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SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (DETAILS 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Mar. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Sep. 30, 2010 | Jun. 30, 2010 | Mar. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 3,801,226 | $ 3,551,473 | $ 2,814,977
Expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest expense and financing costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 62,598 | 55,876 | 32,031
Net income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 46,305 | 856,723 | 497,886
Preferred share dividends |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 36,875 | 36,875 | 36,875
Net income available to common shareholders | 80,064 | 212,058 | 101,068 | (383,760) | 264,343 | 238,842 | 204,852 | 111,812 | 9,430 | 819,848 | 461,011
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net investment Income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 | 74 | 27
Total revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 | 74 | 27
Expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
General and administrative expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 36,248 | 33,785 | 42,114
Interest expense and financing costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 29,201 | 29,201 | 29,201
Total expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 65,449 | 62,986 | 71,315
Loss before equity in net earnings of subsidiaries |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (65,448) | (62,912) | (71,288)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 111,753 | 919,635 | 569,174
Net income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 46,305 | 856,723 | 497,886
Preferred share dividends |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 36,875 | 36,875 | 36,875
Net income available to common shareholders |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 9,430 | $ 819,848 | $ 461,011

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- Definition This item represents investment income derived from investments in debt and equity securities consisting of interest income earned from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents, dividend income from investments in equity securities, and income or expense derived from the amortization of investment related discounts or premiums, respectively, net of related investment expenses. This item does not include realized or unrealized gains or losses on the sale or holding of investments in debt and equity securities required to be included in earnings for the period or for other than temporary losses related to investments in debt and equity securities which are included in realized losses in the period recognized, and does not include investment income from real or personal property, such as rental income. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(a),(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS115-1/124-1 -Paragraph 13, 14, 15, 16 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 14, 16 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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