Segments of Operations (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before realized gains (losses) and income taxes	$ 472		$ 166		$ 485
Realized gains on securities	221		210		76
Realized gains (losses) on subsidiaries	(4)		161		(3)
Earnings before income taxes	689		537		558
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and casualty insurance underwriting	145		87		180
Investment and other income, net	230		235		262
Earnings before realized gains (losses) and income taxes	375		322		442
Annuity [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before realized gains (losses) and income taxes	323	[1]	256	[1]	188	[1]
Run-off Long-term Care and Life [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before realized gains (losses) and income taxes	(10)	[2]	(157)	[2]	0	[2]
Medicare Supplement and Critical Illness [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before realized gains (losses) and income taxes	0	[3]	28	[3]	34	[3]
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Earnings before realized gains (losses) and income taxes	(216)	[4]	(283)	[4]	(179)	[4]
Specialty Property and transportation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and casualty insurance underwriting	12		19		113
Specialty casualty [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and casualty insurance underwriting	102		53		35
Specialty financial [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and casualty insurance underwriting	67		44		65
Specialty Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and casualty insurance underwriting	25		15		18
Other Lines [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Property and casualty insurance underwriting	$ (61)	[5]	$ (44)	[5]	$ (51)	[5]

[1] Includes a $5 million charge in the second quarter of 2013 to cover expected assessments from state guaranty funds related to insolvency and liquidation of an unaffiliated life insurance company.

[2] Includes a loss recognition charge of $153 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.

[3] Sold in August 2012.

[4] Includes holding company expenses, special charges to increase A&E reserves ($22 million in 2013, $2 million in 2012 and $9 million in 2011) and losses of managed investment entities attributable to noncontrolling interests ($26 million in 2013, $98 million in 2012 and $24 million in 2011). Holding company expenses in 2012 also include an $8 million loss on retirement of debt and a $15 million charge for a labor matter related to AFG’s former railroad operations.

[5] Includes special charges to increase asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) reserves of $54 million, $31 million and $50 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively