SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (DETAILS 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income attributable to AXIS Capital	$ 810,745us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 727,465us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 547,241us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Other items	(81,202)	789	(85,442)
Net cash provided by operating activities	862,182	1,096,968	1,120,617
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net cash used in investing activities	(154,076)	(489,287)	(862,381)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Redemption of senior notes	(500,000)us-gaap_MaturitiesOfSeniorDebt	0us-gaap_MaturitiesOfSeniorDebt	0us-gaap_MaturitiesOfSeniorDebt
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	0	218,449	393,544
Repurchase of preferred shares	0	(100,000)	(404,073)
Repurchase of common shares	(543,202)	(472,263)	(317,687)
Dividends paid - common shares	(117,619)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	(118,426)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock	(120,487)us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock
Dividends paid - preferred shares	(40,088)	(39,193)	(38,228)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	5,550	20,339	5,120
Net cash used in financing activities	(686,015)	(441,094)	(481,811)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,496)	163,509	(222,032)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	923,326	759,817	981,849
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	921,830	923,326	759,817
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	68,850us-gaap_InterestPaid	58,125us-gaap_InterestPaid	58,125us-gaap_InterestPaid
AXIS Capital Holdings Limited [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income attributable to AXIS Capital	810,745	727,465	547,241
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries	(895,489)	(797,226)	(638,710)
Change in intercompany payable	8,272	(38,375)	(7,667)
Dividends received from subsidiaries	724,000	566,000	525,000
Other items	53,865	34,803	56,425
Net cash provided by operating activities	701,393	492,667	482,289
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital repaid from subsidiary	496,593	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	496,593	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities:
Redemption of senior notes	(500,000)	0	0
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred shares	0	218,449	393,544
Repurchase of preferred shares	0	(100,000)	(404,073)
Repurchase of common shares	(543,202)	(472,263)	(317,687)
Dividends paid - common shares	(117,619)	(118,426)	(120,487)
Dividends paid - preferred shares	(40,088)	(39,193)	(38,228)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares	5,550	20,339	5,120
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,195,359)	(491,094)	(481,811)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,627	1,573	478
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	4,414	2,841	2,363
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	7,041	4,414	2,841
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$ 28,750	$ 28,750	$ 28,750

The cash inflow associated with repayment of capital contributions by an unconsolidated subsidiary, affiliate, joint venture or equity method investment. This element is used for parent company stand-alone (i.e. non-consolidated) financial statements.

No definition available.