8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 5, 2012

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Ohio	1-13653	31-1544320
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
301 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH		45202
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (513) 579-2121

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01 Other Events.

American Financial Group, Inc. (“AFG”) is filing this Current Report on Form 8-K to update the information included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) for the year ended December 31, 2011 for the following items:

• Effective January 1, 2012, AFG retrospectively adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-26 that addresses which costs related to issuing or renewing insurance contracts qualify for deferral. To qualify for deferral, the guidance specifies that a cost must be directly related to the successful acquisition of an insurance contract. Upon adoption, the financial statements for prior periods were adjusted to reflect the adoption of the new standard. The financial statements included in Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K update the financial statements included in AFG’s 2011 Form 10-K to reflect the impact of retrospective adoption. However, such adjusted financial statements do not represent a restatement of the 2011 Form 10-K.

• Effective January 1, 2012, AFG retrospectively adopted ASU 2011-05, which eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income in the Statement of Changes in Equity. As permitted by the standard, AFG’s comprehensive income is now presented in a separate statement immediately following the Statement of Earnings. This new presentation does not change the measurement of net earnings, other comprehensive income or earnings per share, and accordingly, had no impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial position.

The following items of the 2011 Form 10-K are being updated retrospectively to reflect the adoption of ASU No. 2010-26 and ASU No. 2011-05:

• Item 1 – Business

• Item 6 – Selected Financial Data

• Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

• Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

• Item 15 – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Parts I, II, III and portions of Part IV of the 2011 Form 10-K, as adjusted retrospectively, are included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. This Current Report on Form 8-K, including exhibits, should be read in conjunction with and as a supplement to AFG’s 2011 Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, which was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2012. Except for matters noted above, no other information in AFG’s 2011 Form 10-K is being updated in this Form 8-K for events or developments that occurred subsequent to the filing of the Form 10-K. For significant developments since the filing of the 2011 Form 10-K, refer to AFG’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012 and other more recent Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Number	Exhibit Description
23	Consent of independent registered public accounting firm.
99.1	Supplemental information to update AFG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
99.2	Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
101	The following financial information from American Financial Group’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language):
	(i) Consolidated Balance Sheet
	(ii) Consolidated Statement of Earnings (iii) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
	(iv) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
	(v) Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
	(vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
	(vii) Financial Statement Schedules

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

/s/ Karl J. Grafe

Karl J. Grafe

Vice President

Date: June 5, 2012

EX-23

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

EXHIBIT 23

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements and related Prospectuses of American Financial Group, Inc. of our reports dated February 28, 2012, except with respect to our opinion on the consolidated financial statements insofar as it relates to the effects of the change in accounting for costs associated with issuing or renewing insurance contracts and the effects of the adoption of the accounting standard related to the presentation of comprehensive income, as to which the date is June 5, 2012, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of American Financial Group, Inc. and subsidiaries, included in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Form	Registration Number	Description
S-8	33-58825	Stock Option Plan
S-8	33-58827	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
S-3	333-102567	Dividend Reinvestment Plan
S-8	333-117062	Nonemployee Directors’ Compensation Plan
S-8	333-14935	Retirement and Savings Plan
S-8	333-91945	Deferred Compensation Plan
S-8	333-125304	2005 Stock Incentive Plan
S-8	333-170343	2005 Stock Incentive Plan
S-3	333-179867	Shelf Registration -Debt and Equity Securities
S-8	333-176192	Co-CEO Equity Bonus Plan

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio

June 5, 2012

EX-99.1

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

EXHIBIT 99.1

Supplemental Information to American Financial Group’s 2011 Form 10-K

As more fully described in Item 8.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, certain items in Parts I, II, III and IV of American Financial Group’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K are being revised herein to reflect retrospective changes in accounting for policy acquisition costs and the presentation of comprehensive income. This Supplemental Information should be read in conjunction with and as a supplement to AFG’s 2011 Form 10-K.

Forward-Looking Statements

Disclosures herein contain certain forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous assumptions, risks or uncertainties. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “projects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “seeks”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “will” or the negative version of those words or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: expectations concerning market and other conditions and their effect on future premiums, revenues, earnings and investment activities; recoverability of asset values; expected losses and the adequacy of reserves for asbestos, environmental pollution and mass tort claims; rate changes; and improved loss experience.

Actual results and/or financial condition could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the following and those discussed in Item 1A—“Risk Factors.”

• changes in financial, political and economic conditions, including changes in interest and inflation rates, currency fluctuations and extended economic recessions or expansions in the U.S. and abroad;

• performance of securities markets;

• AFG’s ability to estimate accurately the likelihood, magnitude and timing of any losses in connection with investments in the non-agency residential mortgage market;

• new legislation or declines in credit quality or credit ratings that could have a material impact on the valuation of securities in AFG’s investment portfolio;

• the availability of capital;

• regulatory actions (including changes in statutory accounting rules);

• changes in the legal environment affecting AFG or its customers;

• tax law and accounting changes;

• levels of natural catastrophes and severe weather, terrorist activities (including any nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological events), incidents of war or losses resulting from civil unrest and other major losses;

• development of insurance loss reserves and establishment of other reserves, particularly with respect to amounts associated with asbestos and environmental claims;

• availability of reinsurance and ability of reinsurers to pay their obligations;

• the unpredictability of possible future litigation if certain settlements of current litigation do not become effective;

• trends in persistency, mortality and morbidity;

• competitive pressures, including those in the annuity bank distribution channels, the ability to obtain adequate rates and policy terms; and

• changes in AFG’s credit ratings or the financial strength ratings assigned by major ratings agencies to AFG’s operating subsidiaries.

The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date of this report. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.

1

PART I

ITEM 1

Business

Introduction

American Financial Group, Inc. (“AFG”) is a holding company that, through subsidiaries, is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of traditional fixed and indexed annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance products, such as Medicare supplement. Its address is 301 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; its phone number is (513) 579-2121. SEC filings, news releases, AFG’s Code of Ethics applicable to directors, officers and employees and other information may be accessed free of charge through AFG’s Internet site at: www.AFGinc.com. (Information on AFG’s Internet site is not part of this Form 10-K.)

Property and Casualty Insurance Operations

General

AFG’s specialty property and casualty insurance operations consist of approximately 30 niche insurance businesses offering a wide range of commercial coverages. These businesses report to a single senior executive and operate under a business model that allows local decision-making for underwriting, claims and policy servicing in each of the niche operations. These businesses are managed by experienced professionals in particular lines of business or customer groups and operate autonomously but with certain central controls and accountability. The decentralized approach allows each unit the autonomy necessary to respond to local and specialty market conditions while capitalizing on the efficiencies of centralized investment and administrative support functions. AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations employed approximately 5,200 persons as of December 31, 2011.

The primary objectives of AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are to achieve solid underwriting profitability and provide excellent service to its policyholders and agents. Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses, loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”), underwriting expenses and policyholder dividends to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect investment income, other income, or federal income taxes.

While many costs included in underwriting are readily determined (commissions, administrative expenses, and many of the losses on claims reported), the process of determining overall underwriting results is highly dependent upon the use of estimates in the case of losses incurred or expected but not yet reported or developed. Actuarial procedures and projections are used to obtain “point estimates” of ultimate losses. While the process is imprecise and develops amounts which are subject to change over time, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are adequate.

AFG’s statutory combined ratio averaged 87.4% for the period 2009 to 2011 as compared to 102.7% for the property and casualty industry over the same period (Source: “A.M. Best’s U.S. Property/Casualty—Review & Preview” - February 2012 Edition). AFG believes that its specialty niche focus, product line diversification and underwriting discipline have contributed to the Company’s ability to consistently outperform the industry’s underwriting results. Management’s philosophy is to refrain from writing business that is not expected to produce an underwriting profit even if it is necessary to limit premium growth to do so.

Financial data is reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for shareholder and other investment purposes and reported on a statutory basis for insurance regulatory purposes. Major differences for statutory accounting include charging policy acquisition costs to expense as incurred rather than spreading the costs over the periods covered by the policies; reporting investment grade bonds and redeemable preferred stocks at amortized cost rather than fair value; netting of reinsurance recoverables and prepaid reinsurance premiums against the corresponding liabilities rather than reporting such items separately; and charging to surplus certain GAAP assets, such as furniture and fixtures and agents’ balances over 90 days old.

2

Unless indicated otherwise, the financial information presented for the property and casualty insurance operations herein is presented based on GAAP. Statutory information is provided for industry comparisons or where comparable GAAP information is not readily available.

Property and Casualty Results

Performance measures such as underwriting profit or loss and related combined ratios are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. See Note C - “Segments of Operations” to the financial statements for the reconciliation of AFG’s operating profit by significant business segment to the Statement of Earnings.

The following table shows the performance of AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (dollars in millions):

	2011			2010			2009
Gross written premiums	$	4,106		$	3,589		$	3,763
Ceded reinsurance		(1,336	)		(1,181	)		(1,452	)
Net written premiums	$	2,770		$	2,408		$	2,311
Net earned premiums	$	2,759		$	2,550		$	2,412
Loss and LAE		1,694			1,457			1,187
Special asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) charge		50			—			—
Underwriting expenses		835			787			792
Underwriting gain	$	180		$	306		$	433
GAAP ratios:
Loss and LAE ratio		63.2	%		57.2	%		49.2	%
Underwriting expense ratio		30.2			30.9			32.9
Combined ratio		93.4	%		88.1	%		82.1	%
Statutory ratios:
Loss and LAE ratio		60.4	%		53.5	%		46.2	%
Underwriting expense ratio		32.3			33.8			36.1
Combined ratio		92.7	%		87.3	%		82.3	%
Industry statutory combined ratio (a)
All lines		107.5	%		101.0	%		99.5	%
Commercial lines		108.2	%		102.7	%		103.0	%

(a) Ratios are derived from “A.M. Best’s U.S. Property/Casualty—Review & Preview” (February 2012 Edition).

As with other property and casualty insurers, AFG’s operating results can be adversely affected by unpredictable catastrophe losses. Certain natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, etc.) and other incidents of major loss (explosions, civil disorder, terrorist events, fires, etc.) are classified as catastrophes by industry associations. Losses from these incidents are usually tracked separately from other business of insurers because of their sizable effects on overall operations. Total net losses to AFG’s insurance operations from catastrophes, primarily hailstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes, were $46 million in 2011, $49 million in 2010 and $18 million in 2009.

AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. AFG’s exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate could occur once in every 500 years (a “500-year event”) is expected to be less than 2.5% of AFG’s shareholders’ equity.

3

Property and Casualty Insurance Products

AFG is focused on growth opportunities in what it believes to be more profitable specialty businesses where AFG personnel are experts in particular lines of business or customer groups. The following are examples of AFG’s specialty businesses:

Property and Transportation
Inland and Ocean Marine	Provides coverage primarily for builders’ risk, contractors’ equipment, property, motor truck cargo, marine cargo, boat dealers, marina operators/dealers and excursion vessels.
Agricultural-related	Provides federally reinsured multi-peril crop (allied lines) insurance covering most perils as well as crop-hail, equine mortality and other coverages for full-time operating farms/ranches and agribusiness operations on a nationwide basis.
Commercial Automobile	Provides coverage for vehicles (such as buses and trucks) in a broad range of businesses including the moving and storage and transportation industries, and a specialized physical damage product for the trucking industry.
Specialty Casualty
Executive and Professional Liability	Markets coverage for directors and officers of businesses and non-profit organizations; errors and omissions; and provides non-U.S. medical malpractice insurance.
Umbrella and Excess Liability	Provides higher layer liability coverage in excess of primary layers.
Excess and Surplus	Provides liability, umbrella and excess coverage for unique, volatile or hard to place risks, using rates and forms that generally do not have to be approved by state insurance regulators.
General Liability	Provides coverage for contractor-related businesses, energy development and production risks, and environmental liability risks.
Targeted Programs	Includes coverage (primarily liability and property) for social service agencies, leisure, entertainment and non-profit organizations, customized solutions for other targeted markets and alternative risk programs using agency captives.
Workers’ Compensation	Provides coverage for prescribed benefits payable to employees who are injured on the job.
Specialty Financial
Fidelity and Surety	Provides fidelity and crime coverage for government, mercantile and financial institutions and surety coverage for various types of contractors and public and private corporations.
Lease and Loan Services	Provides coverage for insurance risk management programs for lending and leasing institutions, including equipment leasing and collateral and mortgage protection.

4

Management believes specialization is the key element to the underwriting success of these business units. These specialty businesses are opportunistic and their premium volume will vary based on prevailing market conditions. AFG continually evaluates expansion in existing markets and opportunities in new specialty markets that meet its profitability objectives. For example, in July 2010, a majority-owned subsidiary of AFG acquired Vanliner Group, Inc. (“Vanliner”), a market leader in providing insurance for the moving and storage industry. Likewise, AFG will withdraw from markets that do not meet its profit objectives or business strategy, such as the withdrawal from certain program business in 2010 and 2011.

Premium Distribution

The following table shows the net written premiums by sub-segment for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations for 2011 (net written premiums for 2007 are given to show changes over a four-year period)(dollars in millions):

	2011		2007
Property and transportation	$	1,436	$	1,132
Specialty casualty		867		1,022
Specialty financial		398		488
Other		69		70
	$	2,770	$	2,712

The geographic distribution of statutory direct written premiums by AFG’s U.S.-based insurers in 2011 compared to 2007 is shown below. Amounts exclude business written under special arrangements on behalf of, and fully reinsured to, the purchasers of several divisions sold. Approximately 5% of AFG’s direct written premiums in 2011 were derived from non U.S.-based insurers, primarily Marketform, a majority-owned United Kingdom-based Lloyd’s insurer acquired in 2008.

	2011			2007				2011			2007
California		12.0	%		14.7	%	Pennsylvania		2.6	%		2.4	%
Illinois		8.0			6.1		Ohio		2.4			2.3
Texas		6.8			8.0		Georgia		2.4			2.3
New York		4.8			4.4		Nebraska		2.3			2.0
Florida		4.5			7.4		North Carolina		2.2			2.3
Kansas		4.1			3.2		North Dakota		2.2			*
Iowa		3.8			*		New Jersey		2.1			2.1
Missouri		3.2			2.1		Minnesota		2.1			*
Indiana		2.9			2.5		Oklahoma		2.0			2.7
South Dakota		2.7			*		Other		26.9			35.5
									100.0	%		100.0	%

(*) less than 2%, included in “Other”

Ratings

The following table shows independent ratings and 2011 net written premiums (in millions) of AFG’s major property and casualty insurance subsidiaries. Such ratings are generally based on concerns for policyholders and agents and are not directed toward the protection of investors. During 2010, AFG’s principal property and casualty insurance companies were upgraded by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) to A+. AFG believes that maintaining an S&P rating of at least “A-” is important to compete successfully in certain lines of business.

	Ratings		Net Written
	AM Best	S&P	Premiums
Company
Great American Pool(*)	A	A+	$	1,847
National Interstate	A	not rated		442
Marketform Lloyd’s Syndicate	A	A+		146
Republic Indemnity	A	A+		135
Mid-Continent	A	A+		127
American Empire Surplus Lines	A+	A+		35
Other				38
			$	2,770

(*) The Great American Pool represents Great American Insurance Company (“GAI”) and 10 subsidiaries.

5

Reinsurance

Consistent with standard practice of most insurance companies, AFG reinsures a portion of its business with other insurance companies and assumes a relatively small amount of business from other insurers. AFG uses reinsurance for two primary purposes: (i) to provide higher limits of coverage than it would otherwise be willing to provide (i.e. large line capacity) and (ii) to protect its business by reducing the impact of catastrophes. The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to prevailing market conditions, which may affect the volume and profitability of business that is written. AFG is subject to credit risk with respect to its reinsurers, as the ceding of risk to reinsurers does not relieve AFG of its liability to its insureds until claims are fully settled.

The commercial marketplace requires large policy limits ($25 million or more) in several of AFG’s lines of business, including certain executive and professional liability, umbrella and excess liability, and fidelity and surety coverages. Since these limits exceed management’s desired exposure to an individual risk, AFG generally enters into reinsurance agreements to reduce its net exposure under such policies to an acceptable level. Reinsurance continues to be available for this large line capacity exposure with satisfactory pricing and terms.

AFG has taken steps to limit its exposure to wind and earthquake losses by purchasing catastrophe reinsurance. In addition, AFG purchases catastrophe reinsurance for its workers’ compensation businesses. Although the cost of catastrophe reinsurance varies depending on exposure and the level of worldwide loss activity, AFG has been able to obtain reinsurance coverage in adequate amounts at acceptable rates due to management’s decision to limit overall exposure to catastrophe losses through individual risk selection (including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures) and the Company’s limited historical catastrophe losses.

