SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY BALANCE SHEETS (DETAILS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 923,326	$ 759,817	$ 981,849	$ 929,515
Other assets	273,385	215,369
Total assets	19,634,784	18,852,344
Liabilities
Senior notes	995,855	995,245
Other liabilities	248,822	228,623
Total liabilities	13,766,822	13,072,583
Shareholders' equity
Preferred shares	627,843	502,843
Common shares (2013: 174,134; 2012: 171,867 shares issued and 2013: 109,485; 2012: 117,920 shares outstanding)	2,174	2,146
Additional paid-in capital	2,240,125	2,179,034
Accumulated other comprehensive income	117,825	362,622
Retained earnings	5,062,706	4,497,789
Treasury shares, at cost (2013: 64,649; 2012: 53,947 shares)	(2,232,711)	(1,764,673)
Total shareholders' equity	5,817,962	5,779,761
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	19,634,784	18,852,344
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited [Member]
Assets
Investment in subsidiaries on equity basis	6,581,368	6,571,607
Cash and cash equivalents	4,414	2,841	2,363	8,496
Other assets	3,179	2,706
Total assets	6,588,961	6,577,154
Liabilities
Intercompany payable	204,877	243,252
Senior notes	499,906	499,798
Dividends payable	47,959	37,370
Other liabilities	18,257	16,973
Total liabilities	770,999	797,393
Shareholders' equity
Preferred shares	627,843	502,843
Common shares (2013: 174,134; 2012: 171,867 shares issued and 2013: 109,485; 2012: 117,920 shares outstanding)	2,174	2,146
Additional paid-in capital	2,240,125	2,179,034
Accumulated other comprehensive income	117,825	362,622
Retained earnings	5,062,706	4,497,789
Treasury shares, at cost (2013: 64,649; 2012: 53,947 shares)	(2,232,711)	(1,764,673)
Total shareholders' equity	5,817,962	5,779,761
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 6,588,961	$ 6,577,154