10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

___________________________________________

FORM 10-Q

___________________________________________

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

or

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission File Number: 001-15811

___________________________________________

MARKEL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

___________________________________________

Virginia	54-1959284
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

4521 Highwoods Parkway, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060-6148

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(804) 747-0136

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

___________________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x   No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes x No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x Accelerated filer  o Non-accelerated filer  o Smaller reporting company  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding at October 28, 2015: 13,950,253

Markel Corporation

Form 10-Q

Index

		Page Number
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets—September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014	3
	Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Quarters and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	4
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014	6
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	26
	Critical Accounting Estimates	26
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	39
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	40
Safe Harbor and Cautionary Statement		41
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6.	Exhibits	43
Signatures		44
Exhibit Index		45

2

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands)

	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Investments, available-for-sale, at estimated fair value:
Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $8,937,575 in 2015 and $9,929,137 in 2014)	$	9,353,951	$	10,422,882
Equity securities (cost of $2,290,017 in 2015 and $1,951,658 in 2014)	4,156,413		4,137,576
Short-term investments (estimated fair value approximates cost)	2,323,983		1,594,849
Total Investments	15,834,347		16,155,307
Cash and cash equivalents	2,261,201		1,960,169
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	371,794		522,225
Receivables	1,249,429		1,135,217
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	1,973,249		1,868,669
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	85,896		102,206
Deferred policy acquisition costs	379,767		353,410
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	367,626		365,458
Goodwill	1,043,713		1,049,115
Intangible assets	652,667		702,747
Other assets	961,884		985,834
Total Assets	$	25,181,573	$	25,200,357
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	10,388,209	$	10,404,152
Life and annuity benefits	1,159,901		1,305,818
Unearned premiums	2,377,904		2,245,690
Payables to insurance and reinsurance companies	318,078		276,122
Senior long-term debt and other debt (estimated fair value of $2,441,000 in 2015 and $2,493,000 in 2014)	2,240,517		2,253,594
Other liabilities	942,873		1,051,931
Total Liabilities	17,427,482		17,537,307
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	50,584		61,048
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	3,335,208		3,308,395
Retained earnings	2,942,606		2,581,866
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,417,416		1,704,557
Total Shareholders' Equity	7,695,230		7,594,818
Noncontrolling interests	8,277		7,184
Total Equity	7,703,507		7,602,002
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	25,181,573	$	25,200,357

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
OPERATING REVENUES
Earned premiums	$	963,675		$	954,007		$	2,864,882		$	2,868,981
Net investment income	87,060			91,096			270,521			269,980
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	(18,281		)	(2,851		)	(23,373		)	(3,858		)
Net realized investment gains, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses	3,574			7,046			20,342			32,567
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(14,707		)	4,195			(3,031		)	28,709
Other revenues	306,736			249,988			817,151			630,242
Total Operating Revenues	1,342,764			1,299,286			3,949,523			3,797,912
OPERATING EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	484,737			570,966			1,467,926			1,723,675
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	365,619			350,493			1,085,956			1,071,985
Amortization of intangible assets	18,914			13,505			50,503			40,992
Other expenses	290,749			231,193			763,986			598,303
Total Operating Expenses	1,160,019			1,166,157			3,368,371			3,434,955
Operating Income	182,745			133,129			581,152			362,957
Interest expense	30,064			29,648			88,664			89,136
Income Before Income Taxes	152,681			103,481			492,488			273,821
Income tax expense	48,271			26,657			101,619			68,355
Net Income	104,410			76,824			390,869			205,466
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,891			1,021			5,989			1,879
Net Income to Shareholders	$	102,519		$	75,803		$	384,880		$	203,587
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes:
Net holding gains (losses) arising during the period	$	(149,266	)	$	(7,532	)	$	(258,386	)	$	348,096
Change in unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities arising during the period	(8		)	123			111			118
Reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income	6,000			(4,990		)	(8,037		)	(15,752		)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes	(143,274		)	(12,399		)	(266,312		)	332,462
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	(10,854		)	(27,223		)	(22,283		)	(19,639		)
Change in net actuarial pension loss, net of taxes	475			320			1,407			964
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(153,653		)	(39,302		)	(287,188		)	313,787
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(49,243		)	37,522			103,681			519,253
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,900			1,020			5,942			1,890
Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Shareholders	$	(51,143	)	$	36,502		$	97,739		$	517,363
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic	$	7.43		$	5.33		$	27.76		$	14.28
Diluted	$	7.39		$	5.30		$	27.60		$	14.21

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)	Common Shares		Common Stock			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Total Shareholders' Equity			Noncontrolling Interests			Total Equity			Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
December 31, 2013	13,986		$	3,288,863		$	2,294,909		$	1,089,805		$	6,673,577		$	4,433		$	6,678,010		$	72,183
Net income (loss)						203,587			—			203,587			(1,072		)	202,515			2,951
Other comprehensive income						—			313,776			313,776			—			313,776			11
Comprehensive Income (Loss)												517,363			(1,072		)	516,291			2,962
Issuance of common stock	16		4,960			—			—			4,960			—			4,960			—
Repurchase of common stock	(44	)	—			(25,922		)	—			(25,922		)	—			(25,922		)	—
Restricted stock units expensed	—		18,421			—			—			18,421			—			18,421			—
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		—			(3,843		)	—			(3,843		)	—			(3,843		)	3,843
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—		(10,257		)	—			—			(10,257		)	905			(9,352		)	(18,566		)
Other	—		881			13			—			894			3,910			4,804			(3,173		)
September 30, 2014	13,958		$	3,302,868		$	2,468,744		$	1,403,581		$	7,175,193		$	8,176		$	7,183,369		$	57,249
December 31, 2014	13,962		$	3,308,395		$	2,581,866		$	1,704,557		$	7,594,818		$	7,184		$	7,602,002		$	61,048
Net income						384,880			—			384,880			745			385,625			5,244
Other comprehensive loss						—			(287,141		)	(287,141		)	—			(287,141		)	(47		)
Comprehensive Income												97,739			745			98,484			5,197
Issuance of common stock	20		3,971			—			—			3,971			—			3,971			—
Repurchase of common stock	(32	)	—			(27,262		)	—			(27,262		)	—			(27,262		)	—
Restricted stock units expensed	—		19,983			—			—			19,983			—			19,983			—
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests	—		—			3,091			—			3,091			—			3,091			(3,091		)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—		(1,447		)	—			—			(1,447		)	—			(1,447		)	(8,224		)
Other	—		4,306			31			—			4,337			348			4,685			(4,346		)
September 30, 2015	13,950		$	3,335,208		$	2,942,606		$	1,417,416		$	7,695,230		$	8,277		$	7,703,507		$	50,584

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
	(dollars in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	390,869		$	205,466
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	159,516			331,162
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	550,385			536,628
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities	211,479			1,183,237
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of fixed maturities	1,162,500			1,110,128
Cost of fixed maturities and equity securities purchased	(928,601		)	(2,687,075		)
Net change in short-term investments	(687,673		)	(213,618		)
Proceeds from sales of equity method investments	22,204			101,938
Cost of equity method investments	(21,464		)	(9,441		)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	136,203			203,635
Additions to property and equipment	(62,055		)	(52,350		)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	—			(316,307		)
Other	(761		)	(1,487		)
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities	(168,168		)	(681,340		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Additions to senior long-term debt and other debt	49,771			64,075
Repayment of senior long-term debt and other debt	(55,743		)	(40,397		)
Repurchases of common stock	(27,262		)	(25,922		)
Issuance of common stock	3,971			4,960
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(12,474		)	(25,918		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,724		)	(3,463		)
Other	(11,220		)	(20,074		)
Net Cash Used By Financing Activities	(56,681		)	(46,739		)
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(24,504		)	(21,484		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	301,032			(212,935		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,960,169			1,978,526
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	2,261,201		$	1,765,591

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6

MARKEL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Basis of Presentation

Markel Corporation is a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. Markel Corporation's principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Markel Ventures, Inc. (Markel Ventures), Markel Corporation also owns interests in various industrial and service businesses that operate outside of the specialty insurance marketplace.

The consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated statements of changes in equity and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of such consolidated financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal, recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the entire year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 was derived from Markel Corporation's audited annual consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of Markel Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company consolidates the results of its Markel Ventures subsidiaries on a one-month lag. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in the Company's annual consolidated financial statements and notes. Readers are urged to review the Company's 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete description of the Company's business and accounting policies.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which creates a new comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will serve as a single source of revenue guidance for all companies in all industries. The guidance applies to all companies that either enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enter into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards, such as insurance contracts. ASU No. 2014-09's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Deferral of the Effective Date, which deferred the original effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 by one year. As a result, ASU No. 2014-09 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2018 and may be applied retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative effect is recognized at the date of initial application. Early application is permitted, but not before the first quarter of 2017. The Company is currently evaluating ASU No. 2014-09 to determine the potential impact that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's insurance operations, but may impact the Company's non-insurance operations.

7

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which changes the way reporting enterprises evaluate whether (a) they should consolidate limited partnerships and similar entities, (b) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a variable interest entity (VIE), and (c) variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of the reporting enterprise require the reporting enterprise to consolidate the VIE. It also eliminates the VIE consolidation model based on majority exposure to variability that applied to certain investment companies and similar entities. The ASU also significantly changes how to evaluate voting rights for entities that are not similar to limited partnerships when determining whether the entity is a VIE, which may affect entities for which the decision making rights are conveyed through a contractual arrangement. ASU No. 2015-02 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2016 and may be applied retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings is recognized as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Reporting enterprises may also restate previously issued financial statements for one or more years with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first year restated. Early adoption is allowed. The Company is currently evaluating ASU No. 2015-02 but does not expect adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The ASU requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability, similar to the presentation of debt discounts. The cost of issuing debt will no longer be recorded as a separate asset on the balance sheet. The amortization of debt issuance costs will continue to be included in interest expense. ASU No. 2015-03 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2016 and will be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, which clarifies that software licenses contained in a cloud computing arrangement should be capitalized if the customer has the right to take possession of the software and the ability to run the software outside of the cloud computing arrangement. ASU No. 2015-05 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2016 and may be applied prospectively or retrospectively. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-09, Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts. The ASU requires significant new disclosures for insurers relating to short-duration insurance contract claims and the unpaid claims liability rollforward for long and short-duration contracts. The guidance requires annual tabular disclosure, on a disaggregated basis, of undiscounted incurred and paid claim and allocated claim adjustment expense development by accident year, on a net basis after reinsurance, for up to 10 years. Tables must also include the total incurred but not reported claims liabilities, plus expected development on reported claims, and claims frequency for each accident year. A description of estimation methodologies and any significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the liability and frequency is also required. Based on the disaggregated claims information in the tables, disclosure of historical average annual percentage payout of incurred claims is also required. Interim period disclosures must include a tabular rollforward and related qualitative information for the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for both long-duration and short-duration contracts. ASU No. 2015-09 becomes effective for the Company during 2016, with interim disclosures required beginning in the first quarter of 2017. The ASU must be applied retrospectively by providing comparative disclosures for each period presented. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows, but will expand the nature and extent of its insurance contract disclosures, as described above.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The ASU changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value and eliminates the requirement to consider replacement cost or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin when measuring inventory. ASU 2015-11 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2016 and will be applied prospectively. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating ASU No. 2015-11 to determine the potential impact that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to impact the Company's insurance operations, but may impact the Company's non-insurance operations.

8

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The ASU eliminates the requirement to retrospectively adjust the financial statements for measurement-period adjustments that occur in periods after a business combination is consummated. ASU 2015-16 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2016 and will be applied prospectively. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

3. Investments

a)The following tables summarize the Company's available-for-sale investments.

	September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Unrealized Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	696,980	$	13,360	$	(1,545	)	$	—		$	708,795
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	3,766,517		198,495		(8,688		)	—			3,956,324
Foreign governments	1,338,511		139,447		(826		)	—			1,477,132
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	441,814		10,808		(1,107		)	—			451,515
Residential mortgage-backed securities	860,869		34,272		(2,079		)	(2,258		)	890,804
Asset-backed securities	45,470		55		(125		)	—			45,400
Corporate bonds	1,787,414		48,535		(10,288		)	(1,680		)	1,823,981
Total fixed maturities	8,937,575		444,972		(24,658		)	(3,938		)	9,353,951
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	629,814		658,077		(12,482		)	—			1,275,409
Industrial, consumer and all other	1,660,203		1,281,314		(60,513		)	—			2,881,004
Total equity securities	2,290,017		1,939,391		(72,995		)	—			4,156,413
Short-term investments	2,323,917		71		(5		)	—			2,323,983
Investments, available-for-sale	$	13,551,509	$	2,384,434	$	(97,658	)	$	(3,938	)	$	15,834,347

9

	December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Unrealized Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	662,462	$	12,963	$	(2,163	)	$	—		$	673,262
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	4,075,748		245,158		(3,359		)	—			4,317,547
Foreign governments	1,458,255		154,707		(1,041		)	—			1,611,921
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	427,904		5,325		(2,602		)	—			430,627
Residential mortgage-backed securities	954,263		34,324		(3,482		)	(2,258		)	982,847
Asset-backed securities	100,073		99		(682		)	—			99,490
Corporate bonds	2,250,432		69,016		(10,441		)	(1,819		)	2,307,188
Total fixed maturities	9,929,137		521,592		(23,770		)	(4,077		)	10,422,882
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	523,739		789,717		(1,531		)	—			1,311,925
Industrial, consumer and all other	1,427,919		1,403,566		(5,834		)	—			2,825,651
Total equity securities	1,951,658		2,193,283		(7,365		)	—			4,137,576
Short-term investments	1,594,819		36		(6		)	—			1,594,849
Investments, available-for-sale	$	13,475,614	$	2,714,911	$	(31,141	)	$	(4,077	)	$	16,155,307

10

b)The following tables summarize gross unrealized investment losses by the length of time that securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position.

	September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(dollars in thousands)	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	72,511	$	(1,265	)	$	93,566	$	(280	)	$	166,077	$	(1,545	)
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	297,670		(5,618		)	59,482		(3,070		)	357,152		(8,688		)
Foreign governments	27,208		(594		)	41,433		(232		)	68,641		(826		)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	66,074		(258		)	100,233		(849		)	166,307		(1,107		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities	24,353		(2,321		)	147,001		(2,016		)	171,354		(4,337		)
Asset-backed securities	5,678		(2		)	26,720		(123		)	32,398		(125		)
Corporate bonds	270,889		(6,364		)	343,268		(5,604		)	614,157		(11,968		)
Total fixed maturities	764,383		(16,422		)	811,703		(12,174		)	1,576,086		(28,596		)
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	139,456		(11,308		)	6,676		(1,174		)	146,132		(12,482		)
Industrial, consumer and all other	387,475		(60,006		)	19,085		(507		)	406,560		(60,513		)
Total equity securities	526,931		(71,314		)	25,761		(1,681		)	552,692		(72,995		)
Short-term investments	139,990		(5		)	—		—			139,990		(5		)
Total	$	1,431,304	$	(87,741	)	$	837,464	$	(13,855	)	$	2,268,768	$	(101,596	)

At September 30, 2015, the Company held 567 securities with a total estimated fair value of $2.3 billion and gross unrealized losses of $101.6 million. Of these 567 securities, 268 securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for one year or longer and had a total estimated fair value of $837.5 million and gross unrealized losses of $13.9 million. Of these securities, 262 securities were fixed maturities and six were equity securities. The Company does not intend to sell or believe it will be required to sell these fixed maturities before recovery of their amortized cost. The Company has the ability and intent to hold these equity securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for the anticipated recovery of their fair value.

11

	December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(dollars in thousands)	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	108,250	$	(62	)	$	163,359	$	(2,101	)	$	271,609	$	(2,163	)
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	58,583		(542		)	92,441		(2,817		)	151,024		(3,359		)
Foreign governments	18,856		(386		)	56,217		(655		)	75,073		(1,041		)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	45,931		(210		)	147,558		(2,392		)	193,489		(2,602		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities	9,613		(2,285		)	207,374		(3,455		)	216,987		(5,740		)
Asset-backed securities	30,448		(20		)	45,160		(662		)	75,608		(682		)
Corporate bonds	141,176		(2,263		)	621,821		(9,997		)	762,997		(12,260		)
Total fixed maturities	412,857		(5,768		)	1,333,930		(22,079		)	1,746,787		(27,847		)
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	16,219		(1,531		)	—		—			16,219		(1,531		)
Industrial, consumer and all other	86,062		(5,834		)	—		—			86,062		(5,834		)
Total equity securities	102,281		(7,365		)	—		—			102,281		(7,365		)
Short-term investments	181,964		(6		)	—		—			181,964		(6		)
Total	$	697,102	$	(13,139	)	$	1,333,930	$	(22,079	)	$	2,031,032	$	(35,218	)

At December 31, 2014, the Company held 552 securities with a total estimated fair value of $2.0 billion and gross unrealized losses of $35.2 million. Of these 552 securities, 396 securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for one year or longer and had a total estimated fair value of $1.3 billion and gross unrealized losses of $22.1 million. All 396 securities were fixed maturities.

The Company completes a detailed analysis each quarter to assess whether the decline in the fair value of any investment below its cost basis is deemed other-than-temporary. All securities with unrealized losses are reviewed. The Company considers many factors in completing its quarterly review of securities with unrealized losses for other-than-temporary impairment, including the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. For equity securities, the ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery is considered. For fixed maturities, the Company considers whether it intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the implied yield-to-maturity, the credit quality of the issuer and the ability to recover all amounts outstanding when contractually due.

For equity securities, a decline in fair value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. For fixed maturities where the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, a decline in fair value is considered to be other-than-temporary and is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. If the decline in fair value of a fixed maturity below its amortized cost is considered to be other-than-temporary based upon other considerations, the Company compares the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected to the amortized cost of the security. The extent to which the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost of the security represents the credit-related portion of the other-than-temporary impairment, which is recognized in net income, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. Any remaining decline in fair value represents the non-credit portion of the other-than-temporary impairment, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The discount rate used to calculate the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is the effective interest rate implicit for the security at the date of purchase.

12

When assessing whether it intends to sell a fixed maturity or if it is likely to be required to sell a fixed maturity before recovery of its amortized cost, the Company evaluates facts and circumstances including decisions to reposition the investment portfolio, potential sales of investments to meet cash flow needs and, ultimately, current market prices.

c)The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at September 30, 2015 are shown below by contractual maturity.

(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	538,793	$	541,638
Due after one year through five years	1,899,246		1,950,115
Due after five years through ten years	1,655,136		1,753,390
Due after ten years	3,496,247		3,721,089
	7,589,422		7,966,232
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	441,814		451,515
Residential mortgage-backed securities	860,869		890,804
Asset-backed securities	45,470		45,400
Total fixed maturities	$	8,937,575	$	9,353,951

d)The following table presents the components of net investment income.

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Interest:
Municipal bonds (tax-exempt)	$	21,979		$	24,505		$	72,124		$	72,796
Municipal bonds (taxable)	14,667			13,523			42,917			35,133
Other taxable bonds	34,368			38,741			103,519			114,594
Short-term investments, including overnight deposits	1,287			1,530			3,654			4,612
Dividends on equity securities	17,887			14,678			55,544			46,042
Income (loss) from equity method investments	(4		)	2,253			3,052			7,294
Other	37			(266		)	577			1,436
	90,221			94,964			281,387			281,907
Investment expenses	(3,161		)	(3,868		)	(10,866		)	(11,927		)
Net investment income	$	87,060		$	91,096		$	270,521		$	269,980

e)Cumulative credit losses recognized in net income on fixed maturities where other-than-temporary impairment was identified and a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment was included in other comprehensive income (loss) were $10.7 million at September 30, 2015 and $12.7 million at December 31, 2014.

13

f)The following table presents net realized investment gains (losses) and the change in net unrealized gains on investments. 

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Realized gains:
Sales of fixed maturities	$	435		$	739		$	2,769		$	6,381
Sales of equity securities	11,329			10,793			34,285			36,942
Other	1,026			134			3,297			11,958
Total realized gains	12,790			11,666			40,351			55,281
Realized losses:
Sales of fixed maturities	(3,730		)	(1,658		)	(3,947		)	(17,805		)
Sales of equity securities	(400		)	(175		)	(672		)	(373		)
Other-than-temporary impairments	(18,281		)	(2,851		)	(23,373		)	(3,858		)
Other	(5,086		)	(2,787		)	(15,390		)	(4,536		)
Total realized losses	(27,497		)	(7,471		)	(43,382		)	(26,572		)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$	(14,707	)	$	4,195		$	(3,031	)	$	28,709
Change in net unrealized gains on investments:
Fixed maturities	$	102,844		$	41,615		$	(77,369	)	$	337,865
Equity securities	(313,075		)	(57,773		)	(319,522		)	160,936
Short-term investments	45			37			36			35
Net increase (decrease)	$	(210,186	)	$	(16,121	)	$	(396,855	)	$	498,836

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment losses totaled $18.3 million and were attributable to eight equity securities. The write downs for the quarter included $14.3 million related to equities in industrial, consumer, or other types of business and $4.0 million related to equities in insurance, banks, and other financial institutions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment losses totaled $23.4 million and were attributable to 16 equity securities. The write downs for the nine-month period included $18.8 million related to equities in industrial, consumer, or other types of business, and $4.6 million related to equities in insurance, banks, and other financial institutions. For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment gains included losses attributable to fixed maturities totaling $0.1 million and losses attributable to equity securities totaling $2.7 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment gains included losses attributable to fixed maturities totaling $0.3 million and losses attributable to equity securities totaling $3.6 million.

g)The following table presents the components of restricted assets.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Restricted assets held in trust or on deposit to support underwriting activities	$	4,733,990	$	4,961,061
Investments and cash and cash equivalents pledged as security for letters of credit	654,208		635,340
Total	$	5,388,198	$	5,596,401

14

Total restricted assets are included on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as follows.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Investments, available-for-sale	$	5,016,404	$	5,040,413
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	371,794		522,225
Other assets	—		33,763
Total	$	5,388,198	$	5,596,401

4. Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability.

Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement.

In accordance with FASB ASC 820, the Company determines fair value based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods, including the market, income and cost approaches. The Company uses valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The following section describes the valuation methodologies used by the Company to measure assets and liabilities at fair value, including an indication of the level within the fair value hierarchy in which each asset or liability is generally classified.

Investments available-for-sale. Investments available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and include fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments. Short-term investments include certificates of deposit, commercial paper, discount notes and treasury bills with original maturities of one year or less. Fair value for investments available-for-sale is determined by the Company after considering various sources of information, including information provided by a third party pricing service. The pricing service provides prices for substantially all of the Company's fixed maturities and equity securities. In determining fair value, the Company generally does not adjust the prices obtained from the pricing service. The Company obtains an understanding of the pricing service's valuation methodologies and related inputs, which include, but are not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, duration, credit ratings, estimated cash flows and prepayment speeds. The Company validates prices provided by the pricing service by reviewing prices from other pricing sources and analyzing pricing data in certain instances.

The Company has evaluated the various types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. Level 1 investments include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 2 investments include U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, municipal bonds, foreign government bonds, commercial mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and corporate debt securities.

15

Fair value for investments available-for-sale is measured based upon quoted prices in active markets, if available. Due to variations in trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices, fixed maturities are classified as Level 2 investments. The fair value of fixed maturities is normally derived through recent reported trades for identical or similar securities, making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable data described above. If there are no recent reported trades, the fair value of fixed maturities may be derived through the use of matrix pricing or model processes, where future cash flow expectations are developed based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate. Significant inputs used to determine the fair value of obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions, corporate bonds and obligations of foreign governments include reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, credit information and estimated cash flows. Significant inputs used to determine the fair value of commercial mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities include the type of underlying assets, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral information, tranche type and volatility, estimated cash flows, credit information, default rates, recovery rates, issuer spreads and the year of issue.

Senior long-term debt and other debt. Senior long-term debt and other debt is carried at amortized cost with the estimated fair value disclosed on the consolidated balance sheets. Senior long-term debt and other debt is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy due to variations in trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices. Fair value for senior long-term debt and other debt is generally derived through recent reported trades for identical securities, making adjustments through the reporting date, if necessary, based upon available market observable data including U.S. Treasury securities and implied credit spreads. Significant inputs used to determine the fair value of senior long-term debt and other debt include reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids and offers.

The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy.

	September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	—	$	708,795	$	—	$	708,795
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	—		3,956,324		—		3,956,324
Foreign governments	—		1,477,132		—		1,477,132
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		451,515		—		451,515
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		890,804		—		890,804
Asset-backed securities	—		45,400		—		45,400
Corporate bonds	—		1,823,981		—		1,823,981
Total fixed maturities	—		9,353,951		—		9,353,951
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	1,275,409		—		—		1,275,409
Industrial, consumer and all other	2,881,004		—		—		2,881,004
Total equity securities	4,156,413		—		—		4,156,413
Short-term investments	2,224,533		99,450		—		2,323,983
Total investments available-for-sale	$	6,380,946	$	9,453,401	$	—	$	15,834,347

16

	December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	—	$	673,262	$	—	$	673,262
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	—		4,317,547		—		4,317,547
Foreign governments	—		1,611,921		—		1,611,921
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		430,627		—		430,627
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		982,847		—		982,847
Asset-backed securities	—		99,490		—		99,490
Corporate bonds	—		2,307,188		—		2,307,188
Total fixed maturities	—		10,422,882		—		10,422,882
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	1,311,925		—		—		1,311,925
Industrial, consumer and all other	2,825,651		—		—		2,825,651
Total equity securities	4,137,576		—		—		4,137,576
Short-term investments	1,469,975		124,874		—		1,594,849
Total investments available-for-sale	$	5,607,551	$	10,547,756	$	—	$	16,155,307

There were no transfers into or out of Level 1 and Level 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

The Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

17

5. Segment Reporting Disclosures

The Company monitors and reports its ongoing underwriting operations in the following three segments: U.S. Insurance, International Insurance and Reinsurance. In determining how to aggregate and monitor its underwriting results, the Company considers many factors, including the geographic location and regulatory environment of the insurance entity underwriting the risk, the nature of the insurance product sold, the type of account written and the type of customer served. The U.S. Insurance segment includes all direct business and facultative placements written by the Company's insurance subsidiaries domiciled in the United States. The International Insurance segment includes all direct business and facultative placements written by the Company's insurance subsidiaries domiciled outside of the United States, including the Company's syndicate at Lloyd's of London. The Reinsurance segment includes all treaty reinsurance written across the Company. Results for lines of business discontinued prior to, or in conjunction with, acquisitions, including the results attributable to the run-off of life and annuity reinsurance business, are reported in the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment. All investing activities related to the Company's insurance operations are included in the Investing segment.

The Company's non-insurance operations include the Company's Markel Ventures operations, which primarily consist of controlling interests in various industrial and service businesses. The Company's non-insurance operations also include the results of the Company's legal and professional consulting services. For purposes of segment reporting, the Company's non-insurance operations are not considered to be a reportable segment.

Segment profit for the Investing segment is measured by net investment income and net realized investment gains or losses. Segment profit or loss for each of the Company's underwriting segments is measured by underwriting profit or loss. The property and casualty insurance industry commonly defines underwriting profit or loss as earned premiums net of losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses. Underwriting profit or loss does not replace operating income or net income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of profitability. Underwriting profit or loss provides a basis for management to evaluate the Company's underwriting performance. Segment profit or loss for the Company's underwriting segments also includes other revenues and other expenses, primarily related to the run-off of managing general agent operations that were discontinued in conjunction with acquisitions. Other revenues and other expenses in the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment are comprised of the results attributable to the run-off of life and annuity reinsurance business.

For management reporting purposes, the Company allocates assets to its underwriting, investing and non-insurance operations. Underwriting assets are all assets not specifically allocated to the Investing segment or to the Company's non-insurance operations. Underwriting and investing assets are not allocated to the U.S. Insurance, International Insurance, Reinsurance or Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segments since the Company does not manage its assets by underwriting segment. The Company does not allocate capital expenditures for long-lived assets to any of its underwriting segments for management reporting purposes.

18

a)The following tables summarize the Company's segment disclosures.

	Quarter Ended September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing			Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	635,926		$	284,576		$	239,094		$	(1,232	)		$	—		$	1,158,364
Net written premiums	536,285			213,423			204,336			(860		)		—			953,184
Earned premiums	534,615			225,034			204,825			(799		)		—			963,675
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(357,400		)	(162,024		)	(128,428		)	—				—			(647,852		)
Prior accident years	74,976			57,860			24,241			6,038				—			163,115
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(200,272		)	(92,680		)	(72,449		)	(218		)		—			(365,619		)
Underwriting profit	51,919			28,190			28,189			5,021				—			113,319
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				87,060			87,060
Net realized investment losses	—			—			—			—				(14,707		)	(14,707		)
Other revenues (insurance)	(41		)	1,096			246			42				—			1,343
Other expenses (insurance)	(960		)	(1,379		)	—			(6,913		)		—			(9,252		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	50,918		$	27,907		$	28,435		$	(1,850	)		$	72,353		$	177,763
Other revenues (non-insurance)																	305,393
Other expenses (non-insurance)																	(281,497		)
Amortization of intangible assets																	(18,914		)
Interest expense																	(30,064		)
Income before income taxes																	$	152,681
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	90		%	87		%	86		%	NM			(2)				88		%

	Quarter Ended September 30, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing		Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	619,510		$	271,045		$	206,125		$	(230	)		$	—	$	1,096,450
Net written premiums	520,511			194,639			166,848			(217		)		—		881,781
Earned premiums	516,753			216,764			220,513			(23		)		—		954,007
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(348,877		)	(160,132		)	(155,189		)	—				—		(664,198		)
Prior accident years	60,944			30,791			8,258			(6,761		)		—		93,232
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(202,765		)	(81,706		)	(65,874		)	(148		)		—		(350,493		)
Underwriting profit (loss)	26,055			5,717			7,708			(6,932		)		—		32,548
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				91,096		91,096
Net realized investment gains	—			—			—			—				4,195		4,195
Other revenues (insurance)	563			3,478			(864		)	1,022				—		4,199
Other expenses (insurance)	(1,325		)	(3,831		)	—			(8,330		)		—		(13,486		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	25,293		$	5,364		$	6,844		$	(14,240	)		$	95,291	$	118,552
Other revenues (non-insurance)																245,789
Other expenses (non-insurance)																(217,707		)
Amortization of intangible assets																(13,505		)
Interest expense																(29,648		)
Income before income taxes																$	103,481
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	95		%	97		%	97		%	NM			(2)			97		%

⁽¹⁾  The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums.

⁽²⁾  NM – Ratio is not meaningful.

19

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing			Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	1,890,144		$	911,962		$	875,676		$	(1,159	)		$	—		$	3,676,623
Net written premiums	1,587,092			700,260			736,068			(462		)		—			3,022,958
Earned premiums	1,569,615			654,936			640,719			(388		)		—			2,864,882
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(1,015,492		)	(479,764		)	(431,791		)	—				—			(1,927,047		)
Prior accident years	211,177			177,883			65,746			4,315				—			459,121
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(597,388		)	(266,091		)	(222,172		)	(305		)		—			(1,085,956		)
Underwriting profit	167,912			86,964			52,502			3,622				—			311,000
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				270,521			270,521
Net realized investment losses	—			—			—			—				(3,031		)	(3,031		)
Other revenues (insurance)	3,564			7,398			1,138			369				—			12,469
Other expenses (insurance)	(3,149		)	(4,101		)	—			(17,610		)		—			(24,860		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	168,327		$	90,261		$	53,640		$	(13,619	)		$	267,490		$	566,099
Other revenues (non-insurance)																	804,682
Other expenses (non-insurance)																	(739,126		)
Amortization of intangible assets																	(50,503		)
Interest expense																	(88,664		)
Income before income taxes																	$	492,488
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	89		%	87		%	92		%	NM			(2)				89		%

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing		Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	1,876,114		$	924,401		$	999,036		$	34			$	—	$	3,799,585
Net written premiums	1,554,847			694,311			855,930			335				—		3,105,423
Earned premiums	1,499,571			678,772			690,117			521				—		2,868,981
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(997,804		)	(495,441		)	(490,555		)	—				—		(1,983,800		)
Prior accident years	142,381			102,658			49,811			(34,725		)		—		260,125
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(595,208		)	(250,157		)	(226,109		)	(511		)		—		(1,071,985		)
Underwriting profit (loss)	48,940			35,832			23,264			(34,715		)		—		73,321
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				269,980		269,980
Net realized investment gains	—			—			—			—				28,709		28,709
Other revenues (insurance)	3,333			15,183			2,304			1,208				—		22,028
Other expenses (insurance)	(4,436		)	(11,539		)	(1,097		)	(25,615		)		—		(42,687		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	47,837		$	39,476		$	24,471		$	(59,122	)		$	298,689	$	351,351
Other revenues (non-insurance)																608,214
Other expenses (non-insurance)																(555,616		)
Amortization of intangible assets																(40,992		)
Interest expense																(89,136		)
Income before income taxes																$	273,821
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	97		%	95		%	97		%	NM			(2)			97		%

⁽¹⁾  The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums.

⁽²⁾  NM – Ratio is not meaningful.

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b) The following table reconciles segment assets to the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Segment assets:
Investing	$	18,342,049	$	18,531,150
Underwriting	5,620,534		5,422,445
Total segment assets	23,962,583		23,953,595
Non-insurance operations	1,218,990		1,246,762
Total assets	$	25,181,573	$	25,200,357

6. Senior Long-Term Debt and Other Debt

Alterra Capital Holdings Limited and Markel Bermuda Limited are party to a secured credit facility, which expires on December 15, 2015. On May 19, 2015, the Company reduced the capacity of the secured credit facility from $650 million to $550 million. On October 19, 2015, the Company further reduced the capacity of the secured credit facility to $450 million.

7. Other Revenues and Other Expenses

The following tables summarize the components of other revenues and other expenses.

	Quarter Ended September 30,
	2015				2014
(dollars in thousands)	Other Revenues		Other Expenses		Other Revenues			Other Expenses
Insurance:
Managing general agent operations	$	1,055	$	2,339	$	3,812		$	4,832
Life and annuity	42		6,913		1,022			8,330
Other	246		—		(635		)	324
	1,343		9,252		4,199			13,486
Non-Insurance:
Markel Ventures: Manufacturing	216,057		192,707		169,754			148,690
Markel Ventures: Non-Manufacturing	83,098		83,104		70,303			64,728
Other	6,238		5,686		5,732			4,289
	305,393		281,497		245,789			217,707
Total	$	306,736	$	290,749	$	249,988		$	231,193

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	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015				2014
(dollars in thousands)	Other Revenues		Other Expenses		Other Revenues		Other Expenses
Insurance:
Managing general agent operations	$	10,043	$	7,250	$	17,764	$	14,931
Life and annuity	369		17,610		1,208		25,615
Other	2,057		—		3,056		2,141
	12,469		24,860		22,028		42,687
Non-Insurance:
Markel Ventures: Manufacturing	567,960		513,087		395,448		355,480
Markel Ventures: Non-Manufacturing	216,191		209,947		199,457		185,648
Other	20,531		16,092		13,309		14,488
	804,682		739,126		608,214		555,616
Total	$	817,151	$	763,986	$	630,242	$	598,303

The Company's Markel Ventures operations primarily consist of controlling interests in various industrial and service businesses and are viewed by management as separate and distinct from the Company's insurance operations. While each of the companies is operated independently from one another, management aggregates financial results into two industry groups: manufacturing and non-manufacturing.

On April 24, 2015, the Company completed a novation that transferred its obligations under a reinsurance contract for life and annuity benefit policies to a third party in exchange for cash payments totaling $29.0 million, net of commissions. At the time of the transaction, reserves for life and annuity benefits on the novated reinsurance contract totaled $32.6 million, resulting in a gain of $3.6 million that was recorded as an offset to other expenses.

8. Reinsurance

The following tables summarize the effect of reinsurance and retrocessional reinsurance on premiums written and earned.

	Quarter Ended September 30,
	2015						2014
(dollars in thousands)	Written			Earned			Written			Earned
Direct	$	878,269		$	881,512		$	841,582		$	875,191
Assumed	280,095			293,481			254,868			301,665
Ceded	(205,180		)	(211,318		)	(214,669		)	(222,849		)
Net premiums	$	953,184		$	963,675		$	881,781		$	954,007

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015						2014
(dollars in thousands)	Written			Earned			Written			Earned
Direct	$	2,631,734		$	2,601,458		$	2,613,339		$	2,556,350
Assumed	1,044,889			910,640			1,186,246			985,981
Ceded	(653,665		)	(647,216		)	(694,162		)	(673,350		)
Net premiums	$	3,022,958		$	2,864,882		$	3,105,423		$	2,868,981

The percentage of ceded earned premiums to gross earned premiums was 18% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 19% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014. The percentage of assumed earned premiums to net earned premiums was 30% and 32%, respectively, for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and 32% and 34%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

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Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses were net of reinsurance recoverables (ceded incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses) of $53.8 million and $91.1 million, respectively, for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and $285.9 million and $330.0 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

On March 9, 2015, the Company completed a retrospective reinsurance transaction to cede a portfolio of policies primarily comprised of liabilities arising from asbestos and environmental exposures that originated before 1992 in exchange for payments totaling $89.0 million, which included cash paid at closing of $69.9 million. At the time of the transaction, reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses on the policies ceded totaled $94.1 million, resulting in a deferred gain of $5.1 million which will be recognized in earnings in proportion to actual reinsurance recoveries received pursuant to the transaction. The ceded reserves attributable to asbestos and environmental exposures represented approximately 30% of our net asbestos and environmental reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2014.

On October 30, 2015, the Company completed a retrospective reinsurance transaction to cede a portfolio of policies primarily comprised of liabilities arising from asbestos and environmental exposures that originated before 1987 in exchange for cash payments totaling $86.5 million. The transaction provides up to $300 million of coverage for losses in excess of a $97.0 million retention on the ceded policies and 50% coverage on an additional $100 million of losses. The transaction is effective as of January 1, 2015, at which time reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses on the policies ceded totaled $173.4 million. After considering our retention on the ceded policies, ceded reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses totaled $76.4 million, resulting in a loss of $10.1 million on the transaction. The ceded reserves attributable to asbestos and environmental exposures represented approximately 25% of our net asbestos and environmental reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2014.

9. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 21% and 25% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income and foreign tax credits for foreign taxes paid. In previous periods, foreign taxes paid were not available for use as tax credits against the Company's U.S. provision for income taxes. Based on the Company's estimated earnings from foreign operations in 2015, the Company expects that significant foreign taxes paid, both in the current period and prior periods, will be available for use as credits against its U.S. provision for income taxes in 2015. These projected tax credits will expire in 2025. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income. The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily due to the impact of the foreign tax credits described above. This decrease was partially offset by the impact of anticipating a smaller tax benefit related to tax-exempt investment income, which resulted from having higher estimated income before income taxes in 2015 compared to 2014.

The effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was 32%. The difference in the effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is due to an increase in the 2015 estimated annual effective tax rate as of September 30, 2015 compared to the estimated annual effective tax rate as of June 30, 2015. This increase was primarily due to the impact of anticipating a smaller tax benefit related to tax-exempt investment income and foreign taxes paid, as a result of an increase in our estimated income before income taxes for 2015.

The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining the Company’s 2012 federal income tax return. The Company believes its income tax liabilities were adequate as of September 30, 2015, however, these liabilities could be adjusted as a result of this examination.

10. Net Income per Share

Net income per share was determined by dividing adjusted net income to shareholders by the applicable weighted average shares outstanding.Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing adjusted net income to shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period.

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	Quarter Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2015		2014			2015		2014
Net income to shareholders	$	102,519	$	75,803		$	384,880	$	203,587
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,376		(1,259		)	3,091		(3,843		)
Adjusted net income to shareholders	$	103,895	$	74,544		$	387,971	$	199,744
Basic common shares outstanding	13,983		13,981			13,977		13,986
Dilutive potential common shares from conversion of options	8		11			9		11
Dilutive potential common shares from conversion of restricted stock	71		65			70		58
Diluted shares outstanding	14,062		14,057			14,056		14,055
Basic net income per share	$	7.43	$	5.33		$	27.76	$	14.28
Diluted net income per share	$	7.39	$	5.30		$	27.60	$	14.21

11. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other comprehensive income (loss) includes net holding gains (losses) arising during the period, changes in unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities arising during the period and reclassification adjustments for net gains included in net income. Other comprehensive income (loss) also includes changes in foreign currency translation adjustments and changes in net actuarial pension loss.

The following table presents the change in accumulated other comprehensive income by component, net of taxes and noncontrolling interests, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

(dollars in thousands)	Unrealized Holding Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities			Foreign Currency			Net Actuarial Pension Loss			Total
December 31, 2013	$	1,131,507		$	(11,246	)	$	(30,456	)	$	1,089,805
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	348,214			(19,650		)	—			328,564
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(15,752		)	—			964			(14,788		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	332,462			(19,650		)	964			313,776
September 30, 2014	$	1,463,969		$	(30,896	)	$	(29,492	)	$	1,403,581
December 31, 2014	$	1,793,254		$	(43,491	)	$	(45,206	)	$	1,704,557
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(258,275		)	(22,236		)	—			(280,511		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(8,037		)	—			1,407			(6,630		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(266,312		)	(22,236		)	1,407			(287,141		)
September 30, 2015	$	1,526,942		$	(65,727	)	$	(43,799	)	$	1,417,416

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The following table summarizes the tax expense (benefit) associated with each component of other comprehensive income (loss).

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Change in net unrealized gains on investments:
Net holding gains (losses) arising during the period	$	(71,549	)	$	(1,895	)	$	(129,546	)	$	171,309
Change in unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities arising during the period	(10		)	31			28			600
Reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income	4,647			(1,858		)	(1,025		)	(5,535		)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments	(66,912		)	(3,722		)	(130,543		)	166,374
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments	829			43			1,662			1,509
Change in net actuarial pension loss	119			80			352			241
Total	$	(65,964	)	$	(3,599	)	$	(128,529	)	$	168,124

The following table presents the details of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, by component.

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities:
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	$	(18,281	)	$	(2,851	)	$	(23,373	)	$	(3,858	)
Net realized investment gains, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses	7,634			9,699			32,435			25,145
Total before taxes	(10,647		)	6,848			9,062			21,287
Income taxes	4,647			(1,858		)	(1,025		)	(5,535		)
Reclassification of unrealized holding gains (losses), net of taxes	$	(6,000	)	$	4,990		$	8,037		$	15,752
Net actuarial pension loss:
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	$	(594	)	$	(400	)	$	(1,759	)	$	(1,205	)
Income taxes	119			80			352			241
Reclassification of net actuarial pension loss, net of taxes	$	(475	)	$	(320	)	$	(1,407	)	$	(964	)

12. Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies arise in the normal course of the Company's operations and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

On September 9, 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase substantially all of the assets of CATCo Investment Management, Ltd. (CATCo IM) and CATCo-Re Ltd. CATCo IM is a leading insurance-linked securities investment manager and reinsurance manager headquartered in Bermuda focused on building and managing highly diversified, collateralized retrocession and reinsurance portfolios covering global property catastrophe risks. The total purchase price for the acquired assets is expected to be approximately $200 million, all of which is expected to be paid in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015 and is subject to completion of various conditions and regulatory approvals.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of Markel Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company).

Critical Accounting Estimates

Critical accounting estimates are those estimates that both are important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require us to exercise significant judgment. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of material contingent assets and liabilities, including litigation contingencies. These estimates, by necessity, are based on assumptions about numerous factors.

We review the following critical accounting estimates and assumptions quarterly: evaluating the adequacy of reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, life and annuity reinsurance benefit reserves, the reinsurance allowance for doubtful accounts and income tax liabilities, as well as analyzing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, estimating reinsurance premiums written and earned and evaluating the investment portfolio for other-than-temporary declines in estimated fair value. Critical accounting estimates and assumptions for goodwill and intangible assets are reviewed in conjunction with an acquisition and goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reassessed at least annually for impairment. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Readers are urged to review our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete description of our critical accounting estimates.

Our Business

We are a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. Our principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products. We believe that our specialty product focus and niche market strategy enable us to develop expertise and specialized market knowledge. We seek to differentiate ourselves from competitors by our expertise, service, continuity and other value-based considerations. We also own interests in various industrial and service businesses that operate outside of the specialty insurance marketplace. Our financial goals are to earn consistent underwriting and operating profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value.

We monitor and report our ongoing underwriting operations in the following three segments: U.S. Insurance, International Insurance and Reinsurance. In determining how to aggregate and monitor our underwriting results, management considers many factors, including the geographic location and regulatory environment of the insurance entity underwriting the risk, the nature of the insurance product sold, the type of account written and the type of customer served. The U.S. Insurance segment includes all direct business and facultative placements written by our insurance subsidiaries domiciled in the United States. The International Insurance segment includes all direct business and facultative placements written by our insurance subsidiaries domiciled outside of the United States, including our syndicate at Lloyd's of London (Lloyd's). The Reinsurance segment includes all treaty reinsurance written across the Company. Results for lines of business discontinued prior to, or in conjunction with, acquisitions are reported in the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment. All investing activities related to our insurance operations are included in the Investing segment.

Our U.S. Insurance segment includes both hard-to-place risks written outside of the standard market on an excess and surplus lines basis and unique and hard-to-place risks that must be written on an admitted basis due to marketing and regulatory reasons. The following products are included in this segment: catastrophe-exposed property, professional liability, products liability, general liability, commercial umbrella, marine, workers' compensation, classic automobiles, specialty program insurance for well-defined niche markets, personal property and liability coverages and other coverages tailored for unique exposures. Business in this segment is written through our Wholesale, Specialty and Global Insurance divisions. The Wholesale division writes commercial risks, primarily on an excess and surplus lines basis, using a network of wholesale brokers managed on a regional basis. The Specialty division writes program insurance and other specialty coverages for well-defined niche markets, primarily on an admitted basis. The Global Insurance division writes risks outside of the standard market on both an admitted and non-admitted basis. Global Insurance division business written by our U.S. insurance subsidiaries is included in this segment.

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Our International Insurance segment writes risks that are characterized by either the unique nature of the exposure or the high limits of insurance coverage required by the insured. Risks written in the International Insurance segment are written on either a direct basis or a subscription basis, the latter of which means that loss exposures brought into the market are typically insured by more than one insurance company or Lloyd's syndicate. When we write business in the subscription market, we prefer to participate as lead underwriter in order to control underwriting terms, policy conditions and claims handling. Products offered within our International Insurance segment include primary and excess of loss property, casualty, excess liability, professional liability, equine, marine, energy and trade credit insurance. Business included in this segment is produced through our Markel International and Global Insurance divisions. The Markel International division writes business worldwide from our London-based platform, which includes our syndicate at Lloyd's. Global Insurance division business written by our non-U.S. insurance subsidiaries, which primarily targets Fortune 1000 accounts, is included in this segment.

Our Reinsurance segment includes property, casualty and specialty treaty reinsurance products offered to other insurance and reinsurance companies globally through the broker market. Our treaty reinsurance offerings include both quota share and excess of loss reinsurance and are typically written on a participation basis, which means each reinsurer shares proportionally in the business ceded under the reinsurance treaty written. Principal lines of business include: property (including catastrophe-exposed property), general casualty, credit, surety, workers' compensation, professional liability, and marine and energy. Our reinsurance product offerings are underwritten by our Global Reinsurance division and our Markel International division.

For purposes of segment reporting, the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment includes lines of business that have been discontinued prior to, or in conjunction with, acquisitions. The lines were discontinued because we believed some aspect of the product, such as risk profile or competitive environment, would not allow us to earn consistent underwriting profits. The Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment also includes development on asbestos and environmental (A&E) loss reserves and the results attributable to the run-off of our life and annuity reinsurance business.

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary Markel Ventures, Inc. (Markel Ventures), we own interests in various industrial and service businesses that operate outside of the specialty insurance marketplace. These businesses are viewed by management as separate and distinct from our insurance operations and are comprised of a diverse portfolio of companies from different industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, consumer and business and financial services. Local management teams oversee the day-to-day operations of these companies, while strategic decisions are made in conjunction with members of our executive management team, principally our President and Chief Investment Officer. While each of these companies is operated independently, we aggregate their financial results into two industry groups: manufacturing and non-manufacturing. Our strategy in making these investments is similar to our strategy for purchasing equity securities. We seek to invest in profitable companies, with honest and talented management, that exhibit reinvestment opportunities and capital discipline, at reasonable prices. We intend to own the businesses acquired for a long period of time.

In July 2014, we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Cottrell, Inc. (Cottrell), a privately held company headquartered in Gainesville, Georgia. Cottrell is a leading manufacturer of over-the-road car hauler equipment and related car hauler parts. Results attributable to Cottrell are included with the Company's non-insurance operations, which are not included in a reportable segment.

