Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company - Statements of Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net investment income (loss)									$ 81,188	$ 74,891	$ 71,651
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments									1,907	481	6,604
Total revenues	504,622	475,555	456,536	463,052	439,035	440,656	390,371	370,378	1,899,765	1,640,440	1,248,045
General and administrative expenses									53,804	53,892	42,180
Foreign exchange losses (gains)									(1,638)	(323)	580
Total expenses									1,847,291	1,609,986	1,176,853
Net Income (Loss)	(10,327)	21,919	14,541	20,377	17,544	16,004	(24,366)	19,342	50,261	28,527	69,862
Dividends on preference shares									(3,644)
Net income attributable to Maiden common shareholders									46,510	28,524	69,866
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net investment income (loss)									795	408	(118)
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments									229	0	0
Total revenues									1,024	408	(118)
General and administrative expenses									8,030	10,806	7,076
Foreign exchange losses (gains)									(225)	31	0
Total expenses									7,805	10,837	7,076
Loss before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									(6,781)	(10,429)	(7,194)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									56,935	38,953	77,060
Net Income (Loss)									50,154	28,524	69,866
Dividends on preference shares									(3,644)	0	0
Net income attributable to Maiden common shareholders									$ 46,510	$ 28,524	$ 69,866