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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, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income $ 727,465 $ 547,241 $ 46,305
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Other items 789 (85,442) 77,782
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,096,968 1,120,617 1,190,142
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Net cash from investing activities (489,287) (862,381) (832,718)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares 218,449 393,544 0
Repurchase of preferred shares (100,000) (404,073) 0
Repurchase of common shares (472,263) (317,687) (65,885)
Dividends paid - common shares (118,426) (120,487) (206,455)
Dividends paid - preferred shares (39,193) (38,228) (36,875)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares 20,339 5,120 6,735
Net cash used in financing activities (441,094) (481,811) (302,480)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 163,509 (222,032) 52,334
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 759,817 981,849 929,515
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period 923,326 759,817 981,849
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information      
Interest paid 58,125 58,125 58,125
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited [Member]
      
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income 727,465 547,241 46,305
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries (797,226) (638,710) (111,753)
Change in intercompany payable (38,375) (7,667) (44,503)
Dividends received from subsidiaries 566,000 525,000 255,000
Other items 34,803 56,425 21,298
Net cash provided by operating activities 492,667 482,289 166,347
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Capital repaid from subsidiary 0 0 130,000
Net cash from investing activities 0 0 130,000
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares 218,449 393,544 0
Repurchase of preferred shares (100,000) (404,073) 0
Repurchase of common shares (472,263) (317,687) (65,885)
Dividends paid - common shares (118,426) (120,487) (206,455)
Dividends paid - preferred shares (39,193) (38,228) (36,875)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares 20,339 5,120 6,735
Net cash used in financing activities (491,094) (481,811) (302,480)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,573 478 (6,133)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 2,841 2,363 8,496
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period 4,414 2,841 2,363
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information      
Interest paid $ 28,750 $ 28,750 $ 28,750