Key Performance Indicators

We measure financial success by our ability to compound growth in book value per share at a high rate of return over a long period of time. To mitigate the effects of short-term volatility, we measure ourselves over a five-year period. We believe that growth in book value per share is the most comprehensive measure of our success because it includes all underwriting, operating and investing results. We measure underwriting results by our underwriting profit or loss and combined ratio. We measure operating results from our Markel Ventures operations by earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, in conjunction with U.S. GAAP measures, including revenues and net income. Because EBITDA excludes interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, it provides an indicator of economic performance that is useful to both management and investors in evaluating our Markel Ventures businesses as it is not affected by levels of debt, interest rates, effective tax rates or levels of depreciation and amortization resulting from purchase accounting. We measure investing results by our taxable equivalent total investment return. Our quarterly performance measures are discussed below in greater detail under "Results of Operations."

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Results of Operations

The following table presents the components of net income to shareholders.

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Underwriting profit	$	113,319		$	32,548		$	311,000		$	73,321
Net investment income	87,060			91,096			270,521			269,980
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(14,707		)	4,195			(3,031		)	28,709
Other revenues	306,736			249,988			817,151			630,242
Amortization of intangible assets	(18,914		)	(13,505		)	(50,503		)	(40,992		)
Other expenses	(290,749		)	(231,193		)	(763,986		)	(598,303		)
Interest expense	(30,064		)	(29,648		)	(88,664		)	(89,136		)
Income tax expense	(48,271		)	(26,657		)	(101,619		)	(68,355		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,891		)	(1,021		)	(5,989		)	(1,879		)
Net income to shareholders	$	102,519		$	75,803		$	384,880		$	203,587

The components of net income to shareholders are discussed in detail under "Underwriting Results," "Investing Results," "Other Revenues and Other Expenses" and "Interest Expense and Income Taxes."

Underwriting Results

Underwriting profits are a key component of our strategy to grow book value per share. We believe that the ability to achieve consistent underwriting profits demonstrates knowledge and expertise, commitment to superior customer service and the ability to manage insurance risk. The property and casualty insurance industry commonly defines underwriting profit or loss as earned premiums net of losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses. We use underwriting profit or loss as a basis for evaluating our underwriting performance.

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Consolidated

The following table presents selected data from our underwriting operations.

	Quarter Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015				2014				2015				2014
Gross premium volume	$	1,158,364			$	1,096,450			$	3,676,623			$	3,799,585
Net written premiums	953,184				881,781				3,022,958				3,105,423
Net retention	82		%		80		%		82		%		82		%
Earned premiums	963,675				954,007				2,864,882				2,868,981
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	484,737				570,966				1,467,926				1,723,675
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	365,619				350,493				1,085,956				1,071,985
Underwriting profit	113,319				32,548				311,000				73,321
U.S. GAAP Combined Ratios (1)
U.S. Insurance	90		%		95		%		89		%		97		%
International Insurance	87		%		97		%		87		%		95		%
Reinsurance	86		%		97		%		92		%		97		%
Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)	NM			(2)	NM			(2)	NM			(2)	NM			(2)
Markel Corporation (Consolidated)	88		%		97		%		89		%		97		%

⁽¹⁾  The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums. A combined ratio less than 100% indicates an underwriting profit, while a combined ratio greater than 100% reflects an underwriting loss. The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio.The loss ratio represents the relationship of incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses to earned premiums. The expense ratio represents the relationship of underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums.

⁽²⁾  NM – Ratio is not meaningful.

Our combined ratio was 88% and 89%, respectively for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 97% for both the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the decrease in the consolidated combined ratio was driven by more favorable development on prior years' loss reserves in 2015 compared to 2014 in each of our underwriting segments and a lower current accident year loss ratio in 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the increase in prior year redundancies compared to 2014 was due in part to a decrease in the estimated volatility of our consolidated net reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses as a result of ceding a significant portion of our A&E exposures to a third party during the first quarter of 2015. As a result of this decrease in estimated volatility, our level of confidence in our net reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses increased. Therefore, management reduced prior years' loss reserves by $36.0 million, or approximately one point on the consolidated combined ratio, in order to maintain a consolidated confidence level in a range consistent with our historic levels. This reduction in prior years' loss reserves occurred in our U.S. Insurance and International Insurance segments. Prior year losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included $27.2 million of adverse development on A&E exposures within our Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment as a result of our annual review of these exposures, with no comparable adverse development during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Also contributing to the decrease in the consolidated combined ratio for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was a lower current accident year loss ratio. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the decrease in the current accident year loss ratio was due to lower attritional losses in our International Insurance and Reinsurance segments compared to the same period of 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the decrease in the current accident year loss ratio was due to lower attritional losses in our U.S. Insurance and Reinsurance segments compared to 2014.

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U.S. Insurance Segment

The combined ratio for the U.S. Insurance segment was 90% and 89%, respectively, for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 95% and 97%, respectively, for the same periods of 2014.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the decrease in the combined ratio was driven by more favorable development of prior accident years' loss reserves and a lower expense ratio.

• The U.S. Insurance segment's combined ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 included $75.0 million of favorable development on prior years' loss reserves compared to $60.9 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in prior year redundancies in 2015 was driven by favorable prior year development in the Global Insurance division in 2015, primarily on our inland marine product line, compared to slightly adverse development in 2014. Favorable development on prior years' loss reserves experienced within the U.S. Insurance segment in 2015 occurred across several product lines, but was most significant on our casualty product lines on the 2013 and 2014 accident years. Favorable development on prior years' loss reserves in 2015 was partially offset by adverse development on our Program business across several accident years. The redundancies on prior years' loss reserves during 2014 were most significant on our casualty product lines across several accident years.

• The decrease in the expense ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was due to higher earned premiums in our Specialty division, lower general expenses and higher ceding commissions, driven by more favorable ceding commission rates in 2015 compared to 2014.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the decrease in the combined ratio was driven by more favorable development of prior accident years' loss reserves, as well as a lower current accident year loss ratio and a lower expense ratio.

• The decrease in the current accident year loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was driven by lower attritional losses within each of our divisions, across several product lines.

• The U.S. Insurance segment's combined ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included $211.2 million of favorable development on prior years' loss reserves compared to $142.4 million for the same period in 2014. The increase in prior year redundancies in 2015 was due in part to an increase in the confidence level of our consolidated net reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses during the first quarter of 2015, which resulted in a $36.0 million reduction to consolidated prior years' loss reserves, of which $19.0 million was in the U.S. Insurance segment (approximately one point on the segment combined ratio). We also experienced favorable development on prior years' loss reserves in our Global Insurance division in 2015, primarily on our inland marine product line, compared to adverse development in 2014. Other favorable development on prior years' loss reserves experienced within the U.S. Insurance segment during 2015 was most significant on our casualty lines, across several accident years, and on our brokerage property and workers' compensation product lines, primarily on the 2011 to 2014 accident years. In 2014, the redundancies on prior years' loss reserves were most significant on our casualty product lines across several accident years. Favorable development on our casualty product lines in 2014 was partially offset by $17.6 million of adverse development on our architects and engineers product line, primarily on the 2008 through 2013 accident years.

• The decrease in the expense ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to higher earned premiums in our Specialty division and lower general expenses.

International Insurance Segment

The combined ratio for the International Insurance segment was 87% for both the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 97% and 95%, respectively, for the same periods of 2014.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the decrease in the combined ratio was driven by more favorable development on prior years' loss reserves compared to the same period of 2014. An increase in the expense ratio was partially offset by a lower current accident year loss ratio.

• The decrease in the current accident year loss ratio was driven by lower property losses in 2015 compared to 2014.

• The International Insurance segment's combined ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 included $57.9 million of favorable development on prior years' loss reserves compared to $30.8 million in 2014. In both 2014 and 2015, the favorable development on prior years' loss reserves was most significant on our professional liability, general liability and marine and energy product lines. In 2015, favorable development on prior years' loss reserves was most significant on the 2012 through 2014 accident years. In 2014, favorable development on prior years' loss reserves was most significant on the 2010 through 2012 accident years. The increase in prior year redundancies in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014 was driven by more favorable development on our general liability, professional liability and property product lines.

• The increase in the expense ratio was due to higher profit sharing costs and higher commissions, due to changes in mix of business, partially offset by the impact of higher earned premiums in 2015 compared to 2014.

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the decrease in the combined ratio was driven by more favorable development on prior years' loss reserves, which was partially offset by a higher expense ratio.

• The International Insurance segment's combined ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included $177.9 million of favorable development on prior years' loss reserves compared to $102.7 million in 2014. The increase in prior year redundancies in 2015 was due in part to an increase in the confidence level of our consolidated net reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses during the first quarter of 2015, which resulted in a $36.0 million reduction to consolidated prior years' loss reserves, of which $17.0 million was in the International Insurance segment (approximately three points on the segment combined ratio). We also experienced more favorable prior year development on our marine and energy product lines in 2015 compared to 2014 and favorable prior year development in the Global Insurance division in 2015, compared to slightly adverse development in 2014. In 2015, favorable development in our Global Insurance division was driven by reductions in case reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses on a small number of large general liability and professional liability claims. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the favorable development on prior years' loss reserves occurred across several product lines, primarily on the 2012 to 2014 accident years. Prior year redundancies in both 2014 and 2015 were most significant on our marine and energy, professional liability and general liability product lines. The favorable development on prior years' loss reserves in 2014 was primarily on the 2006 to 2012 accident years.

• The increase in the expense ratio was due to higher profit sharing costs, higher general expenses and lower earned premiums in 2015 compared to 2014.

Reinsurance Segment

The combined ratio for the Reinsurance segment was 86% and 92%, respectively, for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 97% for both the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015 the decrease in the combined ratio was driven by more favorable development on prior years' loss reserves and a lower current accident year loss ratio, partially offset by a higher expense ratio compared to the same period of 2014.

• The decrease in the current accident year loss ratio was driven by lower attritional losses in 2015 compared to 2014, due in part to lower property losses in our Global Reinsurance division.

• The Reinsurance segment's combined ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 included $24.2 million of favorable development on prior years' loss reserves compared to $8.3 million in 2014. The favorable development on prior years' loss reserves in 2015 was most significant on our short-tail property lines of business, on the 2013 and 2014 accident years. For financial reporting purposes, development on pre-acquisition accident years' loss reserves attributable to business previously written by Alterra Capital Holdings Limited (Alterra) is included in the 2013 accident year. The favorable development on prior years' loss reserves in 2014 was primarily on our property lines on the 2012 and 2013 accident years.

• The increase in the expense ratio is due to higher commissions and lower earned premiums in 2015 compared to 2014.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the decrease in the combined ratio was driven by a lower current accident year loss ratio and more favorable development on prior years' loss reserves, partially offset by a higher expense ratio.

• The decrease in the current accident year loss ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was driven by lower property losses in 2015 compared to 2014.

• The Reinsurance segment's combined ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included $65.7 million of favorable development on prior years' loss reserves compared to $49.8 million in 2014. The favorable development on prior years' loss reserves in 2015 was most significant on our casualty and short-tail property lines of business, on the 2013 and 2014 accident years. The favorable development on prior years' loss reserves in 2014 was primarily on our property lines on the 2012 and 2013 accident years.

• The increase in the expense ratio is due to higher commissions and lower earned premiums in 2015 compared to 2014.

Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)

The Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment produced an underwriting profit of $5.0 million and $3.6 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to an underwriting loss of $6.9 million and $34.7 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2014.

We complete an annual review of A&E exposures during the third quarter of the year unless circumstances suggest an earlier review is appropriate. During our 2015 review, which was performed during the third quarter, we determined that no adjustment to loss reserves was required. The underwriting loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included $27.2

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million of adverse loss reserve development on A&E exposures as a result of our 2014 annual review of these exposures. During 2014, based on recent activity on a small number of claims, we accelerated our annual review to the second quarter. During our 2014 review, we increased our expectation of the severity of the outcome of certain claims subject to litigation. As the ultimate outcome of known claims increases, our expected ultimate closure value on unreported claims also increases. As a result of these developments, we increased prior years' loss reserves accordingly.

A&E loss reserves are subject to significant uncertainty due to potential loss severity and frequency resulting from an uncertain and unfavorable legal climate. Our A&E reserves are not discounted to present value and are forecasted to pay out over the next 40 to 50 years. We seek to establish appropriate reserve levels for A&E exposures; however, these reserves could be subject to increases in the future.

In March and October 2015, we completed two retrospective reinsurance transactions through which we ceded a significant portion of our A&E exposures to a third party, which reduced the uncertainty around these exposures. Reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses ceded by these transactions that were attributable to A&E exposures represented approximately 55% of our A&E reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2014.

Premiums and Net Retentions

We monitor the effect of movements in foreign currency exchange rates on gross premium volume and earned premiums. To the extent there are significant variations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the foreign currencies in which our insurance business is transacted, management uses the change in gross premium volume and earned premiums at a constant rate of exchange to evaluate trends in premium volume. The impact of foreign currency translation is excluded, when significant, as the effect of fluctuations in exchange rates could distort the analysis of trends. When excluding the effect of foreign currency translation on changes in premium, management uses the current period average exchange rates to translate both the current period and the prior period foreign currency denominated gross premiums written and earned premiums.

The following tables summarize gross premium volume, net written premiums and earned premiums by segment.

Gross Premium Volume
	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
U.S. Insurance	$	635,926		$	619,510		$	1,890,144		$	1,876,114
International Insurance	284,576			271,045			911,962			924,401
Reinsurance	239,094			206,125			875,676			999,036
Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)	(1,232		)	(230		)	(1,159		)	34
Total	$	1,158,364		$	1,096,450		$	3,676,623		$	3,799,585

Gross premium volume increased 6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and decreased 3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same periods of 2014. At a constant rate of exchange, gross premium volume would have increased 8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and decreased 1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same periods of 2014. In both periods, the change in gross written premiums was primarily attributable to the Reinsurance segment. Gross premium volume in our Reinsurance segment increased 16% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and decreased 12% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. At a constant rate of exchange, gross premium volume in the Reinsurance segment would have increased 23% and decreased 9% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. The increase in gross premium volume for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 in the Reinsurance segment was due to higher gross premium volume in our credit and surety product line, as a result of a contract that was re-written and extended during the quarter. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the decrease in gross premium volume in our Reinsurance segment was driven by changes in our auto reinsurance book. During 2014, we ceased writing auto reinsurance in the United Kingdom. Additionally, we decreased our quota share percentage on our non-standard auto reinsurance business in the United States. Gross premium volume in our International Insurance segment increased 5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and decreased 1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. At a constant rate of exchange, gross premium volume in the International Insurance segment would have increased 10% and 4% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014. The increase for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was primarily driven by a change in our estimate of gross premiums in our marine and energy product lines.

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We have continued to see small price increases across many of our product lines during 2015. However, beginning in 2014 and continuing into 2015, we have experienced softening prices across most of our property product lines, as well as on our marine and energy lines. Our large account business is also subject to more pricing pressure. When we believe the prevailing market price will not support our underwriting profit targets, the business is not written. As a result of our underwriting discipline, gross premium volume may vary when we alter our product offerings to maintain or improve underwriting profitability.

Net Written Premiums
	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
U.S. Insurance	$	536,285		$	520,511		$	1,587,092		$	1,554,847
International Insurance	213,423			194,639			700,260			694,311
Reinsurance	204,336			166,848			736,068			855,930
Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)	(860		)	(217		)	(462		)	335
Total	$	953,184		$	881,781		$	3,022,958		$	3,105,423

Net retention of gross premium volume for both the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 82% compared to 80% and 82%, respectively, for the same periods of 2014. The increase in net retention for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period of 2014 was driven by higher retention within the Reinsurance segment. This increase is largely due to an increase in gross premium volume related to the renewal of a credit and surety contract, which was 100% retained.

Earned Premiums
	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
U.S. Insurance	$	534,615		$	516,753		$	1,569,615		$	1,499,571
International Insurance	225,034			216,764			654,936			678,772
Reinsurance	204,825			220,513			640,719			690,117
Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)	(799		)	(23		)	(388		)	521
Total	$	963,675		$	954,007		$	2,864,882		$	2,868,981

Earned premiums increased 1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 and were flat for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same periods of 2014. The increase in earned premiums for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was driven by higher earned premiums in our U.S. Insurance and International Insurance segments due to higher gross premium volume, partially offset by an unfavorable impact from foreign currency exchange rate movements in our International Insurance and Reinsurance segments. Earned premiums for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 reflect higher earned premiums in the U.S. Insurance segment, offset by lower earned premiums in the Reinsurance segment and the effects of foreign currency exchange rate movements in our International Insurance and Reinsurance segments. The increase in earned premiums in our U.S. Insurance segment for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to higher earned premiums on various product lines within our Specialty division compared to the same periods of 2014. Lower earned premiums in the Reinsurance segment were due to lower gross premium volume. At a constant rate of exchange, consolidated earned premiums would have increased 3% and 2% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2014.

Investing Results

We evaluate our investment performance by analyzing taxable equivalent total investment return. Taxable equivalent total investment return includes items that impact net income, such as coupon interest on fixed maturities, dividends on equity securities and realized investment gains or losses, as well as changes in unrealized gains or losses, which do not impact net income. Certain items that are included in net investment income have been excluded from the calculation of taxable equivalent total investment return, such as amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on our fixed maturity portfolio, to provide a comparable basis for measuring our investment return against industry investment returns. The calculation of taxable equivalent total investment return also includes the current tax benefit associated with income on certain investments that is either taxed at a lower rate than the statutory income tax rate or is not fully included in federal taxable income. We believe the taxable equivalent total investment return is a better reflection of the economics of our decision to invest in certain asset classes. We focus on our long-term investment return, understanding that the level of realized and unrealized investment gains or losses may vary from one period to the next.

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The following table summarizes our investment performance.

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net investment income	$	87,060		$	91,096		$	270,521		$	269,980
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$	(14,707	)	$	4,195		$	(3,031	)	$	28,709
Change in net unrealized gains on investments	$	(210,186	)	$	(16,121	)	$	(396,855	)	$	498,836
Investment yield (1)	0.6		%	0.6		%	1.8		%	1.8		%
Taxable equivalent total investment return, before foreign currency effect (2)							(0.3		)%	5.2		%
Taxable equivalent total investment return (2)							(1.2		)%	4.2		%

⁽¹⁾  Investment yield reflects net investment income as a percentage of monthly average invested assets at amortized cost.

⁽²⁾  Taxable equivalent total investment return is only analyzed on a year to date basis.

The following table reconciles investment yield to taxable equivalent total investment return.

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014
Investment yield (1)	1.8	%	1.8	%
Adjustment of investment yield from book value to market value	(0.3	)%	(0.3	)%
Net amortization of net premium on fixed maturity securities	0.4	%	0.5	%
Net realized investment gains (losses) and change in net unrealized gains on investments	(2.2	)%	3.1	%
Taxable equivalent effect for interest and dividends (2)	0.3	%	0.3	%
Other (3)	(1.2	)%	(1.2	)%
Taxable equivalent total investment return	(1.2	)%	4.2	%

⁽¹⁾  Investment yield reflects net investment income as a percentage of monthly average invested assets at amortized cost.

⁽²⁾  Adjustment to tax-exempt interest and dividend income to reflect a taxable equivalent basis.

⁽³⁾  Adjustment to reflect the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and time-weighting the inputs to the calculation of taxable equivalent total investment return.

The decrease in net investment income for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was driven by lower bond income on our fixed maturity portfolio due to lower bond holdings compared to the same period of 2014. This decrease was partially offset by increased dividend income on our equity portfolio due to higher equity security holdings in 2015 compared to 2014. The increase in net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily attributable to increased dividend income on our equity portfolio due to higher equity security holdings in 2015 compared to 2014. This increase was partially offset by lower bond income on our fixed maturity portfolio due to lower bond holdings compared to 2014. See note 3(d) of the notes to consolidated financial statements for details regarding the components of net investment income. Net realized investment losses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 included $18.3 million and $23.4 million, respectively, of write downs for other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of investments, all of which were attributable to equity securities. Net realized investment gains for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 included write downs for other-than-temporary declines in the estimated fair value of investments of $2.9 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

We complete a detailed analysis each quarter to assess whether the decline in the fair value of any investment below its cost basis is deemed other-than-temporary. At September 30, 2015, we held securities with gross unrealized losses of $101.6 million, or less than 1% of invested assets. All securities with unrealized losses were reviewed, and we believe that there were no other securities with indications of declines in estimated fair value that were other-than-temporary at September 30, 2015. However, given the volatility in the debt and equity markets, we caution readers that further declines in fair value could be significant and may result in additional other-than-temporary impairment charges in future periods. Variability in the timing of realized and unrealized gains and losses is to be expected.

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Other Revenues and Other Expenses

Markel Ventures Operations

Operating revenues and expenses associated with our Markel Ventures operations are included in other revenues and other expenses in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss). We consolidate our Markel Ventures operations on a one-month lag. The following table summarizes the operating revenues, net income to shareholders and EBITDA from our Markel Ventures operations.

	Quarter Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015		2014		2015		2014
Operating revenues	$	299,155	$	240,057	$	784,151	$	594,905
Net income to shareholders	$	6,398	$	11,166	$	14,354	$	16,310
EBITDA	$	29,502	$	31,061	$	76,271	$	66,118

Revenues from our Markel Ventures operations increased $59.1 million and $189.2 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same periods of 2014. For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, the increase in revenues was primarily driven by our acquisition of Cottrell in July 2014 and higher revenues within certain of our other manufacturing operations, due in part to higher sales volume in 2015 compared to 2014. Revenues for both the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 also reflected growth in certain of our non-manufacturing operations.

Net income to shareholders and EBITDA from our Markel Ventures operations decreased for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same period of 2014 primarily due to an increase in our estimate of the contingent consideration obligation related to the acquisition of Cottrell, partially offset by higher earnings attributable to Cottrell in 2015. Net income to shareholders and EBITDA from our Markel Ventures operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were also impacted by the increase in our estimate of the contingent consideration related to Cottrell. A portion of the purchase consideration for Cottrell is based on Cottrell's post-acquisition earnings through 2015, as defined in the purchase agreement. During 2015, our estimate of Cottrell's 2015 earnings increased beyond our initial projection. As a result, our estimate of the fair value of the contingent consideration increased by $9.0 million and $26.6 million during the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the fair value of our outstanding contingent consideration obligation was $40.1 million, which we expect to pay in 2016. While this obligation is subject to further changes based on Cottrell's actual results through December 31, 2015, we do not believe the impact of such an adjustment would be material to our results of operations or cash flows. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the contribution of earnings from Cottrell and more favorable results in our other manufacturing operations more than offset the impact of the increase in our contingent consideration obligation on Markel Ventures EBITDA.

Markel Ventures EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. We use Markel Ventures EBITDA as an operating performance measure in conjunction with U.S. GAAP measures, including revenues and net income, to monitor and evaluate the performance of our Markel Ventures operations. Because EBITDA excludes interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, it provides an indicator of economic performance that is useful to both management and investors in evaluating our Markel Ventures businesses as it is not affected by levels of debt, interest rates, effective tax rates or levels of depreciation and amortization resulting from purchase accounting. The following table reconciles EBITDA of Markel Ventures, net of noncontrolling interests, to consolidated net income to shareholders.

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	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Markel Ventures EBITDA - Manufacturing	$	26,410		$	23,024		$	62,504		$	46,355
Markel Ventures EBITDA - Non-Manufacturing	3,092			8,037			13,767			19,763
Markel Ventures EBITDA - Total	29,502			31,061			76,271			66,118
Interest expense (1)	(3,404		)	(3,629		)	(10,272		)	(8,392		)
Income tax expense	(4,308		)	(4,954		)	(9,339		)	(9,417		)
Depreciation expense	(8,715		)	(6,342		)	(22,957		)	(17,493		)
Amortization of intangible assets	(6,677		)	(4,970		)	(19,349		)	(14,506		)
Markel Ventures net income to shareholders	6,398			11,166			14,354			16,310
Net income from other Markel operations	96,121			64,637			370,526			187,277
Net income to shareholders	$	102,519		$	75,803		$	384,880		$	203,587

⁽¹⁾  Interest expense for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 includes intercompany interest expense of $2.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 includes intercompany interest expense of $7.2 million and $5.8 million, respectively.

Life and Annuity Benefits

The Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 included other expenses of $6.9 million, compared to other revenues of $1.0 million and other expenses of $8.3 million for the same period of 2014. The Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included other revenues of $0.4 million and other expenses of $17.6 million, compared to other revenues of $1.2 million and other expenses of $25.6 million for the same period of 2014. The other revenues and other expenses included in the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment are related to the run-off of our life and annuity reinsurance business. The life and annuity benefit reserves were acquired as part of our acquisition of Alterra and are recorded on a discounted present value basis using assumptions that were determined as of May 1, 2013. The accretion of this discount is recognized in the statement of income and comprehensive income (loss) as other expenses. Invested assets and the related investment income that support the life and annuity reinsurance contracts are reported in the Investing segment. As a result, we expect the results reported in the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment attributable to our life and annuity business will continue to reflect losses in future periods due to the accretion of the discount on the life and annuity benefit reserves, which are forecasted to pay out over the next 40 to 50 years. Other revenues attributable to the life and annuity business included in the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment represent ongoing premium adjustments on existing contracts.

On April 24, 2015, we completed a novation that transferred our obligations under a reinsurance contract for life and annuity benefit policies to a third party in exchange for cash payments totaling $29.0 million, net of commissions. At the time of the transaction, reserves for life and annuity benefits on the novated reinsurance contract totaled $32.6 million, resulting in a gain of $3.6 million that was recorded as an offset to other expenses.

Interest Expense and Income Taxes

Interest expense for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $30.1 million and $88.7 million, respectively, which is comparable to the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 with $29.6 million and $89.1 million of interest expense, respectively.

The effective tax rate was 21% and 25% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income and foreign tax credits for foreign taxes paid. In previous periods, foreign taxes paid were not available for use as tax credits against our U.S. provision for income taxes and may not be available in future periods. Based on our estimated earnings from our foreign operations in 2015, we expect that significant foreign taxes paid, both in the current period and prior periods, will be available for use as credits against our U.S. provision for income taxes in 2015. Our anticipated recognition of these tax credits in 2015 has a favorable impact on our 2015 effective tax rate of approximately 8%.We caution readers that a similar benefit may not be recognizable in future years. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income. The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily due to the impact of the foreign tax credits described above. This decrease was partially offset by the impact of anticipating a smaller tax benefit related to tax-

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exempt investment income, which resulted from having higher estimated income before income taxes in 2015 compared to 2014.

The effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was 32%. The difference in the effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is due to an increase in the 2015 estimated annual effective tax rate as of September 30, 2015 compared to the estimated annual effective tax rate as of June 30, 2015. This increase was primarily due to the impact of anticipating a smaller tax benefit related to tax-exempt investment income and foreign taxes paid, as a result of an increase in our estimated income before income taxes for 2015.

Our effective tax rate, which is based upon the estimated annual effective tax rate, may fluctuate from period to period based on the relative mix of income or loss reported by jurisdiction and the varying tax rates in each jurisdiction.

Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Shareholders

Comprehensive loss to shareholders was $51.1 million for the third quarter of 2015 compared to comprehensive income to shareholders of $36.5 million for the same period of 2014. Comprehensive loss to shareholders for the third quarter of 2015 included a decrease in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of $143.3 million, a decrease in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes, of $10.9 million and net income to shareholders of $102.5 million. Comprehensive income to shareholders for the third quarter of 2014 included net income to shareholders of $75.8 million, a decrease in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of $12.4 million and a decrease in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes, of $27.2 million.

Comprehensive income to shareholders was $97.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $517.4 million for the same period of 2014. Comprehensive income to shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included net income to shareholders of $384.9 million, a decrease in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of $266.3 million and a decrease in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes, of $22.3 million. Comprehensive income to shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included an increase in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, of $332.5 million and net income to shareholders of $203.6 million.

The decrease in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, for both the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was attributable to a decrease in the fair value of our equity portfolio as of September 30, 2015 compared to June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The nine months ended September 30, 2015 also reflected the impact of a decline in the fair value of our fixed maturity portfolio.

The increase in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was attributable to an increase in the fair value of both our fixed maturity and equity portfolios as of September 30, 2014 compared to June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Financial Condition

Investments, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents (invested assets) were $18.5 billion at September 30, 2015 compared to $18.6 billion at December 31, 2014. Net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes, were $1.5 billion at September 30, 2015 compared to $1.8 billion at December 31, 2014. Equity securities were $4.2 billion, or 23% of invested assets, at September 30, 2015 compared to $4.1 billion, or 22% of invested assets, at December 31, 2014.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $550.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $536.6 million for the same period of 2014. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 included higher cash flows attributable to our Markel Ventures operations, partially offset by higher payments for income taxes compared to the same period of 2014. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was net of a $29.0 million cash payment made to transfer our obligations under a reinsurance contract for life and annuity benefits to a third party. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was also net of a $69.9 million cash payment made in connection with a retrospective reinsurance transaction completed March 9, 2015, in which we ceded a portfolio of policies comprised of liabilities arising from A&E exposures that originated before 1992 to a third party. At the time of the transaction, reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses on the policies ceded totaled $94.1 million. The net loss reserves underlying this transaction are expected to be formally transferred to the third party in 2016 by way of a Part VII transfer pursuant to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 of the United Kingdom. Due to the unique aspects of A&E exposures, the ultimate estimated value of loss reserves is subject to greater uncertainty than other types of claims. Although we believe our loss reserves for these A&E exposures were adequate, this transaction eliminates the

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uncertainty regarding the potential for adverse development of estimated ultimate liabilities on the underlying policies. While we recognize that the use of funds for this transaction results in lower investment income in the short term, eliminating these exposures provides us with additional flexibility to allocate capital from our insurance operations to our holding company, where we believe we may have opportunities to invest capital at a higher rate of return.

Net cash used by investing activities was $168.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $681.3 million for the same period of 2014. Due to the low interest rate environment, during 2015, we continued to purchase equity securities and limit our allocation of funds for purchases of fixed maturities. We also allocated more cash and cash equivalents to short-term investments to maintain adequate liquidity and diversification. Cash flow from investing activities is affected by various factors such as anticipated payment of claims, financing activity, acquisition opportunities and individual buy and sell decisions made in the normal course of our investment portfolio management.

Net cash used by financing activities was $56.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $46.7 million for the same period of 2014. Cash of $27.3 million and $25.9 million was used to repurchase shares of our common stock during the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.

We seek to maintain prudent levels of liquidity and financial leverage for the protection of our policyholders, creditors and shareholders. Our target capital structure includes approximately 30% debt. Our debt to capital ratio was 23% at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. From time to time, our debt to capital ratio may increase due to business opportunities that may be financed in the short term with debt. Alternatively, our debt to capital ratio may fall below our target capital structure, which provides us with additional borrowing capacity to respond when future opportunities arise.

We have access to various capital sources, including dividends from certain of our insurance subsidiaries, holding company invested assets, undrawn capacity under our revolving and secured credit facilities and access to the debt and equity capital markets. We believe that we have sufficient liquidity to meet our capital needs.

On May 19, 2015, we reduced the capacity of our $650 million secured credit facility, which expires in December 2015, to $550 million. On October 19, 2015, we further reduced the capacity of the secured credit facility to $450 million. We do not intend to renew this secured credit facility when it expires, however, we believe the capacity of our other credit facilities is sufficient to meet our needs.

On September 9, 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement to purchase substantially all of the assets of CATCo Investment Management, Ltd. (CATCo IM) and CATCo-Re Ltd. CATCo IM is a leading insurance-linked securities investment manager and reinsurance manager headquartered in Bermuda focused on building and managing highly diversified, collateralized retrocession and reinsurance portfolios covering global property catastrophe risks. The total purchase price for the acquired assets is expected to be approximately $200 million, all of which is expected to be paid in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015 and is subject to completion of various conditions and regulatory approvals.

On October 30, 2015, we completed a retrospective reinsurance transaction to cede a portfolio of policies primarily comprised of liabilities arising from A&E exposures that originated before 1987 in exchange for cash payments totaling $86.5 million. Any impact resulting from a change in the estimated volatility of our consolidated net reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses as a result of this transaction will be reflected in our fourth quarter results of operations.

Our holding company had $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion of invested assets at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Shareholders' equity was $7.7 billion at September 30, 2015 and $7.6 billion at December 31, 2014. Book value per share increased to $551.63 at September 30, 2015 from $543.96 at December 31, 2014, primarily due to $97.7 million of comprehensive income to shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk Disclosures

Market risk is the risk of economic losses due to adverse changes in the estimated fair value of a financial instrument as the result of changes in equity prices, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. Our consolidated balance sheets include assets and liabilities with estimated fair values that are subject to market risk. Our primary market risks have been equity price risk associated with investments in equity securities, interest rate risk associated with investments in fixed maturities and foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with our international operations. Various companies within our Markel Ventures operations are subject to commodity risk; however, this risk is not material to the Company.

As of September 30, 2015, the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets denominated in a foreign currency, which is not matched or hedged, was $251.2 million, compared to $262.9 million as of December 31, 2014. The decrease is primarily due to the impact of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar and the United Kingdom Sterling during 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were no other material changes to the market risk components described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Credit risk is the potential loss resulting from adverse changes in an issuer's ability to repay its debt obligations. General concern exists about municipalities that experience financial difficulties during periods of adverse economic conditions. We manage the exposure to credit risk in our municipal bond portfolio by investing in high quality securities and by diversifying our holdings, which are typically either general obligation or revenue bonds related to essential products and services.

We monitor our investment portfolio to ensure that credit risk does not exceed prudent levels. We have consistently invested in high credit quality, investment grade securities. Our fixed maturity portfolio has an average rating of "AA," with approximately 97% rated "A" or better by at least one nationally recognized rating organization. Our policy is to invest in investment grade securities and to minimize investments in fixed maturities that are unrated or rated below investment grade. At September 30, 2015, less than 1% of our fixed maturity portfolio was unrated or rated below investment grade. Our fixed maturity portfolio includes securities issued with financial guaranty insurance. We purchase fixed maturities based on our assessment of the credit quality of the underlying assets without regard to insurance.

Our fixed maturity portfolio includes securities issued by foreign governments. General concern exists about the financial difficulties facing certain European countries in light of the adverse economic conditions experienced over the past several years. We monitor developments in foreign countries, currencies and issuers that could pose risks to our fixed maturity portfolio, including ratings downgrades, political and financial changes and the widening of credit spreads. We believe that our fixed maturity portfolio is highly diversified and is comprised of high quality securities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were no material changes in our foreign government fixed maturity holdings.

The estimated fair value of our investment portfolio at September 30, 2015 was $18.5 billion, 77% of which was invested in fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents and 23% of which was invested in equity securities. At December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of our investment portfolio was $18.6 billion, 78% of which was invested in fixed maturities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents and 22% of which was invested in equity securities.

Our fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments are recorded at fair value, which is measured based upon quoted prices in active markets, if available. We determine fair value for these investments after considering various sources of information, including information provided by a third-party pricing service. The pricing service provides prices for substantially all of our fixed maturities and equity securities. In determining fair value, we generally do not adjust the prices obtained from the pricing service. We obtain an understanding of the pricing service's valuation methodologies and related inputs, which include, but are not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, duration, credit ratings, estimated cash flows and prepayment speeds. We validate prices provided by the pricing service by reviewing prices from other pricing sources and analyzing pricing data in certain instances.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 (Disclosure Controls). This evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

Based upon our controls evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that effective Disclosure Controls were in place to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2015 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Safe Harbor and Cautionary Statement

This report contains statements concerning or incorporating our expectations, assumptions, plans, objectives, future financial or operating performance and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "predict," "project" and similar expressions as they relate to us or our management.

There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from predicted results in forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ are often presented with the forward-looking statements themselves. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ from those predicted are set forth under "Risk Factors" and "Safe Harbor and Cautionary Statement" in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K or are included in the items listed below:

• our anticipated premium volume is based on current knowledge and assumes no significant man-made or natural catastrophes, no significant changes in products or personnel and no adverse changes in market conditions;

• the effect of cyclical trends, including demand and pricing in the insurance and reinsurance markets;

• actions by competitors, including consolidation, and the effect of competition on market trends and pricing;

• we offer insurance and reinsurance coverage against terrorist acts in connection with some of our programs, and in other instances we are legally required to offer terrorism insurance; in both circumstances, we actively manage our exposure, but if there is a covered terrorist attack, we could sustain material losses;

• the frequency and severity of man-made and natural catastrophes (including earthquakes and weather-related catastrophes) may exceed expectations, are unpredictable and, in the case of weather-related catastrophes, may be exacerbated if, as many forecast, conditions in the oceans and atmosphere result in increased hurricane, flood, drought or other adverse weather-related activity;

• emerging claim and coverage issues, changing legal and social trends, and inherent uncertainties (including but not limited to those uncertainties associated with our A&E reserves) in the loss estimation process can adversely impact the adequacy of our loss reserves and our allowance for reinsurance recoverables;

• reinsurance reserves are subject to greater uncertainty than insurance reserves, primarily because of reliance upon the original underwriting decisions made by ceding companies and the longer lapse of time from the occurrence of loss events to their reporting to the reinsurer for ultimate resolution;

• changes in the assumptions and estimates used in establishing reserves for our life and annuity reinsurance book (which is in runoff), for example, changes in assumptions and estimates of mortality, longevity, morbidity and interest rates, could result in material increases in our estimated loss reserves for such business;

• adverse developments in insurance coverage litigation or other legal or administrative proceedings could result in material increases in our estimates of loss reserves;

• the failure or inadequacy of any loss limitation methods we employ;

• changes in the availability, costs and quality of reinsurance coverage, which may impact our ability to write or continue to write certain lines of business;

• industry and economic conditions, deterioration in reinsurer credit quality and coverage disputes can affect the ability or willingness of reinsurers to pay balances due;

• after the commutation of ceded reinsurance contracts, any subsequent adverse development in the re-assumed loss reserves will result in a charge to earnings;

• regulatory actions can impede our ability to charge adequate rates and efficiently allocate capital;

• economic conditions, actual or potential defaults in sovereign debt obligations, volatility in interest and foreign currency exchange rates and changes in market value of concentrated investments can have a significant impact on the fair value of our fixed maturities and equity securities, as well as the carrying value of our other assets and liabilities, and this impact may be heightened by market volatility;

• a number of factors may adversely affect the markets served by our Markel Ventures operations and negatively impact their revenues and profitability, including, among others: economic conditions; changes in government support for education, healthcare and infrastructure projects; changes in capital spending levels; changes in the housing market; and volatility in interest and foreign currency exchange rates;

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• economic conditions may adversely affect our access to capital and credit markets;

• we have substantial investments in municipal bonds (approximately $4.0 billion at September 30, 2015) and, although less than 15% of our municipal bond portfolio is tied to any one state, widespread defaults could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition;

• the impacts of periods of slow economic growth; the continuing effects of government intervention into the markets to address financial downturns (including, among other things, the effects of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and regulations adopted thereunder); the outcome of economic and currency concerns in the Eurozone; material changes to the monetary policies of central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank; and the combined impact of the foregoing on our industry, business and investment portfolio;

• the impacts that the political and civil unrest in Ukraine and related sanctions imposed on Russia by the U.S. and other Western European governments may have on our businesses and the markets they serve or that any disruption in European or worldwide economic conditions generally arising from this situation may have on our business, industry or investment portfolio;

• the impacts that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may have on our businesses and the markets they serve or that any disruptions in Middle Eastern or worldwide economic conditions generally arising from this conflict may have on our business, industry or investment portfolio;

• the impacts that health epidemics and pandemics may have on our business operations and claims activity;

• the impact of the implementation of U.S. health care reform legislation and regulations under that legislation on our business;

• our business is dependent upon the successful functioning and security of our computer systems; if our information technology systems fail or suffer a security breach, our business or reputation could be adversely impacted;

• our acquisition of insurance and non-insurance businesses may increase our operational and control risks for a period of time;

• we may not realize the contemplated benefits, including cost savings and synergies, of our acquisitions;

• any determination requiring the write-off of a significant portion of our goodwill and intangible assets;

• the loss of services of any executive officer or other key personnel could adversely impact one or more of our operations;

• our expanding international operations expose us to increased investment, political and economic risks, including foreign currency exchange rate and credit risk;

• the effectiveness of our procedures for compliance with existing and ever increasing guidelines, policies and legal and regulatory standards, rules, laws and regulations; and

• adverse changes in our assigned financial strength or debt ratings could adversely impact our ability to attract and retain business or obtain capital.

Our premium volume, underwriting and investment results and results from our non-insurance operations have been and will continue to be potentially materially affected by these factors. By making forward-looking statements, we do not intend to become obligated to publicly update or revise any such statements whether as a result of new information, future events or other changes. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as at their dates.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits

See Exhibit Index for a list of exhibits filed as part of this report.

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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, this 4^th day of November 2015.

Markel Corporation
By:	/s/ Alan I. Kirshner
	Alan I. Kirshner
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
By:	/s/ Anne G. Waleski
	Anne G. Waleski
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)

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Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Document Description
3(i)	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (3.1)a
3(ii)	Bylaws, as amended (3.1)b
4.1	Indenture dated as of June 5, 2001, between Markel Corporation and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (4.1)c
4.2	Form of Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 13, 2004 between Markel Corporation and JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, including form of the securities as Exhibit A (4.2)d
4.3	Form of Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 22, 2009 between Markel Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, including form of the securities as Exhibit A (4.2)e
4.4	Form of Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 1, 2011 between Markel Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, including form of the securities as Exhibit A (4.2)f
4.5	Form of Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 2, 2012 between Markel Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, including form of the securities as Exhibit A (4.2)g
4.6	Form of Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 8, 2013 between Markel Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, including form of the securities as Exhibit A (4.2)h
4.7	Form of Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 8, 2013 between Markel Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor to The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, including form of the securities as Exhibit A (4.3)h
4.8	Indenture dated as of September 1, 2010, among Alterra Finance LLC, Alterra Capital Holdings Limited and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (4.14)i
4.9	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 27, 2010 between Alterra Finance LLC, Alterra Capital Holdings Limited and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, including the form of the securities as Exhibit A (4.15)i
4.10	Form of Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 30, 2014 among Alterra Finance LLC, Alterra Capital Holdings Limited and the Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee (4.16)j
4.11	Form of Guaranty Agreement by Markel Corporation dated as of June 30, 2014 in connection with the Alterra Finance LLC 6.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (4.17)j
The registrant hereby agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, a copy of all other instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the registrant and its subsidiaries.
10.1	Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Steven A. Markel*
31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)*
31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)*
32.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer furnished Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
32.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer furnished Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
101	The following consolidated financial statements from Markel Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, filed on November 4, 2015, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.*

* Filed with this report.

a. Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2011.

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b. Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 8-K filed on November 18, 2011.

c. Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 8-K filed on June 5, 2001.

d. Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 8-K filed on August 11, 2004.

e. Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 8-K filed on September 21, 2009.

f. Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2011.

g. Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2012.

h. Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2013.

i. Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013.

j. Incorporated by reference from the Exhibit shown in parentheses filed with the Commission in the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014.

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EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Amended and Restated Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of September 1, 2015, between Markel Corporation (the “Company”), and Steven A. Markel (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive previously entered into that certain Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated December 31, 2008 (the “Prior Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive wish to amend and restate the Prior Agreement to reflect the Executive’s current employment relationship and to revise certain sections of the Prior Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to employ the Executive as Vice Chairman of the Company and expects that the Executive will continue to make significant contributions to the oversight, growth and success of the Company.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is mutually acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

1. Employment and Duties. The Company employs the Executive as Vice Chairman. The duties of the Executive will include, without limitation, strategic business planning, providing financing and investment advice, identifying and sourcing business opportunities, consulting and being available to consult with senior management, participating in investor relations functions and other duties normally and properly incident to his position and such additional duties as may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors of the Company. In this capacity, the parties expect and agree that the Executive will typically fulfill his duties hereunder through the devotion of an amount of time not to exceed on average 10 hours per week. The Executive acknowledges, however, that his responsibilities are unique and further agrees that from time to time his services may be required by the Company in excess of that amount and outside of ordinary business hours. So long as the following activities do not violate the Executive’s covenants as described in Section 9A of this Agreement, the Executive may perform personal, charitable and other business activities, including, without limitation, serving as a member of one or more boards of directors of charitable or other professional organizations, and may serve on the boards of directors of other business organizations that are not engaged in any aspect of the insurance industry, provided, however, that service on the boards of directors of other business organizations shall require the prior consent of the Board of Directors of the Company.

2. Term. Subject to Sections 5, 6 and 7, the Company employs the Executive, and the Executive agrees to serve the Company, for an initial term of one year and four months from the date of this Agreement; thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect until terminated by either party on 90 days written notice to the other party. If the Company notifies the Executive that it does not wish to extend the term of this Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to have terminated the Executive’s employment without cause, and the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits specified in Section 7 of this Agreement. If the Executive notifies the Company that the Executive does not wish to extend the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be deemed to have voluntarily left the employ of the Company and the Company’s obligations to the Executive under this Agreement shall terminate.

3. Salary. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive’s base salary shall be not less than $700,000.00 per year, which sum shall be payable in bi-weekly installments. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company’s bonus program. In the event of an increase in salary or the payment of a bonus, the other terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The salary in effect at any given time is sometimes referred to in this Agreement as “Base Salary.” There

shall be withheld from all amounts due the Executive such federal and state income taxes, FICA and other amounts as may be required to be withheld under applicable law.

4. Other Benefits. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to (i) participate in such employee benefit plans and programs as are generally available to other executive officers of the Company (provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall entitle the Executive to participate in the Company’s 401(k) plan following the termination of his employment for any reason and in light of the Executive’s reduced time commitment, the Executive shall not be eligible to participate in the Company’s short-term or long-term disability plans), (ii) reimbursement, in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Company from time to time, for all items of expense reasonably and necessarily incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company, and (iii) such holidays as are generally available to employees of the Company.

5. Termination by Death or Disability.

(a) Should the Executive die during the term of employment, the Company shall be obligated to pay any salary and benefits to which the Executive may be entitled until the end of the bi-weekly payroll period in which the death occurs, and the Company shall pay to the Executive’s personal representatives amounts equal to and payable at the same time as the installments of Base Salary theretofore regularly paid to the Executive for a period equal to the greater of (i) the remainder of the initial term of this Agreement, or (ii) 90 days.

(b) Should the Executive be unable to perform substantially all duties of employment for 90 consecutive days because of a physical or mental disability, the Company shall then have the right to terminate the Executive’s employment by giving the Executive 30 days’ written notice. After the date of termination, the Company shall pay to the Executive or the Executive’s personal representatives amounts equal to and payable at the same time as the installments of Base Salary theretofore regularly paid to the Executive for a period equal to the greater of (i) the remainder of the initial term of this Agreement, or (ii) 90 days from the date of termination.

A condition of disability under this Agreement shall be determined by the Board of Directors on the basis of (i) the Executive being unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, or (ii) the Executive, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company.

6. Termination for Cause. The Company, by action of its Board of Directors, may at any time elect to terminate its obligations under this Agreement for “cause” and remove the Executive from employment. Termination for cause shall be made upon 30 days’ written notice, and upon expiration of the 30-day notice period, all obligations of the Company to the Executive under this Agreement shall cease.

For purposes of this Agreement “cause” shall be only the following:

(a) continued and deliberate neglect by the Executive, after receipt of notice thereof, of employment duties other than as a result of the Executive’s physical or mental disability;

(b) willful misconduct of the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties, including by way of example but not limitation, misappropriation of funds or property of the Company; securing or attempting to secure personally any profit in connection with any transaction entered into on

2

behalf of the Company or violation of any code of conduct or standards of ethics applicable to employees of the Company;

(c) conduct by the Executive which may result in material injury to the reputation of the Company if the Executive were retained in his position with the Company, including by way of example but not limitation, commission of a felony, bankruptcy, insolvency or general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

(d) active disloyalty such as aiding a competitor;

(e) the Executive’s inability to obtain or maintain any required regulatory approvals or authorizations necessary for the Executive to perform his duties under the Agreement; or

(f) a breach by the Executive of Section 8 or 9 of this Agreement.

7. Other Termination.

(a) If the Executive resigns or voluntarily leaves the employ of the Company, the Company’s obligations to the Executive under this Agreement shall terminate and the Company shall have no further liability to the Executive under this Agreement; provided, however, if the Executive voluntarily leaves the employ of the Company by virtue of the Company’s failure to comply with any terms of this Agreement, then the Executive shall be entitled to the identical compensation and benefits set forth in Section 7 (b) hereof.

(b) The Company, by action of its Board of Directors, may at any time elect to terminate its obligations under this Agreement without cause and remove the Executive from employment on 30 days’ written notice. If the Company elects to terminate the Executive’s employment without cause, then the Executive shall be entitled to receive, subject to compliance by the Executive with the provisions of Sections 8 and 9 of this Agreement, the Base Salary and benefits for a period equal to the greater of (i) the remainder of the initial term of this Agreement, or (ii) 90 days from the date of termination.

8. Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. As consideration for and to induce the employment of the Executive by the Company, the Executive agrees that:

(a) Except to the extent such information is generally known to the public or in the industry in which the Company and its subsidiaries and corporate affiliates are engaged all information relating to or used in the business and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and corporate affiliates (including, without limitation, marketing methods and procedures, customer lists, lists of professionals referring customers to the Company and its subsidiaries and corporate affiliates, sources of supplies and materials and business systems and procedures), whether prepared, compiled, developed or obtained by the Executive or by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or corporate affiliates before or during the term of this Agreement, are and shall be confidential information and trade secrets (“Confidential Information”) and the exclusive property of the Company, its subsidiaries and corporate affiliates.

(b) All records of and materials relating to Confidential Information, whether in written form or in a form produced or stored by any electrical or mechanical means or process and whether prepared, compiled or obtained by the Executive or by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or corporate affiliates before or during the term of this Agreement, are and shall be the exclusive property of the Company or its subsidiaries or corporate affiliates, as the case may be.

(c) Except in the regular course of his employment or as the Company may expressly authorize or direct in writing, the Executive shall not, during or after the term of this Agreement and his employment by the Company, copy, reproduce, disclose or divulge to others, use or permit others to see any Confidential Information or any records of or materials relating to any such Confidential Information.

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The Executive further agrees that during the term of this Agreement and his employment by the Company he shall not remove from the custody or control of the Company or its subsidiaries or corporate affiliates any records of or any materials relating to such Confidential Information and that upon the termination of this Agreement he shall deliver the same to the Company and its subsidiaries and corporate affiliates.

(d) Nothing in this Section 8 shall prohibit the Executive from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. It is acknowledged that no prior authorization of the Company is needed to make any such report or disclosure and that the Executive is not required to notify the Company of such report or disclosure.

9. Covenants.

A. As consideration for and to induce the employment of the Executive by the Company, the Executive agrees that, except in the regular course of his employment or as the Company may expressly authorize or direct in writing, the Executive shall not, during the term of this Agreement and for a period of two (2) years immediately following the termination of this Agreement, directly or indirectly, either as an individual for his own account, as a partner or joint venturer with any other person or entity, as an employee, consultant, advisor, agent or representative of any other person or entity or as an officer, director or shareholder of any corporation, (i) own, manage, operate, join, control or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or serve as an employee, consultant, advisor, agent or representative of any corporation, association, partnership, proprietorship or other business entity that is engaged in any business activity, directly or indirectly, in competition with any of the insurance-related business operations or activities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or corporate affiliates, or (ii) employ or offer to employ or retain the services of any officer, employee or agent then employed or retained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or corporate affiliates or induce, encourage or solicit any such officer, employee or agent to leave the employment or service of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or corporate affiliates. This provision shall not, however, restrict the Executive from making any investments in any company whose stock is listed on a national securities exchange or actively traded in the over-the-counter market, so long as such investment does not give the Executive the right to control or influence the policy decisions of any such business or enterprise which is or might be directly or indirectly in competition with any of the business operations or activities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or corporate affiliates.

B. The Executive acknowledges that he has granted to the Company the exclusive right in perpetuity to use his surname as part of its corporate name for and in connection with all business of whatever kind and character conducted previously or in the future by the company or any of its subsidiaries or corporate affiliates. The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that he shall not hereafter grant to any other person, firm or corporation the right to use and he shall not himself use (except in the regular course of his employment by the Company hereunder or as the Company may expressly authorize or direct in writing) his name as part of the corporate, firm or trade name or trademark of any firm, entity, corporation or business that engages in any business activity directly or indirectly in competition with any of the business operations or activities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or corporate affiliates.

10. Survival of Covenants and Remedies. The agreements made by the Executive in Sections 8 and 9 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the Executive’s employment. Each such agreement by the Executive shall be construed as an agreement independent of any other provision of this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action by the Executive against the Company shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of the provisions of Section 8 or 9. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company will sustain irreparable injury in the event of a breach or threatened breach

4

by the Executive of the provisions of Section 8 or 9 and that the Company does not and will not have any adequate remedy at law for such breach or threatened breach. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that if he breaches or threatens to breach any such covenant or agreement, the Company shall be entitled to immediate injunctive relief. The foregoing shall not, however, be deemed to limit the Company’s remedies at law or in equity for any such breach or threatened breach.

11. Notices. All notices, consents and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given, delivered or made when delivered personally or when mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, addressed to the Company at its principal office in Richmond, Virginia, and to the Executive at his residence as shown upon the employment records of the Company, or to such other address as either party may by notice specify to the other.

12. Modification. No provision of this Agreement, including any provision of this paragraph, may be modified, deleted or amended in any manner except by an agreement in writing executed by the Executive and the Company.

13. Benefit. All of the terms of this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns and by the Executive and his heirs and personal representatives.

14. Construction. This Agreement is executed and delivered in the Commonwealth of Virginia and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of such state. THE EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY AGREE THAT THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA OR THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OVER ANY DISPUTES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.

15. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision.

In addition, if, at the time of enforcement of this Agreement, a court holds that any restriction stated in this Agreement is unreasonable under the circumstances then existing, the parties agree that the maximum restriction reasonable under such circumstances shall be substituted for the stated restriction.

16. Headings. The underlined headings provided in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

18. Delay in Payments. In response to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, any payments under this Agreement that are treated as made under a deferred compensation plan for purposes of Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) Section 409A are intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B) and any regulations and other guidance under that section. Therefore, if the Executive is a “specified employee” for purposes of Code Section 409A, no payment shall be made before the date provided in Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B) and all payments otherwise payable during that period shall be made to the Executive as soon as possible after the date provided in Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B).

[Signature Page Follows]

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/s/ Steven A. Markel	MARKEL CORPORATION
Executive
	By:	/s/ Alan I. Kirshner
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

6

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

I, Alan I. Kirshner, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Markel Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

November 4, 2015	/s/ Alan I. Kirshner
	Alan I. Kirshner
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

I, Anne G. Waleski, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Markel Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

November 4, 2015	/s/ Anne G. Waleski
	Anne G. Waleski
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

FURNISHED PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Markel Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Alan I. Kirshner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Alan I. Kirshner

Alan I. Kirshner

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

November 4, 2015

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

FURNISHED PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Markel Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Anne G. Waleski, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Anne G. Waleski

Anne G. Waleski

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

November 4, 2015

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Other Revenues And Other Expenses (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Apr. 24, 2015 USD ($)
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Cash payments for life and annuity benefit policies transferred under novated reinsurance contract	$ 29.0
Reserves on novated life and annuity benefit reinsurance contract	32.6
Gain on novated life and annuity benefit reinsurance contract	$ 3.6

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Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - CATCo Investment Management, Ltd. [Member] $ in Millions	Sep. 09, 2015 USD ($)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Approximate purchase price of acquired assets	$ 200
Estimated cash consideration of acquired assets	$ 200

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Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Summary Of Tax Expense (Benefit) Of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Net holding gains (losses) arising during the period	$ (71,549)	$ (1,895)	$ (129,546)	$ 171,309
Change in unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities arising during the period	(10)	31	28	600
Reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income	4,647	(1,858)	(1,025)	(5,535)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments	(66,912)	(3,722)	(130,543)	166,374
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments	829	43	1,662	1,509
Change in net actuarial pension loss	119	80	352	241
Total	$ (65,964)	$ (3,599)	$ (128,529)	$ 168,124

XML

Investments Investments (Schedule Of Restricted Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments, available-for-sale	$ 5,016,404	$ 5,040,413
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	371,794	522,225
Other assets	0	33,763
Total	$ 5,388,198	$ 5,596,401

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Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]

Change In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income By Component, Net Of Taxes And Noncontrolling Interest

The following table presents the change in accumulated other comprehensive income by component, net of taxes and noncontrolling interests, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

(dollars in thousands)	Unrealized Holding Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities			Foreign Currency			Net Actuarial Pension Loss			Total
December 31, 2013	$	1,131,507		$	(11,246	)	$	(30,456	)	$	1,089,805
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	348,214			(19,650		)	—			328,564
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(15,752		)	—			964			(14,788		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	332,462			(19,650		)	964			313,776
September 30, 2014	$	1,463,969		$	(30,896	)	$	(29,492	)	$	1,403,581
December 31, 2014	$	1,793,254		$	(43,491	)	$	(45,206	)	$	1,704,557
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(258,275		)	(22,236		)	—			(280,511		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(8,037		)	—			1,407			(6,630		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(266,312		)	(22,236		)	1,407			(287,141		)
September 30, 2015	$	1,526,942		$	(65,727	)	$	(43,799	)	$	1,417,416

Summary Of Tax Expense (Benefit) Of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes the tax expense (benefit) associated with each component of other comprehensive income (loss).

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Change in net unrealized gains on investments:
Net holding gains (losses) arising during the period	$	(71,549	)	$	(1,895	)	$	(129,546	)	$	171,309
Change in unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities arising during the period	(10		)	31			28			600
Reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income	4,647			(1,858		)	(1,025		)	(5,535		)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments	(66,912		)	(3,722		)	(130,543		)	166,374
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments	829			43			1,662			1,509
Change in net actuarial pension loss	119			80			352			241
Total	$	(65,964	)	$	(3,599	)	$	(128,529	)	$	168,124

Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Into Income, By Component

The following table presents the details of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, by component.

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities:
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	$	(18,281	)	$	(2,851	)	$	(23,373	)	$	(3,858	)
Net realized investment gains, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses	7,634			9,699			32,435			25,145
Total before taxes	(10,647		)	6,848			9,062			21,287
Income taxes	4,647			(1,858		)	(1,025		)	(5,535		)
Reclassification of unrealized holding gains (losses), net of taxes	$	(6,000	)	$	4,990		$	8,037		$	15,752
Net actuarial pension loss:
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	$	(594	)	$	(400	)	$	(1,759	)	$	(1,205	)
Income taxes	119			80			352			241
Reclassification of net actuarial pension loss, net of taxes	$	(475	)	$	(320	)	$	(1,407	)	$	(964	)

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Reinsurance (Effect Of Reinsurance And Retrocessional Reinsurance On Premiums Written And Earned) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Direct premiums written	$ 878,269	$ 841,582	$ 2,631,734	$ 2,613,339
Direct premiums earned	881,512	875,191	2,601,458	2,556,350
Assumed premiums written	280,095	254,868	1,044,889	1,186,246
Assumed premiums earned	293,481	301,665	910,640	985,981
Ceded premiums written	(205,180)	(214,669)	(653,665)	(694,162)
Ceded premiums earned	(211,318)	(222,849)	(647,216)	(673,350)
Net premiums written	953,184	881,781	3,022,958	3,105,423
Net premiums earned	$ 963,675	$ 954,007	$ 2,864,882	$ 2,868,981

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Segment Reporting Disclosures (Reconciliation Of Segment Assets To The Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 25,181,573	$ 25,200,357
Non-Insurance Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	1,218,990	1,246,762
Segment Assets [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	23,962,583	23,953,595
Segment Assets [Member] | Investing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	18,342,049	18,531,150
Segment Assets [Member] | Underwriting [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 5,620,534	$ 5,422,445

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Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Reclassifications From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Into Income, By Component) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income	$ (18,281)	$ (2,851)	$ (23,373)	$ (3,858)
Net realized investment gains, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses	3,574	7,046	20,342	32,567
Income Before Income Taxes	152,681	103,481	492,488	273,821
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(365,619)	(350,493)	(1,085,956)	(1,071,985)
Income taxes	(48,271)	(26,657)	(101,619)	(68,355)
Net Income	104,410	76,824	390,869	205,466
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Unrealized Holding Gains On Available-For-Sale Securities [Member]
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income	(18,281)	(2,851)	(23,373)	(3,858)
Net realized investment gains, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses	7,634	9,699	32,435	25,145
Income Before Income Taxes	(10,647)	6,848	9,062	21,287
Income taxes	4,647	(1,858)	(1,025)	(5,535)
Net Income	(6,000)	4,990	8,037	15,752
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Net Actuarial Pension Loss [Member]
Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(594)	(400)	(1,759)	(1,205)
Income taxes	119	80	352	241
Net Income	$ (475)	$ (320)	$ (1,407)	$ (964)

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Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments

Investments

a)The following tables summarize the Company's available-for-sale investments.

	September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Unrealized Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	696,980	$	13,360	$	(1,545	)	$	—		$	708,795
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	3,766,517		198,495		(8,688		)	—			3,956,324
Foreign governments	1,338,511		139,447		(826		)	—			1,477,132
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	441,814		10,808		(1,107		)	—			451,515
Residential mortgage-backed securities	860,869		34,272		(2,079		)	(2,258		)	890,804
Asset-backed securities	45,470		55		(125		)	—			45,400
Corporate bonds	1,787,414		48,535		(10,288		)	(1,680		)	1,823,981
Total fixed maturities	8,937,575		444,972		(24,658		)	(3,938		)	9,353,951
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	629,814		658,077		(12,482		)	—			1,275,409
Industrial, consumer and all other	1,660,203		1,281,314		(60,513		)	—			2,881,004
Total equity securities	2,290,017		1,939,391		(72,995		)	—			4,156,413
Short-term investments	2,323,917		71		(5		)	—			2,323,983
Investments, available-for-sale	$	13,551,509	$	2,384,434	$	(97,658	)	$	(3,938	)	$	15,834,347

	December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Unrealized Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	662,462	$	12,963	$	(2,163	)	$	—		$	673,262
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	4,075,748		245,158		(3,359		)	—			4,317,547
Foreign governments	1,458,255		154,707		(1,041		)	—			1,611,921
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	427,904		5,325		(2,602		)	—			430,627
Residential mortgage-backed securities	954,263		34,324		(3,482		)	(2,258		)	982,847
Asset-backed securities	100,073		99		(682		)	—			99,490
Corporate bonds	2,250,432		69,016		(10,441		)	(1,819		)	2,307,188
Total fixed maturities	9,929,137		521,592		(23,770		)	(4,077		)	10,422,882
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	523,739		789,717		(1,531		)	—			1,311,925
Industrial, consumer and all other	1,427,919		1,403,566		(5,834		)	—			2,825,651
Total equity securities	1,951,658		2,193,283		(7,365		)	—			4,137,576
Short-term investments	1,594,819		36		(6		)	—			1,594,849
Investments, available-for-sale	$	13,475,614	$	2,714,911	$	(31,141	)	$	(4,077	)	$	16,155,307

b)The following tables summarize gross unrealized investment losses by the length of time that securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position.

	September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(dollars in thousands)	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	72,511	$	(1,265	)	$	93,566	$	(280	)	$	166,077	$	(1,545	)
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	297,670		(5,618		)	59,482		(3,070		)	357,152		(8,688		)
Foreign governments	27,208		(594		)	41,433		(232		)	68,641		(826		)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	66,074		(258		)	100,233		(849		)	166,307		(1,107		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities	24,353		(2,321		)	147,001		(2,016		)	171,354		(4,337		)
Asset-backed securities	5,678		(2		)	26,720		(123		)	32,398		(125		)
Corporate bonds	270,889		(6,364		)	343,268		(5,604		)	614,157		(11,968		)
Total fixed maturities	764,383		(16,422		)	811,703		(12,174		)	1,576,086		(28,596		)
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	139,456		(11,308		)	6,676		(1,174		)	146,132		(12,482		)
Industrial, consumer and all other	387,475		(60,006		)	19,085		(507		)	406,560		(60,513		)
Total equity securities	526,931		(71,314		)	25,761		(1,681		)	552,692		(72,995		)
Short-term investments	139,990		(5		)	—		—			139,990		(5		)
Total	$	1,431,304	$	(87,741	)	$	837,464	$	(13,855	)	$	2,268,768	$	(101,596	)

At September 30, 2015, the Company held 567 securities with a total estimated fair value of $2.3 billion and gross unrealized losses of $101.6 million. Of these 567 securities, 268 securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for one year or longer and had a total estimated fair value of $837.5 million and gross unrealized losses of $13.9 million. Of these securities, 262 securities were fixed maturities and six were equity securities. The Company does not intend to sell or believe it will be required to sell these fixed maturities before recovery of their amortized cost. The Company has the ability and intent to hold these equity securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for the anticipated recovery of their fair value.

	December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(dollars in thousands)	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	108,250	$	(62	)	$	163,359	$	(2,101	)	$	271,609	$	(2,163	)
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	58,583		(542		)	92,441		(2,817		)	151,024		(3,359		)
Foreign governments	18,856		(386		)	56,217		(655		)	75,073		(1,041		)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	45,931		(210		)	147,558		(2,392		)	193,489		(2,602		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities	9,613		(2,285		)	207,374		(3,455		)	216,987		(5,740		)
Asset-backed securities	30,448		(20		)	45,160		(662		)	75,608		(682		)
Corporate bonds	141,176		(2,263		)	621,821		(9,997		)	762,997		(12,260		)
Total fixed maturities	412,857		(5,768		)	1,333,930		(22,079		)	1,746,787		(27,847		)
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	16,219		(1,531		)	—		—			16,219		(1,531		)
Industrial, consumer and all other	86,062		(5,834		)	—		—			86,062		(5,834		)
Total equity securities	102,281		(7,365		)	—		—			102,281		(7,365		)
Short-term investments	181,964		(6		)	—		—			181,964		(6		)
Total	$	697,102	$	(13,139	)	$	1,333,930	$	(22,079	)	$	2,031,032	$	(35,218	)

At December 31, 2014, the Company held 552 securities with a total estimated fair value of $2.0 billion and gross unrealized losses of $35.2 million. Of these 552 securities, 396 securities had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for one year or longer and had a total estimated fair value of $1.3 billion and gross unrealized losses of $22.1 million. All 396 securities were fixed maturities.

The Company completes a detailed analysis each quarter to assess whether the decline in the fair value of any investment below its cost basis is deemed other-than-temporary. All securities with unrealized losses are reviewed. The Company considers many factors in completing its quarterly review of securities with unrealized losses for other-than-temporary impairment, including the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. For equity securities, the ability and intent to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery is considered. For fixed maturities, the Company considers whether it intends to sell the security or if it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, the implied yield-to-maturity, the credit quality of the issuer and the ability to recover all amounts outstanding when contractually due.

For equity securities, a decline in fair value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. For fixed maturities where the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, a decline in fair value is considered to be other-than-temporary and is recognized in net income based on the fair value of the security at the time of assessment, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. If the decline in fair value of a fixed maturity below its amortized cost is considered to be other-than-temporary based upon other considerations, the Company compares the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected to the amortized cost of the security. The extent to which the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is less than the amortized cost of the security represents the credit-related portion of the other-than-temporary impairment, which is recognized in net income, resulting in a new cost basis for the security. Any remaining decline in fair value represents the non-credit portion of the other-than-temporary impairment, which is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The discount rate used to calculate the estimated present value of the cash flows expected to be collected is the effective interest rate implicit for the security at the date of purchase.

When assessing whether it intends to sell a fixed maturity or if it is likely to be required to sell a fixed maturity before recovery of its amortized cost, the Company evaluates facts and circumstances including decisions to reposition the investment portfolio, potential sales of investments to meet cash flow needs and, ultimately, current market prices.

c)The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at September 30, 2015 are shown below by contractual maturity.

(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	538,793	$	541,638
Due after one year through five years	1,899,246		1,950,115
Due after five years through ten years	1,655,136		1,753,390
Due after ten years	3,496,247		3,721,089
	7,589,422		7,966,232
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	441,814		451,515
Residential mortgage-backed securities	860,869		890,804
Asset-backed securities	45,470		45,400
Total fixed maturities	$	8,937,575	$	9,353,951

d)The following table presents the components of net investment income.

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Interest:
Municipal bonds (tax-exempt)	$	21,979		$	24,505		$	72,124		$	72,796
Municipal bonds (taxable)	14,667			13,523			42,917			35,133
Other taxable bonds	34,368			38,741			103,519			114,594
Short-term investments, including overnight deposits	1,287			1,530			3,654			4,612
Dividends on equity securities	17,887			14,678			55,544			46,042
Income (loss) from equity method investments	(4		)	2,253			3,052			7,294
Other	37			(266		)	577			1,436
	90,221			94,964			281,387			281,907
Investment expenses	(3,161		)	(3,868		)	(10,866		)	(11,927		)
Net investment income	$	87,060		$	91,096		$	270,521		$	269,980

e)Cumulative credit losses recognized in net income on fixed maturities where other-than-temporary impairment was identified and a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment was included in other comprehensive income (loss) were $10.7 million at September 30, 2015 and $12.7 million at December 31, 2014.

f)The following table presents net realized investment gains (losses) and the change in net unrealized gains on investments. 

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Realized gains:
Sales of fixed maturities	$	435		$	739		$	2,769		$	6,381
Sales of equity securities	11,329			10,793			34,285			36,942
Other	1,026			134			3,297			11,958
Total realized gains	12,790			11,666			40,351			55,281
Realized losses:
Sales of fixed maturities	(3,730		)	(1,658		)	(3,947		)	(17,805		)
Sales of equity securities	(400		)	(175		)	(672		)	(373		)
Other-than-temporary impairments	(18,281		)	(2,851		)	(23,373		)	(3,858		)
Other	(5,086		)	(2,787		)	(15,390		)	(4,536		)
Total realized losses	(27,497		)	(7,471		)	(43,382		)	(26,572		)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$	(14,707	)	$	4,195		$	(3,031	)	$	28,709
Change in net unrealized gains on investments:
Fixed maturities	$	102,844		$	41,615		$	(77,369	)	$	337,865
Equity securities	(313,075		)	(57,773		)	(319,522		)	160,936
Short-term investments	45			37			36			35
Net increase (decrease)	$	(210,186	)	$	(16,121	)	$	(396,855	)	$	498,836

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment losses totaled $18.3 million and were attributable to eight equity securities. The write downs for the quarter included $14.3 million related to equities in industrial, consumer, or other types of business and $4.0 million related to equities in insurance, banks, and other financial institutions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment losses totaled $23.4 million and were attributable to 16 equity securities. The write downs for the nine-month period included $18.8 million related to equities in industrial, consumer, or other types of business, and $4.6 million related to equities in insurance, banks, and other financial institutions. For the quarter ended September 30, 2014, other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment gains included losses attributable to fixed maturities totaling $0.1 million and losses attributable to equity securities totaling $2.7 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income and included in net realized investment gains included losses attributable to fixed maturities totaling $0.3 million and losses attributable to equity securities totaling $3.6 million.

g)The following table presents the components of restricted assets.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Restricted assets held in trust or on deposit to support underwriting activities	$	4,733,990	$	4,961,061
Investments and cash and cash equivalents pledged as security for letters of credit	654,208		635,340
Total	$	5,388,198	$	5,596,401

Total restricted assets are included on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as follows.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Investments, available-for-sale	$	5,016,404	$	5,040,413
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	371,794		522,225
Other assets	—		33,763
Total	$	5,388,198	$	5,596,401

XML

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	32.00%	21.00%	25.00%
U.S. statutory tax rate		35.00%	35.00%

XML

Investments (Schedule Of Amortized Cost And Estimated Fair Value Of Fixed Maturities By Contractual Maturity Date) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Due in one year or less, amortized cost	$ 538,793
Due after one year through five years, amortized cost	1,899,246
Due after five years through ten years, amortized cost	1,655,136
Due after ten years, amortized cost	3,496,247
Amortized cost, sub-total	7,589,422
Total fixed maturities, amortized cost	8,937,575	$ 9,929,137
Due in one year or less, estimated fair value	541,638
Due after one year through five years, estimated fair value	1,950,115
Due after five years through ten years, estimated fair value	1,753,390
Due after ten years, estimated fair value	3,721,089
Estimated fair value, sub-total	7,966,232
Total fixed maturities, estimated fair value	9,353,951	$ 10,422,882
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, amortized cost	441,814
Fixed maturities, estimated fair value	451,515
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, amortized cost	860,869
Fixed maturities, estimated fair value	890,804
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, amortized cost	45,470
Fixed maturities, estimated fair value	$ 45,400

XML

Investments (Summary Of Gross Unrealized Investment Losses By Length Of Time That Securities Have Continuously Been In An Unrealized Loss Position) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	$ 1,431,304	$ 697,102
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(87,741)	(13,139)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	837,464	1,333,930
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(13,855)	(22,079)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	2,268,768	2,031,032
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(101,596)	(35,218)
U.S. Treasury Securities And Obligations Of U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	72,511	108,250
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(1,265)	(62)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	93,566	163,359
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(280)	(2,101)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	166,077	271,609
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(1,545)	(2,163)
Obligations Of States, Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	297,670	58,583
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(5,618)	(542)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	59,482	92,441
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(3,070)	(2,817)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	357,152	151,024
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(8,688)	(3,359)
Foreign Governments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	27,208	18,856
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(594)	(386)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	41,433	56,217
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(232)	(655)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	68,641	75,073
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(826)	(1,041)
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	66,074	45,931
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(258)	(210)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	100,233	147,558
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(849)	(2,392)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	166,307	193,489
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(1,107)	(2,602)
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	24,353	9,613
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(2,321)	(2,285)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	147,001	207,374
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(2,016)	(3,455)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	171,354	216,987
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(4,337)	(5,740)
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	5,678	30,448
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(2)	(20)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	26,720	45,160
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(123)	(662)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	32,398	75,608
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(125)	(682)
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	270,889	141,176
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(6,364)	(2,263)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	343,268	621,821
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(5,604)	(9,997)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	614,157	762,997
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(11,968)	(12,260)
Total Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	764,383	412,857
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(16,422)	(5,768)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	811,703	1,333,930
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(12,174)	(22,079)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	1,576,086	1,746,787
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(28,596)	(27,847)
Insurance, Banks And Other Financial Institutions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	139,456	16,219
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(11,308)	(1,531)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	6,676	0
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(1,174)	0
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	146,132	16,219
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(12,482)	(1,531)
Industrial, Consumer And All Other [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	387,475	86,062
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(60,006)	(5,834)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	19,085	0
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(507)	0
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	406,560	86,062
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(60,513)	(5,834)
Total Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	526,931	102,281
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(71,314)	(7,365)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	25,761	0
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(1,681)	0
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	552,692	102,281
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(72,995)	(7,365)
Short-Term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, less than 12 months	139,990	181,964
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, less than 12 months	(5)	(6)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	0	0
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	139,990	181,964
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	$ (5)	$ (6)

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Net Income Per Share (Schedule Of Net Income Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net income to shareholders	$ 102,519	$ 75,803	$ 384,880	$ 203,587
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,376	(1,259)	3,091	(3,843)
Adjusted net income to shareholders	$ 103,895	$ 74,544	$ 387,971	$ 199,744
Basic common shares outstanding	13,983	13,981	13,977	13,986
Diluted shares outstanding	14,062	14,057	14,056	14,055
Basic net income per share	$ 7.43	$ 5.33	$ 27.76	$ 14.28
Diluted net income per share	$ 7.39	$ 5.30	$ 27.60	$ 14.21
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Dilutive potential common shares	8	11	9	11
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Dilutive potential common shares	71	65	70	58

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Investments (Components Of Net Investment Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Municipal bonds (tax-exempt)	$ 21,979	$ 24,505	$ 72,124	$ 72,796
Short-term investments, including overnight deposits	1,287	1,530	3,654	4,612
Dividends on equity securities	17,887	14,678	55,544	46,042
Income (loss) from equity method investments	(4)	2,253	3,052	7,294
Other	37	(266)	577	1,436
Total investment income	90,221	94,964	281,387	281,907
Investment expenses	(3,161)	(3,868)	(10,866)	(11,927)
Net investment income	87,060	91,096	270,521	269,980
Taxable Municipal Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Taxable bonds	14,667	13,523	42,917	35,133
Other Taxable Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Taxable bonds	$ 34,368	$ 38,741	$ 103,519	$ 114,594

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Investments (Summary Of Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) And The Change In Net Unrealized Gains On Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Realized gains	$ 12,790	$ 11,666	$ 40,351	$ 55,281
Realized losses	(27,497)	(7,471)	(43,382)	(26,572)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income	(18,281)	(2,851)	(23,373)	(3,858)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(14,707)	4,195	(3,031)	28,709
Change in net unrealized gains on investments	(210,186)	(16,121)	(396,855)	498,836
Sales Of Fixed Maturities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Realized gains	435	739	2,769	6,381
Realized losses	(3,730)	(1,658)	(3,947)	(17,805)
Sales Of Equity Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Realized gains	11,329	10,793	34,285	36,942
Realized losses	(400)	(175)	(672)	(373)
Other [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Realized gains	1,026	134	3,297	11,958
Realized losses	(5,086)	(2,787)	(15,390)	(4,536)
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income	0	(100)	0	(300)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments	102,844	41,615	(77,369)	337,865
Equity Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income	(18,300)	(2,700)	(23,400)	(3,600)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments	(313,075)	(57,773)	(319,522)	160,936
Short-Term Investments [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Change in net unrealized gains on investments	$ 45	$ 37	$ 36	$ 35

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which creates a new comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will serve as a single source of revenue guidance for all companies in all industries. The guidance applies to all companies that either enter into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enter into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards, such as insurance contracts. ASU No. 2014-09's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Deferral of the Effective Date, which deferred the original effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 by one year. As a result, ASU No. 2014-09 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2018 and may be applied retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative effect is recognized at the date of initial application. Early application is permitted, but not before the first quarter of 2017. The Company is currently evaluating ASU No. 2014-09 to determine the potential impact that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's insurance operations, but may impact the Company's non-insurance operations.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which changes the way reporting enterprises evaluate whether (a) they should consolidate limited partnerships and similar entities, (b) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a variable interest entity (VIE), and (c) variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of the reporting enterprise require the reporting enterprise to consolidate the VIE. It also eliminates the VIE consolidation model based on majority exposure to variability that applied to certain investment companies and similar entities. The ASU also significantly changes how to evaluate voting rights for entities that are not similar to limited partnerships when determining whether the entity is a VIE, which may affect entities for which the decision making rights are conveyed through a contractual arrangement. ASU No. 2015-02 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2016 and may be applied retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings is recognized as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Reporting enterprises may also restate previously issued financial statements for one or more years with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first year restated. Early adoption is allowed. The Company is currently evaluating ASU No. 2015-02 but does not expect adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The ASU requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability, similar to the presentation of debt discounts. The cost of issuing debt will no longer be recorded as a separate asset on the balance sheet. The amortization of debt issuance costs will continue to be included in interest expense. ASU No. 2015-03 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2016 and will be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, which clarifies that software licenses contained in a cloud computing arrangement should be capitalized if the customer has the right to take possession of the software and the ability to run the software outside of the cloud computing arrangement. ASU No. 2015-05 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2016 and may be applied prospectively or retrospectively. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-09, Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts. The ASU requires significant new disclosures for insurers relating to short-duration insurance contract claims and the unpaid claims liability rollforward for long and short-duration contracts. The guidance requires annual tabular disclosure, on a disaggregated basis, of undiscounted incurred and paid claim and allocated claim adjustment expense development by accident year, on a net basis after reinsurance, for up to 10 years. Tables must also include the total incurred but not reported claims liabilities, plus expected development on reported claims, and claims frequency for each accident year. A description of estimation methodologies and any significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the liability and frequency is also required. Based on the disaggregated claims information in the tables, disclosure of historical average annual percentage payout of incurred claims is also required. Interim period disclosures must include a tabular rollforward and related qualitative information for the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for both long-duration and short-duration contracts. ASU No. 2015-09 becomes effective for the Company during 2016, with interim disclosures required beginning in the first quarter of 2017. The ASU must be applied retrospectively by providing comparative disclosures for each period presented. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows, but will expand the nature and extent of its insurance contract disclosures, as described above.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The ASU changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value and eliminates the requirement to consider replacement cost or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin when measuring inventory. ASU 2015-11 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2016 and will be applied prospectively. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating ASU No. 2015-11 to determine the potential impact that adopting this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. Adoption of this ASU is not expected to impact the Company's insurance operations, but may impact the Company's non-insurance operations.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The ASU eliminates the requirement to retrospectively adjust the financial statements for measurement-period adjustments that occur in periods after a business combination is consummated. ASU 2015-16 becomes effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2016 and will be applied prospectively. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Investments Investments (Components Of Restricted Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Components Of Restricted Assets [Line Items]
Restricted assets	$ 5,388,198	$ 5,596,401
Held In Trust Or On Deposit [Member]
Components Of Restricted Assets [Line Items]
Restricted assets	4,733,990	4,961,061
Cash And Cash Equivalents And Securities Pledged As Collateral [Member]
Components Of Restricted Assets [Line Items]
Restricted assets	$ 654,208	$ 635,340

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Other Revenues And Other Expenses (Summary Of Other Revenues And Other Expenses By Component) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Revenues and Other Expenses [Line Items]
Other revenues	$ 306,736	$ 249,988	$ 817,151	$ 630,242
Other expenses	290,749	231,193	763,986	598,303
Insurance Operations [Member]
Other Revenues and Other Expenses [Line Items]
Other revenues	1,343	4,199	12,469	22,028
Other expenses	9,252	13,486	24,860	42,687
Non-Insurance Operations [Member]
Other Revenues and Other Expenses [Line Items]
Other revenues	305,393	245,789	804,682	608,214
Other expenses	281,497	217,707	739,126	555,616
Managing General Agent Operations [Member] | Insurance Operations [Member]
Other Revenues and Other Expenses [Line Items]
Other revenues	1,055	3,812	10,043	17,764
Other expenses	2,339	4,832	7,250	14,931
Life And Annuity [Member] | Insurance Operations [Member]
Other Revenues and Other Expenses [Line Items]
Other revenues	42	1,022	369	1,208
Other expenses	6,913	8,330	17,610	25,615
Other Insurance [Member] | Insurance Operations [Member]
Other Revenues and Other Expenses [Line Items]
Other revenues	246	(635)	2,057	3,056
Other expenses	0	324	0	2,141
Manufacturing [Member] | Non-Insurance Operations [Member] | Markel Ventures Operations [Member]
Other Revenues and Other Expenses [Line Items]
Other revenues	216,057	169,754	567,960	395,448
Other expenses	192,707	148,690	513,087	355,480
Non-Manufacturing [Member] | Non-Insurance Operations [Member] | Markel Ventures Operations [Member]
Other Revenues and Other Expenses [Line Items]
Other revenues	83,098	70,303	216,191	199,457
Other expenses	83,104	64,728	209,947	185,648
Other Non-Insurance [Member] | Non-Insurance Operations [Member]
Other Revenues and Other Expenses [Line Items]
Other revenues	6,238	5,732	20,531	13,309
Other expenses	$ 5,686	$ 4,289	$ 16,092	$ 14,488

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Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $8,937,575 in 2015 and $9,929,137 in 2014)	$ 9,353,951	$ 10,422,882
Equity securities (cost of $2,290,017 in 2015 and $1,951,658 in 2014)	4,156,413	4,137,576
Short-term investments (estimated fair value approximates cost)	2,323,983	1,594,849
Total Investments	15,834,347	16,155,307
Cash and cash equivalents	2,261,201	1,960,169
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	371,794	522,225
Receivables	1,249,429	1,135,217
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	1,973,249	1,868,669
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	85,896	102,206
Deferred policy acquisition costs	379,767	353,410
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	367,626	365,458
Goodwill	1,043,713	1,049,115
Intangible assets	652,667	702,747
Other assets	961,884	985,834
Total Assets	25,181,573	25,200,357
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	10,388,209	10,404,152
Life and annuity benefits	1,159,901	1,305,818
Unearned premiums	2,377,904	2,245,690
Payables to insurance and reinsurance companies	318,078	276,122
Senior long-term debt and other debt (estimated fair value of $2,441,000 in 2015 and $2,493,000 in 2014)	2,240,517	2,253,594
Other liabilities	942,873	1,051,931
Total Liabilities	17,427,482	17,537,307
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 50,584	$ 61,048
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	$ 3,335,208	$ 3,308,395
Retained earnings	2,942,606	2,581,866
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,417,416	1,704,557
Total Shareholders' Equity	7,695,230	7,594,818
Noncontrolling interests	8,277	7,184
Total Equity	7,703,507	7,602,002
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 25,181,573	$ 25,200,357

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Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Change In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income By Component, Net Of Taxes And Noncontrolling Interest) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance	$ 1,704,557	$ 1,089,805
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(280,511)	328,564
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(6,630)	(14,788)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(287,141)	313,776
Accumulated other comprehensive income, ending balance	1,417,416	1,403,581
Unrealized Holding Gains On Available-For-Sale Securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance	1,793,254	1,131,507
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(258,275)	348,214
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(8,037)	(15,752)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(266,312)	332,462
Accumulated other comprehensive income, ending balance	1,526,942	1,463,969
Foreign Currency [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance	(43,491)	(11,246)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(22,236)	(19,650)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(22,236)	(19,650)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, ending balance	(65,727)	(30,896)
Net Actuarial Pension Loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, beginning balance	(45,206)	(30,456)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,407	964
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,407	964
Accumulated other comprehensive income, ending balance	$ (43,799)	$ (29,492)

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Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 390,869	$ 205,466
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	159,516	331,162
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	550,385	536,628
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities	211,479	1,183,237
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of fixed maturities	1,162,500	1,110,128
Cost of fixed maturities and equity securities purchased	(928,601)	(2,687,075)
Net change in short-term investments	(687,673)	(213,618)
Proceeds from sales of equity method investments	22,204	101,938
Cost of equity method investments	(21,464)	(9,441)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	136,203	203,635
Additions to property and equipment	(62,055)	(52,350)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(316,307)
Other	(761)	(1,487)
Net Cash Used By Investing Activities	(168,168)	(681,340)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Additions to senior long-term debt and other debt	49,771	64,075
Repayment of senior long-term debt and other debt	(55,743)	(40,397)
Repurchases of common stock	(27,262)	(25,922)
Issuance of common stock	3,971	4,960
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(12,474)	(25,918)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,724)	(3,463)
Other	(11,220)	(20,074)
Net Cash Used By Financing Activities	(56,681)	(46,739)
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(24,504)	(21,484)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	301,032	(212,935)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,960,169	1,978,526
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$ 2,261,201	$ 1,765,591

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Fair Value Measurements (Balances Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	$ 9,353,951	$ 10,422,882
Total equity securities	4,156,413	4,137,576
Short-term investments	2,323,983	1,594,849
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	15,834,347	16,155,307
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	9,353,951	10,422,882
U.S. Treasury Securities And Obligations Of U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	708,795	673,262
Obligations Of States, Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	3,956,324	4,317,547
Foreign Governments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	1,477,132	1,611,921
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	451,515	430,627
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	890,804	982,847
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	45,400	99,490
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	1,823,981	2,307,188
Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	4,156,413	4,137,576
Insurance, Banks And Other Financial Institutions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	1,275,409	1,311,925
Industrial, Consumer And All Other [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	2,881,004	2,825,651
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	9,353,951	10,422,882
Total equity securities	4,156,413	4,137,576
Short-term investments	2,323,983	1,594,849
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	15,834,347	16,155,307
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Total equity securities	4,156,413	4,137,576
Short-term investments	2,224,533	1,469,975
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	6,380,946	5,607,551
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	9,353,951	10,422,882
Total equity securities	0	0
Short-term investments	99,450	124,874
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	9,453,401	10,547,756
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Total equity securities	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury Securities And Obligations Of U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	708,795	673,262
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury Securities And Obligations Of U.S. Government Agencies [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury Securities And Obligations Of U.S. Government Agencies [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	708,795	673,262
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury Securities And Obligations Of U.S. Government Agencies [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Obligations Of States, Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	3,956,324	4,317,547
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Obligations Of States, Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Obligations Of States, Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	3,956,324	4,317,547
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Obligations Of States, Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	1,477,132	1,611,921
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	1,477,132	1,611,921
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	451,515	430,627
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	451,515	430,627
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	890,804	982,847
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	890,804	982,847
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	45,400	99,490
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	45,400	99,490
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	1,823,981	2,307,188
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	1,823,981	2,307,188
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Insurance, Banks And Other Financial Institutions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total equity securities	1,275,409	1,311,925
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Insurance, Banks And Other Financial Institutions [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total equity securities	1,275,409	1,311,925
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Insurance, Banks And Other Financial Institutions [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total equity securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Insurance, Banks And Other Financial Institutions [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total equity securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Industrial, Consumer And All Other [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total equity securities	2,881,004	2,825,651
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Industrial, Consumer And All Other [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total equity securities	2,881,004	2,825,651
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Industrial, Consumer And All Other [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total equity securities	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Industrial, Consumer And All Other [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total equity securities	$ 0	$ 0

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Other Revenues And Other Expenses (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Summary Of Other Revenues And Other Expenses By Component

The following tables summarize the components of other revenues and other expenses.

	Quarter Ended September 30,
	2015				2014
(dollars in thousands)	Other Revenues		Other Expenses		Other Revenues			Other Expenses
Insurance:
Managing general agent operations	$	1,055	$	2,339	$	3,812		$	4,832
Life and annuity	42		6,913		1,022			8,330
Other	246		—		(635		)	324
	1,343		9,252		4,199			13,486
Non-Insurance:
Markel Ventures: Manufacturing	216,057		192,707		169,754			148,690
Markel Ventures: Non-Manufacturing	83,098		83,104		70,303			64,728
Other	6,238		5,686		5,732			4,289
	305,393		281,497		245,789			217,707
Total	$	306,736	$	290,749	$	249,988		$	231,193

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015				2014
(dollars in thousands)	Other Revenues		Other Expenses		Other Revenues		Other Expenses
Insurance:
Managing general agent operations	$	10,043	$	7,250	$	17,764	$	14,931
Life and annuity	369		17,610		1,208		25,615
Other	2,057		—		3,056		2,141
	12,469		24,860		22,028		42,687
Non-Insurance:
Markel Ventures: Manufacturing	567,960		513,087		395,448		355,480
Markel Ventures: Non-Manufacturing	216,191		209,947		199,457		185,648
Other	20,531		16,092		13,309		14,488
	804,682		739,126		608,214		555,616
Total	$	817,151	$	763,986	$	630,242	$	598,303

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Segment Reporting Disclosures (Company's Segment Disclosures) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) segment	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable ongoing underwriting segments | segment				3
Gross premium volume		$ 1,158,364	$ 1,096,450	$ 3,676,623	$ 3,799,585
Net written premiums		953,184	881,781	3,022,958	3,105,423
Earned premiums		963,675	954,007	2,864,882	2,868,981
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, current accident year		(647,852)	(664,198)	(1,927,047)	(1,983,800)
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, prior accident years		163,115	93,232	459,121	260,125
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(365,619)	(350,493)	(1,085,956)	(1,071,985)
Underwriting profit (loss)		113,319	32,548	311,000	73,321
Net investment income		87,060	91,096	270,521	269,980
Net realized investment gains (losses)		(14,707)	4,195	(3,031)	28,709
Other revenues (insurance)		1,343	4,199	12,469	22,028
Other expenses (insurance)		(9,252)	(13,486)	(24,860)	(42,687)
Segment profit (loss)		177,763	118,552	566,099	351,351
Other revenues (non-insurance)		305,393	245,789	804,682	608,214
Other expenses (non-insurance)		(281,497)	(217,707)	(739,126)	(555,616)
Amortization of intangible assets		(18,914)	(13,505)	(50,503)	(40,992)
Interest expense		(30,064)	(29,648)	(88,664)	(89,136)
Income Before Income Taxes		$ 152,681	$ 103,481	$ 492,488	$ 273,821
U.S. GAAP combined ratio	[1]	88.00%	97.00%	89.00%	97.00%
U.S. Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross premium volume		$ 635,926	$ 619,510	$ 1,890,144	$ 1,876,114
Net written premiums		536,285	520,511	1,587,092	1,554,847
Earned premiums		534,615	516,753	1,569,615	1,499,571
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, current accident year		(357,400)	(348,877)	(1,015,492)	(997,804)
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, prior accident years		74,976	60,944	211,177	142,381
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(200,272)	(202,765)	(597,388)	(595,208)
Underwriting profit (loss)		51,919	26,055	167,912	48,940
Net investment income		0	0	0	0
Net realized investment gains (losses)		0	0	0	0
Other revenues (insurance)		(41)	563	3,564	3,333
Other expenses (insurance)		(960)	(1,325)	(3,149)	(4,436)
Segment profit (loss)		$ 50,918	$ 25,293	$ 168,327	$ 47,837
U.S. GAAP combined ratio	[1]	90.00%	95.00%	89.00%	97.00%
International Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross premium volume		$ 284,576	$ 271,045	$ 911,962	$ 924,401
Net written premiums		213,423	194,639	700,260	694,311
Earned premiums		225,034	216,764	654,936	678,772
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, current accident year		(162,024)	(160,132)	(479,764)	(495,441)
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, prior accident years		57,860	30,791	177,883	102,658
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(92,680)	(81,706)	(266,091)	(250,157)
Underwriting profit (loss)		28,190	5,717	86,964	35,832
Net investment income		0	0	0	0
Net realized investment gains (losses)		0	0	0	0
Other revenues (insurance)		1,096	3,478	7,398	15,183
Other expenses (insurance)		(1,379)	(3,831)	(4,101)	(11,539)
Segment profit (loss)		$ 27,907	$ 5,364	$ 90,261	$ 39,476
U.S. GAAP combined ratio	[1]	87.00%	97.00%	87.00%	95.00%
Reinsurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross premium volume		$ 239,094	$ 206,125	$ 875,676	$ 999,036
Net written premiums		204,336	166,848	736,068	855,930
Earned premiums		204,825	220,513	640,719	690,117
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, current accident year		(128,428)	(155,189)	(431,791)	(490,555)
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, prior accident years		24,241	8,258	65,746	49,811
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(72,449)	(65,874)	(222,172)	(226,109)
Underwriting profit (loss)		28,189	7,708	52,502	23,264
Net investment income		0	0	0	0
Net realized investment gains (losses)		0	0	0	0
Other revenues (insurance)		246	(864)	1,138	2,304
Other expenses (insurance)		0	0	0	(1,097)
Segment profit (loss)		$ 28,435	$ 6,844	$ 53,640	$ 24,471
U.S. GAAP combined ratio	[1]	86.00%	97.00%	92.00%	97.00%
Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross premium volume		$ (1,232)	$ (230)	$ (1,159)	$ 34
Net written premiums		(860)	(217)	(462)	335
Earned premiums		(799)	(23)	(388)	521
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, current accident year		0	0	0	0
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, prior accident years		6,038	(6,761)	4,315	(34,725)
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		(218)	(148)	(305)	(511)
Underwriting profit (loss)		5,021	(6,932)	3,622	(34,715)
Net investment income		0	0	0	0
Net realized investment gains (losses)		0	0	0	0
Other revenues (insurance)		42	1,022	369	1,208
Other expenses (insurance)		(6,913)	(8,330)	(17,610)	(25,615)
Segment profit (loss)		$ (1,850)	$ (14,240)	$ (13,619)	$ (59,122)
U.S. GAAP combined ratio - not meaniningful	[1],[2]	NM	NM	NM	NM
Investing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Gross premium volume		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Net written premiums		0	0	0	0
Earned premiums		0	0	0	0
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, current accident year		0	0	0	0
Losses and loss adjustment expenses, prior accident years		0	0	0	0
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses		0	0	0	0
Underwriting profit (loss)		0	0	0	0
Net investment income		87,060	91,096	270,521	269,980
Net realized investment gains (losses)		(14,707)	4,195	(3,031)	28,709
Other revenues (insurance)		0	0	0	0
Other expenses (insurance)		0	0	0	0
Segment profit (loss)		$ 72,353	$ 95,291	$ 267,490	$ 298,689

[1] The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums.

[2] NM – Ratio is not meaningful.

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Net Income Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule Of Net Income Per Share

Net income per share was determined by dividing adjusted net income to shareholders by the applicable weighted average shares outstanding.Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing adjusted net income to shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period.

	Quarter Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2015		2014			2015		2014
Net income to shareholders	$	102,519	$	75,803		$	384,880	$	203,587
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,376		(1,259		)	3,091		(3,843		)
Adjusted net income to shareholders	$	103,895	$	74,544		$	387,971	$	199,744
Basic common shares outstanding	13,983		13,981			13,977		13,986
Dilutive potential common shares from conversion of options	8		11			9		11
Dilutive potential common shares from conversion of restricted stock	71		65			70		58
Diluted shares outstanding	14,062		14,057			14,056		14,055
Basic net income per share	$	7.43	$	5.33		$	27.76	$	14.28
Diluted net income per share	$	7.39	$	5.30		$	27.60	$	14.21

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Basis Of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis Of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Markel Corporation is a diverse financial holding company serving a variety of niche markets. Markel Corporation's principal business markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs. Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Markel Ventures, Inc. (Markel Ventures), Markel Corporation also owns interests in various industrial and service businesses that operate outside of the specialty insurance marketplace.

The consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2015, the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (loss) for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated statements of changes in equity and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of such consolidated financial statements have been included. Such adjustments consist only of normal, recurring items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for the entire year. The consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 was derived from Markel Corporation's audited annual consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of Markel Corporation and its subsidiaries (the Company). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company consolidates the results of its Markel Ventures subsidiaries on a one-month lag. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by Form 10-Q and do not contain certain information included in the Company's annual consolidated financial statements and notes. Readers are urged to review the Company's 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more complete description of the Company's business and accounting policies.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Fixed maturities, amortized cost	$ 8,937,575	$ 9,929,137
Equity securities, cost	2,290,017	1,951,658
Senior long-term debt and other debt, estimated fair value	$ 2,441,000	$ 2,493,000

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Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other comprehensive income (loss) includes net holding gains (losses) arising during the period, changes in unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities arising during the period and reclassification adjustments for net gains included in net income. Other comprehensive income (loss) also includes changes in foreign currency translation adjustments and changes in net actuarial pension loss.

