,382		)
	Insurance-linked securities		—				—				(343		)		(343		)
	Total return swaps		—				—				(2,118		)		(2,118		)
	Interest rate swaps		—				(21,074		)		—				(21,074		)
	Other invested assets		$	(21,382	)		$	(10,026	)		$	126,523			$	95,115
	Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	155,341			$	—			$	155,341
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		—				—				132				132
	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related		—				111,021				—				111,021
	Corporate		—				145,062				—				145,062
	Short-term investments		—				10,984				—				10,984
	Other invested assets		—				—				12,008				12,008
	Funds held – directly managed		$	—			$	422,408			$	12,140			$	434,548
	Total		$	996,300			$	13,257,950			$	1,027,763			$	15,282,013
	31-Dec-14		Quoted prices in				Significant other				Significant				Total
			active markets for				observable				unobservable
			identical assets				inputs				inputs
			(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
	Fixed maturities
	U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	2,315,422			$	—			$	2,315,422
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		—				380,875				149,728				530,603
	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related		—				1,976,202				—				1,976,202
Corporate		—				5,604,160				—				5,604,160
Asset-backed securities		—				681,502				449,918				1,131,420
Residential mortgage-backed securities		—				2,306,476				—				2,306,476
Other mortgage-backed securities		—				54,462				—				54,462
Fixed maturities		$	—			$	13,319,099			$	599,646			$	13,918,745
Short-term investments		$	—			$	25,678			$	—			$	25,678
Equities
Real estate investment trusts		$	213,770			$	—			$	—			$	213,770
Insurance		140,916				4,521				—				145,437
Energy		123,978				—				—				123,978
Consumer noncyclical		100,134				—				—				100,134
Finance		70,621				7,354				20,353				98,328
Technology		52,707				—				8,555				61,262
Communications		51,829				—				2,640				54,469
Industrials		49,983				—				—				49,983
Consumer cyclical		39,002				—				—				39,002
Utilities		31,748				—				—				31,748
Other		11,571				—				—				11,571
Mutual funds and exchange traded funds		118,246				—				8,586				126,832
Equities		$	1,004,505			$	11,875			$	40,134			$	1,056,514
Other invested assets
Derivative assets
Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	—			$	20,033			$	—			$	20,033
Futures contracts		846				—				—				846
Insurance-linked securities		—				—				3				3
Total return swaps		—				—				485				485
TBAs		—				154				—				154
Other
Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		—				—				44,817				44,817
Annuities and residuals		—				—				13,243				13,243
Private equities		—				—				59,872				59,872
Derivative liabilities
Foreign exchange forward contracts		—				(7,446		)		—				(7,446		)
Foreign currency option contracts		—				(1,196		)		—				(1,196		)
Futures contracts		(467		)		—				—				(467		)
Insurance-linked securities		—				—				(339		)		(339		)
Total return swaps		—				—				(2,007		)		(2,007		)
Interest rate swaps		—				(16,282		)		—				(16,282		)
TBAs		—				(240		)		—				(240		)
Other invested assets		$	379			$	(4,977	)		$	116,074			$	111,476
Funds held – directly managed
U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	—			$	153,483			$	—			$	153,483
U.S. states, territories and municipalities		—				—				132				132
Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational and government related		—				128,233				—				128,233
Corporate		—				177,347				—				177,347
Other invested assets		—				—				13,398				13,398
Funds held – directly managed		$	—			$	459,063			$	13,530			$	472,593
Total		$	1,004,884			$	13,810,738			$	769,384			$	15,585,006
Reconciliation of beginning and ending balances for all financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs	The reconciliations of the beginning and ending balances for all financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015		Balance at				Realized and				Purchases				Settlements			Net		Balance			Change in
			beginning				unrealized				and				and			transfers		at end			unrealized
			of period				investment				issuances (1)				sales (1)			into/		of period			investment
							(losses) gains											(out of)					(losses) gains
							included in											Level 3					relating to
							net income																assets held at
																							end of period
	Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	149,728			$	(1,861	)		$	—			$	(184	)	$	—	$	147,683		$	(1,863	)
	Asset-backed securities		449,918				1,261				43,422				(43,018		)	—		451,583			1,293
	Fixed maturities		$	599,646			$	(600	)		$	43,422			$	(43,202	)	$	—	$	599,266		$	(570	)
	Equities
	Finance		$	20,353			$	179			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	20,532		$	179
	Technology		8,555				47				—				—			—		8,602			47
	Communications		2,640				83				—				—			—		2,723			83
	Mutual funds and exchange traded funds		8,586				51				249,340				—			—		257,977			51
	Equities		$	40,134			$	360			$	249,340			$	—		$	—	$	289,834		$	360
	Other invested assets
	Derivatives, net		$	(1,858	)		$	481			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	(1,377	)	$	481
	Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		44,817				1,104				6,411				(1,229		)	—		51,103			2,623
	Annuities and residuals		13,243				231				—				(1,319		)	—		12,155			231
	Private equities		59,872				497				5,184				(911		)	—		64,642			497
	Other invested assets		$	116,074			$	2,313			$	11,595			$	(3,459	)	$	—	$	126,523		$	3,832
	Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	132			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	132		$	—
	Other invested assets		13,398				(1,390		)		—				—			—		12,008			(1,390		)
	Funds held – directly managed		$	13,530			$	(1,390	)		$	—			$	—		$	—	$	12,140		$	(1,390	)
	Total		$	769,384			$	683			$	304,357			$	(46,661	)	$	—	$	1,027,763		$	2,232
	-1	There were no issuances or sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014		Balance at				Realized and				Purchases				Settlements			Net		Balance			Change in
			beginning				unrealized				and				and			transfers		at end of			unrealized
			of period				investment				issuances (1)				sales (2)			into/(out of)		period			investment
							gains (losses)											Level 3					gains (losses)
							included in																relating to
							net income																assets held at
																							end of period
	Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	108,380			$	892			$	4,265			$	(70	)	$	—	$	113,467		$	890
	Asset-backed securities		446,577				5,996				59,418				(64,290		)	—		447,701			6,259
	Fixed maturities		$	554,957			$	6,888			$	63,683			$	(64,360	)	$	—	$	561,168		$	7,149
	Equities
	Finance		$	20,207			$	2,499			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	22,706		$	2,499
	Communications		2,199				(88		)		—				—			—		2,111			(88		)
	Technology		7,752				(352		)		—				—			—		7,400			(352		)
	Mutual funds and exchange traded funds		7,887				166				—				—			—		8,053			166
	Equities		$	38,045			$	2,225			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	40,270		$	2,225
	Other invested assets
	Derivatives, net		$	(788	)		$	466			$	(720	)		$	—		$	—	$	(1,042	)	$	466
	Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		41,446				600				720				(523		)	—		42,243			600
	Annuities and residuals		24,064				89				—				(5,208		)	—		18,945			128
	Private equities		39,131				433				5,066				(1,975		)	—		42,655			401
	Other invested assets		$	103,853			$	1,588			$	5,066			$	(7,706	)	$	—	$	102,801		$	1,595
	Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	286			$	15			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	301		$	15
	Other invested assets		15,165				(197		)		255				—			—		15,223			(197		)
	Funds held – directly managed		$	15,451			$	(182	)		$	255			$	—		$	—	$	15,524		$	(182	)
	Total		$	712,306			$	10,519			$	69,004			$	(72,066	)	$	—	$	719,763		$	10,787
	-1	Purchases and issuances of derivatives include issuances of $0.7 million.
	-2	There were no sales for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]	The significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (fair value in thousands of U.S. dollars):
	31-Mar-15		Fair value				Valuation techniques		Unobservable inputs		Range
											(Weighted average)
	Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	147,683			Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		2.6% -10.5% (6.0%)
	Asset-backed securities – other		451,583				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		4.0% – 12.0% (7.2%)
	Equities
	Finance		14,748				Weighted market comparables		Net income multiple		19.0 (19.0)
									Tangible book value multiple		1.3 (1.3)
									Liquidity discount		25.0% (25.0%)
									Comparable return		1.4% (1.4%)
	Finance		5,784				Profitability analysis		Projected return on equity		14.0% (14.0%)
	Technology		8,602				Weighted market comparables		Revenue multiple		1.6 (1.6)
									Adjusted earnings multiple		10.6 (10.6)
	Communications		2,723				Weighted market comparables		Adjusted earnings multiple		9.4 (9.4)
									Comparable return		3.2% (3.2%)
	Other invested assets
	Total return swaps		(1,057		)		Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		3.8% – 19.9% (14.6%)
	Notes and loan receivables		11,607				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		6.1% - 10.6% (9.1%)
