Consolidated Balance Sheet Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities	$ 12,397,756	$ 11,616,844
Equity securities	222,024	283,338
Arbitrage trading account	918,223	522,128
Investment funds	1,020,132	1,067,495
Loans receivable	343,300	343,583
Real estate	703,994	715,242
Total investments	15,605,429	14,548,630
Cash and cash equivalents	1,342,285	839,738
Premiums and fees receivable	1,681,674	1,557,480
Due from reinsurers	1,452,393	1,533,103
Accrued investment income	138,904	118,329
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	418,081	367,803
Deferred policy acquisition costs	492,500	452,101
Property, furniture and equipment	333,938	339,448
Federal and foreign income taxes	0	44,857
Goodwill	103,337	110,146
Trading account receivables from brokers and clearing organizations	0	304,936
Other assets	529,056	335,225
Total assets	22,097,597	20,551,796
Liabilities:
Reserves for losses and loss expenses	10,314,265	10,080,941
Unearned premiums	3,111,013	2,781,437
Due to reinsurers	255,430	276,755
Trading account securities sold but not yet purchased	159,537	162,278
Payables to Broker-Dealers and Clearing Organizations	95,681	0
Federal and foreign income taxes	17,618	0
Other liabilities	938,554	848,749
Junior subordinated debentures	339,995	339,800
Senior notes and other debt	2,122,030	1,692,442
Total liabilities	17,354,123	16,182,402
Equity:
Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - none	0	0
Authorized 500,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding, net of treasury shares, 126,907,538 and 132,233,167 shares, respectively	47,024	47,024
Additional paid-in capital	982,104	967,440
Retained earnings	5,762,406	5,265,015
Accumulated other comprehensive income	273,545	189,391
Treasury stock, at cost, 108,210,380 and 102,884,751 shares, respectively	2,356,176	2,132,835
Total stockholders’ equity	4,708,903	4,336,035
Noncontrolling interests	34,571	33,359
Total equity	4,743,474	4,369,394
Total liabilities and equity	$ 22,097,597	$ 20,551,796