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DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (DETAILS 3) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Unrealized and Realized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings for Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Line Items]    
Unrealized and realized gains (losses) recognized in earnings for derivatives not designated as hedges $ (5,400)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet $ 10,263us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
Investment Portfolio [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member] | Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Member]    
Unrealized and Realized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings for Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Line Items]    
Unrealized and realized gains (losses) recognized in earnings for derivatives not designated as hedges 6,537us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsMember1
/ axs_RelatedPortfolioAxis
= axs_InvestmentPortfolioMember		 (1,328)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsMember1
/ axs_RelatedPortfolioAxis
= axs_InvestmentPortfolioMember
Investment Portfolio [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Member]    
Unrealized and Realized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings for Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Line Items]    
Unrealized and realized gains (losses) recognized in earnings for derivatives not designated as hedges (4,006)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsMember1
/ axs_RelatedPortfolioAxis
= axs_InvestmentPortfolioMember		 (4,161)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsMember1
/ axs_RelatedPortfolioAxis
= axs_InvestmentPortfolioMember
Underwriting Portfolio [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts [Member] | Foreign Exchange Gains (Losses) [Member]    
Unrealized and Realized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings for Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Line Items]    
Unrealized and realized gains (losses) recognized in earnings for derivatives not designated as hedges (15,273)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember
/ axs_RelatedPortfolioAxis
= axs_UnderwritingPortfolioMember		 12,074us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyGainLossMember
/ axs_RelatedPortfolioAxis
= axs_UnderwritingPortfolioMember
Underwriting Portfolio [Member] | Weather Related Derivative [Member] | Other Insurance Related Income [Member]    
Unrealized and Realized Gains (Losses) Recognized in Earnings for Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges [Line Items]    
Unrealized and realized gains (losses) recognized in earnings for derivatives not designated as hedges $ 7,342us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= axs_WeatherRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseMember
/ axs_RelatedPortfolioAxis
= axs_UnderwritingPortfolioMember		 $ 3,678us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= axs_WeatherRelatedDerivativeMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncomeExpenseMember
/ axs_RelatedPortfolioAxis
= axs_UnderwritingPortfolioMember