	Notes and loan receivables		13,209				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		17.5% (17.5%)
									Gross revenue/fair value		1.4 – 1.6 (1.6)
	Notes securitization		26,287				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		3.9% – 6.5% (6.4%)
	Annuities and residuals		12,155				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		5.2% – 9.1% (7.8%)
									Prepayment speed		0% – 15.0% (3.6%)
									Constant default rate		0.3% – 17.5% (5.6%)
	Private equity – direct		9,035				Discounted cash flow and weighted market comparables		Net income multiple		9.2 (9.2)
									Tangible book value multiple		2.0 (2.0)
									Recoverability of intangible assets		0% (0%)
	Private equity funds		23,676				Reported market value		Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
									Market adjustments		-2.5% – 3.2% (0.0%)
	Private equity – other		31,931				Discounted cash flow		Effective yield		5.8% (5.8%)
	Funds held – directly managed
	Other invested assets		12,008				Reported market value		Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
									Market adjustments		-19.2% – 0% (-11.1%)
	December 31, 2014		Fair value				Valuation techniques		Unobservable inputs		Range
											(Weighted average)
	Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	149,728			Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		2.2% – 10.1% (4.6%)
	Asset-backed securities – other		449,918				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		4.0% – 12.1% (7.1%)
	Equities
	Finance		14,561				Weighted market comparables		Net income multiple		19.0 (19.0)
									Tangible book value multiple		1.3 (1.3)
									Liquidity discount		25.0% (25.0%)
									Comparable return		7.3% (7.3%)
	Finance		5,792				Profitability analysis		Projected return on equity		14.0% (14.0%)
	Technology		8,555				Weighted market comparables		Revenue multiple		1.6 (1.6)
									Adjusted earnings multiple		10.2 (10.2)
	Communications		2,640				Weighted market comparables		Adjusted earnings multiple		9.4 (9.4)
									Comparable return		-10.6% (-10.6%)
	Other invested assets
	Total return swaps		(1,522		)		Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		3.6% – 19.3% (16.3%)
	Notes and loan receivables		8,068				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		12.6% (12.6%)
	Notes and loan receivables		13,237				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		17.5% (17.5%)
									Gross revenue/fair value		1.5 – 1.7 (1.7)
	Notes securitization		23,512				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		3.5% – 6.6% (6.4%)
	Annuities and residuals		13,243				Discounted cash flow		Credit spreads		4.9% – 9.6% (7.8%)
									Prepayment speed		0% – 15.0% (4.3%)
									Constant default rate		0.3% – 17.5% (6.3%)
	Private equity – direct		8,536				Discounted cash flow and weighted market comparables		Net income multiple		9.0 (9.0)
									Tangible book value multiple		2.0 (2.0)
									Recoverability of intangible assets		0% (0%)
	Private equity funds		18,494				Reported market value		Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
									Market adjustments		-7.6% – 11.0% (-1.6%)
	Private equity – other		32,842				Discounted cash flow		Effective yield		5.8% (5.8%)
Funds held – directly managed
Other invested assets		13,398				Reported market value		Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
								Market adjustments		-15.4% – 0% (-14.5%)
Change in fair value of financial instruments subject to fair value option	Changes in the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments subject to the fair value option during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
		For the three months ended
		31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14
	Fixed maturities and short-term investments	$	76,971			$	119,799
	Equities	(7,016		)		10,325
	Other invested assets	1,833				1,042
	Funds held – directly managed	2,540				736
	Total	$	74,328			$	131,902
Carrying values and fair values of financial instrument liabilities	The carrying values and fair values of the Senior Notes and CENts at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
		31-Mar-15								31-Dec-14
		Carrying Value				Fair Value				Carrying Value				Fair Value
	Debt related to Senior Notes (1)	$	750,000			$	870,609			$	750,000			$	853,792
	Debt related to CENts (2)	63,384				63,547				63,384				62,309
	-1	PartnerRe Finance A LLC and PartnerRe Finance B LLC, the issuers of the Senior Notes, do not meet consolidation requirements under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Company shows the related intercompany debt of $750 million in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	-2	PartnerRe Finance II Inc., the issuer of the CENts, does not meet consolidation requirements under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Company shows the related intercompany debt of $71 million in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Values and Related Notional Values of Derivatives [Table Text Block]	The net fair values and the related net notional values of derivatives included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
			Asset				Liability			Net derivatives
			derivatives				derivatives
	31-Mar-15		at fair value				at fair value			Net notional			Fair value
										exposure
	Derivatives designated as hedges
	Foreign exchange forward contracts (net investment hedges)		$	2,559			$	—		$	271,250		$	2,559
	Total derivatives designated as hedges		$	2,559			$	—					$	2,559
	Derivatives not designated as hedges
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	12,855			$	(7,623	)	$	2,079,250		$	5,232
	Foreign currency option contracts		1,848				—			70,062			1,848
	Futures contracts		—				(21,382		)	2,741,323			(21,382		)
	Insurance-linked securities (1)		23				(343		)	144,780			(320		)
	Total return swaps		1,061				(2,118		)	42,504			(1,057		)
	Interest rate swaps (2)		—				(21,074		)	200,643			(21,074		)
	TBAs		1,409				—			280,625			1,409
	Total derivatives not designated as hedges		$	17,196			$	(52,540	)				$	(35,344	)
	Total derivatives		$	19,755			$	(52,540	)				$	(32,785	)
			Asset				Liability			Net derivatives
			derivatives				derivatives
	31-Dec-14		at fair value				at fair value			Net notional			Fair value
										exposure
	Derivatives not designated as hedges
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	20,033			$	(7,446	)	$	2,080,276		$	12,587
	Foreign currency option contracts		—				(1,196		)	43,380			(1,196		)
	Futures contracts		846				(467		)	2,348,735			379
	Insurance-linked securities (1)		3				(339		)	145,481			(336		)
	Total return swaps		485				(2,007		)	42,524			(1,522		)
	Interest rate swaps (2)		—				(16,282		)	201,160			(16,282		)
	TBAs		154				(240		)	235,105			(86		)
	Total derivatives		$	21,521			$	(27,977	)				$	(6,456	)
	-1	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, insurance-linked securities include a longevity swap for which the notional amount is not reflective of the overall potential exposure of the swap. As such, the Company has included the probable maximum loss under the swap within the net notional exposure as an approximation of the notional amount.
	-2	The Company enters into interest rate swaps to mitigate notional exposures on certain total return swaps and certain fixed maturities. Only the notional value of interest rate swaps on fixed maturities is presented separately in the table.
Gains and Losses on Derivatives not Designated as Hedges [Table Text Block]	The gains and losses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for derivatives not designated as hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
		For the three months ended
		31-Mar-15				31-Mar-14
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	(4,636	)		$	8,255
	Foreign currency option contracts	2,028				395
	Total included in net foreign exchange gains and losses	$	(2,608	)		$	8,650
	Futures contracts	$	(34,539	)		$	(16,073	)
	Credit default swaps (protection purchased)	—				(3		)
	Insurance-linked securities	2				243
	Total return swaps	465				218
	Interest rate swaps	(4,791		)		(5,385		)
	TBAs	3,671				3,747
	Other	2,493				—
	Total included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses	$	(32,699	)		$	(17,253	)
	Total derivatives not designated as hedges	$	(35,307	)		$	(8,603	)
Offsetting Disclosures [Table Text Block]	The gross and net fair values of derivatives that are subject to offsetting in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
							Gross			Net amounts of			Gross amounts not offset
							amounts			assets/liabilities			in the balance sheet
							offset in the			presented in the
	31-Mar-15		Gross				balance sheet			balance sheet			Financial			Cash collateral			Net amount
			amounts										instruments			received/pledged
			recognized (1)
	Total derivative assets		$	19,755			$	—		$	19,755		$	(385	)	$	(17,112	)	$	2,258
	Total derivative liabilities		$	(52,540	)		$	—		$	(52,540	)	$	385		$	45,734		$	(6,421	)
	31-Dec-14
	Total derivative assets		$	21,521			$	—		$	21,521		$	(766	)	$	(8,536	)	$	12,219
	Total derivative liabilities		$	(27,977	)		$	—		$	(27,977	)	$	766		$	14,858		$	(12,353	)
	-1	Amounts include all derivative instruments, irrespective of whether there is a legally enforceable master netting arrangement in place.

