Schedule II Financial Information of Registrant Parent Company Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Net investment income	$ 108,088	$ 114,337	$ 163,520
Net (losses) gains on other financial instruments	(4,736)	(82,269)	193,329
Other income	6,235	5,790	5,599
Total revenues	758,987	825,408	1,947,843
Expenses:
Interest expense	74,618	51,832	61,394
Total expenses	966,043	1,269,592	1,579,396
(Loss) income before income taxes	(207,055)	(444,197)	368,512
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(10,070)	7,271	66,362
Net (loss) income	(196,985)	(451,468)	302,150
Parent Company
Revenues:
Net investment income	4,300	9,093	15,890
Net (losses) gains on investments	(930)	8,816	24,603
Net (losses) gains on other financial instruments	(6,026)	9,180	1,085
Other income	0	3	3
Total revenues	(2,656)	27,092	41,581
Expenses:
Other operating expenses	0	2,690	0
Interest expense	37,087	17,756	16,132
Total expenses	37,087	20,446	16,132
(Loss) income before income taxes	(39,743)	6,646	25,449
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	9,234	(40,187)	(201,741)
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(148,008)	(498,301)	74,960
Net (loss) income	$ (196,985)	$ (451,468)	$ 302,150