Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Available-for-sale securities at fair value:
Equity securities (cost: 2015-$2,826,902; 2014-$2,366,035)	$ 3,012,070	$ 2,815,484
Debt securities (amortized cost: 2015-$14,382,992; 2014-$14,364,430)	14,530,255	14,598,641
Short-term investments	362,034	715,553
Marketable Securities, Total	17,904,359	18,129,678
Other invested assets	737,350	705,665
Total investments	18,641,709	18,835,343
Cash	563,187	605,259
Accrued investment income	119,698	136,511
Premium balances receivable	722,614	683,848
Reinsurance recoverables	1,419,683	1,361,083
Ceded unearned premiums	198,788	184,435
Deferred acquisition costs	377,268	353,169
Property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization	95,740	88,910
Goodwill	111,904	111,904
Intangible assets, net of amortization	137,193	133,378
Current taxes receivable	6,260	91,202
Net deferred tax assets	489,636	389,597
Other assets	550,455	514,797
Total assets	23,434,135	23,489,436
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	11,422,492	11,597,216
Unearned premiums	1,936,803	1,834,184
Senior Notes	1,759,488	1,767,125
Reinsurance payable	75,694	79,100
Other liabilities	778,871	729,767
Total liabilities	15,973,348	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	3,611,286	3,610,717
Accumulated other comprehensive income	116,333	353,584
Treasury stock, at cost (2015-1,808,262 shares; 2014-1,405,638 shares)	(696,491)	(507,699)
Retained earnings	4,403,583	3,999,366
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Alleghany stockholders	7,452,171	7,473,428
Noncontrolling interest	8,616	8,616
Total stockholders' equity	7,460,787	7,482,044
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 23,434,135	$ 23,489,436