In addition to the large line capacity and catastrophe reinsurance programs discussed above, AFG purchases reinsurance on a product-by-product basis. AFG regularly reviews the financial strength of its current and potential reinsurers. These reviews include consideration of credit ratings, available capital, claims paying history and expertise. This process periodically results in the transfer of risks to more financially secure reinsurers. Substantially all reinsurance is ceded to companies with investment grade or better S&P ratings or is secured by “funds withheld” or other collateral. Under “funds withheld” arrangements, AFG retains ceded premiums to fund ceded losses as they become due from the reinsurer. Recoverables from the following companies were individually between 5% and 11% of AFG’s total reinsurance recoverable (net of payables to reinsurers) at December 31, 2011: Everest Reinsurance Company, Munich Reinsurance America, Inc. and Swiss Reinsurance America Corporation. In addition, AFG has a reinsurance recoverable from Ohio Casualty Insurance Company of $212 million related to that company’s purchase of AFG’s commercial lines business in 1998.

Reinsurance is provided on one of two bases, facultative or treaty. Facultative reinsurance is generally provided on a risk by risk basis. Individual risks are ceded and assumed based on an offer and acceptance of risk by each party to the transaction. AFG purchases facultative reinsurance, both pro rata and excess of loss, depending on the risk and available reinsurance markets. Treaty reinsurance provides for risks meeting prescribed criteria to be automatically ceded and assumed according to contract provisions.

The following table presents (by type of coverage) the amount of each loss above the specified retention maximum generally covered by treaty reinsurance programs (in millions) as of January 1, 2012:

Coverage	Retention Maximum		Reinsurance Coverage(a)
California Workers’ Compensation	$	3	$	147
Other Workers’ Compensation		2		48
Commercial Umbrella		4		46
Property - General		3		98
Property - Catastrophe		26		154

(a) Reinsurance covers substantial portions of losses in excess of retention. However, in general, losses resulting from terrorism are not covered.

6

In addition to the coverage shown above, AFG reinsures a portion of its crop insurance business through the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (“FCIC”). The FCIC offers both proportional (or “quota share”) and non-proportional coverages. The proportional coverage provides that a fixed percentage of risk is assumed by the FCIC. The non-proportional coverage allows AFG to select desired retention of risk on a state-by-state, county, crop or plan basis. AFG typically reinsures 15% to 25% of gross written premium with the FCIC. AFG also purchases quota share reinsurance in the private market. This quota share provides for a ceding commission to AFG and a profit sharing provision. During 2011, AFG reinsured 52.5% of premiums not reinsured by the FCIC in the private market and purchased stop loss protection coverage for the remaining portion of the business. AFG expects to utilize similar levels of reinsurance in 2012. In 2010 and 2009, AFG reinsured approximately 50% and 90%, respectively, of premiums not reinsured by the FCIC.

Included in the Balance Sheet caption “recoverables from reinsurers” were approximately $72 million on paid losses and LAE and $2.2 billion on unpaid losses and LAE at December 31, 2011. These amounts are net of allowances of approximately $26 million for doubtful collection of reinsurance recoverables. The collectibility of a reinsurance balance is based upon the financial condition of a reinsurer as well as individual claim considerations.

Reinsurance premiums ceded and assumed are presented in the following table (in millions):

	2011		2010		2009
Reinsurance ceded	$	1,336	$	1,181	$	1,452
Reinsurance ceded, excluding crop		652		727		680
Reinsurance assumed - including involuntary pools and associations		45		47		32

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

The consolidated financial statements include the estimated liability for unpaid losses and LAE of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries. This liability represents estimates of the ultimate net cost of all unpaid losses and LAE and is determined by using case-basis evaluations, actuarial projections and management’s judgment. These estimates are subject to the effects of changes in claim amounts and frequency and are periodically reviewed and adjusted as additional information becomes known. In accordance with industry practices, such adjustments are reflected in current year operations. Generally, reserves for reinsurance assumed and involuntary pools and associations are reflected in AFG’s results at the amounts reported by those entities.

7

The following table presents the development of AFG’s liability for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance, on a GAAP basis for the last ten years. The top line of the table shows the estimated liability (in millions) for unpaid losses and LAE recorded at the balance sheet date for the indicated years. The second line shows the re-estimated liability as of December 31, 2011. The remainder of the table presents intervening development as percentages of the initially estimated liability. The development results from additional information and experience in subsequent years, particularly with regard to A&E charges, settlements and reallocations as detailed below. The middle line shows a cumulative deficiency (redundancy), which represents the aggregate percentage increase (decrease) in the liability initially estimated. The lower portion of the table indicates the cumulative amounts paid as of successive periods as a percentage of the original loss reserve liability. For purposes of this table, reserves of businesses sold are considered paid at the date of sale. See Note O—“Insurance—Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves” to the financial statements for an analysis of changes in AFG’s estimated liability for losses and LAE, net and gross of reinsurance, over the past three years on a GAAP basis.

	2001			2002			2003			2004			2005			2006			2007			2008			2009			2010			2011
Liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses:
As originally estimated	$	3,338		$	3,466		$	2,901		$	3,155		$	3,619		$	3,791		$	3,868		$	4,154		$	3,899		$	4,164		$	4,282
As re-estimated at December 31, 2011	$	4,306		$	4,289		$	3,444		$	3,310		$	3,332		$	3,280		$	3,268		$	3,756		$	3,673		$	4,095			N/A
Liability re-estimated:
One year later		104.5	%		104.4	%		104.9	%		106.3	%		98.4	%		97.4	%		93.6	%		95.2	%		96.0	%		98.3	%
Two years later		110.0	%		109.7	%		114.0	%		106.1	%		98.8	%		92.3	%		89.7	%		91.6	%		94.2	%
Three years later		113.8	%		118.0	%		114.7	%		107.7	%		95.2	%		89.5	%		85.8	%		90.4	%
Four years later		121.1	%		118.8	%		118.0	%		106.0	%		93.6	%		87.0	%		84.5	%
Five years later		122.8	%		122.1	%		118.5	%		105.5	%		92.1	%		86.5	%
Six years later		126.5	%		123.0	%		118.8	%		104.4	%		92.1	%
Seven years later		127.7	%		123.6	%		117.9	%		104.9	%
Eight years later		128.6	%		123.1	%		118.7	%
Nine years later		128.2	%		123.7	%
Ten years later		129.0	%
Cumulative deficiency (redundancy) (a)		29.0	%		23.7	%		18.7	%		4.9	%		(7.9	%)		(13.5	%)		(15.5	%)		(9.6	%)		(5.8	%)		(1.7	%)		N/A
Cumulative paid as of:
One year later		32.7	%		42.2	%		27.3	%		25.4	%		23.5	%		22.3	%		21.0	%		24.0	%		21.3	%		23.3	%
Two years later		61.3	%		60.9	%		46.4	%		40.8	%		37.5	%		34.8	%		32.9	%		37.2	%		35.9	%
Three years later		74.4	%		72.7	%		58.8	%		52.4	%		46.9	%		43.6	%		41.6	%		47.0	%
Four years later		82.8	%		80.3	%		68.5	%		60.1	%		53.6	%		49.9	%		47.5	%
Five years later		88.4	%		86.2	%		75.2	%		65.6	%		58.7	%		54.2	%
Six years later		93.4	%		90.7	%		80.1	%		70.5	%		62.1	%
Seven years later		97.0	%		94.2	%		84.4	%		73.8	%
Eight years later		100.1	%		96.9	%		87.4	%
Nine years later		102.7	%		99.1	%
Ten years later		104.8	%
(a)    Cumulative deficiency (redundancy):
Special A&E charges, settlements and reallocations		9.4	%		8.2	%		9.8	%		9.1	%		2.9	%		2.8	%		1.6	%		1.2	%		1.3	%		1.2	%
Other		19.6	%		15.5	%		8.9	%		(4.2	%)		(10.8	%)		(16.3	%)		(17.1	%)		(10.8	%)		(7.1	%)		(2.9	%)
Total		29.0	%		23.7	%		18.7	%		4.9	%		(7.9	%)		(13.5	%)		(15.5	%)		(9.6	%)		(5.8	%)		(1.7	%)		N/A

The following is a reconciliation of the net liability to the gross liability for unpaid losses and LAE.

	2001			2002			2003			2004			2005			2006			2007			2008			2009			2010			2011
As originally estimated:
Net liability shown above	$	3,338		$	3,466		$	2,901		$	3,155		$	3,619		$	3,791		$	3,868		$	4,154		$	3,899		$	4,164		$	4,282
Add reinsurance recoverables		1,525			1,804			2,059			2,234			2,243			2,309			2,300			2,610			2,513			2,249			2,238
Gross liability	$	4,863		$	5,270		$	4,960		$	5,389		$	5,862		$	6,100		$	6,168		$	6,764		$	6,412		$	6,413		$	6,520
As re-estimated at December 31, 2011:
Net liability shown above	$	4,306		$	4,289		$	3,444		$	3,310		$	3,332		$	3,280		$	3,268		$	3,756		$	3,673		$	4,095
Add reinsurance recoverables		2,516			2,626			2,750			2,544			2,323			2,141			1,933			2,281			1,983			2,007
Gross liability	$	6,822		$	6,915		$	6,194		$	5,854		$	5,655		$	5,421		$	5,201		$	6,037		$	5,656		$	6,102			N/A
Gross cumulative Deficiency (redundancy) (a)		40.3	%		31.2	%		24.9	%		8.6	%		(3.5	%)		(11.1	%)		(15.7	%)		(10.7	%)		(11.8	%)		(4.8	%)		N/A
(a)    Gross cumulative deficiency (redundancy):
Special A&E charges, settlements and reallocations		7.4	%		6.2	%		6.7	%		6.1	%		2.1	%		2.1	%		1.0	%		0.7	%		0.7	%		0.8	%
Other		32.9	%		25.0	%		18.2	%		2.5	%		(5.6	%)		(13.2	%)		(16.7	%)		(11.4	%)		(12.5	%)		(5.6	%)
Total		40.3	%		31.2	%		24.9	%		8.6	%		(3.5	%)		(11.1	%)		(15.7	%)		(10.7	%)		(11.8	%)		(4.8	%)		N/A

8

In evaluating the re-estimated liability and cumulative deficiency (redundancy), it should be noted that each percentage includes the effects of changes in amounts for prior periods. For example, AFG’s $50 million special A&E charge related to losses recorded in 2011, but incurred before 2001, is included in the re-estimated liability and cumulative deficiency (redundancy) percentage for each of the previous years shown. Conditions and trends that have affected development of the liability in the past may not necessarily exist in the future. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based on this table.

A significant portion of the adverse development in the tables is due to A&E exposures for which AFG has been held liable under general liability policies written prior to 1987, even though such coverage was not intended. Other factors affecting adverse development included changes in the legal environment, including more liberal coverage decisions and higher jury awards, higher legal fees, the general state of the economy and medical cost inflation.

The differences between the liability for losses and LAE reported in the annual statements filed with the state insurance departments in accordance with statutory accounting principles (“SAP”) and that reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP at December 31, 2011 are as follows (in millions):

Liability reported on a SAP basis, net of $157 million of retroactive reinsurance	$	3,749
Reinsurance recoverables, net of allowance		2,238
Other, including reserves of foreign insurers		533
Liability reported on a GAAP basis	$	6,520

Asbestos and Environmental (“A&E”) Reserves AFG’s property and casualty group, like many others in the industry, has A&E claims arising in most cases from general liability policies written more than twenty-five years ago. The establishment of reserves for such A&E claims presents unique and difficult challenges and is subject to uncertainties significantly greater than those presented by other types of claims. For a discussion of these uncertainties, see Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis” -“Uncertainties—Asbestos and Environmental-related Insurance Reserves” and Note M - “Contingencies” to the financial statements.

Management has conducted comprehensive studies of its asbestos and environmental reserves with the aid of outside actuarial and engineering firms and specialty outside counsel every two years with an in-depth internal review during the intervening years. Charges resulting from these studies and reviews are included in “Incurred losses and LAE” in the table below. The 2011 comprehensive study relied on a ground-up exposure analysis and considered products and non-products exposures, paid claims history, the pattern of new claims, settlements and projected development. As a result of the study, AFG recorded a $50 million special charge (net of reinsurance) in the second quarter of 2011 to increase the property and casualty group’s A&E reserves. During the course of the in-depth internal review in 2010, there were no newly identified emerging trends or issues that management believes significantly impacted the overall adequacy of AFG’s A&E reserves. Likewise, the 2009 comprehensive study resulted in only minor adjustments to A&E reserves. For a discussion of the A&E reserve strengthening, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis”—“Results of Operations—Asbestos and Environmental Reserve Charges.”

The following table (in millions) is a progression of the property and casualty group’s A&E reserves.

	2011			2010			2009
Reserves at beginning of year	$	342		$	378		$	399
Incurred losses and LAE		50			8			4
Paid losses and LAE		(30	)		(44	)		(25	)
Reserves at end of year, net of reinsurance recoverable		362			342			378
Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance		92			74			79
Gross reserves at end of year	$	454		$	416		$	457

9

Marketing

The property and casualty insurance group directs its sales efforts primarily through independent property and casualty insurance agents and brokers, although small portions are written through employee agents. Independent agents and brokers generally receive a commission on the sale of each policy. Some agents and brokers are eligible for a bonus commission based on the overall profitability of policies placed with AFG by the broker or agent in a particular year. The property and casualty insurance group writes insurance through several thousand agents and brokers.

Competition

AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses compete with other individual insurers, state funds and insurance groups of varying sizes, some of which are mutual insurance companies possessing competitive advantages in that all their profits inure to their policyholders. See Item 1A—“Risk Factors.” They also compete with self-insurance plans, captive programs and risk retention groups. Due to the specialty nature of these coverages, competition is based primarily on service to policyholders and agents, specific characteristics of products offered and reputation for claims handling. Financial strength ratings, price, commissions and profit sharing terms are also important factors. Management believes that sophisticated data analysis for refinement of risk profiles, extensive specialized knowledge and loss prevention service have helped AFG compete successfully.

Annuity and Supplemental Insurance Operations

General

AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance operations are conducted through Great American Financial Resources, Inc. (“GAFRI”). GAFRI’s primary insurance subsidiaries include Great American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”), Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company (“AILIC”), United Teacher Associates Insurance Company (“UTA”) and Loyal American Life Insurance Company (“Loyal”). These companies market retirement products, primarily fixed and indexed annuities, and various forms of supplemental insurance such as Medicare supplement. All of these companies sell their products through independent producers. GAFRI and its subsidiaries employed approximately 800 persons at December 31, 2011.

Following is certain information concerning GAFRI’s largest subsidiaries (dollars in millions).

		2011
		Statutory	Policies	Ratings
Company	Principal Products	Premiums	In Force	AM Best	S&P
GALIC	Fixed and indexed annuities	$2,803	392,000	A	A+
AILIC	Fixed and indexed annuities	301	137,000	A	A+
UTA	Supplemental insurance	206	194,000	B++	not rated
Loyal	Supplemental insurance	103	132,000	A-	not rated

AFG believes that the ratings assigned by independent insurance rating agencies are important because agents, potential policyholders and school districts often use a company’s rating as an initial screening device in considering annuity products. AFG believes that (i) a rating in the “A” category by A.M. Best is necessary to successfully market tax-deferred annuities to public education employees and other non-profit groups and (ii) a rating in the “A” category by at least one rating agency is necessary to successfully compete in other annuity markets. During 2010, AFG’s principal annuity subsidiaries were upgraded by S&P to A+ and its principal supplemental insurance subsidiaries were downgraded one notch by A.M. Best to A- and B++. Ratings are an important competitive factor; AFG believes that these entities can successfully compete in these markets with their respective ratings.

10

Statutory premiums of AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance companies over the last three years were as follows (in millions):

	Premiums
	2011		2010		2009
Non-403(b) indexed annuities	$	1,549	$	735	$	402
Non-403(b) fixed annuities		239		430		294
Bank fixed annuities		971		737		314
403(b) fixed and indexed annuities		257		305		337
Variable annuities		70		73		87
Total annuities		3,086		2,280		1,434
Supplemental insurance		384		402		390
Life insurance		35		39		44
Total	$	3,505	$	2,721	$	1,868

Annuities

AFG’s principal retirement products are Flexible Premium Deferred Annuities (“FPDAs”) and Single Premium Deferred Annuities (“SPDAs”). Annuities are long-term retirement saving instruments that benefit from income accruing on a tax-deferred basis. The issuer of the annuity collects premiums, credits interest or earnings on the policy and pays out a benefit upon death, surrender or annuitization. FPDAs are characterized by premium payments that are flexible in both amount and timing as determined by the policyholder and are generally made through payroll deductions. SPDAs are generally issued in exchange for a one-time lump-sum premium payment.

Annuity contracts are generally classified as either fixed rate (including indexed) or variable. With a traditional fixed rate annuity, AFG seeks to maintain a desired spread between the yield on its investment portfolio and the rate it credits. AFG accomplishes this by: (i) offering crediting rates that it has the option to change after any initial guarantee period (subject to minimum interest rate guarantees); (ii) designing annuity products that encourage persistency; and (iii) maintaining an appropriate matching of assets and liabilities.

An indexed annuity provides policyholders with the opportunity to receive a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performance of an existing market index (generally the S&P 500) while protecting against the related downside risk through a guarantee of principal (excluding surrender charges). AFG purchases call options designed to substantially offset the effect of the index participation in the liabilities associated with indexed annuities.

