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Long Term Subordinated Notes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Floating rate terms interest will be based on the 3 month LIBOR plus 238.5 basis points, reset quarterly, payable quarterly in arrears on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, subject to Holdings' right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to ten consecutive years.  
Percentage of principal amount required for redemption 100.00%cik0000914748_LongTermSubordinatedNotesPrincipalAmountRedeemedInPercentage  
Long Term Subordinated Debt [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt instrument, stated interest rate 6.60%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember		 6.60%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember
Percentage of principal amount required for redemption 100.00%cik0000914748_LongTermSubordinatedNotesPrincipalAmountRedeemedInPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember		  
Outstanding debt reduction $ 161,441us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember		  
Debt instrument, maturity date May 01, 2067 May 01, 2067
Long Term Subordinated Debt [Member] | Minimum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Applicable spread on treasury rate 0.25%cik0000914748_DebtInstrumentDiscountRateTerms
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember		  
Long Term Subordinated Debt [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Applicable spread on treasury rate 0.50%cik0000914748_DebtInstrumentDiscountRateTerms
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember		  
Fixed Rate Interest Period [Member] | Long Term Subordinated Debt [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Interest basis, 3 month LIBOR plus number of basis points, reset quarterly 2.385%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cik0000914748_FixedRateInterestPeriodMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubordinatedDebtMember		  
Fixed Rate Interest Period [Member] | Long Term Subordinated Debt [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to number of consecutive years 10 years  
Floating Rate Interest Period [Member] | Long Term Subordinated Debt [Member] | Maximum [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Right to defer interest on one or more occasions for up to number of consecutive years 10 years  
Senior Notes 5.4% [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt instrument, stated interest rate 5.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cik0000914748_SeniorNotes540Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		  
Debt instrument, maturity date Oct. 15, 2014  
Senior Notes 4.868% [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Debt instrument, stated interest rate 4.868%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cik0000914748_SeniorNotes4868Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember		 4.868%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= cik0000914748_SeniorNotes4868Member
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Debt instrument, maturity date Jun. 01, 2044 Jun. 01, 2044