Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Net cash used in operating activities		$ (301,705)	$ 168,896
Sales of:
Fixed maturity securities available for sale		1,270,337	1,219,007
Equity securities available for sale		152,472	96,541
Other invested assets		15,798	40,831
Property and equipment and other		223	3,407
Subsidiary, net of cash transferred	[1]	857,799	65,002
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate	[2]	268,833	0
Maturities, calls, prepayments, and scheduled redemption of:
Fixed maturity securities available for sale		420,050	394,341
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate		44,716	123,739
Purchases of:
Fixed maturity securities available for sale		(2,018,397)	(1,459,405)
Equity securities available for sale		(134,493)	(122,710)
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate		(33,900)	(123,624)
Other invested assets		(38,818)	(9,344)
Property and equipment and other		(47,721)	(62,251)
Subsidiary, net of cash transferred	[3]	(19,735)	(11,571)
Equity interest	[4]	0	(457)
Change in short-term investments		6,536	(101,146)
Change in policy loans		1,935	2,693
Change in collateral held/pledged under securities agreements		0	697
Net cash provided by investing activities		745,635	55,750
Financing activities
Issuance of debt		249,625	0
Repayment of debt		(250,000)	0
Change in tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements		7,919	(1,488)
Acquisition of common stock		(445,601)	(187,752)
Dividends paid		(64,966)	(40,450)
Change in obligation under securities agreements		0	(697)
Net cash used in financing activities		(503,023)	(230,387)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(2,396)	(15,479)
Reversal of Cash included in business classified as held for sale		5,858	0
Change in cash and cash equivalents		(55,631)	(21,220)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		1,288,305	1,318,656
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$ 1,232,674	$ 1,297,436

[1] Relates to the sale of Assurant's Employee Benefits segment mainly through reinsurance transactions and supplemental and small group self-funded business.

[2] For further information see the Investment footnote (Note 7).

[3] Relates primarily to the acquisition of Shipsurance, Mobile Defense and an immaterial acquisition and the purchase of renewal rights to the National Flood Insurance block of business of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

[4] Relates to the purchase of equity interest in Iké Asistencia.