SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY - CASH FLOWS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 43,021	$ (368,969)	$ 513,368
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Other items	26,452	(64,928)	(13,804)
Net cash provided by operating activities	10,773	259,229	406,724
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	638,554	391,510	(129,036)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	0	0	531,945
Repurchase of common shares - open market	0	(261,180)	(495,426)
Taxes paid on withholding shares	(10,080)	(24,678)	(14,329)
Dividends paid - common shares	(133,502)	(135,032)	(132,323)
Repurchase of preferred shares	0	(351,074)	(51,769)
Dividends paid - preferred shares	(42,625)	(52,844)	(39,909)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	0	0	224
Net cash used in financing activities	(186,207)	(545,688)	(201,587)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	466,234	122,279	66,756
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of year	1,363,786	1,241,507	1,174,751
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of year	1,830,020	1,363,786	1,241,507
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	43,021	(368,969)	513,368
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries	(71,371)	336,152	(552,621)
Change in intercompany payable	87,042	94,827	33,286
Dividends received from subsidiaries	200,000	400,000	550,000
Other items	(79,927)	4,988	17,807
Net cash provided by operating activities	178,765	466,998	561,840
Cash flows from investing activities:
Promissory note receivable from subsidiary	0	0	(368,252)
Capital returned by subsidiary	0	368,252	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	368,252	(368,252)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	0	0	531,945
Repurchase of common shares - open market	0	(261,180)	(495,426)
Taxes paid on withholding shares	(10,080)	(24,678)	(14,329)
Dividends paid - common shares	(133,502)	(135,032)	(132,323)
Repurchase of preferred shares	0	(351,074)	(51,769)
Dividends paid - preferred shares	(42,625)	(52,844)	(39,909)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	0	0	224
Net cash used in financing activities	(186,207)	(824,808)	(201,587)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(7,442)	10,442	(7,999)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - beginning of year	10,541	99	8,098
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - end of year	$ 3,099	$ 10,541	$ 99