Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company - Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues
Net investment income									$ 145,892	$ 131,092	$ 117,215
Net realized gains on investment									6,774	2,498	1,163
Total revenues	$ 659,284	$ 738,189	$ 674,746	$ 659,414	$ 620,917	$ 693,696	$ 647,071	$ 611,427	2,731,633	2,573,111	2,381,167
Expenses
General and administrative expenses									66,984	64,872	62,558
Interest and amortization expenses									28,173	29,063	29,959
Foreign exchange and other losses									(11,612)	(7,753)	(4,150)
Total expenses									2,681,921	2,446,789	2,277,470
Net income attributable to Maiden	(74,731)	31,829	30,910	27,216	24,716	22,499	20,519	32,405	48,980	124,476	101,391
Dividends on preference shares									(33,756)	(24,337)	(24,337)
Net income attributable to Maiden common shareholders									15,224	100,139	77,054
Comprehensive income (loss) – attributable to Maiden	$ (177,577)	$ 45,802	$ 89,389	$ 130,130	$ (15,974)	$ 10,658	$ (39,962)	$ 50,694	87,744	5,416	170,900
Parent Company
Revenues
Net investment income									1,693	2,034	4,892
Net realized gains on investment									1,990	20	981
Other fee revenue									0	1,321	0
Total revenues									3,683	3,375	5,873
Expenses
General and administrative expenses									17,008	16,319	14,588
Interest and amortization expenses									3,988	0	0
Foreign exchange and other losses									1,371	668	893
Total expenses									22,367	16,987	15,481
Loss before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									(18,684)	(13,612)	(9,608)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									67,664	138,088	110,999
Net income attributable to Maiden									48,980	124,476	101,391
Dividends on preference shares									(33,756)	(24,337)	(24,337)
Net income attributable to Maiden common shareholders									15,224	100,139	77,054
Comprehensive income (loss) – attributable to Maiden									$ 87,744	$ 5,416	$ 170,900