The following table presents the change in accumulated other comprehensive income by component, net of taxes and noncontrolling interests, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

(dollars in thousands)	Unrealized Holding Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities			Foreign Currency			Net Actuarial Pension Loss			Total
December 31, 2013	$	1,131,507		$	(11,246	)	$	(30,456	)	$	1,089,805
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	348,214			(19,650		)	—			328,564
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(15,752		)	—			964			(14,788		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	332,462			(19,650		)	964			313,776
September 30, 2014	$	1,463,969		$	(30,896	)	$	(29,492	)	$	1,403,581
December 31, 2014	$	1,793,254		$	(43,491	)	$	(45,206	)	$	1,704,557
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(258,275		)	(22,236		)	—			(280,511		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(8,037		)	—			1,407			(6,630		)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(266,312		)	(22,236		)	1,407			(287,141		)
September 30, 2015	$	1,526,942		$	(65,727	)	$	(43,799	)	$	1,417,416

The following table summarizes the tax expense (benefit) associated with each component of other comprehensive income (loss).

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Change in net unrealized gains on investments:
Net holding gains (losses) arising during the period	$	(71,549	)	$	(1,895	)	$	(129,546	)	$	171,309
Change in unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities arising during the period	(10		)	31			28			600
Reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income	4,647			(1,858		)	(1,025		)	(5,535		)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments	(66,912		)	(3,722		)	(130,543		)	166,374
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments	829			43			1,662			1,509
Change in net actuarial pension loss	119			80			352			241
Total	$	(65,964	)	$	(3,599	)	$	(128,529	)	$	168,124

The following table presents the details of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income, by component.

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities:
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	$	(18,281	)	$	(2,851	)	$	(23,373	)	$	(3,858	)
Net realized investment gains, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses	7,634			9,699			32,435			25,145
Total before taxes	(10,647		)	6,848			9,062			21,287
Income taxes	4,647			(1,858		)	(1,025		)	(5,535		)
Reclassification of unrealized holding gains (losses), net of taxes	$	(6,000	)	$	4,990		$	8,037		$	15,752
Net actuarial pension loss:
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	$	(594	)	$	(400	)	$	(1,759	)	$	(1,205	)
Income taxes	119			80			352			241
Reclassification of net actuarial pension loss, net of taxes	$	(475	)	$	(320	)	$	(1,407	)	$	(964	)

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Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Oct. 28, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Registrant Name	MARKEL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001096343
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		13,950,253

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Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies arise in the normal course of the Company's operations and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

On September 9, 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase substantially all of the assets of CATCo Investment Management, Ltd. (CATCo IM) and CATCo-Re Ltd. CATCo IM is a leading insurance-linked securities investment manager and reinsurance manager headquartered in Bermuda focused on building and managing highly diversified, collateralized retrocession and reinsurance portfolios covering global property catastrophe risks. The total purchase price for the acquired assets is expected to be approximately $200 million, all of which is expected to be paid in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2015 and is subject to completion of various conditions and regulatory approvals.

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Consolidated Statements Of Income And Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
OPERATING REVENUES
Earned premiums	$ 963,675	$ 954,007	$ 2,864,882	$ 2,868,981
Net investment income	87,060	91,096	270,521	269,980
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	(18,281)	(2,851)	(23,373)	(3,858)
Net realized investment gains, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses	3,574	7,046	20,342	32,567
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(14,707)	4,195	(3,031)	28,709
Other revenues	306,736	249,988	817,151	630,242
Total Operating Revenues	1,342,764	1,299,286	3,949,523	3,797,912
OPERATING EXPENSES
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	484,737	570,966	1,467,926	1,723,675
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	365,619	350,493	1,085,956	1,071,985
Amortization of intangible assets	18,914	13,505	50,503	40,992
Other expenses	290,749	231,193	763,986	598,303
Total Operating Expenses	1,160,019	1,166,157	3,368,371	3,434,955
Operating Income	182,745	133,129	581,152	362,957
Interest expense	30,064	29,648	88,664	89,136
Income Before Income Taxes	152,681	103,481	492,488	273,821
Income tax expense	48,271	26,657	101,619	68,355
Net Income	104,410	76,824	390,869	205,466
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,891	1,021	5,989	1,879
Net Income to Shareholders	102,519	75,803	384,880	203,587
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net holding gains (losses) arising during the period	(149,266)	(7,532)	(258,386)	348,096
Change in unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities arising during the period	(8)	123	111	118
Reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income	6,000	(4,990)	(8,037)	(15,752)
Change in net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes	(143,274)	(12,399)	(266,312)	332,462
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	(10,854)	(27,223)	(22,283)	(19,639)
Change in net actuarial pension loss, net of taxes	475	320	1,407	964
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(153,653)	(39,302)	(287,188)	313,787
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(49,243)	37,522	103,681	519,253
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,900	1,020	5,942	1,890
Comprehensive Income (Loss) to Shareholders	$ (51,143)	$ 36,502	$ 97,739	$ 517,363
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 7.43	$ 5.33	$ 27.76	$ 14.28
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 7.39	$ 5.30	$ 27.60	$ 14.21

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Senior Long-Term Debt And Other Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Senior Long-Term Debt And Other Debt

Senior Long-Term Debt and Other Debt

Alterra Capital Holdings Limited and Markel Bermuda Limited are party to a secured credit facility, which expires on December 15, 2015. On May 19, 2015, the Company reduced the capacity of the secured credit facility from $650 million to $550 million. On October 19, 2015, the Company further reduced the capacity of the secured credit facility to $450 million.

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Segment Reporting Disclosures

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosures

Segment Reporting Disclosures

The Company monitors and reports its ongoing underwriting operations in the following three segments: U.S. Insurance, International Insurance and Reinsurance. In determining how to aggregate and monitor its underwriting results, the Company considers many factors, including the geographic location and regulatory environment of the insurance entity underwriting the risk, the nature of the insurance product sold, the type of account written and the type of customer served. The U.S. Insurance segment includes all direct business and facultative placements written by the Company's insurance subsidiaries domiciled in the United States. The International Insurance segment includes all direct business and facultative placements written by the Company's insurance subsidiaries domiciled outside of the United States, including the Company's syndicate at Lloyd's of London. The Reinsurance segment includes all treaty reinsurance written across the Company. Results for lines of business discontinued prior to, or in conjunction with, acquisitions, including the results attributable to the run-off of life and annuity reinsurance business, are reported in the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment. All investing activities related to the Company's insurance operations are included in the Investing segment.

The Company's non-insurance operations include the Company's Markel Ventures operations, which primarily consist of controlling interests in various industrial and service businesses. The Company's non-insurance operations also include the results of the Company's legal and professional consulting services. For purposes of segment reporting, the Company's non-insurance operations are not considered to be a reportable segment.

Segment profit for the Investing segment is measured by net investment income and net realized investment gains or losses. Segment profit or loss for each of the Company's underwriting segments is measured by underwriting profit or loss. The property and casualty insurance industry commonly defines underwriting profit or loss as earned premiums net of losses and loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses. Underwriting profit or loss does not replace operating income or net income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of profitability. Underwriting profit or loss provides a basis for management to evaluate the Company's underwriting performance. Segment profit or loss for the Company's underwriting segments also includes other revenues and other expenses, primarily related to the run-off of managing general agent operations that were discontinued in conjunction with acquisitions. Other revenues and other expenses in the Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segment are comprised of the results attributable to the run-off of life and annuity reinsurance business.

For management reporting purposes, the Company allocates assets to its underwriting, investing and non-insurance operations. Underwriting assets are all assets not specifically allocated to the Investing segment or to the Company's non-insurance operations. Underwriting and investing assets are not allocated to the U.S. Insurance, International Insurance, Reinsurance or Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines) segments since the Company does not manage its assets by underwriting segment. The Company does not allocate capital expenditures for long-lived assets to any of its underwriting segments for management reporting purposes.

a)The following tables summarize the Company's segment disclosures.

	Quarter Ended September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing			Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	635,926		$	284,576		$	239,094		$	(1,232	)		$	—		$	1,158,364
Net written premiums	536,285			213,423			204,336			(860		)		—			953,184
Earned premiums	534,615			225,034			204,825			(799		)		—			963,675
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(357,400		)	(162,024		)	(128,428		)	—				—			(647,852		)
Prior accident years	74,976			57,860			24,241			6,038				—			163,115
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(200,272		)	(92,680		)	(72,449		)	(218		)		—			(365,619		)
Underwriting profit	51,919			28,190			28,189			5,021				—			113,319
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				87,060			87,060
Net realized investment losses	—			—			—			—				(14,707		)	(14,707		)
Other revenues (insurance)	(41		)	1,096			246			42				—			1,343
Other expenses (insurance)	(960		)	(1,379		)	—			(6,913		)		—			(9,252		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	50,918		$	27,907		$	28,435		$	(1,850	)		$	72,353		$	177,763
Other revenues (non-insurance)																	305,393
Other expenses (non-insurance)																	(281,497		)
Amortization of intangible assets																	(18,914		)
Interest expense																	(30,064		)
Income before income taxes																	$	152,681
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	90		%	87		%	86		%	NM			(2)				88		%

	Quarter Ended September 30, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing		Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	619,510		$	271,045		$	206,125		$	(230	)		$	—	$	1,096,450
Net written premiums	520,511			194,639			166,848			(217		)		—		881,781
Earned premiums	516,753			216,764			220,513			(23		)		—		954,007
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(348,877		)	(160,132		)	(155,189		)	—				—		(664,198		)
Prior accident years	60,944			30,791			8,258			(6,761		)		—		93,232
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(202,765		)	(81,706		)	(65,874		)	(148		)		—		(350,493		)
Underwriting profit (loss)	26,055			5,717			7,708			(6,932		)		—		32,548
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				91,096		91,096
Net realized investment gains	—			—			—			—				4,195		4,195
Other revenues (insurance)	563			3,478			(864		)	1,022				—		4,199
Other expenses (insurance)	(1,325		)	(3,831		)	—			(8,330		)		—		(13,486		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	25,293		$	5,364		$	6,844		$	(14,240	)		$	95,291	$	118,552
Other revenues (non-insurance)																245,789
Other expenses (non-insurance)																(217,707		)
Amortization of intangible assets																(13,505		)
Interest expense																(29,648		)
Income before income taxes																$	103,481
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	95		%	97		%	97		%	NM			(2)			97		%

⁽¹⁾  The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums.

⁽²⁾  NM – Ratio is not meaningful.

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing			Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	1,890,144		$	911,962		$	875,676		$	(1,159	)		$	—		$	3,676,623
Net written premiums	1,587,092			700,260			736,068			(462		)		—			3,022,958
Earned premiums	1,569,615			654,936			640,719			(388		)		—			2,864,882
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(1,015,492		)	(479,764		)	(431,791		)	—				—			(1,927,047		)
Prior accident years	211,177			177,883			65,746			4,315				—			459,121
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(597,388		)	(266,091		)	(222,172		)	(305		)		—			(1,085,956		)
Underwriting profit	167,912			86,964			52,502			3,622				—			311,000
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				270,521			270,521
Net realized investment losses	—			—			—			—				(3,031		)	(3,031		)
Other revenues (insurance)	3,564			7,398			1,138			369				—			12,469
Other expenses (insurance)	(3,149		)	(4,101		)	—			(17,610		)		—			(24,860		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	168,327		$	90,261		$	53,640		$	(13,619	)		$	267,490		$	566,099
Other revenues (non-insurance)																	804,682
Other expenses (non-insurance)																	(739,126		)
Amortization of intangible assets																	(50,503		)
Interest expense																	(88,664		)
Income before income taxes																	$	492,488
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	89		%	87		%	92		%	NM			(2)				89		%

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing		Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	1,876,114		$	924,401		$	999,036		$	34			$	—	$	3,799,585
Net written premiums	1,554,847			694,311			855,930			335				—		3,105,423
Earned premiums	1,499,571			678,772			690,117			521				—		2,868,981
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(997,804		)	(495,441		)	(490,555		)	—				—		(1,983,800		)
Prior accident years	142,381			102,658			49,811			(34,725		)		—		260,125
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(595,208		)	(250,157		)	(226,109		)	(511		)		—		(1,071,985		)
Underwriting profit (loss)	48,940			35,832			23,264			(34,715		)		—		73,321
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				269,980		269,980
Net realized investment gains	—			—			—			—				28,709		28,709
Other revenues (insurance)	3,333			15,183			2,304			1,208				—		22,028
Other expenses (insurance)	(4,436		)	(11,539		)	(1,097		)	(25,615		)		—		(42,687		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	47,837		$	39,476		$	24,471		$	(59,122	)		$	298,689	$	351,351
Other revenues (non-insurance)																608,214
Other expenses (non-insurance)																(555,616		)
Amortization of intangible assets																(40,992		)
Interest expense																(89,136		)
Income before income taxes																$	273,821
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	97		%	95		%	97		%	NM			(2)			97		%

⁽¹⁾  The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums.

⁽²⁾  NM – Ratio is not meaningful.

b) The following table reconciles segment assets to the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Segment assets:
Investing	$	18,342,049	$	18,531,150
Underwriting	5,620,534		5,422,445
Total segment assets	23,962,583		23,953,595
Non-insurance operations	1,218,990		1,246,762
Total assets	$	25,181,573	$	25,200,357

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Reinsurance (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]

Effect Of Reinsurance And Retrocessional Reinsurance On Premiums Written And Earned

The following tables summarize the effect of reinsurance and retrocessional reinsurance on premiums written and earned.

	Quarter Ended September 30,
	2015						2014
(dollars in thousands)	Written			Earned			Written			Earned
Direct	$	878,269		$	881,512		$	841,582		$	875,191
Assumed	280,095			293,481			254,868			301,665
Ceded	(205,180		)	(211,318		)	(214,669		)	(222,849		)
Net premiums	$	953,184		$	963,675		$	881,781		$	954,007

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015						2014
(dollars in thousands)	Written			Earned			Written			Earned
Direct	$	2,631,734		$	2,601,458		$	2,613,339		$	2,556,350
Assumed	1,044,889			910,640			1,186,246			985,981
Ceded	(653,665		)	(647,216		)	(694,162		)	(673,350		)
Net premiums	$	3,022,958		$	2,864,882		$	3,105,423		$	2,868,981

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Investments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Available-For-Sale Investments

The following tables summarize the Company's available-for-sale investments.

	September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Unrealized Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	696,980	$	13,360	$	(1,545	)	$	—		$	708,795
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	3,766,517		198,495		(8,688		)	—			3,956,324
Foreign governments	1,338,511		139,447		(826		)	—			1,477,132
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	441,814		10,808		(1,107		)	—			451,515
Residential mortgage-backed securities	860,869		34,272		(2,079		)	(2,258		)	890,804
Asset-backed securities	45,470		55		(125		)	—			45,400
Corporate bonds	1,787,414		48,535		(10,288		)	(1,680		)	1,823,981
Total fixed maturities	8,937,575		444,972		(24,658		)	(3,938		)	9,353,951
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	629,814		658,077		(12,482		)	—			1,275,409
Industrial, consumer and all other	1,660,203		1,281,314		(60,513		)	—			2,881,004
Total equity securities	2,290,017		1,939,391		(72,995		)	—			4,156,413
Short-term investments	2,323,917		71		(5		)	—			2,323,983
Investments, available-for-sale	$	13,551,509	$	2,384,434	$	(97,658	)	$	(3,938	)	$	15,834,347

	December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Unrealized Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	662,462	$	12,963	$	(2,163	)	$	—		$	673,262
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	4,075,748		245,158		(3,359		)	—			4,317,547
Foreign governments	1,458,255		154,707		(1,041		)	—			1,611,921
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	427,904		5,325		(2,602		)	—			430,627
Residential mortgage-backed securities	954,263		34,324		(3,482		)	(2,258		)	982,847
Asset-backed securities	100,073		99		(682		)	—			99,490
Corporate bonds	2,250,432		69,016		(10,441		)	(1,819		)	2,307,188
Total fixed maturities	9,929,137		521,592		(23,770		)	(4,077		)	10,422,882
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	523,739		789,717		(1,531		)	—			1,311,925
Industrial, consumer and all other	1,427,919		1,403,566		(5,834		)	—			2,825,651
Total equity securities	1,951,658		2,193,283		(7,365		)	—			4,137,576
Short-term investments	1,594,819		36		(6		)	—			1,594,849
Investments, available-for-sale	$	13,475,614	$	2,714,911	$	(31,141	)	$	(4,077	)	$	16,155,307

Summary Of Gross Unrealized Investment Losses By Length Of Time That Securities Have Continuously Been In An Unrealized Loss Position

	December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(dollars in thousands)	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	108,250	$	(62	)	$	163,359	$	(2,101	)	$	271,609	$	(2,163	)
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	58,583		(542		)	92,441		(2,817		)	151,024		(3,359		)
Foreign governments	18,856		(386		)	56,217		(655		)	75,073		(1,041		)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	45,931		(210		)	147,558		(2,392		)	193,489		(2,602		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities	9,613		(2,285		)	207,374		(3,455		)	216,987		(5,740		)
Asset-backed securities	30,448		(20		)	45,160		(662		)	75,608		(682		)
Corporate bonds	141,176		(2,263		)	621,821		(9,997		)	762,997		(12,260		)
Total fixed maturities	412,857		(5,768		)	1,333,930		(22,079		)	1,746,787		(27,847		)
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	16,219		(1,531		)	—		—			16,219		(1,531		)
Industrial, consumer and all other	86,062		(5,834		)	—		—			86,062		(5,834		)
Total equity securities	102,281		(7,365		)	—		—			102,281		(7,365		)
Short-term investments	181,964		(6		)	—		—			181,964		(6		)
Total	$	697,102	$	(13,139	)	$	1,333,930	$	(22,079	)	$	2,031,032	$	(35,218	)

The following tables summarize gross unrealized investment losses by the length of time that securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position.

	September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months					12 months or longer					Total
(dollars in thousands)	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Holding and Other-Than- Temporary Impairment Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	72,511	$	(1,265	)	$	93,566	$	(280	)	$	166,077	$	(1,545	)
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	297,670		(5,618		)	59,482		(3,070		)	357,152		(8,688		)
Foreign governments	27,208		(594		)	41,433		(232		)	68,641		(826		)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	66,074		(258		)	100,233		(849		)	166,307		(1,107		)
Residential mortgage-backed securities	24,353		(2,321		)	147,001		(2,016		)	171,354		(4,337		)
Asset-backed securities	5,678		(2		)	26,720		(123		)	32,398		(125		)
Corporate bonds	270,889		(6,364		)	343,268		(5,604		)	614,157		(11,968		)
Total fixed maturities	764,383		(16,422		)	811,703		(12,174		)	1,576,086		(28,596		)
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	139,456		(11,308		)	6,676		(1,174		)	146,132		(12,482		)
Industrial, consumer and all other	387,475		(60,006		)	19,085		(507		)	406,560		(60,513		)
Total equity securities	526,931		(71,314		)	25,761		(1,681		)	552,692		(72,995		)
Short-term investments	139,990		(5		)	—		—			139,990		(5		)
Total	$	1,431,304	$	(87,741	)	$	837,464	$	(13,855	)	$	2,268,768	$	(101,596	)

Schedule Of Amortized Cost And Estimated Fair Value Of Fixed Maturities By Contractual Maturity Date

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturities at September 30, 2015 are shown below by contractual maturity.

(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	538,793	$	541,638
Due after one year through five years	1,899,246		1,950,115
Due after five years through ten years	1,655,136		1,753,390
Due after ten years	3,496,247		3,721,089
	7,589,422		7,966,232
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	441,814		451,515
Residential mortgage-backed securities	860,869		890,804
Asset-backed securities	45,470		45,400
Total fixed maturities	$	8,937,575	$	9,353,951

Components Of Net Investment Income

The following table presents the components of net investment income.

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Interest:
Municipal bonds (tax-exempt)	$	21,979		$	24,505		$	72,124		$	72,796
Municipal bonds (taxable)	14,667			13,523			42,917			35,133
Other taxable bonds	34,368			38,741			103,519			114,594
Short-term investments, including overnight deposits	1,287			1,530			3,654			4,612
Dividends on equity securities	17,887			14,678			55,544			46,042
Income (loss) from equity method investments	(4		)	2,253			3,052			7,294
Other	37			(266		)	577			1,436
	90,221			94,964			281,387			281,907
Investment expenses	(3,161		)	(3,868		)	(10,866		)	(11,927		)
Net investment income	$	87,060		$	91,096		$	270,521		$	269,980

Summary Of Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) And The Change In Net Unrealized Gains On Investments

The following table presents net realized investment gains (losses) and the change in net unrealized gains on investments. 

	Quarter Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Realized gains:
Sales of fixed maturities	$	435		$	739		$	2,769		$	6,381
Sales of equity securities	11,329			10,793			34,285			36,942
Other	1,026			134			3,297			11,958
Total realized gains	12,790			11,666			40,351			55,281
Realized losses:
Sales of fixed maturities	(3,730		)	(1,658		)	(3,947		)	(17,805		)
Sales of equity securities	(400		)	(175		)	(672		)	(373		)
Other-than-temporary impairments	(18,281		)	(2,851		)	(23,373		)	(3,858		)
Other	(5,086		)	(2,787		)	(15,390		)	(4,536		)
Total realized losses	(27,497		)	(7,471		)	(43,382		)	(26,572		)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$	(14,707	)	$	4,195		$	(3,031	)	$	28,709
Change in net unrealized gains on investments:
Fixed maturities	$	102,844		$	41,615		$	(77,369	)	$	337,865
Equity securities	(313,075		)	(57,773		)	(319,522		)	160,936
Short-term investments	45			37			36			35
Net increase (decrease)	$	(210,186	)	$	(16,121	)	$	(396,855	)	$	498,836

Components Of Restricted Assets

The following table presents the components of restricted assets.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Restricted assets held in trust or on deposit to support underwriting activities	$	4,733,990	$	4,961,061
Investments and cash and cash equivalents pledged as security for letters of credit	654,208		635,340
Total	$	5,388,198	$	5,596,401

Schedule Of Restricted Assets

Total restricted assets are included on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as follows.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Investments, available-for-sale	$	5,016,404	$	5,040,413
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	371,794		522,225
Other assets	—		33,763
Total	$	5,388,198	$	5,596,401

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was 21% and 25% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income and foreign tax credits for foreign taxes paid. In previous periods, foreign taxes paid were not available for use as tax credits against the Company's U.S. provision for income taxes. Based on the Company's estimated earnings from foreign operations in 2015, the Company expects that significant foreign taxes paid, both in the current period and prior periods, will be available for use as credits against its U.S. provision for income taxes in 2015. These projected tax credits will expire in 2025. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income. The decrease in the effective tax rate for 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily due to the impact of the foreign tax credits described above. This decrease was partially offset by the impact of anticipating a smaller tax benefit related to tax-exempt investment income, which resulted from having higher estimated income before income taxes in 2015 compared to 2014.

The effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was 32%. The difference in the effective tax rate for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is due to an increase in the 2015 estimated annual effective tax rate as of September 30, 2015 compared to the estimated annual effective tax rate as of June 30, 2015. This increase was primarily due to the impact of anticipating a smaller tax benefit related to tax-exempt investment income and foreign taxes paid, as a result of an increase in our estimated income before income taxes for 2015.

The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining the Company’s 2012 federal income tax return. The Company believes its income tax liabilities were adequate as of September 30, 2015, however, these liabilities could be adjusted as a result of this examination.

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Other Revenues And Other Expenses

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Other Revenues And Other Expenses

Other Revenues and Other Expenses

The following tables summarize the components of other revenues and other expenses.