Net_Income_Per_Share_Tables

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Per Share Table [Text Block]	The reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data):
		For the three months ended
		31-Mar-15		31-Mar-14
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	$	245,917	$	309,843
	Less: preferred dividends	14,184		14,184
	Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders	$	231,733	$	295,659
	Denominator:
	Weighted number of common shares outstanding – basic	47,525,344		51,652,177
	Share options and other (1)	1,184,884		1,075,396
	Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding – diluted	48,710,228		52,727,573
	Basic net income per share	$	4.88	$	5.72
	Diluted net income per share (1)	$	4.76	$	5.61
	Anti-dilutive common shares excluded from weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding - diluted (1)	119,202		69,144
	-1	Where the exercise price of share based awards is greater than the average market price of the common shares, the common shares are considered anti-dilutive and are excluded from the calculation of weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding - diluted.

Noncontrolling_interests_Table

Noncontrolling interests (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block]	The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the noncontrolling interests in Lorenz Re for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
		For the three months ended
		31-Mar-15		31-Mar-14
	Balance at beginning of period	$	55,501	$	56,627
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,182		3,044
	Balance at end of period	$	57,683	$	59,671

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]
Segment reporting table	Segment Information
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015
		North			Global			Global			Catastrophe			Total			Life			Corporate			Total
		America			(Non-U.S.)			Specialty						Non-life			and Health			and Other
					P&C									segment			segment
	Gross premiums written	$	473		$	334		$	427		$	191		$	1,425		$	324		$	—		$	1,749
	Net premiums written	$	471		$	331		$	362		$	176		$	1,340		$	313		$	—		$	1,653
	(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums	(132		)	(157		)	3			(118		)	(404		)	(14		)	—			(418		)
	Net premiums earned	$	339		$	174		$	365		$	58		$	936		$	299		$	—		$	1,235
	Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	(172		)	(119		)	(170		)	(20		)	(481		)	(240		)	—			(721		)
	Acquisition costs	(93		)	(52		)	(93		)	(4		)	(242		)	(34		)	—			(276		)
	Technical result	$	74		$	3		$	102		$	34		$	213		$	25		$	—		$	238
	Other income													—			1			3			4
	Other expenses													(52		)	(15		)	(58		)	(125		)
	Underwriting result													$	161		$	11		n/a			$	117
	Net investment income																14			91			105
	Allocated underwriting result (1)																$	25		n/a			n/a
	Net realized and unrealized investment gains																			116			116
	Interest expense																			(12		)	(12		)
	Amortization of intangible assets																			(7		)	(7		)
	Net foreign exchange gains																			13			13
	Income tax expense																			(80		)	(80		)
	Interest in losses of equity method investments																			(4		)	(4		)
	Net income																			n/a			$	248
	Loss ratio (2)	50.7		%	68.4		%	46.7		%	33.7		%	51.4		%
	Acquisition ratio (3)	27.5			30.1			25.4			7			25.9
	Technical ratio (4)	78.2		%	98.5		%	72.1		%	40.7		%	77.3		%
	Other expense ratio (5)													5.5
	Combined ratio (6)													82.8		%
	-1	Allocated underwriting result is defined as net premiums earned, other income or loss and allocated net investment income less life policy benefits, acquisition costs and other expenses.
	-2	Loss ratio is obtained by dividing losses and loss expenses by net premiums earned.
	-3	Acquisition ratio is obtained by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned.
	-4	Technical ratio is defined as the sum of the loss ratio and the acquisition ratio.
	-5	Other expense ratio is obtained by dividing other expenses by net premiums earned.
	-6	Combined ratio is defined as the sum of the technical ratio and the other expense ratio.
	n/a Not applicable
	Segment Information
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014
		North			Global			Global			Catastrophe			Total			Life			Corporate			Total
		America			(Non-U.S.)			Specialty						Non-life			and Health			and Other
					P&C									segment			segment
	Gross premiums written	$	530		$	364		$	479		$	210		$	1,583		$	289		$	—		$	1,872
	Net premiums written	$	527		$	361		$	389		$	179		$	1,456		$	282		$	—		$	1,738
	Increase in unearned premiums	(148		)	(182		)	(34		)	(100		)	(464		)	(20		)	—			(484		)
	Net premiums earned	$	379		$	179		$	355		$	79		$	992		$	262		$	—		$	1,254
	Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	(260		)	(94		)	(201		)	21			(534		)	(215		)	—			(749		)
	Acquisition costs	(92		)	(54		)	(79		)	(8		)	(233		)	(32		)	—			(265		)
	Technical result	$	27		$	31		$	75		$	92		$	225		$	15		$	—		$	240
	Other income (loss)													1			1			(2		)	—
	Other expenses													(65		)	(17		)	(29		)	(111		)
	Underwriting result													$	161		$	(1	)	n/a			$	129
	Net investment income																15			102			117
	Allocated underwriting result																$	14		n/a			n/a
	Net realized and unrealized investment gains																			142			142
	Interest expense																			(12		)	(12		)
	Amortization of intangible assets																			(7		)	(7		)
	Net foreign exchange gains																			—			—
	Income tax expense																			(62		)	(62		)
	Interest in earnings of equity method investments																			6			6
	Net income																			n/a			$	313
	Loss ratio	68.6		%	52.4		%	56.6		%	(26.5		)%	53.8		%
	Acquisition ratio	24.3			30.1			22.4			10.1			23.6
	Technical ratio	92.9		%	82.5		%	79		%	(16.4		)%	77.4		%
	Other expense ratio													6.5
Combined ratio													83.9		%

Organization_Organization_Deta

Organization Organization (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	3-May-15
PartnerRe Ltd. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Share Exchange Ratio Upon Amalgamation	2.18
Combined Company Shareholding Percentage	51.50%
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Share Exchange Ratio Upon Amalgamation	1
Combined Company Shareholding Percentage	48.50%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Special Dividend Per Share		$11.50

Fair_Value_Details_Hierarchy_t

Fair Value (Details - Hierarchy table) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	$13,412,011	$13,918,745
Short-term investments	20,055	25,678
Equities	1,320,284	1,056,514
Other invested assets	95,115	111,476
Funds held - directly managed	434,548	472,593
Total	15,282,013	15,585,006
Derivative assets [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	15,414	20,033
Derivative assets [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	1,848
Derivative assets [Member] | Futures contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		846
Derivative assets [Member] | Insurance-linked securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	23	3
Derivative assets [Member] | Total return swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	1,061	485
Derivative assets [Member] | TBAs [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	1,409	154
Derivative liabilities [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	-7,623	-7,446
Derivative liabilities [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		-1,196
Derivative liabilities [Member] | Futures contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	-21,382	-467
Derivative liabilities [Member] | Insurance-linked securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	-343	-339
Derivative liabilities [Member] | Total return swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	-2,118	-2,007
Derivative liabilities [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	-21,074	-16,282
Derivative liabilities [Member] | TBAs [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		-240
Notes And Loan Receivables And Notes Securitization [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	51,103	44,817
Annuities and residuals [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	12,155	13,243
Private equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	64,642	59,872
Other invested assets funds held directly managed [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Funds held - directly managed	12,008	13,398
Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Funds held - directly managed	10,984
Real estate investment trust [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	177,130	213,770
Insurance [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	128,521	145,437
Consumer noncyclical [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	113,740	100,134
Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	108,648	123,978
Finance [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	104,378	98,328
Technology [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	65,311	61,262
Consumer cyclical [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	59,747	39,002
Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	58,435	49,983
Communications [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	53,388	54,469
Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	28,946	31,748
Other equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	21,959	11,571
Mutual funds and exchange traded funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	400,081	126,832
US Government and government sponsored enterpises [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	2,299,063	2,315,422
Funds held - directly managed	155,341	153,483
US states, territories and municipalities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	621,071	530,603
Funds held - directly managed	132	132
Non US sovereign government supranational and government related [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	1,557,126	1,976,202
Funds held - directly managed	111,021	128,233
Corporate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	5,494,967	5,604,160
Funds held - directly managed	145,062	177,347
Asset-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	1,121,698	1,131,420
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	2,263,463	2,306,476
Other mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	54,623	54,462
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Equities	1,017,682	1,004,505
Other invested assets	-21,382	379
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Total	996,300	1,004,884
