XML 163 R66.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Premiums Earned and Associated Tax Accruals Adjustment Amount $ 20xlgroup_PremiumsEarnedandAssociatedTaxAccrualsAdjustmentAmount
Options, life of award 10 years
Alternative funds  
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Alternative investments, timelag for reporting 1 month
Private investment funds  
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Alternative investments, timelag for reporting 3 months
Operating affiliates  
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Alternative investments, timelag for reporting 3 months
Investments in the common stock of a corporation  
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Threshold for signicant influence, percentage 20.00%xlgroup_SignificantInfluenceRecognitionPercentage
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= xlgroup_InvestmentsInCommonStockOfCorporationsMember
Investments in closed end funds, limited partnerships, LLCs or similar investment vehicles  
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Threshold for signicant influence, percentage 3.00%xlgroup_SignificantInfluenceRecognitionPercentage
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= xlgroup_InvestmentsInOtherTypesOfLegalStructuresMember
Maximum  
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Hedge effectiveness, percentage 125.00%xlgroup_HedgeEffectivenessPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Vesting period required 4 years
Minimum  
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]  
Hedge effectiveness, percentage 80.00%xlgroup_HedgeEffectivenessPercentage
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Vesting period required 3 years