Consolidated Balance Sheet Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities	$ 13,616,671	$ 12,444,394
Loans receivable	158,975	150,866
Equity securities available for sale	602,965	376,697
Investment funds	1,231,700	1,170,040
Loans receivable	113,996	273,103
Real estate	1,108,482	936,367
Total investments	16,832,789	15,351,467
Cash and cash equivalents	873,064	763,631
Premiums and fees receivable	1,742,210	1,669,186
Due from reinsurers	1,692,779	1,532,829
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	429,850	394,387
Trading account receivables from brokers and clearing organizations	185,548	383,115
Deferred policy acquisition costs	564,663	513,128
Property, furniture and equipment	348,169	348,224
Federal and foreign income taxes	0	48,952
Goodwill	134,146	153,291
Accrued investment income	133,720	123,164
Other assets	408,718	442,782
Total assets	23,345,656	21,724,156
Liabilities:
Reserves for losses and loss expenses	11,097,830	10,669,150
Unearned premiums	3,408,640	3,137,133
Due to reinsurers	261,622	224,752
Trading account securities sold but not yet purchased	60,959	37,035
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current	96,885	0
Other liabilities	968,019	837,937
Subordinated debentures	727,390	340,320
Senior notes and other debt	1,762,487	1,844,621
Total liabilities	18,383,832	17,090,948
Equity:
Authorized 5,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding - none
Authorized 500,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding, net of treasury shares, 121,684,506 and 123,307,837 shares, respectively	47,024	47,024
Additional paid-in capital	1,027,465	1,005,455
Retained earnings	6,519,536	6,178,070
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(9,808)	(66,698)
Treasury stock, at cost,113,433,412 and 111,810,081 shares, respectively	2,658,452	2,563,605
Total stockholders’ equity	4,925,765	4,600,246
Noncontrolling interests	36,059	32,962
Total equity	4,961,824	4,633,208
Total liabilities and equity	$ 23,345,656	$ 21,724,156