Reinsurance (Premiums And Losses Ceded By The Company To Affiliate) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums	$ 2,858,320		$ 2,320,091		$ 1,877,789
Assumed written premiums	3,786,260		3,196,707		2,519,142
Bermuda Re [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums	2,273,222		2,097,812		1,649,473
Ceded earned premiums	2,208,084		1,986,421		1,701,811
Ceded losses and LAE	1,196,118	[1]	1,148,841	[1]	1,095,331	[1]
Everest International [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums	286		691		1,828
Ceded earned premiums	563		1,105		3,535
Ceded losses and LAE	(2,356)		(3,180)		(2,815)
Everest Canada [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Assumed written premiums	37,436		20,419		17,216
Assumed earned premiums	25,925		17,447		15,455
Assumed losses and LAE	15,401		12,014		9,489
Mt. Logan Re [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums	122,203		19,066
Ceded earned premiums	122,979		18,001
Ceded losses and LAE	28,844		4,171
Assumed written premiums	13,889		1,735
Assumed earned premiums	13,889		1,735
Assumed losses and LAE

[1] 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).