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Investments - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
 3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
positions
Mar. 31, 2014
May 01, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Change in adjustments related to future policy benefit reserves, net of tax $ (60,356,000)xlgroup_OtherComprehensiveIncomeCumulativeAdjustmentShadowLiabilityFuturePolicyBenefitReserve $ 34,004,000xlgroup_OtherComprehensiveIncomeCumulativeAdjustmentShadowLiabilityFuturePolicyBenefitReserve    
Fixed maturities, at fair value 29,110,400,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities     29,359,034,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Amortized cost of fixed maturities 27,370,101,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis     27,728,771,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
Percentage of Fixed Income Investment portfolio invested in below investment grade or not rated 2.80%xlgroup_PercentageOfFixedIncomeInvestmentPortfolioInvestedInBelowInvestmentGradeOrNotRated     3.00%xlgroup_PercentageOfFixedIncomeInvestmentPortfolioInvestedInBelowInvestmentGradeOrNotRated
Percentage of Gross Unrealized losses in Fixed income securities portfolio related to securities below investment grade or not rated 23.10%xlgroup_PercentageOfGrossUnrealizedLossesInFixedIncomeSecuritiesPortfolioRelatedToSecuritiesBelowInvestmentGradeOrNotRated     24.90%xlgroup_PercentageOfGrossUnrealizedLossesInFixedIncomeSecuritiesPortfolioRelatedToSecuritiesBelowInvestmentGradeOrNotRated
Available for sale securities, Gross unrealized losses 205,279,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax     213,576,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions 1,347us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1      
Available-for-sale Securities, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions 7,586xlgroup_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions      
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Other Debt Securities Available-for-sale or Held-for-investment 15,400,000,000us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedOtherDebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment     15,200,000,000us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedOtherDebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Reductions, Securities Sold 28,539,000us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold 3,348,000us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold    
Corporate        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities 7,600,000us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetAvailableforsaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember		      
Medium term notes        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Fixed maturities, at fair value 74,800,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember		     79,900,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
Amortized cost of fixed maturities 63,800,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember		     68,400,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MediumTermNotesMember
Structured Credit Securities [Member]        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Marketable Securities 6,100,000us-gaap_MarketableSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= xlgroup_StructuredCreditSecuritiesMember		      
Marketable Securities Unrealized Loss Other Than Temporary Impairments Amount 9,000,000xlgroup_MarketableSecuritiesUnrealizedLossOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsAmount
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= xlgroup_StructuredCreditSecuritiesMember		      
Impaired Investment Cumulative Fair Value Decline Percentage Amortized Cost 50.00%xlgroup_ImpairedInvestmentCumulativeFairValueDeclinePercentageAmortizedCost
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= xlgroup_StructuredCreditSecuritiesMember		      
RMBS - Non-Agency        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities 100,000us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetAvailableforsaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByPrivateEnterprisesMember		      
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Reductions, Securities Sold 27,300,000us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByPrivateEnterprisesMember		 2,700,000us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByPrivateEnterprisesMember		    
Foreign Currency Adjustments [Member]        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities 2,600,000us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetAvailableforsaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= xlgroup_ForeignCurrencyAdjustmentsMember		      
Equities        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities 300,000us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetAvailableforsaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember		      
XL Re Life (SAC) Ltd        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Held To Maturity Securities Transferred Security Carrying Value     2,800,000,000xlgroup_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesTransferredSecurityCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= xlgroup_XLReLifeSACLtdMember		  
Unrealized gains on held to maturity investment portfolio at time of transfer to available for sale, net of tax     424,900,000us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGain
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= xlgroup_XLReLifeSACLtdMember		  
Fixed maturites held to maturity, gross unrealized losses     0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLoss
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= xlgroup_XLReLifeSACLtdMember		  
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Change in adjustments related to future policy benefit reserves, net of tax (60,400,000)xlgroup_OtherComprehensiveIncomeCumulativeAdjustmentShadowLiabilityFuturePolicyBenefitReserve
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember		      
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments | XL Re Life (SAC) Ltd        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Change in adjustments related to future policy benefit reserves, net of tax     440,500,000xlgroup_OtherComprehensiveIncomeCumulativeAdjustmentShadowLiabilityFuturePolicyBenefitReserve
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis
= xlgroup_XLReLifeSACLtdMember
/ us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis
= us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember		  
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Fixed maturities, at fair value 24,392,421,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember		     24,177,469,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
Amortized cost of fixed maturities 23,579,612,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember		     23,427,432,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
Available for sale securities, Gross unrealized losses 205,279,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember		     213,576,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities 10,576,000us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetAvailableforsaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember		 3,727,000us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetAvailableforsaleSecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember		    
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Corporate        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Fixed maturities, at fair value 8,154,638,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember		 [1]     8,778,373,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember		 [2]
Amortized cost of fixed maturities 7,806,607,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember		 [1]     8,462,130,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember		 [2]
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | RMBS - Non-Agency        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Fixed maturities, at fair value 380,135,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByPrivateEnterprisesMember		     427,351,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByPrivateEnterprisesMember
Amortized cost of fixed maturities 368,317,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByPrivateEnterprisesMember		     404,398,000us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
/ us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis
= xlgroup_ExcludeLifeFundsWithheldAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_MortgageBackedSecuritiesIssuedByPrivateEnterprisesMember
Catlin Group Limited        
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]        
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Other Debt Securities Available-for-sale or Held-for-investment $ 1,000,000,000us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedOtherDebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleOrHeldForInvestment
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= xlgroup_CatlinGroupLimitedMember		      
[1] Included are certain medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $74.8 million and an amortized cost of $63.8 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate values of these notes.
[2] Included are certain medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $79.9 million and an amortized cost of $68.4 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate values of these notes.