As an ancillary product to its traditional fixed rate and indexed annuities, AFG offers variable annuities. With a variable annuity, the earnings credited to the policy vary based on the investment results of the underlying investment options chosen by the policyholder, generally without any guarantee of principal except in the case of death of the insured. Premiums directed to the underlying investment options maintained in separate accounts are invested in funds managed by various independent investment managers. AFG earns a fee on amounts deposited into separate accounts. Subject to contractual provisions, policyholders may also choose to direct all or a portion of their premiums to various fixed rate options, in which case AFG earns a spread on amounts deposited.

Supplemental and Life Insurance Products

AFG offers a variety of supplemental insurance products primarily to individuals age 55 and older. Principal products include coverage for Medicare supplement, cancer and accidental injury. These products are sold primarily through independent agents, including a former captive career agency force that was sold by AFG in the fourth quarter of 2010. At December 31, 2011, AFG’s reserves related to Medicare supplement, cancer, accidental injury and similar products were $191 million, net of reinsurance recoverables.

AFG ceased new sales of long-term care insurance beginning in January 2010. Renewal premiums on approximately 60,000 policies will be accepted unless those policies lapse. At December 31, 2011, AFG’s long-term care insurance reserves were $490 million, net of reinsurance recoverables.

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Although AFG no longer actively markets new life insurance products, it continues to service and receive renewal premiums on its in-force block of approximately 211,000 policies and $21 billion gross ($5 billion net) of life insurance in force at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, AFG’s life insurance reserves were $492 million, net of reinsurance recoverables.

Marketing

The majority of AFG’s FPDAs are sold in qualified markets under sections 403(b) and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code. In the 403(b) and 457 markets, schools, government agencies and certain other non-profit organizations may allow employees to save for retirement through contributions made on a before-tax basis. Federal income taxes are not payable on pretax contributions or earnings until amounts are withdrawn.

AFG sells its single premium non-403(b) fixed rate annuities, excluding bank production (discussed below), primarily through a network of approximately 100 national marketing organizations (“NMOs”) and managing general agents (“MGAs”) who, in turn, direct over 1,500 actively producing agents.

In 2011, AFG began selling its 403(b) fixed rate annuities directly through writing agents rather than through NMOs and MGAs as it had historically done. AFG believes that, by eliminating the costs associated with NMOs and MGAs in this market segment, it will be able to increase sales by offering higher crediting rates to policyholders and higher commissions to writing agents while still reducing its overall costs.

AFG also sells non-403(b) fixed rate annuities in banks through independent agents and brokers, as well as through direct relationships with certain financial institutions.

Premiums generated through AFG’s direct relationship with PNC Bank and through Regions Bank and BB&T by independent brokers were the largest individual sources of annuity premiums in 2011 and accounted for approximately 11%, 11% and 7%, respectively, of AFG’s overall annuity premiums in 2011.

AFG is licensed to sell its fixed annuity products in all states except New York; it is licensed to sell its variable products in all states except New York and Vermont. In 2011, the only states that accounted for 5% or more of AFG’s annuity premiums were Florida (11%), California (9%), Michigan (6%), Pennsylvania (5%) and Ohio (5%). At December 31, 2011, AFG had approximately 448,000 annuity policies in force.

Competition

AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance businesses operate in highly competitive markets. They compete with other insurers and financial institutions based on many factors, including: (i) ratings; (ii) financial strength; (iii) reputation; (iv) service to policyholders and agents; (v) product design (including interest rates credited, index participation and premium rates charged); (vi) commissions; and (vii) number of school districts in which a company has approval to sell. Since most policies are marketed and distributed through independent agents, the insurance companies must also compete for agents.

No single insurer dominates the markets in which AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance businesses compete. See Item 1A—“Risk Factors.” Competitors include (i) individual insurers and insurance groups, (ii) mutual funds and (iii) other financial institutions. In a broader sense, AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance businesses compete for retirement savings with a variety of financial institutions offering a full range of financial services. In the bank annuity market, AFG’s annuities compete directly against competitors’ bank annuities, certificates of deposit and other investment alternatives at the point of sale.

Sales of annuities, including renewal premiums, are affected by many factors, including: (i) competitive annuity products and rates; (ii) the general level and volatility of interest rates, including the slope of the yield curve; (iii) the favorable tax treatment of annuities; (iv) commissions paid to agents; (v) services offered; (vi) ratings from independent insurance rating agencies; (vii) other alternative investments; (viii) performance and volatility of the equity markets; (ix) media coverage of annuities; (x) regulatory developments regarding suitability and the sales process; and (xi) general economic conditions.

12

Other Operations

Through subsidiaries, AFG is engaged in a variety of other operations, including commercial real estate operations in Cincinnati (office buildings and The Cincinnatian Hotel), New Orleans (Le Pavillon Hotel), Whitefield, New Hampshire (Mountain View Grand Resort), Chesapeake Bay (Skipjack Cove Yachting Resort and Bay Bridge Marina), Charleston (Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina), Palm Beach (Sailfish Marina and Resort), Florida City, Florida (retail commercial development) and apartments in Louisville and Pittsburgh. These operations employed approximately 500 full-time employees at December 31, 2011.

Investment Portfolio

General

A summary of AFG’s fixed maturities and equity securities is shown in Note E to the financial statements. For additional information on AFG’s investments, see Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis—“Investments.” Portfolio yields are shown below.

	2011			2010			2009
Yield on Fixed Maturities (a):
Excluding realized gains and losses		5.7	%		6.2	%		6.9	%
Including realized gains and losses		5.8	%		6.6	%		6.8	%
Yield on Equity Securities (a):
Excluding realized gains and losses		4.8	%		5.0	%		5.0	%
Including realized gains and losses		18.5	%		15.8	%		20.7	%

(a) Based on amortized cost; excludes effects of changes in unrealized gains and losses. Realized losses include impairment charges.

The table below compares total returns, which include changes in fair value, on AFG’s fixed maturities and equity securities to comparable public indices. While there are no directly comparable indices to AFG’s portfolio, the two shown below are widely used benchmarks in the financial services industry. Both AFG’s performance and the indices include changes in unrealized gains and losses.

	2011			2010			2009
Total return on AFG’s fixed maturities		7.7	%		10.9	%		21.1	%
Barclays Capital U.S. Universal Bond Index		7.4	%		7.2	%		8.6	%
Total return on AFG’s equity securities		6.9	%		17.4	%		48.0	%
Standard & Poor’s 500 Index		2.1	%		15.1	%		26.5	%

Fixed Maturity Investments

AFG’s bond portfolio is invested primarily in taxable bonds. The following table shows AFG’s available for sale fixed maturities by Standard & Poor’s Corporation or comparable rating as of December 31, 2011 (dollars in millions).

	Amortized		Fair Value
S&P or comparable rating	Cost		Amount		%
AAA, AA, A	$	13,847	$	14,820		68	%
BBB		4,422		4,745		22
Total investment grade		18,269		19,565		90
BB		667		638		3
B		584		547		2
CCC, CC, C		720		723		3
D		322		334		2
Total non-investment grade		2,293		2,242		10
Total	$	20,562	$	21,807		100	%

13

At December 31, 2011, approximately 77% of AFG’s mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), having a fair value of $6.8 billion, were rated investment grade (BBB or better) by major rating firms. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) has retained third-party investment management firms to assist in the determination of appropriate NAIC designations for MBS based not only on the probability of loss (which is the primary basis of ratings by the major ratings firms), but also on the severity of loss and statutory carrying value. At December 31, 2011, 97% (based on statutory carrying value of $6.5 billion) of AFG’s MBS portfolio held by its insurance companies had an NAIC designation of 1 or 2 (the highest of the six designations).

Equity Investments

At December 31, 2011, AFG held common and perpetual preferred stocks with a fair value of $928 million, the largest of which was a $130 million common stock investment in Verisk Analytics, Inc. (“Verisk”), a provider of risk information for insurance companies. AFG recorded after-tax gains of $49 million in 2011, $17 million in 2010 and $49 million in 2009 on sales of a portion of its investment in Verisk.

Regulation

AFG’s insurance company subsidiaries are subject to regulation in the jurisdictions where they do business. In general, the insurance laws of the various states establish regulatory agencies with broad administrative powers governing, among other things, premium rates, solvency standards, licensing of insurers, agents and brokers, trade practices, forms of policies, maintenance of specified reserves and capital for the protection of policyholders, deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders, investment activities and relationships between insurance subsidiaries and their parents and affiliates. Material transactions between insurance subsidiaries and their parents and affiliates generally must receive prior approval of the applicable insurance regulatory authorities and be disclosed. In addition, while differing from state to state, these regulations typically restrict the maximum amount of dividends that may be paid by an insurer to its shareholders in any twelve-month period without advance regulatory approval. Such limitations are generally based on net earnings or statutory surplus. Under applicable restrictions, the maximum amount of dividends available to AFG in 2012 from its insurance subsidiaries without seeking regulatory clearance is approximately $546 million.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act”), among other things, established a Federal Insurance Office (“FIO”) within the U.S. Treasury. Under this law, regulations will need to be created for the FIO to carry out its mandate to focus on systemic risk oversight. The FIO is required to gather information regarding the insurance industry and submit to Congress a plan to modernize and improve insurance regulation in the U.S. At this time, it is difficult to predict the extent to which the Dodd-Frank Act, or any resulting regulations, will impact AFG’s operations.

Marketform, AFG’s UK-based Lloyd’s insurer, is subject to regulation by the European Union’s executive body, the European Commission. In 2014, Marketform will be required to adopt new capital adequacy and risk management regulations known as Solvency II. Implementation is not expected to be material to AFG.

Most states have created insurance guaranty associations to provide for the payment of claims of insurance companies that become insolvent. Annual guaranty assessments for AFG’s insurance companies have not been material.

14

ITEM 1A

Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, the following factors could materially affect AFG’s business, financial condition, cash flows or future results. Any one of these factors could cause AFG’s actual results to vary materially from recent results or from anticipated future results. The risks described below are not the only risks facing AFG. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect AFG’s business, financial condition and/or operating results.

Adverse developments in the financial markets and deterioration in global economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on AFG’s results of operations and financial condition.

The highly volatile debt and equity markets, lack of liquidity, widening credit spreads and the collapse of several financial institutions during 2008 and early 2009 resulted in significant realized and unrealized losses in AFG’s investment portfolio. Although domestic economic conditions and financial markets have improved, financial markets continue to be volatile and there is continued uncertainty with regards to the global economy, particularly in Europe. See Item 7A – “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” – “European Debt Exposure.” At December 31, 2011, AFG’s net unrealized gain on fixed maturity investments was $1.2 billion consisting of gross gains of $1.5 billion and gross losses of $249 million. Although AFG intends to hold its investments with unrealized losses until they recover in value, its intent may change for a variety of reasons as discussed in Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis”—“Investments.” A change in AFG’s ability or intent with regard to a security in an unrealized loss position would result in the recognition of a realized loss.

AFG’s investment performance could also be adversely impacted by the types of investments, industry groups and/or individual securities in which it invests. As of December 31, 2011, 87% of AFG’s investment portfolio was invested in fixed maturity securities. Certain risks are inherent in connection with fixed maturity securities including loss upon default and price volatility in reaction to changes in interest rates and general market factors. AFG’s equity securities, which represent 4% of its investment portfolio, are subject to market price volatility.

MBS represented about one-third of AFG’s fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2011. AFG’s MBS portfolio will continue to be impacted by general economic conditions, including unemployment levels, real estate values and other factors that could negatively affect the creditworthiness of borrowers. MBS in which the underlying collateral is subprime mortgages represented 3% of AFG’s total fixed maturity portfolio at December 31, 2011; MBS in which the underlying collateral is Alt-A mortgages (risk profile between prime and subprime) represented approximately 3%. See Item 7A—“Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”—“Fixed Maturity Portfolio.”

AFG cannot predict whether and the extent to which industry sectors in which it maintains investments may suffer losses as a result of potential declines in commercial and economic activity, or how any such decline might impact the ability of companies within the affected industry sectors to pay interest or principal on their securities, or how the value of any underlying collateral might be affected.

Investment returns are an important part of AFG’s overall profitability. Accordingly, adverse fluctuations in the fixed income or equity markets could adversely impact AFG’s profitability, financial condition or cash flows.

In addition, should economic conditions deteriorate or remain weak, it could have a material adverse effect on AFG’s insureds and reinsurers. However, the impact that this would have on AFG’s business cannot be predicted.

15

Intense competition could adversely affect AFG’s profitability.

The property and casualty group operates in a highly competitive industry that is affected by many factors that can cause significant fluctuations in its results of operations. The industry has historically been subject to pricing cycles characterized by periods of intense competition and lower premium rates (a “downcycle”) followed by periods of reduced competition, reduced underwriting capacity due to lower policyholders’ surplus and higher premium rates (an “upcycle”). The trend of AFG’s underwriting results typically follows that of the industry and a prolonged downcycle could adversely affect AFG’s results of operations.

AFG’s specialty insurance businesses compete with other individual insurers, state funds and insurance groups of varying sizes, some of which are mutual insurance companies possessing competitive advantages in that all their profits inure to their policyholders. In addition, certain foreign insurers can write business in the U.S. on a tax-advantaged basis and therefore hold a competitive advantage over AFG. AFG also competes with self-insurance plans, captive programs and risk retention groups. Peer companies and major competitors in some or all of AFG’s specialty lines include the following companies and/or their subsidiaries: ACE Ltd., American International Group Inc. (Chartis and Lexington Insurance), Arch Capital Group Ltd., Chubb Corp., Cincinnati Financial Corp., CNA Financial Corp., Liberty Mutual, Markel Corp., Munich Re Group (Midland), Hartford Financial Services Group, HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc., Ironshore Insurance Ltd., RLI Corp., The Travelers Companies Inc., Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. (Philadelphia Consolidated), W.R. Berkley Corp., Wells Fargo Corp. (Rural Community Insurance), XL Group Plc, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Zenith National) and Zurich Financial Services Group.

AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance businesses compete with individual insurers and insurance groups, mutual funds and other financial institutions. Competitors include the following companies and/or their subsidiaries: ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, American International Group Inc., Western National Life Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company of the Southwest, Midland National Life Insurance Company, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, Aviva Life and Annuity Company, Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company and Bankers Life and Casualty Company. Bank annuity premiums represented approximately one-third of AFG’s annuity premiums in 2011 and have been a key driver in the growth of AFG’s annuity business over the last three years. Approximately 89% of AFG’s bank annuity premiums in 2011 were generated through three large banks. Although AFG has been able to add several new banks in 2010 and 2011, the failure to replace these banks if they significantly reduce sales of AFG annuities could adversely impact AFG’s future profitability. In the bank annuity market, AFG competes directly against competitors’ bank annuities, certificates of deposit and other investment alternatives at the point of sale.

Competition is based on many factors, including service to policyholders and agents, product design, reputation for claims handling, ratings and financial strength. Price, commissions, fees, profit sharing terms, interest crediting rates, technology and distribution channels are also important factors. Some of AFG’s competitors have more capital and greater resources than AFG, and may offer a broader range of products and lower prices than AFG offers. If competition limits AFG’s ability to write new or renewal business at adequate rates, its results of operations will be adversely affected.

AFG’s revenues could be negatively affected if it is not able to attract and retain independent agents.

AFG’s reliance on the independent agency market makes it vulnerable to a reduction in the amount of business written by agents. Many of AFG’s competitors also rely significantly on the independent agency market. Accordingly, AFG must compete with other insurance carriers for independent agents’ business. Some of its competitors offer a wider variety of products, lower price for insurance coverage or higher commissions. Loss of a substantial portion of the business that AFG writes through independent agents could adversely affect AFG’s revenues and profitability.

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The inability to obtain reinsurance or to collect on ceded reinsurance could adversely impact AFG’s results.

AFG relies on the use of reinsurance to limit the amount of risk it retains. The following amounts of gross property and casualty premiums have been ceded to other insurers: 2011—$1.3 billion (33%); 2010—$1.2 billion (33%) and 2009—$1.5 billion (39%). The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to prevailing market conditions, which are beyond AFG’s control and which may affect AFG’s level of business and profitability. AFG also reinsures the death benefits above certain retained amounts on its run-off life insurance business. AFG is also subject to credit risk with respect to its reinsurers, as AFG will remain liable to its insureds if any reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations under agreements covering the reinsurance ceded.

AFG is subject to comprehensive regulation, and its ability to earn profits may be restricted by these regulations.

As previously discussed under Item 1—“Business”—“Regulation,” AFG is subject to comprehensive regulation by government agencies in the states and countries where its insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled and where these subsidiaries issue policies and handle claims. AFG must obtain prior approval for certain corporate actions. The regulations may limit AFG’s ability to obtain rate increases or take other actions designed to increase AFG’s profitability. Such regulation is primarily intended for the protection of policyholders rather than securityholders.

In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law. Among other things, this law established the Federal Insurance Office within the U.S. Treasury and authorizes it to gather information regarding the insurance industry and submit to Congress a plan to modernize and improve insurance regulation in the U.S.

Existing insurance-related laws and regulations may become more restrictive in the future or new restrictive laws may be enacted; it is not possible to predict the potential effects of these laws and regulations. The costs of compliance or the failure to comply with existing or future regulations could harm AFG’s financial results and its reputation with customers.

The failure of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries to maintain a commercially acceptable financial strength rating would have a significant negative effect on their ability to compete successfully.

As discussed under Item 1—“Business”—“Property and Casualty Insurance Operations” and Item 1—“Business”—“Annuity and Supplemental Insurance Operations—General,” financial strength ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance companies and may be expected to have an effect on an insurance company’s sales. A downgrade out of the “A” category in AFG’s insurers’ claims-paying and financial strength ratings could significantly reduce AFG’s business volumes in certain lines of business, adversely impact AFG’s ability to access the capital markets and increase AFG’s borrowing costs.

The continued threat of terrorism and ongoing military and other actions, as well as civil unrest, may adversely affect AFG’s financial results.

The continued threat of terrorism, both within the United States and abroad, and the ongoing military and other actions and heightened security measures in response to these types of threats, as well as civil unrest, may cause significant volatility and declines in the equity markets in the United States, Europe and elsewhere, loss of life, property damage, additional disruptions to commerce and reduced economic activity. Actual terrorist attacks could cause losses from insurance claims related to AFG’s property and casualty and life insurance operations with adverse financial consequences. In addition, some of the assets in AFG’s investment portfolios may be adversely affected by declines in the capital markets and economic activity caused by the continued threat of terrorism, ongoing military and other action, heightened security measures and civil unrest.

17

AFG may experience difficulties with technology or data security, which could have an adverse effect on its business or reputation.

AFG uses computer systems to store, retrieve, evaluate and utilize company and customer data and information. Systems failures or outages could compromise AFG’s ability to perform business functions in a timely manner, which could harm its ability to conduct business and hurt its relationships with business partners and customers. In the event of a disaster such as a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a blackout, a computer virus, a terrorist attack or war, AFG’s systems may be inaccessible to employees, customers or business partners for an extended period of time. Even if AFG’s employees are able to report to work, they may be unable to perform their duties for an extended period of time if the Company’s data or systems are disabled or destroyed.

Despite the implementation of security measures, these systems may also be vulnerable to physical break-ins, computer viruses, programming errors, attacks by third parties or similar disruptive problems. Any compromise of security could have a material adverse effect on AFG’s business or reputation and could subject AFG to liability if confidential customer information is misappropriated from its computer systems.

AFG’s property and casualty reserves may be inadequate, which could significantly affect AFG’s financial results.

AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries record reserve liabilities for the estimated payment of losses and loss adjustment expenses for both reported and unreported claims. Due to the inherent uncertainty of estimating reserves, it has been necessary in the past, and will continue to be necessary in the future, to revise estimated liabilities as reflected in AFG’s reserves for claims and related expenses. The historic development of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expense may not necessarily reflect future trends in the development of these amounts. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based on historical information. To the extent that reserves are inadequate and are strengthened, the amount of such increase is treated as a charge to earnings in the period in which the deficiency is recognized.

AFG’s results could be negatively impacted by severe weather conditions or other catastrophes.

AFG recorded catastrophe losses of $46 million in 2011 (primarily from tornadoes), $49 million in 2010 (primarily from hailstorms) and $18 million in 2009 (primarily from tornadoes). Catastrophes (some of which are seasonal) can be caused by natural events such as hurricanes, windstorms, tornadoes, floods, hailstorms, severe winter weather, earthquakes, explosions and fire, and by man-made events, such as terrorist attacks and riots. While not considered a catastrophe by industry standards, droughts could also have a significant adverse impact on AFG’s crop insurance results. The extent of losses from a catastrophe is a function of the amount of insured exposure in the area affected by the event and the severity of the event. In addition, certain catastrophes could result in both property and non-property claims from the same event. A severe catastrophe or a series of catastrophes could result in losses exceeding AFG’s reinsurance protection and may have a material adverse impact on its results of operations or financial condition.

Climate change and related regulation could adversely affect AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations.

While AFG does not believe that its operations are likely to be impacted by existing laws and regulations regarding climate change, it is possible that future regulation in this area could result in additional compliance costs and demands on management time.

To the extent that global climate change meaningfully alters weather and tidal patterns, or sea levels, it is possible that the AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations could experience an increase in claims, primarily in coastal areas and in AFG’s crop and agricultural businesses.

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Volatility in crop prices could negatively impact AFG’s financial results.

Weather conditions and the level of crop prices in the commodities market heavily impact AFG’s crop insurance business. These factors are inherently unpredictable and could result in significant volatility in the results of the crop insurance business from one year to the next. AFG’s crop results could also be negatively impacted by pests and disease.

Exposure to asbestos or environmental claims could materially adversely affect AFG’s results of operations and financial condition.

AFG has asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) exposures arising from its insurance operations and former railroad and manufacturing operations. A&E liabilities are especially difficult to estimate for many reasons, including the long delays between exposure and manifestation of any bodily injury or property damage, difficulty in identifying the source of the asbestos or environmental contamination, long reporting delays and difficulty in properly allocating liability for the asbestos or environmental damage. Claimants continue to assert new theories of recovery, and from time to time, there is proposed state and federal legislation regarding A&E liability, which would also affect AFG’s exposure. If AFG has not established adequate reserves to cover future claims, AFG’s results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Changes in interest rates could adversely impact the spread AFG earns on its annuity products.

The profitability of AFG’s annuity business is largely dependent on spread (the difference between what it earns on its investments and the crediting rate it pays on its annuity contracts). Most of AFG’s annuity products have guaranteed minimum crediting rates (ranging from 4% down to currently 1% on new business). During periods of falling interest rates, AFG may not be able to fully offset the decline in investment earnings with lower crediting rates. During periods of rising rates, there may be competitive pressure to increase crediting rates to avoid a decline in sales or increased surrenders, thus resulting in lower spreads. In addition, an increase in surrenders could require the sale of investments at a time when the prices of those assets are lower due to the increase in market rates, which may result in realized investment losses.

Variations from the actuarial assumptions used to establish certain assets and liabilities in AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance business could negatively impact AFG’s reported financial results.

The earnings on certain products sold by AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance business depend significantly upon the extent to which actual experience is consistent with the assumptions used in setting reserves and establishing and amortizing deferred policy acquisition costs (“DPAC”). These assumptions relate to investment yields (and spreads over fixed annuity crediting rates), mortality, surrenders, annuitizations, morbidity (frequency and severity of sickness), policy persistency (percentage of policies remaining in force), and, on some policies, the ability to obtain price increases. Developing such assumptions is complex and involves information obtained from company-specific and industry-wide data, as well as general economic information. These assumptions, and therefore AFG’s results of operations, could be negatively impacted by changes in any of the factors listed above. Although charges related to changes in these assumptions were immaterial in 2011, AFG recorded a $25 million pretax charge in 2010 due primarily to the impact of changes in assumptions related to future investment yields and annuitization and death benefits partially offset by the impact of lower expected expenses and crediting rates in the fixed annuity business.

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AFG’s ability to get price increases and appropriate investment yields on its closed block of long-term care policies may adversely affect AFG’s profitability.

AFG ceased writing new long-term care insurance policies in January 2010. Previous policies written are guaranteed renewable, but can be re-priced to reflect adverse experience, subject to regulatory approval. Inability to get needed regulatory approval may adversely impact AFG’s results of operations.

In addition, given the duration of the long-term care product, AFG may be unable to purchase appropriate assets with cash flows and durations necessary to match those of future claims in that business.

As a holding company, AFG is dependent on the operations of its insurance company subsidiaries to meet its obligations and pay future dividends.

AFG is a holding company and a legal entity separate and distinct from its insurance company subsidiaries. As a holding company without significant operations of its own, AFG’s principal sources of funds are dividends and other distributions from its insurance company subsidiaries. As discussed under “Regulation,” state insurance laws limit the ability of insurance companies to pay dividends or other distributions and require insurance companies to maintain specified levels of statutory capital and surplus. AFG’s rights to participate in any distribution of assets of its insurance company subsidiaries are subject to prior claims of policyholders and creditors (except to the extent that its rights, if any, as a creditor are recognized). Consequently, AFG’s ability to pay debts, expenses and cash dividends to its shareholders may be limited.

Adverse developments in the financial markets may limit AFG’s access to capital.

Financial markets in the U.S. and elsewhere experienced extreme volatility during the latter part of 2008 and early 2009. These circumstances exerted downward pressure on stock prices and limited access to the equity and debt markets for certain issuers, including AFG.

The three-year revolving credit facility under which AFG can borrow up to $500 million expires in August 2013. There is no assurance that this facility will be renewed. In addition, AFG’s access to funds through this facility is dependent on the ability of its banks to meet their funding commitments. There were no borrowings outstanding under this agreement during 2011.

If AFG cannot obtain adequate capital or sources of credit on favorable terms, or at all, its business, operating results and financial condition would be adversely affected.

AFG may be adversely impacted by a downgrade in the ratings of its debt securities.

AFG’s debt securities are rated by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s independent corporate credit rating agencies. AFG’s senior indebtedness is currently rated BBB+ by Standard & Poor’s and Baa2 by Moody’s. Securities ratings are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. An unfavorable change in either of these ratings could make it more expensive to access the capital markets and may increase the interest rate charged under AFG’s current multi-bank credit line.

AFG is a party to litigation which, if decided adversely, could impact its financial results.

AFG and its subsidiaries are named as defendants in a number of lawsuits. See Item 1—“Business”—“Property and Casualty Insurance Operations—Asbestos and Environmental (“A&E”) Reserves,” Item 3—“Legal Proceedings,” and Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis”—“Uncertainties.” Litigation, by its very nature, is unpredictable and the outcome of these cases is uncertain and could result in liabilities that may vary from amounts AFG has currently recorded and a material variance could have a material effect on AFG’s business, operations, profitability or financial condition.

20

Certain shareholders exercise substantial control over AFG’s affairs, which may impede a change of control transaction.

Carl H. Lindner III and S. Craig Lindner are each Co-Chief Executive Officers and Directors of AFG. Carl H. Lindner III and S. Craig Lindner beneficially own 8.7% and 6.6%, respectively, of AFG’s outstanding Common Stock as of February 1, 2012. As a result, certain members of the Lindner family have the ability to exercise significant influence over AFG’s management, including over matters requiring shareholder approval.

The price of AFG Common Stock may fluctuate significantly, which may make it difficult for holders to resell common stock when they want or at a price they find attractive.

The price of AFG’s Common Stock, listed on the NYSE and Nasdaq Global Select Market, constantly changes. During 2011, AFG’s Common Stock traded at prices ranging between $29.45 and $37.50. AFG’s Common Stock price can fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond its control. These factors include but are not limited to:

• actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results;

• actual or anticipated changes in the dividends paid on AFG Common Stock;

• rating agency actions;

• recommendations by securities analysts;

• significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving AFG or its competitors;

• operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to AFG;

• news reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in AFG’s lines of business;

• general economic conditions, including volatility in the financial markets; and

• geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts.

ITEM 2

Properties

Subsidiaries of AFG own several buildings in downtown Cincinnati. AFG and its affiliates occupy about half of the aggregate 680,000 square feet of commercial and office space in these buildings.

AFG’s insurance subsidiaries lease the majority of their office and storage facilities in numerous cities throughout the United States, including Great American’s and GAFRI’s home offices in Cincinnati. In 2011, AFG consolidated operations from several leased and owned locations in downtown Cincinnati into a new office tower in that city subject to a 15-year lease. National Interstate occupies approximately 90% of the 177,000 square feet of office space on 17.5 acres of land that it owns in Richfield, Ohio. See Item 1—“Business”—“Other Operations” for a discussion of AFG’s other commercial real estate operations.

ITEM 3

Legal Proceedings

AFG and its subsidiaries are involved in various litigation, most of which arose in the ordinary course of business, including litigation alleging bad faith in dealing with policyholders and challenging certain business practices of insurance subsidiaries. Except for the following, management believes that none of the litigation meets the threshold for disclosure under this Item.

AFG’s insurance company subsidiaries and its 100%-owned subsidiary, American Premier Underwriters (including its subsidiaries, “American Premier”), are parties to litigation and receive claims alleging injuries and damages from asbestos, environmental and other substances and workplace hazards and have established loss accruals for such potential liabilities; other than the A.P. Green Industries proceedings discussed below, none of such litigation or claims is individually material to AFG. The ultimate loss for these claims may vary materially from amounts currently recorded as the conditions surrounding resolution of these claims continue to change.

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American Premier is a party or named as a potentially responsible party in a number of proceedings and claims by regulatory agencies and private parties under various environmental protection laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), seeking to impose responsibility on American Premier for hazardous waste or discharge remediation costs at certain railroad sites formerly owned by its predecessor, Penn Central Transportation Company (“PCTC”), and at certain other sites where hazardous waste or discharge allegedly generated by PCTC’s railroad operations and American Premier’s former manufacturing operations is present. It is difficult to estimate American Premier’s liability for remediation costs at these sites for a number of reasons, including the number and financial resources of other potentially responsible parties involved at a given site, the varying availability of evidence by which to allocate responsibility among such parties, the wide range of costs for possible remediation alternatives, changing technology and the period of time over which these matters develop. Nevertheless, American Premier believes that its accruals for potential environmental liabilities are adequate to cover the probable amount of such liabilities, based on American Premier’s estimates of remediation costs and related expenses and its estimates of the portions of such costs that will be borne by other parties. Such estimates are based on information currently available to American Premier and are subject to future change as additional information becomes available.

As previously reported, Great American Insurance Company and certain other insurers were parties to declaratory judgment coverage litigation brought in 2001 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (arising from claims alleging asbestos exposure resulted in bodily injury) under insurance policies issued during the 1970’s and 1980’s to Bigelow-Liptak Corporation and related companies, subsequently known as A.P. Green Industries, Inc. (“A.P. Green”).

A.P. Green sought to recover defense and indemnity expenses related to those claims from a number of insurers, including Great American.

In February 2002, A.P. Green filed petitions for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (In Re Global Industrial Technologies, Inc., et al, filed February 14, 2002) and subsequently (in 2002) commenced adversary proceedings in that Court against Great American Insurance Company and other companies to obtain an adjudication of the insured’s rights under the above-referenced insurance policies.

In 2003, Great American Insurance Company entered into an agreement, which was approved by the Bankruptcy Court, for the settlement of coverage litigation related to A.P. Green asbestos claims. The settlement of $123.5 million (Great American has the option to pay in cash or over time with 5.25% interest) has been fully accrued and allows up to 10% of the settlement to be paid in AFG Common Stock. The settlement agreement is conditioned upon confirmation of a plan of reorganization that includes an injunction prohibiting the assertion against Great American of any present or future asbestos personal injury claims under policies issued to A.P. Green and related companies.

During 2007, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed the A. P. Green Plan of Reorganization which includes the injunction required by Great American’s settlement agreement. Certain parties subsequently appealed the confirmation.

On May 3, 2011, in connection with the appeal of the 2007 bankruptcy court confirmation, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion holding that two non-settling insurers had standing to challenge the trust established to administer silica claims which had been approved as part of the plan of bankruptcy along with the trust established to administer asbestos claims. The court also vacated the order confirming the Plan of Reorganization and remanded the Plan to the bankruptcy court for further proceedings on this limited issue. While the bankruptcy court had previously concluded that the trust to administer silica claims was a valid and legitimate trust, the Third Circuit held that a fuller evidentiary hearing is required on remand. Management believes that resolution of this issue ultimately will not impact the Great American settlement.

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PART II

ITEM 5

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters

and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

AFG Common Stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol AFG. The information presented in the table below represents the high and low sales prices per share reported on the NYSE Composite Tape.

	2011				2010
	High		Low		High		Low
First Quarter	$	35.21	$	32.19	$	28.64	$	23.90
Second Quarter		36.19		33.94		30.25		25.40
Third Quarter		36.05		29.45		30.88		26.69
Fourth Quarter		37.50		29.66		32.75		30.04

There were approximately 7,200 shareholders of record of AFG Common Stock at February 1, 2012. AFG declared and paid quarterly dividends of $.1625 per share in January, April and July 2011. In August 2011, AFG increased its quarterly dividend to $.175 and declared and paid its first dividend at that rate in October 2011. In 2010, AFG declared and paid quarterly dividends of $.1375 per share in January, April and July and $.1625 per share in October. The ability of AFG to pay dividends will be dependent upon, among other things, the availability of dividends and payments under intercompany tax allocation agreements from its insurance company subsidiaries.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities AFG repurchased shares of its common stock during 2011 as follows:

					Total Number		Maximum Number
					of Shares		of Shares
	Total				Purchased as		that May
	Number		Average		Part of Publicly		Yet be Purchased
	of Shares		Price Paid		Announced Plans		Under the Plans
	Purchased		Per Share		or Programs		or Programs (a)
First Quarter		2,457,721	$	34.04		2,457,721		10,250,706
Second Quarter		2,710,121	$	34.79		2,710,121		7,540,585
Third Quarter		2,635,444	$	32.25		2,635,444		4,905,141
October		152,700	$	31.09		152,700		4,752,441
November		727,000	$	35.17		727,000		4,025,441
December		598,400	$	36.20		598,400		3,427,041

(a) Represents the remaining shares that may be repurchased under the Plans authorized by AFG’s Board of Directors in August 2010 and February 2011. In February 2012, AFG’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of five million additional shares.

