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Derivative Instruments - Components of life retrocession embedded derivative (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative [Line Items]      
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on life retrocession embedded derivative and derivative instruments - Life Funds Withheld Assets $ 29,886us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet $ 7,798us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet $ 5,221us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
Life Funds Withheld Assets [Member]      
Derivative [Line Items]      
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on life retrocession embedded derivative (450,831)us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_LifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
   
Net adjustments related to future policy benefit reserves, net of tax (21,786)xlgroup_OtherComprehensiveIncomeCumulativeAdjustmentShadowLiabilityFuturePolicyBenefitReserveExcludingForeignExchangeEffects
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_LifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
   
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments - Life Funds Withheld Assets (15,605)xlgroup_DerivativeGainLossOtherDerivatives
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_LifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
   
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on life retrocession embedded derivative and derivative instruments - Life Funds Withheld Assets (488,222)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_LifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_LifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
0us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_LifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
Life Funds Withheld Assets [Member] | Interest income      
Derivative [Line Items]      
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on life retrocession embedded derivative (134,634)us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
/ xlgroup_ComponentsofLifeRetrocessionEmbeddedDerivativeIncomeAxis
= us-gaap_InterestIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_LifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
   
Life Funds Withheld Assets [Member] | Net realized and unrealized gains (losses      
Derivative [Line Items]      
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on life retrocession embedded derivative (318,065)us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
/ xlgroup_ComponentsofLifeRetrocessionEmbeddedDerivativeIncomeAxis
= xlgroup_NetRealizedAndUnrealizedGainsLossesOnDerivativeInstrumentsMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_LifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
   
Life Funds Withheld Assets [Member] | Other      
Derivative [Line Items]      
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on life retrocession embedded derivative $ 1,868us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
/ xlgroup_ComponentsofLifeRetrocessionEmbeddedDerivativeIncomeAxis
= us-gaap_OtherIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_LifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember