Partnerre (PREJF) 10-Q 1 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document type	'10-Q	'
Document period end date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity registrant name	'PARTNERRE LTD.	'
Entity central index key	'0000911421	'
Entity current reporting status	'Yes	'
Entity voluntary filers	'No	'
Current fiscal year end date	'--12-31	'
Entity filer category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity well known seasoned issuer	'Yes	'
Entity common stock shares outstanding	'	53,191,934

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2013, $13,395,474; 2012, $13,653,615)	$13,680,838	$14,395,315
Short-term investments, trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2013, $36,791; 2012, $150,634)	36,781	150,552
Equities, trading securities, at fair value (cost: 2013, $1,036,972; 2012, $1,000,326)	1,122,084	1,094,002
Other invested assets	268,097	333,361
Total investments	15,107,800	15,973,230
Funds held - directly managed (cost: 2013, $800,634; 2012, $895,261)	813,497	930,741
Cash and cash equivalents, at fair value, which approximates amortized cost	1,551,062	1,121,705
Accrued investment income	175,164	184,315
Reinsurance balances receivable	2,564,015	1,991,991
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses	339,169	348,086
Funds held by reinsured companies	831,704	805,489
Deferred acquisition costs	680,972	568,391
Deposit assets	347,419	257,208
Net tax assets	13,688	25,098
Goodwill	456,380	456,380
Intangible assets	193,134	214,270
Other assets	64,203	103,528
Total assets	23,138,207	22,980,432
Liabilities	'	'
Unpaid losses and loss expenses	10,564,542	10,709,371
Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts	1,908,575	1,813,244
Unearned premiums	1,997,853	1,534,625
Other reinsurance balances payable	232,711	238,578
Deposit liabilities	330,233	252,217
Net tax liabilities	293,797	387,647
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	365,331	290,265
Debt related to senior notes	750,000	750,000
Debt related to capital efficient notes	70,989	70,989
Total liabilities	16,514,031	16,046,936
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Common shares (par value $1.00; issued: 2013, 86,425,676 shares; 2012, 85,459,905 shares)	86,426	85,460
Preferred shares (par value $1.00; issued and outstanding: 2013, 34,150,000 shares; 2012, 35,750,000 shares; aggregate liquidation value: 2013, $853,750; 2012, $893,750)	34,150	35,750
Additional paid-in capital	3,880,412	3,861,844
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-6,027	10,597
Retained earnings	5,183,219	4,952,002
Common shares held in treasury, at cost (2013, 33,197,911 shares; 2012, 26,550,530 shares)	-2,606,493	-2,012,157
Total shareholders' equity attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	6,571,687	6,933,496
Noncontrolling interests	52,489	0
Total shareholders' equity	6,624,176	6,933,496
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$23,138,207	$22,980,432

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities, amortized cost	$13,395,474	$13,653,615
Short-term investments, trading securities, amortized cost	36,791	150,634
Equities, trading securities, cost	1,036,972	1,000,326
Funds held - directly managed, cost	800,634	895,261
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Common shares, par value	$1	$1
Common shares, shares issued	86,425,676	85,459,905
Common shares held in treasury, shares	33,197,911	26,550,530
Preferred shares, par value	$1	$1
Preferred shares, shares issued	34,150,000	35,750,000
Preferred shares, shares outstanding	34,150,000	35,750,000
Aggregate liquidation value	$853,750	$893,750

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Gross premiums written	$1,281,477	$1,056,076	$4,378,944	$3,786,802
Net premiums written	1,264,775	1,043,240	4,210,525	3,652,571
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums	156,694	193,851	-433,740	-334,772
Net premiums earned	1,421,469	1,237,091	3,776,785	3,317,799
Net investment income	121,811	135,266	370,017	435,669
Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)	16,118	257,429	-260,154	488,296
Other income	5,399	2,744	13,205	8,143
Total revenues	1,564,797	1,632,530	3,899,853	4,249,907
Expenses	'	'	'	'
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	750,999	721,137	2,278,793	2,003,759
Acquisition costs	282,948	247,058	758,890	691,388
Other operating expenses	108,467	94,697	369,340	299,055
Interest expense	12,233	12,224	36,694	36,668
Amortization of intangible assets	7,045	8,893	21,136	26,679
Net foreign exchange losses (gains)	1,279	2,015	9,822	-3,165
Total expenses	1,162,971	1,086,024	3,474,675	3,054,384
Income before taxes and interest in earnings of equity investments	401,826	546,506	425,178	1,195,523
Income tax expense	70,232	64,149	37,338	181,458
Interest in earnings of equity investments	5,941	4,349	9,677	8,929
Net income	337,535	486,706	397,517	1,022,994
Net income attributable to noncontrollong interests	-4,112	0	-5,296	0
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	333,423	486,706	392,221	1,022,994
Preferred dividends	14,184	15,405	43,678	46,216
Loss on redemption of preferred shares	0	0	9,135	0
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders	319,239	471,301	339,408	976,778
Comprehensive income	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	333,423	486,706	392,221	1,022,994
Change in currency translation adjustment	14,432	32,992	-16,912	31,042
Change in unfunded pension obligation, net of tax	114	-590	980	-165
Change in unrealized losses on investments	-229	-237	-692	-718
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	14,317	32,165	-16,624	30,159
Comprehensive income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	$347,740	$518,871	$375,597	$1,053,153
Per share data attributable to PartnerRe common shareholders	'	'	'	'
Basic net income	$5.95	$7.62	$6.04	$15.34
Diluted net income	$5.84	$7.53	$5.93	$15.19
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	53,671,245	61,837,328	56,176,260	63,679,114
Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding	54,625,151	62,606,761	57,217,561	64,284,125
Dividends declared per common share	$0.64	$0.62	$1.92	$1.86

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	[CommonStockMember]	[PreferredStockMember]	[AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember]	[AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember]	[AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember]	[AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember]	[AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember]	[RetainedEarningsMember]	[TreasuryStockMember]	[NoncontrollingInterestMember]
In Thousands						[CurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember]	[UnfundedPensionObligationMember]	[UnrealizedGainsLossesOnInvestmentsMember]
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011	'	$84,767	$35,750	$3,803,796	($12,644)	$4,267	($23,076)	$6,165	$4,035,103	($1,479,230)	'
Net income	1,022,994	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,022,994	'	'
Net income attributable to noncontrollong interests	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Dividends on common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-118,152	'	'
Dividends on preferred shares	-46,216	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-46,216	'	'
Loss on redemption of preferred shares	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Issuance of common shares	'	437	'	36,845	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of preferred shares	'	'	0	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redemption of preferred shares	'	'	0	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in currency translation adjustment	31,042	'	'	'	'	31,042	'	'	'	'	'
Change in unfunded pension obligation, net of tax	-165	'	'	'	'	'	-165	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized losses on investments	-718	'	'	'	'	'	'	-718	'	'	'
Repurchase of common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-314,607	'
Noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Total shareholders' equity	7,079,002	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2012	7,079,002	85,204	35,750	3,840,641	17,515	35,309	-23,241	5,447	4,893,729	-1,793,837	'
Balance at beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2012	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	486,706	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to noncontrollong interests	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends on preferred shares	-15,405	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loss on redemption of preferred shares	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in currency translation adjustment	32,992	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in unfunded pension obligation, net of tax	-590	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized losses on investments	-237	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Total shareholders' equity	7,079,002	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2012	7,079,002	'	'	'	17,515	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2012	6,933,496	85,460	35,750	3,861,844	10,597	32,755	-27,370	5,212	4,952,002	-2,012,157	'
Net income	397,517	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	397,517	'	'
Net income attributable to noncontrollong interests	5,296	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-5,296	'	'
Dividends on common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-108,191	'	'
Dividends on preferred shares	-43,678	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-43,678	'	'
Loss on redemption of preferred shares	-9,135	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-9,135	'	'
Issuance of common shares	'	966	'	56,568	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of preferred shares	'	'	10,000	231,265	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redemption of preferred shares	'	'	-11,600	-269,265	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in currency translation adjustment	-16,912	'	'	'	'	-16,912	'	'	'	'	'
Change in unfunded pension obligation, net of tax	980	'	'	'	'	'	980	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized losses on investments	-692	'	'	'	'	'	'	-692	'	'	'
Repurchase of common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-594,336	'
Noncontrolling interests	52,489	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	52,489
Total shareholders' equity	6,624,176	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2013	6,571,687	86,426	34,150	3,880,412	-6,027	15,843	-26,390	4,520	5,183,219	-2,606,493	'
Balance at beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2013	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	337,535	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to noncontrollong interests	4,112	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends on preferred shares	-14,184	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loss on redemption of preferred shares	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in currency translation adjustment	14,432	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in unfunded pension obligation, net of tax	114	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized losses on investments	-229	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	52,489	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	52,489
Total shareholders' equity	6,624,176	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance at end of period at Sep. 30, 2013	$6,571,687	'	'	'	($6,027)	'	'	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Parentheticals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Shareholders Equity Parentheticals	'	'
Change in unfunded pension obligation, tax impact	$7,752	$6,605
Change in unrealized losses on investments, tax impact	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net income	$397,517	$1,022,994
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Amortization of net premium on investments	119,468	99,722
Amortization of intangible assets	21,136	26,679
Net realized and unrealized investment losses (gains)	260,154	-488,296
Changes in:	'	'
Reinsurance balances, net	-592,380	-202,270
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, net of ceded premiums payable	65,593	59,536
Funds held by reinsured companies and funds held - directly managed	76,159	110,096
Deferred acquisition costs	-111,562	-51,722
Net tax assets and liabilities	-83,379	89,900
Unpaid losses and loss expenses including life policy benefits	-65,725	-557,411
Unearned premiums	433,740	334,772
Other net changes in operating assets and liabilities	63,014	25,355
Net cash provided by operating activities	583,735	469,355
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Redemptions of fixed maturities	1,002,991	705,423
Payments/ proceeds from trading securities [Line Items]	'	'
Sales and redemptions of short-term investments	290,011	61,903
Purchases of short-term investments	-176,339	-176,068
Other, net	98,813	33,891
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	584,512	-11,210
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Dividends paid to shareholders	-151,869	-164,368
Repurchase of common shares	-619,534	-312,291
Issuance of common shares	37,193	19,117
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	241,265	0
Repurchase of preferred shares	-290,000	0
Sale of shares to noncontrolling interests	47,136	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-735,809	-457,542
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	-3,081	-6,498
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	429,357	-5,895
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	1,121,705	1,342,257
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	1,551,062	1,336,362
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'
Taxes paid	148,522	105,059
Interest paid	24,630	24,630
[FixedMaturitiesMember]	'	'
Payments/ proceeds from trading securities [Line Items]	'	'
Sales of fixed maturities and equities	5,831,364	5,016,192
Purchases of fixed maturities and equities	-6,501,873	-5,649,511
[EquitySecuritiesMember]	'	'
Payments/ proceeds from trading securities [Line Items]	'	'
Sales of fixed maturities and equities	595,848	574,612
Purchases of fixed maturities and equities	($556,303)	($577,652)

