Shareholders' Equity - Changes in AOCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,349,099	$ 1,241,166
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	38,193	(118,862)	$ 66,165
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax	576	(263)	3,278
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax	38,769	(119,125)	69,443
Ending balance	1,361,152	1,349,099	1,241,166
Change in net unrealized gains on investment, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(54,112)	78,579	34,728
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	32,820	(132,428)	40,573
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax	576	(263)	3,278
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax	33,396	(132,691)	43,851
Ending balance	(20,716)	(54,112)	78,579
Foreign currency translation adjustments, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	30,231	16,665	(8,927)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	5,373	13,566	25,592
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income, net of tax	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax	5,373	13,566	25,592
Ending balance	35,604	30,231	16,665
AOCI including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(23,881)	95,244	25,801
Ending balance	14,888	(23,881)	95,244
Change in net unrealized gains on investment, attributable to noncontrolling interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	0
Ending balance	0	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, attributable to noncontrolling interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(114)	(49)
Ending balance	(109)	(114)	(49)
AOCI attributable to noncontrolling interest
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(114)	(49)
Ending balance	(109)	(114)	(49)
Change in net unrealized gains on investment, attributable to Maiden shareholders
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(54,112)	78,579
Ending balance	(20,716)	(54,112)	78,579
Foreign currency translation adjustments, attributable to Maiden shareholders
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	30,345	16,714
Ending balance	35,713	30,345	16,714
AOCI attributable to Maiden shareholders
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(23,767)	95,293	25,784
Ending balance	$ 14,997	$ (23,767)	$ 95,293