SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY - CASH FLOWS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ (368,969)	$ 513,368	$ 641,631
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Other items	(64,928)	(13,804)	16,119
Net cash provided by operating activities	259,229	406,724	791,200
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	178,363	(144,431)	(225,697)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	0	531,945	0
Repurchase of common shares - open market	(261,180)	(495,426)	(314,204)
Taxes paid on withholding shares	(24,678)	(14,329)	(18,048)
Dividends paid - common shares	(135,032)	(132,323)	(118,652)
Repurchase of preferred shares	(351,074)	(51,769)	0
Dividends paid - preferred shares	(52,844)	(39,909)	(40,088)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	0	224	3,986
Net cash used in financing activities	(545,688)	(201,587)	(487,006)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(90,868)	51,361	66,303
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year	1,039,494	988,133	921,830
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year	948,626	1,039,494	988,133
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	(368,969)	513,368	641,631
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries	336,152	(552,621)	(369,642)
Change in intercompany payable	94,827	33,286	(180,312)
Dividends received from subsidiaries	400,000	550,000	420,000
Other items	4,988	17,807	(23,614)
Net cash provided by operating activities	466,998	561,840	488,063
Cash flows from investing activities:
Promissory note receivable from subsidiary	0	(368,252)	0
Capital returned by subsidiary	368,252	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	368,252	(368,252)	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	0	531,945	0
Repurchase of common shares - open market	(261,180)	(495,426)	(314,204)
Taxes paid on withholding shares	(24,678)	(14,329)	(18,048)
Dividends paid - common shares	(135,032)	(132,323)	(118,652)
Repurchase of preferred shares	(351,074)	(51,769)	0
Dividends paid - preferred shares	(52,844)	(39,909)	(40,088)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	0	224	3,986
Net cash used in financing activities	(824,808)	(201,587)	(487,006)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	10,442	(7,999)	1,057
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year	99	8,098	7,041
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year	$ 10,541	$ 99	$ 8,098