CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues:
Net premiums earned	$ 8,226,425		$ 5,895,070	$ 6,309,521
Net investment income	872,370		918,625	957,716
Realized investment gains (losses):
Total net realized gains (losses) on investments, and net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Trading - Life Funds Withheld Assets	202,178		107,462	87,777
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments	53,123		29,886	7,798
Income (loss) from investment fund affiliates	73,320		95,816	138,391
Fee income and other	33,201		43,630	40,031
Total revenues	9,308,926		6,602,267	7,541,234
Expenses:
Net losses and loss expenses incurred	4,766,200		3,258,393	3,731,464
Claims and policy benefits	115,997		242,963	465,702
Acquisition costs	1,317,448	[1]	738,118	909,323
Operating expenses	1,966,939		1,341,315	1,213,178
Foreign exchange (gains) losses	22,504		(37,568)	(28,243)
Loss on sale of life reinsurance subsidiary	0		666,423	0
Extinguishment of debt	5,592		0	0
Interest expense	205,215		134,106	155,462
Total expenses	8,399,895		6,343,750	6,446,886
Income (loss) before income tax and income (loss) from operating affiliates	909,031		258,517	1,094,348
Income (loss) from operating affiliates	44,740		107,218	119,804
Gain on sale of operating affiliate	340,407		0	0
Provision (benefit) for income tax	(19,161)		96,897	77,505
Net income (loss)	1,313,339		268,838	1,136,647
Non-controlling interests	106,187		80,498	76,731
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders	$ 1,207,152		$ 188,340	$ 1,059,916
Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding - basic (in shares)	286,194		267,103	287,801
Weighted average ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding - diluted (in shares)	290,999		271,527	292,069
Earnings (loss) per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 4.22		$ 0.71	$ 3.68
Earnings (loss) per ordinary share and ordinary share equivalent - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.15		$ 0.69	$ 3.63
Exclude Life Funds Withheld Assets [Member]
Revenues:
Net investment income	$ 684,881		$ 789,050	$ 957,716
Realized investment gains (losses):
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold	102,957		158,733	104,076
Other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) on investments	(81,987)		(33,508)	(10,266)
OTTI on investments transferred to (from) other comprehensive income	(973)		(2,234)	(6,033)
Total net realized gains (losses) on investments, and net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Trading - Life Funds Withheld Assets	19,997		122,991	87,777
Life Funds Withheld Assets [Member]
Revenues:
Net investment income	187,489		129,575	0
Realized investment gains (losses):
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold	223,272		5,067	0
Other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) on investments	(13,357)		(20,587)	0
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, Trading - Life Funds Withheld Assets	(27,734)		(9)	0
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments	$ (151,691)		$ (488,222)	$ 0

[1] The Company has reflected the amortization of certain fair value adjustments recorded in conjunction with the Catlin Acquisition within the respective segments.