SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (DETAILS 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 727,465	$ 547,241	$ 46,305
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Other items	789	(85,442)	77,782
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,096,968	1,120,617	1,190,142
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash from investing activities	(489,287)	(862,381)	(832,718)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	218,449	393,544	0
Repurchase of preferred shares	(100,000)	(404,073)	0
Repurchase of common shares	(472,263)	(317,687)	(65,885)
Dividends paid - common shares	(118,426)	(120,487)	(206,455)
Dividends paid - preferred shares	(39,193)	(38,228)	(36,875)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	20,339	5,120	6,735
Net cash used in financing activities	(441,094)	(481,811)	(302,480)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	163,509	(222,032)	52,334
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	759,817	981,849	929,515
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	923,326	759,817	981,849
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Interest paid	58,125	58,125	58,125
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	727,465	547,241	46,305
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(797,226)	(638,710)	(111,753)
Change in intercompany payable	(38,375)	(7,667)	(44,503)
Dividends received from subsidiaries	566,000	525,000	255,000
Other items	34,803	56,425	21,298
Net cash provided by operating activities	492,667	482,289	166,347
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital repaid from subsidiary	0	0	130,000
Net cash from investing activities	0	0	130,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	218,449	393,544	0
Repurchase of preferred shares	(100,000)	(404,073)	0
Repurchase of common shares	(472,263)	(317,687)	(65,885)
Dividends paid - common shares	(118,426)	(120,487)	(206,455)
Dividends paid - preferred shares	(39,193)	(38,228)	(36,875)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	20,339	5,120	6,735
Net cash used in financing activities	(491,094)	(481,811)	(302,480)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,573	478	(6,133)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	2,841	2,363	8,496
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	4,414	2,841	2,363
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Interest paid	$ 28,750	$ 28,750	$ 28,750