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INVESTMENTS (DETAILS 6) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Gross realized gains	$ 15,699us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains	$ 53,037us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
Gross realized losses	(43,215)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses	(36,142)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
Net OTTI recognized in earnings	(17,568)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	(786)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet
Change in fair value of investment derivatives	2,531axs_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsInvestmentPortfolioGainLoss	(5,489)axs_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsInvestmentPortfolioGainLoss
Total net realized investment gains (losses)	(42,553)axs_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNetIncludingDerivativesGainsLosses	10,620axs_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNetIncludingDerivativesGainsLosses
Fixed Maturities And Short-Term Investments [Member]
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Gross realized gains	15,661us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = axs_FixedMaturitiesAndShortTermInvestmentsMember	33,770us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = axs_FixedMaturitiesAndShortTermInvestmentsMember
Gross realized losses	(43,091)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = axs_FixedMaturitiesAndShortTermInvestmentsMember	(33,704)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = axs_FixedMaturitiesAndShortTermInvestmentsMember
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items]
Gross realized gains	38us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember	19,267us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Gross realized losses	$ (124)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember	$ (2,438)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember

X

- Definition

This item represents the difference between the gross realized gains and losses realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Additionally, this item would include any losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments in debt and equity securities, the change in fair value of investment-related derivatives not designated as hedges and any hedge ineffectiveness recognized in earnings in relation to investment portfolio-related fair value hedges.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) of derivative instruments not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments and relating to the entity's investment portfolio.

+ References

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- Definition

This item represents the gross profit realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

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+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

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+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8B

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