Reinsurance (Premiums And Losses Ceded By The Company To Affiliate) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums		$ 2,902,348	$ 2,858,320	$ 2,320,091
Assumed written premiums		3,484,414	3,786,260	3,196,707
Bermuda Re [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums		2,283,815	2,273,222	2,097,812
Ceded earned premiums		2,316,096	2,208,084	1,986,421
Ceded losses and LAE	[1]	1,293,997	1,196,118	1,148,841
Everest International [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums		395	286	691
Ceded earned premiums		522	563	1,105
Ceded losses and LAE		673	(2,356)	(3,180)
Everest Canada [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Assumed written premiums		39,819	37,436	20,419
Assumed earned premiums		35,988	25,925	17,447
Assumed losses and LAE		20,345	15,401	12,014
Mt. Logan Re [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded written premiums		209,162	122,203	19,066
Ceded earned premiums		201,416	122,979	18,001
Ceded losses and LAE		40,753	28,844	4,171
Assumed written premiums		15,421	13,889	1,735
Assumed earned premiums		$ 15,421	$ 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, amortization of deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance is reflected in other income on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Upon the sale of Mt. McKinley, the value of the remaining deferred gain on retroactive reinsurance was included in the calculation of the realized gain on sale of subsidiary.