OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (DETAILS 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Reclassification out of accumulated comprehensive income into net income available to common shareholders [Line Items]
Other realized investment gains (losses)	$ 1,783	$ 35,166	$ (23,201)	$ 46,572
OTTI losses	(12,893)	(1,905)	(30,461)	(2,690)
Income before income taxes	75,186	211,759	240,322	364,354
Income tax (expense) benefit	(1,815)	(9,500)	(1,125)	(13,625)
Net income attributable to AXIS Capital	73,371	200,686	239,197	347,934
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale investments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of accumulated comprehensive income into net income available to common shareholders [Line Items]
Other realized investment gains (losses)	3,501	42,164	(24,028)	59,018
OTTI losses	(12,893)	(1,905)	(30,461)	(2,690)
Income before income taxes	(9,392)	40,259	(54,489)	56,328
Income tax (expense) benefit	535	(6,330)	529	(12,785)
Net income attributable to AXIS Capital	$ (8,857)	$ 33,929	$ (53,960)	$ 43,543