In addition, AFG acquired 2,467 shares of its common stock (at $36.48 per share) in October 2011, 1,900 shares (at $35.73 per share) in November 2011, and 16,384 shares (at an average of $36.62 per share) in December 2011 in connection with its stock incentive plans.

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ITEM 6

Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth certain data for the periods indicated (dollars in millions, except per share data).

	2011			2010			2009		2008		2007
Earnings Statement Data (a):
Total Revenues	$	4,750		$	4,497		$	4,320	$	4,293	$	4,379
Operating Earnings Before Income Taxes		558			694			818		295		606
Earnings from Continuing Operations		319			426			534		186		391
Discontinued Operations		—			—			—		—		2
Less: Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests		(23	)		(56	)		11		4		32
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders		342			482			523		182		361
Basic Earnings Per Common Share:
Earnings from Continuing Operations	$	3.37		$	4.41		$	4.52	$	1.59	$	3.06
Discontinued Operations		—			—			—		—		.01
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders		3.37			4.41			4.52		1.59		3.07
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share:
Earnings from Continuing Operations	$	3.32		$	4.36		$	4.48	$	1.56	$	2.91
Discontinued Operations		—			—			—		—		.01
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders		3.32			4.36			4.48		1.56		2.92
Cash Dividends Paid Per Share of Common Stock	$	.6625		$	.575		$	.52	$	.50	$	.40
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges Including Annuity Benefits (b)		1.95			2.42			2.59		1.59		2.33
Balance Sheet Data (a):
Total Assets	$	35,838		$	32,241		$	27,442	$	26,126	$	25,578
Long-term Debt		934			952			828		1,030		937
Shareholders’ Equity		4,411			4,331			3,623		2,294		2,896

(a) New accounting guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board limits the types of costs incurred in issuing or renewing insurance contracts that can be deferred. AFG adopted this guidance retrospectively on January 1, 2012. See Note A – “Accounting Policies – Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012” to the financial statements for disclosures of the impact of adopting this guidance.

(b) Fixed charges are computed on a “total enterprise” basis. For purposes of calculating the ratios, “earnings” have been computed by adding to pretax earnings the fixed charges and the noncontrolling interests in earnings of subsidiaries having fixed charges and the undistributed equity in losses of investees. Fixed charges include interest (including annuity benefits as indicated), amortization of debt premium/discount and expense, preferred dividend and distribution requirements of subsidiaries and a portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest factor.

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges excluding annuity benefits was 6.59, 9.14, 11.03, 4.51 and 8.10 for 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Although the ratio of earnings to fixed charges excluding annuity benefits is not required or encouraged to be disclosed under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, some investors and lenders may not consider interest credited to annuity policyholders’ accounts a borrowing cost for an insurance company, and accordingly, believe this ratio is meaningful.

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ITEM 7

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

INDEX TO MD&A

	Page			Page
General		25	Managed Investment Entities		44
Overview		25	Results of Operations		46
Critical Accounting Policies		26	General		46
Liquidity and Capital Resources		27	Income Items		46
Ratios		27	Expense Items		52
Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity		27	New Accounting Standards		53
Contractual Obligations		29
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements		29
Investments		29
Uncertainties		34

GENERAL

Following is a discussion and analysis of the financial statements and other statistical data that management believes will enhance the understanding of AFG’s financial condition and results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements beginning on page F-1.

As discussed in Note A – “Accounting Policies – Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012,” certain historical amounts presented herein have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the adoption of new accounting guidance related to deferred policy acquisition costs (“DPAC”).

OVERVIEW

Financial Condition

AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends, and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are best done on a parent-only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because most of its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.

At December 31, 2011, AFG (parent) held approximately $456 million in cash and securities and had $500 million available under a bank line of credit expiring in August 2013.

Results of Operations

Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses and in the sale of traditional fixed and indexed annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance products such as Medicare supplement.

The property and casualty business is cyclical in nature with periods of high competition resulting in low premium rates, sometimes referred to as a “soft market” or “downcycle” followed by periods of reduced competition and higher premium rates, referred to as a “hard market” or “upcycle.” For the past several years, AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations have experienced soft market conditions.

AFG reported net earnings attributable to shareholders of $342 million ($3.32 per share diluted) in 2011 compared to $482 million ($4.36 per share diluted) in 2010.

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Improved operating results in the annuity and supplemental insurance group were more than offset by a second quarter 2011 special charge to strengthen reserves for asbestos and other environmental exposures, primarily within the property and casualty run-off operations, lower underwriting profit and lower investment income in the on-going property and casualty operations and a fourth quarter charge for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note A to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and thus impact amounts reported in the future. The areas where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements make accounting policies critical are as follows:

• the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves,

• the recoverability of reinsurance,

• the recoverability of deferred acquisition costs,

• the establishment of asbestos and environmental reserves of former railroad and manufacturing operations, and

• the valuation of investments, including the determination of “other-than-temporary” impairments.

See “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Uncertainties” for a discussion of insurance reserves, recoverables from reinsurers, and contingencies related to American Premier’s former operations and “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Investments” for a discussion of impairments on investments. Deferred policy acquisition costs (“DPAC”) and certain liabilities related to annuities and universal life insurance products are amortized in relation to the present value of expected gross profits on the policies. Assumptions considered in determining expected gross profits involve significant judgment and include management’s estimates of assumed interest rates and investment spreads, surrenders, annuitizations, renewal premiums and mortality. Should actual experience require management to change its assumptions (commonly referred to as “unlocking”), a charge or credit would be recorded to adjust DPAC or annuity liabilities to the levels they would have been if the new assumptions had been used from the inception date of each policy.

Reserves for future policy benefits related to AFG’s closed block of long-term care business are established (and related acquisition costs are amortized) over the life of the policies based on policy benefit assumptions as of the date of issuance, including investment yields, mortality, morbidity, persistency, and expenses. Once these assumptions are established for a given policy or group of policies, they are not changed over the life of the policy unless a loss recognition event (premium deficiency) occurs. Loss recognition occurs when, based on current expectations as of the measurement date, existing contract liabilities plus the present value of future premiums, including reasonably expected rate increases, are not expected to cover the present value of future claims payments and related settlement and maintenance costs as well as unamortized acquisition costs. Adverse changes in any of the reserve assumptions in future periods could result in loss recognition and charges to earnings for AFG’s long-term care business.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Ratios AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions). Management intends to maintain the ratio of debt to capital at or below 25% and intends to maintain the capital of its significant insurance subsidiaries at or above levels currently indicated by rating agencies as appropriate for the current ratings.

	December 31,
	2011			2010
Long-term debt	$	934		$	952
Total capital		4,860			4,894
Ratio of debt to total capital:
Including debt secured by real estate		19.2	%		19.5	%
Excluding debt secured by real estate		18.2	%		18.4	%

The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and independent ratings agencies to evaluate AFG’s financial strength and liquidity and to provide insight into how AFG finances its operations. It is calculated by dividing AFG’s long-term debt by its total capital, which includes long-term debt, noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity (excluding unrealized gains (losses) related to fixed maturity investments and appropriated retained earnings related to managed investment entities).

AFG’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges, including annuity benefits as a fixed charge, was 1.95 for the year ended December 31, 2011. Excluding annuity benefits, this ratio was 6.59 for 2011. Although the ratio excluding annuity benefits is not required or encouraged to be disclosed under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, it is presented because interest credited to annuity policyholder accounts is not always considered a borrowing cost for an insurance company.

The NAIC’s model law for risk based capital (“RBC”) applies to both life and property and casualty companies. RBC formulas determine the amount of capital that an insurance company needs so that it has an acceptable expectation of not becoming financially impaired. At December 31, 2011, the capital ratios of all AFG insurance companies substantially exceeded the RBC requirements.

Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity

Parent Holding Company Liquidity Management believes AFG has sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements. If funds generated from operations, including dividends, tax payments and borrowings from subsidiaries, are insufficient to meet fixed charges in any period, AFG would be required to utilize parent company cash and marketable securities or to generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.

AFG can borrow up to $500 million under its revolving credit facility which expires in August 2013. There were no borrowings under this agreement, or any other parent company short-term borrowing arrangements, during 2011.

During 2011, AFG repurchased 9.3 million shares of its Common Stock for $315 million. During 2010, AFG issued $132 million of 7% Senior Notes due 2050 and repurchased 10.3 million shares of its Common Stock for $292 million. During 2009, AFG retired $136 million of 7-1/8% Senior Debentures at maturity, issued $350 million of 9-7/8% Senior Notes due 2019 and repurchased 3.3 million shares of its Common Stock for $81 million.

All debentures and notes issued by AFG (and AAG Holding Company, a GAFRI subsidiary) are rated investment grade by two nationally recognized rating agencies. Under a currently effective shelf registration statement, AFG can offer additional equity or debt securities. The shelf registration provides AFG with flexibility to access the capital markets from time to time as market and other conditions permit.

Under tax allocation agreements with AFG, its 80%-owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary’s contribution to amounts due under AFG’s consolidated tax return.

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Subsidiary Liquidity Great American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”), a wholly-owned annuity and supplemental insurance subsidiary, is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB”). The FHLB makes advances and provides other banking services to member institutions, which provides the annuity and supplemental insurance operations with a substantial additional source of liquidity. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the FHLB advanced GALIC $240 million at interest rates ranging from .02% to .03% over LIBOR (average rate of .31% at December 31, 2011). These advances must be repaid within 5 to 7 years, but GALIC has the option to prepay all or a portion of the advances on a monthly basis. GALIC has invested the proceeds from the advances in fixed maturity securities for the purpose of earning a spread over the interest payments due to the FHLB.

National Interstate Corporation (“NATL”), a 52%-owned property and casualty insurance subsidiary, can borrow up to $75 million, subject to certain conditions, under an unsecured credit agreement expiring in December 2012. Amounts borrowed bear interest at rates ranging from .45% to .9% (currently ..65%) over LIBOR based on NATL’s credit rating. There was $22 million outstanding under this agreement at December 31, 2011. The maximum outstanding balance under this agreement during 2011 was $22 million.

The liquidity requirements of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the liabilities associated with their products as well as operating costs and expenses, payments of dividends and taxes to AFG and contributions of capital to their subsidiaries. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have generally provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements without requiring a sale of investments or contributions from AFG. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in additional marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short-term investments.

The excess cash flow of AFG’s property and casualty group allows it to extend the duration of its investment portfolio somewhat beyond that of its claim reserves.

In the annuity business, where profitability is largely dependent on earning a “spread” between invested assets and annuity liabilities, the duration of investments is generally maintained close to that of liabilities. In a rising interest rate environment, significant protection from withdrawals exists in the form of temporary and permanent surrender charges on AFG’s annuity products. With declining rates, AFG receives some protection (from spread compression) due to the ability to lower crediting rates, subject to contractually guaranteed minimum interest rates (“GMIRs”). AFG began selling new policies with GMIRs below 2% in 2003; almost all new business since late 2010 has been issued with a 1% GMIR. At December 31, 2011, the average crediting rate on AFG’s annuities was approximately 3.1%, while the average GMIR was approximately 2.5%. This margin provides AFG the flexibility to lower its crediting rates by up to 60 basis points on average in the future should market interest rates continue to remain low for a long period of time.

For statutory accounting purposes, equity securities of non-affiliates are generally carried at fair value. At December 31, 2011, AFG’s insurance companies owned publicly traded equity securities with a fair value of $895 million. In addition, GAI’s investment in NATL common stock had a fair value of $252 million and a statutory carrying value of $199 million at December 31, 2011. Decreases in market prices could adversely affect the insurance group’s capital, potentially impacting the amount of dividends available or necessitating a capital contribution. Conversely, increases in market prices could have a favorable impact on the group’s dividend-paying capability.

AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and benefits and operating expenses. In addition, these subsidiaries have sufficient capital to meet commitments in the event of unforeseen events such as reserve deficiencies, inadequate premium rates or reinsurer insolvencies. Nonetheless, changes in statutory accounting rules, significant declines in the fair value of the insurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios or significant ratings downgrades on these investments, could create a need for additional capital.

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Contractual Obligations The following table shows an estimate (based on historical patterns and expected trends) of payments to be made for insurance reserve liabilities, as well as scheduled payments for major contractual obligations (in millions).

	Total		Within One Year		2-3 Years		4-5 Years		More than 5 Years
Annuity, life, accident and health liabilities (a)	$	17,147	$	1,618	$	3,230	$	3,905	$	8,394
Property and casualty unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (b)		6,520		1,700		1,800		1,100		1,920
Long-term debt, including interest		2,096		107		165		200		1,624
Operating leases		412		52		93		70		197
Total (c)	$	26,175	$	3,477	$	5,288	$	5,275	$	12,135

(a) Reserve projections include anticipated cash benefit payments only. Projections do not include any impact for future earnings or additional premiums.

(b) Dollar amounts and time periods are estimates based on historical net payment patterns applied to the gross reserves and do not represent actual contractual obligations. Based on the same assumptions, AFG projects reinsurance recoveries related to these reserves totaling $2.2 billion as follows: Within 1 year—$600 million; 2-3 years—$600 million; 4-5 years—$400 million; and thereafter—$638 million. Actual payments and their timing could differ significantly from these estimates.

(c) AFG’s $74 million liability for unrecognized tax benefits (including $15 million in interest) as of December 31, 2011, is not included because the period of payment cannot be reliably estimated.

AFG has no material contractual purchase obligations or other long-term liabilities at December 31, 2011.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements See Note P—“Additional Information—Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk” to the financial statements.

Investments AFG attempts to optimize investment income while building the value of its portfolio, placing emphasis upon total long-term performance.

AFG’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2011, contained $21.8 billion in “Fixed maturities” classified as available for sale and $928 million in “Equity securities”, all carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in a separate component of shareholders’ equity on an after-tax basis. In addition, $440 million in fixed maturities were classified as trading with changes in unrealized holding gains or losses included in investment income.

As detailed under “Net Unrealized Gain on Marketable Securities” in Note E to the financial statements, unrealized gains and losses on AFG’s fixed maturity and equity securities are included in Shareholders’ Equity after adjustments for related changes in DPAC and certain liabilities related to annuities, noncontrolling interests and deferred income taxes. DPAC applicable to annuity products is adjusted for the impact of unrealized gains or losses on investments as if these gains or losses had been realized, with corresponding increases or decreases (net of tax) included in accumulated other comprehensive income in AFG’s Balance Sheet.

Fixed income investment funds are generally invested in securities with intermediate-term maturities with an objective of optimizing total return while allowing flexibility to react to changes in market conditions. At December 31, 2011, the average life of AFG’s fixed maturities was about six years.

Fair values for AFG’s portfolio are determined by AFG’s internal investment professionals using data from nationally recognized pricing services as well as non-binding broker quotes. Fair values of equity securities are generally based on closing prices obtained from the pricing services. For mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), which comprise approximately 30% of AFG’s fixed maturities, prices for each security are generally obtained from both pricing services and broker quotes. For the remainder of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio, approximately 93% are priced using pricing services and the balance is priced primarily using non-binding broker quotes. When prices obtained for the same security vary, AFG’s internal investment professionals select the price they believe is most indicative of an exit price.

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The pricing services use a variety of observable inputs to estimate fair value of fixed maturities that do not trade on a daily basis. Based upon information provided by the pricing services, these inputs include, but are not limited to, recent reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids or offers, reference data, and measures of volatility. Included in the pricing of MBS are estimates of the rate of future prepayments and defaults of principal over the remaining life of the underlying collateral. Due to the lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3 in the GAAP hierarchy unless the price can be corroborated, for example, by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs.

Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, the Company communicates directly with the pricing service regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the service to value specific securities. Prices obtained from a broker or pricing service are adjusted only in cases where they are deemed not to be representative of an appropriate exit price (fewer than 1% of the securities).

In general, the fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity investments is inversely correlated to changes in interest rates. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of such fair values to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have at December 31, 2011 (dollars in millions). Increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.

Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio	$	22,247
Pretax impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates	$	(1,046	)
Pretax impact as % of total fixed maturity portfolio		(4.7	%)

Approximately 90% of the fixed maturities held by AFG at December 31, 2011, were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and non-investment grade. Management believes that the high quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.

MBS are subject to significant prepayment risk due to the fact that, in periods of declining interest rates, mortgages may be repaid more rapidly than scheduled as borrowers refinance higher rate mortgages to take advantage of lower rates. Although interest rates have been low for the last few years, a weak housing market and uncertain economic conditions have led to tighter lending standards, which have resulted in fewer buyers being able to refinance the mortgages underlying much of AFG’s non-agency RMBS portfolio.

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Summarized information for AFG’s MBS (including those classified as trading) at December 31, 2011, is shown (in millions) in the table below. Agency-backed securities are those issued by a U.S. government-backed agency; Alt-A mortgages are those with risk profiles between prime and subprime. The majority of the Alt-A securities and substantially all of the subprime securities are backed by fixed rate mortgages. The average life of the residential and commercial MBS is approximately 4 and 5 years, respectively.

