Related-Party Transactions (Premiums And Losses Ceded By The Company To Affiliate) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Bermuda Re [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums	$ 524,057		$ 509,451		$ 1,042,074		$ 986,582
Ceded earned premiums	535,287		475,419		1,015,100		929,801
Ceded losses and LAE	296,322	[1]	266,455	[1]	534,823	[1]	497,986	[1]
Everest International [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums	203		269		88		134
Ceded earned premiums	348		353		274		414
Ceded losses and LAE	260		(643)		2,144		(603)
Everest Canada [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Assumed written premiums	11,215		6,287		15,225		9,125
Assumed earned premiums	5,268		3,619		9,956		7,389
Assumed losses and LAE	3,091		2,048		6,383		4,274
Mt. Logan Re [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums	20,228				48,594
Ceded earned premiums	22,680				40,517
Ceded losses and LAE	9,648				14,791
Assumed written premiums					9,919
Assumed earned premiums	2,605				4,711
Assumed losses and LAE

[1] (a) Ceded losses and LAE include the Mt. McKinley loss portfolio transfer that constitutes losses ceded under retroactive reinsurance and therefore, in accordance with FASB guidance, a deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance is reflected in other expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).