	Quarter Ended September 30,
	2015				2014
(dollars in thousands)	Other Revenues		Other Expenses		Other Revenues			Other Expenses
Insurance:
Managing general agent operations	$	1,055	$	2,339	$	3,812		$	4,832
Life and annuity	42		6,913		1,022			8,330
Other	246		—		(635		)	324
	1,343		9,252		4,199			13,486
Non-Insurance:
Markel Ventures: Manufacturing	216,057		192,707		169,754			148,690
Markel Ventures: Non-Manufacturing	83,098		83,104		70,303			64,728
Other	6,238		5,686		5,732			4,289
	305,393		281,497		245,789			217,707
Total	$	306,736	$	290,749	$	249,988		$	231,193

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015				2014
(dollars in thousands)	Other Revenues		Other Expenses		Other Revenues		Other Expenses
Insurance:
Managing general agent operations	$	10,043	$	7,250	$	17,764	$	14,931
Life and annuity	369		17,610		1,208		25,615
Other	2,057		—		3,056		2,141
	12,469		24,860		22,028		42,687
Non-Insurance:
Markel Ventures: Manufacturing	567,960		513,087		395,448		355,480
Markel Ventures: Non-Manufacturing	216,191		209,947		199,457		185,648
Other	20,531		16,092		13,309		14,488
	804,682		739,126		608,214		555,616
Total	$	817,151	$	763,986	$	630,242	$	598,303

The Company's Markel Ventures operations primarily consist of controlling interests in various industrial and service businesses and are viewed by management as separate and distinct from the Company's insurance operations. While each of the companies is operated independently from one another, management aggregates financial results into two industry groups: manufacturing and non-manufacturing.

On April 24, 2015, the Company completed a novation that transferred its obligations under a reinsurance contract for life and annuity benefit policies to a third party in exchange for cash payments totaling $29.0 million, net of commissions. At the time of the transaction, reserves for life and annuity benefits on the novated reinsurance contract totaled $32.6 million, resulting in a gain of $3.6 million that was recorded as an offset to other expenses.

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Reinsurance

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]

Reinsurance

Reinsurance

The following tables summarize the effect of reinsurance and retrocessional reinsurance on premiums written and earned.

	Quarter Ended September 30,
	2015						2014
(dollars in thousands)	Written			Earned			Written			Earned
Direct	$	878,269		$	881,512		$	841,582		$	875,191
Assumed	280,095			293,481			254,868			301,665
Ceded	(205,180		)	(211,318		)	(214,669		)	(222,849		)
Net premiums	$	953,184		$	963,675		$	881,781		$	954,007

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015						2014
(dollars in thousands)	Written			Earned			Written			Earned
Direct	$	2,631,734		$	2,601,458		$	2,613,339		$	2,556,350
Assumed	1,044,889			910,640			1,186,246			985,981
Ceded	(653,665		)	(647,216		)	(694,162		)	(673,350		)
Net premiums	$	3,022,958		$	2,864,882		$	3,105,423		$	2,868,981

The percentage of ceded earned premiums to gross earned premiums was 18% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 19% for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014. The percentage of assumed earned premiums to net earned premiums was 30% and 32%, respectively, for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and 32% and 34%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses were net of reinsurance recoverables (ceded incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses) of $53.8 million and $91.1 million, respectively, for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and $285.9 million and $330.0 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

On March 9, 2015, the Company completed a retrospective reinsurance transaction to cede a portfolio of policies primarily comprised of liabilities arising from asbestos and environmental exposures that originated before 1992 in exchange for payments totaling $89.0 million, which included cash paid at closing of $69.9 million. At the time of the transaction, reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses on the policies ceded totaled $94.1 million, resulting in a deferred gain of $5.1 million which will be recognized in earnings in proportion to actual reinsurance recoveries received pursuant to the transaction. The ceded reserves attributable to asbestos and environmental exposures represented approximately 30% of our net asbestos and environmental reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2014.

On October 30, 2015, the Company completed a retrospective reinsurance transaction to cede a portfolio of policies primarily comprised of liabilities arising from asbestos and environmental exposures that originated before 1987 in exchange for cash payments totaling $86.5 million. The transaction provides up to $300 million of coverage for losses in excess of a $97.0 million retention on the ceded policies and 50% coverage on an additional $100 million of losses. The transaction is effective as of January 1, 2015, at which time reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses on the policies ceded totaled $173.4 million. After considering our retention on the ceded policies, ceded reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses totaled $76.4 million, resulting in a loss of $10.1 million on the transaction. The ceded reserves attributable to asbestos and environmental exposures represented approximately 25% of our net asbestos and environmental reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2014.

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Net Income Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Share

Net Income per Share

Net income per share was determined by dividing adjusted net income to shareholders by the applicable weighted average shares outstanding.Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing adjusted net income to shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period.

	Quarter Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2015		2014			2015		2014
Net income to shareholders	$	102,519	$	75,803		$	384,880	$	203,587
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,376		(1,259		)	3,091		(3,843		)
Adjusted net income to shareholders	$	103,895	$	74,544		$	387,971	$	199,744
Basic common shares outstanding	13,983		13,981			13,977		13,986
Dilutive potential common shares from conversion of options	8		11			9		11
Dilutive potential common shares from conversion of restricted stock	71		65			70		58
Diluted shares outstanding	14,062		14,057			14,056		14,055
Basic net income per share	$	7.43	$	5.33		$	27.76	$	14.28
Diluted net income per share	$	7.39	$	5.30		$	27.60	$	14.21

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Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value, level 1 to level 2 transfers, amount	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Fair value, level 2 to level 1 transfers, amount	0	0	0	0
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis	0	0	0	0
Liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

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Segment Reporting Disclosures (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Entity's Reportable Segments [Abstract]

Company's Segment Disclosures

The following tables summarize the Company's segment disclosures.

	Quarter Ended September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing			Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	635,926		$	284,576		$	239,094		$	(1,232	)		$	—		$	1,158,364
Net written premiums	536,285			213,423			204,336			(860		)		—			953,184
Earned premiums	534,615			225,034			204,825			(799		)		—			963,675
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(357,400		)	(162,024		)	(128,428		)	—				—			(647,852		)
Prior accident years	74,976			57,860			24,241			6,038				—			163,115
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(200,272		)	(92,680		)	(72,449		)	(218		)		—			(365,619		)
Underwriting profit	51,919			28,190			28,189			5,021				—			113,319
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				87,060			87,060
Net realized investment losses	—			—			—			—				(14,707		)	(14,707		)
Other revenues (insurance)	(41		)	1,096			246			42				—			1,343
Other expenses (insurance)	(960		)	(1,379		)	—			(6,913		)		—			(9,252		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	50,918		$	27,907		$	28,435		$	(1,850	)		$	72,353		$	177,763
Other revenues (non-insurance)																	305,393
Other expenses (non-insurance)																	(281,497		)
Amortization of intangible assets																	(18,914		)
Interest expense																	(30,064		)
Income before income taxes																	$	152,681
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	90		%	87		%	86		%	NM			(2)				88		%

	Quarter Ended September 30, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing		Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	619,510		$	271,045		$	206,125		$	(230	)		$	—	$	1,096,450
Net written premiums	520,511			194,639			166,848			(217		)		—		881,781
Earned premiums	516,753			216,764			220,513			(23		)		—		954,007
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(348,877		)	(160,132		)	(155,189		)	—				—		(664,198		)
Prior accident years	60,944			30,791			8,258			(6,761		)		—		93,232
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(202,765		)	(81,706		)	(65,874		)	(148		)		—		(350,493		)
Underwriting profit (loss)	26,055			5,717			7,708			(6,932		)		—		32,548
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				91,096		91,096
Net realized investment gains	—			—			—			—				4,195		4,195
Other revenues (insurance)	563			3,478			(864		)	1,022				—		4,199
Other expenses (insurance)	(1,325		)	(3,831		)	—			(8,330		)		—		(13,486		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	25,293		$	5,364		$	6,844		$	(14,240	)		$	95,291	$	118,552
Other revenues (non-insurance)																245,789
Other expenses (non-insurance)																(217,707		)
Amortization of intangible assets																(13,505		)
Interest expense																(29,648		)
Income before income taxes																$	103,481
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	95		%	97		%	97		%	NM			(2)			97		%

⁽¹⁾  The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums.

⁽²⁾  NM – Ratio is not meaningful.

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing			Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	1,890,144		$	911,962		$	875,676		$	(1,159	)		$	—		$	3,676,623
Net written premiums	1,587,092			700,260			736,068			(462		)		—			3,022,958
Earned premiums	1,569,615			654,936			640,719			(388		)		—			2,864,882
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(1,015,492		)	(479,764		)	(431,791		)	—				—			(1,927,047		)
Prior accident years	211,177			177,883			65,746			4,315				—			459,121
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(597,388		)	(266,091		)	(222,172		)	(305		)		—			(1,085,956		)
Underwriting profit	167,912			86,964			52,502			3,622				—			311,000
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				270,521			270,521
Net realized investment losses	—			—			—			—				(3,031		)	(3,031		)
Other revenues (insurance)	3,564			7,398			1,138			369				—			12,469
Other expenses (insurance)	(3,149		)	(4,101		)	—			(17,610		)		—			(24,860		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	168,327		$	90,261		$	53,640		$	(13,619	)		$	267,490		$	566,099
Other revenues (non-insurance)																	804,682
Other expenses (non-insurance)																	(739,126		)
Amortization of intangible assets																	(50,503		)
Interest expense																	(88,664		)
Income before income taxes																	$	492,488
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	89		%	87		%	92		%	NM			(2)				89		%

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	U.S. Insurance			International Insurance			Reinsurance			Other Insurance (Discontinued Lines)				Investing		Consolidated
Gross premium volume	$	1,876,114		$	924,401		$	999,036		$	34			$	—	$	3,799,585
Net written premiums	1,554,847			694,311			855,930			335				—		3,105,423
Earned premiums	1,499,571			678,772			690,117			521				—		2,868,981
Losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year	(997,804		)	(495,441		)	(490,555		)	—				—		(1,983,800		)
Prior accident years	142,381			102,658			49,811			(34,725		)		—		260,125
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	(595,208		)	(250,157		)	(226,109		)	(511		)		—		(1,071,985		)
Underwriting profit (loss)	48,940			35,832			23,264			(34,715		)		—		73,321
Net investment income	—			—			—			—				269,980		269,980
Net realized investment gains	—			—			—			—				28,709		28,709
Other revenues (insurance)	3,333			15,183			2,304			1,208				—		22,028
Other expenses (insurance)	(4,436		)	(11,539		)	(1,097		)	(25,615		)		—		(42,687		)
Segment profit (loss)	$	47,837		$	39,476		$	24,471		$	(59,122	)		$	298,689	$	351,351
Other revenues (non-insurance)																608,214
Other expenses (non-insurance)																(555,616		)
Amortization of intangible assets																(40,992		)
Interest expense																(89,136		)
Income before income taxes																$	273,821
U.S. GAAP combined ratio (1)	97		%	95		%	97		%	NM			(2)			97		%

⁽¹⁾  The U.S. GAAP combined ratio is a measure of underwriting performance and represents the relationship of incurred losses, loss adjustment expenses and underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses to earned premiums.

⁽²⁾  NM – Ratio is not meaningful.

Reconciliation Of Segment Assets To The Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets

The following table reconciles segment assets to the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Segment assets:
Investing	$	18,342,049	$	18,531,150
Underwriting	5,620,534		5,422,445
Total segment assets	23,962,583		23,953,595
Non-insurance operations	1,218,990		1,246,762
Total assets	$	25,181,573	$	25,200,357

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Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) securities	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) securities	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities in unrealized loss position, number of positions | securities	567		567		552
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	$ 2,268,768		$ 2,268,768		$ 2,031,032
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	$ (101,596)		$ (101,596)		$ (35,218)
Number of available-for-sale securities positions in a continuous unrealized loss position for one year or longer at period end | securities	268		268		396
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	$ 837,464		$ 837,464		$ 1,333,930
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(13,855)		(13,855)		(22,079)
Cumulative credit losses recognized in net income	10,700		10,700		12,700
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income	(18,281)	$ (2,851)	(23,373)	$ (3,858)
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	1,576,086		1,576,086		1,746,787
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	$ (28,596)		$ (28,596)		$ (27,847)
Number of available-for-sale securities positions in a continuous unrealized loss position for one year or longer at period end | securities	262		262		396
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	$ 811,703		$ 811,703		$ 1,333,930
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(12,174)		(12,174)		(22,079)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income	0	(100)	0	(300)
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	552,692		552,692		102,281
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	$ (72,995)		$ (72,995)		(7,365)
Number of available-for-sale securities positions in a continuous unrealized loss position for one year or longer at period end | securities	6		6
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	$ 25,761		$ 25,761		0
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(1,681)		(1,681)		0
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income	$ (18,300)	$ (2,700)	$ (23,400)	$ (3,600)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings, number of investment positions | securities	8		16
Industrial, Consumer And All Other [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	$ 406,560		$ 406,560		86,062
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(60,513)		(60,513)		(5,834)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	19,085		19,085		0
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(507)		(507)		0
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income	(14,300)		(18,800)
Insurance, Banks And Other Financial Institutions [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value	146,132		146,132		16,219
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses	(12,482)		(12,482)		(1,531)
Available-for-sale securities, estimated fair value, 12 months or longer	6,676		6,676		0
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized holding and other-than-temporary impairment losses, 12 months or longer	(1,174)		(1,174)		$ 0
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income	$ (4,000)		$ (4,600)

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Reinsurance (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 30, 2015	Mar. 09, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Percentage of ceded earned premiums to gross earned premiums	18.00%	19.00%	18.00%	19.00%
Percentage of assumed earned premiums to net earned premiums	30.00%	32.00%	32.00%	34.00%
Reinsurance recoverables	$ 53.8	$ 91.1	$ 285.9	$ 330.0
March 9, 2015 [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Total payment under retrospective reinsurance transaction on ceded asbestos and environmental policies						$ 89.0
Cash paid at closing under retrospective reinsurance transaction on ceded asbestos and environmental policies						69.9
Cumulative amount of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses on ceded asbestos and environmental policies						94.1
Deferred gain under retrospective reinsurance transaction on ceded asbestos and environmental policies						$ 5.1
Approximate percentage of ceded reserves under retrospective reinsurance transaction to net asbestos and environmental reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses							30.00%
October 30, 2015 [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Approximate percentage of ceded reserves under retrospective reinsurance transaction to net asbestos and environmental reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses							25.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | October 30, 2015 [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Total payment under retrospective reinsurance transaction on ceded asbestos and environmental policies					$ 86.5
Cumulative amount of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses on ceded asbestos and environmental policies					173.4
Cumulative reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses on ceded asbestos and environmental policies, net of retention					76.4
Loss on retrospective reinsurance transaction					$ 10.1

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Consolidated Statements Of Changes In Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Total Equity [Member]	Total Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013		$ 6,678,010	$ 6,673,577	$ 3,288,863	$ 2,294,909	$ 1,089,805	$ 4,433
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013				13,986
Balance, redeemable noncontrolling interests at Dec. 31, 2013								$ 72,183
Net income (loss)	$ 205,466	202,515	203,587		203,587	0	(1,072)	2,951
Other comprehensive income (loss)	313,787	313,776	313,776		0	313,776	0	11
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	519,253	516,291	517,363				(1,072)	2,962
Issuance of common stock		4,960	4,960	$ 4,960	0	0	0	0
Issuance of common stock, shares				16
Repurchase of common stock		(25,922)	(25,922)	$ 0	(25,922)	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock, shares				(44)
Restricted stock units expensed		18,421	18,421	$ 18,421	0	0	0	0
Restricted stock units expensed, shares				0
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests		(3,843)	(3,843)	$ 0	(3,843)	0	0	3,843
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests, shares				0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(9,352)	(10,257)	$ (10,257)	0	0	905	(18,566)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest, shares				0
Other		4,804	894	$ 881	13	0	3,910	(3,173)
Other, shares				0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014		7,183,369	7,175,193	$ 3,302,868	2,468,744	1,403,581	8,176
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2014				13,958
Balance, redeemable noncontrolling interests at Sep. 30, 2014								57,249
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	7,602,002	7,602,002	7,594,818	$ 3,308,395	2,581,866	1,704,557	7,184
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014				13,962
Balance, redeemable noncontrolling interests at Dec. 31, 2014	61,048							61,048
Net income (loss)	390,869	385,625	384,880		384,880	0	745	5,244
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(287,188)	(287,141)	(287,141)		0	(287,141)	0	(47)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	103,681	98,484	97,739				745	5,197
Issuance of common stock		3,971	3,971	$ 3,971	0	0	0	0
Issuance of common stock, shares				20
Repurchase of common stock		(27,262)	(27,262)	$ 0	(27,262)	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock, shares				(32)
Restricted stock units expensed		19,983	19,983	$ 19,983	0	0	0	0
Restricted stock units expensed, shares				0
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests		3,091	3,091	$ 0	3,091	0	0	(3,091)
Adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests, shares				0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(1,447)	(1,447)	$ (1,447)	0	0	0	(8,224)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest, shares				0
Other		4,685	4,337	$ 4,306	31	0	348	(4,346)
Other, shares				0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2015	7,703,507	$ 7,703,507	$ 7,695,230	$ 3,335,208	$ 2,942,606	$ 1,417,416	$ 8,277
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2015				13,950
Balance, redeemable noncontrolling interests at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 50,584							$ 50,584

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Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

FASB ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability.

Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs.

Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement.

In accordance with FASB ASC 820, the Company determines fair value based on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods, including the market, income and cost approaches. The Company uses valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The following section describes the valuation methodologies used by the Company to measure assets and liabilities at fair value, including an indication of the level within the fair value hierarchy in which each asset or liability is generally classified.

Investments available-for-sale. Investments available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and include fixed maturities, equity securities and short-term investments. Short-term investments include certificates of deposit, commercial paper, discount notes and treasury bills with original maturities of one year or less. Fair value for investments available-for-sale is determined by the Company after considering various sources of information, including information provided by a third party pricing service. The pricing service provides prices for substantially all of the Company's fixed maturities and equity securities. In determining fair value, the Company generally does not adjust the prices obtained from the pricing service. The Company obtains an understanding of the pricing service's valuation methodologies and related inputs, which include, but are not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, duration, credit ratings, estimated cash flows and prepayment speeds. The Company validates prices provided by the pricing service by reviewing prices from other pricing sources and analyzing pricing data in certain instances.

The Company has evaluated the various types of securities in its investment portfolio to determine an appropriate fair value hierarchy level based upon trading activity and the observability of market inputs. Level 1 investments include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 2 investments include U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, municipal bonds, foreign government bonds, commercial mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and corporate debt securities.

Fair value for investments available-for-sale is measured based upon quoted prices in active markets, if available. Due to variations in trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices, fixed maturities are classified as Level 2 investments. The fair value of fixed maturities is normally derived through recent reported trades for identical or similar securities, making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available market observable data described above. If there are no recent reported trades, the fair value of fixed maturities may be derived through the use of matrix pricing or model processes, where future cash flow expectations are developed based upon collateral performance and discounted at an estimated market rate. Significant inputs used to determine the fair value of obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions, corporate bonds and obligations of foreign governments include reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids, offers, credit information and estimated cash flows. Significant inputs used to determine the fair value of commercial mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities include the type of underlying assets, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral information, tranche type and volatility, estimated cash flows, credit information, default rates, recovery rates, issuer spreads and the year of issue.

Senior long-term debt and other debt. Senior long-term debt and other debt is carried at amortized cost with the estimated fair value disclosed on the consolidated balance sheets. Senior long-term debt and other debt is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy due to variations in trading volumes and the lack of quoted market prices. Fair value for senior long-term debt and other debt is generally derived through recent reported trades for identical securities, making adjustments through the reporting date, if necessary, based upon available market observable data including U.S. Treasury securities and implied credit spreads. Significant inputs used to determine the fair value of senior long-term debt and other debt include reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids and offers.

The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy.

	September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	—	$	708,795	$	—	$	708,795
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	—		3,956,324		—		3,956,324
Foreign governments	—		1,477,132		—		1,477,132
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		451,515		—		451,515
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		890,804		—		890,804
Asset-backed securities	—		45,400		—		45,400
Corporate bonds	—		1,823,981		—		1,823,981
Total fixed maturities	—		9,353,951		—		9,353,951
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	1,275,409		—		—		1,275,409
Industrial, consumer and all other	2,881,004		—		—		2,881,004
Total equity securities	4,156,413		—		—		4,156,413
Short-term investments	2,224,533		99,450		—		2,323,983
Total investments available-for-sale	$	6,380,946	$	9,453,401	$	—	$	15,834,347

	December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	—	$	673,262	$	—	$	673,262
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	—		4,317,547		—		4,317,547
Foreign governments	—		1,611,921		—		1,611,921
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		430,627		—		430,627
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		982,847		—		982,847
Asset-backed securities	—		99,490		—		99,490
Corporate bonds	—		2,307,188		—		2,307,188
Total fixed maturities	—		10,422,882		—		10,422,882
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	1,311,925		—		—		1,311,925
Industrial, consumer and all other	2,825,651		—		—		2,825,651
Total equity securities	4,137,576		—		—		4,137,576
Short-term investments	1,469,975		124,874		—		1,594,849
Total investments available-for-sale	$	5,607,551	$	10,547,756	$	—	$	16,155,307

There were no transfers into or out of Level 1 and Level 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

The Company did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

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Investments (Available-For-Sale Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	$ 13,551,509	$ 13,475,614
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	2,384,434	2,714,911
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(97,658)	(31,141)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	(3,938)	(4,077)
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	15,834,347	16,155,307
U.S. Treasury Securities And Obligations Of U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	696,980	662,462
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	13,360	12,963
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(1,545)	(2,163)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	0
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	708,795	673,262
Obligations Of States, Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	3,766,517	4,075,748
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	198,495	245,158
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(8,688)	(3,359)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	0
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	3,956,324	4,317,547
Foreign Governments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	1,338,511	1,458,255
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	139,447	154,707
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(826)	(1,041)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	0
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	1,477,132	1,611,921
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	441,814	427,904
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	10,808	5,325
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(1,107)	(2,602)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	0
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	451,515	430,627
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	860,869	954,263
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	34,272	34,324
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(2,079)	(3,482)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	(2,258)	(2,258)
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	890,804	982,847
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	45,470	100,073
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	55	99
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(125)	(682)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	0
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	45,400	99,490
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	1,787,414	2,250,432
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	48,535	69,016
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(10,288)	(10,441)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	(1,680)	(1,819)
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	1,823,981	2,307,188
Total Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	8,937,575	9,929,137
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	444,972	521,592
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(24,658)	(23,770)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	(3,938)	(4,077)
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	9,353,951	10,422,882
Insurance, Banks And Other Financial Institutions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	629,814	523,739
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	658,077	789,717
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(12,482)	(1,531)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	0
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	1,275,409	1,311,925
Industrial, Consumer And All Other [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	1,660,203	1,427,919
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	1,281,314	1,403,566
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(60,513)	(5,834)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	0
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	2,881,004	2,825,651
Total Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	2,290,017	1,951,658
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	1,939,391	2,193,283
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(72,995)	(7,365)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	0
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	4,156,413	4,137,576
Short-Term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale investments, amortized cost	2,323,917	1,594,819
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding gains	71	36
Available-for-sale investments, gross unrealized holding losses	(5)	(6)
Available-for-sale investments, unrealized other-than-temporary impairment losses	0	0
Available-for-sale investments, estimated fair value	$ 2,323,983	$ 1,594,849

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Senior Long-Term Debt And Other Debt (Narrative) (Details) - Senior Credit Facility [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 19, 2015	May. 19, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Previous line of credit facility, borrowing capacity		$ 650
Credit facility, maximum capacity		$ 550
Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum capacity	$ 450

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Balances Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis

The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy.

	September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	—	$	708,795	$	—	$	708,795
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	—		3,956,324		—		3,956,324
Foreign governments	—		1,477,132		—		1,477,132
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		451,515		—		451,515
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		890,804		—		890,804
Asset-backed securities	—		45,400		—		45,400
Corporate bonds	—		1,823,981		—		1,823,981
Total fixed maturities	—		9,353,951		—		9,353,951
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	1,275,409		—		—		1,275,409
Industrial, consumer and all other	2,881,004		—		—		2,881,004
Total equity securities	4,156,413		—		—		4,156,413
Short-term investments	2,224,533		99,450		—		2,323,983
Total investments available-for-sale	$	6,380,946	$	9,453,401	$	—	$	15,834,347

	December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies	$	—	$	673,262	$	—	$	673,262
Obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions	—		4,317,547		—		4,317,547
Foreign governments	—		1,611,921		—		1,611,921
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		430,627		—		430,627
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		982,847		—		982,847
Asset-backed securities	—		99,490		—		99,490
Corporate bonds	—		2,307,188		—		2,307,188
Total fixed maturities	—		10,422,882		—		10,422,882
Equity securities:
Insurance, banks and other financial institutions	1,311,925		—		—		1,311,925
Industrial, consumer and all other	2,825,651		—		—		2,825,651
Total equity securities	4,137,576		—		—		4,137,576
Short-term investments	1,469,975		124,874		—		1,594,849
Total investments available-for-sale	$	5,607,551	$	10,547,756	$	—	$	16,155,307