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative assets [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative assets [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative assets [Member] | Futures contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		846
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative assets [Member] | Insurance-linked securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative assets [Member] | Total return swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative assets [Member] | TBAs [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Futures contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	-21,382	-467
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Insurance-linked securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Total return swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | TBAs [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Notes And Loan Receivables And Notes Securitization [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Annuities and residuals [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Private equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Other invested assets funds held directly managed [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Funds held - directly managed	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Real estate investment trust [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	177,130	213,770
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Insurance [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	123,839	140,916
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Consumer noncyclical [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	113,740	100,134
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	108,648	123,978
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Finance [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	75,760	70,621
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Technology [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	56,709	52,707
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Consumer cyclical [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	59,747	39,002
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	58,435	49,983
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Communications [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	50,665	51,829
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	28,946	31,748
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Other equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	21,959	11,571
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Mutual funds and exchange traded funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	142,104	118,246
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | US Government and government sponsored enterpises [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | US states, territories and municipalities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Non US sovereign government supranational and government related [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Corporate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Asset-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Other mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	12,812,745	13,319,099
Short-term investments	20,055	25,678
Equities	12,768	11,875
Other invested assets	-10,026	-4,977
Funds held - directly managed	422,408	459,063
Total	13,257,950	13,810,738
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative assets [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	15,414	20,033
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative assets [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	1,848
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative assets [Member] | Futures contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative assets [Member] | Insurance-linked securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative assets [Member] | Total return swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative assets [Member] | TBAs [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	1,409	154
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	-7,623	-7,446
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		-1,196
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Futures contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Insurance-linked securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Total return swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	-21,074	-16,282
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivative liabilities [Member] | TBAs [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		-240
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Notes And Loan Receivables And Notes Securitization [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Annuities and residuals [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Private equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Other invested assets funds held directly managed [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Funds held - directly managed	10,984
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Real estate investment trust [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Insurance [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	4,682	4,521
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Consumer noncyclical [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Finance [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	8,086	7,354
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Technology [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Consumer cyclical [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Communications [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Other equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Mutual funds and exchange traded funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | US Government and government sponsored enterpises [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	2,299,063	2,315,422
Funds held - directly managed	155,341	153,483
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | US states, territories and municipalities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	473,388	380,875
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Non US sovereign government supranational and government related [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	1,557,126	1,976,202
Funds held - directly managed	111,021	128,233
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Corporate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	5,494,967	5,604,160
Funds held - directly managed	145,062	177,347
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Asset-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	670,115	681,502
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	2,263,463	2,306,476
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Other mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	54,623	54,462
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	599,266	599,646
Short-term investments	0	0
Equities	289,834	40,134
Other invested assets	126,523	116,074
Funds held - directly managed	12,140	13,530
Total	1,027,763	769,384
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative assets [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative assets [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative assets [Member] | Futures contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative assets [Member] | Insurance-linked securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	23	3
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative assets [Member] | Total return swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	1,061	485
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative assets [Member] | TBAs [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Futures contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Insurance-linked securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	-343	-339
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Total return swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	-2,118	-2,007
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative liabilities [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative liabilities [Member] | TBAs [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets		0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Notes And Loan Receivables And Notes Securitization [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	51,103	44,817
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Annuities and residuals [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	12,155	13,243
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Private equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other invested assets	64,642	59,872
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other invested assets funds held directly managed [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Funds held - directly managed	12,008	13,398
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Funds held - directly managed	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Real estate investment trust [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Insurance [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Consumer noncyclical [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Finance [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	20,532	20,353
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Technology [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	8,602	8,555
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Consumer cyclical [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Communications [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	2,723	2,640
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Mutual funds and exchange traded funds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equities	257,977	8,586
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | US Government and government sponsored enterpises [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | US states, territories and municipalities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	147,683	149,728
Funds held - directly managed	132	132
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Non US sovereign government supranational and government related [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	451,583	449,918
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	0	0
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Details_narrative_i

