SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (DETAILS 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues
Termination fee received									$ 0	$ 280,000	$ 0
Total revenues									4,005,657	4,130,309	4,346,523
Expenses
Interest expense and financing costs									51,360	50,963	74,695
Net income attributable to AXIS Capital									513,368	641,631	810,745
Preferred share dividends									46,597	40,069	40,088
Loss on repurchase of preferred shares									1,309	0	0
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 130,912	$ 176,644	$ 119,491	$ 38,417	$ 134,787	$ 247,620	$ 63,349	$ 155,803	465,462	601,562	770,657
Comprehensive income									579,992	498,740	647,346
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited [Member]
Revenues
Net investment income									656	1	3
Termination fee received									0	280,000	0
Total revenues									656	280,001	3
Expenses
General and administrative expenses									39,909	8,012	57,998
Interest expense and financing costs									0	0	26,749
Total expenses									39,909	8,012	84,747
Income (loss) before equity in net earnings of subsidiaries									(39,253)	271,989	(84,744)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries									552,621	369,642	895,489
Net income attributable to AXIS Capital									513,368	641,631	810,745
Preferred share dividends									46,597	40,069	40,088
Loss on repurchase of preferred shares									1,309	0	0
Net income available to common shareholders									465,462	601,562	770,657
Comprehensive income									$ 579,992	$ 498,740	$ 641,165