Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (FRFHF) 40-F 9 Mar 18 2017 FY Annual report (Canada) Financial data

DEI

DEI	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017shares
Document Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FAIRFAX FINANCIAL HOLDINGS LTD/ CAN
Entity Central Index Key	915,191
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	40-F
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	27,751,073
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Insurance contract receivables	$ 4,686.9	$ 2,917.5
Portfolio investments
Subsidiary cash and short term investments	8,770	4,649.8
Investments in associates (fair value $2,824.3; December 31, 2016 – $2,955.4)	3,656.3	2,633.5
Deferred premium acquisition costs	927.5	693.1
Recoverable from reinsurers (including recoverables on paid losses – $453.8; December 31, 2016 – $290.9)	7,812.5
Deferred income taxes	380.8	732.6
Goodwill and intangible assets	6,072.5	3,847.5
Other assets	4,828.3	2,518.4
Total assets	64,090.1	43,384.4
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	3,629.5	2,888.6
Income taxes payable	95.6	35.4
Short sale and derivative obligations (including at the holding company – $11.5; December 31, 2016 – $42.2)	126.2	234.3
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers	850.2	416.2
Insurance contract liabilities	34,562.5	23,222.2
Total liabilities	45,678.1	31,564.3
Equity
Shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax	13,811.1	9,820.1
Non-controlling interests	4,600.9	2,000
Total equity	18,412	11,820.1
Equity and liabilities	64,090.1	43,384.4
Common shareholders’ equity
Equity
Equity in stock	12,475.6	8,484.6
Preferred shares
Equity
Equity in stock	1,335.5	1,335.5
Holding Company
Assets
Holding company cash and investments (including assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations – $77.8; December 31, 2016 – $94.4)	2,368.4	1,371.6
Portfolio investments
Subsidiary cash and short term investments	995.4	533.2
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations (cost $197.5; December 31, 2016 – $223.9)	77.8	94.4
Portfolio investments	2,368.4	1,371.6
Liabilities
Short sale and derivative obligations (including at the holding company – $11.5; December 31, 2016 – $42.2)	11.5	42.2
Portfolio Investments
Assets
Holding company cash and investments (including assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations – $77.8; December 31, 2016 – $94.4)	37,013.2	27,293.4
Portfolio investments
Subsidiary cash and short term investments	17,382.5	9,938
Bonds (cost $8,764.6; December 31, 2016 – $8,699.1)	9,164.1	9,323.2
Preferred stocks (cost $338.5; December 31, 2016 – $111.2)	296.8	69.6
Common stocks (cost $4,877.5; December 31, 2016 – $4,824.0)	4,838.7	4,158.8
Investments in associates (fair value $2,824.3; December 31, 2016 – $2,955.4)	2,487	2,393
Derivatives and other invested assets (cost $585.7; December 31, 2016 – $546.2)	255.4	179.7
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations (cost $197.5; December 31, 2016 – $223.9)	194.7	228.5
Portfolio investments	37,013.2	27,293.4
Portfolio Investments | Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa
Assets
Holding company cash and investments (including assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations – $77.8; December 31, 2016 – $94.4)	2,394	1,002.6
Portfolio investments
Portfolio investments	2,394	1,002.6
Holding Company, Insurance, and Reinsurance Companies
Liabilities
Borrowings	4,848.1	3,908
Non-insurance companies
Portfolio investments
Other assets	3,264.3	1,497.7
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,288	973.6
Borrowings	$ 1,566	$ 859.6

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement [Line Items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities	$ 5,706	$ 5,481
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations, at cost	272.5	322.9
Recoverables on paid losses	453.8	290.9
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	126.2	234.3
Holding Company
Statement [Line Items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities	77.8	94.4
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	11.5	42.2
Portfolio Investments
Statement [Line Items]
Bonds, at cost	8,764.6	8,699.1
Preferred stocks, at cost	338.5	111.2
Common stocks, at cost	4,877.5	4,824
Fair value of investments in associates	2,824.3	2,955.4
Derivatives and other invested assets, at cost	585.7	546.2
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations, at cost	$ 197.5	$ 223.9

Consolidated Statements of Earn

Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenue
Gross premiums written	$ 12,207.5	$ 9,534.3
Net premiums written	9,983.5	8,088.4
Gross premiums earned	11,822	9,209.7
Premiums ceded to reinsurers	(2,100.6)	(1,347.5)
Net premiums earned	9,721.4	7,862.2
Interest and dividends	559	555.2
Share of profit of associates	200.5	24.2
Net gains (losses) on investments	1,467.5	(1,203.6)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	1,018.6	0
Other revenue	3,257.6	2,061.6
Revenue	16,224.6	9,299.6
Expenses
Losses on claims, gross	9,518.7	5,682.9
Losses on claims ceded to reinsurers	(2,371.8)	(964.3)
Losses on claims, net	7,146.9	4,718.6
Operating expenses	2,049.5	1,597.7
Commissions, net	1,649.2	1,336.4
Interest expense	331.2	242.8
Other expenses	3,024.6	1,958.4
Expenses	14,201.4	9,853.9
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	2,023.2	(554.3)
Provision (recovery) for income taxes	408.3	(159.6)
Net earnings (loss)	1,614.9	(394.7)
Attributable to:
Shareholders of Fairfax	1,740.6	(512.5)
Non-controlling interests	(125.7)	117.8
Net earnings (loss)	$ 1,614.9	$ (394.7)
Net earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 66.74	$ (24.18)
Net earnings (loss) per diluted share (in dollars per share)	64.98	(24.18)
Cash dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 10	$ 10
Shares outstanding (weighted average) (in shares)	25,411,246	23,017,184

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of comprehensive income [abstract]
Net earnings (loss)	$ 1,614.9	$ (394.7)
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings
Net unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) on foreign operations	461.7	(80.2)
Losses on hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries	(106.3)	(37.5)
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of associates, excluding net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	110.1	(35.6)
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings	465.5	(153.3)
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings
Share of net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans of associates	5.2	(33.2)
Net losses on defined benefit plans	(31.8)	(18.3)
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings	(26.6)	(51.5)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	438.9	(204.8)
Comprehensive income (loss)	2,053.8	(599.5)
Attributable to:
Shareholders of Fairfax	2,024.4	(696.4)
Non-controlling interests	29.4	96.9
Comprehensive income (loss)	2,053.8	(599.5)
Income tax on items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings
Net unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) on foreign operations	10.4	14
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of associates, excluding net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	(25.9)	3.7
Income tax on items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings	(15.5)	17.7
Income tax on items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings
Share of net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans of associates	(7.4)	10.5
Net losses on defined benefit plans	2.3	5
Income tax on items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings	(5.1)	15.5
Total income tax (expense) recovery	$ (20.6)	$ 33.2

Consolidated Statements of Chan

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Treasury shares (at cost)	Share- based payments and other reserves	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax	Non- controlling interests	Subordinate voting sharesEquity issued	Multiple voting sharesEquity issued	Common shareholders’ equityEquity issued	Preferred shares	Preferred sharesEquity issued
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 12,018.9	$ (236)	$ 88.2	$ 5,230.7	$ (364)	$ 10,287.4	$ 1,731.5	$ 4,229.8	$ 3.8	$ 8,952.5		$ 1,334.9
Changes in equity [abstract]
Net earnings (loss) for the year	(394.7)			(512.5)		(512.5)	117.8			(512.5)
Net unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) on foreign operations	(80.2)				(61.4)	(61.4)	(18.8)			(61.4)
Losses on hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries	(37.5)				(37.5)	(37.5)				(37.5)
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of associates, excluding net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	(35.6)				(35.4)	(35.4)	(0.2)			(35.4)
Share of net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans of associates	(33.2)				(32)	(32)	(1.2)			(32)
Net losses on defined benefit plans	(18.3)				(17.6)	(17.6)	(0.7)			(17.6)
Issuance of shares	521	15.1	(17.6)			521		523.5		521
Purchases and amortization	(30.5)	(64.2)	40.6			(29.7)	(0.8)	(6.1)		(29.7)
Excess of book value over consideration of common shares purchased for cancellation	(8)			(8)		(8)				(8)
Common share dividends	(269)			(227.8)		(227.8)	(41.2)			(227.8)
Preferred share dividends	(44)			(44)		(44)				(44)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	86.8						86.8
Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)	144.4		(4.4)	17.8		17.6	126.8	3.6		17	$ 0.6	0.6
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	11,820.1	(285.1)	106.8	4,456.2	(547.9)	9,820.1	2,000	4,750.8	3.8	8,484.6		1,335.5
Changes in equity [abstract]
Net earnings (loss) for the year	1,614.9			1,740.6		1,740.6	(125.7)			1,740.6
Net unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) on foreign operations	461.7				306.7	306.7	155			306.7
Losses on hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries	(106.3)				(106.3)	(106.3)				(106.3)
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of associates, excluding net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	110.1				109.3	109.3	0.8			109.3
Share of net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans of associates	5.2				5	5	0.2			5
Net losses on defined benefit plans	(31.8)				(30.9)	(30.9)	(0.9)			(30.9)
Issuance of shares	2,196.9	17.4	(16.9)			2,196.9		2,196.4		2,196.9	$ 0
Purchases and amortization	(130.5)	(140.5)	51.8			(134.3)	3.8	(45.6)		(134.3)
Excess of book value over consideration of common shares purchased for cancellation	(50.6)			(50.6)		(50.6)				(50.6)
Common share dividends	(304.9)			(237.4)		(237.4)	(67.5)			(237.4)
Preferred share dividends	(44.6)			(44.6)		(44.6)				(44.6)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	2,451.2						2,451.2
Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)	420.6		52.8	183.8		236.6	184			236.6
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 18,412	$ (408.2)	$ 194.5	$ 6,048	$ (264.1)	$ 13,811.1	$ 4,600.9	$ 6,901.6	$ 3.8	$ 12,475.6		$ 1,335.5

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating activities
Net earnings (loss)	$ 1,614.9	$ (394.7)
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges	280.5	191.7
Net bond premium (discount) amortization	(52.7)	3.6
Amortization of share-based payment awards	51.8	40.6
Share of profit of associates	(200.5)	(24.2)
Deferred income taxes	230.3	(273.8)
Net (gains) losses on investments	(1,467.5)	1,203.6
Gain on sale of subsidiary	(1,018.6)	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	28.6	0
Net sales of securities classified as FVTPL	2,678.4	1,119.3
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	555.4	(607.9)
Cash provided by operating activities	2,700.6	1,258.2
Investing activities
Sales of investments in associates	1,014.9	45.8
Purchases of investments in associates	(1,026.5)	(735.3)
Net purchases of premises and equipment and intangible assets	(415.2)	(208.3)
Purchases of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired	(1,107.7)	(779.1)
Sale of subsidiary, net of cash divested	640.4	0
Decrease in restricted cash for purchase of subsidiary	0	6.5
Cash used in investing activities	(894.1)	(1,670.4)
Financing activities
Issuances, net of issuance costs	0	523.5
Repurchases for treasury	(140.5)	(64.2)
Repurchases for cancellation	(96.2)	(14.1)
Common share dividends	(237.4)	(227.8)
Preferred share dividends	44.6	44
Issuances to non-controlling interests, net of issuance costs	2,223.2	157.1
Purchases of non-controlling interests	(140.3)	(87.2)
Proceeds From Sales Of Interests In Associates, Financing Activities	96.8	12.7
Increase in restricted cash related to financing activities	(150.8)	(18.9)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests	(67.5)	(41.2)
Cash provided by financing activities	1,761.6	1,543.4
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	3,568.1	1,131.2
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year	4,219.1	3,125.6
Foreign currency translation	147.8	(37.7)
Cash and cash equivalents – end of year	7,935	4,219.1
Holding Company, Insurance, and Reinsurance Companies
Financing activities
Proceeds, net of issuance costs	577	637.7
Repayments	(483.7)	(5.4)
Net borrowings from (repayments to) revolving credit facility	(200)	200
Non-insurance companies
Operating activities
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	28.6	0
Financing activities
Proceeds, net of issuance costs	500.6	360.5
Repayments	(268.7)	(38.9)
Net borrowings from (repayments to) revolving credit facility	$ 193.7	$ 193.6

Business Operations

Business Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Corporate Information And Statement Of IFRS Compliance [Abstract]
Business Operations	Business Operations Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (“the company” or “Fairfax”) is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is principally engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment management. The holding company is federally incorporated and domiciled in Ontario, Canada.

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Corporate Information And Statement Of IFRS Compliance [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) effective as at December 31, 2017 , except IFRS 9 (2010) Financial Instruments which was adopted early. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments and fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”) financial assets and liabilities that have been measured at fair value. The consolidated balance sheets of the company are presented on a non-classified basis. Assets expected to be realized and liabilities expected to be settled within the company's normal operating cycle of one year are considered current, including the following balances: cash, short term investments, insurance contract receivables, deferred premium acquisition costs, income taxes payable, and short sale and derivative obligations. The following balances are considered non-current: deferred income taxes and goodwill and intangible assets. All other balances are comprised of current and non-current amounts. The holding company has significant liquid resources that are generally not restricted by insurance regulators. The operating subsidiaries are primarily insurers and reinsurers that are often subject to a wide variety of insurance and other laws and regulations that vary by jurisdiction and are intended to protect policyholders rather than investors. These laws and regulations may limit the ability of operating subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to parent companies. The company's consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of cash flows therefore make a distinction in classification between the holding company and the operating subsidiaries for cash and short term investments to provide additional insight into the company's liquidity, financial leverage and capital structure. These consolidated financial statements were approved for issue by the company’s Board of Directors on March 9, 2018 .

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Corporate Information And Statement Of IFRS Compliance [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The principal accounting policies applied to the presentation of these consolidated financial statements and the methods of computation have been consistently applied to all periods presented unless otherwise stated, and are as set out below. Consolidation Subsidiaries - The company's consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, expenses and cash flows of the holding company and its subsidiaries. A subsidiary is an entity over which the company has control. The company controls an entity when the company has power over the entity, is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. Assessment of control is based on the substance of the relationship between the company and the entity and includes consideration of both existing voting rights and, if applicable, potential voting rights that are currently exercisable and convertible. The operating results of subsidiaries acquired are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date control is acquired (typically the acquisition date). The operating results of subsidiaries that are divested during the year are included up to the date control ceased and any difference between the fair value of the consideration received and the carrying value of a divested subsidiary is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. The consolidated financial statements were prepared as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 based on individual holding companies' and subsidiary companies' financial statements at those dates. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been aligned with those of the company where necessary. The company's significant subsidiaries are identified in note 29. Non-controlling interests - A non-controlling interest is initially recognized as the proportionate share of the identifiable net assets of a subsidiary on its acquisition date and is subsequently adjusted for the non-controlling interest's share of changes in the acquired subsidiary's earnings and capital. Effects of transactions with non-controlling interests are recorded in equity if there is no change in control. Business combinations Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting whereby the consideration transferred is measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. This consideration may include cash paid and the fair value at the date of exchange of assets given, liabilities incurred and equity instruments issued by the company or its subsidiaries. The consideration transferred also includes any contingent consideration arrangements, recorded at fair value. Directly attributable acquisition-related costs are expensed in the current period and reported within operating expenses. At the date of acquisition, the company recognizes the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquired business. The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are initially recognized at fair value. If the consideration transferred is less than the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired, the excess is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. A pre-existing equity interest is re-measured to fair value at the date of a business combination with any gain or loss recognized in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings. Goodwill and intangible assets Goodwill - Goodwill is recorded as the excess of consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination, less accumulated impairment charges, and is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition for the purpose of impairment testing. On an annual basis or more frequently if there are potential indicators of impairment, the carrying value of a cash-generating unit inclusive of its allocated goodwill is compared to its recoverable amount, with any goodwill impairment measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the recoverable amount. Goodwill is derecognized on disposal of a cash-generating unit to which goodwill was previously allocated. Intangible assets - Intangible assets are comprised primarily of customer and broker relationships, brand names, Lloyd's participation rights, computer software (including enterprise systems) and other acquired identifiable non-monetary assets without physical form. Intangible assets are initially recognized at cost (fair value when acquired through a business combination) and subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment, where amortization is calculated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of those intangible assets with a finite life. The carrying value of intangible assets with a finite life are re-evaluated by the company when there are potential indicators of impairment. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization but are assessed for impairment annually or more frequently if there are potential indicators of impairment. The estimated useful lives of the company's intangible assets are as follows: Customer and broker relationships 8 to 20 years Brand names and Lloyd's participation rights Indefinite Computer software 3 to 15 years Brand names are considered to be indefinite-lived based on their strength, history and expected future use. Investments in associates Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method and are comprised of investments in corporations, limited partnerships and trusts where the company has the ability to exercise significant influence but not control. Under the equity method of accounting, an investment in associate is initially recognized at cost and adjusted thereafter for the post-acquisition change in the company's share of net assets of the associate. The company's share of profit (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) of associates are reported in the corresponding lines in the consolidated statement of earnings and consolidated statement of comprehensive income, respectively. A pre-existing equity interest is re-measured to fair value at the date significant influence is obtained and included in the carrying value of the associate. The fair value of associates is estimated at each reporting date (or more frequently when conditions warrant) using valuation techniques consistent with those applied to the company's other investments in equity instruments. See 'Determination of fair value' under the heading of 'Investments' for further details. If there is objective evidence that the carrying value of an associate is impaired, the associate is written down to its recoverable amount and the unrealized impairment loss is recognized in share of profit (loss) of associates in the consolidated statement of earnings. Impairment losses are reversed in future periods if the circumstances that led to the impairment no longer exist. The reversal is limited to restoring the carrying amount to what would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized in prior periods. Upon loss of significant influence, any retained interest classified as a financial asset is re-measured to fair value and all amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income in relation to that investee are reclassified to the consolidated statement of earnings. Gains and losses on loss of significant influence or disposition of an associate are recognized in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings. Foreign currency translation Functional and presentation currency - The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars which is the holding company's functional currency and the presentation currency of the consolidated group. Foreign currency transactions - Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currencies of the holding company and its subsidiaries using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. Non-monetary items carried at cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items carried at fair value are translated at the date the fair value is determined. Translation of foreign subsidiaries - The functional currencies of some of the company's subsidiaries (principally in Canada, the United Kingdom and Asia) differ from the consolidated group U.S. dollar presentation currency. As a result, the assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries (including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on their acquisition, where applicable) are translated on consolidation at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange for the period. The net unrealized gain or loss resulting from this translation is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, and only recycled to the consolidated statement of earnings upon reduction of an investment in a foreign subsidiary. Net investment hedge - The company has designated a portion of the principal amount of its Canadian dollar denominated borrowings as a hedge of its net investment in its Canadian subsidiaries. The cumulative unrealized gain or loss relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, and only recycled to the consolidated statement of earnings upon reduction of an investment in a hedged foreign subsidiary. Gains and losses relating to any ineffective portion of the hedge are recorded in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings. Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net earnings (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) and includes all changes in total equity during a period, except for those resulting from investments by owners or distributions to owners. Unrealized foreign currency translation amounts arising from foreign subsidiaries and associates that do not have U.S. dollar functional currencies and the effective portion of changes in the fair value of hedging instruments on hedges of net investments in foreign subsidiaries are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until recycled to the consolidated statement of earnings on reduction of an investment in a foreign subsidiary or associate. Actuarial gains and losses and changes in asset limitation amounts on defined benefit pension and post retirement plans are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) without recycling. Upon settlement of the defined benefit plan or disposal of the related associate or subsidiary, those amounts are reclassified directly to retained earnings. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, is included on the consolidated balance sheet as a component of common shareholders' equity. Consolidated statement of cash flows The company's consolidated statement of cash flows is prepared in accordance with the indirect method, classifying cash flows by operating, investing and financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents consist of holding company and subsidiary cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and other short term highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased, and exclude cash and short term highly liquid investments that are restricted. Investments Investments include cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, equity instruments, debt instruments, securities sold short, derivatives, investment property and investments in associates. Management determines the appropriate classifications of investments at their acquisition date. The company has not designated any financial assets or liabilities (including derivatives) as accounting hedges except for the hedge of its net investment in Canadian subsidiaries as described in note 7. Classification - Short term investments, equity instruments, bonds, securities sold short and derivatives are classified as FVTPL. An investment in a debt instrument is measured at amortized cost if (i) the objective of the company's business model is to hold the instrument in order to collect contractual cash flows and (ii) the contractual terms of the instrument give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. The company's business model currently does not permit any of its short term investments or bonds to be measured at amortized cost. Recognition and measurement - The company recognizes purchases and sales of investments on the trade date, which is the date on which the company commits to purchase or sell the asset. Transactions pending settlement are reflected on the consolidated balance sheet in other assets or in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Investments classified as FVTPL are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet, with transaction costs expensed as incurred and changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statement of earnings as interest and dividends and net gains (losses) on investments. Interest and dividends comprises dividends received on holdings of common stocks and preferred stocks, and interest income on short term investments and bonds calculated using the effective interest method, net of investment expenses. All other changes in fair value of investments classified as FVTPL are reported in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings, such that the sum of interest income and net gains (losses) on short term investments and bonds is equal to their total change in fair value for the reporting period. Interest and dividends and net gains (losses) on investments are reported as operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. An investment is derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investment have expired or have been transferred and when the company has transferred substantially the risks and rewards of ownership. Short term investments - Debt instruments with maturity dates between three months and twelve months when purchased are presented as short term investments. Bonds - Debt instruments with maturity dates greater than twelve months when purchased are presented as bonds. Securities sold short - Securities sold short ("short sales") represent obligations to deliver securities which were not owned at the time of the sale. Derivatives - Derivatives may include interest rate, credit default, currency and total return swaps, consumer price index linked ("CPI-linked"), futures, forwards, warrants and option contracts, all of which derive their value mainly from changes in underlying interest rates, foreign exchange rates, credit ratings, commodity values, inflation indexes or equity instruments. A derivative contract may be traded on an exchange or over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange-traded derivatives are standardized and include futures and certain warrants and option contracts. OTC derivative contracts are individually negotiated between contracting parties and may include the company's forwards, CPI-linked derivatives and total return swaps. The company uses derivatives principally to mitigate financial risks arising from its investment holdings and reinsurance recoverables, and monitors its derivatives for effectiveness in achieving their risk management objectives. The fair value of derivatives in a gain position is presented on the consolidated balance sheet in derivatives and other invested assets in portfolio investments and in cash and investments of the holding company. The fair value of derivatives in a loss position and obligations to purchase securities sold short, if any, are presented on the consolidated balance sheet in short sale and derivative obligations. The initial premium paid for a derivative contract, if any, would be recorded as a derivative asset and subsequently adjusted for changes in the fair value of the contract at each balance sheet date. Changes in the fair value of a derivative are recorded as net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings at each balance sheet date, with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying value of the derivative asset or liability. Cash received from counterparties as collateral for derivative contracts is recognized within holding company cash and investments or subsidiary cash and short term investments, and a corresponding liability is recognized within accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Securities received from counterparties as collateral are not recorded as assets. Cash and securities delivered to counterparties as collateral for derivative contracts continue to be reflected as assets on the consolidated balance sheet within holding company cash and investments or within portfolio investments as assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations. Equity contracts - The company's long equity total return swaps allow the company to receive the total return on a notional amount of an equity index or individual equity (including dividends and capital gains or losses) in exchange for the payment of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. Conversely, short equity total return swaps allow the company to pay the total return on a notional amount of an equity index or individual equity in exchange for the receipt of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. The company classifies dividends and interest paid or received related to its long and short equity and equity index total return swaps on a net basis as interest and dividends in the consolidated statement of earnings. The company's equity and equity index total return swaps contain contractual reset provisions requiring counterparties to cash-settle monthly or quarterly any fair value movements arising subsequent to the prior settlement. Any cash amounts paid to settle unfavourable fair value changes and, conversely, any cash amounts received in settlement of favourable fair value changes, are recorded as net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings. To the extent that a contractual reset date of a contract does not correspond to the balance sheet date, the company records net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings to adjust the carrying value of the derivative asset or liability associated with each total return swap contract to reflect its fair value at the balance sheet date. Final cash settlements of total return swaps are recognized as net gains (losses) on investments net of any previously recorded unrealized fair value changes since the last quarterly reset date. Total return swaps require no initial net investment and have a fair value of nil at inception. CPI-linked derivative contracts - The company's derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes (“CPI”) in the geographic regions in which it operates serve as an economic hedge against the potential adverse financial impact on the company of decreasing price levels. These contracts may be structured to provide a payout at maturity if there is cumulative deflation over the life of the contract or if cumulative average inflation is below a specified floor rate over the life of the contract. As the average remaining life of a CPI-linked derivative declines, the fair value of the contract (excluding the impact of changes in the underlying CPI) will generally decline. Determination of fair value - Fair values for substantially all of the company's financial instruments are measured using market or income approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, actual values realized in future market transactions may differ from the estimates presented in these consolidated financial statements. The use of different market assumptions and/or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair values. The fair values of financial instruments are based on bid prices for financial assets and ask prices for financial liabilities. The company categorizes its fair value measurements using a three level hierarchy in accordance with IFRS ("fair value hierarchy") as described below: Level 1 - Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments exchanged in active markets. The fair values of securities sold short, the majority of the company's common stocks, equity call options and certain warrants are based on published quotes in active markets. Level 2 - Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs) such as quoted prices for similar financial instruments exchanged in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments exchanged in inactive markets and other market observable inputs. The fair value of the vast majority of the company's investments in bonds are priced based on information provided by independent pricing service providers while much of the remainder, along with most derivative contracts (including total return swaps, U.S. treasury bond forward contracts and certain warrants) are based primarily on non-binding third party broker-dealer quotes that are prepared using Level 2 inputs. Where third party broker-dealer quotes are used, typically one quote is obtained from a broker-dealer with particular expertise in the instrument being priced. Preferred stocks are priced using a combination of independent pricing service providers and internal valuation models that rely on directly or indirectly observable inputs. The fair values of investments in certain limited partnerships classified as common stocks on the consolidated balance sheet are based on the net asset values received from the general partner, adjusted for liquidity as required and are classified as Level 2 when they may be liquidated or redeemed within three months or less of providing notice to the general partner. Otherwise, such investments in limited partnerships are classified as Level 3. Level 3 - Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of financial instruments. Management is required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs as there is little, if any, market activity in these instruments or related observable inputs that can be corroborated at the measurement date. CPI-linked derivatives are classified as Level 3 and valued using broker-dealer quotes which management has determined utilize market observable inputs except for the inflation volatility input which is not market observable. Transfers between fair value hierarchy categories are considered effective from the beginning of the reporting period in which the transfer is identified. Valuation techniques used by the company's independent pricing service providers and third party broker-dealers include use of prices from similar instruments where observable market prices exist, discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models, and other valuation techniques commonly used by market participants. The company assesses the reasonableness of pricing received from these third party sources by comparing the fair values received to recent transaction prices for similar assets where available, to industry accepted discounted cash flow models (that incorporate estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows and market observable inputs such as credit spreads and discount rates) and to option pricing models (that incorporate market observable inputs including the quoted price, volatility and dividend yield of the underlying security and the risk free rate). Fair values of CPI-linked derivative contracts received from third party broker-dealers are assessed by comparing the fair values to recent market transactions where available and values determined using third party pricing software based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model for European-style options that incorporates market observable and unobservable inputs such as the current value of the relevant CPI underlying the derivative, the inflation swap rate, nominal swap rate and inflation volatility. The fair values of CPI-linked derivative contracts are sensitive to assumptions such as market expectations of future rates of inflation and related inflation volatilities. The company employs dedicated personnel responsible for the valuation of its investment portfolio. Detailed valuations are performed for those financial instruments that are priced internally, while external pricing received from independent pricing service providers and third party broker-dealers are evaluated by the company for reasonableness. The company's Chief Financial Officer oversees the valuation function and regularly reviews valuation processes and results, including at each quarterly reporting period. Significant valuation matters, particularly those requiring extensive judgment, are communicated to the company's Audit Committee. Accounts receivable and accounts payable Accounts receivable and accounts payable are recognized initially at fair value. Due to their short-term nature, carrying value is considered to approximate fair value. Insurance contracts Insurance contracts are those contracts that have significant insurance risk at the inception of the contract. Insurance risk arises when the company agrees to compensate a policyholder if a specified uncertain future event adversely affects the policyholder, with the possibility of paying (including variability in timing of payments) significantly more in a scenario where the insured event occurs than when it does not occur. Contracts not meeting the definition of an insurance contract under IFRS are classified as investment contracts, derivative contracts or service contracts, as appropriate. Revenue recognition - Premiums written are deferred as unearned premiums and recognized as revenue, net of premiums ceded, on a pro rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies. Net premiums earned are reported gross of premium taxes which are included in operating expenses as the related premiums are earned. Certain reinsurance premiums are estimated at the individual contract level, based on historical patterns and experience from the ceding companies for contracts where reports from ceding companies for the period are not contractually due until after the balance sheet date. The cost of reinsurance purchased by the company (premiums ceded) is included in recoverable from reinsurers and is amortized over the contract period in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Unearned premium represents the portion of premiums written relating to periods of insurance and reinsurance coverage subsequent to the balance sheet date. Impairment losses on insurance premiums receivable are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings. Deferred premium acquisition costs - Certain costs of acquiring insurance contracts, consisting of brokers' commissions and premium taxes, are deferred and charged to earnings as the related premiums are earned. Deferred premium acquisition costs are limited to their estimated realizable value based on the related unearned premium, which considers anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses and estimated remaining costs of servicing the business based on historical experience. The ultimate recoverability of deferred premium acquisition costs is determined without regard to investment income. Brokers' commissions are included in commissions, net, in the consolidated statement of earnings. Premium taxes and impairment losses on deferred premium acquisition costs are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings. Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses - The company is required by applicable insurance laws, regulations and Canadian accepted actuarial practice to establish reserves for payment of losses and loss adjustment expenses that arise from the company's general insurance and reinsurance products and its run-off operations. These reserves are based on assumptions that represent the best estimates of possible outcomes aimed at evaluating the expected ultimate cost to settle claims occurring prior to, but still outstanding as of, the balance sheet date. The company establishes its reserves by product line, type and extent of coverage and year of occurrence. Loss reserves fall into two categories: reserves for reported losses (case reserves) and reserves for incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) losses. Additionally, reserves are held for loss adjustment expenses, which include the estimated legal and other expenses expected to be incurred to finalize the settlement of the losses. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are charged to losses on claims, gross, in the consolidated statement of earnings. The company's reserves for reported losses and loss adjustment expenses are based on estimates of future payments to settle reported general insurance and reinsurance claims and claims from its run-off operations. Case reserve estimates are based on the facts available at the time the reserves are established and for reinsurance, based on reports and individual case reserve estimates received from ceding companies. The company establishes these reserves on an undiscounted basis to recognize the estimated costs of bringing pending claims to final settlement, taking into account inflation, as well as other factors that can influence the amount of reserves required, some of which are subjective and some of which are dependent on future events. In determining the level of reserves, the company considers historical trends and patterns of loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and types of coverage. In addition, court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes may affect the ultimate cost of settlement and, as a result, the company's estimation of reserves. Between the reporting and final settlement of a claim, circumstances may change, which would result in changes to established reserves. Items such as changes in law and interpretations of relevant case law, results of litigation, changes in medical costs, as well as costs of vehicle and building repair materials and labour rates can substantially impact ultimate settlement costs. Accordingly, the company regularly reviews and re-evaluates case reserves. Any resulting adjustments are included in the consolidated statement of earnings in the period the adjustment is made. Amounts ultimately paid for losses and loss adjustment expenses can vary significantly from the level of reserves originally set or currently recorded. The company also establishes reserves for IBNR claims on an undiscounted basis to recognize the estimated final settlement cost for loss events which have already occurred but which have not yet been reported. Historical information and statistical models, based on product line, type and extent of coverage, as well as reported claim trends, claim severities, exposure growth, and other factors, are relied upon to estimate IBNR reserves. These estimates are revised as additional information becomes available and as claims are actually reported and paid. Estimation techniques - Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses and provisions for unearned premiums are determined based upon previous claims experience, knowledge of events, the terms and conditions of the relevant policies and on interpretation of circumstances. Particularly relevant is experience with similar cases and historical claims payment trends. The approach also includes consideration of the development of loss payment trends, the potential longer term significance of large events, the levels of unpaid claims, legislative changes, judicial decisions and economic and political conditions. Where possible the company applies several commonly accepted actuarial projection methodologies in estimating required provisions to give greater insight into the trends inherent in the data being projected. These include methods based upon the following: the deve

Critical Accounting Estimates a

Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of changes in accounting policies, accounting estimates and errors [Abstract]
Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments	Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments In the preparation of the company's consolidated financial statements, management has made a number of critical accounting estimates and judgments which are discussed below, with the exception of the determination of fair value for financial instruments (notes 3 and 5), carrying value of associates (notes 3 and 6), charges related to U.S. tax reform (note 18) and contingencies (note 20). Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimated based on Canadian accepted actuarial practices, which are designed to ensure the company establishes an appropriate reserve on the consolidated balance sheet to cover insured losses with respect to reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period and related claims expenses. The assumptions underlying the estimation of provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reviewed and updated by the company on an ongoing basis to reflect recent and emerging trends in experience and changes in the risk profile of the business. The estimation techniques employed by the company in determining provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses and the inherent uncertainties associated with insurance contracts are described in the “Underwriting Risk” section of note 24 while the historic development of the company's insurance liabilities are presented in note 8. Recoverability of deferred income tax assets In determining the recoverability of deferred income tax assets, management exercises judgment in assessing recent and expected profitability of applicable operating companies and their ability to utilize any recorded income tax assets. The company reviews its deferred income tax assets quarterly, taking into consideration the availability of sufficient current and projected taxable profits, reversals of taxable temporary differences and tax planning strategies. Details of deferred income tax assets are presented in note 18. Business combinations Judgment may be required to determine whether a transaction qualifies as a business combination when it involves elements such as contractual arrangements between shareholders or potential voting rights. Accounting for business combinations requires fair values to be estimated for the consideration transferred, assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The company uses all available information, including external valuations and appraisals where appropriate, to determine these fair values. Changes in estimates of fair value due to additional information related to facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date would impact the amount of goodwill (or gain on bargain purchase) recognized. If necessary, the company has up to one year from the acquisition date to finalize the determination of fair values for a business combination. Details of business combinations are presented in note 23. Assessment of goodwill for potential impairment Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment or more frequently if there are potential indicators of impairment. Management estimates the recoverable amount of each of the company's cash-generating units using one or more generally accepted valuation techniques, which requires the making of a number of assumptions, including assumptions about future revenue, net earnings, corporate overhead costs, capital expenditures, cost of capital, and growth rate. The recoverable amount of each cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been assigned is compared to its carrying value (inclusive of assigned goodwill). If the recoverable amount of a cash-generating unit is determined to be less than its carrying value, the excess is recognized as a goodwill impairment loss in the consolidated statement of earnings. Given the variability of future-oriented financial information, goodwill impairment tests are subjected to sensitivity analysis. The critical estimates pertain to those cash-generating units where there is little difference between the recoverable amount and the related carrying amount. Details of goodwill are presented in note 12.

Cash and Investments

Cash and Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments and Cash1 [Abstract]
Cash and Investments	Cash and Investments Holding company cash and investments, portfolio investments and short sale and derivative obligations are classified as FVTPL, except for investments in associates and other invested assets which are classified as other, and are shown in the table below: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Holding company Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) 995.4 533.2 Short term investments 115.4 285.4 Bonds 380.9 264.8 Preferred stocks 2.8 1.0 Common stocks (1) 784.9 153.2 Derivatives (note 7) 11.2 39.6 2,290.6 1,277.2 Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations: Short term investments 77.8 82.6 Bonds — 11.8 77.8 94.4 2,368.4 1,371.6 Short sale and derivative obligations (note 7) (11.5 ) (42.2 ) 2,356.9 1,329.4 Portfolio investments Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) 7,384.1 3,943.4 Short term investments 9,998.4 5,994.6 Bonds 9,164.1 9,323.2 Preferred stocks 296.8 69.6 Common stocks (1) 4,838.7 4,158.8 Investments in associates (note 6) 2,487.0 2,393.0 Derivatives (note 7) 192.6 163.7 Other invested assets 62.8 16.0 34,424.5 26,062.3 Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations: Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) 16.8 — Short term investments 145.7 189.6 Bonds 32.2 38.9 194.7 228.5 Fairfax India cash, portfolio investments and associates 1,762.5 1,002.6 Fairfax Africa cash, portfolio investments and associates 631.5 — 2,394.0 1,002.6 37,013.2 27,293.4 Short sale and derivative obligations (note 7) (114.7 ) (192.1 ) 36,898.5 27,101.3 Total investments 39,255.4 28,430.7 (1) Common stocks include investments in limited partnerships and other funds with carrying values of $1,903.7 and $90.9 respectively at December 31, 2017 ( December 31, 2016 - $1,171.6 and $157.1 ). Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa cash, portfolio investments and associates were comprised as follows: Fairfax India Fairfax Africa December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) 44.0 173.2 329.7 — Short term investments 34.3 33.6 57.2 — Bonds 694.2 528.8 19.4 — Common stocks 40.5 26.5 4.9 — Investments in associates (note 6) 949.5 240.5 219.8 — Derivatives and other invested assets — — 0.5 — 1,762.5 1,002.6 631.5 — Restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2017 of $835.0 ( December 31, 2016 - $430.7 ) was comprised primarily of amounts required to be maintained on deposit with various regulatory authorities to support the subsidiaries' insurance and reinsurance operations. Restricted cash and cash equivalents are included on the consolidated balance sheet in holding company cash and investments, or in portfolio investments within subsidiary cash and short term investments, assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations and Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa cash, portfolio investments and associates. The company's subsidiaries have pledged cash and investments, inclusive of trust funds and regulatory deposits, as security for their own obligations to pay claims or make premium payments (these pledges are either direct or to support letters of credit). In order to write insurance business in certain jurisdictions (primarily U.S. states) the company's subsidiaries must deposit funds with local insurance regulatory authorities to provide security for future claims payments as ultimate protection for the policyholder. Additionally, some of the company's subsidiaries provide reinsurance to primary insurers, for which funds must be posted as security for losses that have been incurred but not yet paid. These pledges are in the normal course of business and are generally released when the payment obligation is fulfilled. The table that follows summarizes assets pledged to third parties by the nature of the pledge requirement (excluding assets pledged in favour of Lloyd's (note 20), for short sale and derivative obligations and for certain intercompany reinsurance arrangements). Pledged assets primarily consist of cash and fixed income securities within portfolio investments on the consolidated balance sheets. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Regulatory deposits 4,256.8 4,748.2 Security for reinsurance and other 1,449.2 732.8 5,706.0 5,481.0 Fixed Income Maturity Profile Bonds are summarized by their earliest contractual maturity date in the table below. Actual maturities may differ from maturities shown below due to the existence of call and put features. At December 31, 2017 bonds containing call and put features represented approximately $3,390.3 and $93.3 respectively ( December 31, 2016 - $4,498.0 and $196.2 ) of the total fair value of bonds. The table below does not reflect the impact of $1,693.8 (December 31, 2016 - $3,013.4 ) notional amount of U.S. treasury bond forward contracts (described in note 7) that reduce the company's exposure to interest rate risk. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value Due in 1 year or less 3,383.9 3,537.6 1,649.4 1,779.0 Due after 1 year through 5 years 3,540.7 3,720.2 3,245.9 3,447.6 Due after 5 years through 10 years 1,017.6 1,054.3 1,046.7 1,031.3 Due after 10 years 1,872.1 1,978.7 3,575.1 3,909.6 9,814.3 10,290.8 9,517.1 10,167.5 Effective interest rate 4.0 % 4.7 % The calculation of the effective interest rate of 4.0% ( December 31, 2016 - 4.7% ) is on a pre-tax basis and therefore does not give effect to the favourable tax treatment which the company expects to receive with respect to its tax advantaged U.S. state and municipal bond investments of approximately $2.3 billion ( December 31, 2016 - $3.3 billion ). Fair Value Disclosures The company’s use of quoted market prices (Level 1), valuation models with significant observable market information as inputs (Level 2) and valuation models with significant unobservable information as inputs (Level 3) in the valuation of securities and derivative contracts by type of issuer was as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Total fair value (liability) Quoted prices (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Total fair Quoted Significant Significant Cash and cash equivalents 8,770.0 8,770.0 — — 4,649.8 4,649.8 — — Short term investments: Canadian government 7.1 7.1 — — 8.2 8.2 — — Canadian provincials 281.9 281.9 — — 261.7 261.7 — — U.S. treasury 9,225.5 9,225.5 — — 5,930.3 5,930.3 — — Other government 403.0 307.0 96.0 — 212.2 212.2 — — Corporate and other 511.3 — 466.3 45.0 173.4 — 173.4 — 10,428.8 9,821.5 562.3 45.0 6,585.8 6,412.4 173.4 — Bonds: Canadian government 84.4 — 84.4 — 311.4 — 311.4 — Canadian provincials 93.8 — 93.8 — 196.9 — 196.9 — U.S. treasury 1,779.3 — 1,779.3 — 1,117.3 — 1,117.3 — U.S. states and municipalities 2,452.1 — 2,452.1 — 4,732.2 — 4,732.2 — Other government 1,799.4 — 1,799.4 — 1,176.2 — 1,176.2 — Corporate and other 4,081.8 — 2,185.7 1,896.1 2,633.5 — 1,580.4 1,053.1 10,290.8 — 8,394.7 1,896.1 10,167.5 — 9,114.4 1,053.1 Preferred stocks: Canadian 240.7 — 11.3 229.4 22.2 — 10.9 11.3 U.S. 5.0 — — 5.0 0.3 — — 0.3 Other 53.9 1.5 3.6 48.8 48.1 0.6 15.1 32.4 299.6 1.5 14.9 283.2 70.6 0.6 26.0 44.0 Common stocks: Canadian 958.7 825.9 110.3 22.5 665.3 545.0 98.6 21.7 U.S. 1,583.3 474.8 66.9 1,041.6 1,172.6 629.6 33.9 509.1 Other funds 90.9 — 90.9 — 157.1 — 157.1 — Other 3,036.1 1,713.7 415.1 907.3 2,343.5 1,037.2 532.5 773.8 5,669.0 3,014.4 683.2 1,971.4 4,338.5 2,211.8 822.1 1,304.6 Derivatives and other invested assets 267.1 — 89.5 177.6 219.3 — 121.5 97.8 Short sale and derivative obligations (126.2 ) — (126.2 ) — (234.3 ) — (234.3 ) — Holding company cash and investments and portfolio investments measured at fair value 35,599.1 21,607.4 9,618.4 4,373.3 25,797.2 13,274.6 10,023.1 2,499.5 100.0 % 60.7 % 27.0 % 12.3 % 100.0 % 51.5 % 38.9 % 9.6 % Investments in associates (note 6) (1) 4,629.3 2,004.3 45.3 2,579.7 3,267.3 1,100.1 40.9 2,126.3 (1) The carrying value of investments in associates is determined using the equity method of accounting so fair value is presented separately in the table above. Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels are considered effective from the beginning of the reporting period in which the transfer is identified. The increase in the company's Level 3 financial assets during 2017 was partially due to the consolidation of certain Allied World investments in limited partnerships that were classified as Level 3 common stocks ( $583.8 ) based on their unobservable net asset values and inability to be liquidated or redeemed within three months. In addition, during 2017 a private placement debt security was transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 due to the modification of its terms and its credit spread (a key valuation input) becoming unobservable. During 2017 and 2016 there were no significant transfers of financial instruments between Level 1 and Level 2 and there were no other significant transfers of financial instruments in or out of Level 3 as a result of changes in the observability of valuation inputs. A summary of changes in Level 3 financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31 follows: 2017 Private placement debt securities Private company preferred Limited partnerships and other Private equity funds Private company common shares Derivatives and other invested assets Total Balance - January 1 1,053.1 44.0 981.4 167.8 155.4 97.8 2,499.5 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings 190.2 1.3 243.4 (5.5 ) 22.6 (9.9 ) 442.1 Purchases 430.2 268.4 221.2 — 11.1 72.3 1,003.2 Sales and distributions (209.7 ) (34.1 ) (443.4 ) — (19.4 ) — (706.6 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 22.4 — 583.8 — 29.9 9.7 645.8 Transfer into category 384.0 — — — — 7.1 391.1 Unrealized foreign currency translation gains on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income 70.9 3.6 12.3 8.2 2.6 0.6 98.2 Balance - December 31 1,941.1 283.2 1,598.7 170.5 202.2 177.6 4,373.3 2016 Private placement debt securities Private company preferred Limited partnerships and other Private equity funds Private company common shares Derivatives and other invested assets Total Balance - January 1 696.4 7.7 960.9 171.0 138.0 285.4 2,259.4 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings (52.9 ) 2.5 102.7 (12.5 ) (21.6 ) (204.4 ) (186.2 ) Purchases 955.6 115.7 124.4 16.4 38.8 21.1 1,272.0 Sales and distributions (548.2 ) (82.5 ) (202.9 ) (10.2 ) — (4.9 ) (848.7 ) Transfer into category 9.4 0.4 — — — — 9.8 Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income (7.2 ) 0.2 (3.7 ) 3.1 0.2 0.6 (6.8 ) Balance - December 31 1,053.1 44.0 981.4 167.8 155.4 97.8 2,499.5 The table below presents the valuation techniques, range of values applied for significant unobservable inputs and the typical relationship between significant unobservable inputs and estimated fair values for the company's significant Level 3 financial assets: Asset class Carrying value at December 31, 2017 Valuation technique Significant unobservable input Input range used Effect on estimated fair value if input value is increased (a) Low High Private placement debt securities (b)(1) 1,340.4 Discounted cash flow Credit spread 1.6 % 18.9 % Decrease Private placement debt securities (b)(2) 402.0 Net asset valuation of secured loans Recoverability of assets 60.0 % 100.0 % Increase Limited partnerships and other (c)(3) 1,598.7 Net asset value Net asset value / Price N/A N/A Increase Private company preferred shares (d)(4) 207.3 Discounted cash flow Credit spread 3.5 % 3.6 % Decrease Private equity funds (c)(3) 100.9 Net asset value Net asset value / Price N/A N/A Increase Private equity funds (c)(5) 69.6 Market comparable Price/Earnings multiple 10.0 10.0 Increase Private company common shares (c)(5) 81.2 Market comparable Book value multiple 1.3 1.3 Increase Private company common shares (c)(5) 40.5 Market comparable Price/Earnings multiple 26.2 26.2 Increase Warrants (e)(6) 73.1 Option pricing model Equity volatility 24.6 % 39.3 % Increase CPI-linked derivatives (e)(7) 39.6 Option pricing model Inflation volatility 0.0 % 3.7 % Increase (a) Decreasing the input value would have the opposite effect on the estimated fair value. (b) Classified within holding company cash and investments or bonds on the consolidated balance sheet. (c) Classified within holding company cash and investments or common stocks on the consolidated balance sheet. (d) Classified within preferred stocks on the consolidated balance sheet. (e) Classified within holding company cash and investments or derivatives and other invested assets on the consolidated balance sheet. (1) Valued using industry accepted discounted cash flow models that incorporate credit spreads of the issuers, which are not market observable. At December 31, 2017 this asset class consisted of 7 investments, the largest being $663.6 . By increasing (decreasing) the credit spreads within a reasonably possible range, the fair value of these private placement debt securities would decrease by $41.6 (increase by $44.3 ). (2) At December 31, 2017 this asset class consisted of 2 investments, the larger being $253.0 . (3) Valued primarily based on net asset value statements provided by the respective third party fund managers and general partners. The fair values in those statements are determined using quoted prices of the underlying assets, and to a lesser extent, observable inputs where available and unobservable inputs, in conjunction with industry accepted valuation models, where required. In some instances, such investments are classified as Level 3 because they may require at least three months' notice to liquidate. The company has not applied reasonably possible alternative assumptions to the estimated fair value of these investments due to their diverse nature and resulting dispersion of prices. At December 31, 2017 limited partnerships and other consisted of 47 investments, the largest being $355.3 . (4) Valued using industry accepted discounted cash flow models that incorporate market unobservable credit spreads of the preferred shares. (5) Fair values are determined by reference to various valuation measures for comparable companies and transactions, including relevant valuation multiples. In some instances, such investments are classified as Level 3 because the valuation multiples applied by the company are adjusted for differences in attributes between the investment and the underlying companies or transactions from which the valuation multiples were derived. (6) Valued using industry accepted option pricing models that incorporate market unobservable long-dated equity volatilities. A higher equity volatility generally results in a higher fair value due to the higher probability of obtaining a greater return from the warrant. (7) Valued based on broker-dealer quotes which management has determined utilize market observable inputs except for inflation volatility which is an unobservable input. Investment Income An analysis of investment income for the years ended December 31 follows: Interest and dividends and share of profit of associates 2017 2016 Interest income: Cash and short term investments 117.5 33.4 Bonds 441.9 622.4 Derivatives and other (44.8 ) (141.4 ) 514.6 514.4 Dividends: Preferred stocks 2.1 11.2 Common stocks 71.1 55.6 73.2 66.8 Investment expenses (28.8 ) (26.0 ) Interest and dividends 559.0 555.2 Share of profit of associates (note 6) 200.5 24.2 Net gains (losses) on investments 2017 2016 Net realized gains (losses) Net change in unrealized gains (losses) Net gains Net realized gains (losses) Net change in unrealized gains (losses) Net gains Bonds 445.7 (167.7 ) 278.0 683.7 (400.4 ) 283.3 Preferred stocks 0.2 (0.5 ) (0.3 ) (68.0 ) (4)(5) 61.6 (4)(5) (6.4 ) Common stocks 126.5 585.7 712.2 (162.2 ) (4)(6) 91.2 (4)(6) (71.0 ) 572.4 417.5 989.9 453.5 (247.6 ) 205.9 Derivatives: Common stock and equity index short positions (485.6 ) (1) 67.7 (417.9 ) (915.8 ) (1) (264.0 ) (1,179.8 ) Common stock and equity index long positions 21.6 (1) (2.0 ) 19.6 10.4 (1) 12.9 23.3 Equity index put options — — — (20.3 ) 7.2 (13.1 ) Equity warrants and call options 22.9 15.4 38.3 — (4.0 ) (4.0 ) CPI-linked derivatives — (71.0 ) (71.0 ) — (196.2 ) (196.2 ) U.S. treasury bond forwards (174.5 ) 21.3 (153.2 ) 96.7 (49.7 ) 47.0 Other (8.4 ) 8.1 (0.3 ) (70.6 ) 63.2 (7.4 ) (624.0 ) 39.5 (584.5 ) (899.6 ) (430.6 ) (1,330.2 ) Foreign currency net gains (losses) on: Investing activities 0.8 88.0 88.8 54.4 (191.3 ) (136.9 ) Underwriting activities (74.9 ) — (74.9 ) 19.7 — 19.7 Foreign currency contracts (21.0 ) 9.9 (11.1 ) 6.5 (18.8 ) (12.3 ) (95.1 ) 97.9 2.8 80.6 (210.1 ) (129.5 ) Gain on disposition of associates 999.9 (2)(3) — 999.9 — — — Other 2.1 57.3 59.4 3.2 47.0 50.2 Net gains (losses) on investments 855.3 612.2 1,467.5 (362.3 ) (841.3 ) (1,203.6 ) (1) Amounts recorded in net realized gains (losses) include net gains (losses) on total return swaps where the counterparties are required to cash-settle on a quarterly or monthly basis the market value movement since the previous reset date notwithstanding that the total return swap positions remain open subsequent to the cash settlement. The company discontinued its economic equity hedging strategy during the fourth quarter of 2016 and closed out $6,350.6 notional amount of short positions effected through equity index total return swaps (comprised of Russell 2000, S&P 500 and S&P/TSX 60 short equity index total return swaps) (see notes 7 and 24). (2) During 2017 the company sold a 24.3% equity interest in ICICI Lombard for net proceeds of $908.5 and recorded a net realized gain of $595.6. The company's remaining 9.9% equity interest in ICICI Lombard was reclassified to common stock measured at FVTPL and re-measured to fair value for a net realized gain of $334.5 (see note 6). (3) During 2017 the company acquired control of Grivalia Properties by increasing its equity interest to 52.7% and commenced consolidating Grivalia Properties in the Other reporting segment. As a result, the company re-measured its equity accounted carrying value of Grivalia Properties to fair value and recorded a net realized gain of $51.3 (see note 6). (4) During 2016 the company recognized net realized losses of $220.3 and $103.7 on common and preferred stock investments pursuant to the issuer's plan of restructuring and subsequent emergence from bankruptcy protection. Prior period unrealized losses on the common and preferred stock investments of $209.5 and $99.6 were reclassified to net realized losses with a net impact of nil on the consolidated statement of earnings. (5) During 2016 the company was required to convert a preferred stock investment into common shares of the issuer, resulting in a net realized gain on investment of $35.1 (the difference between the share price of the underlying common stock at the date of conversion and the exercise price of the preferred stock). Prior period unrealized gains on the preferred stock investment of $41.7 were reclassified to net realized gains with a net impact of nil on the consolidated statement of earnings. (6) During 2016 the company increased its ownership interest in APR Energy to 49.0% and commenced applying the equity method of accounting, resulting in the reclassification of an unrealized loss of $68.1 on APR Energy to realized losses with a net impact of nil on the consolidated statement of earnings.

Investments in Associates

Investments in Associates	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Interests In Other Entities [Abstract]
Investments in Associates	Investments in Associates The following summarizes the company's investments in associates: December 31, 2017 Year ended December 31, 2017 Carrying value Ownership Fair (a) Associates and joint arrangements Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa associates Total Share of profit (loss) (8) Insurance and reinsurance: Eurolife ERB Insurance Group Holdings S.A. ("Eurolife") 43.3 % 303.0 298.0 (b) — 298.0 117.6 Gulf Insurance Company ("Gulf Insurance") 41.4 % 233.1 185.4 — 185.4 7.7 Thai Re Public Company Limited ("Thai Re") (1) 34.9 % 80.5 80.3 — 80.3 (21.3 ) Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam Insurance Joint Stock Corporation (“BIC Insurance”) 35.0 % 66.7 48.6 — 48.6 1.6 Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited ("Singapore Re") 27.8 % 39.6 38.5 — 38.5 3.2 Ambridge Partners LLC ("Ambridge Partners") 50.0 % 34.9 34.9 — 34.9 4.4 Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited ("Digit") (2) 45.3 % 10.6 10.6 — 10.6 — Falcon Insurance PLC ("Falcon Thailand") 41.2 % 9.2 9.2 — 9.2 — Camargue Underwriting Managers Group Ltd. ("Camargue") 50.0 % 5.5 5.5 — 5.5 0.7 ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited ("ICICI Lombard") (3) — — — — — 24.0 783.1 711.0 — 711.0 137.9 Non-insurance: Agriculture Astarta Holding N.V. ("Astarta") (4) 28.1 % 101.2 140.6 — 140.6 15.8 Farmers Edge Inc. ("Farmers Edge") (5) 46.1 % 95.0 88.1 — 88.1 (10.5 ) 196.2 228.7 — 228.7 5.3 Real estate KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships ("KWF LPs") (6) — 213.4 213.4 (b) — 213.4 12.2 Grivalia Properties REIC ("Grivalia Properties") (7) — — — — — 12.8 Other — 88.7 88.6 (b) — 88.6 9.0 302.1 302.0 — 302.0 34.0 India Bangalore International Airport Limited ("Bangalore Airport") (12) 48.0 % 608.3 — 611.1 (c) 611.1 15.8 IIFL Holdings Limited (“IIFL Holdings”) (13) 35.5 % 1,185.1 102.7 317.2 (c) 419.9 36.5 5paisa Capital Limited ("5paisa") (13) 35.5 % 26.6 6.6 20.2 (c) 26.8 — Fairchem Limited ("Fairchem") (14) — — — — — 0.2 Other — 0.6 — 1.0 (c) 1.0 — 1,820.6 109.3 949.5 1,058.8 52.5 Africa Atlas Mara Limited ("Atlas Mara") (15) 43.3 % 168.7 — 170.3 (d) 170.3 1.6 AFGRI Holdings Proprietary Limited ("AFGRI") (16) 60.0 % 119.0 — 49.5 (d) 49.5 (0.4 ) 287.7 — 219.8 219.8 1.2 Other Resolute Forest Products Inc. ("Resolute") (8) 33.8 % 334.0 320.6 — 320.6 0.3 APR Energy plc ("APR Energy") (9) 67.8 % 336.4 309.4 (b) — 309.4 (3.1 ) Peak Achievement Athletics ("Peak Achievement") (10) 42.6 % 153.5 144.8 (b) — 144.8 (6.2 ) Arbor Memorial Services Inc. ("Arbor Memorial") 43.4 % 111.8 61.4 — 61.4 10.6 Partnerships, trusts and other (11) — 303.9 299.8 — 299.8 (32.0 ) 1,239.6 1,136.0 — 1,136.0 (30.4 ) 3,846.2 1,776.0 1,169.3 2,945.3 62.6 Investments in associates 4,629.3 2,487.0 1,169.3 3,656.3 200.5 As presented on the consolidated balance sheet: Investments in associates 2,824.3 2,487.0 Fairfax India cash and portfolio investments (12)(13) 1,517.3 949.5 Fairfax Africa cash and portfolio investments (15)(16) 287.7 219.8 4,629.3 3,656.3 (a) See note 5 for fair value hierarchy information. (b) These investments are considered joint arrangements. (c) Fairfax India associate. (d) Fairfax Africa associate. December 31, 2016 Year ended December 31, 2016 Carrying value Ownership Fair (a) Associates and joint arrangements Fairfax India associates Total Share of profit (loss) (8) Insurance and reinsurance: Eurolife ERB Insurance Group Holdings S.A. ("Eurolife") 40.0 % 171.4 150.6 (b) — 150.6 (6.4 ) Gulf Insurance Company ("Gulf Insurance") 41.4 % 235.8 195.7 — 195.7 14.0 Thai Re Public Company Limited ("Thai Re") 32.4 % 80.2 94.7 — 94.7 (1.8 ) Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam Insurance Joint Stock Corporation (“BIC Insurance”) 35.0 % 68.5 48.4 — 48.4 1.8 Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited ("Singapore Re") 27.8 % 35.5 34.6 — 34.6 2.0 Ambridge Partners LLC ("Ambridge Partners") 50.0 % 31.4 31.4 — 31.4 3.4 Falcon Insurance PLC ("Falcon Thailand") 41.2 % 8.8 8.8 — 8.8 0.7 Camargue Underwriting Managers Group Ltd. ("Camargue") 50.0 % 5.2 5.2 — 5.2 0.2 ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited ("ICICI Lombard") 34.6 % 878.0 371.1 — 371.1 44.1 1,514.8 940.5 — 940.5 58.0 Non-insurance: Real estate KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships ("KWF LPs") (6) — 202.8 202.8 (b) — 202.8 13.9 Grivalia Properties REIC ("Grivalia Properties") 40.6 % 332.4 295.9 — 295.9 16.1 535.2 498.7 — 498.7 30.0 India IIFL Holdings Limited (“IIFL Holdings”) 30.5 % 373.9 96.3 220.1 (c) 316.4 18.5 Fairchem Limited ("Fairchem") 44.9 % 45.5 — 19.4 (c) 19.4 0.3 Other — 0.4 — 1.0 (c) 1.0 — 419.8 96.3 240.5 336.8 18.8 Other Resolute Forest Products Inc. ("Resolute") (8) 33.9 % 162.5 304.5 — 304.5 (73.6 ) APR Energy plc (‘‘APR Energy’’) 45.0 % 234.0 187.3 (b) — 187.3 (29.0 ) Peak Achievement Athletics ("Peak Achievement") 38.2 % 83.0 82.7 (b) — 82.7 — Arbor Memorial Services Inc. ("Arbor Memorial") 43.4 % 93.6 56.0 — 56.0 9.0 Partnerships, trusts and other — 224.4 227.0 — 227.0 11.0 797.5 857.5 — 857.5 (82.6 ) 1,752.5 1,452.5 240.5 1,693.0 (33.8 ) Investments in associates 3,267.3 2,393.0 240.5 2,633.5 24.2 As presented on the consolidated balance sheet: Investments in associates 2,955.4 2,393.0 Fairfax India cash and portfolio investments 311.9 240.5 3,267.3 2,633.5 (a) See note 5 for fair value hierarchy information. (b) These investments are considered joint arrangements. (c) Fairfax India associate. Insurance and reinsurance associates (1) At December 31, 2017 Thai Re Public Company Limited's ("Thai Re") recoverable amount of $80.3 was determined to be lower than its carrying value, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $17.7 recognized in share of profit (loss) of associates in the consolidated statement of earnings. (2) Through various transactions during 2017 the company acquired a 45.3% equity interest in Go Digit Infoworks Private Limited ("Digit”) for cash consideration of $10.6 (694.4 million Indian rupees) and invested in convertible preferred shares of Digit for $48.9 (3.2 billion Indian rupees). Digit is a newly formed Indian company that has established and is operating an insurance company in India named Go Digit General Insurance Limited. (3) On July 6, 2017 the company sold a 12.2% equity interest in ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited ("ICICI Lombard") to private equity investors for net proceeds of $376.3 and a net realized investment gain of $223.3. On September 19, 2017 the company sold an additional 12.1% equity interest through participation in ICICI Lombard's initial public offering for net proceeds of $532.2 and a net realized investment gain of $372.3. The company's remaining 9.9% equity interest in ICICI Lombard was reclassified from the equity method of accounting to common stock at FVTPL, resulting in a $334.5 re-measurement gain. Non-insurance associates (4) Through various transactions between January 3, 2017 and May 10, 2017, the company acquired an aggregate equity interest in Astarta Holding N.V. (“Astarta”) of 28.0% with an initial carrying value of $120.1 under the equity method of accounting, comprised of cash consideration of $104.4 ( 420.1 million Polish zlotys) and re-measurements to fair value of $15.7 . Astarta specializes in sugar production, crop growing, soybean processing and cattle farming, primarily in Ukraine. (5) On March 1, 2017 the company acquired a 46.1% equity interest in Farmers Edge Inc. ("Farmers Edge") for purchase consideration of $95.0 . Farmers Edge specializes in data science, precision agronomy (farming), geographic information systems, hardware engineering, software development, soil science and sustainability. (6) The KWF LPs are partnerships formed between the company and Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates ("Kennedy Wilson") to invest in U.S. and international real estate properties. The company participates as a limited partner in the KWF LPs, with limited partnership interests ranging from 50% to 90% . Kennedy Wilson is the general partner and holds the remaining limited partnership interest in each of the KWF LPs. (7) On July 4, 2017 the company acquired control of Grivalia Properties REIC ("Grivalia Properties") by increasing its equity interest to 52.6% through the purchase of an additional 10.3% equity interest from Eurobank Ergasias S.A. for cash consideration of $100.0 (€88.0). Accordingly, the company re-measured its equity accounted carrying value of Grivalia Properties to fair value, recorded a net realized gain of $51.3 and commenced consolidating Grivalia Properties (and its equity accounted investments with a fair value of $39.5 ) in the Other reporting segment. Pursuant to Greek securities law, the company then made a tender offer for all remaining outstanding shares of Grivalia Properties which expired on September 6, 2017, resulting in the company increasing its equity interest by 0.1% to 52.7% for cash consideration of $0.6 (€0.5). Grivalia Properties is a real estate investment company listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. (8) At December 31, 2016 the carrying value of the company's investment in Resolute Forest Products Inc. ("Resolute") exceeded its fair value as determined by the market price of Resolute shares. The company performed a value-in-use analysis to establish the recoverable amount of its investment in Resolute and recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $100.4 in share of profit of associates in the 2016 consolidated statement of earnings. (9) On July 20, 2017 the company increased its indirect equity interest in APR Energy plc ("APR Energy") to 67.9% through the acquisition of an additional 22.9% equity interest for purchase consideration of $109.0 . APR Energy continues to be reported under the equity method of accounting due to certain contractual arrangements between Fairfax and the second-largest shareholder which preclude either party from exercising unilateral control over APR Energy's most relevant decisions governing its operations, including the appointment of executive management and the approval of the detailed annual business plan. On October 13, 2017 APR Energy obtained further capital financing through the issuance of common shares to existing shareholders for which the company participated by investing an additional $13.2 . The net impact of the common share issuance reduced the company's indirect equity interest to 67.8% . (10) On March 1, 2017 the restructuring of Performance Sports Group Ltd. ("PSG") was substantially completed after all of the assets and certain related operating liabilities of PSG were sold to an intermediate holding company ("Performance Sports") co-owned by Fairfax and Sagard Holdings Inc. The company's $153.5 equity investment in Performance Sports represents a voting interest of 50.0% and an equity interest of 42.6% . On April 3, 2017 Performance Sports was renamed Peak Achievement Athletics Inc. ("Peak Achievement"). (11) On August 2, 2017 the company acquired an 81.2% non-voting equity interest in Sigma Companies International Corp. ("Sigma") for cash consideration of $41.4 . Sigma, through its subsidiary, is engaged in global water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Fairfax India (12) On March 24, 2017 Fairfax India acquired a 38.0% equity interest in Bangalore International Airport Limited (“Bangalore Airport”) for cash consideration of $385.5 ( 25.2 billion Indian rupees). On July 13, 2017 Fairfax India increased its equity interest in Bangalore Airport to 48.0% through the acquisition of an additional 10.0% equity interest from a wholly-owned subsidiary of GVK Power and Infrastructure Limited ("GVK") for purchase consideration of $200.1 ( 12.9 billion Indian rupees). A put option previously issued to GVK during the company's initial investment in Bangalore Airport was terminated by this transaction. Bangalore Airport, under a concession agreement with the Government of India, operates and manages the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, India through a public-private partnership. (13) On October 20, 2017 IIFL Holdings Limited ("IIFL Holdings") completed a spin-off of a wholly owned subsidiary resulting in the entity 5paisa Capital Limited ("5paisa"). IIFL Holdings investors received 5paisa shares pro rata based on existing ownership in IIFL Holdings. The transaction was recorded as a non-cash distribution that reduced the carrying value of the company's investment in IIFL Holdings. Subsequent to the spin-off transaction, the company holds a 35.5% equity interest in 5paisa recorded at an initial carrying value of $26.4 . 5paisa is a provider of a web-based, mobile technology platform that facilitates trading of securities on the BSE and NSE of India. (14) On March 14, 2017 Fairchem Speciality Limited ("Fairchem") and Privi Organics Limited ("Privi Organics") completed their previously announced merger, with the merged entity continuing under the Fairchem name and being consolidated by Fairfax India (see note 23). Fairfax Africa (15) On August 31, 2017 Fairfax Africa, through a series of transactions, acquired a 42.4% equity interest in Atlas Mara Limited ("Atlas Mara") for cash consideration of $155.8 . On December 22, 2017 Fairfax Africa acquired an additional 0.9% equity interest in Atlas Mara for cash consideration of $2.4 . Atlas Mara is a financial services institution listed on the London Stock Exchange that operates in seven sub-Saharan countries. (16) On February 17, 2017 the company contributed its indirect equity ownership interest in AFGRI Holdings Proprietary Limited ("AFGRI") to Fairfax Africa (fair value of $72.8 and carrying value of $40.5 ) in exchange for 7,284,606 multiple voting shares of Fairfax Africa valued at $10.00 per multiple voting share (see note 23). Despite the company's significant equity interest, AFGRI is reported under the equity method of accounting due to contractual arrangements between Fairfax Africa and certain other shareholders of AFGRI which preclude any shareholders from exercising unilateral control over AFGRI's most relevant decisions governing its operations, including approval of significant transactions and the five-year business plan. Changes in the investments in associates balances for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 Associates Joint arrangements Fairfax India associates Fairfax Africa associates Total Balance - January 1 1,769.6 623.4 240.5 — 2,633.5 Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint arrangements: Share of profit of associates and joint arrangements 25.6 128.2 45.5 1.2 200.5 Share of other comprehensive income (loss), excluding gains (losses) on defined benefit plans 22.9 46.4 (0.1 ) (1.3 ) 67.9 Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans 12.4 — (0.1 ) — 12.3 60.9 174.6 45.3 (0.1 ) 280.7 Dividends and distributions received (50.5 ) (57.0 ) (26.8 ) — (134.3 ) Purchases and acquisitions 367.4 301.6 682.9 219.9 1,571.8 Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization (290.5 ) (2.4 ) (0.7 ) — (293.6 ) Reclassifications (1) (440.4 ) — (20.4 ) — (460.8 ) Foreign exchange effect 20.5 9.8 28.7 — 59.0 Balance - December 31 1,437.0 1,050.0 949.5 219.8 3,656.3 (1) Comprised of the consolidation of Grivalia Properties, the reduction of the company's investment in ICICI Lombard and the consolidation of Fairchem subsequent to its merger with Privi Organics. 2016 Associates Joint arrangements Fairfax India associates Fairfax Africa associates Total Balance - January 1 1,538.7 191.5 202.7 — 1,932.9 Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint arrangements: Share of profit (loss) of associates and joint arrangements 32.1 (21.5 ) 13.6 — 24.2 Share of other comprehensive loss, excluding losses on defined benefit plans (24.9 ) (14.4 ) — — (39.3 ) Share of losses on defined benefit plans (43.5 ) — — — (43.5 ) (36.3 ) (35.9 ) 13.6 — (58.6 ) Dividends and distributions received (45.6 ) (47.8 ) (4.6 ) — (98.0 ) Purchases and acquisitions 306.2 528.4 20.5 — 855.1 Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization 5.6 (11.6 ) 13.7 — 7.7 Foreign exchange effect 1.0 (1.2 ) (5.4 ) — (5.6 ) Balance - December 31 1,769.6 623.4 240.5 — 2,633.5 The company's strategic investment in 15.0% of Alltrust Insurance Company of China Ltd. had a carrying value of $81.2 at December 31, 2017 ( December 31, 2016 - $76.1 ) and is classified as FVTPL within common stocks on the consolidated balance sheet.

Short Sales and Derivatives

Short Sales and Derivatives	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of notes and other explanatory information [Abstract]
Short Sales and Derivatives	Short Sales and Derivatives The following table summarizes the company’s derivative financial instruments: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cost Notional amount Fair value Cost Notional Fair value Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Equity derivatives: Equity index total return swaps – short positions — 52.6 0.4 — — 43.3 0.6 — Equity total return swaps – short positions — 892.5 11.8 12.1 — 1,623.0 10.4 78.1 Equity total return swaps – long positions — 697.8 17.8 15.6 — 213.1 9.4 5.1 Equity and equity index call options 0.4 8.2 3.9 — 16.2 1,104.4 12.8 — Warrants 64.8 607.1 73.7 — 6.5 32.2 6.5 — CPI-linked derivative contracts 678.4 117,254.6 39.6 — 670.0 110,365.5 83.4 — U.S. treasury bond forwards — 1,693.8 — 28.8 — 3,013.4 — 49.7 Foreign exchange forward contracts — — 57.1 69.7 — — 80.2 101.4 Total 204.3 126.2 203.3 234.3 The company is exposed to significant market risk (comprised of foreign currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk) through its investing activities. Certain derivative contracts entered into by the company are considered economic hedges of certain market risks but are not designated as hedges for financial reporting. Equity contracts Throughout most of 2016 the company had economically hedged certain market risks associated with its equity and equity-related holdings (comprised of common stocks, convertible preferred stocks, convertible bonds, non-insurance investments in associates and equity-related derivatives) against a potential significant decline in equity markets by way of short positions effected through equity and equity index total return swaps (including short positions in certain equity indexes and individual equities) and equity index put options (S&P 500) . The company's equity hedges were structured to provide a return that was inverse to changes in the fair values of the indexes and certain individual equities. The company discontinued its economic equity hedging strategy in the fourth quarter of 2016 after giving consideration to the possible and actual outcome of the U.S. elections and the potential for fundamental changes that could improve U.S. economic growth and equity markets. During 2016 the company closed out $6,350.6 notional amount of short positions effected through equity index total return swaps (comprised of Russell 2000, S&P 500 and S&P/TSX 60 short equity index total return swaps) and recognized a net loss on investment of $955.2 (realized loss of $2,665.4 of which $1,710.2 had been recognized as unrealized losses in prior years). The company continues to hold short equity and equity index total return swaps for investment purposes, but no longer regards them as hedges of its equity and equity-related holdings. During 2017 the company paid net cash of $ 485.6 ( 2016 - $ 915.8 ) in connection with the closures and reset provisions of its short equity and equity index total return swaps (excluding the impact of collateral requirements). During 2017 the company closed out $1,202.9 notional amount of short equity total return swaps and recognized a net loss on investment of $237.9 (realized loss of $553.1 of which $315.2 was recognized as unrealized losses in prior years). In the first quarter of 2018 the company closed out an additional $481.3 notional amount of short equity and equity index total return swaps and recognized a net loss on investment of $8.1 (realized loss of $199.0 of which $190.9 was recognized as unrealized losses in prior years), which reduced the notional amount of remaining short equity and equity index total return swaps to approximately $509. During 2017 the company closed out $1,100.0 notional amount of S&P 500 call options and recorded a net gain on investment of $10.1 . At December 31, 2017 the company had entered into long equity total return swaps on individual equities for investment purposes with an original notional amount of $706.3 ( December 31, 2016 - $283.9 ). During 2017 the company received net cash of $21.6 ( 2016 - $10.4 ) in connection with the reset provisions of its long equity total return swaps (excluding the impact of collateral requirements). At December 31, 2017 the fair value of collateral deposited for the benefit of derivative counterparties included in holding company cash and investments, or in assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations, was $272.5 ( December 31, 2016 - $322.9 ), comprised of collateral of $36.0 ( December 31, 2016 - $86.4 ) securing amounts owed to counterparties in respect of fair value changes since the most recent reset date, and collateral of $236.5 ( December 31, 2016 - $236.5 ) required to be deposited to enter into such derivative contracts (principally related to total return swaps). U.S. treasury bond forward contracts To reduce its exposure to interest rate risk (specifically with respect to U.S. state and municipal bonds and any remaining long dated U.S. treasury bonds held in its fixed income portfolio following sales which occurred late in 2016 and in the first quarter of 2017), the company entered into forward contracts to sell long dated U.S. treasury bonds. At December 31, 2017 these contracts had a notional amount of $1,693.8 ( December 31, 2016 - $3,013.4 ) and an average term to maturity of less than three months, and could be renewed at market rates. CPI-linked derivative contracts The company has purchased derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes (“CPI”) in the geographic regions in which it operates to serve as an economic hedge against the potential adverse financial impact on the company of decreasing price levels. At December 31, 2017 these contracts have a remaining weighted average life of 4.6 years ( December 31, 2016 - 5.6 years) and notional amounts and fair values as shown in the table below. In the event of a sale, expiration or early settlement of any of these contracts, the company would receive the fair value of that contract on the date of the transaction. The company's maximum potential loss on a contract is limited to the original cost of that contract. The CPI-linked derivative contracts are summarized as follows: December 31, 2017 Floor rate (1) Average life (in years) Notional amount Weighted Index value at period end Cost Cost in bps (2) Market value Market value in bps (2) Unrealized gain (loss) Underlying CPI index Original U.S. dollars United States 0.0 % 4.7 46,725.0 46,725.0 231.39 246.52 287.5 61.5 20.6 4.4 (266.9 ) United States 0.5 % 6.8 12,600.0 12,600.0 238.30 246.52 39.9 31.7 17.2 13.7 (22.7 ) European Union 0.0 % 4.0 41,375.0 49,683.0 96.09 102.57 307.1 61.8 1.4 0.3 (305.7 ) United Kingdom 0.0 % 4.9 3,300.0 4,464.1 243.82 278.10 23.2 52.0 0.3 0.7 (22.9 ) France 0.0 % 5.1 3,150.0 3,782.5 99.27 101.76 20.7 54.7 0.1 0.3 (20.6 ) 4.6 117,254.6 678.4 39.6 (638.8 ) December 31, 2016 Floor rate (1) Average life (in years) Notional amount Weighted Index value at period end Cost Cost in bps (2) Market value Market value in bps (2) Unrealized gain (loss) Underlying CPI index Original U.S. dollars United States 0.0 % 5.7 46,725.0 46,725.0 231.39 241.43 286.9 61.4 35.2 7.5 (251.7 ) United States 0.5 % 7.8 12,600.0 12,600.0 238.30 241.43 39.5 31.3 34.3 27.2 (5.2 ) European Union 0.0 % 5.0 41,375.0 43,640.4 96.09 101.26 300.3 68.8 12.5 2.9 (287.8 ) United Kingdom 0.0 % 5.9 3,300.0 4,077.6 243.82 267.10 22.6 55.4 0.5 1.2 (22.1 ) France 0.0 % 6.1 3,150.0 3,322.5 99.27 100.66 20.7 62.3 0.9 2.7 (19.8 ) 5.6 110,365.5 670.0 83.4 (586.6 ) (1) Contracts with a floor rate of 0.0% provide a payout at maturity if there is cumulative deflation over the life of the contract. Contracts with a floor rate of 0.5% provide a payout at maturity based on an equivalent weighted average strike price of 250.49 if cumulative inflation averages less than 0.5% per year over the life of the contract. At December 31, 2017 the equivalent weighted average strike price for the United States 0.5% CPI-linked derivative contracts was 242.20 (December 31, 2016 - 241.00). (2) Expressed as a percentage of the notional amount. During 2017 the company did not enter into any new CPI-linked derivative contracts. The company's CPI-linked derivative contracts produced net unrealized losses of $71.0 in 2017 ( 2016 - $196.2 ). Foreign exchange forward contracts Long and short foreign exchange forward contracts primarily denominated in the euro, the British pound sterling and the Canadian dollar, are used to manage certain foreign currency exposures arising from foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts have an average term to maturity of less than one year and can be renewed at market rates. Counterparty collateral The company endeavours to limit counterparty risk through diligent selection of counterparties to its derivative contracts and through the terms of negotiated agreements. The fair value of the collateral deposited for the benefit of the company at December 31, 2017 consisted of cash of $3.6 and government securities of $35.9 ( December 31, 2016 - $8.3 and $54.4 ). The company has recognized the cash collateral within subsidiary cash and short term investments and recognized a corresponding liability within accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The company had not exercised its right to sell or repledge collateral at December 31, 2017 . The company's exposure to counterparty risk and the management thereof are discussed in note 24. Hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries At December 31, 2017 the company has designated the carrying value of Cdn $2,212.9 principal amount of its Canadian dollar denominated unsecured senior notes with a fair value of $1,868.6 ( December 31, 2016 - principal amount of Cdn $1,975.0 with a fair value of $1,618.1 ) as a hedge of its net investment in its Canadian subsidiaries for financial reporting. During 2017 the company recognized pre-tax losses of $106.3 ( 2016 - $37.5 ) related to foreign currency movements on the unsecured senior notes in losses on hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Insurance Contract Liabilities

Insurance Contract Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance Contracts [Abstract]
Insurance Contract Liabilities	Insurance Contract Liabilities December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Ceded Net Gross Ceded Net Provision for unearned premiums 5,951.7 1,169.0 4,782.7 3,740.4 539.8 3,200.6 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 28,610.8 6,189.7 22,421.1 19,481.8 3,179.6 16,302.2 Total insurance contract liabilities 34,562.5 7,358.7 27,203.8 23,222.2 3,719.4 19,502.8 Current 13,405.0 2,975.9 10,429.1 9,013.9 1,586.8 7,427.1 Non-current 21,157.5 4,382.8 16,774.7 14,208.3 2,132.6 12,075.7 34,562.5 7,358.7 27,203.8 23,222.2 3,719.4 19,502.8 At December 31, 2017 the company's net provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses of $22,421.1 ( December 31, 2016 - $16,302.2 ) were comprised of case reserves of $9,731.5 and IBNR of $12,689.6 ( December 31, 2016 - $7,537.2 and $8,765.0 ). Provision for unearned premiums Changes in the provision for unearned premiums for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Provision for unearned premiums – January 1 3,740.4 3,284.8 Gross premiums written 12,207.5 9,534.3 Less: gross premiums earned (11,822.0 ) (9,209.7 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 1,906.2 111.1 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (157.9 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other 77.5 19.9 Provision for unearned premiums - December 31 5,951.7 3,740.4 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses Changes in the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – January 1 19,481.8 19,816.4 Decrease in estimated losses and expenses for claims occurring in the prior years (218.8 ) (559.8 ) Losses and expenses for claims occurring in the current year 9,736.5 6,247.8 Paid on claims occurring during: the current year (2,263.9 ) (1,595.6 ) the prior years (5,526.0 ) (4,441.8 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 7,377.6 143.1 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (546.6 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other 570.2 (128.3 ) Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – December 31 28,610.8 19,481.8 Development of insurance losses, gross The development of insurance liabilities illustrates the estimation uncertainty associated with these liabilities and provides a measure of the company's ability to estimate the ultimate value of claims. The loss development table which follows shows the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses at the end of each calendar year, the cumulative payments made in respect of those reserves in subsequent years and the re-estimated amount of each calendar year's provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses as at December 31, 2017 . Calendar year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 14,467.2 14,504.8 16,049.3 17,232.2 19,648.8 19,212.8 17,749.1 19,816.4 19,481.8 28,610.8 Less: CTR Life (1) 34.9 27.6 25.3 24.2 20.6 17.9 15.2 14.2 12.8 8.7 14,432.3 14,477.2 16,024.0 17,208.0 19,628.2 19,194.9 17,733.9 19,802.2 19,469.0 28,602.1 Cumulative payments as of: One year later 3,136.0 3,126.6 3,355.9 3,627.6 4,323.5 4,081.1 3,801.6 4,441.4 4,608.0 Two years later 5,336.4 5,307.6 5,441.4 6,076.7 7,153.1 6,787.6 6,364.5 7,283.6 Three years later 7,070.7 6,846.3 7,063.1 7,920.3 9,148.0 8,775.5 8,172.7 Four years later 8,318.7 7,932.7 8,333.3 9,333.4 10,702.8 10,212.4 Five years later 9,189.1 8,936.9 9,327.0 10,458.7 11,783.3 Six years later 10,039.4 9,721.1 10,202.6 11,263.6 Seven years later 10,705.5 10,456.1 10,823.4 Eight years later 11,379.9 10,975.6 Nine years later 11,857.8 Reserves re-estimated as of: One year later 14,746.0 14,616.0 15,893.8 17,316.4 19,021.2 18,375.6 16,696.4 19,169.3 19,343.1 Two years later 14,844.4 14,726.6 15,959.7 17,013.6 18,529.4 17,475.0 16,269.2 18,973.6 Three years later 14,912.4 14,921.6 15,705.6 16,721.0 17,820.5 17,307.9 16,114.0 Four years later 15,127.5 14,828.9 15,430.4 16,233.9 17,735.5 17,287.2 Five years later 15,091.0 14,663.1 15,036.2 16,269.6 17,830.5 Six years later 15,011.7 14,433.0 15,099.0 16,331.8 Seven years later 14,873.6 14,551.5 15,252.1 Eight years later 15,028.8 14,744.2 Nine years later 15,231.4 Favourable (unfavourable) development (799.1 ) (267.0 ) 771.9 876.2 1,797.7 1,907.7 1,619.9 828.6 125.9 Comprised of favourable (unfavourable): Effect of foreign currency translation (317.7 ) 82.0 264.2 265.1 575.6 476.0 248.5 (252.3 ) (205.7 ) Loss reserve development (481.4 ) (349.0 ) 507.7 611.1 1,222.1 1,431.7 1,371.4 1,080.9 331.6 (799.1 ) (267.0 ) 771.9 876.2 1,797.7 1,907.7 1,619.9 828.6 125.9 (1) Guaranteed minimum death benefit retrocessional business written by Compagnie Transcontinentale de Réassurance ("CTR Life"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company that was transferred to Wentworth and placed into run-off in 2002. The effect of foreign currency translation in the table above primarily arose on translation to U.S. dollars of the loss reserves of subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The company's exposure to foreign currency risk and the management thereof are discussed in note 24. Loss reserve development in the table above excludes the loss reserve development of a subsidiary in the year it is acquired whereas the consolidated statement of earnings includes the loss reserve development of a subsidiary from its acquisition date. Favourable loss reserve development in calendar year 2017 of $331.6 in the table above was principally comprised of favourable loss emergence on the more recent accident years, partially offset by adverse development primarily relating to asbestos and other latent reserves. Development of losses and loss adjustment expenses for asbestos A number of the company's subsidiaries wrote general liability policies and reinsurance prior to their acquisition by the company under which policyholders continue to present asbestos-related injury claims. The vast majority of these claims are presented under policies written many years ago and reside primarily within the run-off group. There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding these types of claims, which impacts the ability of insurers and reinsurers to estimate the ultimate amount of unpaid claims and related settlement expenses. The majority of these claims differ from most other types of claims because there is inconsistent precedent, if any at all, to determine what, if any, coverage exists or which, if any, policy years and insurers/reinsurers may be liable. These uncertainties are exacerbated by judicial and legislative interpretations of coverage that in some cases have eroded the clear and express intent of the parties to the insurance contracts, and in others have expanded theories of liability. The following is an analysis of the changes which have occurred in the company's provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses related to asbestos exposure on a gross and net basis for the years ended December 31: 2017 2016 Gross Net Gross Net Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses - January 1 1,347.7 1,065.5 1,381.0 1,043.8 Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred 153.0 141.8 219.9 218.7 Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid (208.6 ) (174.0 ) (253.2 ) (197.0 ) Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses - December 31 1,292.1 1,033.3 1,347.7 1,065.5 Fair Value The estimated fair value of insurance and reinsurance contracts is as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair value Carrying value Fair value Carrying value Insurance contracts 33,807.2 34,562.5 22,598.3 23,222.2 Ceded reinsurance contracts 6,948.7 7,358.7 3,501.3 3,719.4 The fair value of insurance contracts is comprised of the fair value of both unpaid claim liabilities and unearned premiums. The fair value of ceded reinsurance contracts is comprised of the fair value of reinsurers' share of unpaid claim liabilities and unearned premiums. Both reflect the time value of money through discounting, whereas the carrying values (including the reinsurers' share thereof) do not. The calculation of the fair value of unearned premiums includes acquisition expenses to reflect the deferral of these expenses at the inception of the insurance contract. The estimated fair value of insurance and ceded reinsurance contracts is determined by projecting the expected future cash flows of the contracts, selecting the appropriate interest rates, and applying the resulting discount factors to the expected future cash flows. The difference between the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows and the sum of the discounted expected future cash flows represents the time value of money. A margin for risk and uncertainty is added to the discounted cash flows to reflect the volatility of the lines of business written, quantity of reinsurance purchased, credit quality of reinsurers and the possibility of future changes in interest rates. The table that follows illustrates the potential impact of interest rate fluctuations on the fair value of the company's insurance and reinsurance contracts: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Change in interest rates Fair value of insurance contracts Fair value of reinsurance contracts Fair value of insurance contracts Fair value of reinsurance contracts 100 basis point increase 32,820.7 6,764.1 21,973.4 3,425.7 100 basis point decrease 34,877.5 7,147.6 23,274.9 3,582.4 Insurance Contract Receivables Insurance contract receivables were comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Insurance premiums receivable 2,752.3 1,906.2 Reinsurance premiums receivable 1,086.4 788.8 Funds withheld receivable 659.8 181.8 Other 218.7 68.3 Provision for uncollectible balances (30.3 ) (27.6 ) 4,686.9 2,917.5 Changes in the insurance premiums receivable and reinsurance premiums receivable balances for the years ended December 31 were as follows: Insurance premiums receivable Reinsurance premiums receivable 2017 2016 2017 2016 Balance – January 1 1,906.2 1,677.1 788.8 659.5 Gross premiums written 9,329.9 6,930.2 2,877.6 2,604.1 Premiums collected (8,075.2 ) (6,050.5 ) (2,323.3 ) (1,876.5 ) Recovery (impairments) 0.5 (1.6 ) (0.7 ) (1.2 ) Amounts due to brokers and agents (932.3 ) (707.8 ) (686.4 ) (581.2 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 604.1 54.7 445.2 0.8 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (64.7 ) — (48.5 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other (16.2 ) 4.1 33.7 (16.7 ) Balance – December 31 2,752.3 1,906.2 1,086.4 788.8

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance Contracts [Abstract]
Reinsurance	Reinsurance Reinsurers’ share of insurance contract liabilities was comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross recoverable from reinsurers Provision for uncollectible reinsurance (1) Recoverable from reinsurers Gross recoverable from reinsurers Provision for uncollectible reinsurance (1) Recoverable from reinsurers Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 6,216.2 (26.5 ) 6,189.7 3,210.0 (30.4 ) 3,179.6 Reinsurers’ share of paid losses 593.7 (139.9 ) 453.8 432.2 (141.3 ) 290.9 Provision for unearned premiums 1,169.0 — 1,169.0 539.8 — 539.8 7,978.9 (166.4 ) 7,812.5 4,182.0 (171.7 ) 4,010.3 Current 3,418.6 1,846.6 Non-current 4,393.9 2,163.7 7,812.5 4,010.3 (1) The company's management of credit risk associated with its reinsurance recoverables is discussed in note 24. Changes in reinsurers' share of paid losses, unpaid losses, unearned premiums and the provision for uncollectible balances for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 Paid losses Unpaid losses Unearned Provision for uncollectible reinsurance Recoverable from reinsurers Balance – January 1, 2017 432.2 3,210.0 539.8 (171.7 ) 4,010.3 Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds 1,330.7 (1,330.7 ) — — — Reinsurance recoveries received (1,314.0 ) — — — (1,314.0 ) Reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums earned — 2,367.1 (2,100.6 ) — 266.5 Premiums ceded to reinsurers — — 2,224.0 — 2,224.0 Change in provision, recovery or write-off of impaired balances (0.2 ) 0.7 — 7.2 7.7 Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 162.7 2,115.2 586.0 — 2,863.9 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (29.0 ) (237.8 ) (86.8 ) 0.1 (353.5 ) Foreign exchange effect and other 11.3 91.7 6.6 (2.0 ) 107.6 Balance – December 31, 2017 593.7 6,216.2 1,169.0 (166.4 ) 7,812.5 2016 Paid losses Unpaid losses Unearned Provision for uncollectible reinsurance Recoverable from reinsurers Balance – January 1, 2016 419.4 3,259.8 398.7 (187.0 ) 3,890.9 Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds 1,018.3 (1,018.3 ) — — — Reinsurance recoveries received (1,017.4 ) — — — (1,017.4 ) Reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums earned — 952.1 (1,347.5 ) — (395.4 ) Premiums ceded to reinsurers — — 1,445.9 — 1,445.9 Change in provision, recovery or write-off of impaired balances 0.7 (11.3 ) — 15.5 4.9 Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 11.5 65.0 32.3 — 108.8 Foreign exchange effect and other (0.3 ) (37.3 ) 10.4 (0.2 ) (27.4 ) Balance – December 31, 2016 432.2 3,210.0 539.8 (171.7 ) 4,010.3 Commission income earned on premiums ceded to reinsurers in 2017 of $347.1 ( 2016 - $267.4 ) is included in commissions, net in the consolidated statement of earnings.

Insurance Contract Receivables

Insurance Contract Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance Contracts [Abstract]
Insurance Contract Receivables	Insurance Contract Liabilities December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Ceded Net Gross Ceded Net Provision for unearned premiums 5,951.7 1,169.0 4,782.7 3,740.4 539.8 3,200.6 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 28,610.8 6,189.7 22,421.1 19,481.8 3,179.6 16,302.2 Total insurance contract liabilities 34,562.5 7,358.7 27,203.8 23,222.2 3,719.4 19,502.8 Current 13,405.0 2,975.9 10,429.1 9,013.9 1,586.8 7,427.1 Non-current 21,157.5 4,382.8 16,774.7 14,208.3 2,132.6 12,075.7 34,562.5 7,358.7 27,203.8 23,222.2 3,719.4 19,502.8 At December 31, 2017 the company's net provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses of $22,421.1 ( December 31, 2016 - $16,302.2 ) were comprised of case reserves of $9,731.5 and IBNR of $12,689.6 ( December 31, 2016 - $7,537.2 and $8,765.0 ). Provision for unearned premiums Changes in the provision for unearned premiums for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Provision for unearned premiums – January 1 3,740.4 3,284.8 Gross premiums written 12,207.5 9,534.3 Less: gross premiums earned (11,822.0 ) (9,209.7 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 1,906.2 111.1 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (157.9 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other 77.5 19.9 Provision for unearned premiums - December 31 5,951.7 3,740.4 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses Changes in the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – January 1 19,481.8 19,816.4 Decrease in estimated losses and expenses for claims occurring in the prior years (218.8 ) (559.8 ) Losses and expenses for claims occurring in the current year 9,736.5 6,247.8 Paid on claims occurring during: the current year (2,263.9 ) (1,595.6 ) the prior years (5,526.0 ) (4,441.8 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 7,377.6 143.1 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (546.6 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other 570.2 (128.3 ) Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – December 31 28,610.8 19,481.8 Development of insurance losses, gross The development of insurance liabilities illustrates the estimation uncertainty associated with these liabilities and provides a measure of the company's ability to estimate the ultimate value of claims. The loss development table which follows shows the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses at the end of each calendar year, the cumulative payments made in respect of those reserves in subsequent years and the re-estimated amount of each calendar year's provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses as at December 31, 2017 . Calendar year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 14,467.2 14,504.8 16,049.3 17,232.2 19,648.8 19,212.8 17,749.1 19,816.4 19,481.8 28,610.8 Less: CTR Life (1) 34.9 27.6 25.3 24.2 20.6 17.9 15.2 14.2 12.8 8.7 14,432.3 14,477.2 16,024.0 17,208.0 19,628.2 19,194.9 17,733.9 19,802.2 19,469.0 28,602.1 Cumulative payments as of: One year later 3,136.0 3,126.6 3,355.9 3,627.6 4,323.5 4,081.1 3,801.6 4,441.4 4,608.0 Two years later 5,336.4 5,307.6 5,441.4 6,076.7 7,153.1 6,787.6 6,364.5 7,283.6 Three years later 7,070.7 6,846.3 7,063.1 7,920.3 9,148.0 8,775.5 8,172.7 Four years later 8,318.7 7,932.7 8,333.3 9,333.4 10,702.8 10,212.4 Five years later 9,189.1 8,936.9 9,327.0 10,458.7 11,783.3 Six years later 10,039.4 9,721.1 10,202.6 11,263.6 Seven years later 10,705.5 10,456.1 10,823.4 Eight years later 11,379.9 10,975.6 Nine years later 11,857.8 Reserves re-estimated as of: One year later 14,746.0 14,616.0 15,893.8 17,316.4 19,021.2 18,375.6 16,696.4 19,169.3 19,343.1 Two years later 14,844.4 14,726.6 15,959.7 17,013.6 18,529.4 17,475.0 16,269.2 18,973.6 Three years later 14,912.4 14,921.6 15,705.6 16,721.0 17,820.5 17,307.9 16,114.0 Four years later 15,127.5 14,828.9 15,430.4 16,233.9 17,735.5 17,287.2 Five years later 15,091.0 14,663.1 15,036.2 16,269.6 17,830.5 Six years later 15,011.7 14,433.0 15,099.0 16,331.8 Seven years later 14,873.6 14,551.5 15,252.1 Eight years later 15,028.8 14,744.2 Nine years later 15,231.4 Favourable (unfavourable) development (799.1 ) (267.0 ) 771.9 876.2 1,797.7 1,907.7 1,619.9 828.6 125.9 Comprised of favourable (unfavourable): Effect of foreign currency translation (317.7 ) 82.0 264.2 265.1 575.6 476.0 248.5 (252.3 ) (205.7 ) Loss reserve development (481.4 ) (349.0 ) 507.7 611.1 1,222.1 1,431.7 1,371.4 1,080.9 331.6 (799.1 ) (267.0 ) 771.9 876.2 1,797.7 1,907.7 1,619.9 828.6 125.9 (1) Guaranteed minimum death benefit retrocessional business written by Compagnie Transcontinentale de Réassurance ("CTR Life"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company that was transferred to Wentworth and placed into run-off in 2002. The effect of foreign currency translation in the table above primarily arose on translation to U.S. dollars of the loss reserves of subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The company's exposure to foreign currency risk and the management thereof are discussed in note 24. Loss reserve development in the table above excludes the loss reserve development of a subsidiary in the year it is acquired whereas the consolidated statement of earnings includes the loss reserve development of a subsidiary from its acquisition date. Favourable loss reserve development in calendar year 2017 of $331.6 in the table above was principally comprised of favourable loss emergence on the more recent accident years, partially offset by adverse development primarily relating to asbestos and other latent reserves. Development of losses and loss adjustment expenses for asbestos A number of the company's subsidiaries wrote general liability policies and reinsurance prior to their acquisition by the company under which policyholders continue to present asbestos-related injury claims. The vast majority of these claims are presented under policies written many years ago and reside primarily within the run-off group. There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding these types of claims, which impacts the ability of insurers and reinsurers to estimate the ultimate amount of unpaid claims and related settlement expenses. The majority of these claims differ from most other types of claims because there is inconsistent precedent, if any at all, to determine what, if any, coverage exists or which, if any, policy years and insurers/reinsurers may be liable. These uncertainties are exacerbated by judicial and legislative interpretations of coverage that in some cases have eroded the clear and express intent of the parties to the insurance contracts, and in others have expanded theories of liability. The following is an analysis of the changes which have occurred in the company's provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses related to asbestos exposure on a gross and net basis for the years ended December 31: 2017 2016 Gross Net Gross Net Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses - January 1 1,347.7 1,065.5 1,381.0 1,043.8 Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred 153.0 141.8 219.9 218.7 Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid (208.6 ) (174.0 ) (253.2 ) (197.0 ) Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses - December 31 1,292.1 1,033.3 1,347.7 1,065.5 Fair Value The estimated fair value of insurance and reinsurance contracts is as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair value Carrying value Fair value Carrying value Insurance contracts 33,807.2 34,562.5 22,598.3 23,222.2 Ceded reinsurance contracts 6,948.7 7,358.7 3,501.3 3,719.4 The fair value of insurance contracts is comprised of the fair value of both unpaid claim liabilities and unearned premiums. The fair value of ceded reinsurance contracts is comprised of the fair value of reinsurers' share of unpaid claim liabilities and unearned premiums. Both reflect the time value of money through discounting, whereas the carrying values (including the reinsurers' share thereof) do not. The calculation of the fair value of unearned premiums includes acquisition expenses to reflect the deferral of these expenses at the inception of the insurance contract. The estimated fair value of insurance and ceded reinsurance contracts is determined by projecting the expected future cash flows of the contracts, selecting the appropriate interest rates, and applying the resulting discount factors to the expected future cash flows. The difference between the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows and the sum of the discounted expected future cash flows represents the time value of money. A margin for risk and uncertainty is added to the discounted cash flows to reflect the volatility of the lines of business written, quantity of reinsurance purchased, credit quality of reinsurers and the possibility of future changes in interest rates. The table that follows illustrates the potential impact of interest rate fluctuations on the fair value of the company's insurance and reinsurance contracts: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Change in interest rates Fair value of insurance contracts Fair value of reinsurance contracts Fair value of insurance contracts Fair value of reinsurance contracts 100 basis point increase 32,820.7 6,764.1 21,973.4 3,425.7 100 basis point decrease 34,877.5 7,147.6 23,274.9 3,582.4 Insurance Contract Receivables Insurance contract receivables were comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Insurance premiums receivable 2,752.3 1,906.2 Reinsurance premiums receivable 1,086.4 788.8 Funds withheld receivable 659.8 181.8 Other 218.7 68.3 Provision for uncollectible balances (30.3 ) (27.6 ) 4,686.9 2,917.5 Changes in the insurance premiums receivable and reinsurance premiums receivable balances for the years ended December 31 were as follows: Insurance premiums receivable Reinsurance premiums receivable 2017 2016 2017 2016 Balance – January 1 1,906.2 1,677.1 788.8 659.5 Gross premiums written 9,329.9 6,930.2 2,877.6 2,604.1 Premiums collected (8,075.2 ) (6,050.5 ) (2,323.3 ) (1,876.5 ) Recovery (impairments) 0.5 (1.6 ) (0.7 ) (1.2 ) Amounts due to brokers and agents (932.3 ) (707.8 ) (686.4 ) (581.2 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 604.1 54.7 445.2 0.8 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (64.7 ) — (48.5 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other (16.2 ) 4.1 33.7 (16.7 ) Balance – December 31 2,752.3 1,906.2 1,086.4 788.8

Deferred Premium Acquisition Co

Deferred Premium Acquisition Costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance Contracts [Abstract]
Deferred Premium Acquisition Costs	Deferred Premium Acquisition Costs Changes in deferred premium acquisition costs for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Balance – January 1 693.1 532.7 Premium acquisition costs deferred 2,380.2 1,851.1 Amortization (2,140.7 ) (1,696.2 ) Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (15.8 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other 10.7 5.5 Balance – December 31 927.5 693.1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible assets were comprised as follows: Goodwill Intangible assets Total Lloyd's participation rights (1) Customer Brand names (1) Computer software and other Balance - January 1, 2017 1,633.7 420.5 431.8 1,014.4 347.1 3,847.5 Additions 1,212.3 87.4 672.8 87.5 172.9 2,232.9 Disposals (1.7 ) — — — (0.2 ) (1.9 ) Amortization and impairment (0.1 ) — (67.9 ) — (91.5 ) (159.5 ) Foreign exchange effect and other 60.5 — 11.1 69.5 12.4 153.5 Balance - December 31, 2017 2,904.7 507.9 1,047.8 1,171.4 440.7 6,072.5 Gross carrying amount 2,911.8 507.9 1,266.7 1,171.4 767.7 6,625.5 Accumulated amortization — — (218.9 ) — (311.5 ) (530.4 ) Accumulated impairment (7.1 ) — — — (15.5 ) (22.6 ) 2,904.7 507.9 1,047.8 1,171.4 440.7 6,072.5 Goodwill Intangible assets Total Lloyd's participation rights (1) Customer Brand names (1) Computer software and other Balance - January 1, 2016 1,428.2 420.5 385.6 723.3 257.3 3,214.9 Additions 216.0 — 73.8 280.9 163.4 734.1 Disposals — — — — (0.1 ) (0.1 ) Amortization and impairment (7.0 ) — (35.3 ) — (68.9 ) (111.2 ) Foreign exchange effect and other (3.5 ) — 7.7 10.2 (4.6 ) 9.8 Balance - December 31, 2016 1,633.7 420.5 431.8 1,014.4 347.1 3,847.5 Gross carrying amount 1,640.7 420.5 578.6 1,014.4 599.5 4,253.7 Accumulated amortization — — (146.8 ) — (237.7 ) (384.5 ) Accumulated impairment (7.0 ) — — — (14.7 ) (21.7 ) 1,633.7 420.5 431.8 1,014.4 347.1 3,847.5 (1) Not subject to amortization. Goodwill and intangible assets are allocated to the company's cash-generating units (“CGUs”) as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Goodwill Intangible assets Total Goodwill Intangible assets Total Allied World 938.9 763.7 1,702.6 — — — Cara 222.3 1,073.6 1,295.9 211.5 990.3 1,201.8 Brit 154.3 571.3 725.6 154.3 576.6 730.9 Zenith National 317.6 115.5 433.1 317.6 121.4 439.0 Crum & Forster 188.8 129.4 318.2 186.5 145.1 331.6 Quess 229.0 21.8 250.8 23.7 18.5 42.2 Thomas Cook India 150.0 54.2 204.2 115.3 50.1 165.4 Northbridge 95.7 77.1 172.8 88.3 64.5 152.8 OdysseyRe 119.7 51.6 171.3 119.7 55.2 174.9 AMAG 44.7 110.2 154.9 72.6 63.0 135.6 All other (1) 443.7 199.4 643.1 344.2 129.1 473.3 2,904.7 3,167.8 6,072.5 1,633.7 2,213.8 3,847.5 (1) Comprised primarily of balances related to NCML, Fairchem, Mosaic Capital, Boat Rocker, The Keg, U.S. Run-off and Pethealth. At December 31, 2017 goodwill and intangible assets were comprised primarily of amounts arising on the acquisitions of Allied World and Manipal (by Quess) during 2017, St-Hubert and Original Joe's (both by Cara) during 2016, Cara and Brit during 2015, Quess during 2013, Thomas Cook India during 2012, and Zenith National during 2010. Impairment tests for goodwill and intangible assets not subject to amortization were completed in 2017 and it was concluded that no impairments had occurred. Allied World's recoverable amount exceeded its carrying value (inclusive of goodwill), but the excess was not significant as a result of being acquired only on July 6, 2017. When testing for impairment, the recoverable amount of each CGU or group of CGUs was based on the higher of fair value less costs of disposal or value in use, determined on the basis of market prices where available, or discounted cash flow models. Cash flow projections covering a five year period were derived from financial budgets approved by management. Cash flows beyond the five year period were extrapolated using estimated growth rates which do not exceed the long term average historic growth rate for the business in which each CGU operates. A number of other assumptions and estimates including premium volumes, investment returns, revenues, expenses and working capital requirements were required to be incorporated into the discounted cash flow models. The forecasts were based on the best estimates of future premiums or revenues and operating expenses using historical trends, general geographical market conditions, industry trends and forecasts and other available information. These assumptions and estimates were reviewed by the applicable CGU's management and by head office management. The cash flow forecasts are adjusted by applying appropriate after-tax discount rates within a range of 7.8% to 15.4% for insurance business and 9.2% to 21.3% for non-insurance business. A long term investment return of 5.0% was applied to the investment portfolios of insurance businesses. The weighted average annual growth rate used to extrapolate cash flows beyond five years for the majority of the CGUs was 3.0% .

Other Assets

Other Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Subclassifications of assets, liabilities and equities [abstract]
Other Assets	Other Assets Other assets were comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Premises and equipment 403.0 847.3 1,250.3 251.9 639.6 891.5 Other reporting segment investment properties (note 23) — 1,168.4 1,168.4 — — — Other reporting segment sales receivables — 470.0 470.0 — 295.2 295.2 Other reporting segment inventories — 320.7 320.7 — 235.5 235.5 Receivables for securities sold but not yet settled 207.3 — 207.3 15.6 26.5 42.1 Prepaid expenses 83.7 102.5 186.2 59.7 64.4 124.1 Income taxes refundable 83.1 63.9 147.0 174.7 28.0 202.7 Accrued interest and dividends 105.2 16.2 121.4 97.3 9.5 106.8 Deferred compensation plans 67.1 — 67.1 63.4 — 63.4 Pension surplus (note 21) 49.1 — 49.1 50.8 — 50.8 Other 565.5 275.3 840.8 307.3 199.0 506.3 1,564.0 3,264.3 4,828.3 1,020.7 1,497.7 2,518.4 Current 788.5 1,069.0 1,857.5 487.5 792.9 1,280.4 Non-current 775.5 2,195.3 2,970.8 533.2 704.8 1,238.0 1,564.0 3,264.3 4,828.3 1,020.7 1,497.7 2,518.4

Accounts Payable and Accrued Li

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Subclassifications of assets, liabilities and equities [abstract]
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities	Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Other reporting segment payables related to cost of sales — 530.8 530.8 — 416.7 416.7 Payable to reinsurers 428.2 — 428.2 498.3 — 498.3 Salaries and employee benefit liabilities 296.8 77.3 374.1 218.3 31.2 249.5 Deferred gift card, hospitality and other revenue 27.3 294.7 322.0 20.9 263.4 284.3 Pension and post retirement liabilities (note 21) 227.1 23.7 250.8 196.2 20.7 216.9 Amounts withheld and accrued taxes 205.2 43.4 248.6 169.7 48.5 218.2 Ceded deferred premium acquisition costs 161.4 — 161.4 84.7 — 84.7 Accrued rent, storage and facilities costs 33.1 59.7 92.8 17.1 47.7 64.8 Amounts payable to agents and brokers 90.4 0.1 90.5 30.5 0.1 30.6 Accrued commissions 79.8 0.4 80.2 85.4 — 85.4 Accrued premium taxes 66.6 — 66.6 55.2 — 55.2 Accrued interest expense 48.0 3.4 51.4 41.4 2.1 43.5 Accrued legal and professional fees 37.7 10.7 48.4 29.6 8.5 38.1 Amounts payable for securities purchased but not yet settled 18.2 — 18.2 14.4 — 14.4 Administrative and other 621.7 243.8 865.5 453.3 134.7 588.0 2,341.5 1,288.0 3,629.5 1,915.0 973.6 2,888.6 Current 1,429.7 1,019.7 2,449.4 1,174.7 770.8 1,945.5 Non-current 911.8 268.3 1,180.1 740.3 202.8 943.1 2,341.5 1,288.0 3,629.5 1,915.0 973.6 2,888.6

Borrowings

Borrowings	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Borrowings [abstract]
Borrowings	Borrowings December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Principal Carrying value (a) Fair value (b) Principal Carrying value (a) Fair value (b) Borrowings - holding company Fairfax unsecured notes: 7.375% due April 15, 2018 (e) 144.2 144.2 146.4 144.2 144.2 153.8 7.50% due August 19, 2019 (Cdn$400.0) (d)(1)(7) — — — 298.3 297.0 334.4 7.25% due June 22, 2020 (Cdn$275.0) (d)(7) 213.3 212.7 235.6 205.1 204.2 233.6 5.80% due May 15, 2021 (d) 500.0 498.0 534.1 500.0 497.4 538.9 6.40% due May 25, 2021 (Cdn$400.0) (d)(7) 315.7 314.4 349.4 298.3 296.5 337.3 5.84% due October 14, 2022 (Cdn$450.0) (d) 359.2 362.5 397.2 335.6 339.6 373.9 4.50% due March 22, 2023 (Cdn$400.0) 319.2 316.8 333.5 298.3 295.4 310.6 4.875% due August 13, 2024 (d) 300.0 296.2 313.4 300.0 295.6 297.8 4.95% due March 3, 2025 (Cdn$350.0) (d) 279.3 275.5 297.1 261.0 256.6 272.6 8.30% due April 15, 2026 (e) 91.8 91.6 116.3 91.8 91.6 109.9 4.70% due December 16, 2026 (Cdn$450.0) 359.2 356.6 371.7 335.6 332.7 338.9 4.25% due December 6, 2027 (Cdn$650.0) (3) 518.8 516.2 514.7 — — — 7.75% due July 15, 2037 (e) 91.3 90.4 114.1 91.3 90.4 104.2 Revolving credit facility — — — 200.0 200.0 200.0 Purchase consideration payable due 2017 and other (2) — — — 131.3 131.3 131.3 3,492.0 3,475.1 3,723.5 3,490.8 3,472.5 3,737.2 Borrowings - insurance and reinsurance companies Allied World senior notes: 5.50% due November 1, 2020 300.0 320.4 320.0 — — — 4.35% due October 29, 2025 500.0 508.4 507.3 — — — Allied World revolving credit facility and other borrowings 45.0 49.2 49.2 — — — OdysseyRe floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2021 90.0 89.8 93.0 90.0 89.8 94.1 Brit 6.625% subordinated notes due December 9, 2030 (£135.0) 182.6 188.5 199.0 166.8 175.9 169.0 Brit floating rate revolving credit facility (4) 45.0 45.0 45.0 — — — First Mercury trust preferred securities due 2036 and 2037 41.4 41.4 41.4 41.4 41.4 41.4 Zenith National 8.55% debentures due August 1, 2028 (d) 38.4 38.2 38.2 38.4 38.2 38.2 Advent floating rate subordinated notes due June 3, 2035 (d) 48.4 47.1 47.8 46.7 45.4 41.5 Advent floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2026 (d) 46.0 45.0 46.0 46.0 44.8 46.0 1,336.8 1,373.0 1,386.9 429.3 435.5 430.2 Borrowings - non-insurance companies (c) Fairfax India floating rate term loan due July 11, 2018 (6) 400.0 400.0 400.0 225.0 223.8 223.8 Fairfax India subsidiary borrowings 186.1 186.1 186.1 80.8 80.8 80.8 Fairfax Africa floating rate term loan due January 31, 2018 (5) 150.0 150.0 150.0 — — — Grivalia Properties term loans and revolving facility 160.4 160.4 160.4 — — — Cara floating rate term loan due September 2, 2019 (Cdn$150.0) 119.7 119.3 119.3 111.9 111.4 111.4 Cara floating rate credit facility expiring September 2, 2021 182.8 181.7 181.7 180.5 179.1 179.1 The Keg 7.5% note due May 31, 2042 (Cdn$57.0) 45.5 45.5 45.5 42.5 42.5 42.5 The Keg floating rate revolving facility and term loan due 31.9 31.7 31.7 20.9 20.7 20.7 Loans and revolving credit facilities primarily at floating rates 291.7 291.3 291.4 201.8 201.3 200.7 1,568.1 1,566.0 1,566.1 863.4 859.6 859.0 Total debt 6,396.9 6,414.1 6,676.5 4,783.5 4,767.6 5,026.4 (a) Principal net of unamortized issue costs and discounts (premiums). (b) Based principally on quoted market prices with the remainder based on discounted cash flow models using market observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2 respectively in the fair value hierarchy). (c) These borrowings are non-recourse to the holding company. (d) Redeemable at the issuer's option at any time at certain prices specified in the instrument's offering document. (e) This debt has no provision for redemption prior to the contractual maturity date. During 2017 the company and its subsidiaries completed the following debt transactions: (1) On December 29, 2017 the company completed an early redemption of its remaining Cdn $388.4 principal amount 7.5% unsecured senior notes due August 19, 2019 for cash consideration of $340.6 (Cdn $430.6 ), including accrued interest, and recognized a loss on repurchase of long term debt of $26.0 (Cdn $32.8 ) in other expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings. (2) On December 13, 2017 the company repaid $124.9 principal amount of purchase consideration payable upon maturity . (3) On December 4, 2017 the company completed an underwritten public offering of Cdn $650.0 principal amount of 4.25% unsecured senior notes due December 6, 2027 at an issue price of 99.992 for net proceeds after discount, commissions and expenses of $509.5 (Cdn $646.8 ). Commissions and expenses of $2.4 (Cdn $3.1 ) were included as part of the carrying value of the notes. The notes are redeemable at any time prior to September 6, 2027, at the company's option, in whole or in part, at the greater of (i) a specified redemption price based on the then current yield of a Government of Canada bond with an equal term to maturity or (ii) par, and at any time on or after September 6, 2027 at par. The company has designated these senior notes as a hedge of a portion of its net investment in its Canadian subsidiaries. (4) On November 29, 2017 Brit drew $45.0 on its revolving credit facility that was subsequently repaid on January 5, 2018. (5) On August 31, 2017 Fairfax Africa entered into a $150.0 five-month floating rate term loan and a $153.9 ( 2 billion South African rand) non-revolving seven-month letter of credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank that required cash collateral of $150.0 and $162.0 respectively. On December 11, 2017 the letter of credit facility was terminated with the $162.0 cash collateral released on January 12, 2018. On January 31, 2018 Fairfax Africa extended the maturity of the $150.0 term loan to August 31, 2018. (6) On March 31, 2017 Fairfax India repaid its floating rate secured term loan of $225.0 . On July 11, 2017 Fairfax India entered into a $400.0 one-year floating rate term loan with a Canadian chartered bank and used a portion of the proceeds to fund an additional investment in Bangalore Airport (note 6). (7) On March 15, 2017 the company closed its tender offers to purchase a targeted aggregate principal amount of up to Cdn $250.0 of certain of its outstanding senior notes. Pursuant to those tender offers, the company purchased principal amounts of $8.7 , $5.8 and $3.3 of its notes due in 2019, 2020 and 2021 for cash consideration of $9.7 , $6.6 and $3.7 respectively. Changes in the carrying values of borrowings for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Holding company Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Holding company Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Balance – January 1 3,472.5 435.5 859.6 4,767.6 2,599.0 468.5 284.0 3,351.5 Net cash inflows (outflows) from issuances and repayments (174.2 ) 67.5 425.6 318.9 832.3 — 515.2 1,347.5 Non-cash changes: Acquisitions (note 23) — 860.5 221.5 1,082.0 — — 60.4 60.4 Loss on redemption 28.6 — — 28.6 — — — — Foreign exchange effect and other 148.2 9.5 59.3 217.0 41.2 (33.0 ) — 8.2 Balance – December 31 3,475.1 1,373.0 1,566.0 6,414.1 3,472.5 435.5 859.6 4,767.6 Principal repayments on borrowings are due as follows: 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total Holding company 144.2 — 213.3 815.7 359.2 1,959.6 3,492.0 Insurance and reinsurance companies 5.0 — 345.0 90.0 — 896.8 1,336.8 Non-insurance companies 855.9 187.8 131.4 242.5 49.4 101.1 1,568.1 Total 1,005.1 187.8 689.7 1,148.2 408.6 2,957.5 6,396.9 Credit Facility - Holding company On December 21, 2017 the company increased its unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of lenders to $2.0 billion from $1.0 billion and extended the expiry to December 21, 2021 from May 11, 2019. The credit facility contains certain financial covenants that require the company to maintain a ratio of consolidated debt to consolidated capitalization of not more than 0.35 :1 and consolidated shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of not less than $9.5 billion . At December 31, 2017 there were no amounts drawn on the credit facility and the company was in compliance with its covenants (consolidated debt to consolidated capitalization ratio of 0.24 :1 and consolidated shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax of $13.8 billion ).

Total Equity

Total Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Capital, Reserves And Other Equity Interest [Abstract]
Total Equity	Total Equity Equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax Authorized capital The authorized share capital of the company consists of an unlimited number of preferred shares issuable in series, an unlimited number of multiple voting shares (cumulatively carrying 41.8% voting power) and an unlimited number of subordinate voting shares carrying one vote per share. Issued capital Issued capital at December 31, 2017 included 1,548,000 ( December 31, 2016 - 1,548,000 ) multiple voting shares and 27,904,801 ( December 31, 2016 - 23,004,207 ) subordinate voting shares without par value prior to deducting 902,498 ( December 31, 2016 - 659,411 ) subordinate voting shares reserved in treasury for share-based payment awards. The multiple voting shares are not traded. Common stock The number of shares outstanding was as follows: 2017 2016 Subordinate voting shares – January 1 22,344,796 21,465,089 Issuances during the year 5,084,961 1,000,000 Repurchases for cancellation (184,367 ) (30,732 ) Treasury shares acquired (277,364 ) (130,075 ) Treasury shares reissued 34,277 40,514 Subordinate voting shares – December 31 27,002,303 22,344,796 Multiple voting shares – beginning and end of year 1,548,000 1,548,000 Interest in multiple and subordinate voting shares held through ownership interest in shareholder – beginning and end of year (799,230 ) (799,230 ) Common stock effectively outstanding – December 31 27,751,073 23,093,566 During 2017 the company issued 5,084,961 subordinate voting shares, of which 5,075,894 shares with a fair value of $2,191.6 were issued pursuant to the acquisition of Allied World as described in note 23. During 2017 the company repurchased for cancellation 184,367 subordinate voting shares ( 2016 - 30,732 ) under the terms of its normal course issuer bids at a cost of $96.2 ( 2016 - $14.1 ), of which $50.6 ( 2016 - $8.0 ) was charged to retained earnings. Subsequent to December 31, 2017 and up to March 9, 2018 the company repurchased for cancellation 20,000 subordinate voting shares under the terms of its normal course issuer bid at a cost of $9.9 . During 2017 the company repurchased for treasury 277,364 subordinate voting shares at a cost of $140.5 ( 2016 - 130,075 subordinate voting shares at a cost of $64.2 ) on the open market for use in its share-based payment awards. Subsequent to December 31, 2017 and up to March 9, 2018 the company repurchased for treasury 47,372 subordinate voting shares at a cost of $24.3 on the open market for use in its share-based payment awards. Dividends paid by the company on its outstanding multiple voting and subordinate voting shares were as follows: Date of declaration Date of record Date of payment Dividend per share Total cash payment January 3, 2018 January 18, 2018 January 25, 2018 $10.00 $283.2 January 4, 2017 January 19, 2017 January 26, 2017 $10.00 $237.4 January 5, 2016 January 20, 2016 January 27, 2016 $10.00 $227.8 Preferred stock The number of preferred shares outstanding was as follows: Series C Series D Series E Series F Series G Series H Series I Series J Series K Series M Total January 1, 2016 6,016,384 3,983,616 3,967,134 3,572,044 7,432,952 2,567,048 10,465,553 1,534,447 9,500,000 9,200,000 58,239,178 2016 activity: — — — — — — — — — — — December 31, 2016 6,016,384 3,983,616 3,967,134 3,572,044 7,432,952 2,567,048 10,465,553 1,534,447 9,500,000 9,200,000 58,239,178 2017 activity: — — — — — — — — — — — December 31, 2017 6,016,384 3,983,616 3,967,134 3,572,044 7,432,952 2,567,048 10,465,553 1,534,447 9,500,000 9,200,000 58,239,178 The carrying value of preferred shares outstanding was as follows: Series C Series D Series E Series F Series G Series H Series I Series J Series K Series M Total January 1, 2016 136.7 90.5 90.8 81.8 175.3 60.6 251.6 36.9 231.7 179.0 1,334.9 2016 activity: Other — — — — — — — — — 0.6 0.6 December 31, 2016 136.7 90.5 90.8 81.8 175.3 60.6 251.6 36.9 231.7 179.6 1,335.5 2017 activity: — — — — — — — — — — — December 31, 2017 136.7 90.5 90.8 81.8 175.3 60.6 251.6 36.9 231.7 179.6 1,335.5 The terms of the company's cumulative five-year rate reset preferred shares at December 31, 2017 were as follows: Next possible redemption and conversion date (1)(2) Number of shares outstanding Stated capital Liquidation preference per share Fixed dividend rate per annum Floating dividend rate per annum (3) Series C December 31, 2019 6,016,384 Cdn $ 150.4 Cdn $25.00 4.58 % — Series D December 31, 2019 3,983,616 Cdn $ 99.6 Cdn $25.00 — 4.02 % Series E March 31, 2020 3,967,134 Cdn $ 99.2 Cdn $25.00 2.91 % — Series F March 31, 2020 3,572,044 Cdn $ 89.3 Cdn $25.00 — 3.03 % Series G September 30, 2020 7,432,952 Cdn $ 185.8 Cdn $25.00 3.32 % — Series H September 30, 2020 2,567,048 Cdn $ 64.2 Cdn $25.00 — 3.43 % Series I December 31, 2020 10,465,553 Cdn $ 261.6 Cdn $25.00 3.71 % — Series J December 31, 2020 1,534,447 Cdn $ 38.4 Cdn $25.00 — 3.72 % Series K March 31, 2022 9,500,000 Cdn $ 237.5 Cdn $25.00 4.67 % — Series M March 31, 2020 9,200,000 Cdn $ 230.0 Cdn $25.00 4.75 % — (1) Fixed and floating rate cumulative preferred shares are redeemable at the company's option at each stated redemption date and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date at Cdn $25.00 per share. (2) Holders of Series C, Series E, Series G, Series I, Series K and Series M fixed rate cumulative preferred shares will have the right, at their option, to convert their shares into floating rate cumulative preferred shares Series D, Series F, Series H, Series J, Series L and Series N respectively, at the conversion dates specified in the table above, and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date. Holders of Series D, Series F, Series H and Series J floating rate cumulative preferred shares will have the right, at their option, to convert their shares into fixed rate cumulative preferred shares Series C, Series E, Series G and Series I respectively, at the conversion dates specified in the table above, and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date. (3) The Series D, Series F, Series H, and Series J preferred shares, and the Series L and Series N preferred shares (of which none are currently issued), have a floating dividend rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada treasury bill yield plus 3.15% , 2.16% , 2.56% , 2.85% , 3.51% and 3.98% respectively, with rate resets at the end of each calendar quarter. During 2017 the company paid aggregate preferred share dividends of $44.6 ( 2016 - $44.0 ). Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) The amounts related to each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Pre-tax Income tax After-tax Pre-tax Income tax After-tax Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings Currency translation account (166.6 ) 2.8 (163.8 ) (356.6 ) (7.6 ) (364.2 ) Share of accumulated other comprehensive loss of associates, excluding share of net losses on defined benefit plans of associates (22.0 ) 0.5 (21.5 ) (157.1 ) 26.3 (130.8 ) (188.6 ) 3.3 (185.3 ) (513.7 ) 18.7 (495.0 ) Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings Share of net losses on defined benefit plans of associates (30.3 ) 3.5 (26.8 ) (42.6 ) 10.8 (31.8 ) Net losses on defined benefit plans (60.9 ) 8.9 (52.0 ) (28.0 ) 6.9 (21.1 ) (91.2 ) 12.4 (78.8 ) (70.6 ) 17.7 (52.9 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to shareholders of Fairfax (279.8 ) 15.7 (264.1 ) (584.3 ) 36.4 (547.9 ) Non-controlling interests Non-controlling interests for the years ended December 31 were as follows: Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests 2017 2016 Year ended December 31, Subsidiary Domicile Minority voting percentage Carrying value Minority voting percentage Carrying value 2017 2016 Allied World (1) Switzerland 32.6 % 1,229.4 — — (182.3 ) — Fairfax India (2) Canada 6.4 % 1,110.7 4.7 % 743.7 (59.9 ) 24.4 Cara (3) Canada 43.3 % 578.0 43.4 % 523.9 55.7 30.8 Grivalia Properties (4) Greece 47.3 % 517.6 — — 20.0 — Brit (5) U.K. 27.5 % 435.3 27.5 % 463.4 (19.1 ) 50.4 Thomas Cook India (6) India 32.4 % 391.2 32.3 % 139.6 28.2 2.4 Fairfax Africa (7) Canada 1.2 % 191.6 — — 4.3 — All other — 147.1 129.4 27.4 9.8 4,600.9 2,000.0 (125.7 ) 117.8 Pursuant to the transactions described in note 23: (1) During the third quarter of 2017 the company acquired an indirect 67.4% equity interest in Allied World. (2) The increase in carrying value of Fairfax India's non-controlling interests at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 was primarily due to common shares issued as a result of Fairfax India's public offering and private placement on January 13, 2017, the acquisition of a 51.0% interest in Saurashtra Freight, the merger of Fairchem and Privi Organics, and the impact of foreign currency translation (principally the strengthening of the Indian rupee relative to the U.S. dollar), partially offset by non-controlling interests' share of net loss. (3) The increase in carrying value of Cara's non-controlling interests at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 was primarily due to net earnings and the impact of foreign currency translation (strengthening of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar), partially offset by repurchase of shares by Cara and dividends paid. (4) On July 4, 2017 the company increased its equity interest in Grivalia Properties to 52.6% and commenced consolidating Grivalia Properties in the Other reporting segment. (5) On March 3, 2017 Brit paid a dividend of $45.8 to its minority shareholder (OMERS). (6) The increase in carrying value of Thomas Cook India's non-controlling interests at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 was primarily due to a reduction in the company's indirect ownership of Quess from 42.1% to 33.1% . (7) On February 17, 2017 the company acquired a 64.2% equity interest in Fairfax Africa. Non-controlling interest voting percentages in the table above are consistent with economic ownership for each subsidiary at December 31, 2017 except for Fairfax India, Cara, and Fairfax Africa whose non-controlling interest economic ownership percentages were 69.8% , 59.8% , and 35.8% respectively. Other net changes in capitalization Other net changes in capitalization on the consolidated statement of changes in equity generally reflect the impact of capital transactions and changes in ownership interests of consolidated subsidiaries where the company maintains control after the transaction. During 2017 other net changes in capitalization increased both equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax ( $236.6 ) and non-controlling interests ( $184.0 ), and principally reflected the impact of capital transactions and changes in ownership interest related to Fairfax India's public offering and private placement, Thomas Cook India's partial sale of Quess shares, Quess' private placement of its own shares, shares issued by Quess to acquire Manipal, and the acquisition of the remaining shares of Allied World AG. See note 23 for details.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings per share [abstract]
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share Net earnings (loss) per share is calculated based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding as follows: 2017 2016 Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax 1,740.6 (512.5 ) Preferred share dividends (44.6 ) (44.0 ) Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders – basic and diluted 1,696.0 (556.5 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic 25,411,246 23,017,184 Share-based payment awards 689,571 — Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted 26,100,817 23,017,184 Net earnings (loss) per common share – basic $66.74 ($24.18 ) Net earnings (loss) per common share – diluted $64.98 ($24.18 ) Share-based payment awards of 567,450 were not included in the calculation of net loss per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2016 as inclusion of the awards would be anti-dilutive.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The company’s provision (recovery) for income taxes for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Current income tax Current year expense 200.6 95.1 Adjustments to prior years’ income taxes (22.6 ) 19.1 178.0 114.2 Deferred income tax Origination and reversal of temporary differences (22.5 ) (265.6 ) Adjustments to prior years' deferred income taxes 24.3 2.9 Change in tax rate related to U.S. tax reform 222.4 — Other 6.1 (11.1 ) 230.3 (273.8 ) Provision (recovery) for income taxes 408.3 (159.6 ) A significant portion of the company's earnings or losses before income taxes may be earned or incurred outside of Canada. The statutory income tax rates for jurisdictions outside of Canada generally differs from the Canadian statutory income tax rate (and may be significantly higher or lower). The company’s earnings (loss) before income taxes by jurisdiction and the associated provision (recovery) for income taxes for the years ended December 31 are summarized in the following table: 2017 2016 Canada (1) U.S. (2) U.K. (3) Other (4) Total Canada (1) U.S. (2) U.K. (3) Other (4) Total Earnings (loss) before income taxes (141.3 ) 543.5 (72.1 ) 1,693.1 2,023.2 (258.5 ) (428.4 ) 42.2 90.4 (554.3 ) Provision (recovery) for income taxes 52.9 420.5 (24.6 ) (40.5 ) 408.3 69.6 (234.6 ) (23.7 ) 29.1 (159.6 ) Net earnings (loss) (194.2 ) 123.0 (47.5 ) 1,733.6 1,614.9 (328.1 ) (193.8 ) 65.9 61.3 (394.7 ) (1) Includes Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa. (2) Principally comprised of Crum & Forster, Zenith National, OdysseyRe (notwithstanding that certain operations of OdysseyRe conduct business outside of the U.S.), U.S. Run-off and other associated holding company results. (3) Principally comprised of Brit, Riverstone UK, Advent and other associated holding company results. (4) Includes India, Asia, non-U.K. European companies and Allied World (acquired on July 6, 2017; notwithstanding that certain operations of Allied World conduct business in the U.S. and the U.K., the majority of Allied World's net earnings (loss) is sourced from its Bermuda operations). The decrease in the pre-tax loss in Canada in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily reflected an improvement in investment results. The increase in pre-tax earnings in the U.S. in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily reflected an improvement in investment results, partially offset by weaker underwriting results (reflecting increased catastrophe losses). The increase in the pre-tax loss in the U.K. in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily reflected weaker underwriting results (reflecting increased catastrophe losses). The increase in pre-tax earnings in Other in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily reflected the gains on sale of First Capital and a portion of the company's investment in ICICI Lombard, partially offset by the underwriting loss at Allied World (reflecting catastrophe losses). Reconciliations of the provision (recovery) for income taxes calculated at the Canadian statutory income tax rate to the provision (recovery) for income taxes at the effective tax rate in the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31 are summarized in the following table: 2017 2016 Canadian statutory income tax rate 26.5 % 26.5 % Provision (recovery) for income taxes at the Canadian statutory income tax rate 536.1 (146.9 ) Tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada (445.3 ) (65.3 ) Non-taxable investment income (116.2 ) (74.7 ) Change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences 210.2 117.5 Change in tax rate for deferred income taxes related to U.S. tax reform 222.4 — Change in tax rate for deferred income taxes (excluding U.S. tax reform) 2.2 (15.1 ) Other including permanent differences (15.6 ) 11.3 Foreign exchange effect 12.8 (8.4 ) Provision relating to prior years 1.7 22.0 Provision (recovery) for income taxes 408.3 (159.6 ) The tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada of $445.3 in 2017 principally reflected the impact of net gains on the sales of ICICI Lombard and First Capital which were not taxable in the jurisdictions in which they were held (income tax rate benefits of $246.5 in Mauritius and $269.9 in Barbados respectively), partially offset by income in the U.S. that is taxed at rates higher than the Canadian statutory rate and losses at Allied World and in the U.K. that are taxed at rates lower than the Canadian statutory rate. The tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada of $65.3 in 2016 principally reflected income in the U.K. that is taxed at rates lower than the Canadian statutory rate and losses in the U.S. which are taxed at rates higher than the Canadian statutory rate. Non-taxable investment income of $116.2 in 2017 ( 2016 - $74.7 ) was principally comprised of dividend income, non-taxable interest income, the 50% of net capital gains which are not taxable in Canada and share of profit of associates in certain jurisdictions . The change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences of $210.2 in 2017 principally reflected deferred tax assets in Canada of $70.8 ( 2016 - $117.9 ) that were not recorded (as it was considered not probable that those losses could be utilized) and a reduction in tax credits and operating losses capitalized in prior years in the U.S. of $89.7 ( 2016 - nil ), primarily driven by the effects of U.S. tax reform as discussed later in this note. The change in tax rate related to U.S. tax reform of $222.4 ( 2016 - nil ) principally reflected the impact of the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate on the net deferred income tax asset. Other including permanent differences included an income tax rate benefit of $7.4 related to the impact of the transition tax under U.S. tax reform. The impact of U.S. tax reform on the company's consolidated financial statements is discussed later in this note. Income taxes refundable and payable were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Income taxes refundable 147.0 202.7 Income taxes payable (95.6 ) (35.4 ) Net income taxes refundable 51.4 167.3 Changes in net income taxes refundable during the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Balance - January 1 167.3 12.1 Amounts recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings (178.0 ) (114.2 ) Payments made during the year 33.4 267.1 Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 18.8 3.9 Foreign exchange effect and other 9.9 (1.6 ) Balance - December 31 51.4 167.3 Changes in the net deferred income tax asset during the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 Operating and capital losses Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses Provision for unearned premiums Deferred premium acquisition costs Intangible assets Investments Tax credits Other Total Balance - January 1, 2017 188.8 182.3 126.6 (120.0 ) (347.6 ) 331.9 224.3 146.3 732.6 Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings (41.2 ) (72.3 ) (15.0 ) (0.6 ) 111.0 (140.1 ) (106.0 ) 33.9 (230.3 ) Amounts recorded in total equity — — — — — (15.5 ) (0.1 ) (5.1 ) (20.7 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 33.1 20.5 (19.8 ) 53.6 (195.2 ) 0.9 — 5.4 (101.5 ) Foreign exchange effect and other 7.0 0.8 0.1 0.3 (11.7 ) 0.3 (0.1 ) 4.0 0.7 Balance - December 31, 2017 187.7 131.3 91.9 (66.7 ) (443.5 ) 177.5 118.1 184.5 380.8 2016 Operating and capital losses Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses Provision for unearned premiums Deferred premium acquisition costs Intangible assets Investments Tax credits Other Total Balance - January 1, 2016 235.4 204.2 92.8 (96.9 ) (325.4 ) 49.0 174.9 129.9 463.9 Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings (57.8 ) (22.7 ) 31.8 (24.1 ) 27.9 266.9 49.4 2.4 273.8 Amounts recorded in total equity — — — — — 17.7 — 19.6 37.3 Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 9.7 — (0.3 ) 0.7 (47.7 ) (1.1 ) — (14.5 ) (53.2 ) Foreign exchange effect and other 1.5 0.8 2.3 0.3 (2.4 ) (0.6 ) — 8.9 10.8 Balance - December 31, 2016 188.8 182.3 126.6 (120.0 ) (347.6 ) 331.9 224.3 146.3 732.6 Management expects that the deferred income tax asset will be realized in the normal course of operations. The most significant temporary differences included in the deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2017 related to investments and provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses, partially offset by a deferred income tax liability related to intangible assets. The temporary differences related to investments are primarily due to net unrealized investment losses in the U.S. In these consolidated financial statements, investment gains and losses are primarily recognized on a mark-to-market basis but are only recognized for tax purposes when realized (particularly in the U.S. and several other jurisdictions). The provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses is recorded on an undiscounted basis in these consolidated financial statements but is recorded on a discounted basis in certain jurisdictions for tax purposes, resulting in temporary differences. Deferred taxes on intangible assets primarily relates to intangible assets recognized on acquisitions (principally Allied World, Cara and Brit) that are typically not deductible in the determination of income taxes payable. Other deferred taxes include temporary differences related to pensions and premises and equipment. Management conducts ongoing reviews of the recoverability of the deferred income tax asset and adjusts, as necessary, to reflect its anticipated realization. As at December 31, 2017 management has not recorded deferred income tax assets of $878.3 ( December 31, 2016 - $590.0 ) related primarily to operating and capital losses and U.S. foreign tax credits. The losses for which deferred income tax assets have not been recorded are comprised of $1,516.4 of losses in Canada ( December 31, 2016 - $1,064.7 ), $635.7 of losses in Europe ( December 31, 2016 - $585.7 ), $44.6 of losses in the U.S. ( December 31, 2016 - $44.6 ), and $159.0 of foreign tax credits in the U.S. ( December 31, 2016 - $59.0 ). The losses in Canada expire between 2026 and 2037. The losses and foreign tax credits in the U.S. expire between 2020 and 2035. Substantially all of the losses in Europe do not have an expiry date. Deferred income tax has not been recognized for the withholding tax and other taxes that could be payable on the unremitted earnings of certain subsidiaries. Unremitted earnings amounted to approximately $3.1 billion at December 31, 2017 ( December 31, 2016 - $3.1 billion ) and are not likely to be repatriated in the foreseeable future. The United States Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“U.S. tax reform”) that was signed into law on December 22, 2017 introduced a number of significant changes to U.S. corporate income tax for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017: it reduces the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred, repeals the alternative minimum tax ("AMT") regime, modifies rules pertaining to loss reserve discounting, introduces a new minimum base erosion and anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”) on certain payments to foreign affiliates, and implements a U.S. tax on foreign earnings for certain global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI"). Under IFRS, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the enacted or substantively enacted tax rate expected to apply when temporary differences are to be realized or settled. The resulting deferred income tax is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings, except to the extent that it relates to items previously recognized directly in equity. The company selected December 31, 2017 as the revaluation date for its U.S. net deferred income tax asset as the impact between the date of enactment and December 31, 2017 was not considered significant. The reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate decreased the U.S. net deferred income tax asset related to operating and capital losses and other timing differences by $229.2 , of which $222.4 was recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings and $6.8 was recorded in other comprehensive income. The company also decreased its recognized U.S. foreign tax credit carry forwards by $100.0 at December 31, 2017 as the reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate will make utilization of foreign tax credit carry forwards recognized in prior years more difficult, requiring increased U.S. and foreign source income in the future. For tax years beginning before January 1, 2018, U.S. tax reform requires that U.S. companies include in income the mandatory deemed repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign earnings (the "transition tax"). For the year ended December 31, 2017, the company included $79.1 of previously untaxed foreign earnings in taxable income. Future repatriation of this amount will not incur additional U.S. tax. The company utilized current and prior year foreign tax credits (rather than net operating loss carry forwards) to offset this income to reduce the transition tax liability payable in cash to nil. The recognition of the transition tax caused the company to record reductions to a deferred tax liability of $34.5 related to previously deferred earnings of OdysseyRe's U.K. operations and to foreign tax credit carry forwards of $27.1 that no longer have value due to the mandatory repatriation. The tax effects included in these consolidated financial statements represent the company's best estimate based upon the information available, notwithstanding that the company is still analyzing certain aspects of U.S. tax reform and may refine its computations, which could potentially affect the measurement of deferred taxes or give rise to additional current tax liabilities. The repeal of the AMT regime did not have a significant impact on the company and the company continues to reflect the AMT credit carryforwards as part of its net deferred income tax asset. The company will recognize charges related to BEAT and GILTI, if any, in the periods in which they are incurred, and has not included their impacts in measuring its net deferred income tax asset at December 31, 2017.

Statutory Requirements

Statutory Requirements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Statutory Requirements [Abstract]
Statutory Requirements	Statutory Requirements The retained earnings of the company are largely represented by retained earnings at the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. The insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to certain requirements and restrictions under their respective insurance company Acts including minimum capital requirements and dividend restrictions. The company's capital requirements and management thereof are discussed in note 24. The company's share of dividends paid in 2017 by the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, which are eliminated on consolidation, was $418.1 ( 2016 - $445.8 ). In addition, the company received proceeds from the sale of First Capital as described in note 23 and the partial sale of ICICI Lombard as described in note 6. Based on the surplus and net earnings (loss) of the primary insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries as at and for the year ended December 31, 2017 , the maximum dividend capacity available in 2018 at each of those subsidiaries, payable to all shareholders (including non-controlling interests) is as follows: December 31, 2017 Allied World 688.0 OdysseyRe 324.9 Northbridge (1) 149.1 Crum & Forster 130.2 Zenith National 86.0 Brit 195.1 1,573.3 (1) Subject to prior regulatory approval. When determining the amount of dividends to be paid from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, the company considers not only regulatory capital requirements, but also rating agency capital tests, future capital levels required to support growth and tax planning matters, among other factors. In addition, the co-investors in Allied World and Brit have a dividend in priority to the company.