Collateral type	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Fair Value as % of Cost			Unrealized Gain (Loss)			% Rated Investment Grade
Residential:
Agency-backed	$	340	$	354		104	%	$	14			100	%
Non-agency prime		2,058		2,112		103			54			68
Alt-A		787		739		94			(48	)		44
Subprime		686		653		95			(33	)		29
Commercial		2,665		2,877		108			212			100
Other		22		25		114			3			48
	$	6,558	$	6,760		103	%	$	202			77	%

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) assigns creditworthiness designations on a scale of 1 to 6 with 1 being the highest quality and 6 being the lowest quality. The NAIC retained a third-party investment management firm to assist in the determination of appropriate NAIC designations for mortgage-backed securities based not only on the probability of loss (which is the primary basis of ratings by the major ratings firms), but also on the severity of loss and statutory carrying value. At December 31, 2011, 97% (based on statutory carrying value of $6.5 billion) of AFG’s MBS securities had an NAIC designation of 1 or 2.

Municipal bonds represented approximately 18% of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio at December 31, 2011. AFG’s municipal bond portfolio is high quality, with 99% of the securities rated investment grade at that date. The portfolio is well diversified across the states of issuance and individual issuers. At December 31, 2011, approximately 80% of the municipal bond portfolio was held in revenue bonds, with the remaining 20% held in general obligation bonds. State general obligation securities of California, Illinois, New Jersey and New York collectively represented only 2% of this portfolio.

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Summarized information for the unrealized gains and losses recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet at December 31, 2011, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). Approximately $133 million of available for sale “Fixed maturities” and $36 million of “Equity securities” had no unrealized gains or losses at December 31, 2011.

	Securities With Unrealized Gains			Securities With Unrealized Losses
Available for Sale Fixed Maturities
Fair value of securities	$	18,623		$	3,051
Amortized cost of securities	$	17,129		$	3,300
Gross unrealized gain (loss)	$	1,494		$	(249	)
Fair value as % of amortized cost		109	%		92	%
Number of security positions		3,763			846
Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss		146			11
Concentration of gains (losses) by type or industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized):
Mortgage-backed securities	$	388		$	(186	)
Banks, savings and credit institutions		85			(33	)
Gas and electric services		172			(2	)
States and municipalities		267			(3	)
Percentage rated investment grade		94	%		62	%
Equity Securities
Fair value of securities	$	665		$	227
Cost of securities	$	453		$	255
Gross unrealized gain (loss)	$	212	(*)	$	(28	)
Fair value as % of cost		147	%		89	%
Number of security positions		131			83
Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss		12			4

(*) Includes $121 million on AFG’s investment in Verisk Analytics, Inc.

The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2011, based on their fair values. Asset- backed securities and other securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.

Maturity	Securities with Unrealized Gains			Securities with Unrealized Losses
One year or less		3	%		1	%
After one year through five years		26			19
After five years through ten years		35			15
After ten years		10			5
		74			40
Mortgage-backed securities (average life of approximately four years)		26			60
		100	%		100	%

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The table below (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by dollar amount.

	Aggregate Fair Value		Aggregate Unrealized Gain (Loss)			Fair Value as % of Cost Basis
Fixed Maturities at December 31, 2011
Securities with unrealized gains:
Exceeding $500,000 (841 issues)	$	10,121	$	1,093			112	%
$500,000 or less (2,922 issues)		8,502		401			105
	$	18,623	$	1,494			109	%
Securities with unrealized losses:
Exceeding $500,000 (151 issues)	$	982	$	(164	)		86	%
$500,000 or less (695 issues)		2,069		(85	)		96
	$	3,051	$	(249	)		92	%

The following table summarizes (dollars in millions) the unrealized loss for all securities with unrealized losses by issuer quality and length of time those securities have been in an unrealized loss position.

	Aggregate Fair Value		Aggregate Unrealized Loss			Fair Value as % of Cost Basis
Securities with Unrealized Losses at December 31, 2011
Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for:
Less than one year (292 issues)	$	1,528	$	(52	)		97	%
One year or longer (129 issues)		367		(41	)		90
	$	1,895	$	(93	)		95	%
Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for:
Less than one year (250 issues)	$	859	$	(58	)		94	%
One year or longer (175 issues)		297		(98	)		75
	$	1,156	$	(156	)		88	%
Common equity securities with losses for:
Less than one year (61 issues)	$	169	$	(19	)		90	%
One year or longer (4 issues)		4		(1	)		80
	$	173	$	(20	)		90	%
Perpetual preferred equity securities with losses for:
Less than one year (9 issues)	$	23	$	(1	)		96	%
One year or longer (9 issues)		31		(7	)		82
	$	54	$	(8	)		87	%

When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be “other-than-temporary,” a provision for impairment is charged to earnings (accounted for as a realized loss) and the cost basis of that investment is reduced by the amount of the charge. The determination of whether unrealized losses are “other-than-temporary” requires judgment based on subjective as well as objective factors. Factors considered and resources used by management include:

a) whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates,

b) the extent to which fair value is less than cost basis,

c) historical operating, balance sheet and cash flow data contained in issuer SEC filings and news releases,

d) near-term prospects for improvement in the issuer and/or its industry,

e) third party research and communications with industry specialists,

f) financial models and forecasts,

g) the continuity of dividend payments, maintenance of investment grade ratings and hybrid nature of certain investments,

h) discussions with issuer management, and

i) ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery in fair value.

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Based on its analysis of the factors listed above, management believes (i) AFG will recover its cost basis in the securities with unrealized losses and (ii) that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at December 31, 2011. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG’s ability or intent change with regard to a particular security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, charges for other-than-temporary impairment could be material to results of operations in future periods. Significant declines in the fair value of AFG’s investment portfolio could have a significant adverse effect on AFG’s liquidity. For information on AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities, including charges for “other-than-temporary” impairment, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis—“Results of Operations—Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities.”

Uncertainties As more fully explained in the following paragraphs, management believes that the areas posing the greatest risk of material loss are the adequacy of its insurance reserves and contingencies arising out of its former railroad and manufacturing operations.

Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves Estimating the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) is inherently judgmental and is influenced by factors that are subject to significant variation. Determining the liability is a complex process incorporating input from many areas of the Company including actuarial, underwriting, pricing, claims and operations management.

The estimates of liabilities for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon: (a) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting periods on direct business written (“case reserves”); (b) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (c) estimates of claims incurred but not reported or “IBNR” (including possible development on known claims); (d) estimates (based on experience) of expense for investigating and adjusting claims; and (e) the current state of law and coverage litigation.

The process used to determine the total reserve for liabilities involves estimating the ultimate incurred losses and LAE, adjusted for amounts already paid on the claims. The IBNR reserve is derived by first estimating the ultimate unpaid reserve liability and subtracting case reserves and LAE.

In determining management’s best estimate of the ultimate liability, management (including Company actuaries) considers items such as the effect of inflation on medical, hospitalization, material, repair and replacement costs, the nature and maturity of lines of insurance, general economic trends and the legal environment. In addition, historical trends adjusted for changes in underwriting standards, policy provisions, product mix and other factors are analyzed using actuarial reserve development techniques. Weighing all of the factors, the management team determines a single or “point” estimate that it records as its best estimate of the ultimate liabilities. Ranges of loss reserves are not developed by Company actuaries. This reserve analysis and review is completed each quarter and for every line of business.

Each quarterly review includes in-depth analysis of over 500 subdivisions of the business, employing multiple actuarial techniques. For each particular subdivision, actuaries use informed, professional judgment to adjust these techniques as necessary to respond to specific conditions in the data or within the business.

Some of the standard actuarial methods employed for the quarterly reserve analysis may include (but may not be limited to):

• Case Incurred Development Method

• Paid Development Method

• Projected Claim Count Times Projected Claim Severity

• Bornhuetter-Ferguson Method

• Incremental Paid LAE to Paid Loss Methods

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Management believes that each method has particular strengths and weaknesses and that no single estimation method is most accurate in all situations. When applied to a particular group of claims, the relative strengths and weaknesses of each method can change over time based on the facts and circumstances. Ultimately, the estimation methods chosen are those which management believes produce the most reliable indication for the particular liabilities under review.

The period of time from the occurrence of a loss through the settlement of the liability is referred to as the “tail”. Generally, the same actuarial methods are considered for both short-tail and long-tail lines of business because most of them work properly for both. The methods are designed to incorporate the effects of the differing length of time to settle particular claims. For short-tail lines, management tends to give more weight to the Case Incurred and Paid Development methods, although the various methods tend to produce similar results. For long-tail lines, more judgment is involved, and more weight may be given to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method and the Projected Claim Count times Projected Claim Severity method. Liability claims for long-tail lines are more susceptible to litigation and can be significantly affected by changing contract interpretation and the legal environment. Therefore, the estimation of loss reserves for these classes is more complex and subject to a higher degree of variability.

The level of detail in which data is analyzed varies among the different lines of business. Data is generally analyzed by major product or by coverage within product, using countrywide data; however, in some situations, data may be reviewed by state for a few large volume states. Appropriate segmentation of the data is determined based on data volume, data credibility, mix of business, and other actuarial considerations.

Supplementary statistical information is also reviewed to determine which methods are most appropriate to use or if adjustments are needed to particular methods. Such information includes:

• Open and closed claim counts

• Average case reserves and average incurred on open claims

• Closure rates and statistics related to closed and open claim percentages

• Average closed claim severity

• Ultimate claim severity

• Reported loss ratios

• Projected ultimate loss ratios

• Loss payment patterns

Within each line, results of individual methods are reviewed, supplementary statistical information is analyzed, and all data from underwriting, operating and claim management are considered in deriving management’s best estimate of the ultimate liability. This estimate may be the result of one method, or a weighted average of several methods, or a judgmental selection as the management team determines is appropriate.

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The following table shows (in millions) the breakdown of AFG’s property and casualty reserves between case reserves, IBNR reserves and LAE reserves (estimated amounts required to adjust, record and settle claims, other than the claim payments themselves).

	Gross Loss Reserves at December 31, 2011
	Case			IBNR			LAE		Total Reserve
Statutory Line of Business
Other liability - occurrence	$	507		$	1,268		$	265	$	2,040
Workers’ compensation		744			348			130		1,222
Special property (fire, allied lines, inland marine, earthquake)		527			30			25		582
Other liability - claims made		210			272			61		543
Commercial auto/truck liability/medical		162			253			87		502
Commercial multi-peril		142			92			88		322
Other lines		191			337			167		695
Total Statutory Reserves		2,483			2,600			823		5,906
Adjustments for GAAP:
Reserves of foreign operations		285			270			7		562
Deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance		—			74			—		74
Loss reserve discounting		(20	)		—			—		(20	)
Other		(1	)		(1	)		—		(2	)
Total Adjustments for GAAP		264			343			7		614
Total GAAP Reserves	$	2,747		$	2,943		$	830	$	6,520

While current factors and reasonably likely changes in variable factors are considered in estimating the liability for unpaid losses, there is no method or system that can eliminate the risk of actual ultimate results differing from such estimates. As shown in footnote (a) to the reserve development table (loss triangle) on page 8, the original estimates of AFG’s liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance, over the past 10 years have developed through December 31, 2011, to be deficient (for three years) by as much as 19.6% and redundant (for seven years) by as much as 17.1% (excluding the effect of special charges for asbestos and environmental exposures). This development illustrates the historical impact caused by variability in factors considered in estimating insurance reserves.

Following is a discussion of certain critical variables affecting the estimation of loss reserves of the more significant long-tail lines of business (asbestos and environmental liabilities are separately discussed below). Many other variables may also impact ultimate claim costs.

An important assumption underlying reserve estimates is that the cost trends implicitly built into development patterns will continue into the future. However, future results could vary due to an unexpected change in the underlying cost trends. This unexpected change could arise from a variety of sources including a general increase in economic inflation, inflation from social programs, new medical technologies, or other factors such as those listed below in connection with AFG’s largest lines of business. It is not possible to isolate and measure the potential impact of just one of these variables, and future cost trends could be partially impacted by several such variables. However, it is reasonable to address the sensitivity of the reserves to potential impact from changes in these variables by measuring the effect of a possible overall 1% change in future cost trends that may be caused by one or more variables. Utilizing the effect of a 1% change in overall cost trends enables changes greater than 1% to be estimated by extrapolation. Each additional 1% change in the cost trend would increase the effect on net earnings by an amount slightly (about 4%) greater than the effect of the previous 1%. For example, if a 1% change in cost trends in a line of business would change net earnings by $20 million, a 2% change would change net earnings by approximately $41 million.

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The estimated cumulative impact that a 1% change in cost trends would have on net earnings is shown below (in millions).

Line of business	Effect of 1% Change in Cost Trends
Other liability—occurrence	$	17
Workers’ compensation		23
Other liability—claims made		9
Commercial auto/truck liability/medical		6
Commercial multi-peril		4

The judgments and uncertainties surrounding management’s reserve estimation process and the potential for reasonably possible variability in management’s most recent reserve estimates may also be viewed by looking at how recent historical estimates of reserves have developed. The following table shows (in millions) what the impact on AFG’s net earnings would be on the more significant lines of business if the December 31, 2011, reserves (net of reinsurance) developed at the same rate as the average development of the most recent five years.

	5-yr. Average Development(*)			Net Reserves(**) December 31, 2011		Effect on Net Earnings(**)
Other liability—occurrence		(5.5	%)	$	742	$	41
Workers’ compensation		(.8	%)		838		7
Other liability—claims made		(5.9	%)		398		23
Commercial auto/truck liability/ medical		(2.6	%)		361		9
Commercial multi-peril		.9	%		192		(2	)

(*) Unfavorable (favorable), net of tax effect.

(**) Excludes asbestos and environmental liabilities.

The following discussion describes key assumptions and important variables that affect the estimate of the reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses of the more significant lines of business and explains what caused them to change from assumptions used in the preceding period.

Other Liability—Occurrence

This long-tail line of business consists of coverages protecting the insured against legal liability resulting from negligence, carelessness, or a failure to act causing property damage or personal injury to others. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability - occurrence include:

• Litigious climate

• Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues

• Magnitude of jury awards

• Outside counsel costs

• Timing of claims reporting

AFG recorded favorable development of $50 million in 2011, $108 million in 2010 and $55 million in 2009 related to its other liability-occurrence coverage where both the frequency and severity of claims were lower than previously projected.

While management applies the actuarial methods mentioned above, more judgment is involved in arriving at the final reserve to be held. For recent accident years, more weight is given to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method.

Uncertainty has emerged regarding AFG’s potential exposure for claims arising from the use of Chinese drywall. The potential exposure arises from insured policyholders who may have been associated with the installation of Chinese drywall in residential construction. AFG continues to monitor judicial decisions and settlements in this evolving area and is evaluating the possible implications of recent events on its potential exposure. While the ultimate liability is uncertain, management believes that AFG’s reserves for claims arising from the use of Chinese drywall are adequate.

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Workers’ Compensation

This long-tail line of business provides coverage to employees who may be injured in the course of employment. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for workers’ compensation include:

• Legislative actions and regulatory interpretations

• Future medical cost inflation

• Economic conditions

• Timing of claims reporting

Approximately one-half of AFG’s workers’ compensation business is currently written in California. Major reforms passed by the California state legislature in 2003 and in 2004 reduced employer premiums and set treatment standards for injured workers in that state. AFG’s subsidiary that writes workers’ compensation business in California recorded favorable prior year loss development of $5 million in 2011, $11 million in 2010 and $20 million in 2009 due primarily to the business written in California prior to 2008.

For several years after the reforms, the impact on claim settlements was more favorable than originally anticipated for claims incurred in 2003 to 2007, resulting in favorable development through 2011. However, this trend has subsided and the favorable development has flattened for more recent years. In both California and countrywide, economic conditions over the last couple years have led to longer duration of claims resulting in higher claim severity.

Several methods (including development methods and those based on claim count and severity) are weighted together to produce indications of reserve need. Management continues to review the frequency, severity and loss and LAE ratios implied by the indications from the standard tests and considers the uncertainties of future costs in determining the appropriate reserve level.

Other Liability—Claims Made

This long-tail line of business consists mostly of directors’ and officers’ liability. Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for other liability - claims made include:

• Litigious climate

• Economic conditions

• Variability of stock prices

• Magnitude of jury awards

The general state of the economy and the variability of the stock price of the insured can affect the frequency and severity of shareholder class action suits that trigger coverage under directors’ and officers’ liability policies. Recent economic conditions have led to increased claims for small account business and not-for-profit organizations.

AFG recorded favorable prior year loss development of $66 million in 2011, $40 million in 2010 and $26 million in 2009 on its directors’ and officers’ liability business as claim severity was significantly less than expected for claims incurred prior to 2010. Claims incurred in 2010 have developed adversely as economic conditions have driven severity higher than originally anticipated. The legal professional liability business, which has been in run-off since 2008, had favorable development of $17 million in 2011, $18 million in 2010 and $14 million in 2009 after several years of modest adverse development; as this run-off liability has matured, the claim severity trends have stabilized.

While management applies the actuarial methods mentioned above, more judgment is involved in arriving at the final reserve to be held. The selection of methods vary by subdivision of the data within this line. Some businesses within this line use the Paid Development method while others use the Case Incurred Development method and the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method.

