SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY - BALANCE SHEETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 948,626	$ 1,039,494	$ 988,133	$ 921,830
Other assets	317,915	295,120
Total assets	24,760,177	20,813,691
Liabilities
Other liabilities	403,779	325,313
Total liabilities	19,418,913	14,541,321
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred shares	775,000	1,126,074
Common shares (shares issued 2017: 176,580; 2016: 176,580 shares outstanding 2017: 83,161; 2016: 86,441)	2,206	2,206
Additional paid-in capital	2,299,166	2,299,857
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	92,382	(121,841)
Retained earnings	5,979,666	6,527,627
Treasury shares, at cost (2017: 93,419; 2016: 90,139)	(3,807,156)	(3,561,553)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,341,264	6,272,370
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	24,760,177	20,813,691
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited
Assets
Investments in subsidiaries	5,532,396	6,033,564
Promissory note receivable from subsidiary	0	368,252
Cash and cash equivalents	10,541	99	$ 8,098	$ 7,041
Other assets	9,480	9,913
Total assets	5,552,417	6,411,828
Liabilities
Intercompany payable	160,950	66,123
Dividends payable	49,907	58,791
Other liabilities	296	14,544
Total liabilities	211,153	139,458
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred shares	775,000	1,126,074
Common shares (shares issued 2017: 176,580; 2016: 176,580 shares outstanding 2017: 83,161; 2016: 86,441)	2,206	2,206
Additional paid-in capital	2,299,166	2,299,857
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	92,382	(121,841)
Retained earnings	5,979,666	6,527,627
Treasury shares, at cost (2017: 93,419; 2016: 90,139)	(3,807,156)	(3,561,553)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,341,264	6,272,370
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 5,552,417	$ 6,411,828