Contingencies and Commitments

Contingencies and Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Provisions, Contingent Liabilities And Contingent Assets [Abstract]
Contingencies and Commitments	Contingencies and Commitments Lawsuits On July 26, 2006 Fairfax filed a lawsuit seeking $6 billion in damages from a number of defendants who, the complaint (as subsequently amended) alleges, participated in a stock market manipulation scheme involving Fairfax shares. The complaint, filed in Superior Court, Morris County, New Jersey, alleges violations of various state laws, including the New Jersey Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, pursuant to which treble damages may be available. On September 12, 2012, before trial, and consequently without having heard or made any determination on the facts, the Court dismissed the lawsuit on legal grounds. In October 2012 Fairfax filed an appeal of this dismissal, as it believes that the legal basis for the dismissal is incorrect. On April 27, 2017, the appeals court issued a decision reinstating certain claims but affirming the dismissal of the major portion of the claims. On July 10, 2017, Fairfax filed with the New Jersey Supreme Court a petition for certification of the appeal court’s decision. On October 20, 2017, that petition was denied by the court. The company is considering all its options. The ultimate outcome of any litigation is uncertain. The financial effects, if any, of this lawsuit cannot be practicably determined at this time, and the company's consolidated financial statements include no anticipated recovery from the lawsuit. Other The Autorité des marchés financiers (the “AMF”), the securities regulatory authority in the Province of Quebec, is conducting an investigation of Fairfax, its CEO, Prem Watsa, and its President, Paul Rivett. The investigation concerns the possibility of illegal insider trading and/or tipping (not involving any personal trading by the individuals) in connection with the December 15, 2011 takeover offer by Resolute Forest Products Inc. for shares of Fibrek Inc. Except as set out below, further details concerning the investigation are, by law, not permitted to be disclosed. The AMF has authorized Fairfax to make the above-mentioned disclosure. Fairfax and its management are solely responsible for the content of the disclosure set out in the three following paragraphs; the AMF has not in any way endorsed that content. Resolute’s above-mentioned takeover offer was made to all Fibrek shareholders, including Fairfax. Fairfax agreed in that transaction to a hard lock-up agreement with Resolute whereby Fairfax agreed to tender its shares of Fibrek, representing approximately 26% of Fibrek's outstanding shares, to the Resolute takeover offer at the same price as all other Fibrek shareholders. At the time of the Resolute takeover offer for Fibrek, Fairfax's position in Fibrek was valued at approximately Cdn $32 , representing less than 1/6 of 1% of Fairfax's total invested assets at that time. Fibrek actively opposed the Resolute takeover offer. ln 2012, the Fibrek transaction was the subject of numerous regulatory hearings in Quebec and court proceedings relating to Fibrek's anti-takeover tactics and the hard lock-ups given by various selling shareholders, including Fairfax. Allegations were made in those hearings concerning the possibility of non-compliance with the takeover bid rules. Resolute’s takeover offer was allowed to proceed and resulted in Resolute acquiring Fibrek. Fairfax believes it has an unblemished record for honesty and integrity and is fully cooperating with the AMF’s investigation. Fairfax continues to be confident that in connection with the Resolute takeover offer, it had no material non-public information, that it did not engage in illegal insider trading or tipping, and that there is no reasonable basis for any proceedings in this connection. To the best of Fairfax's knowledge, the AMF investigation is still ongoing. If the AMF commences legal proceedings, no assurance can be given at this time by Fairfax as to the outcome. Subsidiaries of the company are defendants in several damage suits and have been named as third party in other suits. The uninsured exposure to the company is not considered to be material to the company's financial position, financial performance or cash flows. OdysseyRe, Brit, Allied World, Advent and RiverStone (UK) (“the Lloyd's participants”) underwrite in the Lloyd's of London insurance market through their participation in certain Lloyd's syndicates. The Lloyd's participants have pledged cash and securities with fair values of $361.9 and $1,566.1 at December 31, 2017 as capital to support those underwriting activities. Pledged securities and restricted cash consist of cash, fixed income and equity investments which are included within portfolio investments on the consolidated balance sheet. The Lloyd's participants have the ability to substitute other securities for these pledged securities, subject to certain admissibility criteria. The Lloyd's participants' liability in respect of assets pledged as capital is limited to the aggregate amount of the pledged assets and their obligation to support these liabilities will continue until such liabilities are settled or are reinsured by a third party approved by Lloyd's. The company believes that the syndicates for which the Lloyd's participants are capital providers maintain sufficient liquidity and financial resources to support their ultimate liabilities and does not anticipate that the pledged assets will be utilized. The company's maximum capital commitments for potential investments in common stocks, limited partnerships and associates at December 31, 2017 was $966.3 , with a further amount of approximately $367 committed for investments described in note 23.

Pensions and Post Retirement Be

Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Pension And Post Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits	Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits The funded status of the company's defined benefit pension and post retirement plans were as follows: Defined benefit pension plans December 31 Post retirement benefit plans December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Benefit obligation (918.3 ) (803.7 ) (118.5 ) (109.3 ) Fair value of plan assets 836.1 747.9 — — Funded status of plans - deficit (82.2 ) (55.8 ) (118.5 ) (109.3 ) Impact of asset ceiling (1.0 ) (1.0 ) — — Net accrued liability (notes 13 and 14) (1) (83.2 ) (56.8 ) (118.5 ) (109.3 ) Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations: Discount rate 3.2 % 3.6 % 4.1 % 4.2 % Rate of compensation increase 2.8 % 3.6 % 3.3 % 3.5 % Health care cost trend — — 5.0 % 5.7 % (1) The defined benefit pension plan net accrued liability at December 31, 2017 of $83.2 ( December 31, 2016 - $56.8 ) was comprised of pension surpluses of $49.1 and pension deficits of $132.3 ( December 31, 2016 - $50.8 and $107.6 ). Pension and post retirement expenses recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Defined benefit pension plan expense 17.3 27.7 Defined contribution pension plan expense 45.6 32.2 Defined benefit post retirement expense 10.3 8.0 73.2 67.9 Pre-tax actuarial net losses recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31 were comprised as follows: 2017 2016 Defined benefit pension plans Actuarial net gains on plan assets and change in asset ceiling 18.6 54.5 Actuarial net losses on benefit obligations (53.0 ) (76.4 ) (34.4 ) (21.9 ) Post retirement benefit plans - actuarial net gains (losses) on benefit obligations 0.3 (1.4 ) (34.1 ) (23.3 ) During 2017 the company contributed $30.7 ( 2016 - $21.8 ) to its defined benefit pension and post retirement benefit plans, and expects to make contributions of $28.2 in 2018 .

Operating Leases

Operating Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Leases1 [Abstract]
Operating Leases	Operating Leases During 2017 the company incurred operating lease costs of $216.2 ( 2016 - $155.7 ). Aggregate future minimum operating lease commitments at December 31, 2017 relating to premises, automobiles and equipment for various terms up to ten years were as follows: 2018 188.5 2019 173.2 2020 153.4 2021 139.5 2022 113.0 Thereafter 458.2

Acquisitions and Divestitures

Acquisitions and Divestitures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Combinations1 [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Divestitures	Acquisitions and Divestitures Subsequent to December 31, 2017 Receipt of Fairfax India Performance Fee Pursuant to the company's investment advisory agreement with Fairfax India, on March 9, 2018 the company received a performance fee of $114.4 for the period January 30, 2015 to December 31, 2017 in the form of 7,663,685 newly issued Fairfax India subordinate voting shares, which increased the company's equity interest in Fairfax India to 33.6% from 30.2% at December 31, 2017. Acquisition of certain businesses of Carillion Canada Inc. On March 7, 2018 the company acquired the services business carried on in Canada by Carillion Canada Inc. and certain affiliates thereof (collectively “Carillion”) relating to facilities management of airports, commercial and retail properties, defense facilities, select healthcare facilities and on behalf of oil, gas and mining clients. The transaction was approved by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Carillion’s proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada). Carillion is an infrastructure services company that provides asset management and operations solutions to industries and governments. Sale of The Keg to Cara On February 22, 2018 the company completed the sale of its 51.0% ownership interest in The Keg to Cara for consideration of $74.6 (Cdn $94.7 ), comprised of cash of $7.9 (Cdn $10.0 ) and 3,400,000 Cara subordinate voting shares. The other shareholders of The Keg sold their 49.0% ownership interest to Cara for $82.7 (Cdn $105.0 ), comprised of cash of $74.8 (Cdn $95.0 ) and 401,123 Cara subordinate voting shares. Cara may be required to pay up to an additional $24 (Cdn $30 ) of cash consideration to the other shareholders of The Keg, contingent on the achievement of certain financial objectives within the first three years subsequent to closing. The transaction increased the company's equity interest in Cara to 43.2% from 40.2% at December 31, 2017. Investment in The Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd. On February 20, 2018 Fairfax India entered into an agreement to acquire a 51.0% equity interest in The Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd. (“CS Bank”) for approximately $186 (12.1 billion Indian rupees). The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first half of 2018. CS Bank, headquartered in Thrissur, Kerala, offers banking services across India. Year ended December 31, 2017 Divestiture of First Capital Insurance Limited On December 28, 2017 the company completed the sale of its 97.7% interest in First Capital to Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited of Tokyo, Japan (“Mitsui Sumitomo”) for gross proceeds of $1,683.3 and realized a net after-tax gain of $1,018.6. The transaction was completed pursuant to an agreement with Mitsui Sumitomo to pursue a global strategic alliance. The company expects to enter into a quota share participation in First Capital’s insurance portfolio in 2018. Acquisition of Allied World Assurance Holdings AG On July 6, 2017 the company completed the acquisition of 94.6% of the outstanding shares of Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG ("Allied World AG") for purchase consideration of $3,977.9 , consisting of $1,905.6 in cash and $2,072.3 by the issuance of 4,799,497 subordinate voting shares. In addition, Allied World AG declared a special pre-closing cash dividend of $5.00 per share ( $438.0 ). Contemporaneously with the closing of the acquisition of Allied World AG, Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System ("OMERS"), the pension plan manager for government employees in the province of Ontario, Alberta Investment Management Corporation (“AIMCo”), an investment manager for pension, endowment and government funds in the province of Alberta, and certain other third parties (together “the co-investors”) invested $1,580.0 for an indirect equity interest in Allied World AG. The remaining 5.4% of the outstanding shares of Allied World AG were acquired on August 17, 2017 for purchase consideration of $229.0 , consisting of $109.7 in cash and $119.3 by the issuance of 276,397 subordinate voting shares, in a merger transaction under Swiss law pursuant to which Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, GmbH ("Allied World") became the surviving entity. This merger resulted in the co-investors holding an indirect ownership interest in Allied World of 32.6% . The co-investors will have a dividend in priority to the company, and the company will have the ability to purchase the shares owned by the co-investors over the next seven years. Allied World is a global property, casualty and specialty insurer and reinsurer. Quess Corp. Transactions On December 27, 2017 Quess acquired the facility management and catering business of Manipal Integrated Services Private Limited ("Manipal") for $152.5 (9.8 billion Indian rupees), primarily comprised of the issuance of $117.7 (7.5 billion Indian rupees) of Quess common shares to Manipal shareholders and the reinvestment of $34.3 (2.2 billion Indian rupees) of Quess' existing holdings of Manipal preferred shares upon cancellation of those shares. In November of 2017 Thomas Cook India sold a 5.4% equity interest in Quess for cash proceeds of $96.8 (6.3 billion Indian rupees). On August 18, 2017 Quess raised $132.2 (8.5 billion Indian rupees) in net proceeds following the completion of a private placement of common shares with institutional investors. These transactions at Thomas Cook India and Quess collectively reduced the company's indirect ownership of Quess from 42.1% to 33.1% and resulted in an increase in non-controlling interest of $210.0 and a dilution gain of $135.6 , which are included in other net changes in capitalization in the consolidated statement of changes in equity. Quess is a provider of staffing and facilities management services. Additional investment in Grivalia Properties REIC On July 4, 2017 the company acquired control of Grivalia Properties REIC ("Grivalia Properties") by increasing its equity interest to 52.6% through the purchase of an additional 10.3% equity interest from Eurobank Ergasias S.A. for cash consideration of $100.0 (€88.0). Accordingly, the company re-measured its equity accounted carrying value of Grivalia Properties to fair value, recorded a net realized gain of $51.3 and commenced consolidating Grivalia Properties in the Other reporting segment. Pursuant to Greek securities law, the company then made a tender offer for all remaining outstanding shares of Grivalia Properties which expired on September 6, 2017, resulting in the company increasing its equity interest by 0.1% to 52.7% for cash consideration of $0.6 (€0.5). Grivalia Properties is a real estate investment company listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. Acquisition of certain American International Group, Inc. operations in Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe On October 18, 2016 the company agreed to acquire from American International Group, Inc. ("AIG") its insurance operations in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela and Turkey, and certain assets and renewal rights with respect to the portfolio of local business written by AIG Europe in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, for total consideration of approximately $240 . The company, through Colonnade Insurance, has completed the acquisition of the business and renewal rights of the insurance operations of AIG in Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia (effective from April 30, 2017), Turkey (on May 2, 2017 and sold to Gulf Insurance on the same day), Bulgaria (effective from May 31, 2017), Poland (effective from June 30, 2017) and Romania (effective October 31, 2017). Through an ongoing partnership, the company is providing claims handling and run-off management services to AIG in the European countries where business operations were acquired. The company has completed the acquisition of the insurance operations of AIG in Chile and Colombia (effective from July 31, 2017), Argentina (effective from September 30, 2017) and Uruguay (effective from January 31, 2018) (collectively "Fairfax Latam"), and continues to work through the legal, regulatory and operational requirements to complete the acquisition in Venezuela. Merger of Fairchem Speciality Limited and Privi Organics Limited On March 14, 2017 Fairchem Speciality Limited ("Fairchem") and Privi Organics Limited ("Privi Organics") completed their previously announced merger, with the merged entity continuing under the Fairchem name. As a result of the merger, Fairfax India, which had acquired a 44.7% interest in Fairchem on February 8, 2016 and a 50.8% interest in Privi Organics on August 26, 2016, became the dominant shareholder in Fairchem with a 48.7% interest. Prior to the merger, the company consolidated Privi Organics and applied the equity method of accounting to its investment in Fairchem. Subsequent to the merger, the assets and liabilities and results of operations of Fairchem were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Investment in Fairfax Africa Holdings Corporation On February 17, 2017 the company acquired 22,715,394 multiple voting shares in a private placement and 2,500,000 subordinate voting shares as part of the initial public offering of Fairfax Africa Holdings Corporation ("Fairfax Africa") for total cash consideration of $252.2. The company also contributed its indirect equity interest in AFGRI Proprietary Limited ("AFGRI") with a fair value of $72.8 to Fairfax Africa in exchange for 7,284,606 multiple voting shares. Through its initial public offering, private placements and exercise of the over-allotment option by the underwriters, Fairfax Africa raised net proceeds of $493.3 after issuance costs and expenses, inclusive of the contribution of the investment in AFGRI. Following those transactions, the company's $325.0 ($10.00 per share) investment represented 98.8% of the voting rights and 64.2% of the equity interest in Fairfax Africa. Fairfax Africa was established, with the support of Fairfax, to invest in public and private equity and debt instruments of African businesses or other businesses with customers, suppliers or business primarily conducted in, or dependent on, Africa. The assets and liabilities and results of operations of Fairfax Africa were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Acquisition of Saurashtra Freight Private Limited On February 14, 2017 Fairfax India acquired a 51.0% interest in Saurashtra Freight Private Limited ("Saurashtra Freight") for cash consideration of $30.0 (2.0 billion Indian rupees). Saurashtra Freight operates a container freight station at the Mundra Port in the Indian state of Gujarat. The assets and liabilities and results of operations of Saurashtra Freight were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Investment in Mosaic Capital Corporation On January 26, 2017 the company invested $114.5 (Cdn $150.0 ) in securities of Mosaic Capital Corporation ("Mosaic Capital") issued through a private placement comprised of: (i) Cdn $100.0 principal amount of 6.00% senior preferred securities; (ii) Cdn $50.0 principal amount of 5.00% senior secured debentures; and (iii) warrants entitling the company to acquire up to 17,026,106 common shares of Mosaic Capital at a price of Cdn $8.81 per common share at any time until January 26, 2024 (the "Mosaic warrants"). Pursuant to IFRS, the company’s investment in Mosaic Capital warrants represent a potential voting interest of approximately 62% (assuming all holders of Mosaic Capital convertible securities, including the company, exercised their options to convert), giving the company the ability to control Mosaic Capital. Consequently, the assets and liabilities and results of operations of Mosaic Capital were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Mosaic Capital is a Canadian investment company that owns a portfolio of established businesses in the infrastructure, printing, oil and gas services, technology, manufacturing and real estate industries. Additional Investment in Fairfax India Holdings Corporation On January 13, 2017 the company acquired 12,340,500 subordinate voting shares of Fairfax India for $145.0 ( $11.75 per share) in a private placement. Through that private placement and a contemporaneous bought deal public offering, Fairfax India raised proceeds of $493.5 net of commissions and expenses. Combined with various open market purchases of Fairfax India subordinate voting shares, the company's multiple voting shares and subordinate voting shares represented 93.6% of the voting rights and 30.2% of the equity interest in Fairfax India at the close of the private placement and public offering. These transactions collectively resulted in an increase in non-controlling interest of $336.3 and a dilution loss of $3.3 , which are included in other net changes in capitalization in the consolidated statement of changes in equity. The determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisitions described above is currently underway and will be finalized within twelve months of the respective acquisition dates. Provisionally recorded amounts primarily include intangible assets, deferred income taxes, goodwill and the e xcess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration. The company has substantially completed its valuation of Allied World's intangible assets. Allied World Grivalia Properties Fairfax Latam Other (1) Acquisition date July 6, 2017 July 4, 2017 Throughout 2017 Throughout 2017 Percentage of common shares acquired 94.6 % 52.6 % 100.0 % Assets: Insurance contract receivables 1,212.5 — 235.8 0.4 Portfolio investments (2) 8,568.7 139.1 250.4 76.0 Recoverable from reinsurers 2,363.6 — 597.7 0.7 Deferred income taxes — 0.3 48.3 5.0 Goodwill and intangible assets 1,726.9 (3) — 23.3 385.5 Other assets 223.5 1,020.4 51.1 288.7 14,095.2 1,159.8 1,206.6 756.3 Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 300.7 25.3 172.3 167.4 Income taxes payable 3.4 4.2 9.0 1.1 Deferred income taxes 118.0 — 21.5 4.3 Funds withheld payable to reinsurers 193.5 — 9.8 0.1 Insurance contract liabilities 8,467.7 — 826.1 3.0 Borrowings 860.5 137.6 — 83.9 9,943.8 167.1 1,038.7 259.8 Non-controlling interests 173.5 470.5 — 8.1 Purchase consideration 3,977.9 519.7 167.9 488.4 Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration — 2.5 — — 14,095.2 1,159.8 1,206.6 756.3 (1) Primarily comprised of the acquisitions of Mosaic Capital and certain AIG branches in Central and Eastern Europe, the acquisition of Pickle Barrel by Cara, the acquisition of Saurashtra Freight and consolidation of Fairchem by Fairfax India, and various acquisitions by Quess, Thomas Cook India, Mosaic Capital and Boat Rocker. (2) Included subsidiary cash and cash equivalents of Allied World ( $1,195.4 , of which $4.8 was restricted), Grivalia Properties ( $26.3 ) and Fairfax Latam ( $67.2 ). (3) Comprised of goodwill of $937.9 and intangible assets of $789.0 (primarily broker relationships of $574.0 , Lloyd's participation rights of $87.0 and brand names of $71.0 ). Allied World contributed revenue of $1,050.5 and a net loss of $555.4 to the company's consolidated financial results for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Had Allied World been acquired on January 1, 2017, the company's pro-forma consolidated revenue and net earnings would have been $17,514.6 and $1,766.4 for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Year ended December 31, 2016 Acquisition of Zurich Insurance Company South Africa Limited On December 7, 2016 the company acquired a 100% interest in Zurich Insurance Company South Africa Limited (subsequently rebranded Bryte Insurance Company Limited ("Bryte Insurance")) from Zurich Insurance Company Ltd. for $128.0 (1.8 billion South African rand). Bryte Insurance is a property and casualty insurer in South Africa and Botswana. The assets and liabilities and results of operations of Bryte Insurance were consolidated in the Insurance and Reinsurance - Other reporting segment. Acquisition of Original Joe's Franchise Group Inc. On November 28, 2016 Cara acquired an 89.2% interest in Original Joe's Franchise Group Inc. ("Original Joe's") for $83.8 (Cdn$112.5), comprised of cash consideration of $69.3 (Cdn$93.0) and contingent consideration valued at $14.5 (Cdn$19.5). Original Joe's is a Canadian multi-brand restaurant company based in the province of Alberta. Acquisition of Golf Town Limited On October 31, 2016 the company acquired a 60.0% indirect interest in Golf Town Limited ("Golf Town") for $31.4 (Cdn $42.0 ). Golf Town is a Canadian specialty retailer of golf equipment, consumables, golf apparel and accessories. The assets and liabilities and results of operations of Golf Town were consolidated in the Other reporting segment. Acquisition of PT Asuransi Multi Artha Guna Tbk On October 10, 2016 the company acquired an 80.0% interest in PT Asuransi Multi Artha Guna Tbk. ("AMAG") from PT Bank Pan Indonesia Tbk. ("Panin Bank") for $178.9 (2.322 trillion Indonesian rupiah). AMAG will distribute its insurance products through a long-term bancassurance partnership with Panin Bank. AMAG is a general insurer in Indonesia. The assets and liabilities and results of operations of AMAG were consolidated in the Fairfax Asia reporting segment. On December 31, 2016 Fairfax Indonesia was merged into AMAG. Acquisition of Asian Alliance General Insurance Limited On October 3, 2016 Union Assurance acquired a 100% equity interest in Asian Alliance General Insurance Limited (subsequently renamed Fairfirst Insurance Limited ("Fairfirst Insurance")) for $10.2 (1,488.9 million Sri Lankan rupees). Fairfirst Insurance is a general insurer in Sri Lanka. The assets and liabilities and results of operations of Fairfirst Insurance were consolidated in the Fairfax Asia reporting segment. On February 28, 2017 Union Assurance was merged into Fairfirst Insurance. Acquisition of Groupe St-Hubert Inc. On September 2, 2016 Cara acquired a 100% equity interest in Groupe St-Hubert Inc. ("St-Hubert") for $413.8 (Cdn$538.7), comprised of cash consideration of $372.4 (Cdn$484.8) and the issuance of $41.4 (Cdn$53.9) of Cara subordinate voting shares to St-Hubert shareholders. A portion of the cash consideration was financed through a private placement of 7,863,280 Cara subordinate voting shares at a price of Cdn$29.25 for gross proceeds of $179.2 (Cdn$230.0), of which 3,418,804 shares were acquired by the company and its subsidiaries to maintain its equity and voting interests in Cara. St-Hubert is a Canadian full-service restaurant operator and fully integrated food manufacturer in the province of Quebec. Acquisition of Privi Organics Limited On August 26, 2016 Fairfax India acquired a 50.8% equity interest in Privi Organics for $55.0 (3.7 billion Indian rupees) through the purchase of newly issued shares and shares acquired from existing shareholders. Privi Organics is a supplier of aroma chemicals to the fragrance industry. Acquisition of Eastern European Insurers On December 16, 2014 the company entered into an agreement with QBE Insurance (Europe) Limited ("QBE") to acquire QBE's insurance operations in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia (the "QBE insurance operations"). A new Luxembourg insurer, Colonnade Insurance S.A. (“Colonnade Insurance”), was licensed in July 2015 and branches of Colonnade Insurance were established in each of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia during the fourth quarter of 2015. The business and renewal rights of QBE's Hungarian, Czech and Slovakian insurance operations were transferred to Colonnade Insurance on February 1, 2016, April 1, 2016 and May 2, 2016, respectively. The QBE insurance operations write business across a range of general insurance classes, including property, travel, general liability and product protection. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the 2016 acquisitions described above are summarized in the table that follows: Bryte Insurance AMAG St-Hubert Other (1) Acquisition date December 7, 2016 October 10, 2016 September 2, 2016 Throughout 2016 Percentage of common shares acquired 100.0 % 80.0 % 100.0 % (2) Assets: Insurance contract receivables 45.0 8.9 — 41.3 Portfolio investments (3) 220.4 99.9 — 22.1 Recoverable from reinsurers 85.8 26.4 — 1.1 Deferred income taxes 11.4 — — 8.5 Goodwill and intangible assets 16.8 (4) 161.2 (5) 319.4 (6) 146.1 Other assets 10.8 25.9 180.0 205.3 390.2 322.3 499.4 424.4 Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 88.4 16.6 30.7 48.3 Deferred income taxes — 11.1 54.9 12.2 Funds withheld payable to reinsurers 1.4 5.4 — 0.4 Insurance contract liabilities 172.4 76.3 — 59.7 Borrowings — — — 48.1 262.2 109.4 85.6 168.7 Non-controlling interests — 34.0 — 57.3 Purchase consideration 128.0 178.9 413.8 191.6 Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration — — — 6.8 390.2 322.3 499.4 424.4 (1) Includes the acquisitions of Fairfirst Insurance, Privi Organics, the QBE insurance operations and Golf Town, and Cara's acquisition of Original Joe's. (2) The company's economic interest in St-Hubert was 38.9% as a result of acquiring St-Hubert through 38.9% -owned Cara. (3) Included subsidiary cash and cash equivalents of Bryte Insurance ( $48.4 ) and AMAG ( $6.2 ). (4) Comprised of goodwill of $11.5 and intangible assets of $5.3 . (5) Comprised of goodwill of $43.0 and intangible assets of $118.2 . (6) Comprised of goodwill of $85.2 and intangible assets of $234.2 (primarily brand names of $183.1 ).

Financial Risk Management

Financial Risk Management	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [abstract]
Financial Risk Management	Financial Risk Management Overview The primary goals of the company's financial risk management are to ensure that the outcomes of activities involving elements of risk are consistent with the company's objectives and risk tolerance, while maintaining an appropriate balance between risk and reward and protecting the company's consolidated balance sheet from events that have the potential to materially impair its financial strength. The company's exposure to potential loss from its insurance and reinsurance operations and investment activities primarily relates to underwriting risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and various market risks. Balancing risk and reward is achieved through identifying risk appropriately, aligning risk tolerances with business strategy, diversifying risk, pricing appropriately for risk, mitigating risk through preventive controls and transferring risk to third parties. There were no significant changes in the types of the company's risk exposures or the processes used by the company for managing those risk exposures at December 31, 2017 compared to those identified at December 31, 2016 , except as discussed below. Financial risk management objectives are achieved through a two tiered system, with detailed risk management processes and procedures at the company's primary operating subsidiaries and its investment management subsidiary combined with the analysis of the company-wide aggregation and accumulation of risks at the holding company level. In addition, although the company and its operating subsidiaries have designated Chief Risk Officers, the company regards each Chief Executive Officer as the chief risk officer of his or her company: each Chief Executive Officer is the individual ultimately responsible for risk management for his or her company and its subsidiaries. The company's designated Chief Risk Officer reports on risk considerations to Fairfax's Executive Committee and provides a quarterly report to the Board of Directors on the key risk exposures. The company's management, in consultation with the designated Chief Risk Officer, approves certain policies for overall risk management, as well as policies addressing specific areas such as investments, underwriting, catastrophe risk and reinsurance. The company's Investment Committee approves policies for the management of market risk (including currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk) and the use of derivative and non-derivative financial instruments, and monitors to ensure compliance with relevant regulatory guidelines and requirements. A discussion of the risks of the business (the risk factors and the management of those risks) is an agenda item for every regularly scheduled meeting of the company's Board of Directors. Underwriting Risk Underwriting risk is the risk that the total cost of claims, claims adjustment expenses and premium acquisition expenses will exceed premiums received and can arise as a result of numerous factors, including pricing risk, reserving risk and catastrophe risk. There were no significant changes to the company's exposure to underwriting risk or the framework used to monitor, evaluate and manage underwriting risk at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 . While the acquisition of Allied World was significant, the company has determined that Allied World's exposure to underwriting risk and framework to monitor, evaluate and manage underwriting risk are consistent with those of its own. Principal lines of business The company's principal lines of business and the significant insurance risks inherent therein are as follows: • Property, which insures against losses to property from (among other things) fire, explosion, natural perils (for example earthquake, windstorm and flood), terrorism and engineering problems (for example, boiler explosion, machinery breakdown and construction defects). Specific types of property risks underwritten by the company include automobile, commercial and personal property and crop; • Casualty, which insures against accidents (including workers' compensation and automobile) and also includes employers' liability, accident and health, medical malpractice, professional liability and umbrella coverage; • Specialty, which insures against marine, aerospace and surety risk, and other miscellaneous risks and liabilities that are not identified above; and • Reinsurance which includes, but is not limited to, property, casualty and liability exposures. An analysis of net premiums earned by line of business is included in note 25. The table below shows the company's concentration of risk by region and line of business based on gross premiums written prior to giving effect to ceded reinsurance premiums. The company's exposure to general insurance risk varies by geographic region and may change over time. Premiums ceded to reinsurers (including retrocessions) in 2017 by line of business amounted to $992.3 for property ( 2016 - $463.5 ), $916.3 for casualty ( 2016 - $699.9 ) and $315.4 for specialty ( 2016 - $282.5 ). Canada United States Asia (1) International (2) Total For the years ended December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Property 646.8 582.7 1,878.6 1,466.0 586.5 464.8 995.7 502.7 4,107.6 3,016.2 Casualty 602.6 528.5 4,899.4 4,002.9 400.8 352.3 805.0 465.1 6,707.8 5,348.8 Specialty 143.4 126.4 548.8 485.6 275.1 231.9 424.8 325.4 1,392.1 1,169.3 Total 1,392.8 1,237.6 7,326.8 5,954.5 1,262.4 1,049.0 2,225.5 1,293.2 12,207.5 9,534.3 Insurance 1,295.3 1,134.6 5,855.4 4,607.0 684.9 516.3 1,494.3 672.3 9,329.9 6,930.2 Reinsurance 97.5 103.0 1,471.4 1,347.5 577.5 532.7 731.2 620.9 2,877.6 2,604.1 1,392.8 1,237.6 7,326.8 5,954.5 1,262.4 1,049.0 2,225.5 1,293.2 12,207.5 9,534.3 (1) The Asia geographic segment comprises countries located throughout Asia, including China, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, and the Middle East. (2) The International geographic segment comprises Australia and countries located in Africa, Europe and South America. Pricing risk Pricing risk arises because actual claims experience can differ adversely from the assumptions included in pricing calculations. Historically the underwriting results of the property and casualty industry have fluctuated significantly due to the cyclicality of the insurance market. The market cycle is affected by the frequency and severity of losses, levels of capacity and demand, general economic conditions and competition on rates and terms of coverage. The operating companies focus on profitable underwriting using a combination of experienced underwriting and actuarial staff, pricing models and price adequacy monitoring tools. Reserving risk Reserving risk arises because actual claims experience can differ adversely from the assumptions included in setting reserves, in large part due to the length of time between the occurrence of a loss, the reporting of the loss to the insurer and the ultimate resolution of the claim. The degree of uncertainty will vary by line of business according to the characteristics of the insured risks and the cost of a claim will be determined by the actual loss suffered by the policyholder. Claims provisions reflect expectations of the ultimate cost of resolution and administration of claims based on an assessment of facts and circumstances then known, a review of historical settlement patterns, estimates of trends in claims severity and frequency, legal theories of liability and other factors. The time required to learn of and settle claims is often referred to as the “tail” and is an important consideration in establishing the company's reserves. Short-tail claims are those for which losses are normally reported soon after the incident and are generally settled within months following the reported incident. This would include, for example, most property, automobile and marine and aerospace damage. Long-tail claims are considered by the company to be those that often take three years or more to develop and settle, such as asbestos, environmental pollution, workers' compensation and product liability. Information concerning the loss event and ultimate cost of a long-tail claim may not be readily available, making the reserving analysis of long-tail lines of business more difficult and subject to greater uncertainties than for short-tail lines of business. In the extreme cases of long-tail claims like those involving asbestos and environmental pollution, it may take upwards of 40 years to settle. The company employs specialized techniques to determine such provisions using the extensive knowledge of both internal and external asbestos and environmental pollution experts and legal advisors. The establishment of provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses is an inherently uncertain process that can be affected by internal factors such as the inherent risk in estimating loss development patterns based on historical data that may not be representative of future loss payment patterns; assumptions built on industry loss ratios or industry benchmark development patterns that may not reflect actual experience; and the intrinsic risk as to the homogeneity of the underlying data used in carrying out the reserve analyses; and external factors such as trends relating to jury awards; economic inflation; medical inflation; worldwide economic conditions; tort reforms; court interpretations of coverage; the regulatory environment; underlying policy pricing; claims handling procedures; inclusion of exposures not contemplated at the time of policy inception; and significant changes in severity or frequency of losses relative to historical trends. Due to the amount of time between the occurrence of a loss, the actual reporting of the loss and the ultimate payment for the loss, provisions may ultimately develop differently from the actuarial assumptions made when initially estimating the provision for claims. The company has exposures to risks in each line of business that may develop adversely and that could have a material impact upon the company's financial position. The insurance risk diversity within the company's portfolio of issued policies makes it difficult to predict whether material prior year reserve development will occur and, if it does occur, the location and the timing of such an occurrence. Catastrophe risk Catastrophe risk arises because property and casualty insurance companies may be exposed to large losses arising from man-made or natural catastrophes that could result in significant underwriting losses. As the company does not establish reserves for catastrophes in advance of the occurrence of such events, these events may cause volatility in the levels of incurred losses and reserves, subject to the effects of reinsurance recoveries. This volatility may also be contingent upon political and legal developments after the occurrence of the event. The company evaluates potential catastrophic events and assesses the probability of occurrence and magnitude of these events predominantly through probable maximum loss ("PML") modeling techniques and through the aggregation of limits exposed. A wide range of events are simulated using the company's proprietary and commercial models, including single large events and multiple events spanning the numerous geographic regions in which the company operates. Each operating company has developed and applies strict underwriting guidelines for the amount of catastrophe exposure it may assume as a standalone entity for any one risk and location. Those guidelines are regularly monitored and updated by the operating companies. Each of the operating companies also manages catastrophe exposure by diversifying risk across geographic regions, catastrophe types and other lines of business, factoring in levels of reinsurance protection, adjusting the amount of business written based on capital levels and adhering to risk tolerances. The company's head office aggregates catastrophe exposure company-wide and continually monitors the group's exposure. Independent exposure limits for each entity in the group are aggregated to produce an exposure limit for the group as there is presently no model capable of simultaneously projecting the magnitude and probability of loss in all geographic regions in which the company operates. Currently the company's objective is to limit its company-wide catastrophe loss exposure such that one year's aggregate pre-tax net catastrophe losses would not exceed one year's normalized net earnings before income taxes. The company takes a long term view and generally considers a 15% return on common shareholders' equity, adjusted to a pre-tax basis, to be representative of one year's normalized net earnings. The modeled probability of aggregate catastrophe losses in any one year exceeding this amount is generally more than once in every 250 years. Management of underwriting risk To manage its exposure to underwriting risk, and the pricing, reserving and catastrophe risks contained therein, the company's operating companies have established limits for underwriting authority and requirements for specific approvals of transactions involving new products or transactions involving existing products which exceed certain limits of size or complexity. The company's objective of operating with a prudent and stable underwriting philosophy with sound reserving is also achieved through establishment of goals, delegation of authorities, financial monitoring, underwriting reviews and remedial actions to facilitate continuous improvement. The company's provision for claims is reviewed separately by, and must be acceptable to, internal actuaries at each operating company, the Chief Risk Officer at Fairfax and one or more independent actuaries. The company also purchases reinsurance protection for risks assumed when it is considered prudent and cost effective to do so, at the operating company level for specific exposures and, if needed, at the holding company level for aggregate exposures. Steps are taken to actively reduce the volume of insurance and reinsurance underwritten on particular types of risks when the company desires to reduce its direct exposure due to inadequate pricing. As part of its overall risk management strategy, the company cedes insurance risk through proportional, non-proportional and facultative reinsurance treaties. With proportional reinsurance, the reinsurer shares a pro rata portion of the company's losses and premium, whereas with non-proportional reinsurance, the reinsurer assumes payment of the company's loss above a specified retention, subject to a limit. Facultative reinsurance is the reinsurance of individual risks as agreed by the company and the reinsurer. The company follows the policy of underwriting and reinsuring contracts of insurance and reinsurance which, depending on the type of contract, generally limits the liability of the individual insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries on any policy to a maximum amount on any one loss. Reinsurance decisions are made by the subsidiaries to reduce and spread the risk of loss on insurance and reinsurance written, to limit multiple claims arising from a single occurrence and to protect capital resources. The amount of reinsurance purchased can vary among subsidiaries depending on the lines of business written, their respective capital resources and prevailing or expected market conditions. Reinsurance is generally placed on an excess of loss basis and written in several layers, the purpose of which is to limit the amount of one risk to a maximum amount acceptable to the company and to protect from losses on multiple risks arising from a single occurrence. This type of reinsurance includes what is generally referred to as catastrophe reinsurance. The company's reinsurance does not, however, relieve the company of its primary obligation to the policyholder. The majority of reinsurance contracts purchased by the company provide coverage for a one year term and are negotiated annually. The ability of the company to obtain reinsurance on terms and prices consistent with historical results reflects, among other factors, recent loss experience of the company and of the industry in general. Notwithstanding the significant current period catastrophe losses suffered by the industry in 2017, capital adequacy within the reinsurance market remains strong and alternative forms of reinsurance capacity continue to be available. As a result, reinsurance pricing of loss affected business has increased modestly while non-loss affected property has increased to a lesser extent. The company will remain opportunistic in its use of reinsurance, balancing capital requirements and the cost of reinsurance. Credit Risk Credit risk is the risk of loss resulting from the failure of a counterparty to honour its financial obligations to the company. Credit risk arises predominantly with respect to cash and short term investments, investments in debt instruments, insurance contract receivables, recoverable from reinsurers and receivable from counterparties to derivative contracts (primarily total return swaps and CPI-linked derivatives). There were no significant changes to the company's exposure to credit risk (except as set out in the discussion which follows) or the framework used to monitor, evaluate and manage credit risk at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 . The company's gross credit risk exposure at December 31, 2017 (without taking into account amounts held by the company as collateral) was comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cash and short term investments 19,198.8 11,235.6 Investments in debt instruments: U.S. sovereign government 1,779.3 1,117.3 Other sovereign government rated AA/Aa or higher (1) 615.4 596.1 All other sovereign government (2) 1,268.4 891.5 Canadian provincials 93.8 196.9 U.S. states and municipalities 2,452.1 4,732.2 Corporate and other 4,081.8 2,633.5 Receivable from counterparties to derivative contracts 126.7 196.4 Insurance contract receivables 4,686.9 2,917.5 Recoverable from reinsurers 7,812.5 4,010.3 Other assets 1,723.0 1,065.4 Total gross credit risk exposure 43,838.7 29,592.7 (1) Primarily comprised of bonds issued by the governments of Germany, Australia, the U.K, and Canada with fair values of $105.3 , $97.9 , $90.9 and $84.4 ( December 31, 2016 - $201.7 , $31.7 , $23.4 and $311.4 ). (2) Primarily comprised of bonds issued by the governments of India, Poland and Brazil with fair values of $734.7 , $125.1 and $101.7 ( December 31, 2016 - $602.2 , $117.2 and $80.3 ). The company had income taxes refundable of $147.0 at December 31, 2017 ( December 31, 2016 - $202.7 ). Cash and short term investments The company's cash and short term investments (including at the holding company) are held at major financial institutions in the jurisdictions in which the company operates. At December 31, 2017 , 87.4% of these balances were held in Canadian and U.S. financial institutions, 9.1% in European financial institutions and 3.5% in other foreign financial institutions ( December 31, 2016 - 85.1% , 8.1% and 6.8% respectively). The company monitors risks associated with cash and short term investments by regularly reviewing the financial strength and creditworthiness of these financial institutions and more frequently during periods of economic volatility. As a result of these reviews, the company may transfer balances from financial institutions where it perceives heightened credit risk to others considered to be more stable. Investments in debt instruments The company's risk management strategy for debt instruments is to invest primarily in high credit quality issuers and to limit the amount of credit exposure with respect to any one corporate issuer. While the company reviews third party credit ratings, it also carries out its own analysis and does not delegate the credit decision to rating agencies. The company endeavours to limit credit exposure by monitoring fixed income portfolio limits on individual corporate issuers and limits based on credit quality and may, from time to time, initiate positions in certain types of derivatives to further mitigate credit risk exposure. Investment in sovereign bonds rated AA/Aa or higher, considered by the company to present only a nominal risk of default, with a fair value of $2,394.7 at December 31, 2017 ( December 31, 2016 - $1,713.4 ), represented 6.1% of the total investment portfolio ( December 31, 2016 - 6.0% ) and consisted primarily of bonds issued by the governments of the U.S., U.K., Germany, Australia and Canada. Investments in debt instruments considered by the company to be subject to credit risk, with a fair value of $7,896.1 at December 31, 2017 ( December 31, 2016 - $8,454.1 ), represented 20.1% of the total investment portfolio ( December 31, 2016 - 29.7% ) and consisted primarily of all other sovereign government bonds rated A/A or lower and all bonds included in Canadian provincials, U.S. states and municipalities and corporate and other. The composition of the company's investments in debt instruments classified according to the higher of each security's respective S&P and Moody's issuer credit rating is presented in the table that follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Issuer Credit Rating Amortized cost Fair value % Amortized cost Fair value % AAA/Aaa 2,476.3 2,432.0 23.7 2,042.0 1,915.8 18.8 AA/Aa 2,149.5 2,408.8 23.4 3,669.1 4,383.3 43.1 A/A 823.1 819.8 8.0 649.3 728.5 7.2 BBB/Baa 1,617.1 1,764.8 17.1 910.4 1,024.0 10.1 BB/Ba 151.1 154.0 1.5 98.5 117.6 1.2 B/B 448.7 447.6 4.3 339.0 261.6 2.5 Lower than B/B (1) 554.1 432.7 4.2 392.1 320.5 3.2 Unrated (2) 1,594.4 1,831.1 17.8 1,416.7 1,416.2 13.9 Total 9,814.3 10,290.8 100.0 9,517.1 10,167.5 100.0 (1) Lower than B/B is primarily comprised of the fair value of the company's investments in EXCO Resources, Inc. of $402.0 ( December 31, 2016 - $292.4 ). (2) Unrated is primarily comprised of the fair value of the company's investments in Blackberry Limited of $663.6 ( December 31, 2016 - $461.2 ), Sanmar Chemicals Group of $333.2 ( December 31, 2016 - $299.1 ), Chorus Aviation Inc. $155.2 ( December 31, 2016 - nil ) and FBD Insurance plc. of $112.0 ( December 31, 2016 - $76.8 ). At December 31, 2017 , 72.2% (December 31, 2016 - 79.2%) of the fixed income portfolio carrying value was rated investment grade or better, with 47.1% (December 31, 2016 - 61.9%) being rated AA or better (primarily consisting of government obligations). The increase in the fair value of bonds rated AAA/Aaa, A/A and BBB/Baa primarily reflected the consolidation of Allied World's bond portfolio. The decrease in the fair value of bonds rated AA/Aa primarily reflected net sales in 2017 of long dated U.S. state and municipal bonds (net proceeds of $2,346.5 ), partially offset by the consolidation of Allied World's bond portfolio. The increase in the fair value of bonds rated lower than B/B primarily reflected unrealized appreciation. The increase in bonds that were unrated primarily reflected unrealized appreciation related to convertible bonds and purchases of certain corporate and other bonds. Except as described above, there were no other significant changes to the composition of the company's fixed income portfolio classified according to the higher of each security's respective S&P and Moody's issuer credit rating at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 . At December 31, 2017 holdings of bonds in the ten issuers (excluding U.S., Canadian, U.K. and German sovereign government bonds) to which the company had the greatest exposure totaled $3,398.7 ( December 31, 2016 - $4,178.6 ), which represented approximately 8.7% ( December 31, 2016 - 14.7% ) of the total investment portfolio. Exposure to the largest single issuer of corporate bonds at December 31, 2017 was $663.6 ( December 31, 2016 - $461.2 ), which represented approximately 1.7% ( December 31, 2016 - 1.6% ) of the total investment portfolio. The consolidated investment portfolio included $2.5 billion at December 31, 2017 ( December 31, 2016 - $4.7 billion ) of U.S. state and municipal bonds (approximately $2.3 billion tax-exempt, $0.2 billion taxable), a large portion of which were purchased during 2008 within subsidiary investment portfolios. At December 31, 2017 approximately $1.5 billion ( December 31, 2016 - $2.1 billion ) of those U.S. state and municipal bonds are insured by Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp. for the payment of interest and principal in the event of issuer default, and are therefore all rated AA or better. Counterparties to derivative contracts Counterparty risk arises from the company's derivative contracts primarily in three ways: first, a counterparty may be unable to honour its obligation under a derivative contract and there may be insufficient collateral pledged in favour of the company to support that obligation; second, collateral deposited by the company to a counterparty as a prerequisite for entering into certain derivative contracts (also known as initial margin) may be at risk should the counterparty face financial difficulty; and third, excess collateral pledged in favour of a counterparty may be at risk should the counterparty face financial difficulty (counterparties may hold excess collateral as a result of the timing of the settlement of the amount of collateral required to be pledged based on the fair value of a derivative contract). The company endeavours to limit counterparty risk through diligent selection of counterparties to its derivative contracts and through the terms of negotiated agreements. Pursuant to these agreements, counterparties are contractually required to deposit eligible collateral in collateral accounts (subject to certain minimum thresholds) for the benefit of the company based on the then daily fair value of the derivative contracts. The company's exposure to risk associated with providing initial margin is mitigated where possible through the use of segregated third party custodian accounts whereby counterparties are permitted to take control of the collateral only in the event of default by the company. Agreements negotiated with counterparties provide for a single net settlement of all financial instruments covered by the agreement in the event of default by the counterparty, thereby permitting obligations owed by the company to a counterparty to be offset to the extent of the aggregate amount receivable by the company from that counterparty (the “net settlement arrangements”). The following table sets out the company's credit risk related to derivative contract counterparties, assuming all such counterparties are simultaneously in default: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Total derivative assets (1) 126.7 196.4 Impact of net settlement arrangements (38.6 ) (53.8 ) Fair value of collateral deposited for the benefit of the company (2) (39.1 ) (54.0 ) Excess collateral pledged by the company in favour of counterparties 9.0 12.2 Initial margin not held in segregated third party custodian accounts 8.2 5.0 Net derivative counterparty exposure after net settlement and collateral arrangements 66.2 105.8 (1) Excludes equity warrants and equity call options which are not subject to counterparty risk. (2) Excludes $0.4 ( December 31, 2016 - $8.7 ) of excess collateral pledged by counterparties. Collateral deposited for the benefit of the company at December 31, 2017 consisted of cash of $3.6 and government securities of $35.9 ( December 31, 2016 - $8.3 and $54.4 ). The company had not exercised its right to sell or repledge collateral at December 31, 2017 . Recoverable from reinsurers Credit risk on the company's recoverable from reinsurers balance existed at December 31, 2017 to the extent that any reinsurer may be unable or unwilling to reimburse the company under the terms of the relevant reinsurance arrangements. The company is also exposed to the credit risk assumed in fronting arrangements and to potential reinsurance capacity constraints. The company regularly assesses the creditworthiness of reinsurers with whom it transacts business. Internal guidelines generally require reinsurers to have strong A.M. Best ratings and to maintain capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 . Where contractually provided for, the company has collateral for outstanding balances in the form of cash, letters of credit, guarantees or assets held in trust accounts. This collateral may be drawn on when amounts remain unpaid beyond contractually specified time periods for each individual reinsurer. The company’s reinsurance security department conducts ongoing detailed assessments of current and potential reinsurers and annual reviews on impaired reinsurers, and provides recommendations for uncollectible reinsurance provisions for the group. This department also collects and maintains individual and group reinsurance exposures across the group. Most of the reinsurance balances for reinsurers rated B++ and lower or which are not rated were inherited by the company on acquisition of a subsidiary. The company’s largest single recoverable from reinsurer (Munich Reinsurance Company) represented 6.5% of shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax at December 31, 2017 ( December 31, 2016 - 3.6% ) and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company's gross exposure to credit risk from its reinsurers increased at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 , principally reflecting the impact from the consolidation of the recoverable from reinsurers of Allied World and Fairfax Latam and current period catastrophe losses ceded to reinsurers. Changes that occurred in the provision for uncollectible reinsurance during the period are disclosed in note 9. The following table presents the gross recoverable from reinsurers classified according to the financial strength ratings of the reinsurers. Pools and associations, shown separately, are generally government or similar insurance funds carrying limited credit risk. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 A.M. Best Rating (or S&P equivalent) Gross recoverable from reinsurers Outstanding balances for which security is held Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers Gross recoverable from reinsurers Outstanding balances for which security is held Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers A++ 429.6 31.9 397.7 390.0 27.2 362.8 A+ 3,878.4 267.2 3,611.2 1,551.0 152.0 1,399.0 A 2,311.9 95.4 2,216.5 1,130.8 67.3 1,063.5 A- 245.5 15.1 230.4 299.7 19.9 279.8 B++ 22.2 1.2 21.0 22.0 1.4 20.6 B+ 3.1 0.8 2.3 2.0 1.2 0.8 B or lower 5.4 3.0 2.4 11.9 8.9 3.0 Not rated 948.2 493.8 454.4 703.3 218.5 484.8 Pools and associations 134.6 4.5 130.1 71.3 5.6 65.7 7,978.9 912.9 7,066.0 4,182.0 502.0 3,680.0 Provision for uncollectible reinsurance (166.4 ) (166.4 ) (171.7 ) (171.7 ) Recoverable from reinsurers 7,812.5 6,899.6 4,010.3 3,508.3 Liquidity Risk Liquidity risk is the potential for loss if the company is unable to meet financial commitments in a timely manner at reasonable cost as they fall due. The company's policy is to ensure that sufficient liquid assets are available to meet financial commitments, including liabilities to policyholders and debt holders, dividends on preferred shares and investment commitments. Cash flow analysis is performed regularly at both the holding company and subsidiary company levels to ensure that future cash needs are met or exceeded by cash flows generated from operating companies. The holding company's known significant commitments for 2018 consist of payment of the $283.2 dividend on common shares ($10.00 per share paid January 2018), interest and corporate overhead expenses, preferred share dividends, income tax payments, the purchase prices related to the acquisitions of certain businesses of Carillion and the insurance operations of AIG in Uruguay (completed January 31, 2018) and Venezuela, and potential cash outflows related to derivative contracts. The company believes that holding company cash and investments, net of holding company short sale and derivative obligations at December 31, 2017 of $2,356.9 provides adequate liquidity to meet the holding company’s known commitments in 2018. The holding company expects to continue to receive investment management and administration fees from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, investment income on its holdings of cash and investments, and dividends from its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. To further augment its liquidity, the holding company can draw upon its $2.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (described in note 15). The liquidity requirements of the insurance and re

Segmented Information

Segmented Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating Segments [Abstract]
Segmented Information	Segmented Information The company identifies its operating segments by operating company, consistent with its management structure. Certain of the operating segments have been aggregated into reporting segments, with reporting segments categorized by type of business as described below. The accounting policies of the reporting segments are the same as those described in note 3. Transfer prices for inter-segment transactions are set at arm's length. Geographic premiums are determined based on the domicile of the various subsidiaries and where the primary underlying risk of the business resides. Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge - A national commercial property and casualty insurer in Canada providing property and casualty insurance products through its Northbridge Insurance and Federated subsidiaries. OdysseyRe - A U.S.-based reinsurer that provides a full range of property and casualty products on a worldwide basis, and that underwrites specialty insurance, primarily in the U.S. and in the U.K., both directly and through the Lloyd's market in London. Crum & Forster - A national commercial property and casualty insurer in the U.S. writing a broad range of commercial coverages, principally specialty coverages. Zenith National - An insurer primarily engaged in workers' compensation business in the U.S. Brit - A market-leading global Lloyd's of London specialty insurer and reinsurer. Allied World - A global property, casualty and specialty insurer and reinsurer with a presence at Lloyd's. Fairfax Asia - This reporting segment includes the company's operations that underwrite insurance and reinsurance coverages in Singapore (First Capital, sold on December 28, 2017), Hong Kong (Falcon), Malaysia (Pacific Insurance), Indonesia (AMAG, acquired on October 10, 2016 ), and Sri Lanka (Fairfirst Insurance, acquired on October 3, 2016 ). Fairfax Asia also includes the company's equity accounted interests in Vietnam-based BIC Insurance ( 35.0% ), Thailand-based Falcon Thailand ( 41.2% ) and Mumbai-based ICICI Lombard (partially sold during 2017 and reclassified to a common stock investment). Insurance and Reinsurance - Other - This reporting segment is comprised of Group Re, Bryte Insurance (acquired on December 7, 2016 ), Advent, Fairfax Latin America and Fairfax Central and Eastern Europe ("Fairfax CEE"). Group Re primarily constitutes the participation of CRC Re and Wentworth (both based in Barbados) in the reinsurance of Fairfax’s subsidiaries by quota share or through participation in those subsidiaries’ third party reinsurance programs on the same terms as third party reinsurers. Group Re also writes third party business. Bryte Insurance is an established property and casualty insurer in South Africa and Botswana. Advent is a specialty property reinsurance and insurance company operating through Syndicate 780 at Lloyd’s. Fairfax Latin America is comprised of Fairfax Brasil, which writes commercial property and casualty insurance in Brazil, and Fairfax Latam, consisting of property and casualty insurance operations in Chile, Colombia and Argentina. Fairfax CEE is comprised of Polish Re, which writes reinsurance in Central and Eastern Europe, and Colonnade Insurance, a Luxembourg property and casualty insurer with branches in each of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania, and an insurance subsidiary in Ukraine. Run-off The Run-off reporting segment principally comprises RiverStone (UK), Syndicate 3500 at Lloyd's (managed by RiverStone Managing Agency Limited), RiverStone Insurance (European Run-off) and TIG Insurance (U.S. Run-off). Other The Other reporting segment is comprised of the company's non-insurance operations, including Cara and its subsidiaries St-Hubert (acquired on September 2, 2016), Original Joe's (acquired on November 28, 2016) and Pickle Barrel (acquired on December 1, 2017), The Keg, Thomas Cook India and its subsidiaries Quess and Sterling Resorts, Grivalia Properties (consolidated on July 4, 2017), Mosaic Capital (consolidated on January 26, 2017), Pethealth, Praktiker, Sporting Life, William Ashley, Boat Rocker, Golf Town (acquired on October 31, 2016), Fairfax Africa (since its initial public offering on February 17, 2017), and Fairfax India and its subsidiaries NCML, Fairchem (merged on March 14, 2017 with Privi Organics (acquired on August 26, 2016)) and Saurashtra Freight (acquired on February 14, 2017). Corporate and Other Corporate and Other includes the parent entity (Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited), its subsidiary intermediate holding companies and Hamblin Watsa, an investment management company. by Reporting Segment Sources of earnings by reporting segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge OdysseyRe Crum & Forster Zenith National Brit Allied World (1) Fairfax Asia Other Operating companies Run-off Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Gross premiums written External 1,180.4 2,725.7 2,120.0 849.0 2,048.1 1,447.6 667.9 1,160.4 12,199.1 8.4 — — — 12,207.5 Intercompany 6.6 57.4 54.5 — 8.9 — 2.5 83.9 213.8 — — — (213.8 ) — 1,187.0 2,783.1 2,174.5 849.0 2,057.0 1,447.6 670.4 1,244.3 12,412.9 8.4 — — (213.8 ) 12,207.5 Net premiums written 1,064.9 2,495.9 1,863.4 837.4 1,530.9 991.9 327.5 863.3 9,975.2 8.3 — — — 9,983.5 Net premiums earned External 1,023.7 2,318.3 1,822.1 814.1 1,537.3 1,041.3 369.3 775.2 9,701.3 20.1 — — — 9,721.4 Intercompany (4.0 ) 15.1 30.7 (2.5 ) (0.4 ) (12.6 ) (41.7 ) 15.4 — — — — — — 1,019.7 2,333.4 1,852.8 811.6 1,536.9 1,028.7 327.6 790.6 9,701.3 20.1 — — — 9,721.4 Underwriting expenses (2) (1,010.7 ) (2,273.4 ) (1,849.6 ) (694.4 ) (1,738.8 ) (1,615.3 ) (289.4 ) (871.2 ) (10,342.8 ) (227.5 ) — — — (10,570.3 ) Underwriting profit (loss) 9.0 60.0 3.2 117.2 (201.9 ) (586.6 ) 38.2 (80.6 ) (641.5 ) (207.4 ) — — — (848.9 ) Interest income 56.1 131.0 53.4 26.8 41.9 76.8 31.3 38.7 456.0 37.2 29.7 (8.3 ) — 514.6 Dividends 9.5 15.6 3.4 3.8 3.7 2.2 3.2 11.8 53.2 4.6 9.1 6.3 — 73.2 Investment expenses (11.5 ) (21.7 ) (23.0 ) (7.2 ) (13.0 ) (13.1 ) (5.4 ) (12.0 ) (106.9 ) (12.9 ) (143.7 ) (2.1 ) 236.8 (28.8 ) Interest and dividends 54.1 124.9 33.8 23.4 32.6 65.9 29.1 38.5 402.3 28.9 (104.9 ) (4.1 ) 236.8 559.0 Share of profit (loss) of associates 3.2 7.2 (1.1 ) (9.8 ) 9.2 (17.6 ) 29.4 3.0 23.5 (6.1 ) 55.4 127.7 — 200.5 Other Revenue — — — — — — — — — — 3,257.6 — — 3,257.6 Expenses — — — — — — — — — — (2,996.0 ) — — (2,996.0 ) — — — — — — — — — — 261.6 — — 261.6 Operating income (loss) 66.3 192.1 35.9 130.8 (160.1 ) (538.3 ) 96.7 (39.1 ) (215.7 ) (184.6 ) 212.1 123.6 236.8 172.2 Net gains (losses) on investments 44.8 253.1 27.9 26.6 79.0 (26.5 ) 1,083.9 69.5 1,558.3 73.3 7.2 (171.3 ) — 1,467.5 Gain on sale of subsidiary — — — — — — — — 1,018.6 — 1,018.6 — — — — 1,018.6 Loss on repurchase of long term debt (note 15) — — — — — — — — — — — (28.6 ) — (28.6 ) Interest expense — (3.3 ) (1.8 ) (3.3 ) (12.5 ) (15.6 ) — (4.8 ) (41.3 ) — (65.8 ) (224.1 ) — (331.2 ) Corporate overhead (8.7 ) (27.4 ) (25.4 ) (8.2 ) (9.2 ) (27.9 ) (2.6 ) (22.2 ) (131.6 ) — — 93.1 (236.8 ) (275.3 ) Pre-tax income (loss) 102.4 414.5 36.6 145.9 (102.8 ) (608.3 ) 2,196.6 3.4 2,188.3 (111.3 ) 153.5 (207.3 ) — 2,023.2 Income taxes (408.3 ) Net earnings 1,614.9 Attributable to: Shareholders of Fairfax 1,740.6 Non-controlling interests (125.7 ) 1,614.9 (1) Allied World is included in the company's financial reporting with effect from July 6, 2017. (2) Total underwriting expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 are comprised as shown below. Accident year total underwriting expenses exclude the impact of favourable or unfavourable prior year claims reserve development. Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge OdysseyRe Crum & Forster Zenith National Brit Allied World Fairfax Asia Other Operating companies Loss & LAE - accident year 760.1 1,827.7 1,209.8 477.9 1,117.8 1,293.1 263.1 563.8 7,513.3 Commissions 164.5 492.5 292.4 83.5 424.8 32.6 4.7 148.4 1,643.4 Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 179.6 241.3 357.6 209.4 205.7 217.7 73.9 192.6 1,677.8 Total underwriting expenses - accident year 1,104.2 2,561.5 1,859.8 770.8 1,748.3 1,543.4 341.7 904.8 10,834.5 Unfavourable (favourable) claims reserve development (93.5 ) (288.1 ) (10.2 ) (76.4 ) (9.5 ) 71.9 (52.3 ) (33.6 ) (491.7 ) Total underwriting expenses - calendar year 1,010.7 2,273.4 1,849.6 694.4 1,738.8 1,615.3 289.4 871.2 10,342.8 2016 Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge OdysseyRe Crum & Forster Zenith National Brit Fairfax Asia Other Operating companies Run-off Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Gross premiums written External 1,052.3 2,355.8 2,011.8 831.7 1,904.3 636.1 558.4 9,350.4 183.9 — — — 9,534.3 Intercompany 2.8 24.9 43.2 — 7.9 12.6 84.9 176.3 — — — (176.3 ) — 1,055.1 2,380.7 2,055.0 831.7 1,912.2 648.7 643.3 9,526.7 183.9 — — (176.3 ) 9,534.3 Net premiums written 942.6 2,100.2 1,801.1 819.4 1,480.2 303.1 458.4 7,905.0 183.4 — — — 8,088.4 Net premiums earned External 915.8 2,083.9 1,738.6 809.3 1,396.5 348.5 406.1 7,698.7 163.5 — — — 7,862.2 Intercompany (7.0 ) (9.8 ) 30.9 (2.0 ) 2.8 (46.0 ) 31.1 — — — — — — 908.8 2,074.1 1,769.5 807.3 1,399.3 302.5 437.2 7,698.7 163.5 — — — 7,862.2 Underwriting expenses (1) (862.5 ) (1,838.9 ) (1,737.1 ) (643.2 ) (1,370.2 ) (261.4 ) (409.5 ) (7,122.8 ) (348.6 ) — — — (7,471.4 ) Underwriting profit (loss) 46.3 235.2 32.4 164.1 29.1 41.1 27.7 575.9 (185.1 ) — — — 390.8 Interest income 56.6 158.5 72.8 33.0 66.5 26.6 32.2 446.2 58.6 21.3 (11.7 ) — 514.4 Dividends 8.4 23.9 5.8 4.3 2.6 3.4 2.7 51.1 5.9 8.2 1.6 — 66.8 Investment expenses (12.8 ) (28.7 ) (12.8 ) (7.7 ) (13.7 ) (3.3 ) (8.3 ) (87.3 ) (13.3 ) (12.8 ) (1.4 ) 88.8 (26.0 ) Interest and dividends 52.2 153.7 65.8 29.6 55.4 26.7 26.6 410.0 51.2 16.7 (11.5 ) 88.8 555.2 Share of profit (loss) of associates 5.2 17.3 (22.6 ) 1.2 3.4 48.1 0.7 53.3 (15.5 ) 13.6 (27.2 ) — 24.2 Other Revenue — — — — — — — — — 2,061.6 — — 2,061.6 Expenses — — — — — — — — — (1,958.4 ) — — (1,958.4 ) — — — — — — — — — 103.2 — — 103.2 Operating income (loss) 103.7 406.2 75.6 194.9 87.9 115.9 55.0 1,039.2 (149.4 ) 133.5 (38.7 ) 88.8 1,073.4 Net gains (losses) on investments (3) (161.3 ) (318.7 ) (184.7 ) (168.2 ) 87.3 (1.7 ) (90.0 ) (837.3 ) (225.2 ) 30.1 (171.2 ) — (1,203.6 ) Interest expense — (2.8 ) (1.6 ) (3.3 ) (14.2 ) — (4.2 ) (26.1 ) — (28.3 ) (188.4 ) — (242.8 ) Corporate overhead (6.6 ) (30.2 ) (20.4 ) (8.4 ) (9.2 ) (0.1 ) — (74.9 ) — — (17.6 ) (88.8 ) (181.3 ) Pre-tax income (loss) (64.2 ) 54.5 (131.1 ) 15.0 151.8 114.1 (39.2 ) 100.9 (374.6 ) 135.3 (415.9 ) — (554.3 ) Income taxes 159.6 Net loss (394.7 ) Attributable to: Shareholders of Fairfax (512.5 ) Non-controlling interests 117.8 (394.7 ) (1) Total underwriting expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 are comprised as shown below. Accident year total underwriting expenses exclude the impact of favourable or unfavourable prior year claims reserve development. Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge OdysseyRe Crum & Forster Zenith National Brit (1) Fairfax Other Operating companies Loss & LAE - accident year 651.1 1,438.4 1,136.1 459.3 909.7 252.5 290.1 5,137.2 Commissions 150.6 431.4 283.2 81.9 292.3 (6.5 ) 101.8 1,334.7 Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 173.6 235.6 326.1 203.0 221.7 67.5 78.0 1,305.5 Total underwriting expenses - accident year 975.3 2,105.4 1,745.4 744.2 1,423.7 313.5 469.9 7,777.4 Favourable claims reserve development (112.8 ) (266.5 ) (8.3 ) (101.0 ) (53.5 ) (52.1 ) (60.4 ) (654.6 ) Total underwriting expenses - calendar year 862.5 1,838.9 1,737.1 643.2 1,370.2 261.4 409.5 7,122.8 Investments in Associates, Additions to Goodwill, Segment Assets and Segment Liabilities Investments in associates, additions to goodwill, segment assets and segment liabilities by reporting segment as at and for the years ended December 31 were as follows: Investments in associates Additions to goodwill Segment assets Segment liabilities 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge 218.6 206.9 1.1 — 4,527.2 4,149.9 2,804.6 2,630.2 OdysseyRe 355.7 373.5 — — 11,316.1 10,334.8 7,248.4 6,370.5 Crum & Forster 263.2 153.5 — 7.8 6,290.6 6,294.1 4,651.1 4,625.7 Zenith National 162.9 146.9 — — 2,586.8 2,590.7 1,653.8 1,633.1 Brit 231.4 217.8 — — 7,480.1 6,579.5 5,930.1 4,915.7 Allied World (1) 210.5 — 937.9 — 14,584.4 — 10,937.2 — Fairfax Asia 100.9 487.3 (24.2 ) 69.5 1,930.7 2,684.7 674.5 1,457.7 Other 92.0 127.4 19.6 11.5 4,321.3 2,656.2 3,223.5 1,850.1 Operating companies 1,635.2 1,713.3 934.4 88.8 53,037.2 35,289.9 37,123.2 23,483.0 Run-off 252.0 308.2 — — 5,207.2 5,709.5 3,456.5 3,970.4 Other 1,250.8 255.3 277.9 127.2 8,684.0 4,740.2 3,245.8 2,029.8 Corporate and Other and eliminations and adjustments 518.3 356.7 — — (2,838.3 ) (2,355.2 ) 1,852.6 2,081.1 Consolidated 3,656.3 2,633.5 1,212.3 216.0 64,090.1 43,384.4 45,678.1 31,564.3 (1) Allied World is included in the company's financial reporting with effect from July 6, 2017. Product Line Net premiums earned by product line for the years ended December 31 was as follows: Property Casualty Specialty Total 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net premiums earned - Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge 449.1 395.6 474.4 423.8 96.2 89.4 1,019.7 908.8 OdysseyRe 1,206.0 1,159.9 901.5 714.5 225.9 199.7 2,333.4 2,074.1 Crum & Forster 238.9 237.0 1,518.0 1,426.6 95.9 105.9 1,852.8 1,769.5 Zenith National 32.1 29.3 779.5 778.0 — — 811.6 807.3 Brit 427.1 402.7 755.7 664.3 354.1 332.3 1,536.9 1,399.3 Allied World (1) 360.9 — 607.4 — 60.4 — 1,028.7 — Fairfax Asia 65.6 57.4 219.2 191.2 42.8 53.9 327.6 302.5 Other 405.9 191.9 221.9 146.1 162.8 99.2 790.6 437.2 Operating companies 3,185.6 2,473.8 5,477.6 4,344.5 1,038.1 880.4 9,701.3 7,698.7 Run-off — 0.4 22.9 162.6 (2.8 ) 0.5 20.1 163.5 Consolidated net premiums earned 3,185.6 2,474.2 5,500.5 4,507.1 1,035.3 880.9 9,721.4 7,862.2 Interest and dividends 559.0 555.2 Share of profit of associates 200.5 24.2 Net gains (losses) on investments 1,467.5 (1,203.6 ) Gain on sale of subsidiary 1,018.6 — Other 3,257.6 2,061.6 Consolidated revenue 16,224.6 9,299.6 Allocation of net premiums earned 32.8 % 31.5 % 56.6 % 57.3 % 10.6 % 11.2 % (1) Allied World is included in the company's financial reporting with effect from July 6, 2017. Geographic Region Net premiums earned by geographic region for the years ended December 31 was as follows: Canada United States Asia (1) International (2) Total 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net premiums earned - Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge 1,007.2 899.5 12.5 9.3 — — — — 1,019.7 908.8 OdysseyRe 76.8 72.5 1,539.2 1,319.3 247.2 231.4 470.2 450.9 2,333.4 2,074.1 Crum & Forster — — 1,852.6 1,769.3 — — 0.2 0.2 1,852.8 1,769.5 Zenith National — — 811.6 807.3 — — — — 811.6 807.3 Brit 83.1 77.1 1,036.5 942.1 60.3 54.0 357.0 326.1 1,536.9 1,399.3 Allied World (3) 20.5 — 773.7 — 88.2 — 146.3 — 1,028.7 — Fairfax Asia 0.1 0.1 — 0.3 319.0 293.2 8.5 8.9 327.6 302.5 Other 9.1 3.9 98.9 142.6 108.0 105.7 574.6 185.0 790.6 437.2 Operating companies 1,196.8 1,053.1 6,125.0 4,990.2 822.7 684.3 1,556.8 971.1 9,701.3 7,698.7 Run-off — — 23.7 162.6 — — (3.6 ) 0.9 20.1 163.5 Consolidated net premiums earned 1,196.8 1,053.1 6,148.7 5,152.8 822.7 684.3 1,553.2 972.0 9,721.4 7,862.2 Interest and dividends 559.0 555.2 Share of profit of associates 200.5 24.2 Net gains (losses) on investments 1,467.5 (1,203.6 ) Gain on sale of subsidiary 1,018.6 — Other 3,257.6 2,061.6 Consolidated revenue 16,224.6 9,299.6 Allocation of net premiums earned 12.3 % 13.4 % 63.2 % 65.5 % 8.5 % 8.7 % 16.0 % 12.4 % (1) The Asia geographic segment comprises countries located throughout Asia, including China, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, and the Middle East. (2) The International geographic segment comprises Australia and countries located in Africa, Europe and South America. (3) Allied World is included in the company's financial reporting with effect from July 6, 2017.

Expenses

Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Analysis of income and expense [abstract]
Expenses	Expenses Losses on claims, net, operating expenses and other expenses for the years ended December 31 were comprised as follows: 2017 2016 Insurance and reinsurance companies (1) Non-insurance companies (2) Total Insurance and reinsurance companies (1) Non-insurance companies (2) Total Losses and loss adjustment expenses 6,880.0 — 6,880.0 4,478.3 — 4,478.3 Other reporting segment cost of sales — 1,821.4 1,821.4 — 1,095.2 1,095.2 Wages and salaries 1,072.0 495.2 1,567.2 876.6 351.8 1,228.4 Employee benefits 242.1 76.9 319.0 213.1 63.8 276.9 Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges 136.5 144.0 280.5 98.4 93.3 191.7 Operating lease costs 79.3 136.9 216.2 60.6 95.1 155.7 Audit, legal and tax professional fees 155.7 27.2 182.9 116.2 17.4 133.6 Premium taxes 152.7 — 152.7 101.4 — 101.4 Information technology costs 122.2 16.2 138.4 99.8 6.7 106.5 Other reporting segment marketing costs — 65.4 65.4 — 43.9 43.9 Share-based payments to directors and employees 58.4 5.4 63.8 48.1 5.5 53.6 Restructuring costs 30.6 3.1 33.7 2.9 0.3 3.2 Loss on repurchase of long term debt (note 15) (2) — 28.6 28.6 — — — Administrative expense and other 266.9 204.3 471.2 220.9 185.4 406.3 9,196.4 3,024.6 12,221.0 6,316.3 1,958.4 8,274.7 (1) Total expense of the insurance and reinsurance companies is comprised of losses on claims, net and operating expenses as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings. (2) Other expenses as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings is comprised of cost of sales and operating expenses of the non-insurance companies, and loss on repurchase of long term debt of the holding company.

