Fair Value Disclosures (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets transfers out of level 3			$ 358
Fair value, option, changes in fair value, gains (losses)	(11,399)		(6,284)		1,504
Other investments, Carrying Value	26,877		38,323
Star Asia [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other investments, Carrying Value	17,104	[1],[2]	30,169	[1],[2]
Alternative Investments, Fair Value Disclosure, Unadjusted Net Asset Value	30,261		39,998
Fair Value Inputs, Discount Rate			6.82%
Tiptree Financial Partners L.P. [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other investments, Carrying Value	2,282	[3]	2,834	[3]
Residential Loans [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Other investments, Carrying Value	294		255
Trading Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets transfers out of level 3	0		57
Fair value of assets transfers into level 3	0		0
Alternative Investments [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets transfers out of level 3	2,834		91
Alternative Investments [Member] | Tiptree Financial Partners L.P. [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets transfers out of level 3	2,834	[3]
Alternative Investments [Member] | Residential Loans [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of assets transfers out of level 3			$ 267

[1] On February 20, 2014, the Company announced the completion of the sale of the Company’s ownership interests in the Star Asia Group. See note 31.

[2] Real Estate Fund—Asian.

[3] Diversified Fund.