Organization

Organization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Organization [Abstract]	'
Organization	'
	1. Organization
	PartnerRe Ltd. (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 and Partner Reinsurance Company of the U.S. 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.
	Effective December 31, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Presidio Reinsurance Group, Inc. (Presidio), a California-based U.S. specialty accident and health reinsurance and insurance writer. The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Cash Flows include the results of Presidio from January 1, 2013.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
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. To facilitate comparison of information across periods, certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year's presentation.
	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, 2012.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	3. 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; catastrophe bonds; mortality bonds; asset-backed securities; mortgage-backed securities; certain equities traded on foreign exchanges; certain fixed income mutual funds; foreign exchange forward contracts; 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; privately issued corporate securities; 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 classified as trading securities, certain other invested assets and the segregated investment portfolio underlying the funds held – directly managed account. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 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):
				Quoted prices in								Significant
				active markets for				Significant other				unobservable
				identical assets				observable inputs				inputs
	30-Sep-13			(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)				Total
	Fixed maturities
		U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	0			$	1,495,749			$	0			$	1,495,749
		U.S. states, territories and municipalities			0				16,659				289,135				305,794
		Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational
			and government related		0				2,343,751				0				2,343,751
		Corporate			0				5,942,359				99,627				6,041,986
		Asset-backed securities			0				704,174				453,753				1,157,927
		Residential mortgage-backed securities			0				2,293,874				0				2,293,874
		Other mortgage-backed securities			0				41,757				0				41,757
	Fixed maturities			$	0			$	12,838,323			$	842,515			$	13,680,838
	Short-term investments			$	0			$	36,781			$	0			$	36,781
	Equities
		Real estate investment trusts		$	168,985			$	0			$	0			$	168,985
		Energy			156,254				0				0				156,254
		Finance			105,025				10,057				14,285				129,367
		Consumer noncyclical			119,194				0				0				119,194
		Communications			64,026				0				2,143				66,169
		Technology			51,535				0				9,150				60,685
		Industrials			45,181				0				0				45,181
		Consumer cyclical			44,566				0				0				44,566
		Utilities			38,481				0				0				38,481
		Insurance			36,481				0				0				36,481
		Other			20,559				0				0				20,559
		Mutual funds and exchange traded funds			48,126				180,362				7,674				236,162
	Equities			$	898,413			$	190,419			$	33,252			$	1,122,084
	Other invested assets
		Derivative assets
			Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	0			$	4,188			$	0			$	4,188
			Credit default swaps (assumed risks)		0				49				0				49
			Insurance-linked securities		0				0				175				175
			Interest rate swaps		0				150				0				150
			TBAs		0				7,256				0				7,256
		Other
			Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		0				0				47,781				47,781
			Annuities and residuals		0				0				26,939				26,939
			Private equities		0				0				21,878				21,878
		Derivative liabilities
			Foreign exchange forward contracts		0				-5,470				0				-5,470
			Foreign currency option contracts		0				-821				0				-821
			Futures contracts		-61,909				0				0				-61,909
			Credit default swaps (protection purchased)		0				-231				0				-231
			Insurance-linked securities		0				0				-390				-390
			Total return swaps		0				0				-732				-732
			Interest rate swaps		0				-4,614				0				-4,614
	Other invested assets			$	-61,909			$	507			$	95,651			$	34,249
	Funds held – directly managed
		U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	0			$	167,808			$	0			$	167,808
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities			0				0				298				298
	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational
		and government related		0				192,823				0				192,823
	Corporate			0				258,946				0				258,946
	Short-term investments			0				2,389				0				2,389
	Other invested assets			0				0				15,566				15,566
Funds held – directly managed			$	0			$	621,966			$	15,864			$	637,830
Total			$	836,504			$	13,687,996			$	987,282			$	15,511,782
			Quoted prices in								Significant
			active markets for				Significant other				unobservable
			identical assets				observable inputs				inputs
31-Dec-12			(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)				Total
Fixed maturities
	U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	0			$	1,130,924			$	0			$	1,130,924
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities			0				10,151				233,235				243,386
	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational
		and government related		0				2,375,673				0				2,375,673
	Corporate			0				6,554,934				100,904				6,655,838
	Asset-backed securities			0				400,336				323,134				723,470
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			0				3,199,924				0				3,199,924
	Other mortgage-backed securities			0				66,100				0				66,100
Fixed maturities			$	0			$	13,738,042			$	657,273			$	14,395,315
Short-term investments			$	0			$	150,552			$	0			$	150,552
Equities
	Consumer noncyclical		$	130,526			$	0			$	0			$	130,526
	Energy			118,213				0				0				118,213
	Finance			79,456				7,472				13,477				100,405
	Technology			71,927				0				6,987				78,914
	Real estate investment trusts			66,846				0				0				66,846
	Communications			65,722				0				0				65,722
	Consumer cyclical			62,526				0				0				62,526
	Industrials			59,242				0				0				59,242
	Insurance			39,132				0				0				39,132
	Other			60,913				0				0				60,913
	Mutual funds and exchange traded funds			34,053				270,246				7,264				311,563
Equities			$	788,556			$	277,718			$	27,728			$	1,094,002
Other invested assets
	Derivative assets
		Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	0			$	7,889			$	0			$	7,889
		Foreign currency option contracts		0				1,410				0				1,410
		Futures contracts		1,956				0				0				1,956
		Credit default swaps (protection purchased)		0				6				0				6
		Credit default swaps (assumed risks)		0				512				0				512
		Total return swaps		0				0				6,630				6,630
		TBAs		0				115				0				115
	Other
		Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		0				0				34,902				34,902
		Annuities and residuals		0				0				46,882				46,882
		Private equities		0				0				1,404				1,404
	Derivative liabilities
		Foreign exchange forward contracts		0				-17,395				0				-17,395
		Foreign currency option contracts		0				-186				0				-186
		Futures contracts		-1,352				0				0				-1,352
		Credit default swaps (protection purchased)		0				-807				0				-807
		Insurance-linked securities		0				0				-2,173				-2,173
		Total return swaps		0				0				-546				-546
		Interest rate swaps		0				-7,880				0				-7,880
		TBAs		0				-163				0				-163
Other invested assets			$	604			$	-16,499			$	87,099			$	71,204
Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	0			$	218,696			$	0			$	218,696
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities			0				0				345				345
	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational
		and government related		0				233,987				0				233,987
	Corporate			0				362,243				0				362,243
	Other invested assets			0				0				17,976				17,976
Funds held – directly managed			$	0			$	814,926			$	18,321			$	833,247
Total			$	789,160			$	14,964,739			$	790,421			$	16,544,320
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the aggregate carrying amounts of items included in Other invested assets that the Company did not measure at fair value were $233.9 million and $262.2 million, respectively, which related to the Company's investments that are accounted for using the cost method of accounting, equity method of accounting or investment company accounting.
In addition to the investments underlying the funds held – directly managed account held at fair value of $637.8 million and $833.2 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, the funds held – directly managed account also included cash and cash equivalents, carried at fair value, of $33.9 million and $53.7 million, respectively, and accrued investment income of $8.9 million and $10.2 million, respectively. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the aggregate carrying amounts of items included in the funds held – directly managed account that the Company did not measure at fair value were $132.9 million and $33.6 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, 2012).
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, substantially all of the accrued investment income in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets related 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the three months ended September 30, 2012, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, certain equities traded on foreign exchanges with a fair value of $1.1 million were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 given they were trading in an active market at September 30, 2012.
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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the fair values of financial instrument assets recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets not described above, approximate their carrying values.
The following tables are reconciliations of the beginning and ending balances for all financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
																					Change in
								Realized and														unrealized
								unrealized														investment
								investment										Net				gains (losses)
				Balance at				gains (losses)				Purchases				Settlements		transfers		Balance		relating to
For the three months ended			beginning				included in				and				and		into/ (out of)		at end		assets held at
30-Sep-13			of period				net income				issuances				sales (1)		Level 3		of period		end of period
Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	219,163			$	8,431			$	61,706			$	-165	$	0	$	289,135	$	8,431
	Corporate			99,896				-269				0				0		0		99,627		-269
	Asset-backed securities			426,288				4,800				86,442				-63,777		0		453,753		-3,043
Fixed maturities			$	745,347			$	12,962			$	148,148			$	-63,942	$	0	$	842,515	$	5,119
Equities
	Finance		$	13,000			$	1,285			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	14,285	$	1,285
	Communications			2,040				103				0				0		0		2,143		103
	Technology			8,012				1,138				0				0		0		9,150		1,138
	Mutual funds and exchange
		traded funds		7,549				125				0				0		0		7,674		125
Equities			$	30,601			$	2,651			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	33,252	$	2,651
Other invested assets
	Derivatives, net		$	2,333			$	-1,885			$	0			$	-1,395	$	0	$	-947	$	-140
	Notes and loan receivables and
		notes securitization		44,224				3,250				1,248				-941		0		47,781		3,250
	Annuities and residuals			30,555				413				0				-4,029		0		26,939		166
	Private equities			21,100				-299				1,077				0		0		21,878		-299
Other invested assets			$	98,212			$	1,479			$	2,325			$	-6,365	$	0	$	95,651	$	2,977
Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	337			$	-39			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	298	$	-39
	Other invested assets			15,207				1,045				0				-686		0		15,566		1,045
Funds held – directly managed			$	15,544			$	1,006			$	0			$	-686	$	0	$	15,864	$	1,006
Total			$	889,704			$	18,098			$	150,473			$	-70,993	$	0	$	987,282	$	11,753
Settlements and sales of asset-backed securities and derivatives include sales of $13.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
							Realized and														Change in
								unrealized														unrealized
								investment										Net				investment gains
				Balance at				gains (losses)				Purchases				Settlements		transfers		Balance		(losses) relating
For the three months ended			beginning				included in				and				and		(out of)/ into		at end of		to assets held
30-Sep-12			of period				net income				issuances				sales		Level 3		period		at end of period
Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	117,235			$	1,618			$	90,050			$	-83	$	0	$	208,820	$	1,618
	Corporate			111,070				681				56				-3,250		0		108,557		582
	Asset-backed securities			290,371				699				59,724				-21,605		0		329,189		739
Fixed maturities			$	518,676			$	2,998			$	149,830			$	-24,938	$	0	$	646,566	$	2,939
Equities
	Finance		$	19,422			$	750			$	0			$	0	$	-6,800	$	13,372	$	750
	Technology			7,192				-99				0				0		0		7,093		-99
	Mutual funds and exchange
		traded funds		6,760				311				0				0		0		7,071		311
Equities			$	33,374			$	962			$	0			$	0	$	-6,800	$	27,536	$	962
Other invested assets
	Derivatives, net		$	1,207			$	3,152			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	4,359	$	4,168
	Notes and loan receivables and
		notes securitization		44,304				3,473				1,209				-19,958		0		29,028		1,654
	Annuities and residuals			27,225				6,314				23,642				-14,899		0		42,282		2,641
	Private equities			1,000				-141				450				0		0		1,309		-141
Other invested assets			$	73,736			$	12,798			$	25,301			$	-34,857	$	0	$	76,978	$	8,322
Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	321			$	8			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	329	$	8
	Other invested assets			15,076				2,460				0				0		0		17,536		2,460
Funds held – directly managed			$	15,397			$	2,468			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	17,865	$	2,468
Total			$	641,183			$	19,226			$	175,131			$	-59,795	$	-6,800	$	768,945	$	14,691
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, an equity traded on a foreign exchange with a fair value of $6.8 million was transferred from Level 3 into Level 2 given it was valued using observable inputs at September 30, 2012.
The following tables are reconciliations of the beginning and ending balances for all financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
																					Change in
								Realized and														unrealized
								unrealized														investment
								investment										Net				(losses) gains
				Balance at				(losses) gains				Purchases				Settlements		transfers		Balance		relating to
For the nine months ended			beginning				included in				and				and		into/ (out of)		at end		assets held at
30-Sep-13			of period				net income				issuances (1)				sales (2)		Level 3		of period		end of period
Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	233,235			$	-5,427			$	61,706			$	-379	$	0	$	289,135	$	-5,427
	Corporate			100,904				-1,277				0				0		0		99,627		-1,277
	Asset-backed securities			323,134				478				241,607				-111,466		0		453,753		-7,182
Fixed maturities			$	657,273			$	-6,226			$	303,313			$	-111,845	$	0	$	842,515	$	-13,886
Equities
	Finance		$	13,477			$	808			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	14,285	$	808
	Communications			0				103				2,040				0		0		2,143		103
	Technology			6,987				2,163				0				0		0		9,150		2,163
	Mutual funds and exchange
		traded funds		7,264				410				0				0		0		7,674		410
Equities			$	27,728			$	3,484			$	2,040			$	0	$	0	$	33,252	$	3,484
Other invested assets
	Derivatives, net		$	3,911			$	-6,084			$	121			$	1,105	$	0	$	-947	$	-349
	Notes and loan receivables and
		notes securitization		34,902				1,867				14,598				-3,586		0		47,781		1,867
	Annuities and residuals			46,882				506				0				-20,449		0		26,939		481
	Private equities			1,404				-3,811				24,285				0		0		21,878		-3,811
Other invested assets			$	87,099			$	-7,522			$	39,004			$	-22,930	$	0	$	95,651	$	-1,812
Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	345			$	-47			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	298	$	-47
	Other invested assets			17,976				-1,653				0				-757		0		15,566		-589
Funds held – directly managed			$	18,321			$	-1,700			$	0			$	-757	$	0	$	15,864	$	-636
Total			$	790,421			$	-11,964			$	344,357			$	-135,532	$	0	$	987,282	$	-12,850
(1)       Purchases and issuances of derivatives include issuances of $0.8 million.
(2)       Settlements and sales of asset-backed securities, derivatives and annuities and residuals include sales of $13.7 million, $1.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively.
																					Change in
								Realized and														unrealized
								unrealized														investment
								investment										Net				gains (losses)
				Balance at				gains (losses)				Purchases				Settlements		transfers		Balance		relating to
For the nine months ended			beginning				included in				and				and		(out of)/ into		at end		assets held at
30-Sep-12			of period				net income				issuances (1)				sales		Level 3		of period		end of period
Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	111,415			$	2,900			$	94,750			$	-245	$	0	$	208,820	$	2,900
	Corporate			111,700				111				120				-3,374		0		108,557		-2
	Asset-backed securities			257,415				8,892				142,314				-79,432		0		329,189		8,771
Fixed maturities			$	480,530			$	11,903			$	237,184			$	-83,051	$	0	$	646,566	$	11,669
Equities
	Finance		$	9,670			$	3,702			$	6,800			$	0	$	-6,800	$	13,372	$	3,702
	Technology			0				-99				7,192				0		0		7,093		-99
	Mutual funds and exchange
		traded funds		6,495				576				0				0		0		7,071		576
Equities			$	16,165			$	4,179			$	13,992			$	0	$	-6,800	$	27,536	$	4,179
Other invested assets
	Derivatives, net		$	5,622			$	4,157			$	-5,420			$	0	$	0	$	4,359	$	4,874
	Notes and loan receivables
		and notes securitization		63,565				9,944				36,834				-81,315		0		29,028		2,402
	Annuities and residuals			27,840				8,661				25,065				-19,284		0		42,282		3,543
	Private equities			0				-141				1,450				0		0		1,309		-141
Other invested assets			$	97,027			$	22,621			$	57,929			$	-100,599	$	0	$	76,978	$	10,678
Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	334			$	-5			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	329	$	-5
	Other invested assets			15,433				2,103				0				0		0		17,536		2,103
Funds held – directly managed			$	15,767			$	2,098			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	17,865	$	2,098
Total			$	609,489			$	40,801			$	309,105			$	-183,650	$	-6,800	$	768,945	$	28,624
(1)       Purchases and issuances of derivatives includes issuances of $5.7 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an equity traded on a foreign exchange with a fair value of $6.8 million was transferred from Level 3 into Level 2 given it was valued using observable inputs at September 30, 2012.
The following tables show the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuation of financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
											Range
30-Sep-13				Fair value		Valuation techniques			Unobservable inputs		(Weighted average)
Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	289,135		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		2.8% - 10.1% (3.7%)
	Asset-backed securities – interest only			25		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		6.0% - 11.2% (9.0%)
									Prepayment speed		20.0% (20.0%)
	Asset-backed securities – other			453,728		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		4.0% - 12.2% (7.2%)
Equities
	Finance			14,285		Weighted market			Net income multiple		14.6 (14.6)
							comparables		Tangible book value multiple		1.1 (1.1)
									Liquidity discount		25.0% (25.0%)
									Comparable return		10.0% (10.0%)
	Technology			9,150		Weighted market			Revenue multiple		2.0 (2.0)
							comparables		Adjusted earnings multiple		12.9 (12.9)
									Liquidity discount		25.0% (25.0%)
									Comparable return		14.2% (14.2%)
	Communications			2,143		Weighted market			Adjusted earnings multiple		10.2 (10.2)
							comparables		Comparable return		5% (5%)
Other invested assets
	Total return swaps			-732		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		20.2% (20.2%)
	Notes and loan receivables			27,674		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		17.5% (17.5%)
									Gross revenue/fair value		1.2 - 1.6 (1.5)
	Notes securitization			20,107		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		6.4% (6.4%)
	Annuities and residuals			26,939		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		4.6% - 9.0% (6.4%)
									Prepayment speed		0% - 15.0% (7.0%)
									Constant default rate		0.3% - 35.0% (13.0%)
	Private equity			15,259		Liquidation analysis			Net assets, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
									Recoverability of intangible assets		0% (0%)
	Private equity fund			6,619		Lag reported market value			Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
									Market adjustments		2.4% - 9.7% (4.6%)
Funds held – directly managed
	Other invested assets			15,566		Lag reported market value			Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
									Market adjustments		-12.9% - 0% (-11.4%)
											Range
31-Dec-12				Fair value		Valuation techniques			Unobservable inputs		(Weighted average)
Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	233,235		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		2.8% - 4.5% (3.7%)
	Asset-backed securities – interest only			12,625		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		6.8% - 11.7% (9.1%)
									Prepayment speed		20.0% (20.0%)
	Asset-backed securities – other			310,509		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		4.0% - 12.2% (7.6%)
Equities
	Finance			13,477		Weighted market
							comparables		Comparable return		0.8% (0.8%)
	Technology			6,987		Weighted market
							comparables		Comparable return		-1.5% (-1.5%)
Other invested assets
	Total return swaps			6,084		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		2.6% - 4.6% (3.2%)
	Notes and loan receivables			24,902		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		17.5% (17.5%)
									Gross revenue/fair value		1.7 - 2.1 (1.8)
	Notes securitization			10,000		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		6.5% (6.5%)
	Annuities and residuals			46,882		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		4.7% - 9.9% (7.2%)
									Prepayment speed		0% - 15.0% (7.6%)
									Constant default rate		2.3% - 35.0% (13.2%)
	Private equity fund			1,404		Lag reported market value			Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
									Market adjustments		7.3% (7.3%)
Funds held – directly managed
	Other invested assets			17,976		Lag reported market value			Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
									Market adjustments		-38.1% - 0% (-12.1%)
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 mortality bonds (included within corporate fixed maturities), mutual fund investments (included within equities), and certain insurance-linked securities (included within other invested assets).
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 all 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
	For the three			For the three					For the nine				For the nine
	months ended			months ended					months ended				months ended
	30-Sep-13			30-Sep-12					30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12
Fixed maturities and short-term investments	$	10,259		$	150,046				$	-457,168			$	230,862
Equities		-891			51,260					-8,540				69,068
Other invested assets		3,021			1,574					-4,047				19,734
Funds held – directly managed		-907			9,425					-22,322				18,216
Total	$	11,482		$	212,305				$	-492,077			$	337,880
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 (losses).
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, corporate debt securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Private Export Funding Corporation. 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. 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 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 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 inputs used in the fair value measurement of these asset-backed securities classified as Level 3 are prepayment speeds and credit spreads. Significant increases (decreases) in these prepayment speeds and 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. With the exception of 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 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 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, mutual funds and exchange traded funds. Equities 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, revenue multiples and adjusted earnings multiples. 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) perform a liquidation analysis using investee company financial statements, that are generally audited on an annual basis, adjusted if necessary for the recoverability of intangible assets; (iii) develop an internal discounted cash flow model to measure fair value; or (iv) 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 and gross revenue to fair value 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 increase (decrease) 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 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. Significant increases (decreases) 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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 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 following methods and assumptions were 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:
•       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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012; 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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
The carrying values and fair values of the Senior Notes and CENts at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
	30-Sep-13							31-Dec-12
	Carrying Value			Fair Value				Carrying Value				Fair Value
Debt related to senior notes (1)	$	750,000		$	852,507			$	750,000			$	859,367
Debt related to capital efficient notes (2)		63,384			61,853				63,384				66,990
(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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
(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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
At September 30, 2013, 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Derivatives [Abstract]	'
Derivatives	'
	4. Derivatives
	The Company's derivative instruments are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with changes in fair value mainly 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 commodity and equity futures to hedge certain investments. The Company also uses commodities futures to replicate the investment return on certain benchmarked commodities.
	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. While the Company would be required to perform under exposure assumed through credit default swaps in the event of a default on the underlying issuer, no issuer was in default at September 30, 2013. The counterparties on the Company's assumed credit default swaps are all investment grade rated financial institutions.
	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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
			Asset			Liability			Net derivatives
			derivatives			derivatives			Net notional
	30-Sep-13		at fair value			at fair value			exposure		Fair value
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	4,188		$	-5,470		$	2,069,416	$	-1,282
	Foreign currency option contracts			0			-821			93,438		-821
	Futures contracts			0			-61,909			4,527,222		-61,909
	Credit default swaps (protection purchased)			0			-231			34,000		-231
	Credit default swaps (assumed risks)			49			0			5,000		49
	Insurance-linked securities (1)			175			-390			140,744		-215
	Total return swaps			0			-732			7,657		-732
	Interest rate swaps (2)			150			-4,614			60,080		-4,464
	TBAs			7,256			0			192,040		7,256
	Total derivatives		$	11,818		$	-74,167				$	-62,349
			Asset			Liability			Net derivatives
			derivatives			derivatives			Net notional
	31-Dec-12		at fair value			at fair value			exposure		Fair value
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	7,889		$	-17,395		$	2,170,914	$	-9,506
	Foreign currency option contracts			1,410			-186			133,377		1,224
	Futures contracts			1,956			-1,352			3,981,107		604
	Credit default swaps (protection purchased)			6			-807			55,000		-801
	Credit default swaps (assumed risks)			512			0			17,500		512
	Insurance-linked securities (1)			0			-2,173			135,964		-2,173
	Total return swaps			6,630			-546			68,730		6,084
	Interest rate swaps (2)			0			-7,880			0		-7,880
	TBAs			115			-163			155,760		-48
	Total derivatives		$	18,518		$	-30,502				$	-11,984
	_______________
	(1)       At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 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. Accordingly, the notional value of interest rate swaps on certain total return swaps is not presented separately in the table.
	The fair value of all derivatives at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is recorded in Other invested assets in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, none of the Company's derivatives were designated as hedges.
	The gains and losses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for derivatives not designated as hedges for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
				For the three				For the three			For the nine			For the nine
				months ended				months ended			months ended			months ended
				30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12			30-Sep-13			30-Sep-12
	Foreign exchange forward contracts			$	17			$	21,976		$	-36,457		$	41,686
	Foreign currency option contracts				-799				1,061			-4,639			2,559
	Total included in net foreign exchange gains and losses			$	-782			$	23,037		$	-41,096		$	44,245
	Futures contracts			$	-30,233			$	-14,979		$	55,143		$	-34,758
	Credit default swaps (protection purchased)				-6				-250			-126			-861
	Credit default swaps (assumed risks)				7				398			122			1,709
	Insurance-linked securities				-110				3,934			-660			5,160
	Total return swaps				-1,762				-773			-5,421			-1,242
	Interest rate swaps				240				-200			3,416			-402
	TBAs				3,858				2,568			-5,839			7,446
	Total included in net realized and unrealized
		investment gains and losses		$	-28,006			$	-9,302		$	46,635		$	-22,948
	Total derivatives			$	-28,788			$	13,735		$	5,539		$	21,297
Offsetting of Derivatives
The gross and net fair values of derivatives that are subject to offsetting in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
					Gross			Net amounts of		Gross amounts not offset
		Gross			amounts			assets/ liabilities		in the balance sheet
		amounts			offset in the			presented in the		Financial		Cash collateral
30-Sep-13		recognized (1)			balance sheet			balance sheet		instruments		received/pledged			Net amount
Total derivative assets		$	11,818		$	0		$	11,818	$	1,739	$	0		$	13,557
Total derivative liabilities		$	-74,167		$	0		$	-74,167	$	-1,739	$	4,260		$	-71,646
31-Dec-12
Total derivative assets		$	18,518		$	0		$	18,518	$	-12,051	$	0		$	6,467
Total derivative liabilities		$	-30,502		$	0		$	-30,502	$	12,051	$	0		$	-18,451
_______________
(1)       Amounts include all derivative instruments, irrespective of whether there is a legally enforceable master netting arrangement in place.
Generally, credit default swaps, total return swaps and interest rate swaps are subject to a master netting or similar agreements as they are entered into using International Swaps and Derivatives Association agreements which provide for the ability to settle the derivative asset and liability with each counterparty on a net basis. Futures contracts and foreign exchange forward contracts are traded on a regulated exchange which permits netting.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Shareholders Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	5. Shareholders' Equity
	Series F Non-Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
	On February 14, 2013, the Company issued Series F non-cumulative redeemable preferred shares (Series F preferred shares) as follows (in millions of U.S. dollars or shares, except percentage amounts):
		Series F
	Date of issuance		Feb-13
	Number of preferred shares issued		10
	Annual dividend rate		5.875	%
	Total consideration	$	242.3
	Underwriting discounts and commissions	$	7.7
	Aggregate liquidation value	$	250
	The net proceeds received were used, together with available cash, to redeem the Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares (Series C preferred shares). On or after March 1, 2018, the Company may redeem the Series F preferred shares in whole at any time, or in part from time to time, at $25.00 per share, plus an amount equal to the portion of the quarterly dividend attributable to the then-current dividend period to, but excluding, the redemption date. The Company may also redeem the Series F preferred shares at any time upon the occurrence of a certain “capital disqualification event” or certain changes in tax law. Dividends on the Series F preferred shares are non-cumulative and are payable quarterly.
	In the event of liquidation of the Company, the Series F preferred shares rank on parity with each of the other series of preferred shares and would rank senior to the common shares, and holders thereof would receive a distribution of $25.00 per share, or the aggregate liquidation value, plus declared but unpaid dividends, if any.
	Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares
	On March 18, 2013, the Company redeemed the Series C preferred shares for the aggregate liquidation value of $290 million plus accrued dividends. In connection with the redemption, the Company recognized a loss of $9.1 million related to the original issuance costs of the Series C preferred shares and calculated as a difference between the redemption price and the consideration received after underwriting discounts and commissions. The loss was recognized in determining the net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders.

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Net Income Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income Per Share	'
	6. Net Income per Share
	The reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts):
				For the three		For the three		For the nine		For the nine
				months ended		months ended		months ended		months ended
				30-Sep-13		30-Sep-12		30-Sep-13		30-Sep-12
	Numerator:
		Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.		$	333,423	$	486,706	$	392,221	$	1,022,994
		Less: preferred dividends			-14,184		-15,405		-43,678		-46,216
		Less: loss on redemption of preferred shares			0		0		-9,135		0
		Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders		$	319,239	$	471,301	$	339,408	$	976,778
	Denominator:
		Weighted number of common shares outstanding - basic			53,671,245		61,837,328		56,176,260		63,679,114
		Share options and other (1)			953,906		769,433		1,041,301		605,011
		Weighted average number of common shares and common
			share equivalents outstanding - diluted		54,625,151		62,606,761		57,217,561		64,284,125
	Basic net income per share			$	5.95	$	7.62	$	6.04	$	15.34
	Diluted net income per share(1)			$	5.84	$	7.53	$	5.93	$	15.19
	_______________
	(1)       At September 30, 2013 and 2012, share based awards to purchase 140.5 thousand and 1,233.3 thousand common shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

Noncontrolling_interests

Noncontrolling interests	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [TextBlock]	'
	7. Noncontrolling Interests
	During March 2013, the Company formed 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. The original business was written by the Company and was ceded to Lorenz Re effective April 1, 2013.
	In conjunction with the formation of Lorenz Re, the Company and third party investors each contributed 50% of Lorenz Re's non-voting redeemable preferred share capital of approximately $75 million. On May 1, 2013, the Company sold $10.5 million of its original investment in Lorenz Re to third party investors. The Company did not record any gain or loss on the sale of this investment. Lorenz Re's preferred shares are expected to be redeemed following the commutation of the portfolio back to the Company on or before June 1, 2016.
	Lorenz Re is considered to be a variable interest entity. The Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary as it has the power to direct and has more than an insignificant economic interest in the activities of Lorenz Re. Lorenz Re is consolidated by the Company and all inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated. Net income and shareholders' equity attributable to Lorenz Re's third party investors are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as noncontrolling interests.
	At September 30, 2013, the total assets of Lorenz Re were $100.9 million, primarily consisting of cash and investments, and the total liabilities were $18.9 million, primarily consisting of unearned premiums and unpaid losses and loss expenses. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars):
		Total
		2013
	Balance at January 1	$	0
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		5,296
	Sale of shares to noncontrolling interests		47,193
	Balance at September 30	$	52,489

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure- Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	8. Commitments and Contingencies
	(a) Concentration of Credit Risk
	Financing receivables
	Included in the Company's Other invested assets are certain notes receivable which meet the definition of financing receivables and are accounted for using the cost method of accounting. These notes receivable are collateralized by commercial or residential property. The Company utilizes a third party consultant to determine the initial investment criteria and to monitor the subsequent performance of the notes receivable. The process undertaken prior to the investment in these notes receivable includes an examination of the underlying collateral. The Company reviews its receivable positions on at least a quarterly basis using actual redemption experience. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, based on the latest available information, the Company recorded an allowance for credit losses related to these notes receivable of $2.7 million and $3.0 million, respectively.
	The Company monitors the performance of the notes receivable based on the type of underlying collateral and by assigning a “performing” or a “non-performing” indicator of credit quality to each individual receivable. At September 30, 2013, the Company's notes receivable of $33.3 million were all performing and were collateralized by residential property and commercial property of $25.5 million and $7.8 million, respectively. At December 31, 2012, the Company's notes receivable of $46.7 million were all performing and were collateralized by residential property and commercial property of $31.3 million and $15.4 million, respectively.
	The Company purchased $1.9 million and $29.0 million of financing receivables during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company purchased $0.2 million and $37.6 million of financing receivables during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. There were no sales of financing receivables during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, however, the outstanding balances were reduced by settlements of the underlying debt.
	(b) Employment Agreements
	In April 2013, the Company announced the restructuring of its business support operations into a single integrated worldwide support platform and changes to the structure of its Global Non-life Operations. The restructuring includes involuntary and voluntary employee termination plans in certain jurisdictions (collectively, termination plans) and certain real estate related costs. Employees affected by the termination plans have varying leaving dates, largely through to mid-2014. The Company expects to incur a charge, totaling between $60 million and $70 million to be incurred primarily in 2013 with the remainder expected to be incurred in 2014.
	During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded pre-tax charges of $2.4 million and $45.7 million, respectively, related to the expected costs of the restructuring, which were primarily related to the termination plans, within other operating expenses. The continuing salary and other employment benefit costs related to the affected employees will be expensed as the employee remains with the Company and provides service.
	In connection with the restructuring, and included within the total expected costs of between $60 million and $70 million announced by the Company in April 2013, the Company expects to incur a charge of approximately $10 million related to certain real estate costs in the fourth quarter of 2013, with further real estate related charges totaling between $5 million and $10 million expected to be incurred in 2014.
	(c) Legal Proceedings
	There has been no significant change in legal proceedings at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012. See Note 17(e) to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	(d) Taxation
	As part of the 2014 Budget proposals, the French government has proposed tax legislation changes. These proposals would temporarily increase the corporation income tax rate from 36% to 38% and could limit the deductibility of interest payments to non-French affiliates. These changes may be effective retroactively to January 1, 2013. These proposals have not been enacted into the French tax code and, therefore, may be modified during the French legislative process. It is expected that the 2014 Budget proposals, including any tax proposals, will be finalized and enacted into law in December 2013. The Company is in the process of monitoring and evaluating the impact of these developments on its operations. The Company may incur a charge in the fourth quarter of 2013 relating to these tax proposals, which may be material, when these proposed tax changes are finalized and enacted into the French tax code. The Company is not currently able to determine a reasonable estimate of the amount of the charge given the uncertainty that exists related to these proposals.

Credit_Agreements

Credit Agreements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Credit Agreements [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Line Of Credit Facilities [Text Block]	'
	9. Credit Agreements
	In the normal course of its operations, the Company enters into agreements with financial institutions to obtain unsecured and secured credit facilities. These facilities are used primarily for the issuance of letters of credit, although a portion of these facilities may also be used for liquidity purposes.
	On April 18, 2013, the Company modified its existing three-year syndicated unsecured credit facility to reduce the available facility from $500 million to $50 million and reduce its access to a revolving line of credit from $375 million to $50 million. This facility expired on July 15, 2013 and was not renewed.
	See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for further information related to the credit facilities available to the Company.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	10. 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 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Non-life segment is further divided into four sub-segments: North America, Global (Non-U.S.) P&C, Global Specialty and Catastrophe. Following the acquisition of Presidio on December 31, 2012, Presidio's results are included in the Life and Health segment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Life segment is referred to as Life and Health to reflect the inclusion of Presidio's results following its acquisition and the Global (Non-U.S.) Specialty sub-segment is referred to as Global Specialty.
	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 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 operating 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 operating expenses.
	The following tables provide a summary of the segment results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in millions of U.S. dollars, except ratios):
	Segment Information
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013
						Global									Total			Life
			North			(Non-U.S.)			Global						Non-life			and Health		Corporate
			America			P&C			Specialty			Catastrophe			segment			segment		and Other		Total
	Gross premiums written		$	409		$	157		$	396		$	79		$	1,041		$	235	$	5	$	1,281
	Net premiums written		$	408		$	157		$	389		$	72		$	1,026		$	234	$	5	$	1,265
	Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums			17			38			-7			99			147			9		0		156
	Net premiums earned		$	425		$	195		$	382		$	171		$	1,173		$	243	$	5	$	1,421
	Losses and loss expenses and
	life policy benefits			-197			-90			-228			-42			-557			-195		1		-751
	Acquisition costs			-101			-50			-92			-16			-259			-24		0		-283
	Technical result		$	127		$	55		$	62		$	113		$	357		$	24	$	6	$	387
	Other income															2			3		0		5
	Other operating expenses															-62			-17		-29		-108
	Underwriting result														$	297		$	10		n/a	$	284
	Net investment income																		15		107		122
	Allocated underwriting result	(1)																$	25		n/a		n/a
	Net realized and unrealized investment gains																				16		16
	Interest expense																				-12		-12
	Amortization of intangible assets																				-7		-7
	Net foreign exchange losses																				-1		-1
	Income tax expense																				-70		-70
	Interest in earnings of equity investments																				6		6
	Net income																				n/a	$	338
	Loss ratio (2)			46.3	%		46	%		59.8	%		24.5	%		47.5	%
	Acquisition ratio (3)			23.9			25.7			24			9			22.1
	Technical ratio (4)			70.2	%		71.7	%		83.8	%		33.5	%		69.6	%
	Other operating expense ratio (5)															5.3
	Combined ratio (6)															74.9	%
	_______________
	(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 operating 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 operating expense ratio is obtained by dividing other operating expenses by net premiums earned.
	(6)       Combined ratio is defined as the sum of the technical ratio and the other operating expense ratio.
	Segment Information
	For the three months ended September 30, 2012
						Global									Total			Life
			North			(Non-U.S.)			Global						Non-life			and Health		Corporate
			America			P&C			Specialty			Catastrophe			segment			segment		and Other		Total
	Gross premiums written		$	311		$	123		$	360		$	75		$	869		$	187	$	0	$	1,056
	Net premiums written		$	311		$	122		$	354		$	69		$	856		$	187	$	0	$	1,043
	Decrease in unearned premiums			24			50			9			99			182			8		4		194
	Net premiums earned		$	335		$	172		$	363		$	168		$	1,038		$	195	$	4	$	1,237
	Losses and loss expenses and
	life policy benefits			-251			-110			-161			-39			-561			-157		-3		-721
	Acquisition costs			-83			-42			-79			-15			-219			-27		-1		-247
	Technical result		$	1		$	20		$	123		$	114		$	258		$	11	$	0	$	269
	Other income															1			1		1		3
	Other operating expenses															-58			-12		-25		-95
	Underwriting result														$	201		$	0		n/a	$	177
	Net investment income																		15		120		135
	Allocated underwriting result																	$	15		n/a		n/a
	Net realized and unrealized investment gains																				257		257
	Interest expense																				-12		-12
	Amortization of intangible assets																				-9		-9
Net foreign exchange losses																				-2		-2
Income tax expense																				-64		-64
Interest in earnings of equity investments																				5		5
Net income																				n/a	$	487
Loss ratio			74.9	%		63.9	%		44.4	%		23.3	%		54.1	%
Acquisition ratio			24.8			24.9			21.7			8.8			21.1
Technical ratio			99.7	%		88.8	%		66.1	%		32.1	%		75.2	%
Other operating expense ratio															5.5
Combined ratio															80.7	%
Segment Information
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
					Global									Total			Life
		North			(Non-U.S.)			Global						Non-life			and Health		Corporate
		America			P&C			Specialty			Catastrophe			segment			segment		and Other		Total
Gross premiums written		$	1,228		$	690		$	1,253		$	478		$	3,649		$	722	$	8	$	4,379
Net premiums written		$	1,215		$	682		$	1,159		$	433		$	3,489		$	715	$	7	$	4,211
Increase in unearned premiums			-99			-152			-68			-97			-416			-17		-1		-434
Net premiums earned		$	1,116		$	530		$	1,091		$	336		$	3,073		$	698	$	6	$	3,777
Losses and loss expenses and
life policy benefits			-682			-263			-697			-81			-1,723			-558		2		-2,279
Acquisition costs			-253			-134			-257			-33			-677			-82		0		-759
Technical result		$	181		$	133		$	137		$	222		$	673		$	58	$	8	$	739
Other income															3			9		1		13
Other operating expenses															-189			-52		-128		-369
Underwriting result														$	487		$	15		n/a	$	383
Net investment income																		45		325		370
Allocated underwriting result																	$	60		n/a		n/a
Net realized and unrealized investment losses																				-260		-260
Interest expense																				-37		-37
Amortization of intangible assets																				-21		-21
Net foreign exchange losses																				-10		-10
Income tax expense																				-37		-37
Interest in earnings of equity investments																				10		10
Net income																				n/a	$	398
Loss ratio			61.1	%		49.7	%		63.9	%		24.2	%		56.1	%
Acquisition ratio			22.7			25.2			23.6			9.7			22
Technical ratio			83.8	%		74.9	%		87.5	%		33.9	%		78.1	%
Other operating expense ratio															6.1
Combined ratio															84.2	%
Segment Information
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
					Global									Total			Life
		North			(Non-U.S.)			Global						Non-life			and Health		Corporate
		America			P&C			Specialty			Catastrophe			segment			segment		and Other		Total
Gross premiums written		$	924		$	600		$	1,178		$	475		$	3,177		$	604	$	6	$	3,787
Net premiums written		$	922		$	596		$	1,098		$	429		$	3,045		$	601	$	6	$	3,652
Increase in unearned premiums			-59			-100			-64			-98			-321			-12		-1		-334
Net premiums earned		$	863		$	496		$	1,034		$	331		$	2,724		$	589	$	5	$	3,318
Losses and loss expenses and
life policy benefits			-568			-327			-569			-58			-1,522			-479		-3		-2,004
Acquisition costs			-218			-120			-241			-30			-609			-82		0		-691
Technical result		$	77		$	49		$	224		$	243		$	593		$	28	$	2	$	623
Other income															2			3		3		8
Other operating expenses															-187			-38		-74		-299
Underwriting result														$	408		$	-7		n/a	$	332
Net investment income																		49		387		436
Allocated underwriting result																	$	42		n/a		n/a
Net realized and unrealized investment gains																				488		488
Interest expense																				-37		-37
Amortization of intangible assets																				-27		-27
Net foreign exchange gains																				3		3
Income tax expense																				-181		-181
Interest in earnings of equity investments																				9		9
Net income																				n/a	$	1,023
Loss ratio			65.9	%		65.9	%		55.1	%		17.4	%		55.9	%
Acquisition ratio			25.2			24.3			23.3			9.1			22.3
Technical ratio			91.1	%		90.2	%		78.4	%		26.5	%		78.2	%
Other operating expense ratio															6.9
Combined ratio															85.1	%

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event [Text Block]	'
	10. Subsequent Events
	At September 30, 2013, the Company had an equity investment in Essent Group Ltd. (Essent), a non-public U.S. mortgage guaranty insurance company, which was recorded at cost of $36 million. Essent became a publicly traded company on October 30, 2013 and, as a result, from this date the Company will record its investment in Essent at fair value, which was approximately $105 million based on the closing market price on October 31, 2013. The Company will report this unrealized gain and any subsequent changes in the fair value of this investment in net realized and unrealized investment gains and losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
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. To facilitate comparison of information across periods, certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year's presentation.
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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Financial instruments measured at fair value and categorized between Levels 1, 2 and 3	'
				Quoted prices in								Significant
				active markets for				Significant other				unobservable
				identical assets				observable inputs				inputs
	30-Sep-13			(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)				Total
	Fixed maturities
		U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	0			$	1,495,749			$	0			$	1,495,749
		U.S. states, territories and municipalities			0				16,659				289,135				305,794
		Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational
			and government related		0				2,343,751				0				2,343,751
		Corporate			0				5,942,359				99,627				6,041,986
		Asset-backed securities			0				704,174				453,753				1,157,927
		Residential mortgage-backed securities			0				2,293,874				0				2,293,874
		Other mortgage-backed securities			0				41,757				0				41,757
	Fixed maturities			$	0			$	12,838,323			$	842,515			$	13,680,838
	Short-term investments			$	0			$	36,781			$	0			$	36,781
	Equities
		Real estate investment trusts		$	168,985			$	0			$	0			$	168,985
		Energy			156,254				0				0				156,254
		Finance			105,025				10,057				14,285				129,367
		Consumer noncyclical			119,194				0				0				119,194
		Communications			64,026				0				2,143				66,169
		Technology			51,535				0				9,150				60,685
		Industrials			45,181				0				0				45,181
		Consumer cyclical			44,566				0				0				44,566
		Utilities			38,481				0				0				38,481
		Insurance			36,481				0				0				36,481
		Other			20,559				0				0				20,559
		Mutual funds and exchange traded funds			48,126				180,362				7,674				236,162
	Equities			$	898,413			$	190,419			$	33,252			$	1,122,084
	Other invested assets
		Derivative assets
			Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	0			$	4,188			$	0			$	4,188
			Credit default swaps (assumed risks)		0				49				0				49
			Insurance-linked securities		0				0				175				175
			Interest rate swaps		0				150				0				150
			TBAs		0				7,256				0				7,256
		Other
			Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		0				0				47,781				47,781
			Annuities and residuals		0				0				26,939				26,939
			Private equities		0				0				21,878				21,878
		Derivative liabilities
			Foreign exchange forward contracts		0				-5,470				0				-5,470
			Foreign currency option contracts		0				-821				0				-821
			Futures contracts		-61,909				0				0				-61,909
			Credit default swaps (protection purchased)		0				-231				0				-231
			Insurance-linked securities		0				0				-390				-390
			Total return swaps		0				0				-732				-732
			Interest rate swaps		0				-4,614				0				-4,614
	Other invested assets			$	-61,909			$	507			$	95,651			$	34,249
	Funds held – directly managed
		U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	0			$	167,808			$	0			$	167,808
		U.S. states, territories and municipalities			0				0				298				298
		Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational
			and government related		0				192,823				0				192,823
		Corporate			0				258,946				0				258,946
		Short-term investments			0				2,389				0				2,389
		Other invested assets			0				0				15,566				15,566
	Funds held – directly managed			$	0			$	621,966			$	15,864			$	637,830
	Total			$	836,504			$	13,687,996			$	987,282			$	15,511,782
				Quoted prices in								Significant
				active markets for				Significant other				unobservable
				identical assets				observable inputs				inputs
	31-Dec-12			(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)				Total
Fixed maturities
	U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	0			$	1,130,924			$	0			$	1,130,924
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities			0				10,151				233,235				243,386
	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational
		and government related		0				2,375,673				0				2,375,673
	Corporate			0				6,554,934				100,904				6,655,838
	Asset-backed securities			0				400,336				323,134				723,470
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			0				3,199,924				0				3,199,924
	Other mortgage-backed securities			0				66,100				0				66,100
Fixed maturities			$	0			$	13,738,042			$	657,273			$	14,395,315
Short-term investments			$	0			$	150,552			$	0			$	150,552
Equities
	Consumer noncyclical		$	130,526			$	0			$	0			$	130,526
	Energy			118,213				0				0				118,213
	Finance			79,456				7,472				13,477				100,405
	Technology			71,927				0				6,987				78,914
	Real estate investment trusts			66,846				0				0				66,846
	Communications			65,722				0				0				65,722
	Consumer cyclical			62,526				0				0				62,526
	Industrials			59,242				0				0				59,242
	Insurance			39,132				0				0				39,132
	Other			60,913				0				0				60,913
	Mutual funds and exchange traded funds			34,053				270,246				7,264				311,563
Equities			$	788,556			$	277,718			$	27,728			$	1,094,002
Other invested assets
	Derivative assets
		Foreign exchange forward contracts	$	0			$	7,889			$	0			$	7,889
		Foreign currency option contracts		0				1,410				0				1,410
		Futures contracts		1,956				0				0				1,956
		Credit default swaps (protection purchased)		0				6				0				6
		Credit default swaps (assumed risks)		0				512				0				512
		Total return swaps		0				0				6,630				6,630
		TBAs		0				115				0				115
	Other
		Notes and loan receivables and notes securitization		0				0				34,902				34,902
		Annuities and residuals		0				0				46,882				46,882
		Private equities		0				0				1,404				1,404
	Derivative liabilities
		Foreign exchange forward contracts		0				-17,395				0				-17,395
		Foreign currency option contracts		0				-186				0				-186
		Futures contracts		-1,352				0				0				-1,352
		Credit default swaps (protection purchased)		0				-807				0				-807
		Insurance-linked securities		0				0				-2,173				-2,173
		Total return swaps		0				0				-546				-546
		Interest rate swaps		0				-7,880				0				-7,880
		TBAs		0				-163				0				-163
Other invested assets			$	604			$	-16,499			$	87,099			$	71,204
Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. government and government sponsored enterprises		$	0			$	218,696			$	0			$	218,696
	U.S. states, territories and municipalities			0				0				345				345
	Non-U.S. sovereign government, supranational
		and government related		0				233,987				0				233,987
	Corporate			0				362,243				0				362,243
	Other invested assets			0				0				17,976				17,976
Funds held – directly managed			$	0			$	814,926			$	18,321			$	833,247
Total			$	789,160			$	14,964,739			$	790,421			$	16,544,320
Reconciliation of beginning and ending balances for all financial instruments measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs	'
																						Change in
									Realized and														unrealized
									unrealized														investment
									investment										Net				gains (losses)
					Balance at				gains (losses)				Purchases				Settlements		transfers		Balance		relating to
	For the three months ended			beginning				included in				and				and		into/ (out of)		at end		assets held at
	30-Sep-13			of period				net income				issuances				sales (1)		Level 3		of period		end of period
	Fixed maturities
		U.S. states, territories
			and municipalities	$	219,163			$	8,431			$	61,706			$	-165	$	0	$	289,135	$	8,431
		Corporate			99,896				-269				0				0		0		99,627		-269
		Asset-backed securities			426,288				4,800				86,442				-63,777		0		453,753		-3,043
	Fixed maturities			$	745,347			$	12,962			$	148,148			$	-63,942	$	0	$	842,515	$	5,119
	Equities
		Finance		$	13,000			$	1,285			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	14,285	$	1,285
		Communications			2,040				103				0				0		0		2,143		103
		Technology			8,012				1,138				0				0		0		9,150		1,138
		Mutual funds and exchange
			traded funds		7,549				125				0				0		0		7,674		125
	Equities			$	30,601			$	2,651			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	33,252	$	2,651
	Other invested assets
		Derivatives, net		$	2,333			$	-1,885			$	0			$	-1,395	$	0	$	-947	$	-140
		Notes and loan receivables and
			notes securitization		44,224				3,250				1,248				-941		0		47,781		3,250
		Annuities and residuals			30,555				413				0				-4,029		0		26,939		166
		Private equities			21,100				-299				1,077				0		0		21,878		-299
	Other invested assets			$	98,212			$	1,479			$	2,325			$	-6,365	$	0	$	95,651	$	2,977
	Funds held – directly managed
		U.S. states, territories
			and municipalities	$	337			$	-39			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	298	$	-39
		Other invested assets			15,207				1,045				0				-686		0		15,566		1,045
	Funds held – directly managed			$	15,544			$	1,006			$	0			$	-686	$	0	$	15,864	$	1,006
	Total			$	889,704			$	18,098			$	150,473			$	-70,993	$	0	$	987,282	$	11,753
	Settlements and sales of asset-backed securities and derivatives include sales of $13.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
								Realized and														Change in
									unrealized														unrealized
									investment										Net				investment gains
					Balance at				gains (losses)				Purchases				Settlements		transfers		Balance		(losses) relating
	For the three months ended			beginning				included in				and				and		(out of)/ into		at end of		to assets held
	30-Sep-12			of period				net income				issuances				sales		Level 3		period		at end of period
	Fixed maturities
		U.S. states, territories
			and municipalities	$	117,235			$	1,618			$	90,050			$	-83	$	0	$	208,820	$	1,618
		Corporate			111,070				681				56				-3,250		0		108,557		582
		Asset-backed securities			290,371				699				59,724				-21,605		0		329,189		739
	Fixed maturities			$	518,676			$	2,998			$	149,830			$	-24,938	$	0	$	646,566	$	2,939
	Equities
		Finance		$	19,422			$	750			$	0			$	0	$	-6,800	$	13,372	$	750
		Technology			7,192				-99				0				0		0		7,093		-99
		Mutual funds and exchange
			traded funds		6,760				311				0				0		0		7,071		311
	Equities			$	33,374			$	962			$	0			$	0	$	-6,800	$	27,536	$	962
	Other invested assets
		Derivatives, net		$	1,207			$	3,152			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	4,359	$	4,168
		Notes and loan receivables and
			notes securitization		44,304				3,473				1,209				-19,958		0		29,028		1,654
		Annuities and residuals			27,225				6,314				23,642				-14,899		0		42,282		2,641
		Private equities			1,000				-141				450				0		0		1,309		-141
	Other invested assets			$	73,736			$	12,798			$	25,301			$	-34,857	$	0	$	76,978	$	8,322
	Funds held – directly managed
		U.S. states, territories
			and municipalities	$	321			$	8			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	329	$	8
		Other invested assets			15,076				2,460				0				0		0		17,536		2,460
Funds held – directly managed			$	15,397			$	2,468			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	17,865	$	2,468
Total			$	641,183			$	19,226			$	175,131			$	-59,795	$	-6,800	$	768,945	$	14,691
																					Change in
								Realized and														unrealized
								unrealized														investment
								investment										Net				(losses) gains
				Balance at				(losses) gains				Purchases				Settlements		transfers		Balance		relating to
For the nine months ended			beginning				included in				and				and		into/ (out of)		at end		assets held at
30-Sep-13			of period				net income				issuances (1)				sales (2)		Level 3		of period		end of period
Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	233,235			$	-5,427			$	61,706			$	-379	$	0	$	289,135	$	-5,427
	Corporate			100,904				-1,277				0				0		0		99,627		-1,277
	Asset-backed securities			323,134				478				241,607				-111,466		0		453,753		-7,182
Fixed maturities			$	657,273			$	-6,226			$	303,313			$	-111,845	$	0	$	842,515	$	-13,886
Equities
	Finance		$	13,477			$	808			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	14,285	$	808
	Communications			0				103				2,040				0		0		2,143		103
	Technology			6,987				2,163				0				0		0		9,150		2,163
	Mutual funds and exchange
		traded funds		7,264				410				0				0		0		7,674		410
Equities			$	27,728			$	3,484			$	2,040			$	0	$	0	$	33,252	$	3,484
Other invested assets
	Derivatives, net		$	3,911			$	-6,084			$	121			$	1,105	$	0	$	-947	$	-349
	Notes and loan receivables and
		notes securitization		34,902				1,867				14,598				-3,586		0		47,781		1,867
	Annuities and residuals			46,882				506				0				-20,449		0		26,939		481
	Private equities			1,404				-3,811				24,285				0		0		21,878		-3,811
Other invested assets			$	87,099			$	-7,522			$	39,004			$	-22,930	$	0	$	95,651	$	-1,812
Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	345			$	-47			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	298	$	-47
	Other invested assets			17,976				-1,653				0				-757		0		15,566		-589
Funds held – directly managed			$	18,321			$	-1,700			$	0			$	-757	$	0	$	15,864	$	-636
Total			$	790,421			$	-11,964			$	344,357			$	-135,532	$	0	$	987,282	$	-12,850
(1)       Purchases and issuances of derivatives include issuances of $0.8 million.
(2)       Settlements and sales of asset-backed securities, derivatives and annuities and residuals include sales of $13.7 million, $1.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively.
																					Change in
								Realized and														unrealized
								unrealized														investment
								investment										Net				gains (losses)
				Balance at				gains (losses)				Purchases				Settlements		transfers		Balance		relating to
For the nine months ended			beginning				included in				and				and		(out of)/ into		at end		assets held at
30-Sep-12			of period				net income				issuances (1)				sales		Level 3		of period		end of period
Fixed maturities
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	111,415			$	2,900			$	94,750			$	-245	$	0	$	208,820	$	2,900
	Corporate			111,700				111				120				-3,374		0		108,557		-2
	Asset-backed securities			257,415				8,892				142,314				-79,432		0		329,189		8,771
Fixed maturities			$	480,530			$	11,903			$	237,184			$	-83,051	$	0	$	646,566	$	11,669
Equities
	Finance		$	9,670			$	3,702			$	6,800			$	0	$	-6,800	$	13,372	$	3,702
	Technology			0				-99				7,192				0		0		7,093		-99
	Mutual funds and exchange
		traded funds		6,495				576				0				0		0		7,071		576
Equities			$	16,165			$	4,179			$	13,992			$	0	$	-6,800	$	27,536	$	4,179
Other invested assets
	Derivatives, net		$	5,622			$	4,157			$	-5,420			$	0	$	0	$	4,359	$	4,874
	Notes and loan receivables
		and notes securitization		63,565				9,944				36,834				-81,315		0		29,028		2,402
	Annuities and residuals			27,840				8,661				25,065				-19,284		0		42,282		3,543
	Private equities			0				-141				1,450				0		0		1,309		-141
Other invested assets			$	97,027			$	22,621			$	57,929			$	-100,599	$	0	$	76,978	$	10,678
Funds held – directly managed
	U.S. states, territories
		and municipalities	$	334			$	-5			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	329	$	-5
	Other invested assets			15,433				2,103				0				0		0		17,536		2,103
Funds held – directly managed			$	15,767			$	2,098			$	0			$	0	$	0	$	17,865	$	2,098
Total			$	609,489			$	40,801			$	309,105			$	-183,650	$	-6,800	$	768,945	$	28,624
(1)       Purchases and issuances of derivatives includes issuances of $5.7 million.
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]	'
												Range
	30-Sep-13				Fair value		Valuation techniques			Unobservable inputs		(Weighted average)
	Fixed maturities
		U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	289,135		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		2.8% - 10.1% (3.7%)
		Asset-backed securities – interest only			25		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		6.0% - 11.2% (9.0%)
										Prepayment speed		20.0% (20.0%)
		Asset-backed securities – other			453,728		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		4.0% - 12.2% (7.2%)
	Equities
		Finance			14,285		Weighted market			Net income multiple		14.6 (14.6)
								comparables		Tangible book value multiple		1.1 (1.1)
										Liquidity discount		25.0% (25.0%)
										Comparable return		10.0% (10.0%)
		Technology			9,150		Weighted market			Revenue multiple		2.0 (2.0)
								comparables		Adjusted earnings multiple		12.9 (12.9)
										Liquidity discount		25.0% (25.0%)
										Comparable return		14.2% (14.2%)
		Communications			2,143		Weighted market			Adjusted earnings multiple		10.2 (10.2)
								comparables		Comparable return		5% (5%)
	Other invested assets
		Total return swaps			-732		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		20.2% (20.2%)
		Notes and loan receivables			27,674		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		17.5% (17.5%)
										Gross revenue/fair value		1.2 - 1.6 (1.5)
		Notes securitization			20,107		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		6.4% (6.4%)
		Annuities and residuals			26,939		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		4.6% - 9.0% (6.4%)
										Prepayment speed		0% - 15.0% (7.0%)
										Constant default rate		0.3% - 35.0% (13.0%)
		Private equity			15,259		Liquidation analysis			Net assets, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
										Recoverability of intangible assets		0% (0%)
		Private equity fund			6,619		Lag reported market value			Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
										Market adjustments		2.4% - 9.7% (4.6%)
	Funds held – directly managed
		Other invested assets			15,566		Lag reported market value			Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
										Market adjustments		-12.9% - 0% (-11.4%)
												Range
	31-Dec-12				Fair value		Valuation techniques			Unobservable inputs		(Weighted average)
	Fixed maturities
		U.S. states, territories and municipalities		$	233,235		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		2.8% - 4.5% (3.7%)
		Asset-backed securities – interest only			12,625		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		6.8% - 11.7% (9.1%)
										Prepayment speed		20.0% (20.0%)
		Asset-backed securities – other			310,509		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		4.0% - 12.2% (7.6%)
	Equities
		Finance			13,477		Weighted market
								comparables		Comparable return		0.8% (0.8%)
		Technology			6,987		Weighted market
								comparables		Comparable return		-1.5% (-1.5%)
	Other invested assets
		Total return swaps			6,084		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		2.6% - 4.6% (3.2%)
		Notes and loan receivables			24,902		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		17.5% (17.5%)
										Gross revenue/fair value		1.7 - 2.1 (1.8)
		Notes securitization			10,000		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		6.5% (6.5%)
		Annuities and residuals			46,882		Discounted cash flow			Credit spreads		4.7% - 9.9% (7.2%)
										Prepayment speed		0% - 15.0% (7.6%)
										Constant default rate		2.3% - 35.0% (13.2%)
		Private equity fund			1,404		Lag reported market value			Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
										Market adjustments		7.3% (7.3%)
	Funds held – directly managed
		Other invested assets			17,976		Lag reported market value			Net asset value, as reported		100.0% (100.0%)
										Market adjustments		-38.1% - 0% (-12.1%)
Change in fair value of financial instruments subject to fair value option	'
		For the three			For the three					For the nine				For the nine
		months ended			months ended					months ended				months ended
		30-Sep-13			30-Sep-12					30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12
	Fixed maturities and short-term investments	$	10,259		$	150,046				$	-457,168			$	230,862
	Equities		-891			51,260					-8,540				69,068
	Other invested assets		3,021			1,574					-4,047				19,734
	Funds held – directly managed		-907			9,425					-22,322				18,216
	Total	$	11,482		$	212,305				$	-492,077			$	337,880
Carrying values and fair values of financial instrument liabilities	'
		30-Sep-13							31-Dec-12
		Carrying Value			Fair Value				Carrying Value				Fair Value
	Debt related to senior notes (1)	$	750,000		$	852,507			$	750,000			$	859,367
	Debt related to capital efficient notes (2)		63,384			61,853				63,384				66,990
	(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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	(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 September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Derivatives [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Derivative Instruments In Statement Of Financial Position Fair Value Text Block	'
			Asset			Liability			Net derivatives
			derivatives			derivatives			Net notional
	30-Sep-13		at fair value			at fair value			exposure		Fair value
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	4,188		$	-5,470		$	2,069,416	$	-1,282
	Foreign currency option contracts			0			-821			93,438		-821
	Futures contracts			0			-61,909			4,527,222		-61,909
	Credit default swaps (protection purchased)			0			-231			34,000		-231
	Credit default swaps (assumed risks)			49			0			5,000		49
	Insurance-linked securities (1)			175			-390			140,744		-215
	Total return swaps			0			-732			7,657		-732
	Interest rate swaps (2)			150			-4,614			60,080		-4,464
	TBAs			7,256			0			192,040		7,256
	Total derivatives		$	11,818		$	-74,167				$	-62,349
			Asset			Liability			Net derivatives
			derivatives			derivatives			Net notional
	31-Dec-12		at fair value			at fair value			exposure		Fair value
	Foreign exchange forward contracts		$	7,889		$	-17,395		$	2,170,914	$	-9,506
	Foreign currency option contracts			1,410			-186			133,377		1,224
	Futures contracts			1,956			-1,352			3,981,107		604
	Credit default swaps (protection purchased)			6			-807			55,000		-801
	Credit default swaps (assumed risks)			512			0			17,500		512
	Insurance-linked securities (1)			0			-2,173			135,964		-2,173
	Total return swaps			6,630			-546			68,730		6,084
	Interest rate swaps (2)			0			-7,880			0		-7,880
	TBAs			115			-163			155,760		-48
	Total derivatives		$	18,518		$	-30,502				$	-11,984
	_______________
	(1)       At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 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. Accordingly, the notional value of interest rate swaps on certain total return swaps is not presented separately in the table.
Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]	'
				For the three				For the three			For the nine			For the nine
				months ended				months ended			months ended			months ended
				30-Sep-13				30-Sep-12			30-Sep-13			30-Sep-12
	Foreign exchange forward contracts			$	17			$	21,976		$	-36,457		$	41,686
	Foreign currency option contracts				-799				1,061			-4,639			2,559
	Total included in net foreign exchange gains and losses			$	-782			$	23,037		$	-41,096		$	44,245
	Futures contracts			$	-30,233			$	-14,979		$	55,143		$	-34,758
	Credit default swaps (protection purchased)				-6				-250			-126			-861
	Credit default swaps (assumed risks)				7				398			122			1,709
	Insurance-linked securities				-110				3,934			-660			5,160
	Total return swaps				-1,762				-773			-5,421			-1,242
	Interest rate swaps				240				-200			3,416			-402
	TBAs				3,858				2,568			-5,839			7,446
	Total included in net realized and unrealized
		investment gains and losses		$	-28,006			$	-9,302		$	46,635		$	-22,948
	Total derivatives			$	-28,788			$	13,735		$	5,539		$	21,297
Offsetting Disclosures	'
						Gross			Net amounts of		Gross amounts not offset
			Gross			amounts			assets/ liabilities		in the balance sheet
			amounts			offset in the			presented in the		Financial		Cash collateral
	30-Sep-13		recognized (1)			balance sheet			balance sheet		instruments		received/pledged			Net amount
	Total derivative assets		$	11,818		$	0		$	11,818	$	1,739	$	0		$	13,557
	Total derivative liabilities		$	-74,167		$	0		$	-74,167	$	-1,739	$	4,260		$	-71,646
	31-Dec-12
	Total derivative assets		$	18,518		$	0		$	18,518	$	-12,051	$	0		$	6,467
	Total derivative liabilities		$	-30,502		$	0		$	-30,502	$	12,051	$	0		$	-18,451
	_______________
	(1)       Amounts include all derivative instruments, irrespective of whether there is a legally enforceable master netting arrangement in place.

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Shareholders Equity [Abstract]	'
Preferred Stock [Table Text Block]	'
		Series F
	Date of issuance		Feb-13
	Number of preferred shares issued		10
	Annual dividend rate		5.875	%
	Total consideration	$	242.3
	Underwriting discounts and commissions	$	7.7
	Aggregate liquidation value	$	250

Net_Income_Per_Share_Tables

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure - Net Income Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income Per Share Table [Text Block]	'
				For the three		For the three		For the nine		For the nine
				months ended		months ended		months ended		months ended
				30-Sep-13		30-Sep-12		30-Sep-13		30-Sep-12
	Numerator:
		Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.		$	333,423	$	486,706	$	392,221	$	1,022,994
		Less: preferred dividends			-14,184		-15,405		-43,678		-46,216
		Less: loss on redemption of preferred shares			0		0		-9,135		0
		Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders		$	319,239	$	471,301	$	339,408	$	976,778
	Denominator:
		Weighted number of common shares outstanding - basic			53,671,245		61,837,328		56,176,260		63,679,114
		Share options and other (1)			953,906		769,433		1,041,301		605,011
		Weighted average number of common shares and common
			share equivalents outstanding - diluted		54,625,151		62,606,761		57,217,561		64,284,125
	Basic net income per share			$	5.95	$	7.62	$	6.04	$	15.34
	Diluted net income per share(1)			$	5.84	$	7.53	$	5.93	$	15.19
	_______________
	(1)       At September 30, 2013 and 2012, share based awards to purchase 140.5 thousand and 1,233.3 thousand common shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

Noncontrolling_interests_Table

Noncontrolling interests (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Equity Carrying Amount [Abstract]	'
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Table Text Block]	'
		Total
		2013
	Balance at January 1	$	0
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		5,296
	Sale of shares to noncontrolling interests		47,193
	Balance at September 30	$	52,489

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment reporting table	'
	Segment Information
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013
						Global									Total			Life
			North			(Non-U.S.)			Global						Non-life			and Health		Corporate
			America			P&C			Specialty			Catastrophe			segment			segment		and Other		Total
	Gross premiums written		$	409		$	157		$	396		$	79		$	1,041		$	235	$	5	$	1,281
	Net premiums written		$	408		$	157		$	389		$	72		$	1,026		$	234	$	5	$	1,265
	Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums			17			38			-7			99			147			9		0		156
	Net premiums earned		$	425		$	195		$	382		$	171		$	1,173		$	243	$	5	$	1,421
	Losses and loss expenses and
	life policy benefits			-197			-90			-228			-42			-557			-195		1		-751
	Acquisition costs			-101			-50			-92			-16			-259			-24		0		-283
	Technical result		$	127		$	55		$	62		$	113		$	357		$	24	$	6	$	387
	Other income															2			3		0		5
	Other operating expenses															-62			-17		-29		-108
	Underwriting result														$	297		$	10		n/a	$	284
	Net investment income																		15		107		122
	Allocated underwriting result	(1)																$	25		n/a		n/a
	Net realized and unrealized investment gains																				16		16
	Interest expense																				-12		-12
	Amortization of intangible assets																				-7		-7
	Net foreign exchange losses																				-1		-1
	Income tax expense																				-70		-70
	Interest in earnings of equity investments																				6		6
	Net income																				n/a	$	338
	Loss ratio (2)			46.3	%		46	%		59.8	%		24.5	%		47.5	%
	Acquisition ratio (3)			23.9			25.7			24			9			22.1
	Technical ratio (4)			70.2	%		71.7	%		83.8	%		33.5	%		69.6	%
	Other operating expense ratio (5)															5.3
	Combined ratio (6)															74.9	%
	_______________
	(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 operating 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 operating expense ratio is obtained by dividing other operating expenses by net premiums earned.
	(6)       Combined ratio is defined as the sum of the technical ratio and the other operating expense ratio.
	Segment Information
	For the three months ended September 30, 2012
						Global									Total			Life
			North			(Non-U.S.)			Global						Non-life			and Health		Corporate
			America			P&C			Specialty			Catastrophe			segment			segment		and Other		Total
	Gross premiums written		$	311		$	123		$	360		$	75		$	869		$	187	$	0	$	1,056
	Net premiums written		$	311		$	122		$	354		$	69		$	856		$	187	$	0	$	1,043
	Decrease in unearned premiums			24			50			9			99			182			8		4		194
	Net premiums earned		$	335		$	172		$	363		$	168		$	1,038		$	195	$	4	$	1,237
	Losses and loss expenses and
	life policy benefits			-251			-110			-161			-39			-561			-157		-3		-721
	Acquisition costs			-83			-42			-79			-15			-219			-27		-1		-247
	Technical result		$	1		$	20		$	123		$	114		$	258		$	11	$	0	$	269
	Other income															1			1		1		3
	Other operating expenses															-58			-12		-25		-95
	Underwriting result														$	201		$	0		n/a	$	177
	Net investment income																		15		120		135
	Allocated underwriting result																	$	15		n/a		n/a
	Net realized and unrealized investment gains																				257		257
	Interest expense																				-12		-12
	Amortization of intangible assets																				-9		-9
	Net foreign exchange losses																				-2		-2
	Income tax expense																				-64		-64
	Interest in earnings of equity investments																				5		5
	Net income																				n/a	$	487
	Loss ratio			74.9	%		63.9	%		44.4	%		23.3	%		54.1	%
Acquisition ratio			24.8			24.9			21.7			8.8			21.1
Technical ratio			99.7	%		88.8	%		66.1	%		32.1	%		75.2	%
Other operating expense ratio															5.5
Combined ratio															80.7	%
Segment Information
For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
					Global									Total			Life
		North			(Non-U.S.)			Global						Non-life			and Health		Corporate
		America			P&C			Specialty			Catastrophe			segment			segment		and Other		Total
Gross premiums written		$	1,228		$	690		$	1,253		$	478		$	3,649		$	722	$	8	$	4,379
Net premiums written		$	1,215		$	682		$	1,159		$	433		$	3,489		$	715	$	7	$	4,211
Increase in unearned premiums			-99			-152			-68			-97			-416			-17		-1		-434
Net premiums earned		$	1,116		$	530		$	1,091		$	336		$	3,073		$	698	$	6	$	3,777
Losses and loss expenses and
life policy benefits			-682			-263			-697			-81			-1,723			-558		2		-2,279
Acquisition costs			-253			-134			-257			-33			-677			-82		0		-759
Technical result		$	181		$	133		$	137		$	222		$	673		$	58	$	8	$	739
Other income															3			9		1		13
Other operating expenses															-189			-52		-128		-369
Underwriting result														$	487		$	15		n/a	$	383
Net investment income																		45		325		370
Allocated underwriting result																	$	60		n/a		n/a
Net realized and unrealized investment losses																				-260		-260
Interest expense																				-37		-37
Amortization of intangible assets																				-21		-21
Net foreign exchange losses																				-10		-10
Income tax expense																				-37		-37
Interest in earnings of equity investments																				10		10
Net income																				n/a	$	398
Loss ratio			61.1	%		49.7	%		63.9	%		24.2	%		56.1	%
Acquisition ratio			22.7			25.2			23.6			9.7			22
Technical ratio			83.8	%		74.9	%		87.5	%		33.9	%		78.1	%
Other operating expense ratio															6.1
Combined ratio															84.2	%
Segment Information
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
					Global									Total			Life
		North			(Non-U.S.)			Global						Non-life			and Health		Corporate
		America			P&C			Specialty			Catastrophe			segment			segment		and Other		Total
Gross premiums written		$	924		$	600		$	1,178		$	475		$	3,177		$	604	$	6	$	3,787
Net premiums written		$	922		$	596		$	1,098		$	429		$	3,045		$	601	$	6	$	3,652
Increase in unearned premiums			-59			-100			-64			-98			-321			-12		-1		-334
Net premiums earned		$	863		$	496		$	1,034		$	331		$	2,724		$	589	$	5	$	3,318
Losses and loss expenses and
life policy benefits			-568			-327			-569			-58			-1,522			-479		-3		-2,004
Acquisition costs			-218			-120			-241			-30			-609			-82		0		-691
Technical result		$	77		$	49		$	224		$	243		$	593		$	28	$	2	$	623
Other income															2			3		3		8
Other operating expenses															-187			-38		-74		-299
Underwriting result														$	408		$	-7		n/a	$	332
Net investment income																		49		387		436
Allocated underwriting result																	$	42		n/a		n/a
Net realized and unrealized investment gains																				488		488
Interest expense																				-37		-37
Amortization of intangible assets																				-27		-27
Net foreign exchange gains																				3		3
Income tax expense																				-181		-181
Interest in earnings of equity investments																				9		9
Net income																				n/a	$	1,023
Loss ratio			65.9	%		65.9	%		55.1	%		17.4	%		55.9	%
Acquisition ratio			25.2			24.3			23.3			9.1			22.3
Technical ratio			91.1	%		90.2	%		78.4	%		26.5	%		78.2	%
Other operating expense ratio															6.9
Combined ratio															85.1	%

Fair_Value_Details

Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	$13,680,838	$14,395,315
Short-term investments, trading securities, at fair value	36,781	150,552
Equities, trading securities	1,122,084	1,094,002
Other invested assets	34,249	71,204
Funds held - directly managed	637,830	833,247
Total	15,511,782	16,544,320
[ShortTermInvestmentsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Funds held - directly managed	2,389	'
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ForeignExchangeForwardMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	4,188	7,889
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ForeignExchangeOptionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	1,410
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [FutureMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	1,956
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapBuyingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	6
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	49	512
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [InsuranceLinkedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	175	'
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [TotalReturnSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	6,630
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [InterestRateSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	150	'
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ToBeAnnouncedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	7,256	115
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ForeignExchangeForwardMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-5,470	-17,395
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ForeignExchangeOptionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-821	-186
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [FutureMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-61,909	-1,352
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapBuyingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-231	-807
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [InsuranceLinkedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-390	-2,173
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [TotalReturnSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-732	-546
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [InterestRateSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-4,614	-7,880
[DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ToBeAnnouncedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	-163
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesAndNotesSecuritizationMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	47,781	34,902
[OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	26,939	46,882
[PrivateEquitiesTotalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	21,878	1,404
[OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Funds held - directly managed	15,566	17,976
[RealEstateInvestmentMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	168,985	66,846
[EnergyMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	156,254	118,213
[FinanceMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	129,367	100,405
[ConsumerNoncyclicalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	119,194	130,526
[CommunicationsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	66,169	65,722
[TechnologyMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	60,685	78,914
[IndustrialsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	45,181	59,242
[ConsumerCyclicalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	44,566	62,526
[PublicUtilityEquitiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	38,481	'
[InsuranceMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	36,481	39,132
[OtherEquitiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	20,559	60,913
[MutualFundsAndExchangeTradedFundsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	236,162	311,563
[USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	1,495,749	1,130,924
Funds held - directly managed	167,808	218,696
[USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	305,794	243,386
Funds held - directly managed	298	345
[NonUsSovereignGovernmentSupranationalAndGovernmentRelatedMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	2,343,751	2,375,673
Funds held - directly managed	192,823	233,987
[CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	6,041,986	6,655,838
Funds held - directly managed	258,946	362,243
[AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	1,157,927	723,470
[ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	2,293,874	3,199,924
[CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	41,757	66,100
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
Short-term investments, trading securities, at fair value	0	0
Equities, trading securities	898,413	788,556
Other invested assets	-61,909	604
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
Total	836,504	789,160
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [ShortTermInvestmentsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Funds held - directly managed	0	'
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ForeignExchangeForwardMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ForeignExchangeOptionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [FutureMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	1,956
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapBuyingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [InsuranceLinkedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	'
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [TotalReturnSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [InterestRateSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	'
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ToBeAnnouncedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ForeignExchangeForwardMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ForeignExchangeOptionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [FutureMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-61,909	-1,352
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapBuyingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [InsuranceLinkedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [TotalReturnSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [InterestRateSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ToBeAnnouncedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesAndNotesSecuritizationMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [PrivateEquitiesTotalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [RealEstateInvestmentMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	168,985	66,846
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [EnergyMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	156,254	118,213
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [FinanceMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	105,025	79,456
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [ConsumerNoncyclicalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	119,194	130,526
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [CommunicationsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	64,026	65,722
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [TechnologyMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	51,535	71,927
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [IndustrialsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	45,181	59,242
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [ConsumerCyclicalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	44,566	62,526
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [PublicUtilityEquitiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	38,481	'
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [InsuranceMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	36,481	39,132
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [OtherEquitiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	20,559	60,913
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [MutualFundsAndExchangeTradedFundsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	48,126	34,053
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [NonUsSovereignGovernmentSupranationalAndGovernmentRelatedMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel1Member] | [CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	12,838,323	13,738,042
Short-term investments, trading securities, at fair value	36,781	150,552
Equities, trading securities	190,419	277,718
Other invested assets	507	-16,499
Funds held - directly managed	621,966	814,926
Total	13,687,996	14,964,739
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [ShortTermInvestmentsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Funds held - directly managed	2,389	'
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ForeignExchangeForwardMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	4,188	7,889
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ForeignExchangeOptionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	1,410
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [FutureMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapBuyingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	6
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	49	512
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [InsuranceLinkedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	'
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [TotalReturnSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [InterestRateSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	150	'
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ToBeAnnouncedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	7,256	115
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ForeignExchangeForwardMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-5,470	-17,395
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ForeignExchangeOptionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-821	-186
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [FutureMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapBuyingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-231	-807
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [InsuranceLinkedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [TotalReturnSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [InterestRateSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-4,614	-7,880
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ToBeAnnouncedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	-163
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesAndNotesSecuritizationMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [PrivateEquitiesTotalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [RealEstateInvestmentMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [EnergyMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [FinanceMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	10,057	7,472
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [ConsumerNoncyclicalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [CommunicationsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [TechnologyMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [IndustrialsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [ConsumerCyclicalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [PublicUtilityEquitiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	'
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [InsuranceMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [OtherEquitiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [MutualFundsAndExchangeTradedFundsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	180,362	270,246
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	1,495,749	1,130,924
Funds held - directly managed	167,808	218,696
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	16,659	10,151
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [NonUsSovereignGovernmentSupranationalAndGovernmentRelatedMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	2,343,751	2,375,673
Funds held - directly managed	192,823	233,987
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	5,942,359	6,554,934
Funds held - directly managed	258,946	362,243
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	704,174	400,336
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	2,293,874	3,199,924
[FairValueInputsLevel2Member] | [CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	41,757	66,100
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	842,515	657,273
Short-term investments, trading securities, at fair value	0	0
Equities, trading securities	33,252	27,728
Other invested assets	95,651	87,099
Funds held - directly managed	15,864	18,321
Total	987,282	790,421
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [ShortTermInvestmentsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Funds held - directly managed	0	'
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ForeignExchangeForwardMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ForeignExchangeOptionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [FutureMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapBuyingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [InsuranceLinkedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	175	'
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [TotalReturnSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	6,630
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [InterestRateSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	'
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsAssetsMember] | [ToBeAnnouncedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ForeignExchangeForwardMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ForeignExchangeOptionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [FutureMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [CreditDefaultSwapBuyingProtectionMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [InsuranceLinkedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-390	-2,173
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [TotalReturnSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	-732	-546
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [InterestRateSwapMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [DerivativeFinancialInstrumentsLiabilitiesMember] | [ToBeAnnouncedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	'	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesAndNotesSecuritizationMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	47,781	34,902
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	26,939	46,882
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [PrivateEquitiesTotalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	21,878	1,404
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Funds held - directly managed	15,566	17,976
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [RealEstateInvestmentMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [EnergyMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [FinanceMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	14,285	13,477
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [ConsumerNoncyclicalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [CommunicationsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	2,143	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [TechnologyMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	9,150	6,987
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [IndustrialsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [ConsumerCyclicalMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [PublicUtilityEquitiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	'
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [InsuranceMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [OtherEquitiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [MutualFundsAndExchangeTradedFundsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	7,674	7,264
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	289,135	233,235
Funds held - directly managed	298	345
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [NonUsSovereignGovernmentSupranationalAndGovernmentRelatedMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	99,627	100,904
Funds held - directly managed	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	453,753	323,134
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	0	0
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member] | [CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Details_Level_3_nar

Fair Value (Details - Level 3 narrative items) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value - Other Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,551,062,000	$1,121,705,000	$1,336,362,000	$1,342,257,000
Accrued investment income	175,164,000	184,315,000	'	'
[FundsHeldDirectlyManagedMember]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value - Other Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	33,900,000	53,700,000	'	'
Accrued investment income	8,900,000	10,200,000	'	'
Other net assets	132,900,000	33,600,000	'	'
[TradingSecuritiesMember] | [EquitySecuritiesMember]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value - Other Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Assets Level 2 To Level 1 Transfers Amount	0	'	0	'
Fair Value Assets Level 2 To Level 1 Transfers Amount 2	0	'	1,100,000	'
[TradingSecuritiesMember] | [OtherInvestedAssetsMember]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value - Other Details [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Aggregate carrying amount of other invested assets not carried at fair value	$233,900,000	$262,200,000	'	'

Fair_Value_Details_Level_3_inp

Fair Value (Details - Level 3 inputs and transfers) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	$889,704,000		$641,183,000	$790,421,000		$609,489,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	18,098,000		19,226,000	-11,964,000		40,801,000		'
Purchases	150,473,000		175,131,000	344,357,000		309,105,000		'
Settlements	-70,993,000		-59,795,000	-135,532,000		-183,650,000		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		-6,800,000	0		-6,800,000		'
Balance, end of period	987,282,000		768,945,000	987,282,000		768,945,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	11,753,000		14,691,000	-12,850,000		28,624,000		'
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Debt related to senior notes	750,000,000		'	750,000,000		'		750,000,000
Debt related to capital efficient notes	70,989,000		'	70,989,000		'		70,989,000
[SeniorNotesDebtMember] | [NotesIssuedToPartnerReFinanceALlcMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Face amount of debt instrument	250,000,000		'	250,000,000		'		250,000,000
[SeniorNotesDebtMember] | [NotesIssuedToPartnerReFinanceBLlcMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Face amount of debt instrument	500,000,000		'	500,000,000		'		500,000,000
[SeniorNotesDebtMember] | [NotesIssuedToPartnerReFinanceIiIncMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Face amount of debt instrument	63,000,000		'	63,000,000		'		63,000,000
[EstimateOfFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel2Member]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Debt related to senior notes	852,507,000	[1]	'	852,507,000	[1]	'		859,367,000	[1]
Debt related to capital efficient notes	61,853,000	[2]	'	61,853,000	[2]	'		66,990,000	[2]
[CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair value of financial instrument liabilities [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Debt related to senior notes	750,000,000	[1]	'	750,000,000	[1]	'		750,000,000	[1]
Debt related to capital efficient notes	63,384,000	[2]	'	63,384,000	[2]	'		63,384,000	[2]
[FixedMaturitiesMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	745,347,000		518,676,000	657,273,000		480,530,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	12,962,000		2,998,000	-6,226,000		11,903,000		'
Purchases	148,148,000		149,830,000	303,313,000		237,184,000		'
Settlements	-63,942,000		-24,938,000	-111,845,000		-83,051,000		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	842,515,000		646,566,000	842,515,000		646,566,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	5,119,000		2,939,000	-13,886,000		11,669,000		'
[FixedMaturitiesMember] | [USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	219,163,000		117,235,000	233,235,000		111,415,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	8,431,000		1,618,000	-5,427,000		2,900,000		'
Purchases	61,706,000		90,050,000	61,706,000		94,750,000		'
Settlements	-165,000		-83,000	-379,000		-245,000		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	289,135,000		208,820,000	289,135,000		208,820,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	8,431,000		1,618,000	-5,427,000		2,900,000		'
[FixedMaturitiesMember] | [CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	99,896,000		111,070,000	100,904,000		111,700,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	-269,000		681,000	-1,277,000		111,000		'
Purchases	0		56,000	0		120,000		'
Settlements	0		-3,250,000	0		-3,374,000		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	99,627,000		108,557,000	99,627,000		108,557,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	-269,000		582,000	-1,277,000		-2,000		'
[FixedMaturitiesMember] | [AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	426,288,000		290,371,000	323,134,000		257,415,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	4,800,000		699,000	478,000		8,892,000		'
Purchases	86,442,000		59,724,000	241,607,000		142,314,000		'
Settlements	-63,777,000	[3]	-21,605,000	-111,466,000		-79,432,000		'
Sales	-13,700,000		'	-13,700,000		'		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	453,753,000		329,189,000	453,753,000		329,189,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	-3,043,000		739,000	-7,182,000		8,771,000		'
[EquitySecuritiesMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	30,601,000		33,374,000	27,728,000		16,165,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	2,651,000		962,000	3,484,000		4,179,000		'
Purchases	0		0	2,040,000		13,992,000		'
Settlements	0		0	0		0		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		-6,800,000	0		-6,800,000		'
Balance, end of period	33,252,000		27,536,000	33,252,000		27,536,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	2,651,000		962,000	3,484,000		4,179,000		'
[EquitySecuritiesMember] | [FinanceMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	13,000,000		19,422,000	13,477,000		9,670,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	1,285,000		750,000	808,000		3,702,000		'
Purchases	0		0	0		6,800,000		'
Settlements	0		0	0		0		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		-6,800,000	0		-6,800,000		'
Balance, end of period	14,285,000		13,372,000	14,285,000		13,372,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	1,285,000		750,000	808,000		3,702,000		'
[EquitySecuritiesMember] | [TechnologyMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	8,012,000		7,192,000	6,987,000		0		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	1,138,000		-99,000	2,163,000		-99,000		'
Purchases	0		0	0		7,192,000		'
Settlements	0		0	0		0		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	9,150,000		7,093,000	9,150,000		7,093,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	1,138,000		-99,000	2,163,000		-99,000		'
[EquitySecuritiesMember] | [CommunicationsMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	2,040,000		'	0		'		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	103,000		'	103,000		'		'
Purchases	0		'	2,040,000		'		'
Settlements	0		'	0		'		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		'	0		'		'
Balance, end of period	2,143,000		'	2,143,000		'		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	103,000		'	103,000		'		'
[EquitySecuritiesMember] | [MutualFundsAndExchangeTradedFundsMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	7,549,000		6,760,000	7,264,000		6,495,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	125,000		311,000	410,000		576,000		'
Purchases	0		0	0		0		'
Settlements	0		0	0		0		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	7,674,000		7,071,000	7,674,000		7,071,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	125,000		311,000	410,000		576,000		'
[OtherInvestedAssetsMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	98,212,000		73,736,000	87,099,000		97,027,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	1,479,000		12,798,000	-7,522,000		22,621,000		'
Purchases	2,325,000		25,301,000	39,004,000		57,929,000		'
Settlements	-6,365,000		-34,857,000	-22,930,000		-100,599,000		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	95,651,000		76,978,000	95,651,000		76,978,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	2,977,000		8,322,000	-1,812,000		10,678,000		'
[OtherInvestedAssetsMember] | [DerivativeMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	2,333,000		1,207,000	3,911,000		5,622,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	-1,885,000		3,152,000	-6,084,000		4,157,000		'
Purchases	0		0	121,000	[4]	-5,420,000	[5]	'
Settlements	-1,395,000	[3]	0	1,105,000		0		'
Sales	-1,400,000		'	-1,400,000		'		'
Issuances	'		'	800,000		5,700,000		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	-947,000		4,359,000	-947,000		4,359,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	-140,000		4,168,000	-349,000		4,874,000		'
[OtherInvestedAssetsMember] | [OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesAndNotesSecuritizationMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	44,224,000		44,304,000	34,902,000		63,565,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	3,250,000		3,473,000	1,867,000		9,944,000		'
Purchases	1,248,000		1,209,000	14,598,000		36,834,000		'
Settlements	-941,000		-19,958,000	-3,586,000		-81,315,000		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	47,781,000		29,028,000	47,781,000		29,028,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	3,250,000		1,654,000	1,867,000		2,402,000		'
[OtherInvestedAssetsMember] | [OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	30,555,000		27,225,000	46,882,000		27,840,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	413,000		6,314,000	506,000		8,661,000		'
Purchases	0		23,642,000	0		25,065,000		'
Settlements	-4,029,000		-14,899,000	-20,449,000	[6]	-19,284,000		'
Sales	'		'	-6,300,000		'		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	26,939,000		42,282,000	26,939,000		42,282,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	166,000		2,641,000	481,000		3,543,000		'
[OtherInvestedAssetsMember] | [PrivateEquitiesTotalMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	21,100,000		1,000,000	1,404,000		0		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	-299,000		-141,000	-3,811,000		-141,000		'
Purchases	1,077,000		450,000	24,285,000		1,450,000		'
Settlements	0		0	0		0		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	21,878,000		1,309,000	21,878,000		1,309,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	-299,000		-141,000	-3,811,000		-141,000		'
[FundsHeldDirectlyManagedInvestmentMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	15,544,000		15,397,000	18,321,000		15,767,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	1,006,000		2,468,000	-1,700,000		2,098,000		'
Purchases	0		0	0		0		'
Settlements	-686,000		0	-757,000		0		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	15,864,000		17,865,000	15,864,000		17,865,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	1,006,000		2,468,000	-636,000		2,098,000		'
[FundsHeldDirectlyManagedInvestmentMember] | [OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	15,207,000		15,076,000	17,976,000		15,433,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	1,045,000		2,460,000	-1,653,000		2,103,000		'
Purchases	0		0	0		0		'
Settlements	-686,000		0	-757,000		0		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	15,566,000		17,536,000	15,566,000		17,536,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	1,045,000		2,460,000	-589,000		2,103,000		'
[FundsHeldDirectlyManagedInvestmentMember] | [USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember]	'		'	'		'		'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'	'		'		'
Balance, beginning of period	337,000		321,000	345,000		334,000		'
Realized and unrealized investment gains (losses) included in net income	-39,000		8,000	-47,000		-5,000		'
Purchases	0		0	0		0		'
Settlements	0		0	0		0		'
Net transfers (out of)/ into Level 3	0		0	0		0		'
Balance, end of period	298,000		329,000	298,000		329,000		'
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of period	($39,000)		$8,000	($47,000)		($5,000)		'
[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 Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
[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 Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
[3]	Settlements and sales of asset-backed securities and derivatives include sales of $13.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
[4]	Purchases and issuances of derivatives includes issuances of $0.8 million.
[5]	Purchases and issuances of derivatives includes issuances of $5.7 million.
[6]	Settlements and sales of asset-backed securities, derivatives and annuities and residuals include sales of $13.7 million, $1.4 million and $6.3 million, respectively.

Fair_Value_Details_Valuation_T

Fair Value (Details - Valuation Technique and Inputs) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	13,680,838	14,395,315
Equities, trading securities	1,122,084	1,094,002
Other invested assets carried at fair value	34,249	71,204
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	637,830	833,247
[FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	842,515	657,273
Equities, trading securities	33,252	27,728
Other invested assets carried at fair value	95,651	87,099
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	15,864	18,321
[USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	289,135	233,235
[USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	2.80%	2.80%
[USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	10.10%	4.50%
[USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	3.70%	3.70%
[InterestOnlyStripMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	25	12,625
[InterestOnlyStripMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	6.00%	6.80%
Prepayment speed	20.00%	20.00%
[InterestOnlyStripMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	11.20%	11.70%
Prepayment speed	20.00%	20.00%
[InterestOnlyStripMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	9.00%	9.10%
Prepayment speed	20.00%	20.00%
[AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesExcludingInterestOnlyStripMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, trading securities	453,728	310,509
[AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesExcludingInterestOnlyStripMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	4.00%	4.00%
[AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesExcludingInterestOnlyStripMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	12.20%	12.20%
[AssetBackedSecuritiesSecuritizedLoansAndReceivablesExcludingInterestOnlyStripMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	7.20%	7.60%
[FinanceMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	14,285	13,477
[FinanceMember] | [MinimumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net income multiple	14.6	'
Tangible book value multiple	1.1	'
Liquidity discount	25.00%	'
Comparable return	10.00%	0.80%
[FinanceMember] | [MaximumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net income multiple	14.6	'
Tangible book value multiple	1.1	'
Liquidity discount	25.00%	'
Comparable return	10.00%	0.80%
[FinanceMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net income multiple	14.6	'
Tangible book value multiple	1.1	'
Liquidity discount	25.00%	'
Comparable return	10.00%	0.80%
[TechnologyMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	9,150	6,987
[TechnologyMember] | [MinimumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Liquidity discount	25.00%	'
Adjusted earnings multiple	12.9	'
Comparable return	14.20%	-1.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	2	'
[TechnologyMember] | [MaximumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Liquidity discount	25.00%	'
Adjusted earnings multiple	12.9	'
Comparable return	14.20%	-1.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	2	'
[TechnologyMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Liquidity discount	25.00%	'
Adjusted earnings multiple	12.9	'
Comparable return	14.20%	-1.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	2	'
[CommunicationsMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Equities, trading securities	2,143	'
[CommunicationsMember] | [MinimumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.2	'
Comparable return	5.00%	'
[CommunicationsMember] | [MaximumMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.2	'
Comparable return	5.00%	'
[CommunicationsMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [WeightedMarketComparablesMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Adjusted earnings multiple	10.2	'
Comparable return	5.00%	'
[TotalReturnSwapMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets carried at fair value	-732	6,084
[TotalReturnSwapMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	20.20%	2.60%
[TotalReturnSwapMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	20.20%	4.60%
[TotalReturnSwapMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	20.20%	3.20%
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets carried at fair value	27,674	24,902
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.2	1.7
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.6	2.1
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesAndLoanReceivablesMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	17.50%	17.50%
Gross revenue/fair value	1.5	1.8
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesSecuritizationMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets carried at fair value	20,107	10,000
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesSecuritizationMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	6.40%	6.50%
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesSecuritizationMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	6.40%	6.50%
[OtherInvestedAssetsNotesSecuritizationMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	6.40%	6.50%
[OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets carried at fair value	26,939	46,882
[OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember] | [MinimumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	4.60%	4.70%
Prepayment speed	0.00%	0.00%
Constant default rate	0.30%	2.30%
[OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember] | [MaximumMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	9.00%	9.90%
Prepayment speed	15.00%	15.00%
Constant default rate	35.00%	35.00%
[OtherInvestedAssetsAnnuitiesAndResidualsMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [DiscountedCashFlowMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Credit spreads	6.40%	7.20%
Prepayment speed	7.00%	7.60%
Constant default rate	13.00%	13.20%
[PrivateEquityDirectMember] | [LiquidationAnalysisMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets carried at fair value	15,259	'
[PrivateEquityDirectMember] | [MinimumMember] | [LiquidationAnalysisMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	'
Recoverability of intangible assets	0	'
[PrivateEquityDirectMember] | [MaximumMember] | [LiquidationAnalysisMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	'
Recoverability of intangible assets	0	'
[PrivateEquityDirectMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [LiquidationAnalysisMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	'
Recoverability of intangible assets	0	'
[PrivateEquityFundsMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets carried at fair value	6,619	1,404
[PrivateEquityFundsMember] | [MinimumMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	2.40%	7.30%
[PrivateEquityFundsMember] | [MaximumMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	9.70%	7.30%
[PrivateEquityFundsMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	4.60%	7.30%
[OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedLagReportedNetAssetValuesMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Funds held directly managed investments carried at fair value	15,566	17,976
[OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedLagReportedNetAssetValuesMember] | [MinimumMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	-12.90%	-38.10%
[OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedLagReportedNetAssetValuesMember] | [MaximumMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	0.00%	0.00%
[OtherInvestedAssetsFundsHeldDirectlyManagedLagReportedNetAssetValuesMember] | [WeightedAverageMember] | [LagReportedNetAssetValueMember] | [FairValueInputsLevel3Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net asset value, as reported	100.00%	100.00%
Market adjustments	-11.40%	-12.10%

Fair_Value_Details_Change_in_f

Fair Value (Details - Change in fair value option table) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized gain/loss	$11,482	$212,305	($492,077)	$337,880
[FixedMaturitiesAndShortTermInvestmentsMember]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized gain/loss	10,259	150,046	-457,168	230,862
[EquitySecuritiesMember]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized gain/loss	-891	51,260	-8,540	69,068
[OtherInvestedAssetsMember]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized gain/loss	3,021	1,574	-4,047	19,734
[FundsHeldDirectlyManagedInvestmentMember]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Change in unrealized gain/loss	($907)	$9,425	($22,322)	$18,216

Derivatives_Details

Derivatives (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset	$11,818	[1]	$18,518	[1]
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability	-74,167	[1]	-30,502	[1]
Fair value net	-62,349		-11,984
[ForeignExchangeForwardMember]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset	4,188		7,889
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability	-5,470		-17,395
Net notional exposure	2,069,416		2,170,914
Fair value net	-1,282		-9,506
[ForeignExchangeOptionMember]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset	0		1,410
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability	-821		-186
Net notional exposure	93,438		133,377
Fair value net	-821		1,224
[FutureMember]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset	0		1,956
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability	-61,909		-1,352
Net notional exposure	4,527,222		3,981,107
Fair value net	-61,909		604
[CreditDefaultSwapBuyingProtectionMember]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset	0		6
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability	-231		-807
Net notional exposure	34,000		55,000
Fair value net	-231		-801
[CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset	49		512
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability	0		0
Net notional exposure	5,000		17,500
Fair value net	49		512
[InsuranceLinkedSecuritiesMember]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset	175	[2]	0	[2]
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability	-390	[2]	-2,173	[2]
Net notional exposure	140,744	[2]	135,964	[2]
Fair value net	-215	[2]	-2,173	[2]
[TotalReturnSwapMember]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset	0		6,630
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability	-732		-546
Net notional exposure	7,657		68,730
Fair value net	-732		6,084
[InterestRateSwapMember]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset	150	[3]	0	[3]
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability	-4,614	[3]	-7,880	[3]
Net notional exposure	60,080	[3]	0	[3]
Fair value net	-4,464	[3]	-7,880	[3]
[ToBeAnnouncedSecuritiesMember]	'		'
Derivative [Line Items]	'		'
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Asset	7,256		115
Derivative Fair Value Of Derivative Liability	0		-163
Net notional exposure	192,040		155,760
Fair value net	$7,256		($48)
[1]	Amounts include all derivative instruments, irrespective of whether there is a legally enforceable master netting arrangement in place.
[2]	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 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. Accordingly, the notional value of interest rate swaps on certain total return swaps is not presented separately in the table.

Derivatives_Details_Income_Sta

Derivatives (Details - Income Statement) ([NondesignatedMember], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	($28,788)	$13,735	$5,539	$21,297
[ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-782	23,037	-41,096	44,245
[NetRealizedAndUnrealizedInvestmentGainsAndLossesMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-28,006	-9,302	46,635	-22,948
[ForeignExchangeForwardMember] | [ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	17	21,976	-36,457	41,686
[ForeignExchangeOptionMember] | [ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-799	1,061	-4,639	2,559
[FutureMember] | [NetRealizedAndUnrealizedInvestmentGainsAndLossesMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-30,233	-14,979	55,143	-34,758
[CreditDefaultSwapBuyingProtectionMember] | [NetRealizedAndUnrealizedInvestmentGainsAndLossesMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-6	-250	-126	-861
[CreditDefaultSwapSellingProtectionMember] | [NetRealizedAndUnrealizedInvestmentGainsAndLossesMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	7	398	122	1,709
[InsuranceLinkedSecuritiesMember] | [NetRealizedAndUnrealizedInvestmentGainsAndLossesMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-110	3,934	-660	5,160
[TotalReturnSwapMember] | [NetRealizedAndUnrealizedInvestmentGainsAndLossesMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-1,762	-773	-5,421	-1,242
[InterestRateSwapMember] | [NetRealizedAndUnrealizedInvestmentGainsAndLossesMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	240	-200	3,416	-402
[ToBeAnnouncedSecuritiesMember] | [NetRealizedAndUnrealizedInvestmentGainsAndLossesMember]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain(loss) on derivatives recognized in income	$3,858	$2,568	($5,839)	$7,446

Offsetting_Details

Offsetting (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Offsetting Assets [Line Items]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized, asset	$11,818	[1]	$18,518	[1]
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	0		0
Net amounts presented in the balance sheet, asset	11,818		18,518
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, financial instruments, asset	1,739		-12,051
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, cash collateral pledged	0		0
Net amount, asset	13,557		6,467
Gross amounts of recognized, liability	-74,167	[1]	-30,502	[1]
Gross amount offset in the balance sheet	0		0
Net amounts presented in the balance sheet, liability	-74,167		-30,502
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, financial instruments, liability	-1,739		12,051
Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet, cash collateral received	4,260		0
Net amount, liability	($71,646)		($18,451)
[1]	Amounts include all derivative instruments, irrespective of whether there is a legally enforceable master netting arrangement in place.

