Funds Held - Directly Managed (Details - cost, unrealized gains and losses and fair value) (Funds held directly managed [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule Of Trading Securities And Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	$ 554,275	[1]	$ 797,920	[1]
Gross unrealized gains	21,497		44,882
Gross unrealized losses	(14,327)		(9,432)
Fair value	561,445		833,370
Fixed maturities [Member]
Schedule Of Trading Securities And Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	523,758	[1]	771,143	[1]
Gross unrealized gains	21,497		44,263
Gross unrealized losses	(1,540)		(135)
Fair value	543,715		815,271
Fixed maturities [Member] | US Government and government sponsored enterpises [Member]
Schedule Of Trading Securities And Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	153,951	[1]	211,104	[1]
Gross unrealized gains	3,789		7,669
Gross unrealized losses	(444)		(77)
Fair value	157,296		218,696
Fixed maturities [Member] | US states, territories and municipalities [Member]
Schedule Of Trading Securities And Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	372	[1]	373	[1]
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	(86)		(28)
Fair value	286		345
Fixed maturities [Member] | Non US Sovereign Government Supranational And Government Related Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule Of Trading Securities And Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	131,488	[1]	217,961	[1]
Gross unrealized gains	6,708		16,039
Gross unrealized losses	(1,010)		(13)
Fair value	137,186		233,987
Fixed maturities [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Schedule Of Trading Securities And Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	237,947	[1]	341,705	[1]
Gross unrealized gains	11,000		20,555
Gross unrealized losses	0		(17)
Fair value	248,947		362,243
Short-term investments [Member]
Schedule Of Trading Securities And Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	2,426	[1]
Gross unrealized gains	0
Gross unrealized losses	0
Fair value	2,426
Other invested assets funds held directly managed [Member]
Schedule Of Trading Securities And Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Cost	28,091	[1]	26,777	[1]
Gross unrealized gains	0		619
Gross unrealized losses	(12,787)		(9,297)
Fair value	$ 15,304		$ 18,099

[1] Cost is amortized cost for fixed maturities and short-term investments.