Supplementary Cash Flow Informa

Supplementary Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash Flow Statement [Abstract]
Supplementary Cash Flow Information	Supplementary Cash Flow Information Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of cash flows were comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Holding company cash and investments: Cash and balances with banks 129.1 131.9 Treasury bills and other eligible bills 866.3 401.3 995.4 533.2 Subsidiary cash and short term investments: Cash and balances with banks 2,355.5 1,668.2 Treasury bills and other eligible bills 5,028.6 2,275.2 7,384.1 3,943.4 Subsidiary assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations: Treasury bills and other eligible bills 16.8 — Fairfax India: Cash and balances with banks 44.0 44.5 Treasury bills and other eligible bills — 128.7 44.0 173.2 Fairfax Africa: Cash and balances with banks 329.7 — Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the consolidated balance sheet 8,770.0 4,649.8 Less: Cash and cash equivalents - restricted (1) Holding company cash and cash equivalents - restricted: Cash and balances with banks 1.7 2.8 Subsidiary cash and cash equivalents - restricted: Cash and balances with banks 546.8 180.8 Treasury bills and other eligible bills 286.5 247.1 835.0 430.7 Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows 7,935.0 4,219.1 (1) Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows excludes balances that are restricted. Restricted cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of amounts required to be maintained on deposit with various regulatory authorities to support the operations of the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Details of certain cash flows included in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 (a) Net sales of securities classified as FVTPL Short term investments (2,816.5 ) (2,688.0 ) Bonds 5,677.1 4,514.5 Preferred stocks (249.6 ) (42.4 ) Common stocks 778.3 170.4 Derivatives, short sales and other invested assets (710.9 ) (835.2 ) 2,678.4 1,119.3 (b) Changes in operating assets and liabilities Net increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents (245.4 ) (55.1 ) Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 1,842.1 (355.7 ) Provision for unearned premiums 395.2 326.2 Insurance contract receivables (428.4 ) (296.6 ) Recoverable from reinsurers (1,168.5 ) (34.6 ) Other receivables (32.4 ) (36.5 ) Funds withheld payable to reinsurers 182.0 87.9 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 174.0 110.6 Income taxes payable 46.5 (54.1 ) Other (209.7 ) (300.0 ) 555.4 (607.9 ) (c) Net interest and dividends received Interest and dividends received 531.9 782.4 Interest paid (277.9 ) (216.2 ) 254.0 566.2 (d) Net income taxes paid (33.4 ) (267.1 )

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions Compensation for the company's key management team for the years ended December 31 determined in accordance with the company's IFRS accounting policies was as follows: 2017 2016 Salaries and other short-term employee benefits 9.7 8.2 Share-based payments 3.1 2.5 12.8 10.7 Compensation for the company's Board of Directors for the years ended December 31 was as follows: 2017 2016 Retainers and fees 0.8 0.8 Share-based payments 0.3 0.1 1.1 0.9 During 2017 the company entered into an investment management contract on normal commercial terms pursuant to which effectively Benjamin Watsa, a member of the company’s board of directors and the son of Prem Watsa, the company’s Chairman and CEO and effectively controlling shareholder, would manage up to $50.0 for operating companies within the Fairfax group. Subsequent to December 31, 2017 Pursuant to the company's investment advisory agreement with Fairfax India, a performance fee of $114.4 in the form of newly issued Fairfax India subordinate voting shares was received on March 9, 2018. See note 23.

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Interests In Other Entities [Abstract]
Subsidiaries	The company has wholly-owned subsidiaries not presented in the tables below that are intermediate holding companies of investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances, all of which are eliminated on consolidation. December 31, 2017 Domicile Fairfax's ownership (100% other than as shown below) Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge Financial Corporation (Northbridge) Canada Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. (OdysseyRe) United States Hudson Insurance Company (Hudson Insurance) United States Crum & Forster Holdings Corp. (Crum & Forster) United States Zenith National Insurance Corp. (Zenith National) United States Brit Limited (Brit) United Kingdom 72.5% Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, GmbH (Allied World) Switzerland 67.4% Advent Capital (Holdings) Ltd. (Advent) United Kingdom Fairfax Central and Eastern Europe, which consists of: Polskie Towarzystwo Reasekuracji Spólka Akcyjna (Polish Re) Poland Colonnade Insurance S.A. (Colonnade Insurance) Luxembourg Fairfax Latin America, which consists of: Fairfax Brasil Seguros Corporativos S.A. (Fairfax Brasil) Brazil SBS Seguros Colombia S.A. (SouthBridge Colombia) Colombia Southbridge Compañía de Seguros Generales S.A. (SouthBridge Chile) Chile La Meridional Compañía Argentina de Seguros S.A. (La Meridional Argentina) Argentina Bryte Insurance Company Limited (Bryte Insurance) South Africa Group Re, which underwrites business in: CRC Reinsurance Limited (CRC Re) Barbados Wentworth Insurance Company Ltd. (Wentworth) Barbados Fairfax Asia, which consists of: Falcon Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited (Falcon) Hong Kong The Pacific Insurance Berhad (Pacific Insurance) Malaysia 85.0% PT Asuransi Multi Artha Guna TBK (AMAG) Indonesia 80.0% Fairfirst Insurance Limited (Fairfirst Insurance) Sri Lanka 78.0% Run-off TIG Insurance Company (TIG Insurance) United States RiverStone Insurance (UK) Limited (RiverStone (UK)) United Kingdom RiverStone Insurance Limited (RiverStone Insurance) United Kingdom RiverStone Managing Agency Limited United Kingdom December 31, 2017 Domicile Fairfax's ownership Primary business Other reporting segment Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. (Hamblin Watsa) Canada 100.0 % Investment management Fairfax Africa Holdings Corporation (Fairfax Africa) Canada 64.2 % (1) Invests in public and private African businesses Grivalia Properties Real Estate Investment Company S.A. (Grivalia Properties) Greece 52.7 % Real Estate investment company Mosaic Capital Corporation (Mosaic Capital) Canada — (2) Invests in private Canadian businesses Pethealth Inc. (Pethealth) Canada 100.0 % Pet medical insurance and database services Boat Rocker Media Inc. (Boat Rocker) Canada 58.2 % Development, production, marketing and distribution of television programs Restaurants and Retail Cara Operations Limited (Cara) which owns: Canada 40.2 % (1) Franchisor, owner and operator of restaurants 100.0% of Groupe St-Hubert Inc. (St-Hubert) Canada 40.2 % Full-service restaurant operator and a fully integrated food manufacturer 89.2% of Original Joe's Franchise Group Inc. (Original Joe's) Canada 35.9 % Multi-brand restaurant owner and operator 100.0% of Pickle Barrel Restaurants Inc. (Pickle Barrel) Canada 40.2 % Owner and operator of restaurants and catering business Keg Restaurants Ltd. (The Keg) Canada 51.0 % Owner and operator of premium dining restaurants Praktiker Hellas Commercial Societe Anonyme (Praktiker) Greece 100.0 % Retailer of home improvement goods Sporting Life Inc. (Sporting Life) Canada 75.0 % Retailer of sporting goods and sports apparel William Ashley China Corporation (William Ashley) Canada 100.0 % Retailer of tableware and gifts Golf Town Limited (Golf Town) Canada 60.0 % (3) Retailer of golf equipment, consumables, athletic apparel and accessories India focused Fairfax India Holdings Limited (Fairfax India) which owns: Canada 30.2 % (1) Invests in public and private Indian businesses 89.5% of National Collateral Management Services Limited (NCML) India 27.0 % Provider of agricultural commodities storage 48.7% of Fairchem Specialty Limited (Fairchem) India 14.7 % Manufacturer, supplier and exporter of aroma chemicals 51.0% of Saurashtra Freight Private Limited (Saurashtra Freight) India 15.4 % Container freight station operator Thomas Cook (India) Limited (Thomas Cook India) which owns: India 67.6 % Provider of integrated travel and travel-related financial services 49.0% of Quess Corp Limited (Quess) India 33.1 % Provider of staffing and facilities management services 100.0% of Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited (Sterling Resorts) India 67.6 % Owner and operator of holiday resorts (1) The company holds multiple voting shares that give it voting rights of 56.7% in Cara, 98.8% in Fairfax Africa and 93.6% in Fairfax India. (2) The company holds Mosaic Capital warrants representing a potential voting interest of approximately 62% . (3) The company holds 100% of the voting rights in Golf Town.

Summary of Significant Accoun37

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Corporate Information And Statement Of IFRS Compliance [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) effective as at December 31, 2017 , except IFRS 9 (2010) Financial Instruments which was adopted early. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for derivative financial instruments and fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”) financial assets and liabilities that have been measured at fair value. The consolidated balance sheets of the company are presented on a non-classified basis. Assets expected to be realized and liabilities expected to be settled within the company's normal operating cycle of one year are considered current, including the following balances: cash, short term investments, insurance contract receivables, deferred premium acquisition costs, income taxes payable, and short sale and derivative obligations. The following balances are considered non-current: deferred income taxes and goodwill and intangible assets. All other balances are comprised of current and non-current amounts. The holding company has significant liquid resources that are generally not restricted by insurance regulators. The operating subsidiaries are primarily insurers and reinsurers that are often subject to a wide variety of insurance and other laws and regulations that vary by jurisdiction and are intended to protect policyholders rather than investors. These laws and regulations may limit the ability of operating subsidiaries to pay dividends or make distributions to parent companies. The company's consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of cash flows therefore make a distinction in classification between the holding company and the operating subsidiaries for cash and short term investments to provide additional insight into the company's liquidity, financial leverage and capital structure. These consolidated financial statements were approved for issue by the company’s Board of Directors on March 9, 2018 .
Consolidation	Consolidation Subsidiaries - The company's consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, expenses and cash flows of the holding company and its subsidiaries. A subsidiary is an entity over which the company has control. The company controls an entity when the company has power over the entity, is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. Assessment of control is based on the substance of the relationship between the company and the entity and includes consideration of both existing voting rights and, if applicable, potential voting rights that are currently exercisable and convertible. The operating results of subsidiaries acquired are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date control is acquired (typically the acquisition date). The operating results of subsidiaries that are divested during the year are included up to the date control ceased and any difference between the fair value of the consideration received and the carrying value of a divested subsidiary is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. The consolidated financial statements were prepared as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 based on individual holding companies' and subsidiary companies' financial statements at those dates. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been aligned with those of the company where necessary. The company's significant subsidiaries are identified in note 29. Non-controlling interests - A non-controlling interest is initially recognized as the proportionate share of the identifiable net assets of a subsidiary on its acquisition date and is subsequently adjusted for the non-controlling interest's share of changes in the acquired subsidiary's earnings and capital. Effects of transactions with non-controlling interests are recorded in equity if there is no change in control.
Business combinations	Business combinations Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting whereby the consideration transferred is measured at fair value at the date of acquisition. This consideration may include cash paid and the fair value at the date of exchange of assets given, liabilities incurred and equity instruments issued by the company or its subsidiaries. The consideration transferred also includes any contingent consideration arrangements, recorded at fair value. Directly attributable acquisition-related costs are expensed in the current period and reported within operating expenses. At the date of acquisition, the company recognizes the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquired business. The identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are initially recognized at fair value. If the consideration transferred is less than the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired, the excess is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. A pre-existing equity interest is re-measured to fair value at the date of a business combination with any gain or loss recognized in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Goodwill and intangible assets	Goodwill and intangible assets Goodwill - Goodwill is recorded as the excess of consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination, less accumulated impairment charges, and is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition for the purpose of impairment testing. On an annual basis or more frequently if there are potential indicators of impairment, the carrying value of a cash-generating unit inclusive of its allocated goodwill is compared to its recoverable amount, with any goodwill impairment measured as the excess of the carrying amount over the recoverable amount. Goodwill is derecognized on disposal of a cash-generating unit to which goodwill was previously allocated. Intangible assets - Intangible assets are comprised primarily of customer and broker relationships, brand names, Lloyd's participation rights, computer software (including enterprise systems) and other acquired identifiable non-monetary assets without physical form. Intangible assets are initially recognized at cost (fair value when acquired through a business combination) and subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment, where amortization is calculated using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful life of those intangible assets with a finite life. The carrying value of intangible assets with a finite life are re-evaluated by the company when there are potential indicators of impairment. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization but are assessed for impairment annually or more frequently if there are potential indicators of impairment. The estimated useful lives of the company's intangible assets are as follows: Customer and broker relationships 8 to 20 years Brand names and Lloyd's participation rights Indefinite Computer software 3 to 15 years Brand names are considered to be indefinite-lived based on their strength, history and expected future use.
Investment in associates	Investments in associates Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method and are comprised of investments in corporations, limited partnerships and trusts where the company has the ability to exercise significant influence but not control. Under the equity method of accounting, an investment in associate is initially recognized at cost and adjusted thereafter for the post-acquisition change in the company's share of net assets of the associate. The company's share of profit (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) of associates are reported in the corresponding lines in the consolidated statement of earnings and consolidated statement of comprehensive income, respectively. A pre-existing equity interest is re-measured to fair value at the date significant influence is obtained and included in the carrying value of the associate. The fair value of associates is estimated at each reporting date (or more frequently when conditions warrant) using valuation techniques consistent with those applied to the company's other investments in equity instruments. See 'Determination of fair value' under the heading of 'Investments' for further details. If there is objective evidence that the carrying value of an associate is impaired, the associate is written down to its recoverable amount and the unrealized impairment loss is recognized in share of profit (loss) of associates in the consolidated statement of earnings. Impairment losses are reversed in future periods if the circumstances that led to the impairment no longer exist. The reversal is limited to restoring the carrying amount to what would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized in prior periods. Upon loss of significant influence, any retained interest classified as a financial asset is re-measured to fair value and all amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income in relation to that investee are reclassified to the consolidated statement of earnings. Gains and losses on loss of significant influence or disposition of an associate are recognized in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Foreign currency translation	Foreign currency translation Functional and presentation currency - The consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars which is the holding company's functional currency and the presentation currency of the consolidated group. Foreign currency transactions - Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currencies of the holding company and its subsidiaries using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings. Non-monetary items carried at cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items carried at fair value are translated at the date the fair value is determined. Translation of foreign subsidiaries - The functional currencies of some of the company's subsidiaries (principally in Canada, the United Kingdom and Asia) differ from the consolidated group U.S. dollar presentation currency. As a result, the assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries (including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on their acquisition, where applicable) are translated on consolidation at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange for the period. The net unrealized gain or loss resulting from this translation is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, and only recycled to the consolidated statement of earnings upon reduction of an investment in a foreign subsidiary. Net investment hedge - The company has designated a portion of the principal amount of its Canadian dollar denominated borrowings as a hedge of its net investment in its Canadian subsidiaries. The cumulative unrealized gain or loss relating to the effective portion of the hedge is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, and only recycled to the consolidated statement of earnings upon reduction of an investment in a hedged foreign subsidiary. Gains and losses relating to any ineffective portion of the hedge are recorded in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Comprehensive income (loss)	Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net earnings (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) and includes all changes in total equity during a period, except for those resulting from investments by owners or distributions to owners. Unrealized foreign currency translation amounts arising from foreign subsidiaries and associates that do not have U.S. dollar functional currencies and the effective portion of changes in the fair value of hedging instruments on hedges of net investments in foreign subsidiaries are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until recycled to the consolidated statement of earnings on reduction of an investment in a foreign subsidiary or associate. Actuarial gains and losses and changes in asset limitation amounts on defined benefit pension and post retirement plans are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) without recycling. Upon settlement of the defined benefit plan or disposal of the related associate or subsidiary, those amounts are reclassified directly to retained earnings. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, is included on the consolidated balance sheet as a component of common shareholders' equity.
Consolidated statement of cash flows	Consolidated statement of cash flows The company's consolidated statement of cash flows is prepared in accordance with the indirect method, classifying cash flows by operating, investing and financing activities. Cash and cash equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents consist of holding company and subsidiary cash on hand, demand deposits with banks and other short term highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased, and exclude cash and short term highly liquid investments that are restricted.
Investments	Investments Investments include cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, equity instruments, debt instruments, securities sold short, derivatives, investment property and investments in associates. Management determines the appropriate classifications of investments at their acquisition date. The company has not designated any financial assets or liabilities (including derivatives) as accounting hedges except for the hedge of its net investment in Canadian subsidiaries as described in note 7. Classification - Short term investments, equity instruments, bonds, securities sold short and derivatives are classified as FVTPL. An investment in a debt instrument is measured at amortized cost if (i) the objective of the company's business model is to hold the instrument in order to collect contractual cash flows and (ii) the contractual terms of the instrument give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. The company's business model currently does not permit any of its short term investments or bonds to be measured at amortized cost. Recognition and measurement - The company recognizes purchases and sales of investments on the trade date, which is the date on which the company commits to purchase or sell the asset. Transactions pending settlement are reflected on the consolidated balance sheet in other assets or in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Investments classified as FVTPL are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet, with transaction costs expensed as incurred and changes in fair value reported in the consolidated statement of earnings as interest and dividends and net gains (losses) on investments. Interest and dividends comprises dividends received on holdings of common stocks and preferred stocks, and interest income on short term investments and bonds calculated using the effective interest method, net of investment expenses. All other changes in fair value of investments classified as FVTPL are reported in net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings, such that the sum of interest income and net gains (losses) on short term investments and bonds is equal to their total change in fair value for the reporting period. Interest and dividends and net gains (losses) on investments are reported as operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. An investment is derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investment have expired or have been transferred and when the company has transferred substantially the risks and rewards of ownership. Short term investments - Debt instruments with maturity dates between three months and twelve months when purchased are presented as short term investments. Bonds - Debt instruments with maturity dates greater than twelve months when purchased are presented as bonds. Securities sold short - Securities sold short ("short sales") represent obligations to deliver securities which were not owned at the time of the sale. Derivatives - Derivatives may include interest rate, credit default, currency and total return swaps, consumer price index linked ("CPI-linked"), futures, forwards, warrants and option contracts, all of which derive their value mainly from changes in underlying interest rates, foreign exchange rates, credit ratings, commodity values, inflation indexes or equity instruments. A derivative contract may be traded on an exchange or over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange-traded derivatives are standardized and include futures and certain warrants and option contracts. OTC derivative contracts are individually negotiated between contracting parties and may include the company's forwards, CPI-linked derivatives and total return swaps. The company uses derivatives principally to mitigate financial risks arising from its investment holdings and reinsurance recoverables, and monitors its derivatives for effectiveness in achieving their risk management objectives. The fair value of derivatives in a gain position is presented on the consolidated balance sheet in derivatives and other invested assets in portfolio investments and in cash and investments of the holding company. The fair value of derivatives in a loss position and obligations to purchase securities sold short, if any, are presented on the consolidated balance sheet in short sale and derivative obligations. The initial premium paid for a derivative contract, if any, would be recorded as a derivative asset and subsequently adjusted for changes in the fair value of the contract at each balance sheet date. Changes in the fair value of a derivative are recorded as net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings at each balance sheet date, with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying value of the derivative asset or liability. Cash received from counterparties as collateral for derivative contracts is recognized within holding company cash and investments or subsidiary cash and short term investments, and a corresponding liability is recognized within accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Securities received from counterparties as collateral are not recorded as assets. Cash and securities delivered to counterparties as collateral for derivative contracts continue to be reflected as assets on the consolidated balance sheet within holding company cash and investments or within portfolio investments as assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations. Equity contracts - The company's long equity total return swaps allow the company to receive the total return on a notional amount of an equity index or individual equity (including dividends and capital gains or losses) in exchange for the payment of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. Conversely, short equity total return swaps allow the company to pay the total return on a notional amount of an equity index or individual equity in exchange for the receipt of a floating rate of interest on the notional amount. The company classifies dividends and interest paid or received related to its long and short equity and equity index total return swaps on a net basis as interest and dividends in the consolidated statement of earnings. The company's equity and equity index total return swaps contain contractual reset provisions requiring counterparties to cash-settle monthly or quarterly any fair value movements arising subsequent to the prior settlement. Any cash amounts paid to settle unfavourable fair value changes and, conversely, any cash amounts received in settlement of favourable fair value changes, are recorded as net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings. To the extent that a contractual reset date of a contract does not correspond to the balance sheet date, the company records net gains (losses) on investments in the consolidated statement of earnings to adjust the carrying value of the derivative asset or liability associated with each total return swap contract to reflect its fair value at the balance sheet date. Final cash settlements of total return swaps are recognized as net gains (losses) on investments net of any previously recorded unrealized fair value changes since the last quarterly reset date. Total return swaps require no initial net investment and have a fair value of nil at inception. CPI-linked derivative contracts - The company's derivative contracts referenced to consumer price indexes (“CPI”) in the geographic regions in which it operates serve as an economic hedge against the potential adverse financial impact on the company of decreasing price levels. These contracts may be structured to provide a payout at maturity if there is cumulative deflation over the life of the contract or if cumulative average inflation is below a specified floor rate over the life of the contract. As the average remaining life of a CPI-linked derivative declines, the fair value of the contract (excluding the impact of changes in the underlying CPI) will generally decline. Determination of fair value - Fair values for substantially all of the company's financial instruments are measured using market or income approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, actual values realized in future market transactions may differ from the estimates presented in these consolidated financial statements. The use of different market assumptions and/or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair values. The fair values of financial instruments are based on bid prices for financial assets and ask prices for financial liabilities. The company categorizes its fair value measurements using a three level hierarchy in accordance with IFRS ("fair value hierarchy") as described below: Level 1 - Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments exchanged in active markets. The fair values of securities sold short, the majority of the company's common stocks, equity call options and certain warrants are based on published quotes in active markets. Level 2 - Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs) such as quoted prices for similar financial instruments exchanged in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments exchanged in inactive markets and other market observable inputs. The fair value of the vast majority of the company's investments in bonds are priced based on information provided by independent pricing service providers while much of the remainder, along with most derivative contracts (including total return swaps, U.S. treasury bond forward contracts and certain warrants) are based primarily on non-binding third party broker-dealer quotes that are prepared using Level 2 inputs. Where third party broker-dealer quotes are used, typically one quote is obtained from a broker-dealer with particular expertise in the instrument being priced. Preferred stocks are priced using a combination of independent pricing service providers and internal valuation models that rely on directly or indirectly observable inputs. The fair values of investments in certain limited partnerships classified as common stocks on the consolidated balance sheet are based on the net asset values received from the general partner, adjusted for liquidity as required and are classified as Level 2 when they may be liquidated or redeemed within three months or less of providing notice to the general partner. Otherwise, such investments in limited partnerships are classified as Level 3. Level 3 - Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of financial instruments. Management is required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs as there is little, if any, market activity in these instruments or related observable inputs that can be corroborated at the measurement date. CPI-linked derivatives are classified as Level 3 and valued using broker-dealer quotes which management has determined utilize market observable inputs except for the inflation volatility input which is not market observable. Transfers between fair value hierarchy categories are considered effective from the beginning of the reporting period in which the transfer is identified. Valuation techniques used by the company's independent pricing service providers and third party broker-dealers include use of prices from similar instruments where observable market prices exist, discounted cash flow analysis, option pricing models, and other valuation techniques commonly used by market participants. The company assesses the reasonableness of pricing received from these third party sources by comparing the fair values received to recent transaction prices for similar assets where available, to industry accepted discounted cash flow models (that incorporate estimates of the amount and timing of future cash flows and market observable inputs such as credit spreads and discount rates) and to option pricing models (that incorporate market observable inputs including the quoted price, volatility and dividend yield of the underlying security and the risk free rate). Fair values of CPI-linked derivative contracts received from third party broker-dealers are assessed by comparing the fair values to recent market transactions where available and values determined using third party pricing software based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model for European-style options that incorporates market observable and unobservable inputs such as the current value of the relevant CPI underlying the derivative, the inflation swap rate, nominal swap rate and inflation volatility. The fair values of CPI-linked derivative contracts are sensitive to assumptions such as market expectations of future rates of inflation and related inflation volatilities. The company employs dedicated personnel responsible for the valuation of its investment portfolio. Detailed valuations are performed for those financial instruments that are priced internally, while external pricing received from independent pricing service providers and third party broker-dealers are evaluated by the company for reasonableness. The company's Chief Financial Officer oversees the valuation function and regularly reviews valuation processes and results, including at each quarterly reporting period. Significant valuation matters, particularly those requiring extensive judgment, are communicated to the company's Audit Committee.
Accounts receivable and accounts payable	Accounts receivable and accounts payable Accounts receivable and accounts payable are recognized initially at fair value. Due to their short-term nature, carrying value is considered to approximate fair value.
Insurance contracts	Insurance contracts Insurance contracts are those contracts that have significant insurance risk at the inception of the contract. Insurance risk arises when the company agrees to compensate a policyholder if a specified uncertain future event adversely affects the policyholder, with the possibility of paying (including variability in timing of payments) significantly more in a scenario where the insured event occurs than when it does not occur. Contracts not meeting the definition of an insurance contract under IFRS are classified as investment contracts, derivative contracts or service contracts, as appropriate. Revenue recognition - Premiums written are deferred as unearned premiums and recognized as revenue, net of premiums ceded, on a pro rata basis over the terms of the underlying policies. Net premiums earned are reported gross of premium taxes which are included in operating expenses as the related premiums are earned. Certain reinsurance premiums are estimated at the individual contract level, based on historical patterns and experience from the ceding companies for contracts where reports from ceding companies for the period are not contractually due until after the balance sheet date. The cost of reinsurance purchased by the company (premiums ceded) is included in recoverable from reinsurers and is amortized over the contract period in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Unearned premium represents the portion of premiums written relating to periods of insurance and reinsurance coverage subsequent to the balance sheet date. Impairment losses on insurance premiums receivable are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings. Deferred premium acquisition costs - Certain costs of acquiring insurance contracts, consisting of brokers' commissions and premium taxes, are deferred and charged to earnings as the related premiums are earned. Deferred premium acquisition costs are limited to their estimated realizable value based on the related unearned premium, which considers anticipated losses and loss adjustment expenses and estimated remaining costs of servicing the business based on historical experience. The ultimate recoverability of deferred premium acquisition costs is determined without regard to investment income. Brokers' commissions are included in commissions, net, in the consolidated statement of earnings. Premium taxes and impairment losses on deferred premium acquisition costs are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings. Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses - The company is required by applicable insurance laws, regulations and Canadian accepted actuarial practice to establish reserves for payment of losses and loss adjustment expenses that arise from the company's general insurance and reinsurance products and its run-off operations. These reserves are based on assumptions that represent the best estimates of possible outcomes aimed at evaluating the expected ultimate cost to settle claims occurring prior to, but still outstanding as of, the balance sheet date. The company establishes its reserves by product line, type and extent of coverage and year of occurrence. Loss reserves fall into two categories: reserves for reported losses (case reserves) and reserves for incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) losses. Additionally, reserves are held for loss adjustment expenses, which include the estimated legal and other expenses expected to be incurred to finalize the settlement of the losses. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are charged to losses on claims, gross, in the consolidated statement of earnings. The company's reserves for reported losses and loss adjustment expenses are based on estimates of future payments to settle reported general insurance and reinsurance claims and claims from its run-off operations. Case reserve estimates are based on the facts available at the time the reserves are established and for reinsurance, based on reports and individual case reserve estimates received from ceding companies. The company establishes these reserves on an undiscounted basis to recognize the estimated costs of bringing pending claims to final settlement, taking into account inflation, as well as other factors that can influence the amount of reserves required, some of which are subjective and some of which are dependent on future events. In determining the level of reserves, the company considers historical trends and patterns of loss payments, pending levels of unpaid claims and types of coverage. In addition, court decisions, economic conditions and public attitudes may affect the ultimate cost of settlement and, as a result, the company's estimation of reserves. Between the reporting and final settlement of a claim, circumstances may change, which would result in changes to established reserves. Items such as changes in law and interpretations of relevant case law, results of litigation, changes in medical costs, as well as costs of vehicle and building repair materials and labour rates can substantially impact ultimate settlement costs. Accordingly, the company regularly reviews and re-evaluates case reserves. Any resulting adjustments are included in the consolidated statement of earnings in the period the adjustment is made. Amounts ultimately paid for losses and loss adjustment expenses can vary significantly from the level of reserves originally set or currently recorded. The company also establishes reserves for IBNR claims on an undiscounted basis to recognize the estimated final settlement cost for loss events which have already occurred but which have not yet been reported. Historical information and statistical models, based on product line, type and extent of coverage, as well as reported claim trends, claim severities, exposure growth, and other factors, are relied upon to estimate IBNR reserves. These estimates are revised as additional information becomes available and as claims are actually reported and paid. Estimation techniques - Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses and provisions for unearned premiums are determined based upon previous claims experience, knowledge of events, the terms and conditions of the relevant policies and on interpretation of circumstances. Particularly relevant is experience with similar cases and historical claims payment trends. The approach also includes consideration of the development of loss payment trends, the potential longer term significance of large events, the levels of unpaid claims, legislative changes, judicial decisions and economic and political conditions. Where possible the company applies several commonly accepted actuarial projection methodologies in estimating required provisions to give greater insight into the trends inherent in the data being projected. These include methods based upon the following: the development of previously settled claims, where payments to date are extrapolated for each prior year; estimates based upon a projection of numbers of claims and average cost; notified claims development, where notified claims to date for each year are extrapolated based upon observed development of earlier years; and, expected loss ratios. In addition, the company uses other techniques such as aggregate benchmarking methods for specialist classes of business. In selecting its best estimate, the company considers the appropriateness of the methods to the individual circumstances of the line of business and accident or underwriting year. Large claims impacting each relevant line of business are generally assessed separately, being measured either at the face value of the loss adjusters' estimates or projected separately in order to allow for the future development of large claims. Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are calculated gross of any reinsurance recoveries. A separate estimate is made of the amounts that will be recoverable from reinsurers based upon the gross provisions and having due regard to collectability. The provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are subject to review at the subsidiary level by subsidiary actuaries, at the corporate level by the company's Chief Risk Officer and by independent third party actuaries. In addition, for major classes of business where the risks and uncertainties inherent in the provisions are greatest, ad hoc detailed reviews are undertaken by internal and external advisers who are able to draw upon their specialist expertise and a broader knowledge of current industry trends in claims development. The results of these reviews are considered when establishing the appropriate levels of provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses and unexpired risks.
Reinsurance	Reinsurance Reinsurance does not relieve the originating insurer of its liability and is reflected on the consolidated balance sheet on a gross basis to indicate the extent of credit risk related to reinsurance and the obligations of the insurer to its policyholders. Reinsurance assets include balances due from reinsurance companies for paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and ceded unearned premiums. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. Reinsurance is recorded gross on the consolidated balance sheet unless a legal right to offset against a liability owing to the same reinsurer exists. Ceded premiums and losses are recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings in premiums ceded to reinsurers and losses on claims ceded to reinsurers respectively and in recoverable from reinsurers on the consolidated balance sheet. Commission income earned on premiums ceded to reinsurers is included in commissions, net in the consolidated statement of earnings. Unearned premiums are reported before reduction for premiums ceded to reinsurers and the reinsurers' portion is classified with recoverable from reinsurers on the consolidated balance sheet along with the estimates of the reinsurers' shares of provision for claims determined on a basis consistent with the related claims liabilities. Impairment - Reinsurance assets are assessed regularly for any events that may trigger impairment, including legal disputes with third parties, changes in capital, surplus levels and in credit ratings of a counterparty, and historic experience regarding collectability from specific reinsurers. If there is objective evidence that a reinsurance asset is impaired, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount by recording a provision for uncollectible reinsurance in the consolidated statement of earnings. Risk transfer - Reinsurance contracts are assessed to ensure that insurance risk is transferred by the ceding or assuming company to the reinsurer. Those contracts that do not transfer insurance risk are accounted for using the deposit method whereby a deposit asset or liability is recognized based on the consideration paid or received less any explicitly identified premiums or fees to be retained by the ceding company. Premiums - Premiums payable in respect of reinsurance ceded are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet in the period in which the reinsurance contract is entered into and include estimates for contracts in force which have not yet been finalized. Premiums ceded are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings over the period of the reinsurance contract.
Income taxes	Income taxes The provision for income taxes for the period comprises current and deferred income tax. Income taxes are recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings, except when related to items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In those cases, the income taxes are also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively. Current income tax is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period in the countries where the company's subsidiaries and associates operate and generate taxable income. Deferred income tax is calculated under the liability method whereby deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases at current substantively enacted tax rates. With the exception of initial recognition of deferred income tax arising from business combinations, changes in deferred income tax associated with components of other comprehensive income are recognized in other comprehensive income while all other changes in deferred income tax are included in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of earnings. Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilized. Carry forwards of unused losses or unused tax credits are tax effected and recognized as deferred tax assets when it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which these losses or tax credits can be utilized. Deferred income tax is not recognized on unremitted earnings of subsidiaries where the company has determined it is not probable those earnings will be repatriated in the foreseeable future. Current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when the income taxes are levied by the same taxation authority and there is a legally enforceable right of offset. On December 22, 2017 the United States enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("U.S. tax reform") that, among other changes, introduced a new minimum base erosion and anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”) on certain payments to foreign affiliates and a U.S. tax on foreign earnings for certain global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI"), applicable to U.S. corporate income tax for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. The company will recognize charges related to BEAT and GILTI, if any, in the periods in which they are incurred, and does not include their impacts in measuring its net deferred income tax asset.
Investment property	Investment property Real estate held by the company for investment purposes, such as capital appreciation or long-term rental yield, is initially recorded at cost (including transaction costs) and subsequently carried at historical cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. On the consolidated balance sheet investment property held is included in portfolio investments by the insurance and reinsurance companies and in other assets by the non-insurance companies. Investment property rental income and gains or losses on disposal are recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings as interest and dividends and net gains (losses) on investments respectively by the insurance and reinsurance companies, and as other revenue by the non-insurance companies.
Other assets	Other assets Other assets consist of inventories, receivables and investment properties of non-insurance companies included in the Other reporting segment, premises and equipment, accrued interest and dividends, income taxes refundable, receivables for securities sold, pension assets, deferred compensation assets, prepaid expenses and other miscellaneous receivables. Premises and equipment – Premises and equipment is recorded at historical cost less accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses. The company reviews premises and equipment for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The cost of premises and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over the asset's estimated useful life and charged to operating expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Other revenue and expenses	Other revenue and expenses Revenue from the sale of hospitality, travel and other non-insurance products and services are recognized when the price is fixed or determinable, collection is reasonably assured and the product or service has been delivered to the customer. The revenue and related cost of inventories sold or services provided are recorded in other revenue and other expenses respectively in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Borrowings	Borrowings Borrowings are initially recognized at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred, and subsequently carried at amortized cost. Interest expense on borrowings is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings using the effective interest rate method.
Equity	Equity Common stock issued by the company is classified as equity when there is no contractual obligation to transfer cash or other financial assets to the holder of the shares. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue or repurchase for cancellation of equity instruments are recognized in equity, net of tax. Treasury shares are equity instruments reacquired by the company which have not been cancelled and are deducted from equity on the consolidated balance sheet, irrespective of the objective of the transaction. The company acquires its own subordinate voting shares on the open market for its share-based payment awards. No gain or loss is recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of treasury shares. Consideration paid or received is recognized directly in equity. Dividends and other distributions to holders of the company's equity instruments are recognized directly in equity.
Share-based payments	Share-based payments The company has restricted share plans or equivalent for management of the holding company and its subsidiaries with vesting periods of up to ten years from the date of grant. The fair value of restricted share awards on the grant date is amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period, with a corresponding increase in the share-based payments equity reserve. At each balance sheet date, the company reviews its estimates of the number of restricted share awards expected to vest.
Net earnings per share attribute to shareholders of Fairfax	Net earnings per share attributable to shareholders of Fairfax Net earnings (loss) per share - Basic net earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing the net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax, after the deduction of preferred share dividends declared and the excess over stated value of preferred shares purchased for cancellation, by the weighted average number of subordinate and multiple voting shares issued and outstanding during the period, excluding subordinate voting shares purchased by the company and held as treasury shares. Net earnings (loss) per diluted share - Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of subordinate and multiple voting shares outstanding during the period for the dilutive effect, if any, of share-based payments.
Pensions and post retirement benefits	Pensions and post retirement benefits The company's subsidiaries have a number of arrangements in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and certain other jurisdictions that provide pension and post retirement benefits to retired and current employees. The holding company has no such arrangements or plans. Pension arrangements of the subsidiaries include defined benefit statutory pension plans, as well as supplemental arrangements that provide pension benefits in excess of statutory limits. These plans are a combination of defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. The assets of these plans are held separately from the company's general assets in separate pension funds and invested principally in high quality fixed income securities and cash and short term investments. Certain of the company's post retirement benefit plans covering medical care and life insurance are internally funded. Defined contribution plan - A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the company pays fixed contributions. Contributions to defined contribution pension plans are charged to operating expenses in the period in which the employment services qualifying for the benefit are provided. The company has no further payment obligations once the contributions have been paid. Defined benefit plan - A defined benefit plan is a plan that defines an amount of pension or other post retirement benefit that an employee will receive on retirement, usually dependent on one or more factors such as age, years of service and salary. Actuarial valuations of benefit liabilities for the majority of pension and post retirement benefit plans are performed each year using the projected benefit method prorated on service, based on management's assumptions. Defined benefit obligations, net of the fair value of plan assets, and adjusted for pension asset limitations, if any, are accrued on the consolidated balance sheet in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 14). Plans in a net asset position, subject to any minimum funding requirements, are recognized in other assets (note 13). Defined benefit expense recognized in the consolidated statement of earnings includes the net interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset) calculated using a discount rate based on market yields on high quality bonds, past service costs arising from plan amendments or curtailments and gains or losses on plan settlements. Re-measurements, consisting of actuarial gains and losses on plan liabilities, the actual return on plan assets (excluding the net interest component) and any change in asset limitation amounts, are recognized in other comprehensive income and subsequently included in accumulated other comprehensive income. These re-measurements will not be recycled to the consolidated statement of earnings in the future, but are reclassified to retained earnings upon settlement of the plan or disposal of the related subsidiary.
Operating leases	Operating leases The company and its subsidiaries are lessees under various operating leases relating to premises, automobiles and equipment. Payments made under an operating lease, net of any incentives received from the lessor, are recorded in operating expenses on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.
New accounting pronouncements	New accounting pronouncements adopted in 2017 The company adopted the following amendments, effective January 1, 2017 . These changes were adopted in accordance with the applicable transitional provisions of each amendment, and did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements. IFRS Annual Improvements 2014-2016 In December 2016 the IASB issued an amendment to clarify the scope of the disclosure requirements in IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities . Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses (Amendments to IAS 12) In January 2016 the IASB issued amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes to clarify the requirements on recognition of deferred income tax assets for unrealized losses. Disclosure Initiative (Amendments to IAS 7) In January 2016 the IASB issued amendments to IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows that require additional disclosures for cash and non-cash changes in liabilities arising from financing activities. New accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective The following new standards have been issued by the IASB and were not yet effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2017 . The company is currently evaluating their impact on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect to adopt any of them in advance of their respective effective dates. Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration ("IFRIC 22") In December 2016 the IASB issued an interpretation by the IFRS Interpretations Committee to clarify the accounting for transactions that include the receipt or payment of advance consideration in a foreign currency. IFRIC 22 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with a choice of prospective or retrospective application. Adoption of IFRIC 22 is not expected to have a significant impact on the company's consolidated financial statements. Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions (Amendments to IFRS 2) In June 2016 the IASB issued narrow-scope amendments to clarify the classification and measurement requirements of IFRS 2 Share-based Payment . The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with prospective application in accordance with certain transitional provisions. Adoption of the amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the company's consolidated financial statements. IFRS 9 Financial Instruments ("IFRS 9") In July 2014 the IASB issued the complete version of IFRS 9 which will supersede the 2010 version of IFRS 9 currently applied by the company ("IFRS 9 (2010)"). IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with retrospective application, and includes requirements for the classification and measurement of financial assets and liabilities, an expected credit loss model that replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model, and new hedge accounting guidance. The company is nearing completion of its analysis of IFRS 9's accounting requirements and has determined that its current classifications of equity investments, derivatives, financial liabilities and hedge of net investment under IFRS 9 (2010) will remain substantially unchanged. The company continues to monitor and consider evolving guidance and interpretations related to IFRS 9 as it works through the classification analysis for its investments in debt instruments. IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("IFRS 15") In May 2014 the IASB issued IFRS 15 which introduces a single model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. IFRS 15 excludes insurance contracts and financial instruments from its scope and is applicable primarily to the company’s non-insurance companies. In April 2016 the IASB issued amendments to clarify certain aspects of IFRS 15 and to provide additional practical expedients upon transition. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with retrospective application. The company has substantially completed its analysis of the accounting requirements under IFRS 15 and does not expect the adoption of IFRS 15 to have a significant impact on the company's consolidated financial statements or to require any significant transition adjustments. IFRS 16 Leases ("IFRS 16") In January 2016 the IASB issued IFRS 16 which largely eliminates the distinction between finance and operating leases for lessees. With limited exceptions, a lessee will be required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a liability for its obligation to make lease payments. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with a choice of modified retrospective or full retrospective application. The company has commenced impact assessments and reviews of lease data at its operating companies in preparation for the adoption of IFRS 16. IFRIC Interpretation 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments ("IFRIC 23") In June 2017 the IASB issued IFRIC 23 to clarify how the requirements of IAS 12 Income Taxes should be applied when there is uncertainty over income tax treatments. The interpretation is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with modified retrospective or retrospective application. Adoption of IFRIC 23 is not expected to have a significant impact on the company's consolidated financial statements. IFRS Annual Improvements 2015-2017 In December 2017 the IASB issued amendments to clarify the requirements of four IFRS standards. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, primarily with prospective application. Adoption of the amendments is not expected to have a significant impact on the company's consolidated financial statements. IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts ("IFRS 17") In May 2017 the IASB issued IFRS 17, a comprehensive standard that establishes principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of insurance contracts. The measurement approach is based on the following: (i) a current, unbiased probability-weighted estimate of future cash flows expected to arise as the insurer fulfills the contract; (ii) the effect of the time value of money; (iii) a risk adjustment that measures the effects of uncertainty about the amount and timing of future cash flows; and (iv) a contractual service margin which represents the unearned profit in a contract (that is recognized in net earnings as the insurer fulfills its performance obligations under the contract). Estimates are required to be re-measured each reporting period. In addition, a simplified measurement approach is permitted for short-duration contracts in which the coverage period is approximately one year or less. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2021, with retrospective application and some practical expedients available on adoption. The company has commenced implementation planning, education workshops and impact assessments at its largest insurance and reinsurance companies in preparation for the adoption of IFRS 17.
Critical accounting estimates and judgments	In the preparation of the company's consolidated financial statements, management has made a number of critical accounting estimates and judgments which are discussed below, with the exception of the determination of fair value for financial instruments (notes 3 and 5), carrying value of associates (notes 3 and 6), charges related to U.S. tax reform (note 18) and contingencies (note 20). Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses Provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are estimated based on Canadian accepted actuarial practices, which are designed to ensure the company establishes an appropriate reserve on the consolidated balance sheet to cover insured losses with respect to reported and unreported claims incurred as of the end of each accounting period and related claims expenses. The assumptions underlying the estimation of provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reviewed and updated by the company on an ongoing basis to reflect recent and emerging trends in experience and changes in the risk profile of the business. The estimation techniques employed by the company in determining provisions for losses and loss adjustment expenses and the inherent uncertainties associated with insurance contracts are described in the “Underwriting Risk” section of note 24 while the historic development of the company's insurance liabilities are presented in note 8. Recoverability of deferred income tax assets In determining the recoverability of deferred income tax assets, management exercises judgment in assessing recent and expected profitability of applicable operating companies and their ability to utilize any recorded income tax assets. The company reviews its deferred income tax assets quarterly, taking into consideration the availability of sufficient current and projected taxable profits, reversals of taxable temporary differences and tax planning strategies. Details of deferred income tax assets are presented in note 18. Business combinations Judgment may be required to determine whether a transaction qualifies as a business combination when it involves elements such as contractual arrangements between shareholders or potential voting rights. Accounting for business combinations requires fair values to be estimated for the consideration transferred, assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The company uses all available information, including external valuations and appraisals where appropriate, to determine these fair values. Changes in estimates of fair value due to additional information related to facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date would impact the amount of goodwill (or gain on bargain purchase) recognized. If necessary, the company has up to one year from the acquisition date to finalize the determination of fair values for a business combination. Details of business combinations are presented in note 23. Assessment of goodwill for potential impairment Goodwill is assessed annually for impairment or more frequently if there are potential indicators of impairment. Management estimates the recoverable amount of each of the company's cash-generating units using one or more generally accepted valuation techniques, which requires the making of a number of assumptions, including assumptions about future revenue, net earnings, corporate overhead costs, capital expenditures, cost of capital, and growth rate. The recoverable amount of each cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been assigned is compared to its carrying value (inclusive of assigned goodwill). If the recoverable amount of a cash-generating unit is determined to be less than its carrying value, the excess is recognized as a goodwill impairment loss in the consolidated statement of earnings. Given the variability of future-oriented financial information, goodwill impairment tests are subjected to sensitivity analysis. The critical estimates pertain to those cash-generating units where there is little difference between the recoverable amount and the related carrying amount. Details of goodwill are presented in note 12.

Summary of Significant Accoun38

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Corporate Information And Statement Of IFRS Compliance [Abstract]
Schedule of estimated useful lives of intangible assets	The estimated useful lives of the company's intangible assets are as follows: Customer and broker relationships 8 to 20 years Brand names and Lloyd's participation rights Indefinite Computer software 3 to 15 years

Cash and Investments (Tables)

Cash and Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments and Cash1 [Abstract]
Schedule of cash and short term investments	Holding company cash and investments, portfolio investments and short sale and derivative obligations are classified as FVTPL, except for investments in associates and other invested assets which are classified as other, and are shown in the table below: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Holding company Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) 995.4 533.2 Short term investments 115.4 285.4 Bonds 380.9 264.8 Preferred stocks 2.8 1.0 Common stocks (1) 784.9 153.2 Derivatives (note 7) 11.2 39.6 2,290.6 1,277.2 Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations: Short term investments 77.8 82.6 Bonds — 11.8 77.8 94.4 2,368.4 1,371.6 Short sale and derivative obligations (note 7) (11.5 ) (42.2 ) 2,356.9 1,329.4 Portfolio investments Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) 7,384.1 3,943.4 Short term investments 9,998.4 5,994.6 Bonds 9,164.1 9,323.2 Preferred stocks 296.8 69.6 Common stocks (1) 4,838.7 4,158.8 Investments in associates (note 6) 2,487.0 2,393.0 Derivatives (note 7) 192.6 163.7 Other invested assets 62.8 16.0 34,424.5 26,062.3 Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations: Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) 16.8 — Short term investments 145.7 189.6 Bonds 32.2 38.9 194.7 228.5 Fairfax India cash, portfolio investments and associates 1,762.5 1,002.6 Fairfax Africa cash, portfolio investments and associates 631.5 — 2,394.0 1,002.6 37,013.2 27,293.4 Short sale and derivative obligations (note 7) (114.7 ) (192.1 ) 36,898.5 27,101.3 Total investments 39,255.4 28,430.7 (1) Common stocks include investments in limited partnerships and other funds with carrying values of $1,903.7 and $90.9 respectively at December 31, 2017 ( December 31, 2016 - $1,171.6 and $157.1 ). Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa cash, portfolio investments and associates were comprised as follows: Fairfax India Fairfax Africa December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) 44.0 173.2 329.7 — Short term investments 34.3 33.6 57.2 — Bonds 694.2 528.8 19.4 — Common stocks 40.5 26.5 4.9 — Investments in associates (note 6) 949.5 240.5 219.8 — Derivatives and other invested assets — — 0.5 — 1,762.5 1,002.6 631.5 —
Schedule of pledge assets, by nature of pledge requirement	The table that follows summarizes assets pledged to third parties by the nature of the pledge requirement (excluding assets pledged in favour of Lloyd's (note 20), for short sale and derivative obligations and for certain intercompany reinsurance arrangements). Pledged assets primarily consist of cash and fixed income securities within portfolio investments on the consolidated balance sheets. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Regulatory deposits 4,256.8 4,748.2 Security for reinsurance and other 1,449.2 732.8 5,706.0 5,481.0
Disclosure of financial assets	The table below does not reflect the impact of $1,693.8 (December 31, 2016 - $3,013.4 ) notional amount of U.S. treasury bond forward contracts (described in note 7) that reduce the company's exposure to interest rate risk. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value Due in 1 year or less 3,383.9 3,537.6 1,649.4 1,779.0 Due after 1 year through 5 years 3,540.7 3,720.2 3,245.9 3,447.6 Due after 5 years through 10 years 1,017.6 1,054.3 1,046.7 1,031.3 Due after 10 years 1,872.1 1,978.7 3,575.1 3,909.6 9,814.3 10,290.8 9,517.1 10,167.5 Effective interest rate 4.0 % 4.7 % The following table summarizes the company’s derivative financial instruments: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cost Notional amount Fair value Cost Notional Fair value Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Equity derivatives: Equity index total return swaps – short positions — 52.6 0.4 — — 43.3 0.6 — Equity total return swaps – short positions — 892.5 11.8 12.1 — 1,623.0 10.4 78.1 Equity total return swaps – long positions — 697.8 17.8 15.6 — 213.1 9.4 5.1 Equity and equity index call options 0.4 8.2 3.9 — 16.2 1,104.4 12.8 — Warrants 64.8 607.1 73.7 — 6.5 32.2 6.5 — CPI-linked derivative contracts 678.4 117,254.6 39.6 — 670.0 110,365.5 83.4 — U.S. treasury bond forwards — 1,693.8 — 28.8 — 3,013.4 — 49.7 Foreign exchange forward contracts — — 57.1 69.7 — — 80.2 101.4 Total 204.3 126.2 203.3 234.3
Disclosure of fair value measurement of assets	A summary of changes in Level 3 financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31 follows: 2017 Private placement debt securities Private company preferred Limited partnerships and other Private equity funds Private company common shares Derivatives and other invested assets Total Balance - January 1 1,053.1 44.0 981.4 167.8 155.4 97.8 2,499.5 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings 190.2 1.3 243.4 (5.5 ) 22.6 (9.9 ) 442.1 Purchases 430.2 268.4 221.2 — 11.1 72.3 1,003.2 Sales and distributions (209.7 ) (34.1 ) (443.4 ) — (19.4 ) — (706.6 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 22.4 — 583.8 — 29.9 9.7 645.8 Transfer into category 384.0 — — — — 7.1 391.1 Unrealized foreign currency translation gains on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income 70.9 3.6 12.3 8.2 2.6 0.6 98.2 Balance - December 31 1,941.1 283.2 1,598.7 170.5 202.2 177.6 4,373.3 2016 Private placement debt securities Private company preferred Limited partnerships and other Private equity funds Private company common shares Derivatives and other invested assets Total Balance - January 1 696.4 7.7 960.9 171.0 138.0 285.4 2,259.4 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings (52.9 ) 2.5 102.7 (12.5 ) (21.6 ) (204.4 ) (186.2 ) Purchases 955.6 115.7 124.4 16.4 38.8 21.1 1,272.0 Sales and distributions (548.2 ) (82.5 ) (202.9 ) (10.2 ) — (4.9 ) (848.7 ) Transfer into category 9.4 0.4 — — — — 9.8 Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income (7.2 ) 0.2 (3.7 ) 3.1 0.2 0.6 (6.8 ) Balance - December 31 1,053.1 44.0 981.4 167.8 155.4 97.8 2,499.5 The company’s use of quoted market prices (Level 1), valuation models with significant observable market information as inputs (Level 2) and valuation models with significant unobservable information as inputs (Level 3) in the valuation of securities and derivative contracts by type of issuer was as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Total fair value (liability) Quoted prices (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Total fair Quoted Significant Significant Cash and cash equivalents 8,770.0 8,770.0 — — 4,649.8 4,649.8 — — Short term investments: Canadian government 7.1 7.1 — — 8.2 8.2 — — Canadian provincials 281.9 281.9 — — 261.7 261.7 — — U.S. treasury 9,225.5 9,225.5 — — 5,930.3 5,930.3 — — Other government 403.0 307.0 96.0 — 212.2 212.2 — — Corporate and other 511.3 — 466.3 45.0 173.4 — 173.4 — 10,428.8 9,821.5 562.3 45.0 6,585.8 6,412.4 173.4 — Bonds: Canadian government 84.4 — 84.4 — 311.4 — 311.4 — Canadian provincials 93.8 — 93.8 — 196.9 — 196.9 — U.S. treasury 1,779.3 — 1,779.3 — 1,117.3 — 1,117.3 — U.S. states and municipalities 2,452.1 — 2,452.1 — 4,732.2 — 4,732.2 — Other government 1,799.4 — 1,799.4 — 1,176.2 — 1,176.2 — Corporate and other 4,081.8 — 2,185.7 1,896.1 2,633.5 — 1,580.4 1,053.1 10,290.8 — 8,394.7 1,896.1 10,167.5 — 9,114.4 1,053.1 Preferred stocks: Canadian 240.7 — 11.3 229.4 22.2 — 10.9 11.3 U.S. 5.0 — — 5.0 0.3 — — 0.3 Other 53.9 1.5 3.6 48.8 48.1 0.6 15.1 32.4 299.6 1.5 14.9 283.2 70.6 0.6 26.0 44.0 Common stocks: Canadian 958.7 825.9 110.3 22.5 665.3 545.0 98.6 21.7 U.S. 1,583.3 474.8 66.9 1,041.6 1,172.6 629.6 33.9 509.1 Other funds 90.9 — 90.9 — 157.1 — 157.1 — Other 3,036.1 1,713.7 415.1 907.3 2,343.5 1,037.2 532.5 773.8 5,669.0 3,014.4 683.2 1,971.4 4,338.5 2,211.8 822.1 1,304.6 Derivatives and other invested assets 267.1 — 89.5 177.6 219.3 — 121.5 97.8 Short sale and derivative obligations (126.2 ) — (126.2 ) — (234.3 ) — (234.3 ) — Holding company cash and investments and portfolio investments measured at fair value 35,599.1 21,607.4 9,618.4 4,373.3 25,797.2 13,274.6 10,023.1 2,499.5 100.0 % 60.7 % 27.0 % 12.3 % 100.0 % 51.5 % 38.9 % 9.6 % Investments in associates (note 6) (1) 4,629.3 2,004.3 45.3 2,579.7 3,267.3 1,100.1 40.9 2,126.3 (1) The carrying value of investments in associates is determined using the equity method of accounting so fair value is presented separately in the table above.
Disclosure of fair value measurement of liabilities	The company’s use of quoted market prices (Level 1), valuation models with significant observable market information as inputs (Level 2) and valuation models with significant unobservable information as inputs (Level 3) in the valuation of securities and derivative contracts by type of issuer was as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Total fair value (liability) Quoted prices (Level 1) Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) Total fair Quoted Significant Significant Cash and cash equivalents 8,770.0 8,770.0 — — 4,649.8 4,649.8 — — Short term investments: Canadian government 7.1 7.1 — — 8.2 8.2 — — Canadian provincials 281.9 281.9 — — 261.7 261.7 — — U.S. treasury 9,225.5 9,225.5 — — 5,930.3 5,930.3 — — Other government 403.0 307.0 96.0 — 212.2 212.2 — — Corporate and other 511.3 — 466.3 45.0 173.4 — 173.4 — 10,428.8 9,821.5 562.3 45.0 6,585.8 6,412.4 173.4 — Bonds: Canadian government 84.4 — 84.4 — 311.4 — 311.4 — Canadian provincials 93.8 — 93.8 — 196.9 — 196.9 — U.S. treasury 1,779.3 — 1,779.3 — 1,117.3 — 1,117.3 — U.S. states and municipalities 2,452.1 — 2,452.1 — 4,732.2 — 4,732.2 — Other government 1,799.4 — 1,799.4 — 1,176.2 — 1,176.2 — Corporate and other 4,081.8 — 2,185.7 1,896.1 2,633.5 — 1,580.4 1,053.1 10,290.8 — 8,394.7 1,896.1 10,167.5 — 9,114.4 1,053.1 Preferred stocks: Canadian 240.7 — 11.3 229.4 22.2 — 10.9 11.3 U.S. 5.0 — — 5.0 0.3 — — 0.3 Other 53.9 1.5 3.6 48.8 48.1 0.6 15.1 32.4 299.6 1.5 14.9 283.2 70.6 0.6 26.0 44.0 Common stocks: Canadian 958.7 825.9 110.3 22.5 665.3 545.0 98.6 21.7 U.S. 1,583.3 474.8 66.9 1,041.6 1,172.6 629.6 33.9 509.1 Other funds 90.9 — 90.9 — 157.1 — 157.1 — Other 3,036.1 1,713.7 415.1 907.3 2,343.5 1,037.2 532.5 773.8 5,669.0 3,014.4 683.2 1,971.4 4,338.5 2,211.8 822.1 1,304.6 Derivatives and other invested assets 267.1 — 89.5 177.6 219.3 — 121.5 97.8 Short sale and derivative obligations (126.2 ) — (126.2 ) — (234.3 ) — (234.3 ) — Holding company cash and investments and portfolio investments measured at fair value 35,599.1 21,607.4 9,618.4 4,373.3 25,797.2 13,274.6 10,023.1 2,499.5 100.0 % 60.7 % 27.0 % 12.3 % 100.0 % 51.5 % 38.9 % 9.6 % Investments in associates (note 6) (1) 4,629.3 2,004.3 45.3 2,579.7 3,267.3 1,100.1 40.9 2,126.3 (1) The carrying value of investments in associates is determined using the equity method of accounting so fair value is presented separately in the table above.
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets	The table below presents the valuation techniques, range of values applied for significant unobservable inputs and the typical relationship between significant unobservable inputs and estimated fair values for the company's significant Level 3 financial assets: Asset class Carrying value at December 31, 2017 Valuation technique Significant unobservable input Input range used Effect on estimated fair value if input value is increased (a) Low High Private placement debt securities (b)(1) 1,340.4 Discounted cash flow Credit spread 1.6 % 18.9 % Decrease Private placement debt securities (b)(2) 402.0 Net asset valuation of secured loans Recoverability of assets 60.0 % 100.0 % Increase Limited partnerships and other (c)(3) 1,598.7 Net asset value Net asset value / Price N/A N/A Increase Private company preferred shares (d)(4) 207.3 Discounted cash flow Credit spread 3.5 % 3.6 % Decrease Private equity funds (c)(3) 100.9 Net asset value Net asset value / Price N/A N/A Increase Private equity funds (c)(5) 69.6 Market comparable Price/Earnings multiple 10.0 10.0 Increase Private company common shares (c)(5) 81.2 Market comparable Book value multiple 1.3 1.3 Increase Private company common shares (c)(5) 40.5 Market comparable Price/Earnings multiple 26.2 26.2 Increase Warrants (e)(6) 73.1 Option pricing model Equity volatility 24.6 % 39.3 % Increase CPI-linked derivatives (e)(7) 39.6 Option pricing model Inflation volatility 0.0 % 3.7 % Increase (a) Decreasing the input value would have the opposite effect on the estimated fair value. (b) Classified within holding company cash and investments or bonds on the consolidated balance sheet. (c) Classified within holding company cash and investments or common stocks on the consolidated balance sheet. (d) Classified within preferred stocks on the consolidated balance sheet. (e) Classified within holding company cash and investments or derivatives and other invested assets on the consolidated balance sheet. (1) Valued using industry accepted discounted cash flow models that incorporate credit spreads of the issuers, which are not market observable. At December 31, 2017 this asset class consisted of 7 investments, the largest being $663.6 . By increasing (decreasing) the credit spreads within a reasonably possible range, the fair value of these private placement debt securities would decrease by $41.6 (increase by $44.3 ). (2) At December 31, 2017 this asset class consisted of 2 investments, the larger being $253.0 . (3) Valued primarily based on net asset value statements provided by the respective third party fund managers and general partners. The fair values in those statements are determined using quoted prices of the underlying assets, and to a lesser extent, observable inputs where available and unobservable inputs, in conjunction with industry accepted valuation models, where required. In some instances, such investments are classified as Level 3 because they may require at least three months' notice to liquidate. The company has not applied reasonably possible alternative assumptions to the estimated fair value of these investments due to their diverse nature and resulting dispersion of prices. At December 31, 2017 limited partnerships and other consisted of 47 investments, the largest being $355.3 . (4) Valued using industry accepted discounted cash flow models that incorporate market unobservable credit spreads of the preferred shares. (5) Fair values are determined by reference to various valuation measures for comparable companies and transactions, including relevant valuation multiples. In some instances, such investments are classified as Level 3 because the valuation multiples applied by the company are adjusted for differences in attributes between the investment and the underlying companies or transactions from which the valuation multiples were derived. (6) Valued using industry accepted option pricing models that incorporate market unobservable long-dated equity volatilities. A higher equity volatility generally results in a higher fair value due to the higher probability of obtaining a greater return from the warrant. (7) Valued based on broker-dealer quotes which management has determined utilize market observable inputs except for inflation volatility which is an unobservable input.
Disclosure of interest income	An analysis of investment income for the years ended December 31 follows: Interest and dividends and share of profit of associates 2017 2016 Interest income: Cash and short term investments 117.5 33.4 Bonds 441.9 622.4 Derivatives and other (44.8 ) (141.4 ) 514.6 514.4 Dividends: Preferred stocks 2.1 11.2 Common stocks 71.1 55.6 73.2 66.8 Investment expenses (28.8 ) (26.0 ) Interest and dividends 559.0 555.2 Share of profit of associates (note 6) 200.5 24.2
Disclosure of net gains (losses) on investments	Net gains (losses) on investments 2017 2016 Net realized gains (losses) Net change in unrealized gains (losses) Net gains Net realized gains (losses) Net change in unrealized gains (losses) Net gains Bonds 445.7 (167.7 ) 278.0 683.7 (400.4 ) 283.3 Preferred stocks 0.2 (0.5 ) (0.3 ) (68.0 ) (4)(5) 61.6 (4)(5) (6.4 ) Common stocks 126.5 585.7 712.2 (162.2 ) (4)(6) 91.2 (4)(6) (71.0 ) 572.4 417.5 989.9 453.5 (247.6 ) 205.9 Derivatives: Common stock and equity index short positions (485.6 ) (1) 67.7 (417.9 ) (915.8 ) (1) (264.0 ) (1,179.8 ) Common stock and equity index long positions 21.6 (1) (2.0 ) 19.6 10.4 (1) 12.9 23.3 Equity index put options — — — (20.3 ) 7.2 (13.1 ) Equity warrants and call options 22.9 15.4 38.3 — (4.0 ) (4.0 ) CPI-linked derivatives — (71.0 ) (71.0 ) — (196.2 ) (196.2 ) U.S. treasury bond forwards (174.5 ) 21.3 (153.2 ) 96.7 (49.7 ) 47.0 Other (8.4 ) 8.1 (0.3 ) (70.6 ) 63.2 (7.4 ) (624.0 ) 39.5 (584.5 ) (899.6 ) (430.6 ) (1,330.2 ) Foreign currency net gains (losses) on: Investing activities 0.8 88.0 88.8 54.4 (191.3 ) (136.9 ) Underwriting activities (74.9 ) — (74.9 ) 19.7 — 19.7 Foreign currency contracts (21.0 ) 9.9 (11.1 ) 6.5 (18.8 ) (12.3 ) (95.1 ) 97.9 2.8 80.6 (210.1 ) (129.5 ) Gain on disposition of associates 999.9 (2)(3) — 999.9 — — — Other 2.1 57.3 59.4 3.2 47.0 50.2 Net gains (losses) on investments 855.3 612.2 1,467.5 (362.3 ) (841.3 ) (1,203.6 ) (1) Amounts recorded in net realized gains (losses) include net gains (losses) on total return swaps where the counterparties are required to cash-settle on a quarterly or monthly basis the market value movement since the previous reset date notwithstanding that the total return swap positions remain open subsequent to the cash settlement. The company discontinued its economic equity hedging strategy during the fourth quarter of 2016 and closed out $6,350.6 notional amount of short positions effected through equity index total return swaps (comprised of Russell 2000, S&P 500 and S&P/TSX 60 short equity index total return swaps) (see notes 7 and 24). (2) During 2017 the company sold a 24.3% equity interest in ICICI Lombard for net proceeds of $908.5 and recorded a net realized gain of $595.6. The company's remaining 9.9% equity interest in ICICI Lombard was reclassified to common stock measured at FVTPL and re-measured to fair value for a net realized gain of $334.5 (see note 6). (3) During 2017 the company acquired control of Grivalia Properties by increasing its equity interest to 52.7% and commenced consolidating Grivalia Properties in the Other reporting segment. As a result, the company re-measured its equity accounted carrying value of Grivalia Properties to fair value and recorded a net realized gain of $51.3 (see note 6). (4) During 2016 the company recognized net realized losses of $220.3 and $103.7 on common and preferred stock investments pursuant to the issuer's plan of restructuring and subsequent emergence from bankruptcy protection. Prior period unrealized losses on the common and preferred stock investments of $209.5 and $99.6 were reclassified to net realized losses with a net impact of nil on the consolidated statement of earnings. (5) During 2016 the company was required to convert a preferred stock investment into common shares of the issuer, resulting in a net realized gain on investment of $35.1 (the difference between the share price of the underlying common stock at the date of conversion and the exercise price of the preferred stock). Prior period unrealized gains on the preferred stock investment of $41.7 were reclassified to net realized gains with a net impact of nil on the consolidated statement of earnings. (6) During 2016 the company increased its ownership interest in APR Energy to 49.0% and commenced applying the equity method of accounting, resulting in the reclassification of an unrealized loss of $68.1 on APR Energy to realized losses with a net impact of nil on the consolidated statement of earnings.

