Consolidated Balance Sheet Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities	$ 12,652,269	$ 12,705,160
Loans receivable	174,709	170,991
Equity securities	972,629	450,648
Investment funds	1,214,272	1,211,401
Loans receivable	280,769	322,012
Real estate	761,856	731,612
Total investments	16,056,504	15,591,824
Cash and cash equivalents	614,695	674,441
Premiums and fees receivable	1,706,823	1,651,088
Due from reinsurers	1,519,530	1,503,441
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	410,359	395,748
Trading account receivables from brokers and clearing organizations	0	371,034
Deferred policy acquisition costs	507,509	488,525
Property, furniture and equipment	327,231	332,098
Federal and foreign income taxes	0	30,171
Goodwill	150,551	150,944
Accrued investment income	139,689	120,367
Other assets	414,161	369,558
Total assets	21,847,052	21,679,239
Liabilities:
Reserves for losses and loss expenses	10,474,954	10,369,701
Unearned premiums	3,128,637	3,026,732
Due to reinsurers	218,443	237,270
Trading account securities sold but not yet purchased	99,299	106,079
Payables to Broker-Dealers and Clearing Organizations	165,420	0
Federal and foreign income taxes	20,957	0
Other liabilities	673,724	859,736
Subordinated debentures	340,125	340,060
Senior notes and other debt	2,112,456	2,115,527
Total liabilities	17,234,015	17,055,105
Equity:
Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - none
Authorized 500,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding, net of treasury shares, 124,933,275 and 126,748,836 shares, respectively	47,024	47,024
Additional paid-in capital	998,005	991,512
Retained earnings	5,836,968	5,732,410
Accumulated other comprehensive income	152,058	183,550
Treasury stock, at cost, 110,184,643 and 108,369,082 shares, respectively	2,455,433	2,364,551
Total stockholders’ equity	4,578,622	4,589,945
Noncontrolling interests	34,415	34,189
Total equity	4,613,037	4,624,134
Total liabilities and equity	$ 21,847,052	$ 21,679,239