Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Available-for-sale securities at fair value:
Equity securities (cost: 2015 - $2,701,247; 2014 - $2,366,035)	$ 3,143,572	$ 2,815,484
Debt securities (amortized cost: 2015 - $14,465,377; 2014 - $14,364,430)	14,564,927	14,598,641
Short-term investments	601,456	715,553
Marketable Securities, Total	18,309,955	18,129,678
Other invested assets	741,602	705,665
Total investments	19,051,557	18,835,343
Cash	647,901	605,259
Accrued investment income	124,034	136,511
Premium balances receivable	843,043	683,848
Reinsurance recoverables	1,395,146	1,361,083
Ceded unearned premiums	199,137	184,435
Deferred acquisition costs	385,384	353,169
Property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	96,889	88,910
Goodwill	111,904	111,904
Intangible assets, net of amortization	136,089	133,378
Current taxes receivable	80,788	91,202
Net deferred tax assets	385,534	389,597
Other assets	470,882	514,797
Total assets	23,928,288	23,489,436
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	11,463,561	11,597,216
Unearned premiums	1,979,323	1,834,184
Senior Notes	1,762,069	1,767,125
Reinsurance payable	84,691	79,100
Other liabilities	988,261	729,767
Total liabilities	16,277,905	16,007,392
Common stock (shares authorized: 2015 and 2014 - 22,000,000; shares issued: 2015 and 2014 - 17,459,961)	17,460	17,460
Contributed capital	3,609,918	3,610,717
Accumulated other comprehensive income	252,234	353,584
Treasury stock,at cost (2015 - 1,484,796 shares; 2014 - 1,405,638 shares)	(544,960)	(507,699)
Retained earnings	4,307,053	3,999,366
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Alleghany stockholders	7,641,705	7,473,428
Noncontrolling interest	8,678	8,616
Total stockholders' equity	7,650,383	7,482,044
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 23,928,288	$ 23,489,436