Investments - Credit loss impairments on fixed income securities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 171,382	$ 260,066	$ 174,805	$ 268,707
Credit loss impairment recognized in the current period on securities not previously impaired	30	27	41	527
Credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period	(3,322)	(55,144)	(7,571)	(61,619)
Credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities impaired to fair value during the period	0	0	0	0
Additional credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities previously impaired	892	1,996	3,153	4,300
Accretion of credit loss impairments previously recognized due to an increase in cash flows expected to be collected	(3,105)	(4,083)	(4,551)	(9,053)
Balance, end of period	$ 165,877	$ 202,862	$ 165,877	$ 202,862