Investments in Associates (Tabl

Investments in Associates (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Interests In Other Entities [Abstract]
Schedule of investments in associates	Changes in the investments in associates balances for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 Associates Joint arrangements Fairfax India associates Fairfax Africa associates Total Balance - January 1 1,769.6 623.4 240.5 — 2,633.5 Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint arrangements: Share of profit of associates and joint arrangements 25.6 128.2 45.5 1.2 200.5 Share of other comprehensive income (loss), excluding gains (losses) on defined benefit plans 22.9 46.4 (0.1 ) (1.3 ) 67.9 Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans 12.4 — (0.1 ) — 12.3 60.9 174.6 45.3 (0.1 ) 280.7 Dividends and distributions received (50.5 ) (57.0 ) (26.8 ) — (134.3 ) Purchases and acquisitions 367.4 301.6 682.9 219.9 1,571.8 Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization (290.5 ) (2.4 ) (0.7 ) — (293.6 ) Reclassifications (1) (440.4 ) — (20.4 ) — (460.8 ) Foreign exchange effect 20.5 9.8 28.7 — 59.0 Balance - December 31 1,437.0 1,050.0 949.5 219.8 3,656.3 (1) Comprised of the consolidation of Grivalia Properties, the reduction of the company's investment in ICICI Lombard and the consolidation of Fairchem subsequent to its merger with Privi Organics. 2016 Associates Joint arrangements Fairfax India associates Fairfax Africa associates Total Balance - January 1 1,538.7 191.5 202.7 — 1,932.9 Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint arrangements: Share of profit (loss) of associates and joint arrangements 32.1 (21.5 ) 13.6 — 24.2 Share of other comprehensive loss, excluding losses on defined benefit plans (24.9 ) (14.4 ) — — (39.3 ) Share of losses on defined benefit plans (43.5 ) — — — (43.5 ) (36.3 ) (35.9 ) 13.6 — (58.6 ) Dividends and distributions received (45.6 ) (47.8 ) (4.6 ) — (98.0 ) Purchases and acquisitions 306.2 528.4 20.5 — 855.1 Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization 5.6 (11.6 ) 13.7 — 7.7 Foreign exchange effect 1.0 (1.2 ) (5.4 ) — (5.6 ) Balance - December 31 1,769.6 623.4 240.5 — 2,633.5 The following summarizes the company's investments in associates: December 31, 2017 Year ended December 31, 2017 Carrying value Ownership Fair (a) Associates and joint arrangements Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa associates Total Share of profit (loss) (8) Insurance and reinsurance: Eurolife ERB Insurance Group Holdings S.A. ("Eurolife") 43.3 % 303.0 298.0 (b) — 298.0 117.6 Gulf Insurance Company ("Gulf Insurance") 41.4 % 233.1 185.4 — 185.4 7.7 Thai Re Public Company Limited ("Thai Re") (1) 34.9 % 80.5 80.3 — 80.3 (21.3 ) Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam Insurance Joint Stock Corporation (“BIC Insurance”) 35.0 % 66.7 48.6 — 48.6 1.6 Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited ("Singapore Re") 27.8 % 39.6 38.5 — 38.5 3.2 Ambridge Partners LLC ("Ambridge Partners") 50.0 % 34.9 34.9 — 34.9 4.4 Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited ("Digit") (2) 45.3 % 10.6 10.6 — 10.6 — Falcon Insurance PLC ("Falcon Thailand") 41.2 % 9.2 9.2 — 9.2 — Camargue Underwriting Managers Group Ltd. ("Camargue") 50.0 % 5.5 5.5 — 5.5 0.7 ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited ("ICICI Lombard") (3) — — — — — 24.0 783.1 711.0 — 711.0 137.9 Non-insurance: Agriculture Astarta Holding N.V. ("Astarta") (4) 28.1 % 101.2 140.6 — 140.6 15.8 Farmers Edge Inc. ("Farmers Edge") (5) 46.1 % 95.0 88.1 — 88.1 (10.5 ) 196.2 228.7 — 228.7 5.3 Real estate KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships ("KWF LPs") (6) — 213.4 213.4 (b) — 213.4 12.2 Grivalia Properties REIC ("Grivalia Properties") (7) — — — — — 12.8 Other — 88.7 88.6 (b) — 88.6 9.0 302.1 302.0 — 302.0 34.0 India Bangalore International Airport Limited ("Bangalore Airport") (12) 48.0 % 608.3 — 611.1 (c) 611.1 15.8 IIFL Holdings Limited (“IIFL Holdings”) (13) 35.5 % 1,185.1 102.7 317.2 (c) 419.9 36.5 5paisa Capital Limited ("5paisa") (13) 35.5 % 26.6 6.6 20.2 (c) 26.8 — Fairchem Limited ("Fairchem") (14) — — — — — 0.2 Other — 0.6 — 1.0 (c) 1.0 — 1,820.6 109.3 949.5 1,058.8 52.5 Africa Atlas Mara Limited ("Atlas Mara") (15) 43.3 % 168.7 — 170.3 (d) 170.3 1.6 AFGRI Holdings Proprietary Limited ("AFGRI") (16) 60.0 % 119.0 — 49.5 (d) 49.5 (0.4 ) 287.7 — 219.8 219.8 1.2 Other Resolute Forest Products Inc. ("Resolute") (8) 33.8 % 334.0 320.6 — 320.6 0.3 APR Energy plc ("APR Energy") (9) 67.8 % 336.4 309.4 (b) — 309.4 (3.1 ) Peak Achievement Athletics ("Peak Achievement") (10) 42.6 % 153.5 144.8 (b) — 144.8 (6.2 ) Arbor Memorial Services Inc. ("Arbor Memorial") 43.4 % 111.8 61.4 — 61.4 10.6 Partnerships, trusts and other (11) — 303.9 299.8 — 299.8 (32.0 ) 1,239.6 1,136.0 — 1,136.0 (30.4 ) 3,846.2 1,776.0 1,169.3 2,945.3 62.6 Investments in associates 4,629.3 2,487.0 1,169.3 3,656.3 200.5 As presented on the consolidated balance sheet: Investments in associates 2,824.3 2,487.0 Fairfax India cash and portfolio investments (12)(13) 1,517.3 949.5 Fairfax Africa cash and portfolio investments (15)(16) 287.7 219.8 4,629.3 3,656.3 (a) See note 5 for fair value hierarchy information. (b) These investments are considered joint arrangements. (c) Fairfax India associate. (d) Fairfax Africa associate. December 31, 2016 Year ended December 31, 2016 Carrying value Ownership Fair (a) Associates and joint arrangements Fairfax India associates Total Share of profit (loss) (8) Insurance and reinsurance: Eurolife ERB Insurance Group Holdings S.A. ("Eurolife") 40.0 % 171.4 150.6 (b) — 150.6 (6.4 ) Gulf Insurance Company ("Gulf Insurance") 41.4 % 235.8 195.7 — 195.7 14.0 Thai Re Public Company Limited ("Thai Re") 32.4 % 80.2 94.7 — 94.7 (1.8 ) Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam Insurance Joint Stock Corporation (“BIC Insurance”) 35.0 % 68.5 48.4 — 48.4 1.8 Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited ("Singapore Re") 27.8 % 35.5 34.6 — 34.6 2.0 Ambridge Partners LLC ("Ambridge Partners") 50.0 % 31.4 31.4 — 31.4 3.4 Falcon Insurance PLC ("Falcon Thailand") 41.2 % 8.8 8.8 — 8.8 0.7 Camargue Underwriting Managers Group Ltd. ("Camargue") 50.0 % 5.2 5.2 — 5.2 0.2 ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited ("ICICI Lombard") 34.6 % 878.0 371.1 — 371.1 44.1 1,514.8 940.5 — 940.5 58.0 Non-insurance: Real estate KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships ("KWF LPs") (6) — 202.8 202.8 (b) — 202.8 13.9 Grivalia Properties REIC ("Grivalia Properties") 40.6 % 332.4 295.9 — 295.9 16.1 535.2 498.7 — 498.7 30.0 India IIFL Holdings Limited (“IIFL Holdings”) 30.5 % 373.9 96.3 220.1 (c) 316.4 18.5 Fairchem Limited ("Fairchem") 44.9 % 45.5 — 19.4 (c) 19.4 0.3 Other — 0.4 — 1.0 (c) 1.0 — 419.8 96.3 240.5 336.8 18.8 Other Resolute Forest Products Inc. ("Resolute") (8) 33.9 % 162.5 304.5 — 304.5 (73.6 ) APR Energy plc (‘‘APR Energy’’) 45.0 % 234.0 187.3 (b) — 187.3 (29.0 ) Peak Achievement Athletics ("Peak Achievement") 38.2 % 83.0 82.7 (b) — 82.7 — Arbor Memorial Services Inc. ("Arbor Memorial") 43.4 % 93.6 56.0 — 56.0 9.0 Partnerships, trusts and other — 224.4 227.0 — 227.0 11.0 797.5 857.5 — 857.5 (82.6 ) 1,752.5 1,452.5 240.5 1,693.0 (33.8 ) Investments in associates 3,267.3 2,393.0 240.5 2,633.5 24.2 As presented on the consolidated balance sheet: Investments in associates 2,955.4 2,393.0 Fairfax India cash and portfolio investments 311.9 240.5 3,267.3 2,633.5 (a) See note 5 for fair value hierarchy information. (b) These investments are considered joint arrangements. (c) Fairfax India associate. Insurance and reinsurance associates (1) At December 31, 2017 Thai Re Public Company Limited's ("Thai Re") recoverable amount of $80.3 was determined to be lower than its carrying value, resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $17.7 recognized in share of profit (loss) of associates in the consolidated statement of earnings. (2) Through various transactions during 2017 the company acquired a 45.3% equity interest in Go Digit Infoworks Private Limited ("Digit”) for cash consideration of $10.6 (694.4 million Indian rupees) and invested in convertible preferred shares of Digit for $48.9 (3.2 billion Indian rupees). Digit is a newly formed Indian company that has established and is operating an insurance company in India named Go Digit General Insurance Limited. (3) On July 6, 2017 the company sold a 12.2% equity interest in ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited ("ICICI Lombard") to private equity investors for net proceeds of $376.3 and a net realized investment gain of $223.3. On September 19, 2017 the company sold an additional 12.1% equity interest through participation in ICICI Lombard's initial public offering for net proceeds of $532.2 and a net realized investment gain of $372.3. The company's remaining 9.9% equity interest in ICICI Lombard was reclassified from the equity method of accounting to common stock at FVTPL, resulting in a $334.5 re-measurement gain. Non-insurance associates (4) Through various transactions between January 3, 2017 and May 10, 2017, the company acquired an aggregate equity interest in Astarta Holding N.V. (“Astarta”) of 28.0% with an initial carrying value of $120.1 under the equity method of accounting, comprised of cash consideration of $104.4 ( 420.1 million Polish zlotys) and re-measurements to fair value of $15.7 . Astarta specializes in sugar production, crop growing, soybean processing and cattle farming, primarily in Ukraine. (5) On March 1, 2017 the company acquired a 46.1% equity interest in Farmers Edge Inc. ("Farmers Edge") for purchase consideration of $95.0 . Farmers Edge specializes in data science, precision agronomy (farming), geographic information systems, hardware engineering, software development, soil science and sustainability. (6) The KWF LPs are partnerships formed between the company and Kennedy-Wilson Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates ("Kennedy Wilson") to invest in U.S. and international real estate properties. The company participates as a limited partner in the KWF LPs, with limited partnership interests ranging from 50% to 90% . Kennedy Wilson is the general partner and holds the remaining limited partnership interest in each of the KWF LPs. (7) On July 4, 2017 the company acquired control of Grivalia Properties REIC ("Grivalia Properties") by increasing its equity interest to 52.6% through the purchase of an additional 10.3% equity interest from Eurobank Ergasias S.A. for cash consideration of $100.0 (€88.0). Accordingly, the company re-measured its equity accounted carrying value of Grivalia Properties to fair value, recorded a net realized gain of $51.3 and commenced consolidating Grivalia Properties (and its equity accounted investments with a fair value of $39.5 ) in the Other reporting segment. Pursuant to Greek securities law, the company then made a tender offer for all remaining outstanding shares of Grivalia Properties which expired on September 6, 2017, resulting in the company increasing its equity interest by 0.1% to 52.7% for cash consideration of $0.6 (€0.5). Grivalia Properties is a real estate investment company listed on the Athens Stock Exchange. (8) At December 31, 2016 the carrying value of the company's investment in Resolute Forest Products Inc. ("Resolute") exceeded its fair value as determined by the market price of Resolute shares. The company performed a value-in-use analysis to establish the recoverable amount of its investment in Resolute and recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $100.4 in share of profit of associates in the 2016 consolidated statement of earnings. (9) On July 20, 2017 the company increased its indirect equity interest in APR Energy plc ("APR Energy") to 67.9% through the acquisition of an additional 22.9% equity interest for purchase consideration of $109.0 . APR Energy continues to be reported under the equity method of accounting due to certain contractual arrangements between Fairfax and the second-largest shareholder which preclude either party from exercising unilateral control over APR Energy's most relevant decisions governing its operations, including the appointment of executive management and the approval of the detailed annual business plan. On October 13, 2017 APR Energy obtained further capital financing through the issuance of common shares to existing shareholders for which the company participated by investing an additional $13.2 . The net impact of the common share issuance reduced the company's indirect equity interest to 67.8% . (10) On March 1, 2017 the restructuring of Performance Sports Group Ltd. ("PSG") was substantially completed after all of the assets and certain related operating liabilities of PSG were sold to an intermediate holding company ("Performance Sports") co-owned by Fairfax and Sagard Holdings Inc. The company's $153.5 equity investment in Performance Sports represents a voting interest of 50.0% and an equity interest of 42.6% . On April 3, 2017 Performance Sports was renamed Peak Achievement Athletics Inc. ("Peak Achievement"). (11) On August 2, 2017 the company acquired an 81.2% non-voting equity interest in Sigma Companies International Corp. ("Sigma") for cash consideration of $41.4 . Sigma, through its subsidiary, is engaged in global water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Fairfax India (12) On March 24, 2017 Fairfax India acquired a 38.0% equity interest in Bangalore International Airport Limited (“Bangalore Airport”) for cash consideration of $385.5 ( 25.2 billion Indian rupees). On July 13, 2017 Fairfax India increased its equity interest in Bangalore Airport to 48.0% through the acquisition of an additional 10.0% equity interest from a wholly-owned subsidiary of GVK Power and Infrastructure Limited ("GVK") for purchase consideration of $200.1 ( 12.9 billion Indian rupees). A put option previously issued to GVK during the company's initial investment in Bangalore Airport was terminated by this transaction. Bangalore Airport, under a concession agreement with the Government of India, operates and manages the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, India through a public-private partnership. (13) On October 20, 2017 IIFL Holdings Limited ("IIFL Holdings") completed a spin-off of a wholly owned subsidiary resulting in the entity 5paisa Capital Limited ("5paisa"). IIFL Holdings investors received 5paisa shares pro rata based on existing ownership in IIFL Holdings. The transaction was recorded as a non-cash distribution that reduced the carrying value of the company's investment in IIFL Holdings. Subsequent to the spin-off transaction, the company holds a 35.5% equity interest in 5paisa recorded at an initial carrying value of $26.4 . 5paisa is a provider of a web-based, mobile technology platform that facilitates trading of securities on the BSE and NSE of India. (14) On March 14, 2017 Fairchem Speciality Limited ("Fairchem") and Privi Organics Limited ("Privi Organics") completed their previously announced merger, with the merged entity continuing under the Fairchem name and being consolidated by Fairfax India (see note 23). Fairfax Africa (15) On August 31, 2017 Fairfax Africa, through a series of transactions, acquired a 42.4% equity interest in Atlas Mara Limited ("Atlas Mara") for cash consideration of $155.8 . On December 22, 2017 Fairfax Africa acquired an additional 0.9% equity interest in Atlas Mara for cash consideration of $2.4 . Atlas Mara is a financial services institution listed on the London Stock Exchange that operates in seven sub-Saharan countries. (16) On February 17, 2017 the company contributed its indirect equity ownership interest in AFGRI Holdings Proprietary Limited ("AFGRI") to Fairfax Africa (fair value of $72.8 and carrying value of $40.5 ) in exchange for 7,284,606 multiple voting shares of Fairfax Africa valued at $10.00 per multiple voting share (see note 23). Despite the company's significant equity interest, AFGRI is reported under the equity method of accounting due to contractual arrangements between Fairfax Africa and certain other shareholders of AFGRI which preclude any shareholders from exercising unilateral control over AFGRI's most relevant decisions governing its operations, including approval of significant transactions and the five-year business plan.

Short Sales and Derivatives (Ta

Short Sales and Derivatives (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of notes and other explanatory information [Abstract]
Disclosure of financial assets	The table below does not reflect the impact of $1,693.8 (December 31, 2016 - $3,013.4 ) notional amount of U.S. treasury bond forward contracts (described in note 7) that reduce the company's exposure to interest rate risk. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value Due in 1 year or less 3,383.9 3,537.6 1,649.4 1,779.0 Due after 1 year through 5 years 3,540.7 3,720.2 3,245.9 3,447.6 Due after 5 years through 10 years 1,017.6 1,054.3 1,046.7 1,031.3 Due after 10 years 1,872.1 1,978.7 3,575.1 3,909.6 9,814.3 10,290.8 9,517.1 10,167.5 Effective interest rate 4.0 % 4.7 % The following table summarizes the company’s derivative financial instruments: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cost Notional amount Fair value Cost Notional Fair value Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Equity derivatives: Equity index total return swaps – short positions — 52.6 0.4 — — 43.3 0.6 — Equity total return swaps – short positions — 892.5 11.8 12.1 — 1,623.0 10.4 78.1 Equity total return swaps – long positions — 697.8 17.8 15.6 — 213.1 9.4 5.1 Equity and equity index call options 0.4 8.2 3.9 — 16.2 1,104.4 12.8 — Warrants 64.8 607.1 73.7 — 6.5 32.2 6.5 — CPI-linked derivative contracts 678.4 117,254.6 39.6 — 670.0 110,365.5 83.4 — U.S. treasury bond forwards — 1,693.8 — 28.8 — 3,013.4 — 49.7 Foreign exchange forward contracts — — 57.1 69.7 — — 80.2 101.4 Total 204.3 126.2 203.3 234.3
Disclosure of financial liabilities	The following table summarizes the company’s derivative financial instruments: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cost Notional amount Fair value Cost Notional Fair value Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Equity derivatives: Equity index total return swaps – short positions — 52.6 0.4 — — 43.3 0.6 — Equity total return swaps – short positions — 892.5 11.8 12.1 — 1,623.0 10.4 78.1 Equity total return swaps – long positions — 697.8 17.8 15.6 — 213.1 9.4 5.1 Equity and equity index call options 0.4 8.2 3.9 — 16.2 1,104.4 12.8 — Warrants 64.8 607.1 73.7 — 6.5 32.2 6.5 — CPI-linked derivative contracts 678.4 117,254.6 39.6 — 670.0 110,365.5 83.4 — U.S. treasury bond forwards — 1,693.8 — 28.8 — 3,013.4 — 49.7 Foreign exchange forward contracts — — 57.1 69.7 — — 80.2 101.4 Total 204.3 126.2 203.3 234.3
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments	The CPI-linked derivative contracts are summarized as follows: December 31, 2017 Floor rate (1) Average life (in years) Notional amount Weighted Index value at period end Cost Cost in bps (2) Market value Market value in bps (2) Unrealized gain (loss) Underlying CPI index Original U.S. dollars United States 0.0 % 4.7 46,725.0 46,725.0 231.39 246.52 287.5 61.5 20.6 4.4 (266.9 ) United States 0.5 % 6.8 12,600.0 12,600.0 238.30 246.52 39.9 31.7 17.2 13.7 (22.7 ) European Union 0.0 % 4.0 41,375.0 49,683.0 96.09 102.57 307.1 61.8 1.4 0.3 (305.7 ) United Kingdom 0.0 % 4.9 3,300.0 4,464.1 243.82 278.10 23.2 52.0 0.3 0.7 (22.9 ) France 0.0 % 5.1 3,150.0 3,782.5 99.27 101.76 20.7 54.7 0.1 0.3 (20.6 ) 4.6 117,254.6 678.4 39.6 (638.8 ) December 31, 2016 Floor rate (1) Average life (in years) Notional amount Weighted Index value at period end Cost Cost in bps (2) Market value Market value in bps (2) Unrealized gain (loss) Underlying CPI index Original U.S. dollars United States 0.0 % 5.7 46,725.0 46,725.0 231.39 241.43 286.9 61.4 35.2 7.5 (251.7 ) United States 0.5 % 7.8 12,600.0 12,600.0 238.30 241.43 39.5 31.3 34.3 27.2 (5.2 ) European Union 0.0 % 5.0 41,375.0 43,640.4 96.09 101.26 300.3 68.8 12.5 2.9 (287.8 ) United Kingdom 0.0 % 5.9 3,300.0 4,077.6 243.82 267.10 22.6 55.4 0.5 1.2 (22.1 ) France 0.0 % 6.1 3,150.0 3,322.5 99.27 100.66 20.7 62.3 0.9 2.7 (19.8 ) 5.6 110,365.5 670.0 83.4 (586.6 ) (1) Contracts with a floor rate of 0.0% provide a payout at maturity if there is cumulative deflation over the life of the contract. Contracts with a floor rate of 0.5% provide a payout at maturity based on an equivalent weighted average strike price of 250.49 if cumulative inflation averages less than 0.5% per year over the life of the contract. At December 31, 2017 the equivalent weighted average strike price for the United States 0.5% CPI-linked derivative contracts was 242.20 (December 31, 2016 - 241.00). (2) Expressed as a percentage of the notional amount.

Insurance Contract Liabilities

Insurance Contract Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance Contracts [Abstract]
Disclosure of amounts arising from insurance contracts	The loss development table which follows shows the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses at the end of each calendar year, the cumulative payments made in respect of those reserves in subsequent years and the re-estimated amount of each calendar year's provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses as at December 31, 2017 . Calendar year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 14,467.2 14,504.8 16,049.3 17,232.2 19,648.8 19,212.8 17,749.1 19,816.4 19,481.8 28,610.8 Less: CTR Life (1) 34.9 27.6 25.3 24.2 20.6 17.9 15.2 14.2 12.8 8.7 14,432.3 14,477.2 16,024.0 17,208.0 19,628.2 19,194.9 17,733.9 19,802.2 19,469.0 28,602.1 Cumulative payments as of: One year later 3,136.0 3,126.6 3,355.9 3,627.6 4,323.5 4,081.1 3,801.6 4,441.4 4,608.0 Two years later 5,336.4 5,307.6 5,441.4 6,076.7 7,153.1 6,787.6 6,364.5 7,283.6 Three years later 7,070.7 6,846.3 7,063.1 7,920.3 9,148.0 8,775.5 8,172.7 Four years later 8,318.7 7,932.7 8,333.3 9,333.4 10,702.8 10,212.4 Five years later 9,189.1 8,936.9 9,327.0 10,458.7 11,783.3 Six years later 10,039.4 9,721.1 10,202.6 11,263.6 Seven years later 10,705.5 10,456.1 10,823.4 Eight years later 11,379.9 10,975.6 Nine years later 11,857.8 Reserves re-estimated as of: One year later 14,746.0 14,616.0 15,893.8 17,316.4 19,021.2 18,375.6 16,696.4 19,169.3 19,343.1 Two years later 14,844.4 14,726.6 15,959.7 17,013.6 18,529.4 17,475.0 16,269.2 18,973.6 Three years later 14,912.4 14,921.6 15,705.6 16,721.0 17,820.5 17,307.9 16,114.0 Four years later 15,127.5 14,828.9 15,430.4 16,233.9 17,735.5 17,287.2 Five years later 15,091.0 14,663.1 15,036.2 16,269.6 17,830.5 Six years later 15,011.7 14,433.0 15,099.0 16,331.8 Seven years later 14,873.6 14,551.5 15,252.1 Eight years later 15,028.8 14,744.2 Nine years later 15,231.4 Favourable (unfavourable) development (799.1 ) (267.0 ) 771.9 876.2 1,797.7 1,907.7 1,619.9 828.6 125.9 Comprised of favourable (unfavourable): Effect of foreign currency translation (317.7 ) 82.0 264.2 265.1 575.6 476.0 248.5 (252.3 ) (205.7 ) Loss reserve development (481.4 ) (349.0 ) 507.7 611.1 1,222.1 1,431.7 1,371.4 1,080.9 331.6 (799.1 ) (267.0 ) 771.9 876.2 1,797.7 1,907.7 1,619.9 828.6 125.9 (1) Guaranteed minimum death benefit retrocessional business written by Compagnie Transcontinentale de Réassurance ("CTR Life"), a wholly owned subsidiary of the company that was transferred to Wentworth and placed into run-off in 2002. Changes in the provision for unearned premiums for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Provision for unearned premiums – January 1 3,740.4 3,284.8 Gross premiums written 12,207.5 9,534.3 Less: gross premiums earned (11,822.0 ) (9,209.7 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 1,906.2 111.1 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (157.9 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other 77.5 19.9 Provision for unearned premiums - December 31 5,951.7 3,740.4 The estimated fair value of insurance and reinsurance contracts is as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair value Carrying value Fair value Carrying value Insurance contracts 33,807.2 34,562.5 22,598.3 23,222.2 Ceded reinsurance contracts 6,948.7 7,358.7 3,501.3 3,719.4 Changes in the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – January 1 19,481.8 19,816.4 Decrease in estimated losses and expenses for claims occurring in the prior years (218.8 ) (559.8 ) Losses and expenses for claims occurring in the current year 9,736.5 6,247.8 Paid on claims occurring during: the current year (2,263.9 ) (1,595.6 ) the prior years (5,526.0 ) (4,441.8 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 7,377.6 143.1 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (546.6 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other 570.2 (128.3 ) Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – December 31 28,610.8 19,481.8 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Ceded Net Gross Ceded Net Provision for unearned premiums 5,951.7 1,169.0 4,782.7 3,740.4 539.8 3,200.6 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 28,610.8 6,189.7 22,421.1 19,481.8 3,179.6 16,302.2 Total insurance contract liabilities 34,562.5 7,358.7 27,203.8 23,222.2 3,719.4 19,502.8 Current 13,405.0 2,975.9 10,429.1 9,013.9 1,586.8 7,427.1 Non-current 21,157.5 4,382.8 16,774.7 14,208.3 2,132.6 12,075.7 34,562.5 7,358.7 27,203.8 23,222.2 3,719.4 19,502.8 The following is an analysis of the changes which have occurred in the company's provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses related to asbestos exposure on a gross and net basis for the years ended December 31: 2017 2016 Gross Net Gross Net Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses - January 1 1,347.7 1,065.5 1,381.0 1,043.8 Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred 153.0 141.8 219.9 218.7 Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid (208.6 ) (174.0 ) (253.2 ) (197.0 ) Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses - December 31 1,292.1 1,033.3 1,347.7 1,065.5
Disclosure of sensitivity to insurance risk	The table that follows illustrates the potential impact of interest rate fluctuations on the fair value of the company's insurance and reinsurance contracts: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Change in interest rates Fair value of insurance contracts Fair value of reinsurance contracts Fair value of insurance contracts Fair value of reinsurance contracts 100 basis point increase 32,820.7 6,764.1 21,973.4 3,425.7 100 basis point decrease 34,877.5 7,147.6 23,274.9 3,582.4

Reinsurance (Tables)

Reinsurance (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance Contracts [Abstract]
Disclosure of reinsurers' share of amounts arising from insurance contracts	Reinsurers’ share of insurance contract liabilities was comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross recoverable from reinsurers Provision for uncollectible reinsurance (1) Recoverable from reinsurers Gross recoverable from reinsurers Provision for uncollectible reinsurance (1) Recoverable from reinsurers Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 6,216.2 (26.5 ) 6,189.7 3,210.0 (30.4 ) 3,179.6 Reinsurers’ share of paid losses 593.7 (139.9 ) 453.8 432.2 (141.3 ) 290.9 Provision for unearned premiums 1,169.0 — 1,169.0 539.8 — 539.8 7,978.9 (166.4 ) 7,812.5 4,182.0 (171.7 ) 4,010.3 Current 3,418.6 1,846.6 Non-current 4,393.9 2,163.7 7,812.5 4,010.3 (1) The company's management of credit risk associated with its reinsurance recoverables is discussed in note 24. Changes in reinsurers' share of paid losses, unpaid losses, unearned premiums and the provision for uncollectible balances for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 Paid losses Unpaid losses Unearned Provision for uncollectible reinsurance Recoverable from reinsurers Balance – January 1, 2017 432.2 3,210.0 539.8 (171.7 ) 4,010.3 Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds 1,330.7 (1,330.7 ) — — — Reinsurance recoveries received (1,314.0 ) — — — (1,314.0 ) Reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums earned — 2,367.1 (2,100.6 ) — 266.5 Premiums ceded to reinsurers — — 2,224.0 — 2,224.0 Change in provision, recovery or write-off of impaired balances (0.2 ) 0.7 — 7.2 7.7 Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 162.7 2,115.2 586.0 — 2,863.9 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (29.0 ) (237.8 ) (86.8 ) 0.1 (353.5 ) Foreign exchange effect and other 11.3 91.7 6.6 (2.0 ) 107.6 Balance – December 31, 2017 593.7 6,216.2 1,169.0 (166.4 ) 7,812.5 2016 Paid losses Unpaid losses Unearned Provision for uncollectible reinsurance Recoverable from reinsurers Balance – January 1, 2016 419.4 3,259.8 398.7 (187.0 ) 3,890.9 Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds 1,018.3 (1,018.3 ) — — — Reinsurance recoveries received (1,017.4 ) — — — (1,017.4 ) Reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums earned — 952.1 (1,347.5 ) — (395.4 ) Premiums ceded to reinsurers — — 1,445.9 — 1,445.9 Change in provision, recovery or write-off of impaired balances 0.7 (11.3 ) — 15.5 4.9 Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 11.5 65.0 32.3 — 108.8 Foreign exchange effect and other (0.3 ) (37.3 ) 10.4 (0.2 ) (27.4 ) Balance – December 31, 2016 432.2 3,210.0 539.8 (171.7 ) 4,010.3

Insurance Contract Receivables

Insurance Contract Receivables (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance Contracts [Abstract]
Disclosure of insurance contract receivables and changes in premiums	Insurance contract receivables were comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Insurance premiums receivable 2,752.3 1,906.2 Reinsurance premiums receivable 1,086.4 788.8 Funds withheld receivable 659.8 181.8 Other 218.7 68.3 Provision for uncollectible balances (30.3 ) (27.6 ) 4,686.9 2,917.5 Changes in the insurance premiums receivable and reinsurance premiums receivable balances for the years ended December 31 were as follows: Insurance premiums receivable Reinsurance premiums receivable 2017 2016 2017 2016 Balance – January 1 1,906.2 1,677.1 788.8 659.5 Gross premiums written 9,329.9 6,930.2 2,877.6 2,604.1 Premiums collected (8,075.2 ) (6,050.5 ) (2,323.3 ) (1,876.5 ) Recovery (impairments) 0.5 (1.6 ) (0.7 ) (1.2 ) Amounts due to brokers and agents (932.3 ) (707.8 ) (686.4 ) (581.2 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 604.1 54.7 445.2 0.8 Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (64.7 ) — (48.5 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other (16.2 ) 4.1 33.7 (16.7 ) Balance – December 31 2,752.3 1,906.2 1,086.4 788.8

Deferred Premium Acquisition 45

Deferred Premium Acquisition Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Insurance Contracts [Abstract]
Schedule of deferred premium acquisition costs	Changes in deferred premium acquisition costs for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Balance – January 1 693.1 532.7 Premium acquisition costs deferred 2,380.2 1,851.1 Amortization (2,140.7 ) (1,696.2 ) Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23) (15.8 ) — Foreign exchange effect and other 10.7 5.5 Balance – December 31 927.5 693.1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill	Goodwill and intangible assets were comprised as follows: Goodwill Intangible assets Total Lloyd's participation rights (1) Customer Brand names (1) Computer software and other Balance - January 1, 2017 1,633.7 420.5 431.8 1,014.4 347.1 3,847.5 Additions 1,212.3 87.4 672.8 87.5 172.9 2,232.9 Disposals (1.7 ) — — — (0.2 ) (1.9 ) Amortization and impairment (0.1 ) — (67.9 ) — (91.5 ) (159.5 ) Foreign exchange effect and other 60.5 — 11.1 69.5 12.4 153.5 Balance - December 31, 2017 2,904.7 507.9 1,047.8 1,171.4 440.7 6,072.5 Gross carrying amount 2,911.8 507.9 1,266.7 1,171.4 767.7 6,625.5 Accumulated amortization — — (218.9 ) — (311.5 ) (530.4 ) Accumulated impairment (7.1 ) — — — (15.5 ) (22.6 ) 2,904.7 507.9 1,047.8 1,171.4 440.7 6,072.5 Goodwill Intangible assets Total Lloyd's participation rights (1) Customer Brand names (1) Computer software and other Balance - January 1, 2016 1,428.2 420.5 385.6 723.3 257.3 3,214.9 Additions 216.0 — 73.8 280.9 163.4 734.1 Disposals — — — — (0.1 ) (0.1 ) Amortization and impairment (7.0 ) — (35.3 ) — (68.9 ) (111.2 ) Foreign exchange effect and other (3.5 ) — 7.7 10.2 (4.6 ) 9.8 Balance - December 31, 2016 1,633.7 420.5 431.8 1,014.4 347.1 3,847.5 Gross carrying amount 1,640.7 420.5 578.6 1,014.4 599.5 4,253.7 Accumulated amortization — — (146.8 ) — (237.7 ) (384.5 ) Accumulated impairment (7.0 ) — — — (14.7 ) (21.7 ) 1,633.7 420.5 431.8 1,014.4 347.1 3,847.5 (1) Not subject to amortization.
Schedule goodwill and intangible asset allocation to CGUs	Goodwill and intangible assets are allocated to the company's cash-generating units (“CGUs”) as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Goodwill Intangible assets Total Goodwill Intangible assets Total Allied World 938.9 763.7 1,702.6 — — — Cara 222.3 1,073.6 1,295.9 211.5 990.3 1,201.8 Brit 154.3 571.3 725.6 154.3 576.6 730.9 Zenith National 317.6 115.5 433.1 317.6 121.4 439.0 Crum & Forster 188.8 129.4 318.2 186.5 145.1 331.6 Quess 229.0 21.8 250.8 23.7 18.5 42.2 Thomas Cook India 150.0 54.2 204.2 115.3 50.1 165.4 Northbridge 95.7 77.1 172.8 88.3 64.5 152.8 OdysseyRe 119.7 51.6 171.3 119.7 55.2 174.9 AMAG 44.7 110.2 154.9 72.6 63.0 135.6 All other (1) 443.7 199.4 643.1 344.2 129.1 473.3 2,904.7 3,167.8 6,072.5 1,633.7 2,213.8 3,847.5 (1) Comprised primarily of balances related to NCML, Fairchem, Mosaic Capital, Boat Rocker, The Keg, U.S. Run-off and Pethealth.

Other Assets (Tables)

Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Subclassifications of assets, liabilities and equities [abstract]
Disclosure of information for other assets	Other assets were comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Premises and equipment 403.0 847.3 1,250.3 251.9 639.6 891.5 Other reporting segment investment properties (note 23) — 1,168.4 1,168.4 — — — Other reporting segment sales receivables — 470.0 470.0 — 295.2 295.2 Other reporting segment inventories — 320.7 320.7 — 235.5 235.5 Receivables for securities sold but not yet settled 207.3 — 207.3 15.6 26.5 42.1 Prepaid expenses 83.7 102.5 186.2 59.7 64.4 124.1 Income taxes refundable 83.1 63.9 147.0 174.7 28.0 202.7 Accrued interest and dividends 105.2 16.2 121.4 97.3 9.5 106.8 Deferred compensation plans 67.1 — 67.1 63.4 — 63.4 Pension surplus (note 21) 49.1 — 49.1 50.8 — 50.8 Other 565.5 275.3 840.8 307.3 199.0 506.3 1,564.0 3,264.3 4,828.3 1,020.7 1,497.7 2,518.4 Current 788.5 1,069.0 1,857.5 487.5 792.9 1,280.4 Non-current 775.5 2,195.3 2,970.8 533.2 704.8 1,238.0 1,564.0 3,264.3 4,828.3 1,020.7 1,497.7 2,518.4

Accounts Payable and Accrued 48

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Subclassifications of assets, liabilities and equities [abstract]
Schedule of accounts payable and accrued liabilities	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Other reporting segment payables related to cost of sales — 530.8 530.8 — 416.7 416.7 Payable to reinsurers 428.2 — 428.2 498.3 — 498.3 Salaries and employee benefit liabilities 296.8 77.3 374.1 218.3 31.2 249.5 Deferred gift card, hospitality and other revenue 27.3 294.7 322.0 20.9 263.4 284.3 Pension and post retirement liabilities (note 21) 227.1 23.7 250.8 196.2 20.7 216.9 Amounts withheld and accrued taxes 205.2 43.4 248.6 169.7 48.5 218.2 Ceded deferred premium acquisition costs 161.4 — 161.4 84.7 — 84.7 Accrued rent, storage and facilities costs 33.1 59.7 92.8 17.1 47.7 64.8 Amounts payable to agents and brokers 90.4 0.1 90.5 30.5 0.1 30.6 Accrued commissions 79.8 0.4 80.2 85.4 — 85.4 Accrued premium taxes 66.6 — 66.6 55.2 — 55.2 Accrued interest expense 48.0 3.4 51.4 41.4 2.1 43.5 Accrued legal and professional fees 37.7 10.7 48.4 29.6 8.5 38.1 Amounts payable for securities purchased but not yet settled 18.2 — 18.2 14.4 — 14.4 Administrative and other 621.7 243.8 865.5 453.3 134.7 588.0 2,341.5 1,288.0 3,629.5 1,915.0 973.6 2,888.6 Current 1,429.7 1,019.7 2,449.4 1,174.7 770.8 1,945.5 Non-current 911.8 268.3 1,180.1 740.3 202.8 943.1 2,341.5 1,288.0 3,629.5 1,915.0 973.6 2,888.6

Borrowings (Tables)

Borrowings (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Borrowings [abstract]
Disclosure of the schedule of debt	December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Principal Carrying value (a) Fair value (b) Principal Carrying value (a) Fair value (b) Borrowings - holding company Fairfax unsecured notes: 7.375% due April 15, 2018 (e) 144.2 144.2 146.4 144.2 144.2 153.8 7.50% due August 19, 2019 (Cdn$400.0) (d)(1)(7) — — — 298.3 297.0 334.4 7.25% due June 22, 2020 (Cdn$275.0) (d)(7) 213.3 212.7 235.6 205.1 204.2 233.6 5.80% due May 15, 2021 (d) 500.0 498.0 534.1 500.0 497.4 538.9 6.40% due May 25, 2021 (Cdn$400.0) (d)(7) 315.7 314.4 349.4 298.3 296.5 337.3 5.84% due October 14, 2022 (Cdn$450.0) (d) 359.2 362.5 397.2 335.6 339.6 373.9 4.50% due March 22, 2023 (Cdn$400.0) 319.2 316.8 333.5 298.3 295.4 310.6 4.875% due August 13, 2024 (d) 300.0 296.2 313.4 300.0 295.6 297.8 4.95% due March 3, 2025 (Cdn$350.0) (d) 279.3 275.5 297.1 261.0 256.6 272.6 8.30% due April 15, 2026 (e) 91.8 91.6 116.3 91.8 91.6 109.9 4.70% due December 16, 2026 (Cdn$450.0) 359.2 356.6 371.7 335.6 332.7 338.9 4.25% due December 6, 2027 (Cdn$650.0) (3) 518.8 516.2 514.7 — — — 7.75% due July 15, 2037 (e) 91.3 90.4 114.1 91.3 90.4 104.2 Revolving credit facility — — — 200.0 200.0 200.0 Purchase consideration payable due 2017 and other (2) — — — 131.3 131.3 131.3 3,492.0 3,475.1 3,723.5 3,490.8 3,472.5 3,737.2 Borrowings - insurance and reinsurance companies Allied World senior notes: 5.50% due November 1, 2020 300.0 320.4 320.0 — — — 4.35% due October 29, 2025 500.0 508.4 507.3 — — — Allied World revolving credit facility and other borrowings 45.0 49.2 49.2 — — — OdysseyRe floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2021 90.0 89.8 93.0 90.0 89.8 94.1 Brit 6.625% subordinated notes due December 9, 2030 (£135.0) 182.6 188.5 199.0 166.8 175.9 169.0 Brit floating rate revolving credit facility (4) 45.0 45.0 45.0 — — — First Mercury trust preferred securities due 2036 and 2037 41.4 41.4 41.4 41.4 41.4 41.4 Zenith National 8.55% debentures due August 1, 2028 (d) 38.4 38.2 38.2 38.4 38.2 38.2 Advent floating rate subordinated notes due June 3, 2035 (d) 48.4 47.1 47.8 46.7 45.4 41.5 Advent floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2026 (d) 46.0 45.0 46.0 46.0 44.8 46.0 1,336.8 1,373.0 1,386.9 429.3 435.5 430.2 Borrowings - non-insurance companies (c) Fairfax India floating rate term loan due July 11, 2018 (6) 400.0 400.0 400.0 225.0 223.8 223.8 Fairfax India subsidiary borrowings 186.1 186.1 186.1 80.8 80.8 80.8 Fairfax Africa floating rate term loan due January 31, 2018 (5) 150.0 150.0 150.0 — — — Grivalia Properties term loans and revolving facility 160.4 160.4 160.4 — — — Cara floating rate term loan due September 2, 2019 (Cdn$150.0) 119.7 119.3 119.3 111.9 111.4 111.4 Cara floating rate credit facility expiring September 2, 2021 182.8 181.7 181.7 180.5 179.1 179.1 The Keg 7.5% note due May 31, 2042 (Cdn$57.0) 45.5 45.5 45.5 42.5 42.5 42.5 The Keg floating rate revolving facility and term loan due 31.9 31.7 31.7 20.9 20.7 20.7 Loans and revolving credit facilities primarily at floating rates 291.7 291.3 291.4 201.8 201.3 200.7 1,568.1 1,566.0 1,566.1 863.4 859.6 859.0 Total debt 6,396.9 6,414.1 6,676.5 4,783.5 4,767.6 5,026.4 (a) Principal net of unamortized issue costs and discounts (premiums). (b) Based principally on quoted market prices with the remainder based on discounted cash flow models using market observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2 respectively in the fair value hierarchy). (c) These borrowings are non-recourse to the holding company. (d) Redeemable at the issuer's option at any time at certain prices specified in the instrument's offering document. (e) This debt has no provision for redemption prior to the contractual maturity date. Changes in the carrying values of borrowings for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Holding company Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Holding company Insurance and reinsurance companies Non-insurance companies Total Balance – January 1 3,472.5 435.5 859.6 4,767.6 2,599.0 468.5 284.0 3,351.5 Net cash inflows (outflows) from issuances and repayments (174.2 ) 67.5 425.6 318.9 832.3 — 515.2 1,347.5 Non-cash changes: Acquisitions (note 23) — 860.5 221.5 1,082.0 — — 60.4 60.4 Loss on redemption 28.6 — — 28.6 — — — — Foreign exchange effect and other 148.2 9.5 59.3 217.0 41.2 (33.0 ) — 8.2 Balance – December 31 3,475.1 1,373.0 1,566.0 6,414.1 3,472.5 435.5 859.6 4,767.6
Disclosure of borrowing repayments	Principal repayments on borrowings are due as follows: 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Thereafter Total Holding company 144.2 — 213.3 815.7 359.2 1,959.6 3,492.0 Insurance and reinsurance companies 5.0 — 345.0 90.0 — 896.8 1,336.8 Non-insurance companies 855.9 187.8 131.4 242.5 49.4 101.1 1,568.1 Total 1,005.1 187.8 689.7 1,148.2 408.6 2,957.5 6,396.9

Total Equity (Tables)

Total Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Capital, Reserves And Other Equity Interest [Abstract]
Disclosure of classes of share capital	The number of shares outstanding was as follows: 2017 2016 Subordinate voting shares – January 1 22,344,796 21,465,089 Issuances during the year 5,084,961 1,000,000 Repurchases for cancellation (184,367 ) (30,732 ) Treasury shares acquired (277,364 ) (130,075 ) Treasury shares reissued 34,277 40,514 Subordinate voting shares – December 31 27,002,303 22,344,796 Multiple voting shares – beginning and end of year 1,548,000 1,548,000 Interest in multiple and subordinate voting shares held through ownership interest in shareholder – beginning and end of year (799,230 ) (799,230 ) Common stock effectively outstanding – December 31 27,751,073 23,093,566 The number of preferred shares outstanding was as follows: Series C Series D Series E Series F Series G Series H Series I Series J Series K Series M Total January 1, 2016 6,016,384 3,983,616 3,967,134 3,572,044 7,432,952 2,567,048 10,465,553 1,534,447 9,500,000 9,200,000 58,239,178 2016 activity: — — — — — — — — — — — December 31, 2016 6,016,384 3,983,616 3,967,134 3,572,044 7,432,952 2,567,048 10,465,553 1,534,447 9,500,000 9,200,000 58,239,178 2017 activity: — — — — — — — — — — — December 31, 2017 6,016,384 3,983,616 3,967,134 3,572,044 7,432,952 2,567,048 10,465,553 1,534,447 9,500,000 9,200,000 58,239,178 The carrying value of preferred shares outstanding was as follows: Series C Series D Series E Series F Series G Series H Series I Series J Series K Series M Total January 1, 2016 136.7 90.5 90.8 81.8 175.3 60.6 251.6 36.9 231.7 179.0 1,334.9 2016 activity: Other — — — — — — — — — 0.6 0.6 December 31, 2016 136.7 90.5 90.8 81.8 175.3 60.6 251.6 36.9 231.7 179.6 1,335.5 2017 activity: — — — — — — — — — — — December 31, 2017 136.7 90.5 90.8 81.8 175.3 60.6 251.6 36.9 231.7 179.6 1,335.5
Dividends paid	Dividends paid by the company on its outstanding multiple voting and subordinate voting shares were as follows: Date of declaration Date of record Date of payment Dividend per share Total cash payment January 3, 2018 January 18, 2018 January 25, 2018 $10.00 $283.2 January 4, 2017 January 19, 2017 January 26, 2017 $10.00 $237.4 January 5, 2016 January 20, 2016 January 27, 2016 $10.00 $227.8
Schedule of preferred shares	The terms of the company's cumulative five-year rate reset preferred shares at December 31, 2017 were as follows: Next possible redemption and conversion date (1)(2) Number of shares outstanding Stated capital Liquidation preference per share Fixed dividend rate per annum Floating dividend rate per annum (3) Series C December 31, 2019 6,016,384 Cdn $ 150.4 Cdn $25.00 4.58 % — Series D December 31, 2019 3,983,616 Cdn $ 99.6 Cdn $25.00 — 4.02 % Series E March 31, 2020 3,967,134 Cdn $ 99.2 Cdn $25.00 2.91 % — Series F March 31, 2020 3,572,044 Cdn $ 89.3 Cdn $25.00 — 3.03 % Series G September 30, 2020 7,432,952 Cdn $ 185.8 Cdn $25.00 3.32 % — Series H September 30, 2020 2,567,048 Cdn $ 64.2 Cdn $25.00 — 3.43 % Series I December 31, 2020 10,465,553 Cdn $ 261.6 Cdn $25.00 3.71 % — Series J December 31, 2020 1,534,447 Cdn $ 38.4 Cdn $25.00 — 3.72 % Series K March 31, 2022 9,500,000 Cdn $ 237.5 Cdn $25.00 4.67 % — Series M March 31, 2020 9,200,000 Cdn $ 230.0 Cdn $25.00 4.75 % — (1) Fixed and floating rate cumulative preferred shares are redeemable at the company's option at each stated redemption date and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date at Cdn $25.00 per share. (2) Holders of Series C, Series E, Series G, Series I, Series K and Series M fixed rate cumulative preferred shares will have the right, at their option, to convert their shares into floating rate cumulative preferred shares Series D, Series F, Series H, Series J, Series L and Series N respectively, at the conversion dates specified in the table above, and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date. Holders of Series D, Series F, Series H and Series J floating rate cumulative preferred shares will have the right, at their option, to convert their shares into fixed rate cumulative preferred shares Series C, Series E, Series G and Series I respectively, at the conversion dates specified in the table above, and on each subsequent five-year anniversary date. (3) The Series D, Series F, Series H, and Series J preferred shares, and the Series L and Series N preferred shares (of which none are currently issued), have a floating dividend rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada treasury bill yield plus 3.15% , 2.16% , 2.56% , 2.85% , 3.51% and 3.98% respectively, with rate resets at the end of each calendar quarter.
Schedule of AOCI	The amounts related to each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Pre-tax Income tax After-tax Pre-tax Income tax After-tax Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings Currency translation account (166.6 ) 2.8 (163.8 ) (356.6 ) (7.6 ) (364.2 ) Share of accumulated other comprehensive loss of associates, excluding share of net losses on defined benefit plans of associates (22.0 ) 0.5 (21.5 ) (157.1 ) 26.3 (130.8 ) (188.6 ) 3.3 (185.3 ) (513.7 ) 18.7 (495.0 ) Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings Share of net losses on defined benefit plans of associates (30.3 ) 3.5 (26.8 ) (42.6 ) 10.8 (31.8 ) Net losses on defined benefit plans (60.9 ) 8.9 (52.0 ) (28.0 ) 6.9 (21.1 ) (91.2 ) 12.4 (78.8 ) (70.6 ) 17.7 (52.9 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to shareholders of Fairfax (279.8 ) 15.7 (264.1 ) (584.3 ) 36.4 (547.9 )
Disclosure of non-controlling interests	Non-controlling interests for the years ended December 31 were as follows: Net earnings (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests 2017 2016 Year ended December 31, Subsidiary Domicile Minority voting percentage Carrying value Minority voting percentage Carrying value 2017 2016 Allied World (1) Switzerland 32.6 % 1,229.4 — — (182.3 ) — Fairfax India (2) Canada 6.4 % 1,110.7 4.7 % 743.7 (59.9 ) 24.4 Cara (3) Canada 43.3 % 578.0 43.4 % 523.9 55.7 30.8 Grivalia Properties (4) Greece 47.3 % 517.6 — — 20.0 — Brit (5) U.K. 27.5 % 435.3 27.5 % 463.4 (19.1 ) 50.4 Thomas Cook India (6) India 32.4 % 391.2 32.3 % 139.6 28.2 2.4 Fairfax Africa (7) Canada 1.2 % 191.6 — — 4.3 — All other — 147.1 129.4 27.4 9.8 4,600.9 2,000.0 (125.7 ) 117.8 Pursuant to the transactions described in note 23: (1) During the third quarter of 2017 the company acquired an indirect 67.4% equity interest in Allied World. (2) The increase in carrying value of Fairfax India's non-controlling interests at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 was primarily due to common shares issued as a result of Fairfax India's public offering and private placement on January 13, 2017, the acquisition of a 51.0% interest in Saurashtra Freight, the merger of Fairchem and Privi Organics, and the impact of foreign currency translation (principally the strengthening of the Indian rupee relative to the U.S. dollar), partially offset by non-controlling interests' share of net loss. (3) The increase in carrying value of Cara's non-controlling interests at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 was primarily due to net earnings and the impact of foreign currency translation (strengthening of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar), partially offset by repurchase of shares by Cara and dividends paid. (4) On July 4, 2017 the company increased its equity interest in Grivalia Properties to 52.6% and commenced consolidating Grivalia Properties in the Other reporting segment. (5) On March 3, 2017 Brit paid a dividend of $45.8 to its minority shareholder (OMERS). (6) The increase in carrying value of Thomas Cook India's non-controlling interests at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016 was primarily due to a reduction in the company's indirect ownership of Quess from 42.1% to 33.1% . (7) On February 17, 2017 the company acquired a 64.2% equity interest in Fairfax Africa.

Earnings per Share (Tables)

Earnings per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings per share [abstract]
Schedule of earnings per share	Net earnings (loss) per share is calculated based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding as follows: 2017 2016 Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax 1,740.6 (512.5 ) Preferred share dividends (44.6 ) (44.0 ) Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders – basic and diluted 1,696.0 (556.5 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic 25,411,246 23,017,184 Share-based payment awards 689,571 — Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted 26,100,817 23,017,184 Net earnings (loss) per common share – basic $66.74 ($24.18 ) Net earnings (loss) per common share – diluted $64.98 ($24.18 )

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Taxes [Abstract]
The company's provision for (recovery of) income taxes	The company’s provision (recovery) for income taxes for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Current income tax Current year expense 200.6 95.1 Adjustments to prior years’ income taxes (22.6 ) 19.1 178.0 114.2 Deferred income tax Origination and reversal of temporary differences (22.5 ) (265.6 ) Adjustments to prior years' deferred income taxes 24.3 2.9 Change in tax rate related to U.S. tax reform 222.4 — Other 6.1 (11.1 ) 230.3 (273.8 ) Provision (recovery) for income taxes 408.3 (159.6 )
Earnings before income taxes by jurisdiction	The company’s earnings (loss) before income taxes by jurisdiction and the associated provision (recovery) for income taxes for the years ended December 31 are summarized in the following table: 2017 2016 Canada (1) U.S. (2) U.K. (3) Other (4) Total Canada (1) U.S. (2) U.K. (3) Other (4) Total Earnings (loss) before income taxes (141.3 ) 543.5 (72.1 ) 1,693.1 2,023.2 (258.5 ) (428.4 ) 42.2 90.4 (554.3 ) Provision (recovery) for income taxes 52.9 420.5 (24.6 ) (40.5 ) 408.3 69.6 (234.6 ) (23.7 ) 29.1 (159.6 ) Net earnings (loss) (194.2 ) 123.0 (47.5 ) 1,733.6 1,614.9 (328.1 ) (193.8 ) 65.9 61.3 (394.7 ) (1) Includes Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa. (2) Principally comprised of Crum & Forster, Zenith National, OdysseyRe (notwithstanding that certain operations of OdysseyRe conduct business outside of the U.S.), U.S. Run-off and other associated holding company results. (3) Principally comprised of Brit, Riverstone UK, Advent and other associated holding company results. (4) Includes India, Asia, non-U.K. European companies and Allied World (acquired on July 6, 2017; notwithstanding that certain operations of Allied World conduct business in the U.S. and the U.K., the majority of Allied World's net earnings (loss) is sourced from its Bermuda operations).
Reconciliations of the provision for (recovery of) income taxes	Reconciliations of the provision (recovery) for income taxes calculated at the Canadian statutory income tax rate to the provision (recovery) for income taxes at the effective tax rate in the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31 are summarized in the following table: 2017 2016 Canadian statutory income tax rate 26.5 % 26.5 % Provision (recovery) for income taxes at the Canadian statutory income tax rate 536.1 (146.9 ) Tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada (445.3 ) (65.3 ) Non-taxable investment income (116.2 ) (74.7 ) Change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences 210.2 117.5 Change in tax rate for deferred income taxes related to U.S. tax reform 222.4 — Change in tax rate for deferred income taxes (excluding U.S. tax reform) 2.2 (15.1 ) Other including permanent differences (15.6 ) 11.3 Foreign exchange effect 12.8 (8.4 ) Provision relating to prior years 1.7 22.0 Provision (recovery) for income taxes 408.3 (159.6 )
Income taxes refundable and payable	Income taxes refundable and payable were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Income taxes refundable 147.0 202.7 Income taxes payable (95.6 ) (35.4 ) Net income taxes refundable 51.4 167.3
Changes net income taxes (payable) refundable	Changes in net income taxes refundable during the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Balance - January 1 167.3 12.1 Amounts recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings (178.0 ) (114.2 ) Payments made during the year 33.4 267.1 Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 18.8 3.9 Foreign exchange effect and other 9.9 (1.6 ) Balance - December 31 51.4 167.3
Changes in net deferred income tax asset	Changes in the net deferred income tax asset during the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 Operating and capital losses Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses Provision for unearned premiums Deferred premium acquisition costs Intangible assets Investments Tax credits Other Total Balance - January 1, 2017 188.8 182.3 126.6 (120.0 ) (347.6 ) 331.9 224.3 146.3 732.6 Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings (41.2 ) (72.3 ) (15.0 ) (0.6 ) 111.0 (140.1 ) (106.0 ) 33.9 (230.3 ) Amounts recorded in total equity — — — — — (15.5 ) (0.1 ) (5.1 ) (20.7 ) Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 33.1 20.5 (19.8 ) 53.6 (195.2 ) 0.9 — 5.4 (101.5 ) Foreign exchange effect and other 7.0 0.8 0.1 0.3 (11.7 ) 0.3 (0.1 ) 4.0 0.7 Balance - December 31, 2017 187.7 131.3 91.9 (66.7 ) (443.5 ) 177.5 118.1 184.5 380.8 2016 Operating and capital losses Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses Provision for unearned premiums Deferred premium acquisition costs Intangible assets Investments Tax credits Other Total Balance - January 1, 2016 235.4 204.2 92.8 (96.9 ) (325.4 ) 49.0 174.9 129.9 463.9 Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings (57.8 ) (22.7 ) 31.8 (24.1 ) 27.9 266.9 49.4 2.4 273.8 Amounts recorded in total equity — — — — — 17.7 — 19.6 37.3 Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23) 9.7 — (0.3 ) 0.7 (47.7 ) (1.1 ) — (14.5 ) (53.2 ) Foreign exchange effect and other 1.5 0.8 2.3 0.3 (2.4 ) (0.6 ) — 8.9 10.8 Balance - December 31, 2016 188.8 182.3 126.6 (120.0 ) (347.6 ) 331.9 224.3 146.3 732.6

Statutory Requirements (Tables)

Statutory Requirements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Statutory Requirements [Abstract]
Schedule of dividend capacity available	Based on the surplus and net earnings (loss) of the primary insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries as at and for the year ended December 31, 2017 , the maximum dividend capacity available in 2018 at each of those subsidiaries, payable to all shareholders (including non-controlling interests) is as follows: December 31, 2017 Allied World 688.0 OdysseyRe 324.9 Northbridge (1) 149.1 Crum & Forster 130.2 Zenith National 86.0 Brit 195.1 1,573.3 (1) Subject to prior regulatory approval.

Pensions and Post Retirement 54

Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Pension And Post Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Disclosure of defined benefit plans	The funded status of the company's defined benefit pension and post retirement plans were as follows: Defined benefit pension plans December 31 Post retirement benefit plans December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Benefit obligation (918.3 ) (803.7 ) (118.5 ) (109.3 ) Fair value of plan assets 836.1 747.9 — — Funded status of plans - deficit (82.2 ) (55.8 ) (118.5 ) (109.3 ) Impact of asset ceiling (1.0 ) (1.0 ) — — Net accrued liability (notes 13 and 14) (1) (83.2 ) (56.8 ) (118.5 ) (109.3 ) Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations: Discount rate 3.2 % 3.6 % 4.1 % 4.2 % Rate of compensation increase 2.8 % 3.6 % 3.3 % 3.5 % Health care cost trend — — 5.0 % 5.7 % (1) The defined benefit pension plan net accrued liability at December 31, 2017 of $83.2 ( December 31, 2016 - $56.8 ) was comprised of pension surpluses of $49.1 and pension deficits of $132.3 ( December 31, 2016 - $50.8 and $107.6 ).
Pension and post retirement expenses recognized	Pension and post retirement expenses recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 Defined benefit pension plan expense 17.3 27.7 Defined contribution pension plan expense 45.6 32.2 Defined benefit post retirement expense 10.3 8.0 73.2 67.9
Pre-tax actuarial net gains (losses) recognized in the consolidated statements	Pre-tax actuarial net losses recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31 were comprised as follows: 2017 2016 Defined benefit pension plans Actuarial net gains on plan assets and change in asset ceiling 18.6 54.5 Actuarial net losses on benefit obligations (53.0 ) (76.4 ) (34.4 ) (21.9 ) Post retirement benefit plans - actuarial net gains (losses) on benefit obligations 0.3 (1.4 ) (34.1 ) (23.3 )

Operating Leases (Tables)

Operating Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Leases1 [Abstract]
Aggregate future minimum operating lease commitments	Aggregate future minimum operating lease commitments at December 31, 2017 relating to premises, automobiles and equipment for various terms up to ten years were as follows: 2018 188.5 2019 173.2 2020 153.4 2021 139.5 2022 113.0 Thereafter 458.2

Acquisitions and Divestitures (

Acquisitions and Divestitures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Combinations1 [Abstract]
Disclosure of detailed information about business combinations	The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the 2016 acquisitions described above are summarized in the table that follows: Bryte Insurance AMAG St-Hubert Other (1) Acquisition date December 7, 2016 October 10, 2016 September 2, 2016 Throughout 2016 Percentage of common shares acquired 100.0 % 80.0 % 100.0 % (2) Assets: Insurance contract receivables 45.0 8.9 — 41.3 Portfolio investments (3) 220.4 99.9 — 22.1 Recoverable from reinsurers 85.8 26.4 — 1.1 Deferred income taxes 11.4 — — 8.5 Goodwill and intangible assets 16.8 (4) 161.2 (5) 319.4 (6) 146.1 Other assets 10.8 25.9 180.0 205.3 390.2 322.3 499.4 424.4 Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 88.4 16.6 30.7 48.3 Deferred income taxes — 11.1 54.9 12.2 Funds withheld payable to reinsurers 1.4 5.4 — 0.4 Insurance contract liabilities 172.4 76.3 — 59.7 Borrowings — — — 48.1 262.2 109.4 85.6 168.7 Non-controlling interests — 34.0 — 57.3 Purchase consideration 128.0 178.9 413.8 191.6 Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration — — — 6.8 390.2 322.3 499.4 424.4 (1) Includes the acquisitions of Fairfirst Insurance, Privi Organics, the QBE insurance operations and Golf Town, and Cara's acquisition of Original Joe's. (2) The company's economic interest in St-Hubert was 38.9% as a result of acquiring St-Hubert through 38.9% -owned Cara. (3) Included subsidiary cash and cash equivalents of Bryte Insurance ( $48.4 ) and AMAG ( $6.2 ). (4) Comprised of goodwill of $11.5 and intangible assets of $5.3 . (5) Comprised of goodwill of $43.0 and intangible assets of $118.2 . (6) Comprised of goodwill of $85.2 and intangible assets of $234.2 (primarily brand names of $183.1 ). The determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisitions described above is currently underway and will be finalized within twelve months of the respective acquisition dates. Provisionally recorded amounts primarily include intangible assets, deferred income taxes, goodwill and the e xcess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration. The company has substantially completed its valuation of Allied World's intangible assets. Allied World Grivalia Properties Fairfax Latam Other (1) Acquisition date July 6, 2017 July 4, 2017 Throughout 2017 Throughout 2017 Percentage of common shares acquired 94.6 % 52.6 % 100.0 % Assets: Insurance contract receivables 1,212.5 — 235.8 0.4 Portfolio investments (2) 8,568.7 139.1 250.4 76.0 Recoverable from reinsurers 2,363.6 — 597.7 0.7 Deferred income taxes — 0.3 48.3 5.0 Goodwill and intangible assets 1,726.9 (3) — 23.3 385.5 Other assets 223.5 1,020.4 51.1 288.7 14,095.2 1,159.8 1,206.6 756.3 Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 300.7 25.3 172.3 167.4 Income taxes payable 3.4 4.2 9.0 1.1 Deferred income taxes 118.0 — 21.5 4.3 Funds withheld payable to reinsurers 193.5 — 9.8 0.1 Insurance contract liabilities 8,467.7 — 826.1 3.0 Borrowings 860.5 137.6 — 83.9 9,943.8 167.1 1,038.7 259.8 Non-controlling interests 173.5 470.5 — 8.1 Purchase consideration 3,977.9 519.7 167.9 488.4 Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration — 2.5 — — 14,095.2 1,159.8 1,206.6 756.3 (1) Primarily comprised of the acquisitions of Mosaic Capital and certain AIG branches in Central and Eastern Europe, the acquisition of Pickle Barrel by Cara, the acquisition of Saurashtra Freight and consolidation of Fairchem by Fairfax India, and various acquisitions by Quess, Thomas Cook India, Mosaic Capital and Boat Rocker. (2) Included subsidiary cash and cash equivalents of Allied World ( $1,195.4 , of which $4.8 was restricted), Grivalia Properties ( $26.3 ) and Fairfax Latam ( $67.2 ). (3) Comprised of goodwill of $937.9 and intangible assets of $789.0 (primarily broker relationships of $574.0 , Lloyd's participation rights of $87.0 and brand names of $71.0 ).

Financial Risk Management (Tabl

Financial Risk Management (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [abstract]
Concentration of risk by region and line of business based on gross premiums written	The table below shows the company's concentration of risk by region and line of business based on gross premiums written prior to giving effect to ceded reinsurance premiums. The company's exposure to general insurance risk varies by geographic region and may change over time. Premiums ceded to reinsurers (including retrocessions) in 2017 by line of business amounted to $992.3 for property ( 2016 - $463.5 ), $916.3 for casualty ( 2016 - $699.9 ) and $315.4 for specialty ( 2016 - $282.5 ). Canada United States Asia (1) International (2) Total For the years ended December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Property 646.8 582.7 1,878.6 1,466.0 586.5 464.8 995.7 502.7 4,107.6 3,016.2 Casualty 602.6 528.5 4,899.4 4,002.9 400.8 352.3 805.0 465.1 6,707.8 5,348.8 Specialty 143.4 126.4 548.8 485.6 275.1 231.9 424.8 325.4 1,392.1 1,169.3 Total 1,392.8 1,237.6 7,326.8 5,954.5 1,262.4 1,049.0 2,225.5 1,293.2 12,207.5 9,534.3 Insurance 1,295.3 1,134.6 5,855.4 4,607.0 684.9 516.3 1,494.3 672.3 9,329.9 6,930.2 Reinsurance 97.5 103.0 1,471.4 1,347.5 577.5 532.7 731.2 620.9 2,877.6 2,604.1 1,392.8 1,237.6 7,326.8 5,954.5 1,262.4 1,049.0 2,225.5 1,293.2 12,207.5 9,534.3 (1) The Asia geographic segment comprises countries located throughout Asia, including China, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, and the Middle East. (2) The International geographic segment comprises Australia and countries located in Africa, Europe and South America.
Schedule of aggregate gross credit risk exposure	The company's gross credit risk exposure at December 31, 2017 (without taking into account amounts held by the company as collateral) was comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cash and short term investments 19,198.8 11,235.6 Investments in debt instruments: U.S. sovereign government 1,779.3 1,117.3 Other sovereign government rated AA/Aa or higher (1) 615.4 596.1 All other sovereign government (2) 1,268.4 891.5 Canadian provincials 93.8 196.9 U.S. states and municipalities 2,452.1 4,732.2 Corporate and other 4,081.8 2,633.5 Receivable from counterparties to derivative contracts 126.7 196.4 Insurance contract receivables 4,686.9 2,917.5 Recoverable from reinsurers 7,812.5 4,010.3 Other assets 1,723.0 1,065.4 Total gross credit risk exposure 43,838.7 29,592.7 (1) Primarily comprised of bonds issued by the governments of Germany, Australia, the U.K, and Canada with fair values of $105.3 , $97.9 , $90.9 and $84.4 ( December 31, 2016 - $201.7 , $31.7 , $23.4 and $311.4 ). (2) Primarily comprised of bonds issued by the governments of India, Poland and Brazil with fair values of $734.7 , $125.1 and $101.7 ( December 31, 2016 - $602.2 , $117.2 and $80.3 ).
Schedule of fixed income portfolio according to credit rating	The composition of the company's investments in debt instruments classified according to the higher of each security's respective S&P and Moody's issuer credit rating is presented in the table that follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Issuer Credit Rating Amortized cost Fair value % Amortized cost Fair value % AAA/Aaa 2,476.3 2,432.0 23.7 2,042.0 1,915.8 18.8 AA/Aa 2,149.5 2,408.8 23.4 3,669.1 4,383.3 43.1 A/A 823.1 819.8 8.0 649.3 728.5 7.2 BBB/Baa 1,617.1 1,764.8 17.1 910.4 1,024.0 10.1 BB/Ba 151.1 154.0 1.5 98.5 117.6 1.2 B/B 448.7 447.6 4.3 339.0 261.6 2.5 Lower than B/B (1) 554.1 432.7 4.2 392.1 320.5 3.2 Unrated (2) 1,594.4 1,831.1 17.8 1,416.7 1,416.2 13.9 Total 9,814.3 10,290.8 100.0 9,517.1 10,167.5 100.0 (1) Lower than B/B is primarily comprised of the fair value of the company's investments in EXCO Resources, Inc. of $402.0 ( December 31, 2016 - $292.4 ). (2) Unrated is primarily comprised of the fair value of the company's investments in Blackberry Limited of $663.6 ( December 31, 2016 - $461.2 ), Sanmar Chemicals Group of $333.2 ( December 31, 2016 - $299.1 ), Chorus Aviation Inc. $155.2 ( December 31, 2016 - nil ) and FBD Insurance plc. of $112.0 ( December 31, 2016 - $76.8 ).
Schedule of credit risk related to derivative contract counterparties	The following table sets out the company's credit risk related to derivative contract counterparties, assuming all such counterparties are simultaneously in default: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Total derivative assets (1) 126.7 196.4 Impact of net settlement arrangements (38.6 ) (53.8 ) Fair value of collateral deposited for the benefit of the company (2) (39.1 ) (54.0 ) Excess collateral pledged by the company in favour of counterparties 9.0 12.2 Initial margin not held in segregated third party custodian accounts 8.2 5.0 Net derivative counterparty exposure after net settlement and collateral arrangements 66.2 105.8 (1) Excludes equity warrants and equity call options which are not subject to counterparty risk. (2) Excludes $0.4 ( December 31, 2016 - $8.7 ) of excess collateral pledged by counterparties.
Schedule of gross reinsurance recoverable by reinsurer financial strength rating	The following table presents the gross recoverable from reinsurers classified according to the financial strength ratings of the reinsurers. Pools and associations, shown separately, are generally government or similar insurance funds carrying limited credit risk. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 A.M. Best Rating (or S&P equivalent) Gross recoverable from reinsurers Outstanding balances for which security is held Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers Gross recoverable from reinsurers Outstanding balances for which security is held Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers A++ 429.6 31.9 397.7 390.0 27.2 362.8 A+ 3,878.4 267.2 3,611.2 1,551.0 152.0 1,399.0 A 2,311.9 95.4 2,216.5 1,130.8 67.3 1,063.5 A- 245.5 15.1 230.4 299.7 19.9 279.8 B++ 22.2 1.2 21.0 22.0 1.4 20.6 B+ 3.1 0.8 2.3 2.0 1.2 0.8 B or lower 5.4 3.0 2.4 11.9 8.9 3.0 Not rated 948.2 493.8 454.4 703.3 218.5 484.8 Pools and associations 134.6 4.5 130.1 71.3 5.6 65.7 7,978.9 912.9 7,066.0 4,182.0 502.0 3,680.0 Provision for uncollectible reinsurance (166.4 ) (166.4 ) (171.7 ) (171.7 ) Recoverable from reinsurers 7,812.5 6,899.6 4,010.3 3,508.3
Disclosure of maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities	The following tables set out the maturity profile of the company's financial liabilities based on the expected undiscounted cash flows from the end of the year to the contractual maturity date or the settlement date: December 31, 2017 Less than 3 months 3 months to 1 year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years More than 5 years Total Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1) 1,564.5 578.8 485.3 216.8 93.5 2,938.9 Funds withheld payable to reinsurers 186.6 553.2 41.9 1.4 67.1 850.2 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 2,108.8 5,344.5 8,272.0 4,557.3 8,328.2 28,610.8 Borrowings - principal 47.1 958.0 877.5 1,556.8 2,957.5 6,396.9 Borrowings - interest 45.6 270.1 542.9 381.5 745.6 1,985.7 3,952.6 7,704.6 10,219.6 6,713.8 12,191.9 40,782.5 December 31, 2016 Less than 3 months 3 months to 1 year 1 - 3 years 3 - 5 years More than 5 years Total Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1) 1,257.4 433.9 347.4 113.3 131.8 2,283.8 Funds withheld payable to reinsurers 125.1 252.0 25.8 1.5 11.8 416.2 Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 1,383.5 3,890.0 5,664.4 3,428.0 5,115.9 19,481.8 Borrowings - principal 478.1 237.6 650.8 1,299.6 2,117.4 4,783.5 Borrowings - interest 51.5 197.6 443.1 334.5 610.0 1,636.7 3,295.6 5,011.1 7,131.5 5,176.9 7,986.9 28,602.0 (1) Excludes pension and post retirement liabilities, ceded deferred premium acquisition costs and accrued interest. Operating lease commitments are described in note 22.
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities	The following table provides a maturity profile of the company's short sale and derivative obligations based on the expected undiscounted cash flows from the end of the year to the contractual maturity date or the settlement date: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Less than 3 months 3 months to 1 year Total Less than 3 months 3 months to 1 year Total Equity total return swaps - short positions 12.1 — 12.1 78.1 — 78.1 Equity total return swaps - long positions 15.6 — 15.6 5.1 — 5.1 Foreign exchange forward contracts 58.1 11.6 69.7 89.0 12.4 101.4 U.S. treasury bond forwards 28.8 — 28.8 49.7 — 49.7 114.6 11.6 126.2 221.9 12.4 234.3
Schedule of potential impact of changes in interest rates on fixed asset portfolio	The table below displays the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the company's fixed income portfolio based on parallel 200 basis point shifts up and down, in 100 basis point increments. This analysis was performed on each individual security to determine the hypothetical effect on net earnings. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair value of fixed income portfolio Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings (1) Hypothetical % change in fair value (1) Fair value of Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings (1) Hypothetical % change in fair value (1) Change in interest rates 200 basis point increase 9,897.4 (306.2 ) (3.8 ) 9,758.6 (295.1 ) (4.0 ) 100 basis point increase 10,090.1 (155.6 ) (2.0 ) 9,962.2 (148.2 ) (2.0 ) No change 10,290.8 — — 10,167.5 — — 100 basis point decrease 10,498.6 161.3 2.0 10,338.3 124.6 1.7 200 basis point decrease 10,720.5 332.0 4.2 10,480.2 228.6 3.1 (1) Includes the impact of forward contracts to sell long dated U.S. treasury bonds with a notional amount of $1,693.8 ( December 31, 2016 - $3,013.4 ).
Schedule of impact of equity and equity related holdings on the financial position	The following table summarizes the net effect of the company's equity and equity-related holdings (long exposures net of short exposures) on the company's financial position as at December 31, 2017 and 2016 and results of operations for the years then ended. The company considers the fair value of $3,846.2 ( December 31, 2016 – $1,752.5 ) of its non-insurance investments in associates (see note 6) as a component of its equity and equity-related holdings when assessing its net equity exposures. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Year ended December 31, 2017 Year ended December 31, 2016 Exposure/Notional Carrying Exposure/Notional Carrying Pre-tax earnings (loss) Pre-tax earnings (loss) Long equity exposures: Common stocks (1) 5,578.1 5,578.1 4,181.4 4,181.4 707.8 (78.0 ) Preferred stocks – convertible 68.1 68.1 9.1 9.1 (1.6 ) (6.6 ) Bonds – convertible 833.8 833.8 638.2 638.2 233.1 (39.4 ) Investments in associates (2) 3,846.2 2,945.3 1,752.5 1,693.0 69.8 — Derivatives and other invested assets: Equity total return swaps – long positions 697.8 2.2 213.1 4.3 19.6 23.3 Equity warrants and call options (4) 77.6 77.6 19.3 19.3 38.3 (4.0 ) Total equity and equity related holdings 11,101.6 9,505.1 6,813.6 6,545.3 1,067.0 (104.7 ) Short equity exposures and equity hedges (3) : Derivatives and other invested assets: Equity total return swaps – short positions (892.5 ) (0.3 ) (1,623.0 ) (67.7 ) (408.7 ) (208.0 ) Equity index total return swaps – short positions (52.6 ) 0.4 (43.3 ) 0.6 (9.2 ) (971.8 ) Equity index put options (4) — — — — — (13.1 ) (945.1 ) 0.1 (1,666.3 ) (67.1 ) (417.9 ) (1,192.9 ) Net equity exposures and financial effects 10,156.5 5,147.3 649.1 (1,297.6 ) (1) The company excludes other funds that are invested principally in fixed income securities with a carrying value of $90.9 at December 31, 2017 ( December 31, 2016 - $157.1 ) when measuring its equity and equity-related exposure. (2) Excludes the company’s insurance and reinsurance investments in associates which are considered long term strategic holdings. See note 6 for details. (3) Prior to the fourth quarter of 2016 the short equity exposures were considered economic hedges of certain market risks associated with the company's equity and equity-related holdings. (4) The company does not consider the notional amounts of the S&P 500 call options and put options in its assessment of its net equity exposures if they are out-of-the-money.
Schedule of potential impact of changes in the fair value of equity and equity related holdings	The table that follows illustrates the potential impact on net earnings of changes in the fair value of the company's equity and equity-related holdings (long exposures net of short exposures) as a result of changes in global equity markets at December 31, 2017 and 2016 . The analysis assumes variations of 5% and 10% which the company believes to be reasonably possible based on analysis of the return on various equity indexes and management's knowledge of global equity markets. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair value of Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings Hypothetical % change in fair value Fair value of Hypothetical Hypothetical Change in global equity markets 10% increase 6,887.9 479.9 9.2 3,755.3 248.6 10.6 5% increase 6,597.9 239.0 4.6 3,569.7 119.6 5.2 No change 6,310.3 — — 3,394.7 — — 5% decrease 6,023.0 (238.5 ) (4.6 ) 3,233.5 (106.7 ) (4.7 ) 10% decrease 5,738.1 (475.0 ) (9.1 ) 3,082.9 (204.5 ) (9.2 )
Schedule of pre-tax foreign currency effect	The pre-tax foreign exchange effect on certain line items in the company's consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31 follows: 2017 2016 Net gains (losses) on investments Investing activities 88.8 (136.9 ) Underwriting activities (74.9 ) 19.7 Foreign currency forward contracts (11.1 ) (12.3 ) Foreign currency net gains (losses) included in pre-tax earnings (loss) 2.8 (129.5 )
Schedule of effect of currency appreciation	The table below shows the approximate effect of a 5% appreciation of the U.S. dollar against each of the Canadian dollar, euro, British pound sterling, Indian rupee and all other currencies, respectively, on pre-tax earnings (loss), net earnings (loss), pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented, including the assumption that the 5% appreciation of the U.S. dollar occurred at December 31, 2017 with all other variables held constant. Canadian dollar Euro British pound sterling Indian rupee All other currencies Total 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Pre-tax earnings (loss) 32.5 40.6 6.2 9.5 5.7 15.6 (64.8 ) (31.2 ) (55.7 ) 24.0 (76.1 ) 58.5 Net earnings (loss) 24.3 28.0 5.0 7.8 5.4 11.7 (57.3 ) (21.9 ) (45.4 ) 13.8 (68.0 ) 39.4 Pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss) (75.3 ) (66.1 ) (60.8 ) (1.7 ) (33.6 ) (29.9 ) (128.5 ) (99.3 ) (54.3 ) (60.0 ) (352.5 ) (257.0 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (73.8 ) (66.0 ) (54.7 ) 4.3 (33.4 ) (28.5 ) (126.8 ) (94.0 ) (50.9 ) (60.0 ) (339.6 ) (244.2 )
Schedule of capital management, financial measurements	The company manages its capital based on the following financial measurements and ratios to provide an indication of the company's ability to issue and service debt without impacting the operating companies or their portfolio investments: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Holding company cash and investments (net of short sale and derivative obligations) 2,356.9 1,329.4 Borrowings – holding company 3,475.1 3,472.5 Borrowings – insurance and reinsurance companies 1,373.0 435.5 Borrowings – non-insurance companies 1,566.0 859.6 Total debt 6,414.1 4,767.6 Net debt (1) 4,057.2 3,438.2 Common shareholders’ equity 12,475.6 8,484.6 Preferred stock 1,335.5 1,335.5 Non-controlling interests 4,600.9 2,000.0 Total equity 18,412.0 11,820.1 Net debt/total equity 22.0 % 29.1 % Net debt/net total capital (2) 18.1 % 22.5 % Total debt/total capital (3) 25.8 % 28.7 % Interest coverage (4) 7.1x n/a Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage (5) 6.0x n/a (1) Net debt is is calculated by the company as total debt less holding company cash and investments (net of short sale and derivative obligations). (2) Net total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and net debt. (3) Total capital is calculated by the company as the sum of total equity and total debt. (4) Interest coverage is calculated by the company as the sum of earnings (loss) before income taxes and interest expense divided by interest expense. (5) Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage is calculated by the company as the sum of earnings (loss) before income taxes and interest expense divided by interest expense and preferred share dividend distributions adjusted to a pre-tax equivalent at the company’s Canadian statutory income tax rate.

Segmented Information (Tables)

Segmented Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating Segments [Abstract]
Disclosure of operating segments	Investments in associates, additions to goodwill, segment assets and segment liabilities by reporting segment as at and for the years ended December 31 were as follows: Investments in associates Additions to goodwill Segment assets Segment liabilities 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge 218.6 206.9 1.1 — 4,527.2 4,149.9 2,804.6 2,630.2 OdysseyRe 355.7 373.5 — — 11,316.1 10,334.8 7,248.4 6,370.5 Crum & Forster 263.2 153.5 — 7.8 6,290.6 6,294.1 4,651.1 4,625.7 Zenith National 162.9 146.9 — — 2,586.8 2,590.7 1,653.8 1,633.1 Brit 231.4 217.8 — — 7,480.1 6,579.5 5,930.1 4,915.7 Allied World (1) 210.5 — 937.9 — 14,584.4 — 10,937.2 — Fairfax Asia 100.9 487.3 (24.2 ) 69.5 1,930.7 2,684.7 674.5 1,457.7 Other 92.0 127.4 19.6 11.5 4,321.3 2,656.2 3,223.5 1,850.1 Operating companies 1,635.2 1,713.3 934.4 88.8 53,037.2 35,289.9 37,123.2 23,483.0 Run-off 252.0 308.2 — — 5,207.2 5,709.5 3,456.5 3,970.4 Other 1,250.8 255.3 277.9 127.2 8,684.0 4,740.2 3,245.8 2,029.8 Corporate and Other and eliminations and adjustments 518.3 356.7 — — (2,838.3 ) (2,355.2 ) 1,852.6 2,081.1 Consolidated 3,656.3 2,633.5 1,212.3 216.0 64,090.1 43,384.4 45,678.1 31,564.3 (1) Allied World is included in the company's financial reporting with effect from July 6, 2017 Sources of earnings by reporting segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge OdysseyRe Crum & Forster Zenith National Brit Allied World (1) Fairfax Asia Other Operating companies Run-off Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Gross premiums written External 1,180.4 2,725.7 2,120.0 849.0 2,048.1 1,447.6 667.9 1,160.4 12,199.1 8.4 — — — 12,207.5 Intercompany 6.6 57.4 54.5 — 8.9 — 2.5 83.9 213.8 — — — (213.8 ) — 1,187.0 2,783.1 2,174.5 849.0 2,057.0 1,447.6 670.4 1,244.3 12,412.9 8.4 — — (213.8 ) 12,207.5 Net premiums written 1,064.9 2,495.9 1,863.4 837.4 1,530.9 991.9 327.5 863.3 9,975.2 8.3 — — — 9,983.5 Net premiums earned External 1,023.7 2,318.3 1,822.1 814.1 1,537.3 1,041.3 369.3 775.2 9,701.3 20.1 — — — 9,721.4 Intercompany (4.0 ) 15.1 30.7 (2.5 ) (0.4 ) (12.6 ) (41.7 ) 15.4 — — — — — — 1,019.7 2,333.4 1,852.8 811.6 1,536.9 1,028.7 327.6 790.6 9,701.3 20.1 — — — 9,721.4 Underwriting expenses (2) (1,010.7 ) (2,273.4 ) (1,849.6 ) (694.4 ) (1,738.8 ) (1,615.3 ) (289.4 ) (871.2 ) (10,342.8 ) (227.5 ) — — — (10,570.3 ) Underwriting profit (loss) 9.0 60.0 3.2 117.2 (201.9 ) (586.6 ) 38.2 (80.6 ) (641.5 ) (207.4 ) — — — (848.9 ) Interest income 56.1 131.0 53.4 26.8 41.9 76.8 31.3 38.7 456.0 37.2 29.7 (8.3 ) — 514.6 Dividends 9.5 15.6 3.4 3.8 3.7 2.2 3.2 11.8 53.2 4.6 9.1 6.3 — 73.2 Investment expenses (11.5 ) (21.7 ) (23.0 ) (7.2 ) (13.0 ) (13.1 ) (5.4 ) (12.0 ) (106.9 ) (12.9 ) (143.7 ) (2.1 ) 236.8 (28.8 ) Interest and dividends 54.1 124.9 33.8 23.4 32.6 65.9 29.1 38.5 402.3 28.9 (104.9 ) (4.1 ) 236.8 559.0 Share of profit (loss) of associates 3.2 7.2 (1.1 ) (9.8 ) 9.2 (17.6 ) 29.4 3.0 23.5 (6.1 ) 55.4 127.7 — 200.5 Other Revenue — — — — — — — — — — 3,257.6 — — 3,257.6 Expenses — — — — — — — — — — (2,996.0 ) — — (2,996.0 ) — — — — — — — — — — 261.6 — — 261.6 Operating income (loss) 66.3 192.1 35.9 130.8 (160.1 ) (538.3 ) 96.7 (39.1 ) (215.7 ) (184.6 ) 212.1 123.6 236.8 172.2 Net gains (losses) on investments 44.8 253.1 27.9 26.6 79.0 (26.5 ) 1,083.9 69.5 1,558.3 73.3 7.2 (171.3 ) — 1,467.5 Gain on sale of subsidiary — — — — — — — — 1,018.6 — 1,018.6 — — — — 1,018.6 Loss on repurchase of long term debt (note 15) — — — — — — — — — — — (28.6 ) — (28.6 ) Interest expense — (3.3 ) (1.8 ) (3.3 ) (12.5 ) (15.6 ) — (4.8 ) (41.3 ) — (65.8 ) (224.1 ) — (331.2 ) Corporate overhead (8.7 ) (27.4 ) (25.4 ) (8.2 ) (9.2 ) (27.9 ) (2.6 ) (22.2 ) (131.6 ) — — 93.1 (236.8 ) (275.3 ) Pre-tax income (loss) 102.4 414.5 36.6 145.9 (102.8 ) (608.3 ) 2,196.6 3.4 2,188.3 (111.3 ) 153.5 (207.3 ) — 2,023.2 Income taxes (408.3 ) Net earnings 1,614.9 Attributable to: Shareholders of Fairfax 1,740.6 Non-controlling interests (125.7 ) 1,614.9 (1) Allied World is included in the company's financial reporting with effect from July 6, 2017. (2) Total underwriting expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 are comprised as shown below. Accident year total underwriting expenses exclude the impact of favourable or unfavourable prior year claims reserve development. Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge OdysseyRe Crum & Forster Zenith National Brit Allied World Fairfax Asia Other Operating companies Loss & LAE - accident year 760.1 1,827.7 1,209.8 477.9 1,117.8 1,293.1 263.1 563.8 7,513.3 Commissions 164.5 492.5 292.4 83.5 424.8 32.6 4.7 148.4 1,643.4 Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 179.6 241.3 357.6 209.4 205.7 217.7 73.9 192.6 1,677.8 Total underwriting expenses - accident year 1,104.2 2,561.5 1,859.8 770.8 1,748.3 1,543.4 341.7 904.8 10,834.5 Unfavourable (favourable) claims reserve development (93.5 ) (288.1 ) (10.2 ) (76.4 ) (9.5 ) 71.9 (52.3 ) (33.6 ) (491.7 ) Total underwriting expenses - calendar year 1,010.7 2,273.4 1,849.6 694.4 1,738.8 1,615.3 289.4 871.2 10,342.8 2016 Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge OdysseyRe Crum & Forster Zenith National Brit Fairfax Asia Other Operating companies Run-off Other Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Gross premiums written External 1,052.3 2,355.8 2,011.8 831.7 1,904.3 636.1 558.4 9,350.4 183.9 — — — 9,534.3 Intercompany 2.8 24.9 43.2 — 7.9 12.6 84.9 176.3 — — — (176.3 ) — 1,055.1 2,380.7 2,055.0 831.7 1,912.2 648.7 643.3 9,526.7 183.9 — — (176.3 ) 9,534.3 Net premiums written 942.6 2,100.2 1,801.1 819.4 1,480.2 303.1 458.4 7,905.0 183.4 — — — 8,088.4 Net premiums earned External 915.8 2,083.9 1,738.6 809.3 1,396.5 348.5 406.1 7,698.7 163.5 — — — 7,862.2 Intercompany (7.0 ) (9.8 ) 30.9 (2.0 ) 2.8 (46.0 ) 31.1 — — — — — — 908.8 2,074.1 1,769.5 807.3 1,399.3 302.5 437.2 7,698.7 163.5 — — — 7,862.2 Underwriting expenses (1) (862.5 ) (1,838.9 ) (1,737.1 ) (643.2 ) (1,370.2 ) (261.4 ) (409.5 ) (7,122.8 ) (348.6 ) — — — (7,471.4 ) Underwriting profit (loss) 46.3 235.2 32.4 164.1 29.1 41.1 27.7 575.9 (185.1 ) — — — 390.8 Interest income 56.6 158.5 72.8 33.0 66.5 26.6 32.2 446.2 58.6 21.3 (11.7 ) — 514.4 Dividends 8.4 23.9 5.8 4.3 2.6 3.4 2.7 51.1 5.9 8.2 1.6 — 66.8 Investment expenses (12.8 ) (28.7 ) (12.8 ) (7.7 ) (13.7 ) (3.3 ) (8.3 ) (87.3 ) (13.3 ) (12.8 ) (1.4 ) 88.8 (26.0 ) Interest and dividends 52.2 153.7 65.8 29.6 55.4 26.7 26.6 410.0 51.2 16.7 (11.5 ) 88.8 555.2 Share of profit (loss) of associates 5.2 17.3 (22.6 ) 1.2 3.4 48.1 0.7 53.3 (15.5 ) 13.6 (27.2 ) — 24.2 Other Revenue — — — — — — — — — 2,061.6 — — 2,061.6 Expenses — — — — — — — — — (1,958.4 ) — — (1,958.4 ) — — — — — — — — — 103.2 — — 103.2 Operating income (loss) 103.7 406.2 75.6 194.9 87.9 115.9 55.0 1,039.2 (149.4 ) 133.5 (38.7 ) 88.8 1,073.4 Net gains (losses) on investments (3) (161.3 ) (318.7 ) (184.7 ) (168.2 ) 87.3 (1.7 ) (90.0 ) (837.3 ) (225.2 ) 30.1 (171.2 ) — (1,203.6 ) Interest expense — (2.8 ) (1.6 ) (3.3 ) (14.2 ) — (4.2 ) (26.1 ) — (28.3 ) (188.4 ) — (242.8 ) Corporate overhead (6.6 ) (30.2 ) (20.4 ) (8.4 ) (9.2 ) (0.1 ) — (74.9 ) — — (17.6 ) (88.8 ) (181.3 ) Pre-tax income (loss) (64.2 ) 54.5 (131.1 ) 15.0 151.8 114.1 (39.2 ) 100.9 (374.6 ) 135.3 (415.9 ) — (554.3 ) Income taxes 159.6 Net loss (394.7 ) Attributable to: Shareholders of Fairfax (512.5 ) Non-controlling interests 117.8 (394.7 ) (1) Total underwriting expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 are comprised as shown below. Accident year total underwriting expenses exclude the impact of favourable or unfavourable prior year claims reserve development. Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge OdysseyRe Crum & Forster Zenith National Brit (1) Fairfax Other Operating companies Loss & LAE - accident year 651.1 1,438.4 1,136.1 459.3 909.7 252.5 290.1 5,137.2 Commissions 150.6 431.4 283.2 81.9 292.3 (6.5 ) 101.8 1,334.7 Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 173.6 235.6 326.1 203.0 221.7 67.5 78.0 1,305.5 Total underwriting expenses - accident year 975.3 2,105.4 1,745.4 744.2 1,423.7 313.5 469.9 7,777.4 Favourable claims reserve development (112.8 ) (266.5 ) (8.3 ) (101.0 ) (53.5 ) (52.1 ) (60.4 ) (654.6 ) Total underwriting expenses - calendar year 862.5 1,838.9 1,737.1 643.2 1,370.2 261.4 409.5 7,122.8
Schedule of net premiums earned by product line	Net premiums earned by product line for the years ended December 31 was as follows: Property Casualty Specialty Total 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net premiums earned - Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge 449.1 395.6 474.4 423.8 96.2 89.4 1,019.7 908.8 OdysseyRe 1,206.0 1,159.9 901.5 714.5 225.9 199.7 2,333.4 2,074.1 Crum & Forster 238.9 237.0 1,518.0 1,426.6 95.9 105.9 1,852.8 1,769.5 Zenith National 32.1 29.3 779.5 778.0 — — 811.6 807.3 Brit 427.1 402.7 755.7 664.3 354.1 332.3 1,536.9 1,399.3 Allied World (1) 360.9 — 607.4 — 60.4 — 1,028.7 — Fairfax Asia 65.6 57.4 219.2 191.2 42.8 53.9 327.6 302.5 Other 405.9 191.9 221.9 146.1 162.8 99.2 790.6 437.2 Operating companies 3,185.6 2,473.8 5,477.6 4,344.5 1,038.1 880.4 9,701.3 7,698.7 Run-off — 0.4 22.9 162.6 (2.8 ) 0.5 20.1 163.5 Consolidated net premiums earned 3,185.6 2,474.2 5,500.5 4,507.1 1,035.3 880.9 9,721.4 7,862.2 Interest and dividends 559.0 555.2 Share of profit of associates 200.5 24.2 Net gains (losses) on investments 1,467.5 (1,203.6 ) Gain on sale of subsidiary 1,018.6 — Other 3,257.6 2,061.6 Consolidated revenue 16,224.6 9,299.6 Allocation of net premiums earned 32.8 % 31.5 % 56.6 % 57.3 % 10.6 % 11.2 % (1) Allied World is included in the company's financial reporting with effect from July 6, 2017
Disclosure of geographical regions	Net premiums earned by geographic region for the years ended December 31 was as follows: Canada United States Asia (1) International (2) Total 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net premiums earned - Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge 1,007.2 899.5 12.5 9.3 — — — — 1,019.7 908.8 OdysseyRe 76.8 72.5 1,539.2 1,319.3 247.2 231.4 470.2 450.9 2,333.4 2,074.1 Crum & Forster — — 1,852.6 1,769.3 — — 0.2 0.2 1,852.8 1,769.5 Zenith National — — 811.6 807.3 — — — — 811.6 807.3 Brit 83.1 77.1 1,036.5 942.1 60.3 54.0 357.0 326.1 1,536.9 1,399.3 Allied World (3) 20.5 — 773.7 — 88.2 — 146.3 — 1,028.7 — Fairfax Asia 0.1 0.1 — 0.3 319.0 293.2 8.5 8.9 327.6 302.5 Other 9.1 3.9 98.9 142.6 108.0 105.7 574.6 185.0 790.6 437.2 Operating companies 1,196.8 1,053.1 6,125.0 4,990.2 822.7 684.3 1,556.8 971.1 9,701.3 7,698.7 Run-off — — 23.7 162.6 — — (3.6 ) 0.9 20.1 163.5 Consolidated net premiums earned 1,196.8 1,053.1 6,148.7 5,152.8 822.7 684.3 1,553.2 972.0 9,721.4 7,862.2 Interest and dividends 559.0 555.2 Share of profit of associates 200.5 24.2 Net gains (losses) on investments 1,467.5 (1,203.6 ) Gain on sale of subsidiary 1,018.6 — Other 3,257.6 2,061.6 Consolidated revenue 16,224.6 9,299.6 Allocation of net premiums earned 12.3 % 13.4 % 63.2 % 65.5 % 8.5 % 8.7 % 16.0 % 12.4 % (1) The Asia geographic segment comprises countries located throughout Asia, including China, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, and the Middle East. (2) The International geographic segment comprises Australia and countries located in Africa, Europe and South America. (3) Allied World is included in the company's financial reporting with effect from July 6, 2017

Expenses (Tables)

Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Analysis of income and expense [abstract]
Schedule of losses on claims, net, operating expenses and other expenses	Losses on claims, net, operating expenses and other expenses for the years ended December 31 were comprised as follows: 2017 2016 Insurance and reinsurance companies (1) Non-insurance companies (2) Total Insurance and reinsurance companies (1) Non-insurance companies (2) Total Losses and loss adjustment expenses 6,880.0 — 6,880.0 4,478.3 — 4,478.3 Other reporting segment cost of sales — 1,821.4 1,821.4 — 1,095.2 1,095.2 Wages and salaries 1,072.0 495.2 1,567.2 876.6 351.8 1,228.4 Employee benefits 242.1 76.9 319.0 213.1 63.8 276.9 Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges 136.5 144.0 280.5 98.4 93.3 191.7 Operating lease costs 79.3 136.9 216.2 60.6 95.1 155.7 Audit, legal and tax professional fees 155.7 27.2 182.9 116.2 17.4 133.6 Premium taxes 152.7 — 152.7 101.4 — 101.4 Information technology costs 122.2 16.2 138.4 99.8 6.7 106.5 Other reporting segment marketing costs — 65.4 65.4 — 43.9 43.9 Share-based payments to directors and employees 58.4 5.4 63.8 48.1 5.5 53.6 Restructuring costs 30.6 3.1 33.7 2.9 0.3 3.2 Loss on repurchase of long term debt (note 15) (2) — 28.6 28.6 — — — Administrative expense and other 266.9 204.3 471.2 220.9 185.4 406.3 9,196.4 3,024.6 12,221.0 6,316.3 1,958.4 8,274.7 (1) Total expense of the insurance and reinsurance companies is comprised of losses on claims, net and operating expenses as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings. (2) Other expenses as presented in the consolidated statement of earnings is comprised of cost of sales and operating expenses of the non-insurance companies, and loss on repurchase of long term debt of the holding company.

Supplementary Cash Flow Infor60

Supplementary Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash Flow Statement [Abstract]
Schedule of supplemental balance sheet disclosures	Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the consolidated balance sheets and the consolidated statements of cash flows were comprised as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Holding company cash and investments: Cash and balances with banks 129.1 131.9 Treasury bills and other eligible bills 866.3 401.3 995.4 533.2 Subsidiary cash and short term investments: Cash and balances with banks 2,355.5 1,668.2 Treasury bills and other eligible bills 5,028.6 2,275.2 7,384.1 3,943.4 Subsidiary assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations: Treasury bills and other eligible bills 16.8 — Fairfax India: Cash and balances with banks 44.0 44.5 Treasury bills and other eligible bills — 128.7 44.0 173.2 Fairfax Africa: Cash and balances with banks 329.7 — Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the consolidated balance sheet 8,770.0 4,649.8 Less: Cash and cash equivalents - restricted (1) Holding company cash and cash equivalents - restricted: Cash and balances with banks 1.7 2.8 Subsidiary cash and cash equivalents - restricted: Cash and balances with banks 546.8 180.8 Treasury bills and other eligible bills 286.5 247.1 835.0 430.7 Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows 7,935.0 4,219.1 (1) Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows excludes balances that are restricted. Restricted cash and cash equivalents are comprised primarily of amounts required to be maintained on deposit with various regulatory authorities to support the operations of the insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries.
Schedule of cash flow, supplemental disclosures	Details of certain cash flows included in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2017 2016 (a) Net sales of securities classified as FVTPL Short term investments (2,816.5 ) (2,688.0 ) Bonds 5,677.1 4,514.5 Preferred stocks (249.6 ) (42.4 ) Common stocks 778.3 170.4 Derivatives, short sales and other invested assets (710.9 ) (835.2 ) 2,678.4 1,119.3 (b) Changes in operating assets and liabilities Net increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents (245.4 ) (55.1 ) Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses 1,842.1 (355.7 ) Provision for unearned premiums 395.2 326.2 Insurance contract receivables (428.4 ) (296.6 ) Recoverable from reinsurers (1,168.5 ) (34.6 ) Other receivables (32.4 ) (36.5 ) Funds withheld payable to reinsurers 182.0 87.9 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 174.0 110.6 Income taxes payable 46.5 (54.1 ) Other (209.7 ) (300.0 ) 555.4 (607.9 ) (c) Net interest and dividends received Interest and dividends received 531.9 782.4 Interest paid (277.9 ) (216.2 ) 254.0 566.2 (d) Net income taxes paid (33.4 ) (267.1 )

Related Party Transactions (Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party [Abstract]
Schedule of related parties	Compensation for the company's key management team for the years ended December 31 determined in accordance with the company's IFRS accounting policies was as follows: 2017 2016 Salaries and other short-term employee benefits 9.7 8.2 Share-based payments 3.1 2.5 12.8 10.7 Compensation for the company's Board of Directors for the years ended December 31 was as follows: 2017 2016 Retainers and fees 0.8 0.8 Share-based payments 0.3 0.1 1.1 0.9

Subsidiaries (Tables)

Subsidiaries (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Interests In Other Entities [Abstract]
Disclosure of interests in subsidiaries	Subsidiaries During 2017 the company acquired controlling interests in Allied World, Grivalia Properties, Mosaic Capital, Saurashtra Freight and Fairchem (through Fairfax India), and sold First Capital. The foregoing transactions are described in note 23. The company has wholly-owned subsidiaries not presented in the tables below that are intermediate holding companies of investments in subsidiaries and intercompany balances, all of which are eliminated on consolidation. December 31, 2017 Domicile Fairfax's ownership (100% other than as shown below) Insurance and Reinsurance Northbridge Financial Corporation (Northbridge) Canada Odyssey Re Holdings Corp. (OdysseyRe) United States Hudson Insurance Company (Hudson Insurance) United States Crum & Forster Holdings Corp. (Crum & Forster) United States Zenith National Insurance Corp. (Zenith National) United States Brit Limited (Brit) United Kingdom 72.5% Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, GmbH (Allied World) Switzerland 67.4% Advent Capital (Holdings) Ltd. (Advent) United Kingdom Fairfax Central and Eastern Europe, which consists of: Polskie Towarzystwo Reasekuracji Spólka Akcyjna (Polish Re) Poland Colonnade Insurance S.A. (Colonnade Insurance) Luxembourg Fairfax Latin America, which consists of: Fairfax Brasil Seguros Corporativos S.A. (Fairfax Brasil) Brazil SBS Seguros Colombia S.A. (SouthBridge Colombia) Colombia Southbridge Compañía de Seguros Generales S.A. (SouthBridge Chile) Chile La Meridional Compañía Argentina de Seguros S.A. (La Meridional Argentina) Argentina Bryte Insurance Company Limited (Bryte Insurance) South Africa Group Re, which underwrites business in: CRC Reinsurance Limited (CRC Re) Barbados Wentworth Insurance Company Ltd. (Wentworth) Barbados Fairfax Asia, which consists of: Falcon Insurance Company (Hong Kong) Limited (Falcon) Hong Kong The Pacific Insurance Berhad (Pacific Insurance) Malaysia 85.0% PT Asuransi Multi Artha Guna TBK (AMAG) Indonesia 80.0% Fairfirst Insurance Limited (Fairfirst Insurance) Sri Lanka 78.0% Run-off TIG Insurance Company (TIG Insurance) United States RiverStone Insurance (UK) Limited (RiverStone (UK)) United Kingdom RiverStone Insurance Limited (RiverStone Insurance) United Kingdom RiverStone Managing Agency Limited United Kingdom December 31, 2017 Domicile Fairfax's ownership Primary business Other reporting segment Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. (Hamblin Watsa) Canada 100.0 % Investment management Fairfax Africa Holdings Corporation (Fairfax Africa) Canada 64.2 % (1) Invests in public and private African businesses Grivalia Properties Real Estate Investment Company S.A. (Grivalia Properties) Greece 52.7 % Real Estate investment company Mosaic Capital Corporation (Mosaic Capital) Canada — (2) Invests in private Canadian businesses Pethealth Inc. (Pethealth) Canada 100.0 % Pet medical insurance and database services Boat Rocker Media Inc. (Boat Rocker) Canada 58.2 % Development, production, marketing and distribution of television programs Restaurants and Retail Cara Operations Limited (Cara) which owns: Canada 40.2 % (1) Franchisor, owner and operator of restaurants 100.0% of Groupe St-Hubert Inc. (St-Hubert) Canada 40.2 % Full-service restaurant operator and a fully integrated food manufacturer 89.2% of Original Joe's Franchise Group Inc. (Original Joe's) Canada 35.9 % Multi-brand restaurant owner and operator 100.0% of Pickle Barrel Restaurants Inc. (Pickle Barrel) Canada 40.2 % Owner and operator of restaurants and catering business Keg Restaurants Ltd. (The Keg) Canada 51.0 % Owner and operator of premium dining restaurants Praktiker Hellas Commercial Societe Anonyme (Praktiker) Greece 100.0 % Retailer of home improvement goods Sporting Life Inc. (Sporting Life) Canada 75.0 % Retailer of sporting goods and sports apparel William Ashley China Corporation (William Ashley) Canada 100.0 % Retailer of tableware and gifts Golf Town Limited (Golf Town) Canada 60.0 % (3) Retailer of golf equipment, consumables, athletic apparel and accessories India focused Fairfax India Holdings Limited (Fairfax India) which owns: Canada 30.2 % (1) Invests in public and private Indian businesses 89.5% of National Collateral Management Services Limited (NCML) India 27.0 % Provider of agricultural commodities storage 48.7% of Fairchem Specialty Limited (Fairchem) India 14.7 % Manufacturer, supplier and exporter of aroma chemicals 51.0% of Saurashtra Freight Private Limited (Saurashtra Freight) India 15.4 % Container freight station operator Thomas Cook (India) Limited (Thomas Cook India) which owns: India 67.6 % Provider of integrated travel and travel-related financial services 49.0% of Quess Corp Limited (Quess) India 33.1 % Provider of staffing and facilities management services 100.0% of Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited (Sterling Resorts) India 67.6 % Owner and operator of holiday resorts (1) The company holds multiple voting shares that give it voting rights of 56.7% in Cara, 98.8% in Fairfax Africa and 93.6% in Fairfax India. (2) The company holds Mosaic Capital warrants representing a potential voting interest of approximately 62% . (3) The company holds 100% of the voting rights in Golf Town.

Summary of Significant Accoun63

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Customer and broker relationships | Bottom of range
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]
Intangible asset useful lives	8 years
Customer and broker relationships | Top of range
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]
Intangible asset useful lives	20 years
Computer software | Bottom of range
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]
Intangible asset useful lives	3 years
Computer software | Top of range
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]
Intangible asset useful lives	15 years
Restricted Share Units
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items]
Restricted share vesting period	10 years

Cash and Investments - Schedule

Cash and Investments - Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments, net	$ 36,900	$ 27,100
Total investments	39,255.4	28,430.7
Holding Company
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	2,368.4	1,371.6
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations	77.8	94.4
Short sale and derivative obligations (note 7)	(11.5)	(42.2)
Cash and investments, net	2,356.9	1,329.4
Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	37,013.2	27,293.4
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations	194.7	228.5
Short sale and derivative obligations (note 7)	(114.7)	(192.1)
Cash and investments, net	36,898.5	27,101.3
Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) | Holding Company
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	995.4	533.2
Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	7,384.1	3,943.4
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations	16.8	0
Short term investments | Holding Company
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	115.4	285.4
Short term investments | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	9,998.4	5,994.6
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations	145.7	189.6
Short term investments pledged for short sale and derivative obligations | Holding Company
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations	77.8	82.6
Bonds | Holding Company
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	380.9	264.8
Bonds | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	9,164.1	9,323.2
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations	32.2	38.9
Bonds pledged for short sale and derivative obligations | Holding Company
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations	0	11.8
Preferred stocks | Holding Company
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	2.8	1
Preferred stocks | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	296.8	69.6
Common stocks | Holding Company
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	784.9	153.2
Common stocks | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	4,838.7	4,158.8
Investments in associates | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	2,487	2,393
Derivatives (note 7) | Holding Company
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	11.2	39.6
Derivatives (note 7) | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	192.6	163.7
Other invested assets | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	62.8	16
Portfolio investments, net | Holding Company
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	2,290.6	1,277.2
Portfolio investments, net | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	34,424.5	26,062.3
Common Stock, Limited Partnerships
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	1,903.7	1,171.6
Common Stock, Other Funds
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	90.9	157.1
Fairfax India | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	1,762.5	1,002.6
Total investments	1,054.7	326.6
Fairfax India | Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	44	173.2
Fairfax India | Short term investments | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	34.3	33.6
Fairfax India | Bonds | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	694.2	528.8
Fairfax India | Common stocks | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	40.5	26.5
Fairfax India | Investments in associates | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	949.5	240.5
Fairfax India | Derivatives and other invested assets | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	0	0
Fairfax Africa | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	631.5	0
Fairfax Africa | Cash and cash equivalents (note 27) | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	329.7	0
Fairfax Africa | Short term investments | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	57.2	0
Fairfax Africa | Bonds | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	19.4	0
Fairfax Africa | Common stocks | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	4.9	0
Fairfax Africa | Investments in associates | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	219.8	0
Fairfax Africa | Derivatives and other invested assets | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	0.5	0
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | Portfolio Investments
Schedule Of Cash And Cash Equivalents1 [Line Items]
Cash and investments	$ 2,394	$ 1,002.6

Cash and Investments - Addition

Cash and Investments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments and Cash1 [Abstract]
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	$ 835	$ 430.7

Cash and Investments - Schedu66

Cash and Investments - Schedule of Pledged Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment [Line Items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities	$ 5,706	$ 5,481
Regulatory deposits
Investment [Line Items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities	4,256.8	4,748.2
Security for reinsurance and other
Investment [Line Items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities	$ 1,449.2	$ 732.8

Cash and Investments - Fixed In

Cash and Investments - Fixed Income Maturity Profile (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Bonds with call features	$ 3,390.3	$ 4,498
Bonds with put features	93.3	196.2
Notional amount	$ 6,396.9	$ 4,783.5
Debt securities
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Effective interest rate	4.00%	4.70%
U.S. treasury bond forward contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	$ 1,693.8	$ 3,013.4
Bonds, U.S. states and municipalities
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Favourable tax treatment expected	$ 2,300	$ 3,300

Cash and Investments - Schedu68

Cash and Investments - Schedule of Fixed Income Maturity (Details) - Debt securities - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment [Line Items]
Amortized cost	$ 9,814.3	$ 9,517.1
Fair value	$ 10,290.8	$ 10,167.5
Effective interest rate	4.00%	4.70%
Due in 1 year or less
Investment [Line Items]
Amortized cost	$ 3,383.9	$ 1,649.4
Fair value	3,537.6	1,779
Due after 1 year through 5 years
Investment [Line Items]
Amortized cost	3,540.7	3,245.9
Fair value	3,720.2	3,447.6
Due after 5 years through 10 years
Investment [Line Items]
Amortized cost	1,017.6	1,046.7
Fair value	1,054.3	1,031.3
Due after 10 years
Investment [Line Items]
Amortized cost	1,872.1	3,575.1
Fair value	$ 1,978.7	$ 3,909.6

Cash and Investments - Schedu69

Cash and Investments - Schedule of Fair Value Measurement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	$ 64,090.1	$ 43,384.4
Financial liabilities	(45,678.1)	(31,564.3)
Recurring fair value measurement
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	$ 35,599.1	$ 25,797.2
Percentage of assets classified as level 1, 2, and 3	100.00%	100.00%
Fair value of investments in associates	$ 4,629.3	$ 3,267.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Short sale and derivative obligations
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	(126.2)	(234.3)
Recurring fair value measurement | Cash and cash equivalents
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	8,770	4,649.8
Recurring fair value measurement | Short term investments
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	10,428.8	6,585.8
Recurring fair value measurement | Short term investments, Canadian government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	7.1	8.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Short term investments, Canadian provincials
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	281.9	261.7
Recurring fair value measurement | Short term investments, U.S. treasury
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	9,225.5	5,930.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Short term investments, Other government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	403	212.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Short term investments, Corporate and other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	511.3	173.4
Recurring fair value measurement | Bonds
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	10,290.8	10,167.5
Recurring fair value measurement | Bonds, Canadian government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	84.4	311.4
Recurring fair value measurement | Bonds, Canadian provincials
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	93.8	196.9
Recurring fair value measurement | Bonds, U.S. treasury
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1,779.3	1,117.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Bonds, U.S. states and municipalities
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	2,452.1	4,732.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Bonds, Other government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1,799.4	1,176.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Bonds, Corporate and other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	4,081.8	2,633.5
Recurring fair value measurement | Preferred stocks
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	299.6	70.6
Recurring fair value measurement | Preferred stocks, Canadian
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	240.7	22.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Preferred stocks, U.S.
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	5	0.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Preferred stocks, Other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	53.9	48.1
Recurring fair value measurement | Common stocks
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	5,669	4,338.5
Recurring fair value measurement | Common stocks, Canadian
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	958.7	665.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Common stocks, U.S.
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1,583.3	1,172.6
Recurring fair value measurement | Common stocks, Other funds
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	90.9	157.1
Recurring fair value measurement | Common stocks, Other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	3,036.1	2,343.5
Recurring fair value measurement | Derivatives and other invested assets
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	267.1	219.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1)
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	$ 21,607.4	$ 13,274.6
Percentage of assets classified as level 1, 2, and 3	60.70%	51.50%
Fair value of investments in associates	$ 2,004.3	$ 1,100.1
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Short sale and derivative obligations
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Cash and cash equivalents
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	8,770	4,649.8
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Short term investments
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	9,821.5	6,412.4
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Short term investments, Canadian government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	7.1	8.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Short term investments, Canadian provincials
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	281.9	261.7
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Short term investments, U.S. treasury
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	9,225.5	5,930.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Short term investments, Other government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	307	212.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Short term investments, Corporate and other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Bonds
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Bonds, Canadian government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Bonds, Canadian provincials
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Bonds, U.S. treasury
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Bonds, U.S. states and municipalities
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Bonds, Other government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Bonds, Corporate and other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Preferred stocks
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1.5	0.6
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Preferred stocks, Canadian
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Preferred stocks, U.S.
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Preferred stocks, Other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1.5	0.6
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Common stocks
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	3,014.4	2,211.8
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Common stocks, Canadian
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	825.9	545
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Common stocks, U.S.
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	474.8	629.6
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Common stocks, Other funds
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Common stocks, Other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1,713.7	1,037.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Quoted prices (Level 1) | Derivatives and other invested assets
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	$ 9,618.4	$ 10,023.1
Percentage of assets classified as level 1, 2, and 3	27.00%	38.90%
Fair value of investments in associates	$ 45.3	$ 40.9
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Short sale and derivative obligations
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	(126.2)	(234.3)
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Cash and cash equivalents
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Short term investments
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	562.3	173.4
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Short term investments, Canadian government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Short term investments, Canadian provincials
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Short term investments, U.S. treasury
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Short term investments, Other government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	96	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Short term investments, Corporate and other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	466.3	173.4
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Bonds
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	8,394.7	9,114.4
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Bonds, Canadian government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	84.4	311.4
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Bonds, Canadian provincials
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	93.8	196.9
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Bonds, U.S. treasury
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1,779.3	1,117.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Bonds, U.S. states and municipalities
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	2,452.1	4,732.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Bonds, Other government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1,799.4	1,176.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Bonds, Corporate and other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	2,185.7	1,580.4
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Preferred stocks
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	14.9	26
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Preferred stocks, Canadian
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	11.3	10.9
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Preferred stocks, U.S.
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Preferred stocks, Other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	3.6	15.1
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Common stocks
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	683.2	822.1
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Common stocks, Canadian
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	110.3	98.6
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Common stocks, U.S.
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	66.9	33.9
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Common stocks, Other funds
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	90.9	157.1
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Common stocks, Other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	415.1	532.5
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Derivatives and other invested assets
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	89.5	121.5
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	$ 4,373.3	$ 2,499.5
Percentage of assets classified as level 1, 2, and 3	12.30%	9.60%
Fair value of investments in associates	$ 2,579.7	$ 2,126.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Short sale and derivative obligations
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Financial liabilities	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Cash and cash equivalents
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Short term investments
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	45	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Short term investments, Canadian government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Short term investments, Canadian provincials
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Short term investments, U.S. treasury
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Short term investments, Other government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Short term investments, Corporate and other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	45	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Bonds
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1,896.1	1,053.1
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Bonds, Canadian government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Bonds, Canadian provincials
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Bonds, U.S. treasury
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Bonds, U.S. states and municipalities
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Bonds, Other government
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Bonds, Corporate and other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1,896.1	1,053.1
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Preferred stocks
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	283.2	44
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Preferred stocks, Canadian
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	229.4	11.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Preferred stocks, U.S.
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	5	0.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Preferred stocks, Other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	48.8	32.4
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Common stocks
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1,971.4	1,304.6
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Common stocks, Canadian
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	22.5	21.7
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Common stocks, U.S.
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	1,041.6	509.1
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Common stocks, Other funds
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Common stocks, Other
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	907.3	773.8
Recurring fair value measurement | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Derivatives and other invested assets
Disclosure Of Fair Value Measurement Of Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Assets	$ 177.6	$ 97.8

Cash and Investments - Changes

Cash and Investments - Changes in Level 3 Financial Assets (Details) - Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Changes in fair value measurement, assets [abstract]
Balance - January 1	$ 2,499.5	$ 2,259.4
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings	442.1	(186.2)
Purchases	1,003.2	1,272
Sales and distributions	(706.6)	(848.7)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	645.8
Transfer into category	391.1	9.8
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income	98.2	(6.8)
Balance - December 31	4,373.3	2,499.5
Private placement debt securities(b)(2)
Changes in fair value measurement, assets [abstract]
Balance - January 1	1,053.1	696.4
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings	190.2	(52.9)
Purchases	430.2	955.6
Sales and distributions	(209.7)	(548.2)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	22.4
Transfer into category	384	9.4
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income	70.9	(7.2)
Balance - December 31	1,941.1	1,053.1
Private company preferred shares
Changes in fair value measurement, assets [abstract]
Balance - January 1	44	7.7
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings	1.3	2.5
Purchases	268.4	115.7
Sales and distributions	(34.1)	(82.5)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	0
Transfer into category	0	0.4
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income	3.6	0.2
Balance - December 31	283.2	44
Limited partnerships and other
Changes in fair value measurement, assets [abstract]
Balance - January 1	981.4	960.9
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings	243.4	102.7
Purchases	221.2	124.4
Sales and distributions	(443.4)	(202.9)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	583.8
Transfer into category	0	0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income	12.3	(3.7)
Balance - December 31	1,598.7	981.4
Private equity funds
Changes in fair value measurement, assets [abstract]
Balance - January 1	167.8	171
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings	(5.5)	(12.5)
Purchases	0	16.4
Sales and distributions	0	(10.2)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	0
Transfer into category	0	0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income	8.2	3.1
Balance - December 31	170.5	167.8
Private company common shares
Changes in fair value measurement, assets [abstract]
Balance - January 1	155.4	138
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings	22.6	(21.6)
Purchases	11.1	38.8
Sales and distributions	(19.4)	0
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	29.9
Transfer into category	0	0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income	2.6	0.2
Balance - December 31	202.2	155.4
Derivatives and other invested assets
Changes in fair value measurement, assets [abstract]
Balance - January 1	97.8	285.4
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in the consolidated statement of earnings	(9.9)	(204.4)
Purchases	72.3	21.1
Sales and distributions	0	(4.9)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	9.7
Transfer into category	7.1	0
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains on foreign operations included in other comprehensive income	0.6	0.6
Balance - December 31	$ 177.6	$ 97.8

Cash and Investments - Fair Val

Cash and Investments - Fair Value Assets Measurement Techniques (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)investment	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	$ 64,090.1	$ 43,384.4
Private placement debt securities(b)(2) | Discounted cash flow
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	$ 1,340.4
Number of investments | investment	7
Private placement debt securities(b)(2) | Net asset value
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	$ 402
Private placement debt securities - largest investment | Discounted cash flow
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	663.6
Decrease in fair value measurement due to change in one or more unobservable inputs to reflect reasonably possible alternative assumptions, assets	41.6
Increase in fair value measurement due to change in one or more unobservable inputs to reflect reasonably possible alternative assumptions, assets	44.3
Private placement debt securities - largest investment | Net asset value
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	$ 253
Number of investments | investment	2
Limited partnerships and other | Net asset value
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	$ 1,598.7
Number of investments | investment	47
Limited partnerships and other - largest investment | Net asset value
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	$ 355.3
Private company preferred shares | Discounted cash flow
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	207.3
Private equity funds | Net asset value
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	100.9
Private equity funds | Market comparable
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	69.6
Private company common shares, book value multiple | Market comparable
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	81.2
Private company common shares | Market comparable
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	40.5
Warrants | Option pricing model
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	73.1
CPI-linked derivatives | Option pricing model
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	39.6
Recurring fair value measurement
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Assets	$ 35,599.1	$ 25,797.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Option pricing model | Bottom of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Equity volatility	24.60%
Recurring fair value measurement | Option pricing model | Top of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Equity volatility	39.30%
Recurring fair value measurement | Private placement debt securities(b)(2) | Discounted cash flow | Bottom of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Credit spread	1.60%
Recurring fair value measurement | Private placement debt securities(b)(2) | Discounted cash flow | Top of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Credit spread	18.90%
Recurring fair value measurement | Private placement debt securities(b)(2) | Net asset value | Bottom of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Recoverability of assets	60.00%
Recurring fair value measurement | Private placement debt securities(b)(2) | Net asset value | Top of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Recoverability of assets	100.00%
Recurring fair value measurement | Private company preferred shares | Discounted cash flow | Bottom of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Credit spread	3.50%
Recurring fair value measurement | Private company preferred shares | Discounted cash flow | Top of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Credit spread	3.60%
Recurring fair value measurement | Private equity funds | Market comparable | Bottom of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Price/Earnings multiple	10
Recurring fair value measurement | Private equity funds | Market comparable | Top of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Price/Earnings multiple	10
Recurring fair value measurement | Private company common shares, book value multiple | Market comparable | Bottom of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Book value multiple	1.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Private company common shares, book value multiple | Market comparable | Top of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Book value multiple	1.3
Recurring fair value measurement | Private company common shares | Market comparable | Bottom of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Price/Earnings multiple	26.2
Recurring fair value measurement | Private company common shares | Market comparable | Top of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Price/Earnings multiple	26.2
Recurring fair value measurement | CPI-linked derivatives | Option pricing model | Bottom of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Inflation volatility	0.00%
Recurring fair value measurement | CPI-linked derivatives | Option pricing model | Top of range
Disclosure of significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Inflation volatility	3.70%

Cash and Investments - Fair V72

Cash and Investments - Fair Value Disclosures (Narrative) (Details) - Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Disclosure of fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	$ 645.8
Limited partnerships and other
Disclosure of fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	583.8
Private placement debt securities(b)(2)
Disclosure of fair value measurement of assets [line items]
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	$ 22.4

Cash and Investments - Schedu73

Cash and Investments - Schedule of Interest Income and Dividends (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest income:
Cash and short term investments	$ 117.5	$ 33.4
Bonds	441.9	622.4
Derivatives and other	(44.8)	(141.4)
Interest income	514.6	514.4
Dividends:
Dividend income	73.2	66.8
Investment expenses	(28.8)	(26)
Interest and dividends	559	555.2
Share of profit of associates	200.5	24.2
Preferred stocks
Dividends:
Dividend income	2.1	11.2
Common stocks
Dividends:
Dividend income	$ 71.1	$ 55.6

Cash and Investments - Net Gain

Cash and Investments - Net Gains (Losses) on Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 19, 2017	Sep. 06, 2017	Jul. 20, 2017	Jul. 06, 2017	Jul. 04, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						$ 855.3	$ (362.3)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						612.2	(841.3)
Net gains (losses) on investments						1,467.5	(1,203.6)
Proceeds from sales of interests in associates						1,014.9	45.8
Share of profit (loss) of associates						$ 200.5	$ 24.2
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
Investment [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in equity method investment	9.90%					0.00%	34.60%
Share of profit (loss) of associates						$ 24	$ 44.1
Grivalia
Investment [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in equity method investment		52.70%			52.60%	0.00%	40.60%
Share of profit (loss) of associates						$ 12.8	$ 16.1
APR Energy PLC
Investment [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in equity method investment			67.90%			67.80%	45.00%
Share of profit (loss) of associates						$ (3.1)	$ (29)
Subsidiary and associates
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						999.9	0
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						0	0
Net gains (losses) on investments						999.9	0
Other
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						2.1	3.2
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						57.3	47
Net gains (losses) on investments						$ 59.4	50.2
Common stocks
Investment [Line Items]
Unrealized loss on securities reclassified to realized loss							$ 209.5
Common stocks | Investments accounted for using equity method | Grivalia
Investment [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in equity method investment						52.70%
Share of profit (loss) of associates						$ (51.3)
Common stocks | Investments accounted for using equity method | APR Energy PLC
Investment [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in equity method investment							49.00%
Share of profit (loss) of associates							$ (68.1)
Preferred stocks
Investment [Line Items]
Unrealized loss on securities reclassified to realized loss							99.6
Gain on conversion of preferred stock to common stock							35.1
Unrealized gain on securities, reclassified to realized gain							41.7
Bonds
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						445.7	683.7
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						(167.7)	(400.4)
Net gains (losses) on investments						278	283.3
Preferred stocks
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						0.2	(68)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						(0.5)	61.6
Net gains (losses) on investments						(0.3)	(6.4)
Common stocks
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						126.5	(162.2)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						585.7	91.2
Net gains (losses) on investments						712.2	(71)
Debt and equity securities
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						572.4	453.5
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						417.5	(247.6)
Net gains (losses) on investments						989.9	205.9
Derivatives:
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						(624)	(899.6)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						39.5	(430.6)
Net gains (losses) on investments						(584.5)	(1,330.2)
Common stock and equity index short positions
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						(485.6)	(915.8)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						67.7	(264)
Net gains (losses) on investments						(417.9)	(1,179.8)
Common stock and equity index long positions
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						21.6	10.4
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						(2)	12.9
Net gains (losses) on investments						19.6	23.3
Equity index put options
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						0	(20.3)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						0	7.2
Net gains (losses) on investments						0	(13.1)
Equity warrants and call options
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						22.9	0
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						15.4	(4)
Net gains (losses) on investments						38.3	(4)
CPI-linked derivative contracts
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						0	0
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						(71)	(196.2)
Net gains (losses) on investments						(71)	(196.2)
U.S. government bond forwards
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						(174.5)	96.7
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						21.3	(49.7)
Net gains (losses) on investments						(153.2)	47
Other
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						(8.4)	(70.6)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						8.1	63.2
Net gains (losses) on investments						(0.3)	(7.4)
Foreign currency net gains (losses)
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						(95.1)	80.6
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						97.9	(210.1)
Net gains (losses) on investments						2.8	(129.5)
Investing activities
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						0.8	54.4
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						88	(191.3)
Net gains (losses) on investments						88.8	(136.9)
Underwriting activities
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						(74.9)	19.7
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						0	0
Net gains (losses) on investments						(74.9)	19.7
Foreign currency contracts
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)						(21)	6.5
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)						9.9	(18.8)
Net gains (losses) on investments						(11.1)	(12.3)
Equity Contract | Designated as hedging instrument | Short position
Investment [Line Items]
Notional amount of short positions							6,350.6
Restructuring provision | Common stocks
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)							(220.3)
Restructuring provision | Preferred stocks
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)							$ (103.7)
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
Investment [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses)	$ 372.3			$ 223.3		$ 595.6
Ownership percentage in equity method investment	12.10%			12.20%		24.30%
Proceeds from sales of interests in associates	$ 532.2			$ 376.3		$ 908.5
Unrealized gain on securities, reclassified to realized gain						$ 334.5

Investments in Associates - Inv

Investments in Associates - Investments in Associates (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 19, 2017	Sep. 06, 2017	Jul. 20, 2017	Jul. 04, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 20, 2017	May 10, 2017	Feb. 17, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					$ 3,656.3	$ 2,633.5
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 200.5	$ 24.2
Eurolife ERB Insurance Group Holdings S.A.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					43.30%	40.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 303	$ 171.4
Carrying value					298	150.6
Total carrying value					298	150.6
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 117.6	$ (6.4)
Gulf Insurance Company
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					41.40%	41.40%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 233.1	$ 235.8
Carrying value					185.4	195.7
Total carrying value					185.4	195.7
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 7.7	$ 14
Thai Re Public Company Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					34.90%	32.40%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 80.5	$ 80.2
Carrying value					80.3	94.7
Total carrying value					80.3	94.7
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ (21.3)	$ (1.8)
Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam Insurance Joint Stock Corporation
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					35.00%	35.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 66.7	$ 68.5
Carrying value					48.6	48.4
Total carrying value					48.6	48.4
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 1.6	$ 1.8
Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					27.80%	27.80%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 39.6	$ 35.5
Carrying value					38.5	34.6
Total carrying value					38.5	34.6
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 3.2	$ 2
Ambridge Partners LLC
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					50.00%	50.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 34.9	$ 31.4
Carrying value					34.9	31.4
Total carrying value					34.9	31.4
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 4.4	$ 3.4
Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					45.30%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 10.6
Carrying value					10.6
Total carrying value					10.6
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 0
Falcon Insurance PLC
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					41.20%	41.20%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 9.2	$ 8.8
Carrying value					9.2	8.8
Total carrying value					9.2	8.8
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 0	$ 0.7
Camargue Underwriting Managers Group Ltd.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					50.00%	50.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 5.5	$ 5.2
Carrying value					5.5	5.2
Total carrying value					5.5	5.2
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 0.7	$ 0.2
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage	9.90%				0.00%	34.60%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 0	$ 878
Carrying value					0	371.1
Total carrying value					0	371.1
Share of profit (loss) of associates					24	44.1
Insurance and reinsurance associates
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					783.1	1,514.8
Carrying value					711	940.5
Total carrying value					711	940.5
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 137.9	$ 58
Astarta Holding N.V.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					28.10%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 101.2			$ 15.7
Carrying value					140.6			$ 120.1
Total carrying value					140.6
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 15.8
Farmers Edge Inc
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					46.10%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 95
Carrying value					88.1
Total carrying value					88.1
Share of profit (loss) of associates					(10.5)
Non-insurance associates, Agriculture
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					196.2
Carrying value					228.7
Total carrying value					228.7
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 5.3
KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					0.00%	0.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 213.4	$ 202.8
Carrying value					213.4	202.8
Total carrying value					213.4	202.8
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 12.2	$ 13.9
Grivalia Properties REIC
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage		52.70%		52.60%	0.00%	40.60%
Fair value of investments in associates				$ 39.5	$ 0	$ 332.4
Carrying value					0	295.9
Total carrying value					0	295.9
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 12.8	16.1
Other, Real estate
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					0.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 88.7
Carrying value					88.6
Total carrying value					88.6
Share of profit (loss) of associates					9
Non-insurance associates, Real estate
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					302.1	535.2
Carrying value					302	498.7
Total carrying value					302	498.7
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 34	$ 30
Bangalore International Airport Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					48.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 608.3
Carrying value					0
Total carrying value					611.1
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 15.8
IIFL Holdings Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					35.50%	30.50%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 1,185.1	$ 373.9
Carrying value					102.7	96.3
Total carrying value					419.9	316.4
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 36.5	$ 18.5
5paisa Capital Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					35.50%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 26.6
Carrying value					6.6		$ 26.4
Total carrying value					26.8
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 0
Fairchem Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					0.00%	44.90%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 0	$ 45.5
Carrying value					0	0
Total carrying value					0	19.4
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 0.2	$ 0.3
Other, India
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					0.00%	0.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 0.6	$ 0.4
Carrying value					0	0
Total carrying value					1	1
Share of profit (loss) of associates					0	0
Non-insurance associates, India
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					1,820.6	419.8
Carrying value					109.3	96.3
Total carrying value					1,058.8	336.8
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 52.5	$ 18.8
Atlas Mara Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					43.30%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 168.7
Carrying value					0
Total carrying value					170.3
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 1.6
AFGRI Proprietary Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					60.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 119				$ 72.8
Carrying value					0				$ 40.5
Total carrying value					49.5
Share of profit (loss) of associates					(0.4)
Non-insurance associates, Africa
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					287.7
Carrying value					0
Total carrying value					219.8
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 1.2
Resolute Forest Products Inc.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					33.80%	33.90%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 334	$ 162.5
Carrying value					320.6	304.5
Total carrying value					320.6	304.5
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 0.3	$ (73.6)
APR Energy PLC
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage			67.90%		67.80%	45.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 336.4	$ 234
Carrying value					309.4	187.3
Total carrying value					309.4	187.3
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ (3.1)	$ (29)
Peak Achievement Athletics
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					42.60%	38.20%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 153.5	$ 83
Carrying value					144.8	82.7
Total carrying value					144.8	82.7
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ (6.2)	$ 0
Arbor Memorial Services Inc.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					43.40%	43.40%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 111.8	$ 93.6
Carrying value					61.4	56
Total carrying value					61.4	56
Share of profit (loss) of associates					$ 10.6	$ 9
Partnerships, trusts and other
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage					0.00%	0.00%
Fair value of investments in associates					$ 303.9	$ 224.4
Carrying value					299.8	227
Total carrying value					299.8	227
Share of profit (loss) of associates					(32)	11
Non-insurance associates, Other
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					1,239.6	797.5
Carrying value					1,136	857.5
Total carrying value					1,136	857.5
Share of profit (loss) of associates					(30.4)	(82.6)
Non-insurance associates
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					3,846.2	1,752.5
Carrying value					1,776	1,452.5
Total carrying value					2,945.3	1,693
Share of profit (loss) of associates					62.6	(33.8)
Investments in associates
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					4,629.3	3,267.3
Carrying value					2,487	2,393
Total carrying value					3,656.3	2,633.5				$ 1,932.9
Share of profit (loss) of associates					200.5	24.2
Investments in associates
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					2,824.3	2,955.4
Total carrying value					2,487	2,393
Fairfax India cash and portfolio investments
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					1,517.3	311.9
Total carrying value					949.5	240.5
Fairfax Africa cash and portfolio investments
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Fair value of investments in associates					287.7
Total carrying value					219.8
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | Bangalore International Airport Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					611.1
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | IIFL Holdings Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					317.2	220.1
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | 5paisa Capital Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					20.2
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | Fairchem Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					0	19.4
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | Other, India
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					1	1
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | Non-insurance associates, India
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					949.5	240.5
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | Atlas Mara Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					170.3
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | AFGRI Proprietary Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					49.5
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | Non-insurance associates, Africa
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					219.8
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | Non-insurance associates
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					1,169.3	240.5
Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa | Investments in associates
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Carrying value					$ 1,169.3	$ 240.5

Investments in Associates - Add

Investments in Associates - Additional Information (Details) $ / shares in Units, € in Millions, ₨ in Millions, PLN in Millions, $ in Millions	Dec. 22, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 13, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 19, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 06, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 06, 2017EUR (€)	Aug. 31, 2017USD ($)	Aug. 02, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 20, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 13, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 13, 2017INR (₨)	Jul. 06, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 04, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 04, 2017EUR (€)	Mar. 24, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 24, 2017INR (₨)	Mar. 01, 2017USD ($)	Feb. 17, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	May 10, 2017USD ($)	May 10, 2017PLN	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017INR (₨)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017INR (₨)	Oct. 20, 2017USD ($)	Feb. 08, 2016
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Gross premiums written																				$ 12,207.5		$ 9,534.3
Investments in associates																				$ 3,656.3		2,633.5
Long term growth rate																				3.00%			3.00%
Proceeds from sales of interests in associates																				$ 1,014.9		45.8
Net realized gains (losses)																				855.3		(362.3)
Grivalia
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 0		$ 295.9
Ownership percentage				52.70%	52.70%							52.60%	52.60%							0.00%	0.00%	40.60%
Gain (loss) on fair value adjustment												$ 51.3
Percentage of common shares acquired				0.10%	0.10%							10.30%
Consideration paid				$ 0.6	€ 0.5							$ 100	€ 88
Fair value of associates												$ 39.5								$ 0		$ 332.4
Investments in associates																				0		295.9
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 0		$ 371.1
Ownership percentage			9.90%																	0.00%	0.00%	34.60%
Fair value of associates																				$ 0		$ 878
Investments in associates																				0		371.1
Thai Re Public Company Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 80.3		$ 94.7
Ownership percentage																				34.90%	34.90%	32.40%
Fair value of associates																				$ 80.5		$ 80.2
Investments in associates																				80.3		94.7
Go Digit Infoworks Services Private Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 10.6
Ownership percentage																				45.30%	45.30%
Consideration paid																				$ 10.6	₨ 694.4
Fair value of associates																				10.6
Investments in associates																				10.6
Preferred equity instrument																				48.9			₨ 3,200
Farmers Edge Inc
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 88.1
Ownership percentage																				46.10%	46.10%
Consideration paid																$ 95
Fair value of associates																				$ 95
Investments in associates																				88.1
Astarta Holding N.V.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 140.6
Ownership percentage																				28.10%	28.10%
Percentage of common shares acquired																		28.00%
Consideration paid																		$ 104.4	PLN 420.1
Fair value of associates																		15.7		$ 101.2
Investments in associates																		$ 120.1		140.6
Eurolife ERB Insurance Group Holdings S.A.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 298		$ 150.6
Ownership percentage																				43.30%	43.30%	40.00%
Fair value of associates																				$ 303		$ 171.4
Investments in associates																				298		150.6
KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 213.4		$ 202.8
Ownership percentage																				0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Fair value of associates																				$ 213.4		$ 202.8
Investments in associates																				213.4		202.8
APR Energy PLC
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 309.4		$ 187.3
Ownership percentage								67.90%												67.80%	67.80%	45.00%
Percentage of common shares acquired								22.90%
Consideration paid		$ 13.2						$ 109
Fair value of associates																				$ 336.4		$ 234
Investments in associates																				309.4		187.3
Resolute Forest Products Inc.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 320.6		$ 304.5
Ownership percentage																				33.80%	33.80%	33.90%
Fair value of associates																				$ 334		$ 162.5
Investments in associates																				320.6		304.5
Performance Sports
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage																42.60%
Investments in associates																$ 153.5
Voting interest percentage																50.00%
Non-insurance associates
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				2,945.3		1,693
Fair value of associates																				3,846.2		1,752.5
Investments in associates																				$ 1,776		1,452.5
Alltrust Insurance Company of China Ltd.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage																				15.00%	15.00%
Investments in associates																				$ 81.2		76.1
Sigma Companies International Corp.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Percentage of common shares acquired							81.20%
Consideration paid							$ 41.4
Bangalore International Airport Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 611.1
Ownership percentage																				48.00%	48.00%
Fair value of associates																				$ 608.3
Investments in associates																				0
5paisa Capital Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 26.8
Ownership percentage																				35.50%	35.50%
Fair value of associates																				$ 26.6
Investments in associates																				6.6				$ 26.4
Atlas Mara Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 170.3
Ownership percentage																				43.30%	43.30%
Fair value of associates																				$ 168.7
Investments in associates																				0
AFGRI Proprietary Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Total carrying value																				$ 49.5
Ownership percentage																				60.00%	60.00%
Fair value of associates																	$ 72.8			$ 119
Investments in associates																	$ 40.5			$ 0
Fairfax India | Bangalore International Airport Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage									48.00%	48.00%
Percentage of common shares acquired									10.00%	10.00%				38.00%	38.00%
Consideration paid									$ 200.1	₨ 12,900				$ 385.5	₨ 25,200
Fairfax India | Fairchem Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Percentage of common shares acquired																									44.70%
Fairfax Africa | Atlas Mara Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Percentage of common shares acquired	0.90%					42.40%
Consideration paid	$ 2.4					$ 155.8
Minimum | KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage																				50.00%	50.00%
Maximum | KWF Real Estate Ventures Limited Partnerships
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage																				90.00%	90.00%
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Ownership percentage			12.10%								12.20%									24.30%	24.30%
Proceeds from sales of interests in associates			$ 532.2								$ 376.3									$ 908.5
Net realized gains (losses)			$ 372.3								$ 223.3									595.6
Unrealized gain on securities, reclassified to realized gain																				334.5
Multiple voting shares | AFGRI Proprietary Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Share acquired through exchange of indirect interest (in shares) | shares																	7,284,606
Share acquired through exchange of indirect interest (in dollars per share) | $ / shares																	$ 10
Investments accounted for using equity method | Thai Re Public Company Limited
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Non-cash impairment charge																				$ 17.7
Investments accounted for using equity method | Resolute Forest Products Inc.
Disclosure of associates [line items]
Non-cash impairment charge																						$ 100.4

Investments in Associates - Ass

Investments in Associates - Associates Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Associates [Roll Forward]
Share of profit of associates and joint arrangements	$ 200.5	$ 24.2
Purchases and acquisitions	1,026.5	735.3
Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization	1,014.9	45.8
Investments in associates
Schedule Of Associates [Roll Forward]
Balance - January 1	1,769.6	1,538.7
Share of profit of associates and joint arrangements	25.6	32.1
Share of other comprehensive income (loss), excluding gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	22.9	(24.9)
Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	12.4	(43.5)
Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint arrangements:	60.9	(36.3)
Distributions and dividends received from associates	(50.5)	(45.6)
Purchases and acquisitions	367.4	306.2
Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization	(290.5)	5.6
Reclassifications	(440.4)
Foreign exchange effect	20.5	1
Balance - December 31	1,437	1,769.6
Joint arrangements
Schedule Of Associates [Roll Forward]
Balance - January 1	623.4	191.5
Share of profit of associates and joint arrangements	128.2	(21.5)
Share of other comprehensive income (loss), excluding gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	46.4	(14.4)
Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	0	0
Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint arrangements:	174.6	(35.9)
Distributions and dividends received from associates	(57)	(47.8)
Purchases and acquisitions	301.6	528.4
Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization	(2.4)	(11.6)
Reclassifications	0
Foreign exchange effect	9.8	(1.2)
Balance - December 31	1,050	623.4
Fairfax Africa
Schedule Of Associates [Roll Forward]
Balance - January 1	0	0
Share of profit of associates and joint arrangements	1.2	0
Share of other comprehensive income (loss), excluding gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	(1.3)	0
Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	0	0
Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint arrangements:	(0.1)	0
Distributions and dividends received from associates	0	0
Purchases and acquisitions	219.9	0
Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization	0	0
Reclassifications	0
Foreign exchange effect	0	0
Balance - December 31	219.8	0
Fairfax India
Schedule Of Associates [Roll Forward]
Balance - January 1	240.5	202.7
Share of profit of associates and joint arrangements	45.5	13.6
Share of other comprehensive income (loss), excluding gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	(0.1)	0
Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	(0.1)	0
Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint arrangements:	45.3	13.6
Distributions and dividends received from associates	(26.8)	(4.6)
Purchases and acquisitions	682.9	20.5
Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization	(0.7)	13.7
Reclassifications	(20.4)
Foreign exchange effect	28.7	(5.4)
Balance - December 31	949.5	240.5
Associates
Schedule Of Associates [Roll Forward]
Balance - January 1	2,633.5	1,932.9
Share of profit of associates and joint arrangements	200.5	24.2
Share of other comprehensive income (loss), excluding gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	67.9	(39.3)
Share of gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	12.3	(43.5)
Share of pre-tax comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint arrangements:	280.7	(58.6)
Distributions and dividends received from associates	(134.3)	(98)
Purchases and acquisitions	1,571.8	855.1
Divestitures and other net changes in capitalization	(293.6)	7.7
Reclassifications	(460.8)
Foreign exchange effect	59	(5.6)
Balance - December 31	$ 3,656.3	$ 2,633.5

Short Sales and Derivatives - F

Short Sales and Derivatives - Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	$ 6,396.9	$ 4,783.5
Market value	204.3	203.3
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	126.2	234.3
Equity index total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Cost	0	0
Notional amount	52.6	43.3
Market value	0.4	0.6
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	0	0
Equity total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Cost	0	0
Notional amount	892.5	1,623
Market value	11.8	10.4
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	12.1	78.1
Equity total return swaps – long positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Cost	0	0
Notional amount	697.8	213.1
Market value	17.8	9.4
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	15.6	5.1
Equity and equity index call options
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Cost	0.4	16.2
Notional amount	8.2	1,104.4
Market value	3.9	12.8
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	0	0
Warrants
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Cost	64.8	6.5
Notional amount	607.1	32.2
Market value	73.7	6.5
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	0	0
CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Cost	678.4	670
Notional amount	117,254.6	110,365.5
Market value	39.6	83.4
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	0	0
U.S. treasury bond forward contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Cost	0	0
Notional amount	1,693.8	3,013.4
Market value	0	0
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	28.8	49.7
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Cost	0	0
Notional amount	0	0
Market value	57.1	80.2
Short sale and derivative obligations, holding company	$ 69.7	$ 101.4

Short Sales and Derivatives - A

Short Sales and Derivatives - Additional Information (Details) CAD in Millions, $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 09, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017CAD	Dec. 31, 2016CAD
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Gains (losses) recognised in profit or loss attributable to change in unrealised gains or losses for assets held at end of period, fair value measurement			$ 612.2	$ (841.3)
Net gains (losses) on investments			1,467.5	(1,203.6)
Notional amount		$ 4,783.5	6,396.9	4,783.5
Assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations, at cost		322.9	272.5	322.9
Financial Assets Pledged As Collateral For Liabilities Or Contingent Liabilities, Fair Value Changes		86.4	36	86.4
Financial Assets Pledged As Collateral For Liabilities Or Contingent Liabilities, Entering Derivative Contracts		236.5	236.5	236.5
Net realized gains (losses)			855.3	(362.3)
Financial assets pledged as liabilities		5,481	5,706	5,481
Losses on hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries			106.3	37.5
Equity total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Net cash paid (received) for derivative closures and reset provisions			485.6	915.8
Notional amount of derivatives settled		6,350.6	1,202.9	6,350.6
Net gains (losses) on investments			(237.9)	(955.2)
Realized loss on derivatives		2,665.4	553.1	2,665.4
Notional amount		1,623	892.5	1,623
Unrealized gain (loss)	$ (190.9)		(315.2)	(1,710.2)
S&P 500 - call options
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount of derivatives settled			1,100
Net gains (losses) on investments			10.1
Equity total return swaps – long positions, individual equities
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount		283.9	706.3	283.9
Equity total return swaps – long positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Net cash paid (received) for derivative closures and reset provisions			(21.6)	(10.4)
Notional amount		213.1	697.8	213.1
U.S. treasury bond forward contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount		3,013.4	1,693.8	3,013.4
CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount		110,365.5	117,254.6	110,365.5
Unrealized gain (loss)			$ (638.8)	$ (586.6)
Average life (in years)			4 years 7 months 6 days	5 years 7 months 6 days
Hedges of net investment in foreign operations | Unsecured senior notes
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Borrowings | CAD					CAD 2,212.9	CAD 1,975
Borrowings at fair value		1,618.1	$ 1,868.6	$ 1,618.1
Other price risk | CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Gains (losses) recognised in profit or loss attributable to change in unrealised gains or losses for assets held at end of period, fair value measurement			$ (71)	$ (196.2)
Average life (in years)			4 years 7 months 6 days	5 years 7 months 6 days
Credit risk | Cash
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities		8.3	$ 3.6	$ 8.3
Credit risk | Government securities
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities		$ 54.4	$ 35.9	$ 54.4
Subsequent event | Equity total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount of derivatives settled	481.3
Net gains (losses) on investments	(8.1)
Realized loss on derivatives	199
Notional amount	509
Unrealized gain (loss)	$ (190.9)

