Reserve For Losses, LAE And Future Policy Benefit Reserve (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Reserve For Losses, LAE And Future Policy Benefit Reserve [Abstract]

Summary Of Activity In The Reserve For Losses And LAE

	At December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Gross reserves at January 1	$	9,340,183		$	8,937,858		$	8,840,660
Less reinsurance recoverables		(689,445	)		(641,269	)		(690,509	)
Net reserves at January 1		8,650,738			8,296,589			8,150,151
Incurred related to:
Current year		3,722,513			2,976,578			2,245,220
Prior years		3,691			(30,866	)		128,838
Total incurred losses and LAE		3,726,204			2,945,712			2,374,058
Paid related to:
Current year		810,530			568,330			388,172
Prior years		2,008,307			1,988,749			1,997,216
Total paid losses and LAE		2,818,837			2,557,079			2,385,388
Foreign exchange/translation adjustment		(15,888	)		(34,484	)		157,768
Net reserves at December 31		9,542,217			8,650,738			8,296,589
Plus reinsurance recoverables		580,998			689,445			641,269
Gross reserves at December 31	$	10,123,215		$	9,340,183		$	8,937,858

Summary Of Incurred Losses With Respect To A&E Reserves On Both Gross And Net Of Reinsurance Basis

	At December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Gross basis:
Beginning of period reserves	$	554,790		$	638,674		$	786,843
Incurred losses		752			-			-
Paid losses		(55,631	)		(83,884	)		(148,169	)
End of period reserves	$	499,911		$	554,790		$	638,674
Net basis:
Beginning of period reserves	$	532,906		$	613,121		$	749,070
Incurred losses		764			-			429
Paid losses		(53,510	)		(80,215	)		(136,378	)
End of period reserves	$	480,160		$	532,906		$	613,121

Summary Of Activity In The Reserve For Future Policy Benefits

	At December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Balance at beginning of year	$	63,002		$	64,536		$	66,172
Liabilities assumed		176			172			324
Adjustments to reserves		8,449			2,944			8,835
Benefits paid in the current year		(4,440	)		(4,650	)		(10,795	)
Balance at end of year	$	67,187		$	63,002		$	64,536