Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant (Condensed Statements Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 520,329	$ (202,821)	$ 265,397
Equity in retained (earnings) deficit of subsidiaries	(38,579)	(42,047)	(45,463)
Decrease (increase) in federal income tax recoverable	(22,149)	79,504	(13,560)
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset	146,888	(187,967)	28,192
Change in other assets and liabilities, net	44,032	72,989	(33,463)
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)	19,124	10,125	8,614
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes	52	49	76
Net realized capital (gains) losses	(391,702)	41,116	(65,291)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	124,117	185,990	287,084
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value	927,867	695,921	676,822
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value	476,491	1,209,150	953,714
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value	546,463	237,849	230,562
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value	(1,784,344)	(1,455,940)	(785,831)
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value	(404,051)	(746,604)	(475,047)
Cost of other invested assets acquired, at fair value		(37,611)	(379,591)
Cost of businesses acquired		(63,100)
Net change in short-term investments	(42,027)	89,735	(254,160)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(169,088)	122,467	(132,129)
Net cost of senior notes maturing			200,000
Revolving credit borrowings		(50,000)	50,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	4	(49,725)	(149,800)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(547)	230,175	10,612
Cash, beginning of period	348,267	118,092	107,480
Cash, end of period	347,720	348,267	118,092
Everest Re Group, Ltd. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	520,329	(202,821)	265,397
Equity in retained (earnings) deficit of subsidiaries	(377,963)	181,912	(245,753)
Dividends received from subsidiaries	100,000	75,000	590,000
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest on debt and borrowings		(13)	(5,091)
Decrease (increase) in federal income tax recoverable	(56,234)	46,765	(26,913)
Decrease (increase) in deferred tax asset	107,163	(10,306)	4,889
Change in other assets and liabilities, net	(13,486)	(27,391)	5,232
Amortization of bond premium (accrual of bond discount)	303	80	571
Amortization of underwriting discount on senior notes	52	49	76
Net realized capital (gains) losses	(254,680)	1,789	(25,070)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	25,484	65,064	563,338
Additional investment in subsidiaries	(11,102)	(19,051)
Proceeds from fixed maturities matured/called - available for sale, at market value	1,749	394	7,581
Proceeds from fixed maturities sold - available for sale, at market value			124,957
Proceeds from equity securities sold - available for sale, at fair value	13,659	32,323	20,842
Cost of fixed maturities acquired - available for sale, at market value		(14,777)	(800)
Cost of equity securities acquired - available for sale, at fair value	(28,334)		(71,161)
Cost of other invested assets acquired, at fair value		(37,611)	(379,591)
Cost of businesses acquired		(55,000)
Net change in short-term investments	(1,494)	77,616	(115,056)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(25,522)	(16,106)	(413,228)
Net cost of senior notes maturing			(200,000)
Revolving credit borrowings		(50,000)	50,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(50,000)	(150,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(38)	(1,042)	110
Cash, beginning of period	327	1,369	1,259
Cash, end of period	289	327	1,369
Non-cash contribution from parent	6,807	5,650	6,582
Non-cash contribution to subsidiaries	$ (6,807)	$ (5,650)	$ (6,582)