Short Sales and Derivatives - U

Short Sales and Derivatives - Underlying CPI Index (Details) € in Millions, £ in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / derivative_unit	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / derivative_unit	Dec. 31, 2017GBP (£)$ / derivative_unit	Dec. 31, 2017EUR (€)$ / derivative_unit	Dec. 31, 2016GBP (£)$ / derivative_unit	Dec. 31, 2016EUR (€)$ / derivative_unit
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	$ 6,396.9	$ 4,783.5
Market value	$ 204.3	$ 203.3
CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Average life (in years)	4 years 7 months 6 days	5 years 7 months 6 days
Notional amount	$ 117,254.6	$ 110,365.5
Cost	678.4	670
Market value	39.6	83.4
Unrealized gain (loss)	$ (638.8)	$ (586.6)
United States | CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Floor rate	0.50%		0.50%	0.50%
Weighted average index value or strike price (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	242.20	241	242.20	242.20	241	241
United States, 1 | CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Floor rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average life (in years)	4 years 8 months 12 days	5 years 8 months 12 days
Notional amount	$ 46,725	$ 46,725
Weighted average index value or strike price (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	231.39	231.39	231.39	231.39	231.39	231.39
Index value at period end (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	246.52	241.43	246.52	246.52	241.43	241.43
Cost	$ 287.5	$ 286.9
Cost (in bps)	0.615%	0.614%	0.615%	0.615%	0.614%	0.614%
Market value	$ 20.6	$ 35.2
Market value (in bps)	0.044%	0.075%	0.044%	0.044%	0.075%	0.075%
Unrealized gain (loss)	$ (266.9)	$ (251.7)
United States, 2 | CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Floor rate	0.50%	0.50%	0.50%	0.50%	0.50%	0.50%
Average life (in years)	6 years 9 months 18 days	7 years 9 months 18 days
Notional amount	$ 12,600	$ 12,600
Weighted average index value or strike price (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	238.30	238.30	238.30	238.30	238.30	238.30
Index value at period end (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	246.52	241.43	246.52	246.52	241.43	241.43
Cost	$ 39.9	$ 39.5
Cost (in bps)	0.317%	0.313%	0.317%	0.317%	0.313%	0.313%
Market value	$ 17.2	$ 34.3
Market value (in bps)	0.137%	0.272%	0.137%	0.137%	0.272%	0.272%
Unrealized gain (loss)	$ (22.7)	$ (5.2)
European Union | CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Floor rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average life (in years)	4 years	5 years
Notional amount	$ 49,683	$ 43,640.4		€ 41,375		€ 41,375
Weighted average index value or strike price (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	96.09	96.09	96.09	96.09	96.09	96.09
Index value at period end (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	102.57	101.26	102.57	102.57	101.26	101.26
Cost	$ 307.1	$ 300.3
Cost (in bps)	0.618%	0.688%	0.618%	0.618%	0.688%	0.688%
Market value	$ 1.4	$ 12.5
Market value (in bps)	0.003%	0.029%	0.003%	0.003%	0.029%	0.029%
Unrealized gain (loss)	$ (305.7)	$ (287.8)
United Kingdom | CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Floor rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average life (in years)	4 years 10 months 24 days	5 years 10 months 24 days
Notional amount	$ 4,464.1	$ 4,077.6	£ 3,300		£ 3,300
Weighted average index value or strike price (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	243.82	243.82	243.82	243.82	243.82	243.82
Index value at period end (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	278.10	267.10	278.10	278.10	267.10	267.10
Cost	$ 23.2	$ 22.6
Cost (in bps)	0.52%	0.554%	0.52%	0.52%	0.554%	0.554%
Market value	$ 0.3	$ 0.5
Market value (in bps)	0.007%	0.012%	0.007%	0.007%	0.012%	0.012%
Unrealized gain (loss)	$ (22.9)	$ (22.1)
France | CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Floor rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average life (in years)	5 years 1 month 6 days	6 years 1 month 6 days
Notional amount	$ 3,782.5	$ 3,322.5		€ 3,150		€ 3,150
Weighted average index value or strike price (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	99.27	99.27	99.27	99.27	99.27	99.27
Index value at period end (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	101.76	100.66	101.76	101.76	100.66	100.66
Cost	$ 20.7	$ 20.7
Cost (in bps)	0.547%	0.623%	0.547%	0.547%	0.623%	0.623%
Market value	$ 0.1	$ 0.9
Market value (in bps)	0.003%	0.027%	0.003%	0.003%	0.027%	0.027%
Unrealized gain (loss)	$ (20.6)	$ (19.8)
Payout At Maturity Scenario 1
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Floor rate	0.00%		0.00%	0.00%
Payout At Maturity Scenario 2
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Floor rate	0.50%		0.50%	0.50%
Weighted average index value or strike price (usd per unit) | $ / derivative_unit	250.49		250.49	250.49

Insurance Contract Liabilitie81

Insurance Contract Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Disclosure of net, gross and reinsurer's share for amounts arising from insurance contracts [line items]
Provision for unearned premiums	$ 5,951.7	$ 3,740.4	$ 3,284.8
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	28,610.8	19,481.8	$ 19,816.4	$ 17,749.1	$ 19,212.8	$ 19,648.8	$ 17,232.2	$ 16,049.3	$ 14,504.8	$ 14,467.2
Total insurance contract liabilities	34,562.5	23,222.2
Total insurance contract liabilities, Current	13,405	9,013.9
Total ceded insurance contract liabilities, Current	2,975.9	1,586.8
Total insurance contract liabilities, net, Current	10,429.1	7,427.1
Total insurance contract liabilities, Non-current	21,157.5	14,208.3
Total ceded insurance contract liabilities, Non-current	4,382.8	2,132.6
Total insurance contract liabilities, net, Non-current	16,774.7	12,075.7
Total insurance contract liabilities, Ceded	7,358.7	3,719.4
Total insurance contract liabilities, Net	27,203.8	19,502.8
Gross
Disclosure of net, gross and reinsurer's share for amounts arising from insurance contracts [line items]
Provision for unearned premiums	5,951.7	3,740.4
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	28,610.8	19,481.8
Total insurance contract liabilities	34,562.5	23,222.2
Ceded
Disclosure of net, gross and reinsurer's share for amounts arising from insurance contracts [line items]
Provision for unearned premiums	1,169	539.8
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	6,189.7	3,179.6
Total insurance contract liabilities	7,358.7	3,719.4
Net
Disclosure of net, gross and reinsurer's share for amounts arising from insurance contracts [line items]
Provision for unearned premiums	4,782.7	3,200.6
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	22,421.1	16,302.2
Total insurance contract liabilities	$ 27,203.8	$ 19,502.8

Insurance Contract Liabilitie82

Insurance Contract Liabilities - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of net, gross and reinsurer's share for amounts arising from insurance contracts [line items]
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	$ 19,481.8	$ 19,816.4	$ 17,749.1	$ 19,212.8	$ 19,648.8	$ 17,232.2	$ 16,049.3	$ 14,504.8	$ 14,467.2	$ 28,610.8
Net loss reserves, case reserves	7,537.2									9,731.5
Net loss reserves, IBNR	8,765									12,689.6
Loss reserve development	331.6	$ 1,080.9	$ 1,371.4	$ 1,431.7	$ 1,222.1	$ 611.1	$ 507.7	$ (349)	$ (481.4)
Net
Disclosure of net, gross and reinsurer's share for amounts arising from insurance contracts [line items]
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	$ 16,302.2									$ 22,421.1

Insurance Contract Liabilitie83

Insurance Contract Liabilities - Provision For Unearned Premiums (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Change In Unearned Premiums [Roll Forward]
Provision for unearned premiums – January 1	$ 3,740.4	$ 3,284.8
Gross premiums written	12,207.5	9,534.3
Less: gross premiums earned	(11,822)	(9,209.7)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	1,906.2	111.1
Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23)	(157.9)	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	77.5	19.9
Provision for unearned premiums - December 31	$ 5,951.7	$ 3,740.4

Insurance Contract Liabilitie84

Insurance Contract Liabilities - Provision For Loss And Loss Adjustment Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Provision For Loss On Insurance Contracts [Roll Forward]
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – January 1	$ 19,481.8	$ 19,816.4
Decrease in estimated losses and expenses for claims occurring in the prior years	(218.8)	(559.8)
Losses and expenses for claims occurring in the current year	9,736.5	6,247.8
Paid on claims occurring during:
the current year	(2,263.9)	(1,595.6)
the prior years	(5,526)	(4,441.8)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	7,377.6	143.1
Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23)	(546.6)	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	570.2	(128.3)
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses – December 31	$ 28,610.8	$ 19,481.8

Insurance Contract Liabilitie85

Insurance Contract Liabilities - Development Of Insurance Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	$ 19,481.8	$ 19,816.4	$ 17,749.1	$ 19,212.8	$ 19,648.8	$ 17,232.2	$ 16,049.3	$ 14,504.8	$ 14,467.2	$ 28,610.8
Less: CTR Life	12.8	14.2	15.2	17.9	20.6	24.2	25.3	27.6	34.9	8.7
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of CTR Life	19,469	19,802.2	17,733.9	19,194.9	19,628.2	17,208	16,024	14,477.2	14,432.3	$ 28,602.1
Effect of foreign currency translation	(205.7)	(252.3)	248.5	476	575.6	265.1	264.2	82	(317.7)
Loss reserve development	331.6	1,080.9	1,371.4	1,431.7	1,222.1	611.1	507.7	(349)	(481.4)
Favourable (unfavourable) development	125.9	828.6	1,619.9	1,907.7	1,797.7	876.2	771.9	(267)	(799.1)
One year later
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Cumulative payments	4,608	4,441.4	3,801.6	0	0	3,627.6	3,355.9	3,126.6	3,136
Reserves re-estimated	$ 19,343.1	19,169.3	16,696.4	18,375.6	19,021.2	17,316.4	15,893.8	14,616	14,746
Two years later
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Cumulative payments		7,283.6	6,364.5	6,787.6	7,153.1	0	5,441.4	5,307.6	5,336.4
Reserves re-estimated		$ 18,973.6	16,269.2	17,475	18,529.4	17,013.6	15,959.7	14,726.6	14,844.4
Three years later
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Cumulative payments			8,172.7	8,775.5	9,148	7,920.3	0	6,846.3	7,070.7
Reserves re-estimated			$ 16,114	17,307.9	17,820.5	16,721	15,705.6	14,921.6	14,912.4
Four years later
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Cumulative payments				10,212.4	10,702.8	9,333.4	8,333.3	0	8,318.7
Reserves re-estimated				$ 17,287.2	17,735.5	16,233.9	15,430.4	14,828.9	15,127.5
Five years later
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Cumulative payments					11,783.3	10,458.7	9,327	8,936.9	0
Reserves re-estimated					$ 17,830.5	16,269.6	15,036.2	14,663.1	15,091
Six years later
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Cumulative payments						11,263.6	10,202.6	9,721.1	10,039.4
Reserves re-estimated						$ 16,331.8	15,099	14,433	15,011.7
Seven years later
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Cumulative payments							10,823.4	10,456.1	10,705.5
Reserves re-estimated							$ 15,252.1	14,551.5	14,873.6
Eight years later
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Cumulative payments								10,975.6	11,379.9
Reserves re-estimated								$ 14,744.2	15,028.8
Nine years later
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Cumulative payments									11,857.8
Reserves re-estimated									$ 15,231.4

Insurance Contract Liabilitie86

Insurance Contract Liabilities - Provision For Loss And Loss Adjustment Expenses - Asbestos (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Gross
Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses - January 1	$ 1,347.7	$ 1,381
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred	153	219.9
Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid	(208.6)	(253.2)
Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses - December 31	1,292.1	1,347.7
Net
Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses - January 1	1,065.5	1,043.8
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred	141.8	218.7
Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid	(174)	(197)
Provision for asbestos claims and loss adjustment expenses - December 31	$ 1,033.3	$ 1,065.5

Insurance Contract Liabilitie87

Insurance Contract Liabilities - Fair Value/Change In Interest Rates (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Carrying value	$ 34,562.5	$ 23,222.2
Insurance contracts
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Fair value	33,807.2	22,598.3
Carrying value	34,562.5	23,222.2
Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Fair value	6,948.7	3,501.3
Carrying value	7,358.7	3,719.4
100 basis point increase | Insurance contracts
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Fair value	32,820.7	21,973.4
100 basis point increase | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Fair value	6,764.1	3,425.7
100 basis point decrease | Insurance contracts
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Fair value	34,877.5	23,274.9
100 basis point decrease | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of types of insurance contracts [line items]
Fair value	$ 7,147.6	$ 3,582.4

Reinsurance - Reinsurers' Share

Reinsurance - Reinsurers' Share of Insurance Contract Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of net, gross and reinsurer's share for amounts arising from insurance contracts [line items]
Assets under reinsurance ceded	$ 7,812.5
Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of net, gross and reinsurer's share for amounts arising from insurance contracts [line items]
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	6,189.7	$ 3,179.6
Reinsurers’ share of paid losses	453.8	290.9
Provision for unearned premiums	1,169	539.8
Assets under reinsurance ceded	7,812.5	4,010.3	$ 3,890.9
Recoverable from reinsurers, current	3,418.6	1,846.6
Recoverable from reinsurers, non-current	4,393.9	2,163.7
Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of net, gross and reinsurer's share for amounts arising from insurance contracts [line items]
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	6,216.2	3,210
Reinsurers’ share of paid losses	593.7	432.2
Provision for unearned premiums	1,169	539.8
Assets under reinsurance ceded	7,978.9	4,182
Provision for uncollectible reinsurance | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of net, gross and reinsurer's share for amounts arising from insurance contracts [line items]
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	(26.5)	(30.4)
Reinsurers’ share of paid losses	(139.9)	(141.3)
Provision for unearned premiums	0	0
Assets under reinsurance ceded	$ (166.4)	$ (171.7)	$ (187)

Reinsurance - Reinsurers' Sha89

Reinsurance - Reinsurers' Share of Paid Losses, Unpaid Losses, Unearned Premiums and the Provision (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Changes In Reinsurance Recoverables [Roll Forward]
Reinsurance recoverables, ending balance	$ 7,812.5
Ceded reinsurance contracts
Changes In Reinsurance Recoverables [Roll Forward]
Reinsurance recoverables, beginning balance	4,010.3	$ 3,890.9
Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds	0	0
Reinsurance recoveries received	(1,314)	(1,017.4)
Reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums earned	266.5	(395.4)
Premiums ceded to reinsurers	2,224	1,445.9
Change in provision, recovery or write-off of impaired balances	7.7	4.9
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	2,863.9	108.8
Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23)	(353.5)
Foreign exchange effect and other	107.6	(27.4)
Reinsurance recoverables, ending balance	7,812.5	4,010.3
Commission income on premiums ceded	347.1	267.4
Ceded reinsurance contracts | Paid losses
Changes In Reinsurance Recoverables [Roll Forward]
Reinsurance recoverables, beginning balance	432.2	419.4
Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds	1,330.7	1,018.3
Reinsurance recoveries received	(1,314)	(1,017.4)
Reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums earned	0	0
Premiums ceded to reinsurers	0	0
Change in provision, recovery or write-off of impaired balances	(0.2)	0.7
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	162.7	11.5
Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23)	(29)
Foreign exchange effect and other	11.3	(0.3)
Reinsurance recoverables, ending balance	593.7	432.2
Ceded reinsurance contracts | Unpaid losses
Changes In Reinsurance Recoverables [Roll Forward]
Reinsurance recoverables, beginning balance	3,210	3,259.8
Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds	(1,330.7)	(1,018.3)
Reinsurance recoveries received	0	0
Reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums earned	2,367.1	952.1
Premiums ceded to reinsurers	0	0
Change in provision, recovery or write-off of impaired balances	0.7	(11.3)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	2,115.2	65
Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23)	(237.8)
Foreign exchange effect and other	91.7	(37.3)
Reinsurance recoverables, ending balance	6,216.2	3,210
Ceded reinsurance contracts | Unearned premiums
Changes In Reinsurance Recoverables [Roll Forward]
Reinsurance recoverables, beginning balance	539.8	398.7
Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds	0	0
Reinsurance recoveries received	0	0
Reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums earned	(2,100.6)	(1,347.5)
Premiums ceded to reinsurers	2,224	1,445.9
Change in provision, recovery or write-off of impaired balances	0	0
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	586	32.3
Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23)	(86.8)
Foreign exchange effect and other	6.6	10.4
Reinsurance recoverables, ending balance	1,169	539.8
Ceded reinsurance contracts | Provision for uncollectible reinsurance
Changes In Reinsurance Recoverables [Roll Forward]
Reinsurance recoverables, beginning balance	(171.7)	(187)
Reinsurers’ share of losses paid to insureds	0	0
Reinsurance recoveries received	0	0
Reinsurers’ share of unpaid losses and premiums earned	0	0
Premiums ceded to reinsurers	0	0
Change in provision, recovery or write-off of impaired balances	7.2	15.5
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	0	0
Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23)	0.1
Foreign exchange effect and other	(2)	(0.2)
Reinsurance recoverables, ending balance	$ (166.4)	$ (171.7)

Insurance Contract Receivable90

Insurance Contract Receivables - Insurance Contract Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance Contracts [Abstract]
Insurance premiums receivable	$ 2,752.3	$ 1,906.2	$ 1,677.1
Reinsurance premiums receivable	1,086.4	788.8	$ 659.5
Funds withheld receivable	659.8	181.8
Other	218.7	68.3
Provision for uncollectible balances	(30.3)	(27.6)
Insurance contract receivables	$ 4,686.9	$ 2,917.5

Insurance Contract Receivable91

Insurance Contract Receivables - Changes in Insurance Contract Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Insurance premiums receivable
Insurance premiums receivable, beginning balance	$ 1,906.2	$ 1,677.1
Gross premiums written	9,329.9	6,930.2
Premiums collected	(8,075.2)	(6,050.5)
Recovery (impairments)	0.5	(1.6)
Amounts due to brokers and agents	(932.3)	(707.8)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	604.1	54.7
Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23)	(64.7)	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	(16.2)	4.1
Insurance premiums receivable, ending balance	2,752.3	1,906.2
Reinsurance premiums receivable
Reinsurance premiums receivable, beginning balance	788.8	659.5
Gross premiums written	2,877.6	2,604.1
Premiums collected	(2,323.3)	(1,876.5)
Recovery (impairments)	(0.7)	(1.2)
Amounts due to brokers and agents	(686.4)	(581.2)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	445.2	0.8
Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23)	(48.5)	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	33.7	(16.7)
Reinsurance premiums receivable, ending balance	$ 1,086.4	$ 788.8

Deferred Premium Acquisition 92

Deferred Premium Acquisition Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of changes in deferred acquisition costs arising from insurance contracts [abstract]
Deferred premium acquisition costs, beginning balance	$ 693.1	$ 532.7
Premium acquisition costs deferred	2,380.2	1,851.1
Amortization	(2,140.7)	(1,696.2)
Divestiture of subsidiary (note 23)	(15.8)	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	10.7	5.5
Deferred premium acquisition costs, ending balance	$ 927.5	$ 693.1

Goodwill and Intangible Asset93

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Changes in Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	$ 3,847.5	$ 3,214.9
Additions	2,232.9	734.1
Disposals	(1.9)	(0.1)
Amortization and impairment	(159.5)	(111.2)
Foreign exchange effect and other	153.5	9.8
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	6,072.5	3,847.5
Gross carrying amount
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	4,253.7
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	6,625.5	4,253.7
Accumulated amortization
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	(384.5)
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	(530.4)	(384.5)
Accumulated impairment
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	(21.7)
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	(22.6)	(21.7)
Goodwill
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	1,633.7	1,428.2
Additions	1,212.3	216
Disposals	(1.7)	0
Impairment	(0.1)	(7)
Foreign exchange effect and other	60.5	(3.5)
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	2,904.7	1,633.7
Goodwill | Gross carrying amount
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	1,640.7
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	2,911.8	1,640.7
Goodwill | Accumulated amortization
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	0
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	0	0
Goodwill | Accumulated impairment
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	(7)
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	(7.1)	(7)
Lloyd's participation rights
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	420.5	420.5
Additions	87.4	0
Disposals	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	0	0
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	507.9	420.5
Lloyd's participation rights | Gross carrying amount
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	420.5
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	507.9	420.5
Lloyd's participation rights | Accumulated amortization
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	0
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	0	0
Lloyd's participation rights | Accumulated impairment
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	0
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	0	0
Customer and broker relationships
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	431.8	385.6
Additions	672.8	73.8
Disposals	0	0
Amortization	(67.9)	(35.3)
Foreign exchange effect and other	11.1	7.7
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	1,047.8	431.8
Customer and broker relationships | Gross carrying amount
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	578.6
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	1,266.7	578.6
Customer and broker relationships | Accumulated amortization
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	(146.8)
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	(218.9)	(146.8)
Customer and broker relationships | Accumulated impairment
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	0
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	0	0
Brand names
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	1,014.4	723.3
Additions	87.5	280.9
Disposals	0	0
Impairment	0	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	69.5	10.2
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	1,171.4	1,014.4
Brand names | Gross carrying amount
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	1,014.4
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	1,171.4	1,014.4
Brand names | Accumulated amortization
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	0
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	0	0
Brand names | Accumulated impairment
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	0
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	0	0
Computer software and other
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	347.1	257.3
Additions	172.9	163.4
Disposals	(0.2)	(0.1)
Amortization	(91.5)	(68.9)
Foreign exchange effect and other	12.4	(4.6)
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	440.7	347.1
Computer software and other | Gross carrying amount
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	599.5
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	767.7	599.5
Computer software and other | Accumulated amortization
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	(237.7)
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	(311.5)	(237.7)
Computer software and other | Accumulated impairment
Disclosure of reconciliation of changes in intangible assets and goodwill [abstract]
Intangible assets and goodwill, beginning balance	(14.7)
Intangible assets and goodwill, ending balance	$ (15.5)	$ (14.7)

Other Assets (Details)

Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Premises and equipment	$ 1,250.3	$ 891.5
Other reporting segment investment properties (note 23)	1,168.4	0
Other reporting segment sales receivables	470	295.2
Other reporting segment inventories	320.7	235.5
Receivables for securities sold but not yet settled	207.3	42.1
Prepaid expenses	186.2	124.1
Income taxes refundable	147	202.7
Accrued interest and dividends	121.4	106.8
Deferred compensation plans	67.1	63.4
Pension surplus (note 21)	49.1	50.8
Other	840.8	506.3
Current	1,857.5	1,280.4
Non-current	2,970.8	1,238
Other assets	4,828.3	2,518.4
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Premises and equipment	403	251.9
Other reporting segment investment properties (note 23)	0	0
Other reporting segment sales receivables	0	0
Other reporting segment inventories	0	0
Receivables for securities sold but not yet settled	207.3	15.6
Prepaid expenses	83.7	59.7
Income taxes refundable	83.1	174.7
Accrued interest and dividends	105.2	97.3
Deferred compensation plans	67.1	63.4
Pension surplus (note 21)	49.1	50.8
Other	565.5	307.3
Current	788.5	487.5
Non-current	775.5	533.2
Other assets	1,564	1,020.7
Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Premises and equipment	847.3	639.6
Other reporting segment investment properties (note 23)	1,168.4	0
Other reporting segment sales receivables	470	295.2
Other reporting segment inventories	320.7	235.5
Receivables for securities sold but not yet settled	0	26.5
Prepaid expenses	102.5	64.4
Income taxes refundable	63.9	28
Accrued interest and dividends	16.2	9.5
Deferred compensation plans	0	0
Pension surplus (note 21)	0	0
Other	275.3	199
Current	1,069	792.9
Non-current	2,195.3	704.8
Other assets	$ 3,264.3	$ 1,497.7

Goodwill and Intangible Asset95

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Allocation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	$ 2,904.7	$ 1,633.7
Intangible assets	3,167.8	2,213.8
Total	6,072.5	3,847.5	$ 3,214.9
Allied World
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	938.9	0
Intangible assets	763.7	0
Total	1,702.6	0
Cara
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	222.3	211.5
Intangible assets	1,073.6	990.3
Total	1,295.9	1,201.8
Brit
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	154.3	154.3
Intangible assets	571.3	576.6
Total	725.6	730.9
Zenith National
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	317.6	317.6
Intangible assets	115.5	121.4
Total	433.1	439
Crum & Forster
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	188.8	186.5
Intangible assets	129.4	145.1
Total	318.2	331.6
Quess
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	229	23.7
Intangible assets	21.8	18.5
Total	250.8	42.2
Thomas Cook India
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	150	115.3
Intangible assets	54.2	50.1
Total	204.2	165.4
Northbridge
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	95.7	88.3
Intangible assets	77.1	64.5
Total	172.8	152.8
OdysseyRe
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	119.7	119.7
Intangible assets	51.6	55.2
Total	171.3	174.9
AMAG
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	44.7	72.6
Intangible assets	110.2	63
Total	154.9	135.6
All other
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Goodwill	443.7	344.2
Intangible assets	199.4	129.1
Total	$ 643.1	$ 473.3

Goodwill and Intangible Asset96

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Impairment loss recognized in earnings, intangible assets	$ 0
Investment return rate	5.00%
Growth rate used to extrapolate cash flow projections	3.00%
Insurance business | Bottom of range
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Discount rate applied to cash flow projections	7.80%
Insurance business | Top of range
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Discount rate applied to cash flow projections	15.40%
Non-insurance business | Bottom of range
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Discount rate applied to cash flow projections	9.20%
Non-insurance business | Top of range
Disclosure of information for cash-generating units [line items]
Discount rate applied to cash flow projections	21.30%

Accounts Payable and Accrued 97

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Other reporting segment payables related to cost of sales	$ 530.8	$ 416.7
Payable to reinsurers	428.2	498.3
Salaries and employee benefit liabilities	374.1	249.5
Deferred gift card, hospitality and other revenue	322	284.3
Pension and post retirement liabilities (note 21)	250.8	216.9
Amounts withheld and accrued taxes	248.6	218.2
Ceded deferred premium acquisition costs	161.4	84.7
Accrued rent, storage and facilities costs	92.8	64.8
Amounts payable to agents and brokers	90.5	30.6
Accrued commissions	80.2	85.4
Accrued premium taxes	66.6	55.2
Accrued interest expense	51.4	43.5
Accrued legal and professional fees	48.4	38.1
Amounts payable for securities purchased but not yet settled	18.2	14.4
Administrative and other	865.5	588
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	3,629.5	2,888.6
Current	2,449.4	1,945.5
Non-current	1,180.1	943.1
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Other reporting segment payables related to cost of sales	0	0
Payable to reinsurers	428.2	498.3
Salaries and employee benefit liabilities	296.8	218.3
Deferred gift card, hospitality and other revenue	27.3	20.9
Pension and post retirement liabilities (note 21)	227.1	196.2
Amounts withheld and accrued taxes	205.2	169.7
Ceded deferred premium acquisition costs	161.4	84.7
Accrued rent, storage and facilities costs	33.1	17.1
Amounts payable to agents and brokers	90.4	30.5
Accrued commissions	79.8	85.4
Accrued premium taxes	66.6	55.2
Accrued interest expense	48	41.4
Accrued legal and professional fees	37.7	29.6
Amounts payable for securities purchased but not yet settled	18.2	14.4
Administrative and other	621.7	453.3
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,341.5	1,915
Current	1,429.7	1,174.7
Non-current	911.8	740.3
Non-insurance companies
Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Line Items]
Other reporting segment payables related to cost of sales	530.8	416.7
Payable to reinsurers	0	0
Salaries and employee benefit liabilities	77.3	31.2
Deferred gift card, hospitality and other revenue	294.7	263.4
Pension and post retirement liabilities (note 21)	23.7	20.7
Amounts withheld and accrued taxes	43.4	48.5
Ceded deferred premium acquisition costs	0	0
Accrued rent, storage and facilities costs	59.7	47.7
Amounts payable to agents and brokers	0.1	0.1
Accrued commissions	0.4	0
Accrued premium taxes	0	0
Accrued interest expense	3.4	2.1
Accrued legal and professional fees	10.7	8.5
Amounts payable for securities purchased but not yet settled	0	0
Administrative and other	243.8	134.7
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,288	973.6
Current	1,019.7	770.8
Non-current	$ 268.3	$ 202.8

Borrowings - Schedule of Borrow

Borrowings - Schedule of Borrowings (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2017CAD	Dec. 29, 2017CAD	Dec. 04, 2017CAD	Aug. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 11, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 6,396.9							$ 4,783.5
Carrying amount	6,414.1							4,767.6
Fair value	$ 6,676.5							5,026.4
4.25% due December 6, 2027 (Cdn$650.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal | CAD			CAD 650,000,000
Interest rate	4.25%	4.25%	4.25%
Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 3,492							3,490.8
Carrying amount	3,475.1
Fair value	3,723.5							3,737.2
Holding Company | 7.375% due April 15, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	144.2							144.2
Fair value	$ 146.4							153.8
Interest rate	7.375%	7.375%	7.375%
Holding Company | 7.50% due August 19, 2019 (Cdn$400.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 0		CAD 400,000,000	CAD 388,400,000				298.3
Fair value	$ 0							334.4
Interest rate	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Holding Company | 7.25% due June 22, 2020 (Cdn$275.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 213.3		CAD 275,000,000					205.1
Fair value	$ 235.6							233.6
Interest rate	7.25%	7.25%	7.25%
Holding Company | 5.80% due May 15, 2021
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 500							500
Fair value	$ 534.1							538.9
Interest rate	5.80%	5.80%	5.80%
Holding Company | 6.40% due May 25, 2021 (Cdn$400.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 315.7		CAD 400,000,000					298.3
Fair value	$ 349.4							337.3
Interest rate	6.40%	6.40%	6.40%
Holding Company | 5.84% due October 14, 2022 (Cdn$450.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 359.2		CAD 450,000,000					335.6
Fair value	$ 397.2							373.9
Interest rate	5.84%	5.84%	5.84%
Holding Company | 4.50% due March 22, 2023 (Cdn$400.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 319.2		CAD 400,000,000					298.3
Fair value	$ 333.5							310.6
Interest rate	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Holding Company | 4.875% due August 13, 2024
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 300							300
Fair value	$ 313.4							297.8
Interest rate	4.875%	4.875%	4.875%
Holding Company | 4.95% due March 3, 2025 (Cdn$350.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 279.3		CAD 350,000,000					261
Fair value	$ 297.1							272.6
Interest rate	4.95%	4.95%	4.95%
Holding Company | 8.30% due April 15, 2026
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 91.8							91.8
Fair value	$ 116.3							109.9
Interest rate	8.30%	8.30%	8.30%
Holding Company | 4.70% due December 16, 2026 (Cdn$450.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 359.2		CAD 450,000,000					335.6
Fair value	$ 371.7							338.9
Interest rate	4.70%	4.70%	4.70%
Holding Company | 4.25% due December 6, 2027 (Cdn$650.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 518.8		CAD 650,000,000		CAD 650,000,000			0
Fair value	$ 514.7							0
Interest rate	4.25%	4.25%	4.25%		4.25%
Holding Company | 7.75% due July 15, 2037
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 91.3							91.3
Fair value	$ 114.1							104.2
Interest rate	7.75%	7.75%	7.75%
Holding Company | Revolving credit facility
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 0							200
Fair value	0							200
Holding Company | Purchase consideration payable due 2017
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	0							131.3
Fair value	0							131.3
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	1,336.8							429.3
Carrying amount	1,373
Fair value	1,386.9							430.2
Insurance and reinsurance companies | Allied World senior notes, 5.50% due November 1, 2020
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	300							0
Fair value	$ 320							0
Interest rate	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Insurance and reinsurance companies | Allied World senior notes, 4.35% due October 29, 2025
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 500							0
Fair value	$ 507.3							0
Interest rate	4.35%	4.35%	4.35%
Insurance and reinsurance companies | Allied World revolving credit facility and other borrowings
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 45							0
Fair value	49.2							0
Insurance and reinsurance companies | OdysseyRe floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2021
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	90							90
Fair value	93							94.1
Insurance and reinsurance companies | Brit 6.625% subordinated notes due December 9, 2030 (£135.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	182.6	£ 135,000,000						166.8
Fair value	$ 199							169
Interest rate	6.625%	6.625%	6.625%
Insurance and reinsurance companies | Brit floating rate revolving credit facility
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 45							0
Fair value	45							0
Insurance and reinsurance companies | First Mercury floating rate trust preferred securities due 2036 and 2037
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	41.4							41.4
Fair value	41.4							41.4
Insurance and reinsurance companies | Zenith National 8.55% debentures due August 1, 2028
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	38.4							38.4
Fair value	$ 38.2							38.2
Interest rate	8.55%	8.55%	8.55%
Insurance and reinsurance companies | Advent floating rate subordinated notes due June 3, 2035
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 48.4							46.7
Fair value	47.8							41.5
Insurance and reinsurance companies | Advent floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2026
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	46							46
Fair value	46							46
Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	1,568.1							863.4
Carrying amount	1,566
Fair value	1,566.1							859
Non-insurance companies | Fairfax India floating rate term loan due July 11, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	400						$ 400	225
Fair value	400							223.8
Non-insurance companies | Fairfax India subsidiary borrowings
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	186.1							80.8
Fair value	186.1							80.8
Non-insurance companies | Fairfax Africa floating rate term loan due January 31, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	150					$ 150		0
Fair value	150							0
Non-insurance companies | Grivalia Properties term loans and revolving facility
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	160.4							0
Fair value	160.4							0
Non-insurance companies | Cara floating rate term loan due September 2, 2019 (Cdn$150.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	119.7		CAD 150,000,000					111.9
Fair value	119.3							111.4
Non-insurance companies | Cara floating rate credit facility expiring September 2, 2021
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	182.8							180.5
Fair value	181.7							179.1
Non-insurance companies | The Keg 7.5% note due May 31, 2042 (Cdn$57.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	45.5		CAD 57,000,000					42.5
Fair value	$ 45.5							42.5
Interest rate	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Non-insurance companies | The Keg floating rate revolving facility and term loan due July 2, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	$ 31.9							20.9
Fair value	31.7							20.7
Non-insurance companies | Loans and revolving credit facilities primarily at floating rates
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal	291.7							201.8
Fair value	291.4							200.7
Gross carrying amount
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	6,414.1							4,767.6	$ 3,351.5
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	3,475.1							3,472.5	2,599
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 7.375% due April 15, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	144.2							144.2
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 7.50% due August 19, 2019 (Cdn$400.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	0							297
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 7.25% due June 22, 2020 (Cdn$275.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	212.7							204.2
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 5.80% due May 15, 2021
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	498							497.4
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 6.40% due May 25, 2021 (Cdn$400.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	314.4							296.5
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 5.84% due October 14, 2022 (Cdn$450.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	362.5							339.6
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 4.50% due March 22, 2023 (Cdn$400.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	316.8							295.4
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 4.875% due August 13, 2024
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	296.2							295.6
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 4.95% due March 3, 2025 (Cdn$350.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	275.5							256.6
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 8.30% due April 15, 2026
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	91.6							91.6
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 4.70% due December 16, 2026 (Cdn$450.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	356.6							332.7
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 4.25% due December 6, 2027 (Cdn$650.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	516.2							0
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | 7.75% due July 15, 2037
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	90.4							90.4
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | Revolving credit facility
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	0							200
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company | Purchase consideration payable due 2017
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	0							131.3
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	1,373							435.5	468.5
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies | Allied World senior notes, 5.50% due November 1, 2020
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	320.4							0
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies | Allied World senior notes, 4.35% due October 29, 2025
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	508.4							0
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies | Allied World revolving credit facility and other borrowings
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	49.2							0
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies | OdysseyRe floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2021
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	89.8							89.8
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies | Brit 6.625% subordinated notes due December 9, 2030 (£135.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	188.5							175.9
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies | Brit floating rate revolving credit facility
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	45							0
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies | First Mercury floating rate trust preferred securities due 2036 and 2037
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	41.4							41.4
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies | Zenith National 8.55% debentures due August 1, 2028
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	38.2							38.2
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies | Advent floating rate subordinated notes due June 3, 2035
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	47.1							45.4
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies | Advent floating rate unsecured senior notes due 2026
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	45							44.8
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	1,566							859.6	$ 284
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies | Fairfax India floating rate term loan due July 11, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	400							223.8
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies | Fairfax India subsidiary borrowings
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	186.1							80.8
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies | Fairfax Africa floating rate term loan due January 31, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	150							0
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies | Grivalia Properties term loans and revolving facility
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	160.4							0
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies | Cara floating rate term loan due September 2, 2019 (Cdn$150.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	119.3							111.4
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies | Cara floating rate credit facility expiring September 2, 2021
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	181.7							179.1
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies | The Keg 7.5% note due May 31, 2042 (Cdn$57.0)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	45.5							42.5
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies | The Keg floating rate revolving facility and term loan due July 2, 2018
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	31.7							20.7
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies | Loans and revolving credit facilities primarily at floating rates
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Carrying amount	$ 291.3							$ 201.3

Borrowings - Additional Informa

Borrowings - Additional Information (Details) ZAR in Billions	Dec. 29, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2017CAD	Dec. 13, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 04, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 04, 2017CAD	Nov. 29, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 15, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017CAD	Dec. 21, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 04, 2017CAD	Aug. 31, 2017USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017ZAR	Jul. 11, 2017USD ($)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal									$ 6,396,900,000	$ 4,783,500,000
Loss on repurchase of borrowings									$ (28,600,000)	0
Maximum ratio of consolidated debt to consolidated capitalization									0.35
Required minimum of shareholders' equity balance									$ 9,500,000,000
Debt to consolidated capitalization ratio, actual									0.24		0.24
Shareholders’ equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax									$ 13,811,100,000	9,820,100,000
Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal									3,492,000,000	3,490,800,000
Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal									1,568,100,000	863,400,000
Loss on repurchase of borrowings									(28,600,000)	0
7.50% due August 19, 2019 | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal		CAD 388,400,000							$ 0	298,300,000	CAD 400,000,000
Interest rate		7.50%							7.50%		7.50%
Payments for redemption of debt	$ 340,600,000	CAD 430,600,000						$ 9,700,000
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	$ 26,000,000	CAD 32,800,000
Repayment of debt								8,700,000
Purchase consideration payable due 2017 | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal									$ 0	131,300,000
Extinguishment of debt amount			$ 124,900,000
4.25% Due 2027
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal | CAD											CAD 650,000,000
Interest rate									4.25%		4.25%
4.25% Due 2027 | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal									$ 518,800,000	0	CAD 650,000,000		CAD 650,000,000
Interest rate				4.25%					4.25%		4.25%		4.25%
Issuance price				$ 99.992
Net proceeds from borrowings				509,500,000	CAD 646,800,000
Borrowing costs capitalised				$ 2,400,000	CAD 3,100,000
The credit facility | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal									$ 0	200,000,000
Net proceeds from borrowings						$ 45,000,000
Revolving credit facility available										1,000,000,000		$ 2,000,000,000
Short term draw									0
Fairfax Africa floating rate term loan due January 31, 2018 | Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal									150,000,000	0				$ 150,000,000
Cash collateral														150,000,000
Fairfax India floating rate term loan due September 16, 2018 | Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Extinguishment of debt amount							$ 225,000,000
Fairfax India floating rate term loan due July 11, 2018 | Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal									400,000,000	225,000,000						$ 400,000,000
Fairfax Africa Credit Facility | Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal														153,900,000	ZAR 2
Cash collateral														$ 162,000,000
7.50%, 7.25%, and 6.40% unsecured senior notes | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Repayment of debt								250,000,000
7.25% Due June 22, 2020 | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal									$ 213,300,000	205,100,000	CAD 275,000,000
Interest rate									7.25%		7.25%
Payments for redemption of debt								6,600,000
Repayment of debt								5,800,000
6.40% Due May 25, 2021 | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
Principal									$ 315,700,000	$ 298,300,000	CAD 400,000,000
Interest rate									6.40%		6.40%
Payments for redemption of debt								3,700,000
Repayment of debt								$ 3,300,000

Borrowings - Carrying Amount Ro

Borrowings - Carrying Amount Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Carrying Value Of Borrowings [Roll Forward]
Balance – January 1	$ 4,767.6
Balance – December 31	6,414.1	$ 4,767.6
Holding Company
Carrying Value Of Borrowings [Roll Forward]
Balance – December 31	3,475.1
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Carrying Value Of Borrowings [Roll Forward]
Balance – December 31	1,373
Non-insurance companies
Carrying Value Of Borrowings [Roll Forward]
Balance – December 31	1,566
Gross carrying amount
Carrying Value Of Borrowings [Roll Forward]
Balance – January 1	4,767.6	3,351.5
Net cash inflows (outflows) from issuances and repayments	318.9	1,347.5
Acquisitions (note 23)	1,082	60.4
Loss on redemption	28.6	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	217	8.2
Balance – December 31	6,414.1	4,767.6
Gross carrying amount | Holding Company
Carrying Value Of Borrowings [Roll Forward]
Balance – January 1	3,472.5	2,599
Net cash inflows (outflows) from issuances and repayments	(174.2)	832.3
Acquisitions (note 23)	0	0
Loss on redemption	28.6	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	148.2	41.2
Balance – December 31	3,475.1	3,472.5
Gross carrying amount | Insurance and reinsurance companies
Carrying Value Of Borrowings [Roll Forward]
Balance – January 1	435.5	468.5
Net cash inflows (outflows) from issuances and repayments	67.5	0
Acquisitions (note 23)	860.5	0
Loss on redemption	0	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	9.5	(33)
Balance – December 31	1,373	435.5
Gross carrying amount | Non-insurance companies
Carrying Value Of Borrowings [Roll Forward]
Balance – January 1	859.6	284
Net cash inflows (outflows) from issuances and repayments	425.6	515.2
Acquisitions (note 23)	221.5	60.4
Loss on redemption	0	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	59.3	0
Balance – December 31	$ 1,566	$ 859.6

Borrowings - Schedule of Bor101

Borrowings - Schedule of Borrowings Principal Payments (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
2,018	$ 1,005.1
2,019	187.8
2,020	689.7
2,021	1,148.2
2,022	408.6
Thereafter	2,957.5
Principal	6,396.9
Holding company
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
2,018	144.2
2,019	0
2,020	213.3
2,021	815.7
2,022	359.2
Thereafter	1,959.6
Principal	3,492
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
2,018	5
2,019	0
2,020	345
2,021	90
2,022	0
Thereafter	896.8
Principal	1,336.8
Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of detailed information about borrowings [line items]
2,018	855.9
2,019	187.8
2,020	131.4
2,021	242.5
2,022	49.4
Thereafter	101.1
Principal	$ 1,568.1

Total Equity (Details)

Total Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 09, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 17, 2017	Jul. 06, 2017
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Cost of cancellation		$ 96.2	$ 14.1
Excess of book value over consideration of common shares purchased for cancellation		(50.6)	(8)
Purchases and amortization		$ 130.5	$ 30.5
Multiple voting shares
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Voting percentage of multiple voting shares		41.80%
Number of shares issued (in shares)		1,548,000	1,548,000
Subordinate voting shares
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares issued (in shares)		27,904,801	23,004,207
Number of shares reserved for share-based payments		902,498	659,411
Issuances during the year		5,084,961	1,000,000
Purchases for cancellation		184,367	30,732
Treasury shares acquired		277,364	130,075
Retained earnings
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Excess of book value over consideration of common shares purchased for cancellation		$ (50.6)	$ (8)
Treasury shares (at cost)
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Purchases and amortization		$ 140.5	$ 64.2
Subsequent event
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Cost of cancellation	$ 9.9
Subsequent event | Subordinate voting shares
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Purchases for cancellation	20,000
Treasury shares acquired	47,372
Subsequent event | Treasury shares (at cost)
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Purchases and amortization	$ 24.3
Allied World | Subordinate voting shares
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares issued (in shares)				276,397	4,799,497
Number of shares issued in combination		5,075,894
Equity interests of acquirer		$ 2,191.6		$ 119.3	$ 2,072.3

Total Equity - Shares Outstandi

Total Equity - Shares Outstanding Rollforward (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Multiple voting shares
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	1,548,000
Ending balance, shares outstanding	1,548,000	1,548,000
Subordinate voting shares
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	22,344,796	21,465,089
Interest in subordinate voting shares held through ownership interest in shareholder, beginning balance	(799,230)
Issuances during the year	5,084,961	1,000,000
Purchases for cancellation	(184,367)	(30,732)
Treasury shares acquired	(277,364)	(130,075)
Treasury shares reissued	34,277	40,514
Interest in subordinate voting shares held through ownership interest in shareholder, ending balance	(799,230)	(799,230)
Ending balance, shares outstanding	27,002,303	22,344,796
Common shares
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	23,093,566
Ending balance, shares outstanding	27,751,073	23,093,566

Total Equity - Dividends Paid (

Total Equity - Dividends Paid (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Jan. 25, 2018	Jan. 26, 2017	Jan. 27, 2016	Jan. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Dividends Declared [Line Items]
Dividend per share (in dollars per share)		$ 10	$ 10	$ 10	$ 10	$ 10
Total cash payment		$ 237.4	$ 227.8	$ 283.2	$ 304.9	$ 269
Subsequent event
Dividends Declared [Line Items]
Dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 10
Total cash payment	$ 283.2

Total Equity - Preferred Shares

Total Equity - Preferred Shares Outstanding (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Series C
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	6,016,384	6,016,384
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	6,016,384	6,016,384
Series D
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	3,983,616	3,983,616
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	3,983,616	3,983,616
Series E
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	3,967,134	3,967,134
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	3,967,134	3,967,134
Series F
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	3,572,044	3,572,044
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	3,572,044	3,572,044
Series G
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	7,432,952	7,432,952
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	7,432,952	7,432,952
Series H
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	2,567,048	2,567,048
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	2,567,048	2,567,048
Series I
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	10,465,553	10,465,553
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	10,465,553	10,465,553
Series J
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	1,534,447	1,534,447
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	1,534,447	1,534,447
Series K
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	9,500,000	9,500,000
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	9,500,000	9,500,000
Series M
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	9,200,000	9,200,000
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	9,200,000	9,200,000
Preferred shares
Reconciliation of number of shares outstanding [abstract]
Beginning balance, shares outstanding	58,239,178	58,239,178
Activity	0	0
Ending balance, shares outstanding	58,239,178	58,239,178

Total Equity - Carrying Value O

Total Equity - Carrying Value Of Preferred Shares Outstanding (Details) CAD in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017CAD	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Other	$ 420.6		$ 144.4
Issuances	2,196.9		521
Series C
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	136.7		136.7
Other			0
Issuances	0
Ending balance	136.7	CAD 150.4	136.7
Series D
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	90.5		90.5
Other			0
Issuances	0
Ending balance	90.5	99.6	90.5
Series E
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	90.8		90.8
Other			0
Issuances	0
Ending balance	90.8	99.2	90.8
Series F
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	81.8		81.8
Other			0
Issuances	0
Ending balance	81.8	89.3	81.8
Series G
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	175.3		175.3
Other			0
Issuances	0
Ending balance	175.3	185.8	175.3
Series H
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	60.6		60.6
Other			0
Issuances	0
Ending balance	60.6	64.2	60.6
Series I
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	251.6		251.6
Other			0
Issuances	0
Ending balance	251.6	261.6	251.6
Series J
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	36.9		36.9
Other			0
Issuances	0
Ending balance	36.9	38.4	36.9
Series K
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	231.7		231.7
Other			0
Issuances	0
Ending balance	231.7	237.5	231.7
Series M
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	179.6		179
Other			0.6
Issuances	0
Ending balance	179.6	CAD 230	179.6
Preferred shares
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Beginning balance	1,335.5		1,334.9
Other			0.6
Issuances	0
Ending balance	$ 1,335.5		$ 1,335.5

Total Equity - Preferred Sha107

Total Equity - Preferred Shares (Details) CAD / shares in Units, CAD in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2017CADCAD / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)shares
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Series C
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares outstanding | shares	6,016,384	6,016,384	6,016,384	6,016,384
Stated capital	$ 136.7	CAD 150.4	$ 136.7	$ 136.7
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Fixed dividend rate per annum	4.58%
Series D
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares outstanding | shares	3,983,616	3,983,616	3,983,616	3,983,616
Stated capital	$ 90.5	CAD 99.6	$ 90.5	$ 90.5
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Floating dividend rate per annum	4.02%
Series E
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares outstanding | shares	3,967,134	3,967,134	3,967,134	3,967,134
Stated capital	$ 90.8	CAD 99.2	$ 90.8	$ 90.8
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Fixed dividend rate per annum	2.91%
Series F
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares outstanding | shares	3,572,044	3,572,044	3,572,044	3,572,044
Stated capital	$ 81.8	CAD 89.3	$ 81.8	$ 81.8
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Floating dividend rate per annum	3.03%
Series G
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares outstanding | shares	7,432,952	7,432,952	7,432,952	7,432,952
Stated capital	$ 175.3	CAD 185.8	$ 175.3	$ 175.3
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Fixed dividend rate per annum	3.32%
Series H
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares outstanding | shares	2,567,048	2,567,048	2,567,048	2,567,048
Stated capital	$ 60.6	CAD 64.2	$ 60.6	$ 60.6
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Floating dividend rate per annum	3.43%
Series I
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares outstanding | shares	10,465,553	10,465,553	10,465,553	10,465,553
Stated capital	$ 251.6	CAD 261.6	$ 251.6	$ 251.6
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Fixed dividend rate per annum	3.71%
Series J
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares outstanding | shares	1,534,447	1,534,447	1,534,447	1,534,447
Stated capital	$ 36.9	CAD 38.4	$ 36.9	$ 36.9
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Floating dividend rate per annum	3.72%
Series K
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares outstanding | shares	9,500,000	9,500,000	9,500,000	9,500,000
Stated capital	$ 231.7	CAD 237.5	$ 231.7	$ 231.7
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Fixed dividend rate per annum	4.671%
Series M
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Number of shares outstanding | shares	9,200,000	9,200,000	9,200,000	9,200,000
Stated capital	$ 179.6	CAD 230	$ 179.6	$ 179
Liquidation preference per share (in dollars per share)		CAD 25
Fixed dividend rate per annum	4.75%
Government of Canada Treasury Bill | Series D
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Variable rate basis spread	3.15%
Government of Canada Treasury Bill | Series F
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Variable rate basis spread	2.16%
Government of Canada Treasury Bill | Series H
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Variable rate basis spread	2.56%
Government of Canada Treasury Bill | Series J
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Variable rate basis spread	2.85%
Government of Canada Treasury Bill | Series L
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Variable rate basis spread	3.51%
Government of Canada Treasury Bill | Series N
Disclosure of classes of share capital [line items]
Variable rate basis spread	3.98%

Total Equity - Accumulated Othe

Total Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - Equity attributable to shareholders of Fairfax - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pre-tax amount
Currency translation account	$ (166.6)	$ (356.6)
Share of accumulated other comprehensive loss of associates, excluding net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	(22)	(157.1)
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings	(188.6)	(513.7)
Share of net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans of associates	(30.3)	(42.6)
Net losses on defined benefit plans	(60.9)	(28)
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings	(91.2)	(70.6)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to shareholders of Fairfax	(279.8)	(584.3)
Income tax (expense) recovery
Currency translation account	2.8	(7.6)
Share of accumulated other comprehensive loss of associates, excluding net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	0.5	26.3
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings	3.3	18.7
Share of net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans of associates	3.5	10.8
Net losses on defined benefit plans	8.9	6.9
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings	12.4	17.7
Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to shareholders of Fairfax	15.7	36.4
After-tax amount
Currency translation account	(163.8)	(364.2)
Share of accumulated other comprehensive loss of associates, excluding net gains (losses) on defined benefit plans	(21.5)	(130.8)
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings	(185.3)	(495)
Net losses on defined benefit plans	(26.8)	(31.8)
Net losses on defined benefit plans	(52)	(21.1)
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to net earnings	(78.8)	(52.9)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss attributable to shareholders of Fairfax	$ (264.1)	$ (547.9)

Total Equity - Non-Controlling

Total Equity - Non-Controlling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 04, 2017	Mar. 03, 2017	Jan. 13, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Feb. 17, 2017
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Carrying value				$ 4,600.9	$ 2,000
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests				(125.7)	117.8
Dividends paid, other shares				44.6	44
Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)				$ 420.6	$ 144.4
Allied World
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Minority voting percentage				32.60%	0.00%
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				67.40%
Carrying value				$ 1,229.4	$ 0
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests				$ (182.3)	$ 0
Percentage of common shares acquired						67.40%
Fairfax India
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Minority voting percentage				6.40%	4.70%
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				30.20%	33.60%
Carrying value				$ 1,110.7	$ 743.7
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests				$ (59.9)	$ 24.4
Economic ownership percentage				69.80%
Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)			$ 3.3
Cara
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Minority voting percentage				43.30%	43.40%
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				40.20%
Carrying value				$ 578	$ 523.9
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests				$ 55.7	$ 30.8
Economic ownership percentage				59.80%
Grivalia Properties REIC
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Minority voting percentage	52.60%			47.30%	0.00%
Carrying value				$ 517.6	$ 0
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests				$ 20	$ 0
Brit
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Minority voting percentage				27.50%	27.50%
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				72.50%
Carrying value				$ 435.3	$ 463.4
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests				$ (19.1)	$ 50.4
Thomas Cook India
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Minority voting percentage				32.40%	32.30%
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				67.60%
Carrying value				$ 391.2	$ 139.6
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests				$ 28.2	$ 2.4
Fairfax Africa
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Minority voting percentage				1.20%	0.00%
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				64.20%
Carrying value				$ 191.6	$ 0
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests				$ 4.3	0
Percentage of common shares acquired							64.20%
Economic ownership percentage				35.80%
All other
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Carrying value				$ 147.1	129.4
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests				$ 27.4	$ 9.8
Saurashtra Freight Private Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				15.40%
Quess
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				33.10%	42.10%
Fairfax India | Saurashtra Freight Private Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				51.00%
Percentage of common shares acquired			51.00%
OMERS | Brit
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Dividends paid, other shares		$ 45.8
Equity issued | Common shares
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Dividends paid, other shares				$ 44.6	$ 44
Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)				236.6	17
Non- controlling interests
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)				$ 184	$ 126.8

Earnings per Share (Details)

Earnings per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings per share [line items]
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders of Fairfax	$ 1,740.6	$ (512.5)
Preferred share dividends	(44.6)	(44)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders – basic and diluted	$ 1,696	$ (556.5)
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic (in shares)	25,411,246	23,017,184
Share-based payment awards (in shares)	689,571	0
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted (in shares)	26,100,817	23,017,184
Net earnings (loss) per common share – basic (in dollars per share)	$ 66.74	$ (24.18)
Net earnings (loss) per common share – diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 64.98	$ (24.18)
Share-based payments
Earnings per share [line items]
Antidilutive securities		567,450

Income Taxes - Provision for (R

Income Taxes - Provision for (Recovery of) Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current income tax
Current year expense	$ 200.6	$ 95.1
Adjustments to prior years’ income taxes	(22.6)	19.1
Current income tax	178	114.2
Deferred income tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences	(22.5)	(265.6)
Adjustments to prior years' deferred income taxes	24.3	2.9
Change in tax rate related to U.S. tax reform	222.4	0
Other	6.1	(11.1)
Deferred income tax	230.3	(273.8)
Provision (recovery) for income taxes	$ 408.3	$ (159.6)

Income Taxes - Earnings Before

Income Taxes - Earnings Before Income Taxes by Jurisdiction (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	$ 2,023.2	$ (554.3)
Provision (recovery) for income taxes	408.3	(159.6)
Net earnings (loss)	1,614.9	(394.7)
Canada
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(141.3)	(258.5)
Provision (recovery) for income taxes	52.9	69.6
Net earnings (loss)	(194.2)	(328.1)
United States
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	543.5	(428.4)
Provision (recovery) for income taxes	420.5	(234.6)
Net earnings (loss)	123	(193.8)
UK
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(72.1)	42.2
Provision (recovery) for income taxes	(24.6)	(23.7)
Net earnings (loss)	(47.5)	65.9
Other
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	1,693.1	90.4
Provision (recovery) for income taxes	(40.5)	29.1
Net earnings (loss)	$ 1,733.6	$ 61.3

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Deferred tax assets	$ 380,800,000	$ 732,600,000
Tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada		65,300,000
Unremitted earnings of subsidiaries	3,100,000,000	3,100,000,000
Canada
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Non-taxable investment income	116,200,000	74,700,000
Change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences	210,200,000	117,500,000
Change in tax rate for deferred income taxes related to U.S. tax reform	222,400,000	0
Tax benefit from transition tax	7,400,000
Deferred tax assets	70,800,000	117,900,000
Provision (recovery) relating to prior years	1,700,000	22,000,000
Tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada	(445,300,000)	(65,300,000)
Unused tax losses	1,516,400,000	1,064,700,000
Mauritius
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada	246,500,000
Barbados
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada	269,900,000
Europe
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Unused tax losses	635,700,000	585,700,000
United States
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Change in tax rate for deferred income taxes related to U.S. tax reform	229,200,000
Change in tax rate related to U.S. tax reform, income statement	222,400,000
Change in tax rate related to U.S. tax reform, other comprehensive income	6,800,000
Provision (recovery) relating to prior years	89,700,000	0
Unused tax losses	44,600,000	44,600,000
Unused foreign tax credits	159,000,000	59,000,000
Undistributed foreign earnings	79,100,000
Operating And Capital Losses, And U.S. Foreign Tax Credits
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Deferred tax assets	878,300,000	$ 590,000,000
Foreign tax credit carryforwards | United States
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Decrease in net deferred income tax asset	100,000,000
Reduction of deferred tax liability	27,100,000
Deferred earnings on foreign subsidiary | United States
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Reduction of deferred tax liability	$ 34,500,000

Income Taxes - Income Tax Recon

Income Taxes - Income Tax Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada		$ 65,300,000
Provision (recovery) for income taxes	$ 408,300,000	$ (159,600,000)
Canada
Disclosure of temporary difference, unused tax losses and unused tax credits [line items]
Canadian statutory income tax rate	26.50%	26.50%
Provision (recovery) for income taxes at the Canadian statutory income tax rate	$ 536,100,000	$ (146,900,000)
Tax rate differential on income and losses incurred outside Canada	(445,300,000)	(65,300,000)
Non-taxable investment income	(116,200,000)	(74,700,000)
Change in unrecorded tax benefit of losses and temporary differences	210,200,000	117,500,000
Change in tax rate for deferred income taxes related to U.S. tax reform	222,400,000	0
Change in tax rate for deferred income taxes (excluding U.S. tax reform)	2,200,000	(15,100,000)
Other including permanent differences	(15,600,000)	11,300,000
Foreign exchange effect	12,800,000	(8,400,000)
Provision relating to prior years	1,700,000	22,000,000
Provision (recovery) for income taxes	$ 408,300,000	$ (159,600,000)

Income Taxes - Income Taxes Ref

Income Taxes - Income Taxes Refundable and Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income taxes refundable	$ 147	$ 202.7
Income taxes payable	(95.6)	(35.4)
Net income taxes refundable	$ 51.4	$ 167.3	$ 12.1

Income Taxes - Changes in Net I

Income Taxes - Changes in Net Income Taxes (Payable) Refundable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Receivable (Payable) [Roll Forward]
Balance - January 1	$ 167.3	$ 12.1
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings	(178)	(114.2)
Payments made during the year	33.4	267.1
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	18.8	3.9
Foreign exchange effect and other	9.9	(1.6)
Balance - December 31	$ 51.4	$ 167.3

Income Taxes - Changes in Defer

Income Taxes - Changes in Deferred Net Income Tax Asset (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability (asset) [abstract]
Deferred tax asset, beginning balance	$ 732.6	$ 463.9
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings	(230.3)	273.8
Amounts recorded in total equity	(20.7)	37.3
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	(101.5)	(53.2)
Foreign exchange effect and other	0.7	10.8
Deferred tax asset, ending balance	380.8	732.6
Operating and capital losses
Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability (asset) [abstract]
Deferred tax asset, beginning balance	188.8	235.4
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings	(41.2)	(57.8)
Amounts recorded in total equity	0	0
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	33.1	9.7
Foreign exchange effect and other	7	1.5
Deferred tax asset, ending balance	187.7	188.8
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses
Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability (asset) [abstract]
Deferred tax asset, beginning balance	182.3	204.2
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings	(72.3)	(22.7)
Amounts recorded in total equity	0	0
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	20.5	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	0.8	0.8
Deferred tax asset, ending balance	131.3	182.3
Provision for unearned premiums
Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability (asset) [abstract]
Deferred tax asset, beginning balance	126.6	92.8
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings	(15)	31.8
Amounts recorded in total equity	0	0
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	(19.8)	(0.3)
Foreign exchange effect and other	0.1	2.3
Deferred tax asset, ending balance	91.9	126.6
Deferred premium acquisition costs
Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability (asset) [abstract]
Deferred tax asset, beginning balance	(120)	(96.9)
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings	(0.6)	(24.1)
Amounts recorded in total equity	0	0
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	53.6	0.7
Foreign exchange effect and other	0.3	0.3
Deferred tax asset, ending balance	(66.7)	(120)
Intangibles
Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability (asset) [abstract]
Deferred tax asset, beginning balance	(347.6)	(325.4)
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings	111	27.9
Amounts recorded in total equity	0	0
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	(195.2)	(47.7)
Foreign exchange effect and other	(11.7)	(2.4)
Deferred tax asset, ending balance	(443.5)	(347.6)
Investments
Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability (asset) [abstract]
Deferred tax asset, beginning balance	331.9	49
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings	(140.1)	266.9
Amounts recorded in total equity	(15.5)	17.7
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	0.9	(1.1)
Foreign exchange effect and other	0.3	(0.6)
Deferred tax asset, ending balance	177.5	331.9
Tax credits
Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability (asset) [abstract]
Deferred tax asset, beginning balance	224.3	174.9
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings	(106)	49.4
Amounts recorded in total equity	(0.1)	0
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	0	0
Foreign exchange effect and other	(0.1)	0
Deferred tax asset, ending balance	118.1	224.3
Other
Reconciliation of changes in deferred tax liability (asset) [abstract]
Deferred tax asset, beginning balance	146.3	129.9
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of earnings	33.9	2.4
Amounts recorded in total equity	(5.1)	19.6
Acquisitions of subsidiaries (note 23)	5.4	(14.5)
Foreign exchange effect and other	4	8.9
Deferred tax asset, ending balance	$ 184.5	$ 146.3

Statutory Requirements (Details

Statutory Requirements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 26, 2017	Jan. 27, 2016	Jan. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statutory Requirements [Line Items]
Common share dividends	$ 237.4	$ 227.8	$ 283.2	$ 304.9	$ 269
Dividend capacity available				1,573.3
Allied World
Statutory Requirements [Line Items]
Dividend capacity available				688
OdysseyRe
Statutory Requirements [Line Items]
Dividend capacity available				324.9
Northbridge
Statutory Requirements [Line Items]
Dividend capacity available				149.1
Crum & Forster
Statutory Requirements [Line Items]
Dividend capacity available				130.2
Zenith National
Statutory Requirements [Line Items]
Dividend capacity available				86
Brit
Statutory Requirements [Line Items]
Dividend capacity available				195.1
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Statutory Requirements [Line Items]
Common share dividends				$ 418.1	$ 445.8

Contingencies and Commitments (

Contingencies and Commitments (Details) CAD in Millions, $ in Millions	Jul. 26, 2006USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 15, 2011CAD
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities		$ 5,706	$ 5,481
Capital commitments		966.3
Investments
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Capital commitments		367
Financial assets at fair value | Cash | Insurance underwriting | Lloyd's participants
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities		361.9
Financial assets at fair value | Securities | Insurance underwriting | Lloyd's participants
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities		$ 1,566.1
Fibrek
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Voting interest percentage		26.00%
Value of investment in associate | CAD				CAD 32
Portion of 1% of total investments, less than				0.20%
Various Defendants
Disclosure of contingent liabilities [line items]
Damages sought in legal suit	$ 6,000

Pensions and Post Retirement120

Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits - Funded Status of Defined Benefit Pension and Post Retirement Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items]
Pension surpluses	$ 49.1	$ 50.8
Pension deficits	250.8	216.9
Defined benefit pension plans
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items]
Benefit obligation	(918.3)	(803.7)
Fair value of plan assets	836.1	747.9
Funded status of plans - deficit	(82.2)	(55.8)
Impact of asset ceiling	(1)	(1)
Net accrued liability (notes 13 and 14)	$ (83.2)	$ (56.8)
Discount rate	3.20%	3.60%
Rate of compensation increase	2.80%	3.60%
Pension surpluses	$ 49.1	$ 50.8
Pension deficits	132.3	107.6
Post retirement benefit plans
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items]
Benefit obligation	(118.5)	(109.3)
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
Funded status of plans - deficit	(118.5)	(109.3)
Net accrued liability (notes 13 and 14)	$ (118.5)	$ (109.3)
Discount rate	4.10%	4.20%
Rate of compensation increase	3.30%	3.50%
Health care cost trend	5.00%	5.70%

Pensions and Post Retirement121

Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits - Pension and Post Retirement Expenses Recognized (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items]
Employee benefits	$ 319	$ 276.9
Defined benefit pension plans
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items]
Defined benefit plan expense	17.3	27.7
Defined contribution pension plan expense	45.6	32.2
Employee benefits	73.2	67.9
Post retirement benefit plans
Disclosure of defined benefit plans [line items]
Defined benefit plan expense	$ 10.3	$ 8

Pensions and Post Retirement122

Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits - Pre-tax Actuarial Gains and (Losses) Recognized (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [line items]
Gain (loss) on defined benefit pension plans	$ (34.1)	$ (23.3)
Defined benefit pension plans
Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [line items]
Actuarial net gains on plan assets and change in asset ceiling	18.6	54.5
Actuarial net gains (losses) on benefit obligations	(53)	(76.4)
Gain (loss) on defined benefit pension plans	(34.4)	(21.9)
Post retirement benefit plans
Disclosure of net defined benefit liability (asset) [line items]
Actuarial net gains (losses) on benefit obligations	$ 0.3	$ (1.4)

Pensions and Post Retirement123

Pensions and Post Retirement Benefits - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pension And Post Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Employer contributions	$ 30.7	$ 21.8
Expected employer contributions	$ 28.2

Operating Leases (Details)

Operating Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Leases1 [Abstract]
Operating lease costs	$ 216.2	$ 155.7
Term of lease, maximum	10 years
2,018
Disclosure of finance lease and operating lease by lessee [line items]
Minimum operating lease commitments	$ 188.5
2,019
Disclosure of finance lease and operating lease by lessee [line items]
Minimum operating lease commitments	173.2
2,020
Disclosure of finance lease and operating lease by lessee [line items]
Minimum operating lease commitments	153.4
2,021
Disclosure of finance lease and operating lease by lessee [line items]
Minimum operating lease commitments	139.5
2,022
Disclosure of finance lease and operating lease by lessee [line items]
Minimum operating lease commitments	113
Thereafter
Disclosure of finance lease and operating lease by lessee [line items]
Minimum operating lease commitments	$ 458.2

Acquisitions and Divestitures -

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Subsequent to 2017 (Details) CAD in Millions, $ in Millions, ₨ in Billions	Mar. 09, 2018USD ($)	Feb. 22, 2018USD ($)shares	Jan. 13, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017shares	Dec. 31, 2016shares	Feb. 22, 2018CADshares	Feb. 20, 2018USD ($)	Feb. 20, 2018INR (₨)	Sep. 02, 2016shares
Fairfax India | Subsequent event
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Performance fee revenue | $	$ 114.4
The Keg
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				51.00%
The Keg | Subsequent event
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Percentage of interest sold		51.00%
Fairfax India
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Number of subordinated voting equity interests acquired				7,663,685
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary				30.20%	33.60%
Ownership percentage			30.20%
Cara | Subsequent event | The Keg
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Purchase consideration		$ 74.6				CAD 94.7
Cash transferred		$ 7.9				CAD 10
Other shareholders | The Keg | Subsequent event
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Percentage of interest sold		49.00%
Fairfax India | Subsequent event | The Catholic Syrian Bank Ltd.
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Purchase consideration							$ 186	₨ 12.1
Percentage of interests acquired							51.00%	51.00%
Cara
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Ownership percentage				40.20%	43.20%
Subordinate voting shares
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Number of shares issued (in shares)				27,904,801	23,004,207
Subordinate voting shares | Cara
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Number of shares issued (in shares)									7,863,280
Subordinate voting shares | Cara | Subsequent event | The Keg
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Number of shares issued (in shares)		3,400,000				3,400,000
Other shareholders | Cara | Subsequent event | The Keg
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Purchase consideration		$ 82.7				CAD 105
Cash transferred		74.8				95
Contingent consideration		$ 24				CAD 30
Other shareholders | Subordinate voting shares | Cara | Subsequent event | The Keg
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Number of shares issued (in shares)		401,123				401,123

Acquisitions and Divestiture126

Acquisitions and Divestitures - 2017 Acquisitions (Details) CAD / shares in Units, $ / shares in Units, € in Millions, $ in Millions, ₨ in Billions

Dec. 28, 2017USD ($)

Sep. 06, 2017USD ($)

Sep. 06, 2017EUR (€)

Aug. 17, 2017USD ($)shares

Aug. 17, 2017INR (₨)

Jul. 06, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares

Jul. 04, 2017USD ($)

Jul. 04, 2017EUR (€)

Feb. 17, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares

Jan. 26, 2017USD ($)CAD / sharesshares

Jan. 13, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares

Nov. 30, 2017USD ($)

Nov. 30, 2017INR (₨)

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)shares

Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares

Dec. 22, 2017USD ($)

Dec. 22, 2017INR (₨)

Feb. 14, 2017USD ($)

Feb. 14, 2017INR (₨)

Jan. 26, 2017CAD

Aug. 26, 2016USD ($)

Aug. 26, 2016INR (₨)

Feb. 08, 2016

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Sale of subsidiary

$ 640.4

$ 0

Investments in associates

3,656.3

2,633.5

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

2,451.2

86.8

Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)

420.6

144.4

Notional amount

$ 6,396.9

$ 4,783.5

Allied World

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Percentage of interests acquired

5.40%

94.60%

Purchase consideration

$ 229

$ 3,977.9

Cash transferred

109.7

$ 1,905.6

Equity interests issued, pre-closing dividends paid per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 5

Equity interests issued, pre-closing dividends paid

$ 438

Privi Organics

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Percentage of interests acquired

50.80%

50.80%

Purchase consideration

$ 55

₨ 3.7

Fairfax Africa

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Cash transferred

$ 252.2

Number of multiple voting equity interests acquired | shares

22,715,394

Number of subordinated voting equity interests acquired | shares

2,500,000

Saurashtra Freight Private Limited

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Percentage of interests acquired

51.00%

51.00%

Purchase consideration

$ 30

₨ 2

First Capital Insurance Limited

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Percentage of interest sold

97.70%

Sale of subsidiary

$ 1,683.3

Realized gain of sale of subsidiary

$ 1,018.6

Fairfax India

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Ownership percentage

30.20%

Voting interest percentage

93.60%

Number of subordinated voting equity interests acquired | shares

7,663,685

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

$ 336.3

Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)

3.3

Co-Investors | Allied World

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

1,580

Quess | Manipal

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 152.5

₨ 9.8

Thomas Cook India | Quess

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Percentage of interest sold

5.40%

5.40%

Sale of subsidiary

$ 96.8

₨ 6.3

Fairfax India

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Proceeds from issuing shares

493.5

Fairfax India | Fairchem Limited

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Percentage of interests acquired

44.70%

Fairfax India | Privi Organics

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Percentage of interests acquired

50.80%

50.80%

Fairfax Africa

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Proceeds from issuing shares

$ 493.3

Subordinate voting shares

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Number of shares issued (in shares) | shares

27,904,801

23,004,207

Subordinate voting shares | Allied World

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Equity interests issued in combination

$ 119.3

$ 2,072.3

$ 2,191.6

Number of shares issued (in shares) | shares

276,397

4,799,497

Common shares | Quess

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Proceeds from issuing shares

$ 132.2

₨ 8.5

Common shares | Quess | Manipal

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Equity interests issued in combination

117.7

7.5

Preferred shares

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)

$ 0.6

Preferred shares | Quess | Manipal

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Equity interests issued in combination

$ 34.3

₨ 2.2

Multiple voting shares

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Number of shares issued (in shares) | shares

1,548,000

1,548,000

Multiple voting shares | Fairfax Africa

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Share acquired through exchange of indirect interest (in shares) | shares

7,284,606

Allied World | Co-Investors

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Ownership percentage

32.60%

Quess

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Ownership percentage

33.10%

42.10%

Acquisitions of subsidiaries

$ 210

Other net changes in capitalization (note 16)

$ 135.6

Grivalia

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Percentage of interests acquired

0.10%

0.10%

10.30%

10.30%

Ownership percentage

52.70%

52.70%

52.60%

52.60%

0.00%

40.60%

Consideration paid

$ 0.6

€ 0.5

$ 100

€ 88

Investments in associates

$ 0

$ 295.9

Gain (loss) on fair value adjustment

$ 51.3

AFGRI Proprietary Limited

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Equity interests issued in combination

$ 72.8

Ownership percentage

60.00%

Investments in associates

$ 40.5

$ 0

AFGRI Proprietary Limited | Multiple voting shares

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Share acquired through exchange of indirect interest (in shares) | shares

