Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (180,183)	$ 60,262	$ 209,280	$ 218,649
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(5,486), $(6,014), $(3,850) and $(4,380)	(9,884)	(10,832)	(6,936)	(7,889)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $198, $860, $5,230 and $(578)	(355)	(1,549)	(9,419)	1,041
Net change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(5,684), $(6,874), $(9,080) and $(3,802)	(10,239)	(12,381)	(16,355)	(6,848)
Net unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $96, $(4,335), $(3,900) and $(4,392)	(228)	(16,553)	(18,644)	(13)
Less: reclassification adjustment for foreign exchange (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $149, $0 and $149	0	(267)	0	(267)
Net change in unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $96, $(4,484), $(3,900) and $(4,541)	(228)	(16,820)	(18,644)	(280)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $221, $0 and $34	0	399	0	61
Less: reclassification adjustment for derivative (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0, $0 and $0	0	0	0	0
Net change in unrealized derivative gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $221, $0 and $34	0	399	0	61
Net pension gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0, $0 and $0	0	0	0	0
Less: reclassification adjustment for pension (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(653), $(422), $(1,959) and $(1,266)	1,258	760	3,772	2,280
Net change in pension liability, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $653, $422, $1,959 and $1,266	1,258	760	3,772	2,280
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	(9,209)	(28,042)	(31,227)	(4,787)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(189,392)	32,220	178,053	213,862
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	1,238	1,058	1,828	(567)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	6,788	(5,625)	15,931	(966)
Preferred stock dividends	(1,016)	(1,016)	(3,047)	(3,047)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	$ (182,382)	$ 26,637	$ 192,765	$ 209,282