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SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (DETAILS 5) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income $ 46,305 $ 856,723 $ 497,886
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Other items (77,782) 81,025 (15,292)
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,190,142 1,187,777 849,856
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Net cash used in investing activities (832,718) (687,790) (1,478,871)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Repurchase of shares (65,885) (709,583) (175,909)
Dividends paid - common shares (206,455) (108,302) (112,984)
Dividends paid - preferred shares (36,875) (36,875) (36,875)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares 6,735 8,229 3,844
Net cash used in financing activities (302,480) (351,661) (321,924)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 52,334 140,901 (908,967)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 929,515 788,614 1,697,581
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period 981,849 929,515 788,614
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:      
Interest paid 58,125 48,986 28,750
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited [Member]
      
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income 46,305 856,723 497,886
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries (111,753) (919,635) (569,174)
Change in intercompany payable (44,503) 103,544 (147,053)
Dividends received from subsidiaries 255,000 697,500 530,000
Other items 21,298 87,277 24,190
Net cash provided by operating activities 166,347 825,409 335,849
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Capital repaid from subsidiary 130,000 0 0
Net cash used in investing activities 130,000 0 0
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Repurchase of shares (65,885) (709,583) (175,909)
Dividends paid - common shares (206,455) (108,302) (112,984)
Dividends paid - preferred shares (36,875) (36,875) (36,875)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares 6,735 8,229 3,844
Net cash used in financing activities (302,480) (846,531) (321,924)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (6,133) (21,122) 13,925
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 8,496 29,618 15,693
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period 2,363 8,496 29,618
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:      
Interest paid $ 28,750 $ 28,750 $ 28,750