SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY BALANCE SHEETS (DETAILS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,039,494	$ 988,133	$ 921,830	$ 923,326
Other assets	295,120	302,335
Total assets	20,813,691	19,981,891
Liabilities
Other liabilities	325,313	350,237
Total liabilities	14,541,321	14,115,009
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred shares	1,126,074	627,843
Common shares (2016: 176,580; 2015: 176,240 shares issued and 2016: 86,441; 2015: 96,066 shares outstanding)	2,206	2,202
Additional paid-in capital	2,299,857	2,241,388
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(121,841)	(188,465)
Retained earnings	6,527,627	6,194,353
Treasury shares, at cost (2016: 90,139; 2015: 80,174 shares)	(3,561,553)	(3,010,439)
Total shareholders’ equity	6,272,370	5,866,882
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	20,813,691	19,981,891
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited [Member]
Assets
Investments in subsidiaries on equity basis	6,033,564	5,943,182
Promissory note receivable from subsidiary	368,252	0
Cash and cash equivalents	99	8,098	$ 7,041	$ 4,414
Other assets	9,913	9,381
Total assets	6,411,828	5,960,661
Liabilities
Intercompany payable	66,123	32,837
Dividends payable	58,791	52,237
Other liabilities	14,544	8,705
Total liabilities	139,458	93,779
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred shares	1,126,074	627,843
Common shares (2016: 176,580; 2015: 176,240 shares issued and 2016: 86,441; 2015: 96,066 shares outstanding)	2,206	2,202
Additional paid-in capital	2,299,857	2,241,388
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(121,841)	(188,465)
Retained earnings	6,527,627	6,194,353
Treasury shares, at cost (2016: 90,139; 2015: 80,174 shares)	(3,561,553)	(3,010,439)
Total shareholders’ equity	6,272,370	5,866,882
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 6,411,828	$ 5,960,661