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Commercial Auto/Truck Liability/Medical

This line of business is a mix of coverage protecting the insured against legal liability for property damage or personal injury to others arising from the operation of commercial motor vehicles. The property damage liability exposure is usually short-tail with relatively quick reporting and settlement of claims. The bodily injury and medical payments exposures are longer-tailed; although the claim reporting is relatively quick, the final settlement can take longer to achieve.

Some of the important variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for commercial auto/truck liability/medical are similar to other liability—occurrence and include:

• Magnitude of jury awards

• Unpredictability of judicial decisions regarding coverage issues

• Litigious climate and trends

• Change in frequency of severe accidents

• Health care costs and utilization of medical services by injured parties

AFG recorded favorable prior year loss development of $8 million in 2011, $26 million in 2010 and $6 million in 2009 for this line of business as claim severity was lower than in prior assumptions.

Commercial Multi-Peril

This long-tail line of business consists of two or more coverages protecting the insured from various property and liability risk exposures. The commercial multi-peril line of business includes coverage similar to other liability -occurrence, so in general, variables affecting estimation of loss reserves for commercial multi-peril include those mentioned above for other liability -occurrence. In addition, this line includes reserves for a run-off book of homebuilders business covering contractors’ liability for construction defects. Variables important to estimating the liabilities for this coverage include:

• Changing legal/regulatory interpretations of coverage

• Statutes of limitations and statutes of repose in filing claims

• Changes in policy forms and endorsements

AFG recorded adverse prior year loss development of $13 million in 2011 and $19 million in 2010 after having favorable development of $2 million in 2009. The adverse development resulted from higher claim frequency and severity in a block of program business related to motel/hotel, apartments, restaurants, taverns and recreation. This adverse development more than offset favorable development in coverage for non-profit organizations of $6 million in 2011, $13 million in 2010 and $11 million in 2009 as claim severity was less than anticipated.

Reserves of Foreign Operations

Reserves of foreign operations relate primarily to the operations of Marketform Group, Limited, AFG’s 72%-owned United Kingdom-based Lloyd’s insurer. Historically, the largest line of business written by Marketform has been non-U.S. medical malpractice, which provides coverage for injuries and damages caused by medical care providers, including but not limited to, hospitals and their physicians. Although Marketform offers this product in approximately 30 countries, the majority of the business has been written in the United Kingdom, Australia and Italy.

Significant variables in estimating the loss reserves for the medical malpractice business include:

• Litigious environment

• Magnitude of court awards

• A slow moving judicial system including varying approaches to medical malpractice claims among courts in different regions of Italy

• Third party claims administration in Italy

• Trends in claim costs, including medical cost inflation and, in Italy, escalating tables used to establish damages for personal injury

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Marketform recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $44 million in 2011, $55 million in 2010 and $56 million in 2009 related primarily to its Italian public hospital medical malpractice business, which it ceased writing in 2008. The development resulted from significant issues related to third party administration of claims and a challenging legal environment in Italy. Management believes that current reserves, which represent its best estimate of future liabilities, are adequate. Nonetheless, it concluded that sufficient uncertainty exists with respect to Italian public hospital medical malpractice reserves to leave open the 2007 year of account, in accordance with Lloyd’s provisions until a larger percentage of claims have been paid and the ultimate liabilities can be estimated with greater certainty. Included in AFG’s liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at December 31, 2011, are reserves of $126 million related to this business.

Traditional actuarial techniques are not applicable to the Italian public hospital medical malpractice business due to the significant changes in this account over time. Accordingly, more detailed methods are used, including claim count development times average severity, and uplifting case reserves to historical severity levels.

Recoverables from Reinsurers and Availability of Reinsurance AFG is subject to credit risk with respect to its reinsurers, as reinsurance contracts do not relieve AFG of its liability to policyholders. To mitigate this risk, substantially all reinsurance is ceded to companies with investment grade or better S&P ratings or is secured by “funds withheld” or other collateral.

The availability and cost of reinsurance are subject to prevailing market conditions, which are beyond AFG’s control and which may affect AFG’s level of business and profitability. Although the cost of certain reinsurance programs may increase, management believes that AFG will be able to maintain adequate reinsurance coverage at acceptable rates without a material adverse effect on AFG’s results of operations. AFG’s gross and net combined ratios are shown in the table below.

See Item 1—“Business”—“Property and Casualty Operations—Reinsurance” for more information on AFG’s reinsurance programs. For additional information on the effect of reinsurance on AFG’s historical results of operations see Note O— “Insurance—Reinsurance” and the gross loss development table under Item 1—“Business”—“Property and Casualty Operations—Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves.”

The following table illustrates the effect that purchasing reinsurance has had on AFG’s combined ratio over the last three years.

	2011			2010			2009
Before reinsurance (gross)		88.5	%		84.9	%		85.6	%
Effect of reinsurance		4.9			3.2			(3.5	)
Actual (net of reinsurance)		93.4	%		88.1	%		82.1	%

Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves Asbestos and environmental reserves of the property and casualty group consisted of the following (in millions):

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Asbestos	$	292	$	276
Environmental		70		66
A&E reserves, net of reinsurance recoverable		362		342
Reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance		92		74
Gross A&E reserves	$	454	$	416

Asbestos reserves include claims asserting alleged injuries and damages from exposure to asbestos. Environmental reserves include claims relating to polluted waste sites.

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Asbestos claims against manufacturers, distributors or installers of asbestos products were presented under the products liability section of their policies which typically had aggregate limits that capped an insurer’s liability. In recent years, a number of asbestos claims are being presented as “non-products” claims, such as those by installers of asbestos products and by property owners or operators who allegedly had asbestos on their property, under the premises or operations section of their policies. Unlike products exposures, these non-products exposures typically had no aggregate limits, creating potentially greater exposure for insurers. Further, in an effort to seek additional insurance coverage, some insureds with installation activities who have substantially eroded their products coverage are presenting new asbestos claims as non-products operations claims or attempting to reclassify previously settled products claims as non-products claims to restore a portion of previously exhausted products aggregate limits. AFG, along with other insurers, is and will be subject to such non-products claims. It is difficult to predict whether insureds will be successful in asserting claims under non-products coverage or whether AFG and other insurers will be successful in asserting additional defenses. Therefore, the future impact of such efforts is uncertain.

Approximately 59% of AFG’s net asbestos reserves relate to policies written directly by AFG subsidiaries. Claims from these policies generally are product oriented claims with only a limited amount of non-product exposures, and are dominated by small to mid-sized commercial entities that are mostly regional policyholders with few national target defendants. The remainder is assumed reinsurance business that includes exposures for the periods 1954 to 1983. The asbestos and environmental assumed claims are ceded by various insurance companies under reinsurance treaties. A majority of the individual assumed claims have exposures of less than $100,000 to AFG. Asbestos losses assumed include some of the industry known manufacturers, distributors and installers. Pollution losses include industry known insured names and sites.

Establishing reserves for A&E claims relating to policies and participations in reinsurance treaties and former operations is subject to uncertainties that are significantly greater than those presented by other types of claims. For this group of claims, traditional actuarial techniques that rely on historical loss development trends cannot be used and a range of reasonably possible losses cannot be estimated. Case reserves and expense reserves are established by the claims department as specific policies are identified. In addition to the case reserves established for known claims, management establishes additional reserves for claims not yet known or reported and for possible development on known claims. These additional reserves are management’s best estimate based on periodic comprehensive studies and internal reviews adjusted for payments and identifiable changes, supplemented by management’s review of industry information about such claims, with due consideration to individual claim situations.

Management believes that estimating the ultimate liability for asbestos claims presents a unique and difficult challenge to the insurance industry due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage. The casualty insurance industry is engaged in extensive litigation over these coverage and liability issues as the volume and severity of claims against asbestos defendants continue to increase. Environmental claims likewise present challenges in prediction, due to uncertainty regarding the interpretation of insurance policies, complexities regarding multi-party involvements at sites, evolving clean up standards and protracted time periods required to assess the level of clean up required at contaminated sites.

Emerging trends, such as those named below, could impact AFG’s reserves and payments:

• There is a growing interest at the state level to attempt to legislatively address asbestos liabilities and the manner in which asbestos claims are resolved. These developments are fluid and could result in piecemeal state-by-state solutions.

• The manner by which bankruptcy courts are addressing asbestos liabilities is in flux.

• AFG’s insureds may make claims alleging significant non-products exposures.

While management believes that AFG’s reserves for A&E claims are a reasonable estimate of ultimate liability for such claims, actual results may vary materially from the amounts currently recorded due to the difficulty in predicting the number of future claims, the impact of recent bankruptcy filings, and unresolved issues such as whether coverage exists, whether policies are subject to aggregate limits on coverage, how claims are to be allocated among triggered policies and implicated years, and whether claimants who exhibit no signs of illness will be successful in pursuing their claims. A 1% variation in loss cost trends, caused by any of the factors previously described, would change net income by approximately $17 million.

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AFG tracks its A&E claims by policyholder. The following table shows, by type of claim, the number of policyholders that did not receive any payments in the calendar year separate from policyholders that did receive a payment. Policyholder counts represent policies written by AFG subsidiaries and do not include assumed reinsurance.

	2011		2010		2009
Number of policyholders with no payments:
Asbestos		113		122		71
Environmental		98		132		156
		211		254		227
Number of policyholders with payments:
Asbestos		58		54		110
Environmental		26		20		22
		84		74		132
Total		295		328		359

Amounts paid (net of amounts received from reinsurers) for asbestos and environmental claims, including loss adjustment expenses, were as follows (in millions):

	2011		2010		2009
Asbestos	$	13	$	27	$	11
Environmental		17		17		14
Total	$	30	$	44	$	25

The survival ratio is a measure often used by industry analysts to compare A&E reserves strength among companies. This ratio is typically calculated by dividing reserves for A&E exposures by the three year average of paid losses, and therefore measures the number of years that it would take to pay off current reserves based on recent average payments. Because this ratio can be significantly impacted by a number of factors such as loss payout variability, caution should be exercised in attempting to determine reserve adequacy based simply on the survival ratio. At December 31, 2011, AFG’s three year survival ratios were 17.4 times paid losses for the asbestos reserves and 11.0 times paid losses for the total A&E reserves. Excluding amounts associated with the settlements of asbestos-related coverage litigation for A.P. Green Industries (see Item 3—“Legal Proceedings”) and another large claim, AFG’s three year survival ratios were 10.9 and 7.6 times paid losses for the asbestos reserves and total A&E reserves, respectively. Data published by Conning Research & Consulting in June 2011 indicate that industry survival ratios were 8.5 for asbestos reserves and 7.8 for total A&E reserves at December 31, 2010.

AFG has conducted comprehensive studies of its asbestos and environmental reserves with the aid of outside actuarial and engineering firms and specialty outside counsel every two years with an in-depth internal review during the intervening years.

In the second quarter of 2011, AFG completed a comprehensive study of its asbestos and environmental exposures relating to the run-off operations of its property and casualty group and its exposures related to former railroad and manufacturing operations and sites. The study relied on a ground-up exposure analysis. With respect to asbestos, it considered products and non-products exposures, paid claims history, the pattern of new claims, settlements and projected development. As a result of the study, AFG recorded a $50 million special charge (net of reinsurance) to increase the property and casualty group’s asbestos reserves by $28 million and its environmental reserves by $22 million. The property and casualty group’s asbestos reserves increase related primarily to exposures on business assumed from other insurers resulting from an increase in anticipated aggregate exposures in several large settlements involving several insurers in which AFG has a small proportional share. Some insurers have settled long-standing asbestos exposures with their insureds and are seeking payment from reinsurers. Asbestos reserves related to the property and casualty group’s direct asbestos exposures were increased to reflect higher frequency and severity of mesothelioma and other cancer claims as well as increased defense costs on many of these claims. These trends were partially offset by a decline in the number of claims without serious injury and fewer new claims that required payment being reported to AFG. The increase in the property and casualty group’s environmental reserves was attributed primarily to a small number of increases on specific environmental claims at several sites. During the second quarter of 2010, an in-depth internal review of AFG’s A&E exposures was completed by AFG’s internal A&E claims specialists and actuaries in consultation with external actuaries and specialty outside counsel. During the second quarter of 2009, AFG completed a comprehensive study of its A&E exposures with the assistance of outside actuarial and engineering firms and specialty outside counsel. The 2010 in-depth internal review and the 2009 comprehensive study resulted in only minor adjustments to the A&E reserves. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis—“Results of Operations—Asbestos and Environmental Reserve Charges” for the amount of A&E reserve strengthening recorded in 2011, 2010 and 2009.

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Supplemental Insurance Reserves—Long-term Care AFG, as well as other companies selling long-term care products have relatively limited claims, lapse, and mortality experience over extended periods, making it difficult to predict future claims. Long-term care claims tend to be much higher in dollar amount and longer in duration than other health care products such as Medicare supplement. In addition, long-term care claims are incurred much later in the life of a policy than most other supplemental health products. These factors make it difficult to appropriately price this product and were instrumental in AFG’s decision to stop writing new policies beginning in January 2010. AFG’s long-term care products have level premiums and are guaranteed renewable. Premium rates can potentially be increased in reaction to adverse experience. However, any rate increases would require regulatory approval.

Reserves for future policy benefits under long-term care policies are established (and related acquisition costs are amortized) over the life of the policies based on policy benefit assumptions as of the date of issuance, including investment yields, mortality, morbidity, persistency, and expenses. Once these assumptions are established for a given policy or group of policies, they are not changed over the life of the policy unless a loss recognition event (premium deficiency) occurs. Loss recognition occurs when, based on current expectations as of the measurement date, existing contract liabilities plus the present value of future premiums, including reasonably expected rate increases, are not expected to cover the present value of future claims payments and related settlement and maintenance costs as well as unamortized acquisition costs. Based on loss recognition testing at December 31, 2011, AFG’s long-term care reserves plus the present value of future premiums exceeded claims costs and unamortized acquisition expenses by approximately $30 million. Adverse changes in any of the reserve assumptions in future periods could result in loss recognition for AFG’s long-term care business. For example, a 1% change in claims costs or a 0.1% change in investment yields in all future periods, excluding their effect on the Company’s ability to achieve future rate increases, would each impact the December 31, 2011, “excess” described above by approximately $10 million. Once the “excess” is reduced to zero, the impact of adverse changes in assumptions is recorded as a charge to earnings as either a reduction in unamortized acquisition costs or an increase to contract reserves, net of any reinsurance recoverable.

Contingencies related to Subsidiaries’ Former Operations The A&E studies and reviews discussed above encompassed reserves for various environmental and occupational injury and disease claims and other contingencies arising out of the railroad operations disposed of by American Premier’s predecessor and certain manufacturing operations disposed of by American Premier and its subsidiaries and by GAFRI. Charges resulting from the A&E studies and review were less than $10 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009. Liabilities for claims and contingencies arising from these former operations totaled $92 million at December 31, 2011. For a discussion of the uncertainties in determining the ultimate liability, see Note M—“Contingencies” to the financial statements.

