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BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
These unaudited consolidated financial statements (the "financial statements") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and include AXIS Capital Holdings Limited ("AXIS Capital") and its subsidiaries (the "Company"). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in AXIS Capital's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC.
In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position and results of operations for the periods presented.
The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Tabular dollar and share amounts are in thousands, with the exception of per share amounts. All amounts are reported in U.S. dollars.
Significant Accounting Policies
Changes to the Company's significant accounting policies subsequent to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 are noted below:
a)    Investments
Fixed Maturities, Held to Maturity, at Amortized Cost
Fixed maturities are classified as held to maturity when the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity or redemption. Fixed maturities classified as held to maturity are reported at amortized cost and are presented net of an allowance for expected credit losses. The allowance for expected credit losses is estimated based on the Company’s analysis of projected lifetime losses. The allowance for expected credit losses is recognized in net investment gains (losses) in the consolidated statements of operations. Any adjustment to the allowance for expected credit losses is recognized in the period in which it is determined.
b)    Share-based Compensation
The Company is authorized to issue restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance restricted stock units, stock options, stock appreciation rights and other equity-based awards to its employees and directors. The Company's plan includes share-settled and cash-settled service awards and performance awards.
Restricted Stock Units - Share-Settled and Cash-Settled
The fair value of share-settled and cash-settled service awards is based on market value of the Company's common shares measured at the grant date and is expensed over the requisite service period. The fair value of the cash-settled service awards is recognized as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets and is remeasured at the end of each reporting period. The Company recognizes forfeitures when they occur.
Performance Restricted Stock Units - Share-Settled and Cash-Settled
The fair value of share-settled performance awards which include a market condition is measured on the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model which requires inputs including share price, expected volatility, expected term, expected dividend yield and risk-free interest rates. The fair value of share-settled and cash-settled performance awards which include a performance condition is based on market value of the Company's common shares measured at the grant date. The fair value of share-settled and cash-settled performance awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The fair value of the cash-settled performance awards is recognized as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets and is remeasured at the end of each reporting period. The Company recognizes forfeitures when they occur.