7,284,606

Fairfax Africa

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Ownership percentage

64.20%

Voting interest percentage

98.80%

Investments in associates

$ 325

Investment in associates (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 10

Fairchem Limited

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Ownership percentage

0.00%

44.90%

Investments in associates

$ 0

$ 0

Fairchem Limited | Fairfax India

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Ownership percentage

48.70%

Mosaic Capital

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Voting interest percentage

62.00%

Investments in associates

$ 114.5

CAD 150,000,000

Mosaic Capital | Common shares

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Warrants to acquire common shares (in shares) | shares

17,026,106

Warrants to acquire common shares (in dollars per share) | CAD / shares

$ 8.81

Fairfax Financial Holdings | Subordinate voting shares | Fairfax India

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 145

Consideration transferred (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 11.75

Number of subordinated voting equity interests acquired | shares

12,340,500

6.00% Senior Preferred Securities | Mosaic Capital

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Notional amount | CAD

CAD 100,000,000

Interest rate

6.00%

6.00%

5.00% Senior Secured Debentures | Mosaic Capital

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Notional amount | CAD

CAD 50,000,000

Interest rate

5.00%

5.00%

Acquisitions and Divestiture127

Acquisitions and Divestitures - 2016 Acquisitions (Details) CAD / shares in Units, $ / shares in Units, LKR in Millions, CAD in Millions, $ in Millions, ₨ in Billions, ZAR in Billions, IDR in Billions

Jul. 06, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares

Jan. 13, 2017USD ($)

Sep. 02, 2016USD ($)shares

Sep. 02, 2016CADshares

Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)shares

Aug. 17, 2017USD ($)shares

Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares

Dec. 07, 2016USD ($)

Dec. 07, 2016ZAR

Nov. 28, 2016USD ($)

Nov. 28, 2016CAD

Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)

Oct. 31, 2016CAD

Oct. 18, 2016USD ($)

Oct. 10, 2016USD ($)

Oct. 10, 2016IDR

Oct. 03, 2016USD ($)

Oct. 03, 2016LKR

Sep. 02, 2016CADCAD / sharesshares

Aug. 26, 2016USD ($)

Aug. 26, 2016INR (₨)

Feb. 08, 2016

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Carrying value of investment

$ 39,255.4

$ 28,430.7

Cara

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Number of subordinated voting equity interests acquired | shares

3,128,804

3,128,804

Allied World

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 3,977.9

$ 229

Equity interests issued, pre-closing dividends paid per share (in dollars per share) | $ / shares

$ 5

Percentage of interests acquired

94.60%

5.40%

Cash transferred

$ 1,905.6

$ 109.7

Certain American International Group, Inc. Operations in Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 240

Zurich Insurance Company South Africa Limited

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 128

ZAR 1.8

Percentage of interests acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Original Joe's

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 83.8

CAD 112.5

Percentage of interests acquired

89.20%

89.20%

Cash transferred

$ 69.3

CAD 93

Contingent consideration

$ 14.5

CAD 19.5

Golf Town Limited

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 31.4

CAD 42

Percentage of interests acquired

60.00%

60.00%

AMAG

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 178.9

IDR 2,322

Percentage of interests acquired

80.00%

80.00%

Asian Alliance General Insurance Limited

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 10.2

LKR 1,488.9

Percentage of interests acquired

100.00%

100.00%

St-Hubert

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 413.8

CAD 538.7

Percentage of interests acquired

100.00%

100.00%

Cash transferred

$ 372.4

CAD 484.8

Privi Organics

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

$ 55

₨ 3.7

Percentage of interests acquired

50.80%

50.80%

Fairfax India

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Proceeds from issuing shares

$ 493.5

Fairfax India | Privi Organics

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Percentage of interests acquired

50.80%

50.80%

Fairfax India | Fairchem Speciality Limited

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Percentage of interests acquired

44.70%

Co-Investors | Allied World

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Purchase consideration

1,580

Subordinate voting shares

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Number of shares issued (in shares) | shares

27,904,801

23,004,207

Subordinate voting shares | Allied World

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Equity interests issued in combination

$ 2,072.3

$ 2,191.6

$ 119.3

Number of shares issued (in shares) | shares

4,799,497

276,397

Subordinate voting shares | St-Hubert

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Equity interests issued in combination

$ 41.4

CAD 53.9

Subordinate voting shares | Cara

Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]

Number of shares issued (in shares) | shares

7,863,280

7,863,280

Sale of shares (in dollars per share) | CAD / shares

CAD 29.25

Proceeds from issuing shares

$ 179.2

CAD 230

Acquisitions and Divestiture128

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) CAD in Millions, $ in Millions, IDR in Billions	Jul. 06, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 04, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 07, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 10, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Aug. 17, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 10, 2016IDR	Sep. 02, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 02, 2016CAD
Liabilities:
Goodwill					$ 2,904.7		$ 1,633.7
Allied World
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Percentage of common shares acquired	94.60%					5.40%
Assets:
Insurance contract receivables	$ 1,212.5
Portfolio investments	8,568.7
Recoverable from reinsurers	2,363.6
Deferred income taxes	0
Goodwill and intangible assets	1,726.9
Other assets	223.5
Assets	14,095.2
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	300.7
Income taxes payable	3.4
Deferred income taxes	118
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers	193.5
Insurance contract liabilities	8,467.7
Borrowings	860.5
Liabilities	9,943.8
Non-controlling interests	173.5
Purchase consideration	3,977.9					$ 229
Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration	0
Assets acquired (liabilities assumed)	14,095.2
Subsidiary cash and cash equivalents	1,195.4
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	4.8
Goodwill	937.9
Identifiable intangible assets recognised as of acquisition date	789
Grivalia Properties
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Percentage of common shares acquired		52.60%
Assets:
Insurance contract receivables		$ 0
Portfolio investments		139.1
Recoverable from reinsurers		0
Deferred income taxes		0.3
Goodwill and intangible assets		0
Other assets		1,020.4
Assets		1,159.8
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		25.3
Income taxes payable		4.2
Deferred income taxes		0
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers		0
Insurance contract liabilities		0
Borrowings		137.6
Liabilities		167.1
Non-controlling interests		470.5
Purchase consideration		519.7
Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration		2.5
Assets acquired (liabilities assumed)		1,159.8
Subsidiary cash and cash equivalents		$ 26.3
Fairfax Latam
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Percentage of common shares acquired					100.00%
Assets:
Insurance contract receivables					$ 235.8
Portfolio investments					250.4
Recoverable from reinsurers					597.7
Deferred income taxes					48.3
Goodwill and intangible assets					23.3
Other assets					51.1
Assets					1,206.6
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities					172.3
Income taxes payable					9
Deferred income taxes					21.5
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers					9.8
Insurance contract liabilities					826.1
Borrowings					0
Liabilities					1,038.7
Non-controlling interests					0
Purchase consideration					167.9
Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration					0
Assets acquired (liabilities assumed)					1,206.6
Subsidiary cash and cash equivalents					67.2
Other
Assets:
Insurance contract receivables					0.4		41.3
Portfolio investments					76		22.1
Recoverable from reinsurers					0.7		1.1
Deferred income taxes					5		8.5
Goodwill and intangible assets					385.5		146.1
Other assets					288.7		205.3
Assets					756.3		424.4
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities					167.4		48.3
Income taxes payable					1.1
Deferred income taxes					4.3		12.2
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers					0.1		0.4
Insurance contract liabilities					3		59.7
Borrowings					83.9		48.1
Liabilities					259.8		168.7
Non-controlling interests					8.1		57.3
Purchase consideration					488.4		191.6
Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration					0		6.8
Assets acquired (liabilities assumed)					$ 756.3		$ 424.4
Bryte Insurance
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Percentage of common shares acquired			100.00%
Assets:
Insurance contract receivables			$ 45
Portfolio investments			220.4
Recoverable from reinsurers			85.8
Deferred income taxes			11.4
Goodwill and intangible assets			16.8
Other assets			10.8
Assets			390.2
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			88.4
Deferred income taxes			0
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers			1.4
Insurance contract liabilities			172.4
Borrowings			0
Liabilities			262.2
Non-controlling interests			0
Purchase consideration			128
Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration			0
Assets acquired (liabilities assumed)			390.2
Subsidiary cash and cash equivalents			48.4
Goodwill			11.5
Identifiable intangible assets recognised as of acquisition date			$ 5.3
AMAG
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Percentage of common shares acquired				80.00%				80.00%
Assets:
Insurance contract receivables				$ 8.9
Portfolio investments				99.9
Recoverable from reinsurers				26.4
Deferred income taxes				0
Goodwill and intangible assets				161.2
Other assets				25.9
Assets				322.3
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities				16.6
Deferred income taxes				11.1
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers				5.4
Insurance contract liabilities				76.3
Borrowings				0
Liabilities				109.4
Non-controlling interests				34
Purchase consideration				178.9				IDR 2,322
Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration				0
Assets acquired (liabilities assumed)				322.3
Subsidiary cash and cash equivalents				6.2
Goodwill				43
Identifiable intangible assets recognised as of acquisition date				$ 118.2
St-Hubert
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Percentage of common shares acquired									100.00%	100.00%
Assets:
Insurance contract receivables									$ 0
Portfolio investments									0
Recoverable from reinsurers									0
Deferred income taxes									0
Goodwill and intangible assets									319.4
Other assets									180
Assets									499.4
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities									30.7
Deferred income taxes									54.9
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers									0
Insurance contract liabilities									0
Borrowings									0
Liabilities									85.6
Non-controlling interests									0
Purchase consideration									413.8	CAD 538.7
Excess of fair value of net assets acquired over purchase consideration									0
Assets acquired (liabilities assumed)									$ 499.4
Percentage of economic interests									38.90%	38.90%
Goodwill									$ 85.2
Identifiable intangible assets recognised as of acquisition date									234.2
Customer and broker relationships | Allied World
Liabilities:
Identifiable intangible assets recognised as of acquisition date	574
Lloyd's participation rights | Allied World
Liabilities:
Identifiable intangible assets recognised as of acquisition date	87
Brand names | Allied World
Liabilities:
Identifiable intangible assets recognised as of acquisition date	$ 71
Brand names | St-Hubert
Liabilities:
Identifiable intangible assets recognised as of acquisition date									$ 183.1

Acquisitions and Divestiture129

Acquisitions and Divestitures - Additional Information (Details) - Allied World $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Disclosure of detailed information about business combination [line items]
Contributed revenue from acquiree	$ 1,050.5
Net loss from acquiree	555.4
Pro forma revenue	17,514.6
Pro forma net earnings	$ 1,766.4

Financial Risk Management - Und

Financial Risk Management - Underwriting Risk - Gross Premiums Written (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	$ 7,812.5
Gross premiums written	$ 12,207.5	$ 9,534.3
Normalized net earnings, percent return on common shareholders' equity adjusted to pre-tax basis	15.00%
Canada
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	$ 1,392.8	1,237.6
United States
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	7,326.8	5,954.5
Asia
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,262.4	1,049
International
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	2,225.5	1,293.2
Reinsurance
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	2,877.6	2,604.1
Reinsurance | Canada
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	97.5	103
Reinsurance | United States
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,471.4	1,347.5
Reinsurance | Asia
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	577.5	532.7
Reinsurance | International
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	731.2	620.9
Insurance
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	9,329.9	6,930.2
Insurance | Canada
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,295.3	1,134.6
Insurance | United States
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	5,855.4	4,607
Insurance | Asia
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	684.9	516.3
Insurance | International
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,494.3	672.3
Specialty
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,392.1	1,169.3
Specialty | Canada
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	143.4	126.4
Specialty | United States
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	548.8	485.6
Specialty | Asia
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	275.1	231.9
Specialty | International
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	424.8	325.4
Casualty
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	6,707.8	5,348.8
Casualty | Canada
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	602.6	528.5
Casualty | United States
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	4,899.4	4,002.9
Casualty | Asia
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	400.8	352.3
Casualty | International
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	805	465.1
Property
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	4,107.6	3,016.2
Property | Canada
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	646.8	582.7
Property | United States
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,878.6	1,466
Property | Asia
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	586.5	464.8
Property | International
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Gross premiums written	995.7	502.7
Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	7,812.5	4,010.3	$ 3,890.9
Ceded reinsurance contracts | Specialty
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	315.4	282.5
Ceded reinsurance contracts | Casualty
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	916.3	699.9
Ceded reinsurance contracts | Property
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	$ 992.3	$ 463.5

Financial Risk Management - Cre

Financial Risk Management - Credit Risk - Aggregate Gross Credit Risk Exposure (Details) - Credit risk - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	$ 43,838.7	$ 29,592.7
Cash and short term investments
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	19,198.8	11,235.6
U.S. sovereign government
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	1,779.3	1,117.3
Other sovereign government rated AA/Aa or higher
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	615.4	596.1
All other sovereign government
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	1,268.4	891.5
Canadian provincials
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	93.8	196.9
U.S. states and municipalities
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	2,452.1	4,732.2
Corporate and other
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	4,081.8	2,633.5
Receivable from counterparties to derivative contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	126.7	196.4
Insurance contract receivables
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	4,686.9	2,917.5
Recoverable from reinsurers
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	7,812.5	4,010.3
Other assets
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	$ 1,723	$ 1,065.4

Financial Risk Management - 132

Financial Risk Management - Credit Risk - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Income taxes refundable	$ 147,000,000	$ 202,700,000
Proceeds from issue of bonds, notes and debentures	5,677,100,000	4,514,500,000
Excess collateral pledged by counterparties	400,000	8,700,000
Financial assets pledged as liabilities	5,706,000,000	5,481,000,000
Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	43,838,700,000	$ 29,592,700,000
Capital and surplus requirement	$ 500,000,000
Investment grade or better | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Risk exposure percentage	72.20%	79.20%
AA or better | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Risk exposure percentage	47.10%	61.90%
Cash and short term investments | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	$ 19,198,800,000	$ 11,235,600,000
Financial assets pledged as liabilities	3,600,000	8,300,000
All other sovereign government | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	1,268,400,000	891,500,000
Bonds, U.S. states and municipalities
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Financial assets	2,500,000,000	4,700,000,000
Proceeds from issue of bonds, notes and debentures	2,346,500,000
Favourable tax treatment expected	2,300,000,000	3,300,000,000
Taxable portion of investment	200,000,000
Bonds, U.S. states and municipalities | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	2,452,100,000	4,732,200,000
Bonds, U.S. states and municipalities | AA or better
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Financial assets	$ 1,500,000,000	$ 2,100,000,000
Other than U.S., U.K., German, and Canadian sovereign government | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Risk exposure percentage	8.70%	14.70%
Maximum exposure to credit risk	$ 3,398,700,000	$ 4,178,600,000
Largest single issuer of corporate bonds | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Risk exposure percentage	1.70%	1.60%
Maximum exposure to credit risk	$ 663,600,000	$ 461,200,000
Government securities | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Financial assets pledged as liabilities	35,900,000	54,400,000
Recoverable from reinsurers | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Maximum exposure to credit risk	$ 7,812,500,000	$ 4,010,300,000
Recoverable from reinsurers | A Plus | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Risk exposure percentage	6.50%	3.60%
Germany | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Bonds issued by government	$ 105,300,000	$ 201,700,000
Australia | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Bonds issued by government	97,900,000	31,700,000
UK | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Bonds issued by government	90,900,000	23,400,000
Canada | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Bonds issued by government	84,400,000	311,400,000
India | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Bonds issued by government	734,700,000	602,200,000
Poland | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Bonds issued by government	125,100,000	117,200,000
Brazil | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Bonds issued by government	$ 101,700,000	$ 80,300,000
Canada and United States | Cash and short term investments | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Risk exposure percentage	87.40%	85.10%
Europe | Cash and short term investments | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Risk exposure percentage	9.10%	8.10%
Other foreign countries | Cash and short term investments | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Risk exposure percentage	3.50%	6.80%
Low Risk Level | All other sovereign government | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Financial assets	$ 2,394,700,000	$ 1,713,400,000
Low Risk Level | Bonds | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Risk exposure percentage	6.10%	6.00%
High And Moderate Risk Levels | Bonds | Credit risk
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Risk exposure percentage	20.10%	29.70%
Financial assets	$ 7,896,100,000	$ 8,454,100,000
EXCO Resources, Inc | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Financial assets	402,000,000	292,400,000
Blackberry Limited | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Financial assets	663,600,000	461,200,000
Sanmar Chemicals Group | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Financial assets	333,200,000	299,100,000
Chorus Aviation | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Financial assets	155,200,000	0
FBD Insurance PLC | Bonds
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Financial assets	$ 112,000,000	$ 76,800,000

Financial Risk Management - 133

Financial Risk Management - Credit Risk - Schedule of Issuer Credit Rating (Details) - Credit risk - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
AAA/Aaa
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Percent	23.70%	18.80%
AA/Aa
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Percent	23.40%	43.10%
A/A
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Percent	8.00%	7.20%
BBB/Baa
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Percent	17.10%	10.10%
BB/Ba
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Percent	1.50%	1.20%
B/B
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Percent	4.30%	2.50%
Lower than B/B
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Percent	4.20%	3.20%
Unrated
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Percent	17.80%	13.90%
Total
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Percent	100.00%	100.00%
At cost | AAA/Aaa
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	$ 2,476.3	$ 2,042
At cost | AA/Aa
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	2,149.5	3,669.1
At cost | A/A
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	823.1	649.3
At cost | BBB/Baa
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	1,617.1	910.4
At cost | BB/Ba
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	151.1	98.5
At cost | B/B
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	448.7	339
At cost | Lower than B/B
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	554.1	392.1
At cost | Unrated
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	1,594.4	1,416.7
At cost | Total
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	9,814.3	9,517.1
At fair value | AAA/Aaa
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	2,432	1,915.8
At fair value | AA/Aa
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	2,408.8	4,383.3
At fair value | A/A
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	819.8	728.5
At fair value | BBB/Baa
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	1,764.8	1,024
At fair value | BB/Ba
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	154	117.6
At fair value | B/B
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	447.6	261.6
At fair value | Lower than B/B
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	432.7	320.5
At fair value | Unrated
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	1,831.1	1,416.2
At fair value | Total
Disclosure of external credit grades [line items]
Financial assets	$ 10,290.8	$ 10,167.5

Financial Risk Management - 134

Financial Risk Management - Credit Risk - Related Derivative Contract Counterparties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [abstract]
Total derivative assets	$ 126.7	$ 196.4
Impact of net settlement arrangements	(38.6)	(53.8)
Fair value of collateral deposited for the benefit of the company	(39.1)	(54)
Excess collateral pledged by the company in favour of counterparties	9	12.2
Initial margin not held in segregated third party custodian accounts	8.2	5
Net derivative counterparty exposure after net settlement and collateral arrangements	$ 66.2	$ 105.8

Financial Risk Management - 135

Financial Risk Management - Credit Risk - Gross Recoverable From Reinsurers Classified by Financial Strength (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	$ 7,812.5
Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	7,812.5	$ 4,010.3	$ 3,890.9
Provision for uncollectible reinsurance	6,189.7	3,179.6
Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	7,978.9	4,182
Provision for uncollectible reinsurance	6,216.2	3,210
Provision for uncollectible reinsurance | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	(166.4)	(171.7)	$ (187)
Provision for uncollectible reinsurance	(26.5)	(30.4)
Credit risk | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	7,812.5	4,010.3
Outstanding balances for which security is held	912.9	502
Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers	7,066	3,680
Provision for uncollectible reinsurance	(166.4)	(171.7)
Recoverable from reinsurers	6,899.6	3,508.3
Credit risk | Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	7,978.9	4,182
Credit risk | Provision for uncollectible reinsurance | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	(166.4)	(171.7)
Credit risk | A Plus Plus | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Outstanding balances for which security is held	31.9	27.2
Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers	397.7	362.8
Credit risk | A Plus Plus | Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	429.6	390
Credit risk | A Plus | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Outstanding balances for which security is held	267.2	152
Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers	3,611.2	1,399
Credit risk | A Plus | Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	3,878.4	1,551
Credit risk | A | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Outstanding balances for which security is held	95.4	67.3
Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers	2,216.5	1,063.5
Credit risk | A | Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	2,311.9	1,130.8
Credit risk | A Minus | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Outstanding balances for which security is held	15.1	19.9
Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers	230.4	279.8
Credit risk | A Minus | Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	245.5	299.7
Credit risk | B Plus Plus | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Outstanding balances for which security is held	1.2	1.4
Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers	21	20.6
Credit risk | B Plus Plus | Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	22.2	22
Credit risk | B Plus | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Outstanding balances for which security is held	0.8	1.2
Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers	2.3	0.8
Credit risk | B Plus | Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	3.1	2
Credit risk | B or lower | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Outstanding balances for which security is held	3	8.9
Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers	2.4	3
Credit risk | B or lower | Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	5.4	11.9
Credit risk | Not rated | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Outstanding balances for which security is held	493.8	218.5
Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers	454.4	484.8
Credit risk | Not rated | Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	948.2	703.3
Credit risk | Pools and associations | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Outstanding balances for which security is held	4.5	5.6
Net unsecured recoverable from reinsurers	130.1	65.7
Credit risk | Pools and associations | Gross recoverable from reinsurers | Ceded reinsurance contracts
Disclosure of credit risk exposure [line items]
Recoverable from reinsurers	$ 134.6	$ 71.3

Financial Risk Management - Liq

Financial Risk Management - Liquidity Risk - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Jan. 25, 2018	Jan. 26, 2017	Jan. 27, 2016	Jan. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 21, 2017
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Common share dividends		$ 237.4	$ 227.8	$ 283.2		$ 304.9	$ 269
Dividend per share (in dollars per share)		$ 10	$ 10	$ 10		$ 10	$ 10
Cash and investments, net						$ 36,900	$ 27,100
Investments						39,255.4	28,430.7
Net (purchases) sales of securities classified as FVTPL						1,467.5	(1,203.6)
Income taxes payable						95.6	35.4
Subsequent event
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Common share dividends	$ 283.2
Dividend per share (in dollars per share)	$ 10
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Common share dividends						418.1	445.8
Net (purchases) sales of securities classified as FVTPL						(285)	(814.4)
Holding Company
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Cash and investments, net						2,356.9	1,329.4
Subsidiary investments
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Cash and investments, net						$ 36,898.5	27,101.3
4.70% due December 16, 2026 | Holding Company
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Interest rate						4.70%
Revolving credit facility | Holding Company
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Revolving credit facility available							1,000	$ 2,000
Fairfax India | Subsidiary investments
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Investments						$ 1,054.7	$ 326.6
Liquidity risk | Insurance and reinsurance companies
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Risk exposure percentage						12.30%	9.60%
Forecast | Fairfax India and Fairfax Africa Term Loans | Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Repayment of borrowings					$ 855.9

Financial Risk Management - 137

Financial Risk Management - Liquidity Risk - Financial Liabilities Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Disclosure of maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers	$ 850.2	$ 416.2
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	28,610.8	19,481.8	$ 19,816.4	$ 17,749.1	$ 19,212.8	$ 19,648.8	$ 17,232.2	$ 16,049.3	$ 14,504.8	$ 14,467.2
Liquidity risk
Disclosure of maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,938.9	2,283.8
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers	850.2	416.2
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	28,610.8	19,481.8
Borrowings - principal	6,396.9	4,783.5
Borrowings - interest	1,985.7	1,636.7
Total financial liabilities	40,782.5	28,602
Liquidity risk | Less than 3 months
Disclosure of maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,564.5	1,257.4
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers	186.6	125.1
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	2,108.8	1,383.5
Borrowings - principal	47.1	478.1
Borrowings - interest	45.6	51.5
Total financial liabilities	3,952.6	3,295.6
Liquidity risk | 3 months to 1 year
Disclosure of maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	578.8	433.9
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers	553.2	252
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	5,344.5	3,890
Borrowings - principal	958	237.6
Borrowings - interest	270.1	197.6
Total financial liabilities	7,704.6	5,011.1
Liquidity risk | 1 - 3 years
Disclosure of maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	485.3	347.4
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers	41.9	25.8
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	8,272	5,664.4
Borrowings - principal	877.5	650.8
Borrowings - interest	542.9	443.1
Total financial liabilities	10,219.6	7,131.5
Liquidity risk | 3 - 5 years
Disclosure of maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	216.8	113.3
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers	1.4	1.5
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	4,557.3	3,428
Borrowings - principal	1,556.8	1,299.6
Borrowings - interest	381.5	334.5
Total financial liabilities	6,713.8	5,176.9
Liquidity risk | More than 5 years
Disclosure of maturity analysis for non-derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	93.5	131.8
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers	67.1	11.8
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	8,328.2	5,115.9
Borrowings - principal	2,957.5	2,117.4
Borrowings - interest	745.6	610
Total financial liabilities	$ 12,191.9	$ 7,986.9

Financial Risk Management - 138

Financial Risk Management - Liquidity Risk - Derivative Financial Liabilities (Details) - Liquidity risk - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	$ 126.2	$ 234.3
Less than 3 months
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	114.6	221.9
3 months to 1 year
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	11.6	12.4
Equity total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	12.1	78.1
Equity total return swaps – short positions | Less than 3 months
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	12.1	78.1
Equity total return swaps – short positions | 3 months to 1 year
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	0	0
Equity total return swaps – long positions
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	15.6	5.1
Equity total return swaps – long positions | Less than 3 months
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	15.6	5.1
Equity total return swaps – long positions | 3 months to 1 year
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	0	0
Foreign exchange forward contracts
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	69.7	101.4
Foreign exchange forward contracts | Less than 3 months
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	58.1	89
Foreign exchange forward contracts | 3 months to 1 year
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	11.6	12.4
U.S. treasury bond forward contracts
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	28.8	49.7
U.S. treasury bond forward contracts | Less than 3 months
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	28.8	49.7
U.S. treasury bond forward contracts | 3 months to 1 year
Disclosure of maturity analysis for derivative financial liabilities [line items]
Derivative financial liabilities	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Risk Management - Mar

Financial Risk Management - Market Risk - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jul. 06, 2017
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Proceeds from issue of bonds, notes and debentures	$ 5,677.1	$ 4,514.5
Notional amount	6,396.9	4,783.5
Bonds
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Fair value	$ 10,290.8	10,167.5
Interest rate risk
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Change in interest rate on investments	2.00%
Increment change in interest rate on investments	1.00%
Interest rate risk | Bonds
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Fair value	$ 10,290.8	10,167.5
Bonds, U.S. states and municipalities
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Proceeds from issue of bonds, notes and debentures	2,346.5
U.S. treasury bond forward contracts
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Notional amount	$ 1,693.8	$ 3,013.4
Allied World | Bonds
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Portfolio investments			$ 5,337.2

Financial Risk Management - 140

Financial Risk Management - Market Risk - Potential Impact of Changes in Interest Rates on Fixed Asset Portfolio (Details) - Debt securities - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Fair value of fixed income portfolio, no change	$ 10,290.8	$ 10,167.5
Interest rate risk
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Fair value of fixed income portfolio, 200 basis point increase	9,897.4	9,758.6
Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings, 200 basis point increase	$ (306.2)	$ (295.1)
Hypothetical % change in fair value, 200 basis point increase	(3.80%)	(4.00%)
Fair value of fixed income portfolio, 100 basis point increase	$ 10,090.1	$ 9,962.2
Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings, 100 basis point increase	$ (155.6)	$ (148.2)
Hypothetical % change in fair value, 100 basis point increase	(2.00%)	(2.00%)
Fair value of fixed income portfolio, no change	$ 10,290.8	$ 10,167.5
Fair value of fixed income portfolio, 100 basis point decrease	10,498.6	10,338.3
Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings, 100 basis point decrease	$ 161.3	$ 124.6
Hypothetical % change in fair value, 100 basis point decrease	2.00%	1.70%
Fair value of fixed income portfolio, 200 basis point decrease	$ 10,720.5	$ 10,480.2
Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings, 200 basis point decrease	$ 332	$ 228.6
Hypothetical % change in fair value, 200 basis point decrease	4.20%	3.10%

Financial Risk Management - 141

Financial Risk Management - Market Price Fluctuations - Narrative (Details) CAD in Millions, $ in Millions	Sep. 19, 2017	Mar. 09, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017CAD	Dec. 31, 2016CAD
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Net gains (losses) on investments				$ 1,467.5	$ (1,203.6)
Notional amount			$ 4,783.5	6,396.9	4,783.5
Market value			203.3	204.3	203.3
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)				612.2	(841.3)
Gains (losses) on hedge of net investment in Canadian subsidiaries				(106.3)	(37.5)
Equity total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Notional amount of derivatives settled			6,350.6	1,202.9	6,350.6
Net gains (losses) on investments				(237.9)	(955.2)
Realized loss on derivatives			2,665.4	553.1	2,665.4
Unrealized loss on derivatives		$ 190.9		315.2	1,710.2
Notional amount			1,623	892.5	1,623
Market value			10.4	11.8	10.4
CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Unrealized loss on derivatives				$ 638.8	$ 586.6
Average life (in years)				4 years 7 months 6 days	5 years 7 months 6 days
Notional amount			110,365.5	$ 117,254.6	$ 110,365.5
Market value			83.4	39.6	83.4
Subsequent event | Equity total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Notional amount of derivatives settled		481.3
Net gains (losses) on investments		(8.1)
Realized loss on derivatives		199
Unrealized loss on derivatives		190.9
Notional amount		$ 509
Equity price risk
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Net gains (losses) on investments				233.1	(39.4)
Notional amount			638.2	833.8	638.2
Market value			638.2	833.8	638.2
Equity price risk | Equity total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Net gains (losses) on investments				(408.7)	(208)
Notional amount			(1,623)	(892.5)	(1,623)
Market value			(67.7)	(0.3)	(67.7)
Equity price risk | Investment Portfolio With Ten Largest Issuers
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Common equity instrument			$ 2,113.8	$ 3,138.1	$ 2,113.8
Risk exposure percentage			7.40%	8.00%	7.40%	8.00%	7.40%
Equity price risk | Investment Portfolio With Single Largest Issuer
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Common equity instrument			$ 391.7	$ 549	$ 391.7
Risk exposure percentage			1.40%	1.40%	1.40%	1.40%	1.40%
Equity price risk | Investments in associates and subsidiary
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Net gains (losses) on investments				$ 69.8	$ 0
Notional amount			$ 1,752.5	$ 3,846.2	$ 1,752.5
Other price risk | CPI-linked derivative contracts
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Average life (in years)				4 years 7 months 6 days	5 years 7 months 6 days
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)				$ (71)	$ (196.2)
Currency risk
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Change in interest rate on investments				5.00%
Common Stock, Other Funds
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Portfolio investments			157.1	$ 90.9	157.1
Bottom of range | Equity price risk
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Change in interest rate on investments				5.00%
Top of range | Equity price risk
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Change in interest rate on investments				10.00%
Unsecured senior notes | Hedges of net investment in foreign operations
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Borrowings | CAD						CAD 2,212.9	CAD 1,975
Borrowings at fair value			$ 1,618.1	$ 1,868.6	$ 1,618.1
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Ownership percentage	9.90%			0.00%	34.60%

Financial Risk Management - 142

Financial Risk Management - Market Price Fluctuations - Equity and Equity Related Holdings (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	$ 6,396.9	$ 4,783.5
Market value	204.3	203.3
Net gains (losses) on investments	1,467.5	(1,203.6)
Equity total return swaps – long positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	697.8	213.1
Market value	17.8	9.4
Equity total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	892.5	1,623
Market value	11.8	10.4
Net gains (losses) on investments	(237.9)	(955.2)
Equity index total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	52.6	43.3
Market value	0.4	0.6
Equity price risk
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	833.8	638.2
Market value	833.8	638.2
Net gains (losses) on investments	233.1	(39.4)
Net equity exposures and financial effects, exposure/notional amount	10,156.5	5,147.3
Net equity exposures and financial effects, pre-tax earnings (loss)	649.1	(1,297.6)
Equity price risk | Investments in associates and subsidiary
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	3,846.2	1,752.5
Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates	2,945.3	1,693
Net gains (losses) on investments	69.8	0
Equity price risk | Common stocks
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	5,578.1	4,181.4
Common equity instrument, carrying value	5,578.1	4,181.4
Net gains (losses) on investments	707.8	(78)
Equity price risk | Preferred stocks – convertible
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	68.1	9.1
Preferred equity instrument, carrying value	68.1	9.1
Net gains (losses) on investments	(1.6)	(6.6)
Equity price risk | Equity hedges and long equity exposures
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	11,101.6	6,813.6
Total equity and equity related holdings	9,505.1	6,545.3
Net gains (losses) on investments	1,067	(104.7)
Equity price risk | Equity total return swaps – long positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	697.8	213.1
Market value	2.2	4.3
Net gains (losses) on investments	19.6	23.3
Equity price risk | Equity warrants and call options
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	77.6	19.3
Market value	77.6	19.3
Net gains (losses) on investments	38.3	(4)
Equity price risk | Equity hedges and short equity exposures
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	(945.1)	(1,666.3)
Total equity and equity related holdings	0.1	(67.1)
Net gains (losses) on investments	(417.9)	(1,192.9)
Equity price risk | Equity total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	(892.5)	(1,623)
Market value	(0.3)	(67.7)
Net gains (losses) on investments	(408.7)	(208)
Equity price risk | Equity index total return swaps – short positions
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	(52.6)	(43.3)
Market value	0.4	0.6
Net gains (losses) on investments	(9.2)	(971.8)
Equity price risk | Equity index put options
Disclosure of financial assets [line items]
Notional amount	0	0
Market value	0	0
Net gains (losses) on investments	$ 0	$ (13.1)

Financial Risk Management - 143

Financial Risk Management - Market Price Fluctuations - Impact on Net Earnings (Details) - Equity price risk - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items]
Fair value of equity and equity-related holdings, 10% increase	$ 6,887.9	$ 3,755.3
Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings, 10% increase	$ 479.9	$ 248.6
Hypothetical % change in fair value, 10% increase	9.20%	10.60%
Fair value of equity and equity-related holdings, 5% increase	$ 6,597.9	$ 3,569.7
Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings, 5% increase	$ 239	$ 119.6
Hypothetical % change in fair value, 5% increase	4.60%	5.20%
Fair value of equity and equity-related holdings, no change	$ 6,310.3	$ 3,394.7
Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings, no change	$ 0	$ 0
Hypothetical % change in fair value, no change	0.00%	0.00%
Fair value of equity and equity-related holdings, 5% decrease	$ 6,023	$ 3,233.5
Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings, 5% decrease	$ (238.5)	$ (106.7)
Hypothetical % change in fair value, 5% decrease	(4.60%)	(4.70%)
Fair value of equity and equity-related holdings, 10% decrease	$ 5,738.1	$ 3,082.9
Hypothetical $ change effect on net earnings, 10% decrease	$ (475)	$ (204.5)
Hypothetical % change in fair value, 10% decrease	(9.10%)	(9.20%)

Financial Risk Management - 144

Financial Risk Management - Market Price Fluctuations - Pre Tax Foreign Exchange (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [abstract]
Investing activities	$ 88.8	$ (136.9)
Underwriting activities	(74.9)	19.7
Foreign currency forward contracts	(11.1)	(12.3)
Foreign currency net gains (losses) included in pre-tax earnings (loss)	$ 2.8	$ (129.5)

Financial Risk Management - 145

Financial Risk Management - Market Price Fluctuations - Currency Appreciation (Details) - Currency risk - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Effect Of Currency Appreciation [Line Items]
Pre-tax earnings (loss)	$ (76.1)	$ 58.5
Net earnings (loss)	(68)	39.4
Pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)	(352.5)	(257)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(339.6)	(244.2)
Canadian dollar
Effect Of Currency Appreciation [Line Items]
Pre-tax earnings (loss)	32.5	40.6
Net earnings (loss)	24.3	28
Pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)	(75.3)	(66.1)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(73.8)	(66)
Euro
Effect Of Currency Appreciation [Line Items]
Pre-tax earnings (loss)	6.2	9.5
Net earnings (loss)	5	7.8
Pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)	(60.8)	(1.7)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(54.7)	4.3
British pound sterling
Effect Of Currency Appreciation [Line Items]
Pre-tax earnings (loss)	5.7	15.6
Net earnings (loss)	5.4	11.7
Pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)	(33.6)	(29.9)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(33.4)	(28.5)
Indian rupee
Effect Of Currency Appreciation [Line Items]
Pre-tax earnings (loss)	(64.8)	(31.2)
Net earnings (loss)	(57.3)	(21.9)
Pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)	(128.5)	(99.3)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(126.8)	(94)
All other currencies
Effect Of Currency Appreciation [Line Items]
Pre-tax earnings (loss)	(55.7)	24
Net earnings (loss)	(45.4)	13.8
Pre-tax other comprehensive income (loss)	(54.3)	(60)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (50.9)	$ (60)

Financial Risk Management - Cap

Financial Risk Management - Capital Management - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 29, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2017CAD	Dec. 13, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 04, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 04, 2017CAD	Mar. 15, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2017CADshares	Aug. 17, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 06, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Capitalization							$ 24,826.1				$ 16,587.7
Notional amount							$ 6,396.9				4,783.5
Minimum supervisory target							150.00%
Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Notional amount							$ 3,492				3,490.8
4.25% Due 2027
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Notional amount | CAD								CAD 650,000,000
Interest rate							4.25%	4.25%
4.25% Due 2027 | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Notional amount					CAD 650,000,000		$ 518.8	CAD 650,000,000			0
Net proceeds from borrowings				$ 509.5	CAD 646,800,000
Interest rate					4.25%		4.25%	4.25%
7.50% due August 19, 2019 | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Notional amount		CAD 388,400,000					$ 0	CAD 400,000,000			298.3
Interest rate		7.50%					7.50%	7.50%
Payments for redemption of debt	$ 340.6	CAD 430,600,000				$ 9.7
Purchase consideration payable due 2017 | Holding Company
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Notional amount							$ 0				$ 131.3
Extinguishment of debt amount			$ 124.9
Allied World | Subordinate voting shares
Disclosure of detailed information about financial instruments [line items]
Number of shares issued in combination | shares							5,075,894	5,075,894
Equity interests issued in combination							$ 2,191.6		$ 119.3	$ 2,072.3

Financial Risk Management - 147

Financial Risk Management - Capital Management - Schedule of Capital (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]
Holding company cash and investments (net of short sale and derivative obligations)	$ 36,900	$ 27,100
Borrowings	6,414.1	4,767.6
Net debt	4,057.2	3,438.2
Non-controlling interests	4,600.9	2,000
Total equity	$ 18,412	$ 11,820.1	$ 12,018.9
Net debt/total equity	22.00%	29.10%
Net debt/net total capital	18.10%	22.50%
Total debt/total capital	25.80%	28.70%
Interest coverage	7.1
Interest and preferred share dividend distribution coverage	6
Common shareholders’ equity
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]
Equity in stock	$ 12,475.6	$ 8,484.6
Preferred shares
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]
Equity in stock	1,335.5	1,335.5	$ 1,334.9
Holding company
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]
Holding company cash and investments (net of short sale and derivative obligations)	2,356.9	$ 1,329.4
Borrowings	3,475.1
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]
Borrowings	1,373
Non-insurance companies
Disclosure of financial liabilities [line items]
Borrowings	$ 1,566

Segmented Information - Narrati

Segmented Information - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam Insurance Joint Stock Corporation
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Ownership percentage	35.00%	35.00%
Falcon Insurance PLC
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Ownership percentage	41.20%	41.20%

Segmented Information - Operati

Segmented Information - Operating Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	$ 12,207.5	$ 9,534.3
Net premiums written	9,983.5	8,088.4
Net earned premium	9,721.4	7,862.2
Underwriting expenses	(10,570.3)	(7,471.4)
Underwriting profit (loss)	(848.9)	390.8
Interest income	514.6	514.4
Dividends	73.2	66.8
Investment expenses	(28.8)	(26)
Interest and dividends	559	555.2
Share of profit (loss) of associates	200.5	24.2
Other revenue	3,257.6	2,061.6
Other expenses	(2,996)	(1,958.4)
Other revenue (expenses)	261.6	103.2
Operating income (loss)	172.2	1,073.4
Net gains (losses) on investments	1,467.5	(1,203.6)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	1,018.6	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	(28.6)	0
Interest expense	(331.2)	(242.8)
Corporate overhead	(275.3)	(181.3)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	2,023.2	(554.3)
Income taxes	(408.3)	159.6
Net earnings (loss)	1,614.9	(394.7)
Shareholders of Fairfax	1,740.6	(512.5)
Non-controlling interests	(125.7)	117.8
Operating companies
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	12,412.9	9,526.7
Net premiums written	9,975.2	7,905
Net earned premium	9,701.3	7,698.7
Underwriting expenses	(10,342.8)	(7,122.8)
Underwriting profit (loss)	(641.5)	575.9
Interest income	456	446.2
Dividends	53.2	51.1
Investment expenses	(106.9)	(87.3)
Interest and dividends	402.3	410
Share of profit (loss) of associates	23.5	53.3
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(215.7)	1,039.2
Net gains (losses) on investments	1,558.3	(837.3)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	1,018.6
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	(41.3)	(26.1)
Corporate overhead	(131.6)	(74.9)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	2,188.3	100.9
Reportable segments | Runoff
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	8.4	183.9
Net premiums written	8.3	183.4
Net earned premium	20.1	163.5
Underwriting expenses	(227.5)	(348.6)
Underwriting profit (loss)	(207.4)	(185.1)
Interest income	37.2	58.6
Dividends	4.6	5.9
Investment expenses	(12.9)	(13.3)
Interest and dividends	28.9	51.2
Share of profit (loss) of associates	(6.1)	(15.5)
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(184.6)	(149.4)
Net gains (losses) on investments	73.3	(225.2)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	0	0
Corporate overhead	0	0
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(111.3)	(374.6)
Reportable segments | Other
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0	0
Net premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0
Underwriting expenses	0	0
Underwriting profit (loss)	0	0
Interest income	29.7	21.3
Dividends	9.1	8.2
Investment expenses	(143.7)	(12.8)
Interest and dividends	(104.9)	16.7
Share of profit (loss) of associates	55.4	13.6
Other revenue	3,257.6	2,061.6
Other expenses	(2,996)	(1,958.4)
Other revenue (expenses)	261.6	103.2
Operating income (loss)	212.1	133.5
Net gains (losses) on investments	7.2	30.1
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	(65.8)	(28.3)
Corporate overhead	0	0
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	153.5	135.3
Corporate and Other
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0	0
Net premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0
Underwriting expenses	0	0
Underwriting profit (loss)	0	0
Interest income	(8.3)	(11.7)
Dividends	6.3	1.6
Investment expenses	(2.1)	(1.4)
Interest and dividends	(4.1)	(11.5)
Share of profit (loss) of associates	127.7	(27.2)
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	123.6	(38.7)
Net gains (losses) on investments	(171.3)	(171.2)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	(28.6)
Interest expense	(224.1)	(188.4)
Corporate overhead	93.1	(17.6)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(207.3)	(415.9)
Eliminations and adjustments
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	(213.8)	(176.3)
Net premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0
Underwriting expenses	0	0
Underwriting profit (loss)	0	0
Interest income	0	0
Dividends	0	0
Investment expenses	236.8	88.8
Interest and dividends	236.8	88.8
Share of profit (loss) of associates	0	0
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	236.8	88.8
Net gains (losses) on investments	0	0
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	0	0
Corporate overhead	(236.8)	(88.8)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	0	0
External
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	12,207.5	9,534.3
Net earned premium	9,721.4	7,862.2
External | Operating companies
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	12,199.1	9,350.4
Net earned premium	9,701.3	7,698.7
External | Reportable segments | Runoff
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	8.4	183.9
Net earned premium	20.1	163.5
External | Reportable segments | Other
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0
External | Corporate and Other
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0
External | Eliminations and adjustments
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0
Intercompany
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0
Intercompany | Operating companies
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	213.8	176.3
Net earned premium	0	0
Intercompany | Reportable segments | Runoff
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0
Intercompany | Reportable segments | Other
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0
Intercompany | Corporate and Other
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0
Intercompany | Eliminations and adjustments
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	(213.8)	(176.3)
Net earned premium	0	0
Northbridge | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,187	1,055.1
Net premiums written	1,064.9	942.6
Net earned premium	1,019.7	908.8
Underwriting expenses	(1,010.7)	(862.5)
Underwriting profit (loss)	9	46.3
Interest income	56.1	56.6
Dividends	9.5	8.4
Investment expenses	(11.5)	(12.8)
Interest and dividends	54.1	52.2
Share of profit (loss) of associates	3.2	5.2
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	66.3	103.7
Net gains (losses) on investments	44.8	(161.3)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	0	0
Corporate overhead	(8.7)	(6.6)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	102.4	(64.2)
Northbridge | External | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,180.4	1,052.3
Net earned premium	1,023.7	915.8
Northbridge | Intercompany | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	6.6	2.8
Net earned premium	(4)	(7)
OdysseyRe | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	2,783.1	2,380.7
Net premiums written	2,495.9	2,100.2
Net earned premium	2,333.4	2,074.1
Underwriting expenses	(2,273.4)	(1,838.9)
Underwriting profit (loss)	60	235.2
Interest income	131	158.5
Dividends	15.6	23.9
Investment expenses	(21.7)	(28.7)
Interest and dividends	124.9	153.7
Share of profit (loss) of associates	7.2	17.3
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	192.1	406.2
Net gains (losses) on investments	253.1	(318.7)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	(3.3)	(2.8)
Corporate overhead	(27.4)	(30.2)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	414.5	54.5
OdysseyRe | External | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	2,725.7	2,355.8
Net earned premium	2,318.3	2,083.9
OdysseyRe | Intercompany | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	57.4	24.9
Net earned premium	15.1	(9.8)
Crum & Forster | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	2,174.5	2,055
Net premiums written	1,863.4	1,801.1
Net earned premium	1,852.8	1,769.5
Underwriting expenses	(1,849.6)	(1,737.1)
Underwriting profit (loss)	3.2	32.4
Interest income	53.4	72.8
Dividends	3.4	5.8
Investment expenses	(23)	(12.8)
Interest and dividends	33.8	65.8
Share of profit (loss) of associates	(1.1)	(22.6)
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	35.9	75.6
Net gains (losses) on investments	27.9	(184.7)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	(1.8)	(1.6)
Corporate overhead	(25.4)	(20.4)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	36.6	(131.1)
Crum & Forster | External | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	2,120	2,011.8
Net earned premium	1,822.1	1,738.6
Crum & Forster | Intercompany | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	54.5	43.2
Net earned premium	30.7	30.9
Zenith National | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	849	831.7
Net premiums written	837.4	819.4
Net earned premium	811.6	807.3
Underwriting expenses	(694.4)	(643.2)
Underwriting profit (loss)	117.2	164.1
Interest income	26.8	33
Dividends	3.8	4.3
Investment expenses	(7.2)	(7.7)
Interest and dividends	23.4	29.6
Share of profit (loss) of associates	(9.8)	1.2
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	130.8	194.9
Net gains (losses) on investments	26.6	(168.2)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	(3.3)	(3.3)
Corporate overhead	(8.2)	(8.4)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	145.9	15
Zenith National | External | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	849	831.7
Net earned premium	814.1	809.3
Zenith National | Intercompany | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0	0
Net earned premium	(2.5)	(2)
Brit | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	2,057	1,912.2
Net premiums written	1,530.9	1,480.2
Net earned premium	1,536.9	1,399.3
Underwriting expenses	(1,738.8)	(1,370.2)
Underwriting profit (loss)	(201.9)	29.1
Interest income	41.9	66.5
Dividends	3.7	2.6
Investment expenses	(13)	(13.7)
Interest and dividends	32.6	55.4
Share of profit (loss) of associates	9.2	3.4
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(160.1)	87.9
Net gains (losses) on investments	79	87.3
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	(12.5)	(14.2)
Corporate overhead	(9.2)	(9.2)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(102.8)	151.8
Brit | External | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	2,048.1	1,904.3
Net earned premium	1,537.3	1,396.5
Brit | Intercompany | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	8.9	7.9
Net earned premium	(0.4)	2.8
Allied World | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,447.6
Net premiums written	991.9
Net earned premium	1,028.7	0
Underwriting expenses	(1,615.3)
Underwriting profit (loss)	(586.6)
Interest income	76.8
Dividends	2.2
Investment expenses	(13.1)
Interest and dividends	65.9
Share of profit (loss) of associates	(17.6)
Other revenue	0
Other expenses	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0
Operating income (loss)	(538.3)
Net gains (losses) on investments	(26.5)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	(15.6)
Corporate overhead	(27.9)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(608.3)
Allied World | External | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,447.6
Net earned premium	1,041.3
Allied World | Intercompany | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	0
Net earned premium	(12.6)
Fairfax Asia | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	670.4	648.7
Net premiums written	327.5	303.1
Net earned premium	327.6	302.5
Underwriting expenses	(289.4)	(261.4)
Underwriting profit (loss)	38.2	41.1
Interest income	31.3	26.6
Dividends	3.2	3.4
Investment expenses	(5.4)	(3.3)
Interest and dividends	29.1	26.7
Share of profit (loss) of associates	29.4	48.1
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	96.7	115.9
Net gains (losses) on investments	1,083.9	(1.7)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	1,018.6
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	0	0
Corporate overhead	(2.6)	(0.1)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	2,196.6	114.1
Fairfax Asia | External | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	667.9	636.1
Net earned premium	369.3	348.5
Fairfax Asia | Intercompany | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	2.5	12.6
Net earned premium	(41.7)	(46)
Other | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,244.3	643.3
Net premiums written	863.3	458.4
Net earned premium	790.6	437.2
Underwriting expenses	(871.2)	(409.5)
Underwriting profit (loss)	(80.6)	27.7
Interest income	38.7	32.2
Dividends	11.8	2.7
Investment expenses	(12)	(8.3)
Interest and dividends	38.5	26.6
Share of profit (loss) of associates	3	0.7
Other revenue	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Other revenue (expenses)	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(39.1)	55
Net gains (losses) on investments	69.5	(90)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0
Interest expense	(4.8)	(4.2)
Corporate overhead	(22.2)	0
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	3.4	(39.2)
Other | External | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	1,160.4	558.4
Net earned premium	775.2	406.1
Other | Intercompany | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Gross premiums written	83.9	84.9
Net earned premium	$ 15.4	$ 31.1

Segmented Information - Underwr

Segmented Information - Underwriting Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Loss & LAE - accident year	$ 9,736.5	$ 6,247.8
Total underwriting expenses - calendar year	10,570.3	7,471.4
Operating companies
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Loss & LAE - accident year	7,513.3	5,137.2
Commissions	1,643.4	1,334.7
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	1,677.8	1,305.5
Total underwriting expenses - accident year	10,834.5	7,777.4
Favourable claims reserve development	(491.7)	(654.6)
Total underwriting expenses - calendar year	10,342.8	7,122.8
Northbridge | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Loss & LAE - accident year	760.1	651.1
Commissions	164.5	150.6
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	179.6	173.6
Total underwriting expenses - accident year	1,104.2	975.3
Favourable claims reserve development	(93.5)	(112.8)
Total underwriting expenses - calendar year	1,010.7	862.5
OdysseyRe | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Loss & LAE - accident year	1,827.7	1,438.4
Commissions	492.5	431.4
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	241.3	235.6
Total underwriting expenses - accident year	2,561.5	2,105.4
Favourable claims reserve development	(288.1)	(266.5)
Total underwriting expenses - calendar year	2,273.4	1,838.9
Crum & Forster | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Loss & LAE - accident year	1,209.8	1,136.1
Commissions	292.4	283.2
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	357.6	326.1
Total underwriting expenses - accident year	1,859.8	1,745.4
Favourable claims reserve development	(10.2)	(8.3)
Total underwriting expenses - calendar year	1,849.6	1,737.1
Zenith National | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Loss & LAE - accident year	477.9	459.3
Commissions	83.5	81.9
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	209.4	203
Total underwriting expenses - accident year	770.8	744.2
Favourable claims reserve development	(76.4)	(101)
Total underwriting expenses - calendar year	694.4	643.2
Brit | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Loss & LAE - accident year	1,117.8	909.7
Commissions	424.8	292.3
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	205.7	221.7
Total underwriting expenses - accident year	1,748.3	1,423.7
Favourable claims reserve development	(9.5)	(53.5)
Total underwriting expenses - calendar year	1,738.8	1,370.2
Allied World | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Loss & LAE - accident year	1,293.1
Commissions	32.6
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	217.7
Total underwriting expenses - accident year	1,543.4
Favourable claims reserve development	71.9
Total underwriting expenses - calendar year	1,615.3
Fairfax Asia | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Loss & LAE - accident year	263.1	252.5
Commissions	4.7	(6.5)
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	73.9	67.5
Total underwriting expenses - accident year	341.7	313.5
Favourable claims reserve development	(52.3)	(52.1)
Total underwriting expenses - calendar year	289.4	261.4
Other | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Loss & LAE - accident year	563.8	290.1
Commissions	148.4	101.8
Premium acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	192.6	78
Total underwriting expenses - accident year	904.8	469.9
Favourable claims reserve development	(33.6)	(60.4)
Total underwriting expenses - calendar year	$ 871.2	$ 409.5

Segmented Information - Investm

Segmented Information - Investments In Associates (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	$ 3,656.3	$ 2,633.5
Additions to goodwill	1,212.3	216
Segment assets	64,090.1	43,384.4
Segment liabilities	45,678.1	31,564.3
Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	1,635.2	1,713.3
Additions to goodwill	934.4	88.8
Segment assets	53,037.2	35,289.9
Segment liabilities	37,123.2	23,483
Operating companies | Northbridge | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	218.6	206.9
Additions to goodwill	1.1	0
Segment assets	4,527.2	4,149.9
Segment liabilities	2,804.6	2,630.2
Operating companies | OdysseyRe | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	355.7	373.5
Additions to goodwill	0	0
Segment assets	11,316.1	10,334.8
Segment liabilities	7,248.4	6,370.5
Operating companies | Crum & Forster | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	263.2	153.5
Additions to goodwill	0	7.8
Segment assets	6,290.6	6,294.1
Segment liabilities	4,651.1	4,625.7
Operating companies | Zenith National | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	162.9	146.9
Additions to goodwill	0	0
Segment assets	2,586.8	2,590.7
Segment liabilities	1,653.8	1,633.1
Operating companies | Brit | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	231.4	217.8
Additions to goodwill	0	0
Segment assets	7,480.1	6,579.5
Segment liabilities	5,930.1	4,915.7
Operating companies | Allied World | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	210.5	0
Additions to goodwill	937.9	0
Segment assets	14,584.4	0
Segment liabilities	10,937.2	0
Operating companies | Fairfax Asia | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	100.9	487.3
Additions to goodwill	(24.2)	69.5
Segment assets	1,930.7	2,684.7
Segment liabilities	674.5	1,457.7
Operating companies | Other | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	92	127.4
Additions to goodwill	19.6	11.5
Segment assets	4,321.3	2,656.2
Segment liabilities	3,223.5	1,850.1
Reportable segments | Runoff
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	252	308.2
Additions to goodwill	0	0
Segment assets	5,207.2	5,709.5
Segment liabilities	3,456.5	3,970.4
Reportable segments | Other
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	1,250.8	255.3
Additions to goodwill	277.9	127.2
Segment assets	8,684	4,740.2
Segment liabilities	3,245.8	2,029.8
Corporate and Other and eliminations and adjustments
Disclosure of operating segments [line items]
Investments in associates	518.3	356.7
Additions to goodwill	0	0
Segment assets	(2,838.3)	(2,355.2)
Segment liabilities	$ 1,852.6	$ 2,081.1

Segmented Information - Product

Segmented Information - Product Line (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	$ 9,721.4	$ 7,862.2
Interest and dividends	559	555.2
Share of profit of associates	200.5	24.2
Net gains (losses) on investments	1,467.5	(1,203.6)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	1,018.6	0
Other revenue	3,257.6	2,061.6
Revenue	16,224.6	9,299.6
Property
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	3,185.6	2,474.2
Casualty
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	5,500.5	4,507.1
Specialty
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	1,035.3	880.9
Operating companies
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	9,701.3	7,698.7
Interest and dividends	402.3	410
Share of profit of associates	23.5	53.3
Net gains (losses) on investments	1,558.3	(837.3)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	1,018.6
Other revenue	0	0
Operating companies | Property
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	3,185.6	2,473.8
Operating companies | Casualty
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	5,477.6	4,344.5
Operating companies | Specialty
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	1,038.1	880.4
Reportable segments | Runoff
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	20.1	163.5
Interest and dividends	28.9	51.2
Share of profit of associates	(6.1)	(15.5)
Net gains (losses) on investments	73.3	(225.2)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Reportable segments | Property | Runoff
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0.4
Reportable segments | Casualty | Runoff
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	22.9	162.6
Reportable segments | Specialty | Runoff
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	$ (2.8)	$ 0.5
Product Concentration | Net Premiums Earned | Property
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Allocation of net premiums earned	32.80%	31.50%
Product Concentration | Net Premiums Earned | Casualty
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Allocation of net premiums earned	56.60%	57.30%
Product Concentration | Net Premiums Earned | Specialty
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Allocation of net premiums earned	10.60%	11.20%
Northbridge | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	$ 1,019.7	$ 908.8
Interest and dividends	54.1	52.2
Share of profit of associates	3.2	5.2
Net gains (losses) on investments	44.8	(161.3)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Northbridge | Operating companies | Property | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	449.1	395.6
Northbridge | Operating companies | Casualty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	474.4	423.8
Northbridge | Operating companies | Specialty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	96.2	89.4
OdysseyRe | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	2,333.4	2,074.1
Interest and dividends	124.9	153.7
Share of profit of associates	7.2	17.3
Net gains (losses) on investments	253.1	(318.7)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
OdysseyRe | Operating companies | Property | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	1,206	1,159.9
OdysseyRe | Operating companies | Casualty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	901.5	714.5
OdysseyRe | Operating companies | Specialty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	225.9	199.7
Crum & Forster | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	1,852.8	1,769.5
Interest and dividends	33.8	65.8
Share of profit of associates	(1.1)	(22.6)
Net gains (losses) on investments	27.9	(184.7)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Crum & Forster | Operating companies | Property | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	238.9	237
Crum & Forster | Operating companies | Casualty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	1,518	1,426.6
Crum & Forster | Operating companies | Specialty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	95.9	105.9
Zenith National | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	811.6	807.3
Interest and dividends	23.4	29.6
Share of profit of associates	(9.8)	1.2
Net gains (losses) on investments	26.6	(168.2)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Zenith National | Operating companies | Property | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	32.1	29.3
Zenith National | Operating companies | Casualty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	779.5	778
Zenith National | Operating companies | Specialty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0
Brit | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	1,536.9	1,399.3
Interest and dividends	32.6	55.4
Share of profit of associates	9.2	3.4
Net gains (losses) on investments	79	87.3
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Brit | Operating companies | Property | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	427.1	402.7
Brit | Operating companies | Casualty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	755.7	664.3
Brit | Operating companies | Specialty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	354.1	332.3
Allied World | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	1,028.7	0
Interest and dividends	65.9
Share of profit of associates	(17.6)
Net gains (losses) on investments	(26.5)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0
Allied World | Operating companies | Property | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	360.9	0
Allied World | Operating companies | Casualty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	607.4	0
Allied World | Operating companies | Specialty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	60.4	0
Fairfax Asia | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	327.6	302.5
Fairfax Asia | Operating companies | Property | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	65.6	57.4
Fairfax Asia | Operating companies | Casualty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	219.2	191.2
Fairfax Asia | Operating companies | Specialty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	42.8	53.9
Other | Operating companies | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	790.6	437.2
Interest and dividends	38.5	26.6
Share of profit of associates	3	0.7
Net gains (losses) on investments	69.5	(90)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Other | Operating companies | Property | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	405.9	191.9
Other | Operating companies | Casualty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	221.9	146.1
Other | Operating companies | Specialty | Insurance and Reinsurance
Disclosure of products and services [line items]
Net earned premium	$ 162.8	$ 99.2

Segmented Information - Geograp

Segmented Information - Geographic Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	$ 9,721.4	$ 7,862.2
Interest and dividends	559	555.2
Share of profit of associates	200.5	24.2
Net gains (losses) on investments	1,467.5	(1,203.6)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	1,018.6	0
Other revenue	3,257.6	2,061.6
Revenue	16,224.6	9,299.6
Canada
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,196.8	1,053.1
United States
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	6,148.7	5,152.8
Asia
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	822.7	684.3
International
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,553.2	972
Operating companies
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	9,701.3	7,698.7
Interest and dividends	402.3	410
Share of profit of associates	23.5	53.3
Net gains (losses) on investments	1,558.3	(837.3)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	1,018.6
Other revenue	0	0
Operating companies | Canada
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,196.8	1,053.1
Operating companies | United States
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	6,125	4,990.2
Operating companies | Asia
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	822.7	684.3
Operating companies | International
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,556.8	971.1
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Northbridge
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,019.7	908.8
Interest and dividends	54.1	52.2
Share of profit of associates	3.2	5.2
Net gains (losses) on investments	44.8	(161.3)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | OdysseyRe
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	2,333.4	2,074.1
Interest and dividends	124.9	153.7
Share of profit of associates	7.2	17.3
Net gains (losses) on investments	253.1	(318.7)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Crum & Forster
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,852.8	1,769.5
Interest and dividends	33.8	65.8
Share of profit of associates	(1.1)	(22.6)
Net gains (losses) on investments	27.9	(184.7)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Zenith National
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	811.6	807.3
Interest and dividends	23.4	29.6
Share of profit of associates	(9.8)	1.2
Net gains (losses) on investments	26.6	(168.2)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Brit
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,536.9	1,399.3
Interest and dividends	32.6	55.4
Share of profit of associates	9.2	3.4
Net gains (losses) on investments	79	87.3
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Allied World
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,028.7	0
Interest and dividends	65.9
Share of profit of associates	(17.6)
Net gains (losses) on investments	(26.5)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Fairfax Asia
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	327.6	302.5
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Other
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	790.6	437.2
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Canada | Northbridge
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,007.2	899.5
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Canada | OdysseyRe
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	76.8	72.5
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Canada | Crum & Forster
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Canada | Zenith National
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Canada | Brit
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	83.1	77.1
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Canada | Allied World
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	20.5	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Canada | Fairfax Asia
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0.1	0.1
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Canada | Other
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	9.1	3.9
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | United States | Northbridge
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	12.5	9.3
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | United States | OdysseyRe
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,539.2	1,319.3
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | United States | Crum & Forster
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,852.6	1,769.3
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | United States | Zenith National
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	811.6	807.3
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | United States | Brit
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	1,036.5	942.1
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | United States | Allied World
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	773.7	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | United States | Fairfax Asia
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0.3
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | United States | Other
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	98.9	142.6
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Asia | Northbridge
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Asia | OdysseyRe
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	247.2	231.4
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Asia | Crum & Forster
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Asia | Zenith National
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Asia | Brit
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	60.3	54
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Asia | Allied World
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	88.2	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Asia | Fairfax Asia
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	319	293.2
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | Asia | Other
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	108	105.7
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | International | Northbridge
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | International | OdysseyRe
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	470.2	450.9
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | International | Crum & Forster
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0.2	0.2
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | International | Zenith National
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | International | Brit
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	357	326.1
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | International | Allied World
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	146.3	0
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | International | Fairfax Asia
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	8.5	8.9
Insurance and Reinsurance | Operating companies | International | Other
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	574.6	185
Runoff | Reportable segments
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	20.1	163.5
Interest and dividends	28.9	51.2
Share of profit of associates	(6.1)	(15.5)
Net gains (losses) on investments	73.3	(225.2)
Gain on sale of subsidiary	0
Other revenue	0	0
Runoff | Reportable segments | Canada
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0
Runoff | Reportable segments | United States
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	23.7	162.6
Runoff | Reportable segments | Asia
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	0	0
Runoff | Reportable segments | International
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Net earned premium	$ (3.6)	$ 0.9
Geographic | Net Premiums Earned | Canada
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Allocation of net premiums earned	12.30%	13.40%
Geographic | Net Premiums Earned | United States
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Allocation of net premiums earned	63.20%	65.50%
Geographic | Net Premiums Earned | Asia
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Allocation of net premiums earned	8.50%	8.70%
Geographic | Net Premiums Earned | International
Disclosure of geographical areas [line items]
Allocation of net premiums earned	16.00%	12.40%

Expenses (Details)

Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Expenses [Line Items]
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	$ 6,880	$ 4,478.3
Other reporting segment cost of sales	1,821.4	1,095.2
Wages and salaries	1,567.2	1,228.4
Employee benefits	319	276.9
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges	280.5	191.7
Operating lease costs	216.2	155.7
Audit, legal and tax professional fees	182.9	133.6
Premium taxes	152.7	101.4
Information technology costs	138.4	106.5
Other reporting segment marketing costs	65.4	43.9
Share-based payments to directors and employees	63.8	53.6
Restructuring costs	33.7	3.2
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	28.6	0
Administrative expense and other	471.2	406.3
Total expenses	12,221	8,274.7
Insurance and reinsurance companies
Expenses [Line Items]
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	6,880	4,478.3
Other reporting segment cost of sales	0	0
Wages and salaries	1,072	876.6
Employee benefits	242.1	213.1
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges	136.5	98.4
Operating lease costs	79.3	60.6
Audit, legal and tax professional fees	155.7	116.2
Premium taxes	152.7	101.4
Information technology costs	122.2	99.8
Other reporting segment marketing costs	0	0
Share-based payments to directors and employees	58.4	48.1
Restructuring costs	30.6	2.9
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	0	0
Administrative expense and other	266.9	220.9
Total expenses	9,196.4	6,316.3
Non-insurance companies
Expenses [Line Items]
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	0	0
Other reporting segment cost of sales	1,821.4	1,095.2
Wages and salaries	495.2	351.8
Employee benefits	76.9	63.8
Depreciation, amortization and impairment charges	144	93.3
Operating lease costs	136.9	95.1
Audit, legal and tax professional fees	27.2	17.4
Premium taxes	0	0
Information technology costs	16.2	6.7
Other reporting segment marketing costs	65.4	43.9
Share-based payments to directors and employees	5.4	5.5
Restructuring costs	3.1	0.3
Loss on repurchase of borrowings	28.6	0
Administrative expense and other	204.3	185.4
Total expenses	$ 3,024.6	$ 1,958.4

Supplementary Cash Flow Info155

Supplementary Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,770	$ 4,649.8
Subsidiary assets pledged for short sale and derivative obligations, treasury bills and other eligible bills	16.8	0
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	835	430.7
Cash and cash equivalents as presented on the consolidated statements of cash flows	7,935	4,219.1	$ 3,125.6
Holding Company
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cash and balances with banks	129.1	131.9
Treasury bills and other eligible bills	866.3	401.3
Cash and cash equivalents	995.4	533.2
Cash and investments	2,368.4	1,371.6
Cash and balances with banks, restricted	1.7	2.8
Subsidiary investments
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cash and balances with banks	2,355.5	1,668.2
Treasury bills and other eligible bills	5,028.6	2,275.2
Cash and cash equivalents	17,382.5	9,938
Cash and investments	37,013.2	27,293.4
Cash and balances with banks, restricted	546.8	180.8
Treasury bills and other eligible bills, restricted	286.5	247.1
Fairfax India
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cash and balances with banks	44	44.5
Treasury bills and other eligible bills	0	128.7
Cash and cash equivalents	44	173.2
Fairfax Africa
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cash and balances with banks	329.7	0
Cash and cash equivalents | Holding Company
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cash and investments	995.4	533.2
Cash and cash equivalents | Subsidiary investments
Entity Information [Line Items]
Cash and investments	$ 7,384.1	$ 3,943.4

Supplementary Cash Flow Info156

Supplementary Cash Flow Information - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net (purchases) sales of securities classified as FVTPL
Short term investments	$ (2,816.5)	$ (2,688)
Bonds	5,677.1	4,514.5
Preferred stocks	(249.6)	(42.4)
Common stocks	778.3	170.4
Derivatives, short sales and other invested assets	(710.9)	(835.2)
Net (purchases) sales of securities classified as FVTPL	2,678.4	1,119.3
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Net increase in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(245.4)	(55.1)
Provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses	1,842.1	(355.7)
Provision for unearned premiums	395.2	326.2
Insurance contract receivables	(428.4)	(296.6)
Recoverable from reinsurers	(1,168.5)	(34.6)
Other receivables	(32.4)	(36.5)
Funds withheld payable to reinsurers	182	87.9
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	174	110.6
Income taxes payable	46.5	(54.1)
Other	(209.7)	(300)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	555.4	(607.9)
Net interest and dividends received
Interest and dividends received	531.9	782.4
Interest paid	(277.9)	(216.2)
Net interest and dividends received	254	566.2
Net income taxes paid	$ (33.4)	$ (267.1)

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 09, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Key management team
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Salaries and other short-term employee benefits		$ 9.7	$ 8.2
Share-based payments		3.1	2.5
Related party compensation		12.8	10.7
Board of Directors
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Retainers and fees		0.8	0.8
Share-based payments		0.3	0.1
Related party compensation		1.1	$ 0.9
Lissom
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Amount of operating companies managed		$ 50
Subsequent event | Fairfax India
Disclosure of transactions between related parties [line items]
Performance fee revenue	$ 114.4

Subsidiaries (Details)

Subsidiaries (Details)	Sep. 19, 2017	Jan. 13, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Ownership percentage	9.90%		0.00%	34.60%
Fairfax Africa Holdings Corporation
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			64.20%
Proportion of voting rights held in associate			98.80%
Grivalia Properties Real Estate Investment Company S.A.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			52.70%
Brit
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			72.50%
Allied World
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			67.40%
The Pacific Insurance Berhad
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			85.00%
PT Asuransi Multi Artha Guna TBK (AMAG)
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			80.00%
Fairfirst Insurance Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			78.00%
Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Pethealth Inc.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Boat Rocker Media Inc.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			58.20%
Cara
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			40.20%
Proportion of voting rights held in associate			56.70%
Group St-Hubert Inc.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			40.20%
Original Joe's
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			35.90%
Pickle Barrel Restaurants Inc.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			40.20%
The Keg
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			51.00%
Praktiker Hellas Commercial Societe Anonyme
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Sporting Life Inc.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			75.00%
William Ashley China Corporation
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Golf Town Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			60.00%
Proportion of voting rights held in associate			100.00%
Fairfax India
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			30.20%	33.60%
Proportion of voting rights held in associate			93.60%
Ownership percentage		30.20%
National Collateral Management Services Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			27.00%
Fairchem Speciality Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			14.70%
Thomas Cook India
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			67.60%
Quess Corp Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			33.10%	42.10%
Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			67.60%
Northbridge
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
OdysseyRe
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Hudson Insurance
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Crum & Forster
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Zenith National
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Advent
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Polish Re
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Colonnade
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Fairfax Brasil
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
SBS Seguros Colombia S.A.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Southbridge Compañía de Seguros Generales S.A.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
La Meridional Compañía Argentina de Seguros S.A.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Bryte Insurance
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
CRC Re
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Wentworth
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Falcon
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
TIG Insurance
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
RiverStone UK
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
RiverStone Insurance
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
RiverStone Managing Agency Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Saurashtra Freight Private Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			15.40%
Mosaic Capital
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of voting rights held in associate			62.00%
Cara | Group St-Hubert Inc.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Cara | Original Joe's
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			89.20%
Cara | Pickle Barrel Restaurants Inc.
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%
Fairfax India | National Collateral Management Services Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			89.50%
Fairfax India | Fairchem Speciality Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			48.70%
Fairfax India | Saurashtra Freight Private Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			51.00%
Thomas Cook India | Quess Corp Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			49.00%
Thomas Cook India | Sterling Holiday Resorts (India) Limited
Disclosure of subsidiaries [line items]
Proportion of ownership interest in subsidiary			100.00%