BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation These interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (“AXIS Capital”) and its subsidiaries (herein referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”). The consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2014 and the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 have not been audited. The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is derived from our audited financial statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the Securities and Exchange Commission's (“SEC”) instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of our 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. The following information should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Tabular dollar and share amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts. All amounts are reported in U.S. dollars. Significant Accounting Policies There were no notable changes in our significant accounting policies subsequent to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted Share-Based Compensation In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance for share-based payments where a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period has ended, requiring that compensation costs be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and to represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. As the new guidance was issued to clarify treatment where there was divergence in accounting practice, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to impact our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

Basis of Presentation

These interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (“AXIS Capital”) and its subsidiaries (herein referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”).

The consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2014 and the consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 have not been audited. The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 is derived from our audited financial statements.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the Securities and Exchange Commission's (“SEC”) instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of our 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.

The following information should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Tabular dollar and share amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts. All amounts are reported in U.S. dollars.

Significant Accounting Policies

There were no notable changes in our significant accounting policies subsequent to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Share-Based Compensation

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance for share-based payments where a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period has ended, requiring that compensation costs be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and to represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. As the new guidance was issued to clarify treatment where there was divergence in accounting practice, the adoption of this guidance is not expected to impact our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.