Fair Value (Details - narrative items) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value - Other Details [Line Items]
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	$434,548,000		$472,593,000
Cash and cash equivalents	1,413,799,000	1,269,037,000	1,313,468,000	1,496,485,000
Accrued investment income	150,255,000		158,737,000
Fair Value Assets Level 2 To Level 1 Transfers Amount	0	0
Funds held directly managed [Member]
Fair Value - Other Details [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	53,900,000		42,300,000
Accrued investment income	4,900,000		5,700,000
Other net assets	99,300,000		88,300,000
Trading securities [Member] | Other invested assets [Member]
Fair Value - Other Details [Line Items]
Carrying amount of other invested assets not at fair value	191,500,000		187,300,000
Other invested assets [Member] | Derivatives, net [Member]
Fair Value - Other Details [Line Items]
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Issuances	$0	$700,000

Fair_Value_Details_Level_3_rol

Fair Value (Details - Level 3 rollforward) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	$769,384,000		$712,306,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	683,000		10,519,000
Purchases	304,357,000		69,004,000
Settlements	-46,661,000	[1]	-72,066,000	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	1,027,763,000		719,763,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	2,232,000		10,787,000
Fixed maturities [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	599,646,000		554,957,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	-600,000		6,888,000
Purchases	43,422,000		63,683,000
Settlements	-43,202,000	[1]	-64,360,000	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	599,266,000		561,168,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	-570,000		7,149,000
Fixed maturities [Member] | US states, territories and municipalities [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	149,728,000		108,380,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	-1,861,000		892,000
Purchases	0		4,265,000
Settlements	-184,000	[1]	-70,000	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	147,683,000		113,467,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	-1,863,000		890,000
Fixed maturities [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	449,918,000		446,577,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	1,261,000		5,996,000
Purchases	43,422,000		59,418,000
Settlements	-43,018,000	[1]	-64,290,000	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	451,583,000		447,701,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	1,293,000		6,259,000
Equities [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	40,134,000		38,045,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	360,000		2,225,000
Purchases	249,340,000		0
Settlements	0	[1]	0	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	289,834,000		40,270,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	360,000		2,225,000
Equities [Member] | Finance [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	20,353,000		20,207,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	179,000		2,499,000
Purchases	0		0
Settlements	0	[1]	0	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	20,532,000		22,706,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	179,000		2,499,000
Equities [Member] | Technology [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	8,555,000		7,752,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	47,000		-352,000
Purchases	0		0
Settlements	0	[1]	0	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	8,602,000		7,400,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	47,000		-352,000
Equities [Member] | Communications [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	2,640,000		2,199,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	83,000		-88,000
Purchases	0		0
Settlements	0	[1]	0	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	2,723,000		2,111,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	83,000		-88,000
Equities [Member] | Mutual funds and exchange traded funds [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	8,586,000		7,887,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	51,000		166,000
Purchases	249,340,000		0
Settlements	0	[1]	0	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	257,977,000		8,053,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	51,000		166,000
Other invested assets [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	116,074,000		103,853,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	2,313,000		1,588,000
Purchases	11,595,000		5,066,000
Settlements	-3,459,000	[1]	-7,706,000	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	126,523,000		102,801,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	3,832,000		1,595,000
Other invested assets [Member] | Derivatives, net [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	-1,858,000		-788,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	481,000		466,000
Purchases	0	[1]	-720,000	[3]
Settlements	0	[1]	0	[2]
Issuances	0		700,000
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	-1,377,000		-1,042,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	481,000		466,000
Other invested assets [Member] | Notes And Loan Receivables And Notes Securitization [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	44,817,000		41,446,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	1,104,000		600,000
Purchases	6,411,000		720,000
Settlements	-1,229,000	[1]	-523,000	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	51,103,000		42,243,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	2,623,000		600,000
Other invested assets [Member] | Annuities and residuals [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	13,243,000		24,064,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	231,000		89,000
Purchases	0		0
Settlements	-1,319,000	[1]	-5,208,000	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	12,155,000		18,945,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	231,000		128,000
Other invested assets [Member] | Private equities [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	59,872,000		39,131,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	497,000		433,000
Purchases	5,184,000		5,066,000
Settlements	-911,000	[1]	-1,975,000	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	64,642,000		42,655,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	497,000		401,000
Funds Held - Directly Managed investment [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	13,530,000		15,451,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	-1,390,000		-182,000
Purchases	0		255,000
Settlements	0	[1]	0	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	12,140,000		15,524,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	-1,390,000		-182,000
Funds Held - Directly Managed investment [Member] | Other invested assets funds held directly managed [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	13,398,000		15,165,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	-1,390,000		-197,000
Purchases	0		255,000
Settlements	0	[1]	0	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	12,008,000		15,223,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	-1,390,000		-197,000
Funds Held - Directly Managed investment [Member] | US states, territories and municipalities [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	132,000		286,000
Realized and unrealized investment (losses) gains included in net income	0		15,000
Purchases	0		0
Settlements	0	[1]	0	[2]
Net transfers into/ (out of) Level 3	0		0
Balance, end of year	132,000		301,000
Change in unrealized investment (losses) gains relating to assets held at the end of period	$0		$15,000
[1]	There were no issuances or sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
[2]	There were no sales for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
[3]	Purchases and issuances of derivatives include issuances of $0.7 million

