SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY - BALANCE SHEETS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,232,814	$ 948,626
Other assets	285,346	317,915
Total assets	24,132,566	24,760,177
Liabilities
Other liabilities	393,178	403,779
Total liabilities	19,102,495	19,418,913
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred shares	775,000	775,000
Common shares (shares issued 2018: 176,580; 2017: 176,580 shares outstanding 2018: 83,586; 2017: 83,161)	2,206	2,206
Additional paid-in capital	2,308,583	2,299,166
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(177,110)	92,382
Retained earnings	5,912,812	5,979,666
Treasury shares, at cost (2018: 92,994; 2017: 93,419)	(3,791,420)	(3,807,156)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,030,071	5,341,264
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	24,132,566	24,760,177
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited
Assets
Investments in subsidiaries	5,320,828	5,532,396
Cash and cash equivalents	3,099	10,541
Other assets	9,647	9,480
Total assets	5,333,574	5,552,417
Liabilities
Intercompany payable	247,992	160,950
Dividends payable	51,157	49,907
Other liabilities	4,354	296
Total liabilities	303,503	211,153
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred shares	775,000	775,000
Common shares (shares issued 2018: 176,580; 2017: 176,580 shares outstanding 2018: 83,586; 2017: 83,161)	2,206	2,206
Additional paid-in capital	2,308,583	2,299,166
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(177,110)	92,382
Retained earnings	5,912,812	5,979,666
Treasury shares, at cost (2018: 92,994; 2017: 93,419)	(3,791,420)	(3,807,156)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,030,071	5,341,264
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 5,333,574	$ 5,552,417