CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 268,838	$ 1,136,647	$ 730,383
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net realized (gains) losses on investments	(107,462)	(87,777)	(14,098)
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments	(29,886)	(7,798)	(5,221)
Amortization of premiums (discounts) on fixed maturities	153,849	166,621	169,353
(Income) loss from investment and operating affiliates	(129,915)	(229,386)	(112,391)
Loss on sale of life reinsurance subsidiary	666,423	0	0
Share based compensation	81,287	46,489	47,472
Depreciation	56,118	56,229	57,280
Accretion of deposit liabilities	11,195	47,256	81,269
Changes in:
Unpaid losses and loss expenses	(427,528)	(88,636)	(287,972)
Future policy benefit reserves	(229,204)	(164,923)	(187,400)
Funds withheld on life retrocession agreements, net	(218,144)	0	0
Unearned premiums	253,396	65,279	182,963
Premiums receivable	15,248	(27,334)	(127,633)
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable	(44,688)	(36,897)	305,675
Ceded unearned premiums	(191,242)	(196,674)	14,923
Reinsurance balances receivable	(17,736)	(60,317)	162,280
Deferred acquisition costs	303,998	8,532	(649)
Reinsurance balances payable	160,916	161,132	48,159
Deferred tax asset - net	(33,735)	(29,230)	(28,556)
Derivatives	42,187	(22,324)	7,252
Other assets	33,344	(26,945)	20,924
Other liabilities	(147,744)	60,331	50,342
Other	5,447	9,702	(58,249)
Total adjustments	694,346	(356,670)	325,723
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	963,184	779,977	1,056,106
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities and short-term investments	4,896,112	4,341,429	3,604,792
Proceeds from redemption of fixed maturities and short-term investments	3,601,793	4,008,333	4,579,651
Proceeds from sale of equity securities	571,410	245,538	221,617
Purchases of fixed maturities and short term investments	(7,158,258)	(9,143,973)	(8,902,879)
Purchases of equity securities	(445,504)	(534,356)	(362,021)
Proceeds from sale of affiliates	240,785	190,954	133,375
Purchases of affiliates	(371,226)	(353,678)	(138,027)
Proceeds from sale of life reinsurance subsidiary	570,000	0	0
Other, net	(193,491)	47,891	(79,101)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	1,711,621	(1,197,862)	(942,593)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares and exercise of stock options	6,367	12,623	5,413
Buybacks of ordinary shares	(801,953)	(675,617)	(402,930)
Dividends paid on ordinary shares	(169,620)	(160,155)	(134,799)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(78,465)	(77,670)	(78,987)
Contributions from non-controlling interest	48,261	7,747	1,500
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	592,615	0
Repayment of debt	(600,000)	0	(600,000)
Deposit liabilities	(268,298)	(94,386)	(134,950)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,863,708)	(394,843)	(1,344,753)
Effects of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash	(90,115)	(4,818)	24,493
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	720,982	(817,546)	(1,206,747)
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	1,800,832	2,618,378	3,825,125
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	2,521,814	1,800,832	2,618,378
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Net taxes paid	20,168	96,469	34,465
Interest paid on notes payable and debt	121,285	97,125	116,689
Life Funds Withheld Assets [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net realized (gains) losses on investments	15,529
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments	$ 488,222	$ 0	$ 0