Segments of Business - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Segment	Sep. 30, 2014 Segment	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Segment	Sep. 30, 2014 Segment	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | Segment	2	2	2	2
Identifiable assets	$ 23,434,135		$ 23,434,135		$ 23,489,436
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	7,452,171		7,452,171		$ 7,473,428
Corporate activities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	700,000		700,000
Cash and invested assets	500,000		500,000
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	(300,000)		(300,000)
Corporate activities | Kentucky Trailer
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Mortgage loan and borrowings under a credit facility	29,200		29,200
Operating Segments | Reinsurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	16,400,000		16,400,000
Cash and invested assets	14,000,000		14,000,000
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	5,200,000		5,200,000
Operating Segments | Insurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	6,300,000		6,300,000
Cash and invested assets	4,700,000		4,700,000
Stockholders' equity (deficit)	$ 2,600,000		$ 2,600,000