Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities	$ 11,616,844	$ 11,943,956
Equity securities available for sale	283,338	376,022
Arbitrage trading account	522,128	329,077
Investment funds	1,067,495	809,689
Loans receivable	343,583	401,961
Real estate	715,242	606,735
Total investments	14,548,630	14,467,440
Cash and cash equivalents	839,738	905,670
Premiums and fees receivable	1,557,480	1,440,752
Due from reinsurers	1,533,103	1,450,348
Accrued investment income	118,329	127,230
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	367,803	316,309
Deferred policy acquisition costs	452,101	404,047
Property, furniture and equipment	339,448	267,227
Goodwill	110,146	87,865
Trading account receivable from brokers and clearing organizations	304,936	446,873
Deferred federal and foreign income taxes	20,120	0
Current federal and foreign income taxes	24,737	0
Other assets	335,225	242,135
Total assets	20,551,796	20,155,896
Liabilities:
Reserves for losses and loss expenses	10,080,941	9,751,086
Unearned premiums	2,781,437	2,474,847
Due to reinsurers	276,755	316,388
Trading account securities sold but not yet purchased	162,278	121,487
Deferred federal and foreign income taxes	0	60,255
Other liabilities	848,749	981,626
Junior subordinated debentures	339,800	243,206
Senior notes and other debt	1,692,442	1,871,535
Total liabilities	16,182,402	15,820,430
Equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.10 per share: Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - none	0	0
Common stock, par value $.20 per share: Authorized 500,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding, net of treasury shares, 132,233,167 and 136,017,732 shares, respectively	47,024	47,024
Additional paid-in capital	967,440	945,166
Retained earnings	5,265,015	4,817,807
Accumulated other comprehensive income	189,391	465,631
Treasury stock, at cost, 102,884,751 and 99,100,186 shares, respectively	(2,132,835)	(1,969,411)
Total common stockholders’ equity	4,336,035	4,306,217
Noncontrolling interests	33,359	29,249
Total equity	4,369,394	4,335,466
Total liabilities and equity	$ 20,551,796	$ 20,155,896