Derivatives_Details_narrative_

Derivatives (Details - narrative items)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	issuers	[MinimumMember]	[MaximumMember]	[DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember]	[DesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentMember]
				derivatives	derivatives
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative number of instruments held	'	'	'	0	0
Credit derivative term	'	'0 years 0 months 0 days	'5 years 0 months 0 days	'	'
Number Of Credit Default Swaps Issuers In Default	0	'	'	'	'

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Preferred Shares [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred shares, shares issued	34,150,000	'	34,150,000	'	35,750,000
Aggregate liquidation value	$853,750,000	'	$853,750,000	'	$893,750,000
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	'	'	241,265,000	0	'
Loss on redemption of preferred shares	0	0	9,135,000	0	'
[SeriesCPreferredStockMember]	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Shares [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate redemption value	290,000,000	'	290,000,000	'	'
Preferred Stock Redemption Date	'	'	18-Mar-13	'	'
[SeriesFPreferredStockMember]	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred Shares [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred shares issuance, date	'	'	14-Feb-13	'	'
Preferred shares, shares issued	10,000,000	'	10,000,000	'	'
Dividend rate, percentage	'	'	5.88%	'	'
Distribution on liquidation	$25	'	$25	'	'
Aggregate liquidation value	250,000,000	'	250,000,000	'	'
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	'	'	242,300,000	'	'
Underwriting discounts and commissions	'	'	$7,700,000	'	'

Net_Income_Per_Share_Details

Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net income attributable to PartnerRe Ltd.	$333,423		$486,706		$392,221		$1,022,994
Dividends on preferred shares	-14,184		-15,405		-43,678		-46,216
Loss on redemption of preferred shares	0		0		9,135		0
Net income available to PartnerRe Ltd. common shareholders	$319,239		$471,301		$339,408		$976,778
Denominator [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	53,671,245		61,837,328		56,176,260		63,679,114
Share options and other	953,906	[1]	769,433	[1]	1,041,301	[1]	605,011	[1]
Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding	54,625,151		62,606,761		57,217,561		64,284,125
Basic net income	$5.95		$7.62		$6.04		$15.34
Diluted net income	$5.84		$7.53		$5.93		$15.19
Share options excluded from computation of weighted average number of common share and common share equivalents outstanding	'		'		140,500		1,233,300
[1]	At September 30, 2013 and 2012, share based awards to purchase 140.5 thousand and 1,233.3 thousand common shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares.

Noncontrolling_interests_Detai

Noncontrolling interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total assets	$23,138,207,000	'	$23,138,207,000	'	$22,980,432,000
Total liabilities	16,514,031,000	'	16,514,031,000	'	16,046,936,000
Movement In Minority Interest [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	0	'	'
Net income attributable to noncontrollong interests	4,112,000	0	5,296,000	0	'
Ending balance	52,489,000	'	52,489,000	'	'
[LorenzReMember]	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest Ownership Percentage By Parent	50.00%	'	50.00%	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest Ownership Percentage By Noncontrolling Owners	50.00%	'	50.00%	'	'
Preferred Stock Value Issued Of Subsidiary	75,000,000	'	75,000,000	'	'
Sale of shares to noncontrolling interests	10,500,000	'	47,193,000	'	'
Total assets	100,900,000	'	100,900,000	'	'
Total liabilities	18,900,000	'	18,900,000	'	'
Movement In Minority Interest [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	0	'	'
Sale of shares to noncontrolling interests	10,500,000	'	47,193,000	'	'
Net income attributable to noncontrollong interests	'	'	5,296,000	'	'
Ending balance	$52,489,000	'	$52,489,000	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing receivable impairment	$2,700,000	'	$2,700,000	'	$3,000,000
Financing receivable acquired during period	1,900,000	200,000	29,100,000	37,600,000	'
Financing receivable significant sales	0	0	0	0	'
[PerformingFinancingReceivableMember]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing receivable	33,300,000	'	33,300,000	'	46,700,000
[PerformingFinancingReceivableMember] | [ResidentialPrimeFinancingReceivableMember]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing receivable	25,500,000	'	25,500,000	'	31,300,000
[PerformingFinancingReceivableMember] | [CommercialRealEstateOtherReceivableMember]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing receivable	7,800,000	'	7,800,000	'	15,400,000
[NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing receivable	$0	'	$0	'	$0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details - Other Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
			[FR]	[MinimumMember]	[MaximumMember]	[ScenarioForecastMember]	[ScenarioForecastMember]	[ScenarioForecastMember]	[ScenarioForecastMember]
						[FR]	[FourthQuarter2013Member]	[MinimumMember]	[MaximumMember]
								[NextYearMember]	[NextYearMember]
Other commitments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring costs incurred	$2.40	$45.70	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring and related cost expected cost	'	'	'	60	70	'	'	'	'
Restructuring cost expected cost remaining	'	'	'	'	'	'	$10	$5	$10
Corpoarate tax rate	'	'	36.00%	'	'	38.00%	'	'	'

Credit_Agreements_Details

Credit Agreements (Details) ([UnsecuredSyndicatedCreditFacilityBMember], USD $)	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
[UnsecuredSyndicatedCreditFacilityBMember]	'	'	'
Credit Agreements Details [Line Items]	'	'	'
Modification date	'18-Apr-13	'15-Jun-13	'
Total amount of credit facilities available	$50,000,000	$0	$500,000,000
Line Of Credit Facility Revolving Credit Amount	$50,000,000	$0	$375,000,000

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross premiums written	$1,281,477,000		$1,056,076,000		$4,378,944,000		$3,786,802,000
Net premiums written	1,264,775,000		1,043,240,000		4,210,525,000		3,652,571,000
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums	156,694,000		193,851,000		-433,740,000		-334,772,000
Net premiums earned	1,421,469,000		1,237,091,000		3,776,785,000		3,317,799,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-751,000,000		-721,000,000		-2,279,000,000		-2,004,000,000
Acquisition costs	-282,948,000		-247,058,000		-758,890,000		-691,388,000
Technical result	387,000,000		269,000,000		739,000,000		623,000,000
Other income	5,399,000		2,744,000		13,205,000		8,143,000
Other operating expenses	-108,467,000		-94,697,000		-369,340,000		-299,055,000
Underwriting result	284,000,000		177,000,000		383,000,000		332,000,000
Net investment income	121,811,000		135,266,000		370,017,000		435,669,000
Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)	16,118,000		257,429,000		-260,154,000		488,296,000
Interest expense	-12,233,000		-12,224,000		-36,694,000		-36,668,000
Amortization of intangible assets	-7,045,000		-8,893,000		-21,136,000		-26,679,000
Net foreign exchange losses (gains)	1,279,000		2,015,000		9,822,000		-3,165,000
Income tax expense	-70,232,000		-64,149,000		-37,338,000		-181,458,000
Interest in earnings of equity investments	5,941,000		4,349,000		9,677,000		8,929,000
Net income	337,535,000		486,706,000		397,517,000		1,022,994,000
[NonLifeMember]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross premiums written	1,041,000,000		869,000,000		3,649,000,000		3,177,000,000
Net premiums written	1,026,000,000		856,000,000		3,489,000,000		3,045,000,000
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums	147,000,000		182,000,000		-416,000,000		-321,000,000
Net premiums earned	1,173,000,000		1,038,000,000		3,073,000,000		2,724,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-557,000,000		-561,000,000		-1,723,000,000		-1,522,000,000
Acquisition costs	-259,000,000		-219,000,000		-677,000,000		-609,000,000
Technical result	357,000,000		258,000,000		673,000,000		593,000,000
Other income	2,000,000		1,000,000		3,000,000		2,000,000
Other operating expenses	-62,000,000		-58,000,000		-189,000,000		-187,000,000
Underwriting result	297,000,000		201,000,000		487,000,000		408,000,000
Reinsurance Ratios [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Loss ratio	47.50%	[1]	54.10%	[1]	56.10%	[1]	55.90%	[1]
Acquisition ratio	22.10%	[2]	21.10%	[2]	22.00%	[2]	22.30%	[2]
Technical ratio	69.60%	[3]	75.20%	[3]	78.10%	[3]	78.20%	[3]
Other operating expense ratio	5.30%	[4]	5.50%	[4]	6.10%	[4]	6.90%	[4]
Combined ratio	74.90%	[4]	80.70%	[5]	84.20%	[5]	85.10%	[5]
[NonLifeMember] | [NorthAmericaSegmentMember]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross premiums written	409,000,000		311,000,000		1,228,000,000		924,000,000
Net premiums written	408,000,000		311,000,000		1,215,000,000		922,000,000
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums	17,000,000		24,000,000		-99,000,000		-59,000,000
Net premiums earned	425,000,000		335,000,000		1,116,000,000		863,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-197,000,000		-251,000,000		-682,000,000		-568,000,000
Acquisition costs	-101,000,000		-83,000,000		-253,000,000		-218,000,000
Technical result	127,000,000		1,000,000		181,000,000		77,000,000
Reinsurance Ratios [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Loss ratio	46.30%	[1]	74.90%	[1]	61.10%	[1]	65.90%	[1]
Acquisition ratio	23.90%	[2]	24.80%	[2]	22.70%	[2]	25.20%	[2]
Technical ratio	70.20%	[3]	99.70%	[3]	83.80%	[3]	91.10%	[3]
[NonLifeMember] | [GlobalNonUsPcMember]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross premiums written	157,000,000		123,000,000		690,000,000		600,000,000
Net premiums written	157,000,000		122,000,000		682,000,000		596,000,000
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums	38,000,000		50,000,000		-152,000,000		-100,000,000
Net premiums earned	195,000,000		172,000,000		530,000,000		496,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-90,000,000		-110,000,000		-263,000,000		-327,000,000
Acquisition costs	-50,000,000		-42,000,000		-134,000,000		-120,000,000
Technical result	55,000,000		20,000,000		133,000,000		49,000,000
Reinsurance Ratios [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Loss ratio	46.00%	[1]	63.90%	[1]	49.70%	[1]	65.90%	[1]
Acquisition ratio	25.70%	[2]	24.90%	[2]	25.20%	[2]	24.30%	[2]
Technical ratio	71.70%	[3]	88.80%	[3]	74.90%	[3]	90.20%	[3]
[NonLifeMember] | [GlobalSpecialtyMember]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross premiums written	396,000,000		360,000,000		1,253,000,000		1,178,000,000
Net premiums written	389,000,000		354,000,000		1,159,000,000		1,098,000,000
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums	-7,000,000		9,000,000		-68,000,000		-64,000,000
Net premiums earned	382,000,000		363,000,000		1,091,000,000		1,034,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-228,000,000		-161,000,000		-697,000,000		-569,000,000
Acquisition costs	-92,000,000		-79,000,000		-257,000,000		-241,000,000
Technical result	62,000,000		123,000,000		137,000,000		224,000,000
Reinsurance Ratios [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Loss ratio	59.80%	[1]	44.40%	[1]	63.90%	[1]	55.10%	[1]
Acquisition ratio	24.00%	[2]	21.70%	[2]	23.60%	[2]	23.30%	[2]
Technical ratio	83.80%	[3]	66.10%	[3]	87.50%	[3]	78.40%	[3]
[NonLifeMember] | [CatastropheSegmentMember]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross premiums written	79,000,000		75,000,000		478,000,000		475,000,000
Net premiums written	72,000,000		69,000,000		433,000,000		429,000,000
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums	99,000,000		99,000,000		-97,000,000		-98,000,000
Net premiums earned	171,000,000		168,000,000		336,000,000		331,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-42,000,000		-39,000,000		-81,000,000		-58,000,000
Acquisition costs	-16,000,000		-15,000,000		-33,000,000		-30,000,000
Technical result	113,000,000		114,000,000		222,000,000		243,000,000
Reinsurance Ratios [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Loss ratio	24.50%	[1]	23.30%	[1]	24.20%	[1]	17.40%	[1]
Acquisition ratio	9.00%	[2]	8.80%	[2]	9.70%	[2]	9.10%	[2]
Technical ratio	33.50%	[3]	32.10%	[3]	33.90%	[3]	26.50%	[3]
[LifeAndHealthMember]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross premiums written	235,000,000		187,000,000		722,000,000		604,000,000
Net premiums written	234,000,000		187,000,000		715,000,000		601,000,000
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums	9,000,000		8,000,000		-17,000,000		-12,000,000
Net premiums earned	243,000,000		195,000,000		698,000,000		589,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	-195,000,000		-157,000,000		-558,000,000		-479,000,000
Acquisition costs	-24,000,000		-27,000,000		-82,000,000		-82,000,000
Technical result	24,000,000		11,000,000		58,000,000		28,000,000
Other income	3,000,000		1,000,000		9,000,000		3,000,000
Other operating expenses	-17,000,000		-12,000,000		-52,000,000		-38,000,000
Underwriting result	10,000,000		0		15,000,000		-7,000,000
Net investment income	15,000,000		15,000,000		45,000,000		49,000,000
Allocated underwriting result	25,000,000	[6]	15,000,000	[6]	60,000,000	[6]	42,000,000	[6]
[CorporateAndOtherMember]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross premiums written	5,000,000		0		8,000,000		6,000,000
Net premiums written	5,000,000		0		7,000,000		6,000,000
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums	0		4,000,000		-1,000,000		-1,000,000
Net premiums earned	5,000,000		4,000,000		6,000,000		5,000,000
Losses and loss expenses and life policy benefits	1,000,000		-3,000,000		2,000,000		-3,000,000
Acquisition costs	0		-1,000,000		0		0
Technical result	6,000,000		0		8,000,000		2,000,000
Other income	0		1,000,000		1,000,000		3,000,000
Other operating expenses	-29,000,000		-25,000,000		-128,000,000		-74,000,000
Net investment income	107,000,000		120,000,000		325,000,000		387,000,000
Net realized and unrealized investment gains (losses)	16,000,000		257,000,000		-260,000,000		488,000,000
Interest expense	-12,000,000		-12,000,000		-37,000,000		-37,000,000
Amortization of intangible assets	-7,000,000		-9,000,000		-21,000,000		-27,000,000
Net foreign exchange losses (gains)	1,000,000		2,000,000		10,000,000		-3,000,000
Income tax expense	-70,000,000		-64,000,000		-37,000,000		-181,000,000
Interest in earnings of equity investments	$6,000,000		$5,000,000		$10,000,000		$9,000,000
[1]	Loss ratio is obtained by dividing losses and loss expenses by net premiums earned.
[2]	Acquisition ratio is obtained by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned.
[3]	Technical ratio is defined as the sum of the loss ratio and the acquisition ratio.
[4]	Other operating expense ratio is obtained by dividing other operating expenses by net premiums earned.
[5]	Combined ratio is defined as the sum of the technical ratio and the other operating 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 operating expenses.

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			[SubsequentEventMember]	[SubsequentEventMember]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other invested assets	$268,097	$333,361	$105,000	$36,000
Subsequent Events Date	'	'	30-Oct-13	'