Fair_Value_Details_Valuation_T

Fair Value (Details - Valuation Technique and Inputs) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	13,412,011	13,918,745
Equities	1,320,284	1,056,514
Other invested assets carried at fair value	95,115	111,476
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	434,548	472,593
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	599,266	599,646
Equities	289,834	40,134
Other invested assets carried at fair value	126,523	116,074
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	12,140	13,530
US states, territories and municipalities [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	147,683	149,728
US states, territories and municipalities [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	2.60%	2.20%
US states, territories and municipalities [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	10.50%	10.10%
US states, territories and municipalities [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.00%	4.60%
Asset-backed securities - other [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Fixed maturities	451,583	449,918
Asset-backed securities - other [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	4.00%	4.00%
Asset-backed securities - other [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	12.00%	12.10%
Asset-backed securities - other [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	7.20%	7.10%
Finance [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities	14,748	14,561
Finance [Member] | Profitability Analysis [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities	5,784	5,792
Finance [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	19	19
Tangible book value multiple	1.3	1.3
Liquidity discount	25.00%	25.00%
Comparable return	1.40%	7.30%
Finance [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Profitability Analysis [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Projected Return On Equity	14.00%	14.00%
Finance [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	19	19
Tangible book value multiple	1.3	1.3
Liquidity discount	25.00%	25.00%
Comparable return	1.40%	7.30%
Finance [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Profitability Analysis [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Projected Return On Equity	14.00%	14.00%
Finance [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	19	19
Tangible book value multiple	1.3	1.3
Liquidity discount	25.00%	25.00%
Comparable return	1.40%	7.30%
Finance [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Profitability Analysis [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Projected Return On Equity	14.00%	14.00%
Communications [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities	2,723	2,640
Communications [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	9.4	9.4
Comparable return	3.20%	-10.60%
Communications [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	9.4	9.4
Comparable return	3.20%	-10.60%
Communications [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	9.4	9.4
Comparable return	3.20%	-10.60%
Technology [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Equities	8,602	8,555
Technology [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.6	10.2
Gross revenue/fair value	1.6	1.6
Technology [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.6	10.2
Gross revenue/fair value	1.6	1.6
Technology [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Weighted market comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.6	10.2
Gross revenue/fair value	1.6	1.6
Total return swaps [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	-1,057	-1,522
Total return swaps [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	3.80%	3.60%
Total return swaps [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	19.90%	19.30%
Total return swaps [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	14.60%	16.30%
Notes and loan receivables [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	13,209	13,237
Notes and loan receivables [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.4	1.5
Notes and loan receivables [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.6	1.7
Notes and loan receivables [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.6	1.7
Notes and Loans Receivable 2 [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	11,607	8,068
Notes and Loans Receivable 2 [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.10%	12.60%
Notes and Loans Receivable 2 [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	10.60%	12.60%
Notes and Loans Receivable 2 [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	9.10%	12.60%
Notes securitization [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	26,287	23,512
Notes securitization [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	3.90%	3.50%
Notes securitization [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.50%	6.60%
Notes securitization [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	6.40%	6.40%
Annuities and residuals [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	12,155	13,243
Annuities and residuals [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	5.20%	4.90%
Prepayment speed	0.00%	0.00%
Constant default rate	0.30%	0.30%
Annuities and residuals [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	9.10%	9.60%
Prepayment speed	15.00%	15.00%
Constant default rate	17.50%	17.50%
Annuities and residuals [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Credit spreads	7.80%	7.80%
Prepayment speed	3.60%	4.30%
Constant default rate	5.60%	6.30%
Private Equity-Direct [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow And Weighted Market Comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	9,035	8,536
Private Equity-Direct [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow And Weighted Market Comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	9.2	9
Tangible book value multiple	2	2
Recoverability of intangible assets	0	0
Private Equity-Direct [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow And Weighted Market Comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	9.2	9
Tangible book value multiple	2	2
Recoverability of intangible assets	0	0
Private Equity-Direct [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted Cash Flow And Weighted Market Comparables [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net income multiple	9.2	9
Tangible book value multiple	2	2
Recoverability of intangible assets	0	0
Private equity funds [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	23,676	18,494
Private equity funds [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	-2.50%	-7.60%
Private equity funds [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	3.20%	11.00%
Private equity funds [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	0.00%	-1.60%
Private Equity - Other [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Other invested assets carried at fair value	31,931	32,842
Private Equity - Other [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Effective Yield	5.80%	5.80%
Private Equity - Other [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Effective Yield	5.80%	5.80%
Private Equity - Other [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Effective Yield	5.80%	5.80%
Other invested assets [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	12,008	13,398
Other invested assets [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	-19.20%	-15.40%
Other invested assets [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	0.00%	0.00%
Other invested assets [Member] | Weighted Average [Member] | Lag reported market value | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	-11.10%	-14.50%

Fair_Value_Details_Change_in_f

Fair Value (Details - Change in fair value option table) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gain/loss	$74,328	$131,902
Fixed maturities and short term investments [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gain/loss	76,971	119,799
Equities [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gain/loss	-7,016	10,325
Other invested assets [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gain/loss	1,833	1,042
Funds Held - Directly Managed investment [Member]
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in unrealized gain/loss	$2,540	$736

