CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 513,368	$ 641,631	$ 804,564
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized investment gains (losses) arising during the year	5,072	(266,384)	(38,667)
Adjustment for re-classification of net realized investment gains (losses) and OTTI losses recognized in net income	62,190	144,991	(114,470)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) arising during the year, net of reclassification adjustment	67,262	(121,393)	(153,137)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(638)	(21,498)	(10,262)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	66,624	(142,891)	(163,399)
Comprehensive income	579,992	498,740	641,165
Amounts attributable from noncontrolling interests	0	0	(6,181)
Comprehensive income attributable to AXIS Capital	$ 579,992	$ 498,740	$ 647,346