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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues
Net investment income									$ 117,215	$ 91,352	$ 81,188
Net realized gains on investment									1,163	3,585	1,907
Total revenues	641,917	623,506	563,422	552,322	519,265	535,127	536,745	518,919	2,381,167	2,110,056	1,899,765
Expenses
General and administrative expenses									62,937	58,661	53,804
Foreign exchange and other gains									(4,150)	(2,809)	(1,638)
Total expenses									2,277,470	2,005,337	1,847,291
Net income attributable to Maiden	27,514	27,798	25,804	(4,062)	20,806	21,904	20,205	24,986	101,391	102,735	50,154
Dividends on preference shares									(24,337)	(14,834)	(3,644)
Net income attributable to Maiden common shareholders									77,054	87,901	46,510
Parent Company
Revenues
Net investment income									4,892	2,773	795
Net realized gains on investment									981	0	229
Total revenues									5,873	2,773	1,024
Expenses
General and administrative expenses									14,588	11,732	8,030
Foreign exchange and other gains									893	(626)	(225)
Total expenses									15,481	11,106	7,805
Loss before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									(9,608)	(8,333)	(6,781)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									110,999	111,068	56,935
Net income attributable to Maiden									101,391	102,735	50,154
Dividends on preference shares									(24,337)	(14,834)	(3,644)
Net income attributable to Maiden common shareholders									$ 77,054	$ 87,901	$ 46,510