Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$ (256,678)	$ (1,960,431)
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries' earnings	(2,676)	60
Net loss	(259,354)	(1,960,371)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,066	3,733
Amortization of bond premium and discount	(189,402)	(186,314)
Reorganization items	7,215	49,861
Share-based compensation		(15,459)
Deferred income taxes	1,586
Current income taxes	1,069	73,175
Deferred acquisition costs	24,350	27,139
Unearned premiums, net	(635,346)	(507,174)
Losses and loss expenses, net	(261,304)	1,786,959
Ceded premiums payable	(21,028)	(25,895)
Investment income due and accrued	5,586	(262)
Premium receivables	407,858	394,117
Accrued interest payable	89,276	108,461
Net mark-to-market losses (gains)	22,932	(31,031)
Net realized investment gains	(72,101)	(17,347)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	5,990	63,843
Losses (gains) on extinguishment of debt	177,580	(3,119)
Variable interest entity activities	(27,777)	214,368
Other, net	105,906	28,873
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(613,898)	3,557
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of bonds	592,672	635,178
Proceeds from matured bonds	1,109,468	675,932
Purchases of bonds	(798,740)	(1,251,271)
Change in short-term investments	121,413	208,496
Loans, net	9,793	1,171
Change in swap collateral receivable	43,635	(45,380)
Other, net	(40,261)	3,900
Net cash provided by investing activities	1,037,980	228,026
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds received from a newly established variable interest entity		35,600
Paydowns of variable interest entity secured borrowing	(21,012)
Proceeds from issuance of investment and repurchase agreements		123
Payments for investment and repurchase agreement draws	(186,786)	(258,364)
Payments for extinguishment of debt	(188,446)
Net cash collateral received		(2,440)
Net cash used in financing activities	(396,244)	(225,081)
Net cash flow	27,838	6,502
Cash at January 1	15,999	9,497
Cash at December 31	43,837	15,999
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes	1,493	1,991
Interest on variable interest entity secured borrowing	1,572
Interest on investment agreements	7,264	8,456
Cash receipts and payments related to reorganization items:
Professional fees paid for services rendered in connection with the Chapter 11 proceeding	$ 9,141	$ 31,253