Fair_Value_Fair_Value_Details_

Fair Value Fair Value (Details - Fair Value of Liabilities) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]
Debt related to senior notes	$750,000,000		$750,000,000
Debt related to capital efficient notes	70,989,000		70,989,000
Senior Notes Debt [Member] | Notes Issued By Partner Re Finance A LLC [Member]
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]
Face amount of debt instrument	250,000,000		250,000,000
Senior Notes Debt [Member] | Notes Issued By Partner Re Finance B LLC [Member]
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]
Face amount of debt instrument	500,000,000		500,000,000
Capital efficient notes [Member] | Notes Issued By Partner Re Finance II Inc [Member]
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]
Face amount of debt instrument	63,000,000		63,000,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Senior Notes Debt [Member]
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]
Debt related to senior notes	870,609,000	[1]	853,792,000	[1]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Capital efficient notes [Member]
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]
Debt related to capital efficient notes	63,547,000	[2]	62,309,000	[2]
Carrying value [Member] | Senior Notes Debt [Member]
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]
Debt related to senior notes	750,000,000	[1]	750,000,000	[1]
Carrying value [Member] | Capital efficient notes [Member]
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]
Debt related to capital efficient notes	$63,384,000	[2]	$63,384,000	[2]
[1]	PartnerRe Finance A LLC and PartnerRe Finance B LLC, the issuers of the Senior Notes, do not meet consolidation requirements under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Company shows the related intercompany debt of $750 million in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
[2]	PartnerRe Finance II Inc., the issuer of the CENts, does not meet consolidation requirements under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the Company shows the related intercompany debt of $71 million in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Derivatives_Details_Balance_Sh

Derivatives (Details - Balance Sheet)

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivatives designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

Foreign currency option contracts [Member]

Foreign currency option contracts [Member]

Futures contracts [Member]

Futures contracts [Member]

Insurance-linked securities [Member]

Insurance-linked securities [Member]

Total return swaps [Member]

Total return swaps [Member]

Interest rate swaps [Member]

Interest rate swaps [Member]

TBAs [Member]

TBAs [Member]

Original currency

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivatives designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Derivatives not designated as hedges

Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Derivatives designated as hedges

EUR (€)

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset

$19,755

[1]

$21,521

[1]

$2,559

[1]

$17,196

[1]

$2,559

$12,855

$20,033

$1,848

$0

$0

$846

$23

[2]

$3

[2]

$1,061

$485

$0

[3]

$0

[3]

$1,409

$154

Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability

-52,540

[1]

-27,977

[1]

0

[1]

-52,540

[1]

0

-7,623

-7,446

0

-1,196

-21,382

-467

-343

[2]

-339

[2]

-2,118

-2,007

-21,074

[3]

-16,282

[3]

0

-240

Net notional exposure

271,250

2,079,250

2,080,276

70,062

43,380

2,741,323

2,348,735

144,780

[2]

145,481

[2]

42,504

42,524

200,643

[3]

201,160

[3]

280,625

235,105

250,000

Fair value net

($32,785)

($6,456)

$2,559

($35,344)

$2,559

$5,232

$12,587

$1,848

($1,196)

($21,382)

$379

($320)

[2]

($336)

[2]

($1,057)

($1,522)

($21,074)

[3]

($16,282)

[3]

$1,409

($86)

[1]

Amounts include all derivative instruments, irrespective of whether there is a legally enforceable master netting arrangement in place.

[2]

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, insurance-linked securities include a longevity swap for which the notional amount is not reflective of the overall potential exposure of the swap. As such, the Company has included the probable maximum loss under the swap within the net notional exposure as an approximation of the notional amount.

[3]

The Company enters into interest rate swaps to mitigate notional exposures on certain total return swaps and certain fixed maturities. Only the notional value of interest rate swaps on fixed maturities is presented separately in the table.

Derivatives_Details_Income_Sta

Derivatives (Details - Income Statement) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	($35,307)	($8,603)
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | Included in net foreign exchange gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-2,608	8,650
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | Included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-32,699	-17,253
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | Foreign exchange forward contracts [Member] | Included in net foreign exchange gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-4,636	8,255
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | Foreign currency option contracts [Member] | Included in net foreign exchange gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	2,028	395
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | Futures contracts [Member] | Included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-34,539	-16,073
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | Credit default swaps (protection purchased) [Member] | Included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	0	-3
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | Insurance-linked securities [Member] | Included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	2	243
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | Total return swaps [Member] | Included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	465	218
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | Interest rate swaps [Member] | Included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-4,791	-5,385
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | TBAs [Member] | Included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	3,671	3,747
Derivates not designated as hedges [Member] | Other Contract [Member] | Included in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	$2,493	$0

Derivatives_Details_narrative_

Derivatives (Details - narrative items)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Minimum [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Credit derivative term	0 years
Maximum [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Credit derivative term	5 years

Offsetting_Details

Offsetting (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Offsetting [Abstract]
Gross amounts of recognized, asset	$19,755	[1]	$21,521	[1]
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	0		0
Net amounts of asset/ liabilities presented in the balance sheet, asset	19,755		21,521
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, financial instruments, asset	-385		-766
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, cash collateral received/ pledged	-17,112		-8,536
Net amount, asset	2,258		12,219
Gross amounts of recognized, liability	-52,540	[1]	-27,977	[1]
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	0		0
Net amounts presented in the balance sheet, liability	-52,540		-27,977
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, financial instruments, liability	385		766
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, cash collateral received	45,734		14,858
Net amount, liability	($6,421)		($12,353)
[1]	Amounts include all derivative instruments, irrespective of whether there is a legally enforceable master netting arrangement in place.

Net_Income_Per_Share_Details

Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator [Abstract]
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	$245,917		$309,843
Dividends on preferred shares	14,184		14,184
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders	$231,733		$295,659
Denominator [Abstract]
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	47,525,344		51,652,177
Share options and other (1)	1,184,884		1,075,396
Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding	48,710,228		52,727,573
Basic net income	$4.88		$5.72
Diluted net income	$4.76	[1]	$5.61	[1]
Anti-dilutive common shares excluded from weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding - diluted (1)	119,202		69,144
[1]	Where the exercise price of share based awards is greater than the average market price of the common shares, the common shares are considered anti-dilutive and are excluded from the calculation of weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding - diluted.

Noncontrolling_interests_Detai

Noncontrolling interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total assets	$22,488,595		$22,270,357
Total liabilities	15,233,767		15,165,946
Movement In Minority Interest [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	55,501
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,182	3,044
Balance at end of period	57,683
Lorenz Re [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total assets	99,800		100,800
Total liabilities	8,500		13,100
Movement In Minority Interest [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	55,501	56,627
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,182	3,044
Balance at end of period	$57,683	$59,671

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details - Other Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2016
Other commitments [Line Items]
Other expenses	$124,750,000	$111,462,000
Termination Fee	250,000,000
Forecast [Member]
Other commitments [Line Items]
No Approval Fee			55,000,000
Termination Fee			280,000,000
Reimbursable Costs and Expenses			35,000,000
Forecast [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Other commitments [Line Items]
Other expenses			30,000,000
Forecast [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Other commitments [Line Items]
Other expenses			$35,000,000

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Gross premiums written	$1,748,933,000		$1,871,740,000
Net premiums written	1,653,215,000		1,738,494,000
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums	-418,493,000		-484,712,000
Net premiums earned	1,234,722,000		1,253,782,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-721,000,000		-749,000,000
Acquisition costs	-275,791,000		-264,608,000
Technical result	238,000,000		240,000,000
Other income (loss)	4,292,000		404,000
Other expenses	-124,750,000		-111,462,000
Underwriting result	117,000,000		129,000,000
Net investment income	104,631,000		116,867,000
Net realized and unrealized investment gains	115,645,000		142,172,000
Interest expense	-12,245,000		-12,238,000
Amortization of intangible assets	-6,768,000		-7,002,000
Net foreign exchange gains	13,147,000		670,000
Income tax expense	-79,665,000		-62,305,000
Interest in (losses) earnings of equity method investments	-3,838,000		6,064,000
Net income	248,099,000		312,887,000
Non Life [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Gross premiums written	1,425,000,000		1,583,000,000
Net premiums written	1,340,000,000		1,456,000,000
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums	-404,000,000		-464,000,000
Net premiums earned	936,000,000		992,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-481,000,000		-534,000,000
Acquisition costs	-242,000,000		-233,000,000
Technical result	213,000,000		225,000,000
Other income (loss)	0		1,000,000
Other expenses	-52,000,000		-65,000,000
Underwriting result	161,000,000		161,000,000
Reinsurance Ratios [Abstract]
Technical ratio	77.30%	[1]	77.40%	[1]
Loss Ratio	51.40%	[2]	53.80%	[2]
Acquisition ratio	25.90%	[3]	23.60%	[3]
Other expense Ratio	5.50%	[4]	6.50%	[4]
Combined Ratio	82.80%	[5]	83.90%	[5]
Non Life [Member] | North America Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Gross premiums written	473,000,000		530,000,000
Net premiums written	471,000,000		527,000,000
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums	-132,000,000		-148,000,000
Net premiums earned	339,000,000		379,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-172,000,000		-260,000,000
Acquisition costs	-93,000,000		-92,000,000
Technical result	74,000,000		27,000,000
Reinsurance Ratios [Abstract]
Technical ratio	78.20%	[1]	92.90%	[1]
Loss Ratio	50.70%	[2]	68.60%	[2]
Acquisition ratio	27.50%	[3]	24.30%	[3]
Non Life [Member] | Global (Non-US) P&C [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Gross premiums written	334,000,000		364,000,000
Net premiums written	331,000,000		361,000,000
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums	-157,000,000		-182,000,000
Net premiums earned	174,000,000		179,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-119,000,000		-94,000,000
Acquisition costs	-52,000,000		-54,000,000
Technical result	3,000,000		31,000,000
Reinsurance Ratios [Abstract]
Technical ratio	98.50%	[1]	82.50%	[1]
Loss Ratio	68.40%	[2]	52.40%	[2]
Acquisition ratio	30.10%	[3]	30.10%	[3]
Non Life [Member] | Global Specialty [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Gross premiums written	427,000,000		479,000,000
Net premiums written	362,000,000		389,000,000
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums	3,000,000		-34,000,000
Net premiums earned	365,000,000		355,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-170,000,000		-201,000,000
Acquisition costs	-93,000,000		-79,000,000
Technical result	102,000,000		75,000,000
Reinsurance Ratios [Abstract]
Technical ratio	72.10%	[1]	79.00%	[1]
Loss Ratio	46.70%	[2]	56.60%	[2]
Acquisition ratio	25.40%	[3]	22.40%	[3]
Non Life [Member] | Catastrophe Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Gross premiums written	191,000,000		210,000,000
Net premiums written	176,000,000		179,000,000
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums	-118,000,000		-100,000,000
Net premiums earned	58,000,000		79,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-20,000,000		21,000,000
Acquisition costs	-4,000,000		-8,000,000
Technical result	34,000,000		92,000,000
Reinsurance Ratios [Abstract]
Technical ratio	40.70%	[1]	-16.40%	[1]
Loss Ratio	33.70%	[2]	-26.50%	[2]
Acquisition ratio	7.00%	[3]	10.10%	[3]
Life and Health [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Gross premiums written	324,000,000		289,000,000
Net premiums written	313,000,000		282,000,000
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums	-14,000,000		-20,000,000
Net premiums earned	299,000,000		262,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-240,000,000		-215,000,000
Acquisition costs	-34,000,000		-32,000,000
Technical result	25,000,000		15,000,000
Other income (loss)	1,000,000		1,000,000
Other expenses	-15,000,000		-17,000,000
Underwriting result	11,000,000		-1,000,000
Net investment income	14,000,000		15,000,000
Allocated underwriting result	25,000,000	[6]	14,000,000	[6]
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting [Line Items]
Gross premiums written	0		0
Net premiums written	0		0
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums	0		0
Net premiums earned	0		0
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	0		0
Acquisition costs	0		0
Technical result	0		0
Other income (loss)	3,000,000		-2,000,000
Other expenses	-58,000,000		-29,000,000
Net investment income	91,000,000		102,000,000
Net realized and unrealized investment gains	116,000,000		142,000,000
Interest expense	-12,000,000		-12,000,000
Amortization of intangible assets	-7,000,000		-7,000,000
Net foreign exchange gains	13,000,000		0
Income tax expense	-80,000,000		-62,000,000
Interest in (losses) earnings of equity method investments	($4,000,000)		$6,000,000
[1]	Technical ratio is defined as the sum of the loss ratio and the acquisition ratio.
[2]	Loss ratio is obtained by dividing losses and loss expenses by net premiums earned.
[3]	Acquisition ratio is obtained by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned.
[4]	Other expense ratio is obtained by dividing other expenses by net premiums earned.
[5]	Combined ratio is defined as the sum of the technical ratio and the other expense ratio.
[6]	Allocated underwriting result is defined as net premiums earned, other income or loss and allocated net investment income less life policy benefits, acquisition costs and other expenses.

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_e

Subsequent Events Subsequent events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	3-May-15	Apr. 17, 2015	Apr. 14, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Termination Fee	$250
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business acquisition percentage of voting interests proposed to be acquired				100.00%
Business Acquisition, Share Price				$130
Special Dividend Per Share		$11.50
Termination Fee		280
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability			$29