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MANAGED INVESTMENT ENTITIES

Beginning in 2010, accounting standards require AFG to consolidate its investments in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) entities that it manages and owns an interest in (in the form of debt). See Note A—“Accounting Policies—Managed Investment Entities” and Note H—“Managed Investment Entities.” The effect of consolidating these entities is shown in the tables below (in millions). The “Before CLO Consolidation” columns include AFG’s investment and earnings in the CLOs on an unconsolidated basis.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

	Before CLO Consolidation		Managed Investment Entities		Consol. Entries			Consolidated As Reported
December 31, 2011
Assets:
Cash and other investments	$	25,675	$	—	$	(98	)(a)	$	25,577
Assets of managed investment entities		—		3,058		—			3,058
Other assets		7,203		—		—			7,203
Total assets	$	32,878	$	3,058	$	(98	)	$	35,838
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses, loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	$	8,004	$	—	$	—		$	8,004
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves		17,147		—		—			17,147
Liabilities of managed investment entities		—		2,885		(98	)(a)		2,787
Long-term debt and other liabilities		3,343		—		—			3,343
Total liabilities		28,494		2,885		(98	)		31,281
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common Stock and Capital surplus		1,219		—		—			1,219
Retained earnings:
Appropriated -managed investment entities		—		173		—			173
Unappropriated		2,439		—		—			2,439
Accumulated other comprehensive income		580		—		—			580
Total shareholders’ equity		4,238		173		—			4,411
Noncontrolling interests		146		—		—			146
Total equity		4,384		173		—			4,557
Total liabilities and equity	$	32,878	$	3,058	$	(98	)	$	35,838
December 31, 2010
Assets:
Cash and other investments	$	22,687	$	—	$	(17	)(a)	$	22,670
Assets of managed investment entities		—		2,537		—			2,537
Other assets		7,034		—		—			7,034
Total assets	$	29,721	$	2,537	$	(17	)	$	32,241
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses, loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	$	7,947	$	—	$	—		$	7,947
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves		14,555		—		—			14,555
Liabilities of managed investment entities		—		2,340		(17	)(a)		2,323
Long-term debt and other liabilities		2,935		—		—			2,935
Total liabilities		25,437		2,340		(17	)		27,760
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common Stock and Capital surplus		1,271		—		—			1,271
Retained earnings:
Appropriated -managed investment entities		—		197		—			197
Unappropriated		2,368		—		—			2,368
Accumulated other comprehensive income		495		—		—			495
Total shareholders’ equity		4,134		197		—			4,331
Noncontrolling interests		150		—		—			150
Total equity		4,284		197		—			4,481
Total liabilities and equity	$	29,721	$	2,537	$	(17	)	$	32,241

(a) Elimination of the fair value of AFG’s investment in CLOs.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

	Before  CLO Consolidation(a)			Managed Investment Entities			Consol. Entries			Consolidated As Reported
Year ended December 31, 2011
Revenues:
Insurance premiums	$	3,189		$	—		$	—		$	3,189
Investment income		1,247			—			(6	)(b)		1,241
Realized gains (losses) on securities		76			—			—			76
Realized gains (losses) on subsidiaries		(3	)		—			—			(3	)
Income (loss) of managed investment entities:
Investment income		—			105			—			105
Loss on change in fair value of assets/liabilities		—			(29	)		(4	)(b)		(33	)
Other income		194			—			(19	)(c)		175
Total revenues		4,703			76			(29	)		4,750
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		3,660			—			—			3,660
Expenses of managed investment entities		—			100			(29	)(b)(c)		71
Interest on borrowed money and other expenses		461			—			—			461
Total costs and expenses		4,121			100			(29	)		4,192
Operating earnings before income taxes		582			(24	)		—			558
Provision for income taxes		239			—			—			239
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		343			(24	)		—			319
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		1			—			(24	)(d)		(23	)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	342		$	(24	)	$	24		$	342
Year ended December 31, 2010
Revenues:
Insurance premiums	$	3,001		$	—		$	—		$	3,001
Investment income		1,208			—			(17	)(b)		1,191
Realized gains (losses) on securities		101			—			—			101
Realized gains(losses) on subsidiaries		(13	)		—			—			(13	)
Income (loss) of managed investment entities:
Investment income		—			93			—			93
Loss on change in fair value of assets/liabilities		—			(80	)		10	(b)		(70	)
Other income		209			—			(15	)(c)		194
Total revenues		4,506			13			(22	)		4,497
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		3,275			—			—			3,275
Expenses of managed investment entities		—			77			(22	)(b)(c)		55
Interest on borrowed money and other expenses		473			—			—			473
Total costs and expenses		3,748			77			(22	)		3,803
Operating earnings before income taxes		758			(64	)		—			694
Provision for income taxes		268			—			—			268
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		490			(64	)		—			426
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		8			—			(64	)(d)		(56	)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	482		$	(64	)	$	64		$	482

(a) Includes $6 million and $17 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, in investment income representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments plus $19 million and $15 million in 2011 and 2010, respectively, in CLO management fees earned.

(b) Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $10 million and $7 million 2011 and 2010, respectively, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.

(c) Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.

(d) Allocate losses of CLOs attributable to other debt holders to noncontrolling interests.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

General AFG’s net earnings attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following table identifies such items and reconciles net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions, except per share amounts):

	2011			2010		2009
Core net operating earnings	$	363		$	436	$	497
Realized gains (a)		45			46		26
Special asbestos and environmental (“A&E”) charge(a)		(38	)		—		—
Valuation allowance against deferred tax assets(b)		(28	)		—		—
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	$	342		$	482	$	523
Diluted per share amounts:
Core net operating earnings	$	3.52		$	3.95	$	4.26
Realized gains		.45			.41		.22
Special asbestos and environmental charge		(.37	)		—		—
Valuation allowance against deferred tax assets		(.28	)		—		—
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	$	3.32		$	4.36	$	4.48

(a) The tax effects of reconciling items are shown below (in millions):

	2011			2010			2009
Realized gains	$	(27	)	$	(36	)	$	(8	)
Special A&E charge		21			—			—
In addition, realized gains are shown net of noncontrolling interests of ($1 million) in 2011, ($6 million) in 2010 and ($4 million) in 2009.

(b) The valuation allowance is net of $6 million in noncontrolling interest.

Net earnings attributable to shareholders and core net earnings decreased in 2011 compared to 2010 due primarily to lower underwriting profit and lower investment income in the property and casualty insurance operations partially offset by increased earnings in the annuity and supplemental operations. Net earnings attributable to shareholders were also impacted by a second quarter 2011 special A&E charge and a fourth quarter 2011 charge for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.

Net earnings attributable to shareholders and core net operating earnings decreased in 2010 compared to 2009 due primarily to lower underwriting profit and lower investment income in the property and casualty insurance operations, partially offset by improved results in the annuity and supplemental insurance operations. Net earnings attributable to shareholders also benefited from higher realized gains in 2010 than in 2009.

Property and Casualty Insurance - Underwriting AFG reports its property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.

To understand the overall profitability of particular lines, the timing of claims payments and the related impact of investment income must be considered. Certain “short-tail” lines of business (primarily property coverages) generally have quick loss payouts, which reduce the time funds are held, thereby limiting investment income earned thereon. On the other hand, “long-tail” lines of business (primarily liability coverages and workers’ compensation) generally have payouts that are either structured over many years or take many years to settle, thereby significantly increasing investment income earned on related premiums received.

Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses, loss adjustment expenses, underwriting expenses and policyholder dividends to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect investment income, other income or federal income taxes.

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While AFG desires and seeks to earn an underwriting profit on all of its business, it is not always possible to do so. As a result, AFG attempts to expand in the most profitable areas and control growth or even reduce its involvement in the least profitable ones.

AFG’s combined ratio has been better than the industry average for twenty-four of the last twenty-six years. Management believes that AFG’s insurance operations have performed better than the industry as a result of its specialty niche focus, product line diversification, stringent underwriting discipline and alignment of compensation incentives.

Premiums and combined ratios for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations were as follows (dollars in millions):

	2011			2010			2009
Gross Written Premiums
Property and transportation	$	2,273		$	1,778		$	1,816
Specialty casualty		1,302			1,295			1,394
Specialty financial		529			514			557
Other		2			2			(4	)
	$	4,106		$	3,589		$	3,763
Net Written Premiums
Property and transportation	$	1,436		$	1,159		$	872
Specialty casualty		867			864			923
Specialty financial		398			323			448
Other		69			62			68
	$	2,770		$	2,408		$	2,311
Combined Ratios
Property and transportation		92.0	%		87.9	%		74.0	%
Specialty casualty		95.9			94.8			93.1
Specialty financial		84.1			72.4			71.3
Total Specialty		91.6			87.6			81.8
Aggregate (including discontinued lines)		93.4	%		88.1	%		82.1	%

Gross and net written premiums increased in 2011 compared to 2010 due primarily to higher premiums in the Property and transportation segment, particularly the crop and transportation businesses. In addition, higher net written premiums in 2011 reflect the impact of a third quarter 2010 reinsurance transaction in the Specialty financial group. Overall renewal rate momentum in the Specialty insurance operations was positive during the fourth quarter of 2011.

The Specialty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $231 million in 2011, $86 million lower than in 2010. Lower favorable reserve development, poor results in a block of program business and lower profitability in the crop operations were partially offset by improved results in the excess and surplus businesses. Results for 2011 include $120 million (4.3 points on the combined ratio) of favorable reserve development compared to $170 million (6.7 points) in 2010. Catastrophe losses totaled $46 million (1.7 points) in 2011 compared to $49 million (1.9 points) in 2010.

Gross written premiums decreased 5% in 2010 compared to 2009 due primarily to competitive pressures and lower spring agricultural commodity prices. Premiums resulting from National Interstate’s third quarter acquisition of Vanliner, premium growth from Marketform and higher fall agricultural commodity prices partially offset these declines. The increase in net written premiums in 2010 compared to 2009 is a result of decreased cessions under the crop reinsurance agreement, partially offset by the decline in premiums resulting from the reinsurance transaction in the Specialty financial group. Excluding crop operations, gross and net written premiums decreased 2% and 5%, respectively, in 2010 compared to 2009. Average renewal rates in the Specialty insurance operations during 2010 were flat compared to the prior year.

The Specialty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $317 million in 2010, $123 million lower than in 2009. In addition to soft market conditions, the reduced profit in 2010 compared to 2009 reflects a $35 million decrease in favorable prior year reserve development and a $31 million increase in catastrophe losses. Results for 2010 include 6.7 points of favorable reserve development compared to 8.5 points in 2009 and 1.9 points of catastrophe losses compared to .7 points in 2009.

47

Property and transportation gross and net written premiums increased in 2011 when compared to 2010 as a result of higher crop premiums resulting from higher spring agricultural commodity prices as well as additional premiums related to National Interstate’s acquisition of Vanliner in July 2010. This group reported an underwriting profit of $113 million, $28 million lower than in 2010. Lower underwriting profits in the crop, property and inland marine and transportation businesses were partially offset by lower catastrophe losses. Catastrophe losses for this group were $32 million (2.3 points) in 2011 compared to $39 million (3.3 points) in 2010.

Gross written premiums for 2010 declined from 2009 primarily as a result of lower spring commodity prices that had the effect of lowering AFG’s crop premium volume. These declines were partially offset by additional premiums from the Vanliner acquisition. AFG returned to historical levels of 50% cessions under its crop reinsurance agreement in 2010, compared to 90% in 2009, contributing to a substantial increase in this group’s net written premiums. Excluding crop, this group’s net written premiums for 2010 increased 9% from 2009, primarily as a result of the Vanliner acquisition. This group reported an underwriting profit of $141 million in 2010, $96 million lower than in 2009 due primarily to lower favorable reserve development and higher catastrophe losses. Results for 2010 include 2.3 points of favorable reserve development compared to 5.7 points in 2009 and 3.3 points of catastrophe losses in 2010 compared to minimal catastrophe losses in 2009.

Specialty casualty gross and net written premiums for 2011 were up slightly when compared to the 2010 period. Growth in the international operations and higher premiums in the excess and surplus and targeted markets operations more than offset the non-renewal of two major programs that did not meet return thresholds and a decision to exit the excess workers’ compensation business. This group reported an underwriting profit of $35 million in 2011, $10 million lower than the prior year. Improved results in the excess and surplus businesses were more than offset by underwriting losses in a block of program business and an $18 million decrease in favorable reserve development.

Gross and net written premiums decreased in 2010 compared to 2009 due primarily to competitive market conditions in the excess and surplus markets and California workers’ compensation businesses, as well as volume reductions resulting from decreased demand for general liability coverages in the homebuilders’ market. Growth in gross written premiums in the Marketform and environmental operations partially offset these declines. Increased retentions in the executive liability operations helped to offset decreases in net written premiums. This group reported an underwriting profit of $45 million in 2010, $19 million lower than in 2009. The decrease was primarily due to lower underwriting profits in the California workers’ compensation business and the general liability operations (primarily those that serve the homebuilders’ industry). These decreases were partially offset by improved results in the executive liability and excess and surplus operations.

Underwriting results for 2011, 2010 and 2009 include $44 million, $55 million and $56 million, respectively, in adverse reserve development related to Marketform, primarily its run-off Italian public hospital medical malpractice business.

Specialty financial net written premiums in 2011 were higher when compared to 2010 due primarily to the impact of a third quarter 2010 reinsurance transaction that involved the sale of unearned premiums related to the automotive lines of business. This group reported an underwriting profit of $65 million in 2011, $58 million lower than in 2010. Lower favorable reserve development, primarily in the run-off automobile residual value insurance (“RVI”) business, contributed to this decline.

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Gross written premiums decreased in 2010 compared to 2009, reflecting the decision to exit certain automotive lines of business in 2009. During the third quarter of 2010, AFG ceded the unearned premium related to these businesses in a reinsurance transaction, which resulted in a reduction of approximately $100 million in net written premiums. Specialty financial underwriting profit was $123 million in 2010 compared to $148 million in 2009. The lower underwriting profit in 2010 reflects $51 million less of favorable prior year reserve development in the RVI operations than was recorded in 2009.

Asbestos and Environmental Reserve Charges As previously discussed under “Uncertainties—Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves,” AFG has established property and casualty insurance reserves for claims related to environmental exposures and asbestos claims. AFG also has recorded liabilities for various environmental and occupational injury and disease claims arising out of former railroad and manufacturing operations. Total charges recorded to increase reserves (net of reinsurance recoverable) for A&E exposures of AFG’s property and casualty group (included in loss and loss adjustment expenses) and its former railroad and manufacturing operations (included in other operating and general expenses) were as follows (in millions):

	2011		2010		2009
Property and casualty group	$	50	$	9	$	4
Former operations		9		19		15

Loss development As shown in Note O—“Insurance—Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves,” AFG’s property and casualty operations recorded favorable loss development of $69 million in 2011, $158 million in 2010 and $198 million in 2009 related to prior accident years. Major areas of favorable (adverse) development were as follows (in millions):

	2011			2010			2009
Property and transportation	$	26		$	27		$	52
Specialty casualty		71			89			59
Specialty financial		10			48			105
Other specialty		13			6			(11	)
Total Specialty		120			170			205
Other, primarily asbestos and environmental charges		(51	)		(12	)		(7	)
Aggregate (including discontinued lines)	$	69		$	158		$	198

Favorable reserve development in the Property and transportation group in 2011, 2010 and 2009 reflects lower than expected loss frequency in crop products. The favorable reserve development in this group also reflects lower severity in auto liability products in 2010 and lower than expected loss frequency in ocean marine products and lower severity in farm and crop losses in 2009.

Favorable reserve development in the Specialty casualty group in 2011 is due primarily to lower than expected claim severity in directors and officers liability, excess and surplus lines and the run-off legal professional liability business, partially offset by adverse development due to higher frequency and severity on run-off Italian public hospital medical malpractice liability products written by Marketform and a block of U.S.-based program (motel/hotel, restaurants, taverns and recreational) business. Favorable reserve development in the Specialty casualty group in 2010 is due to lower than expected severity on claims in general liability, directors and officers liability and the run-off legal professional liability business, partially offset by adverse development on run-off Italian medical malpractice liability products in Marketform. Favorable reserve development in the Specialty casualty group in 2009 reflects lower severity on claims in general liability and directors and officers liability as well as lower than expected frequency in a block of program (leisure camps, fairs and festivals, and sports and leisure) business, partially offset by adverse development on Marketform’s run-off Italian medical malpractice reserves.

Favorable reserve development in the Specialty financial group in 2011 is due to lower than expected frequency and severity in the surety, fidelity, crime and foreign credit businesses as economic conditions did not affect these lines as adversely as had been anticipated. Favorable reserve development in Specialty financial in 2010 and 2009 related to lower than expected frequency and severity in the run-off RVI operations due to favorable trends in used car sale prices and lower loss severity in AFG’s surety, fidelity and crime products.

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The development in Other specialty reflects adjustments to the deferred gain on the retroactive insurance transaction entered into in connection with the sale of a business in 1998, net of related amortization.

Annuity and Supplemental Insurance Operations Operating earnings before income taxes (excluding realized gains (losses)) of the annuity and supplemental insurance segment increased $25 million (13%) to $222 million in 2011 due primarily to higher earnings in the fixed annuity and Medicare supplement businesses, partially offset by higher mortality in the run-off life operations, the impact of a decrease in the stock market on the variable annuity business and the impact of lower interest rates on the indexed annuity business. The 2010 results were $45 million (30%) higher than 2009 as expense savings and higher earnings in the fixed annuity and supplemental insurance operations were partially offset by lower earnings in the variable annuity operations.

Statutory Annuity Premiums The following table summarizes AFG’s annuity sales (statutory, in millions).

	2011		2010		2009
403(b) Fixed and Indexed Annuities:
First Year	$	18	$	34	$	66
Renewal		164		168		144
Single Sum		75		103		127
Subtotal		257		305		337
Non-403(b) Indexed Annuities		1,549		735		402
Non-403(b) Fixed Annuities		239		430		294
Bank Annuities		971		737		314
Variable Annuities		70		73		87
Total Annuity Premiums	$	3,086	$	2,280	$	1,434

Bank annuities represent annuity premiums generated through banks by independent agents and brokers, as well as through direct relationships with certain financial institutions.

The increase in annuity premiums in 2011 and 2010 is attributable to increased sales of indexed annuities in the non-403(b) single premium market and higher sales through banks.

Increased sales of indexed annuities reflects the industry trend towards indexed annuities and away from traditional fixed annuities, as well as AFG’s introduction of new indexed products and features. The increase in “Bank Annuities” premiums in 2011 reflects the addition of several new banks.

Life, Accident and Health Premiums and Benefits The following table summarizes AFG’s life, accident and health premiums and benefits as shown in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings (in millions):

	2011		2010		2009
Premiums
Supplemental insurance operations
First Year	$	38	$	63	$	85
Renewal		367		361		330
Life operations (in run-off)		25		27		29
	$	430	$	451	$	444
Benefits
Supplemental insurance operations	$	326	$	330	$	317
Life operations (in run-off)		43		38		44
	$	369	$	368	$	361

In January 2010, AFG ceased new sales of long-term care insurance. Renewal premiums will be accepted unless those policies lapse.

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Investment Income Over the past couple of years, yields available in the financial markets on fixed maturity securities have generally declined, placing downward pressure on AFG’s investment portfolio yield. The $50 million increase in investment income in 2011 compared to 2010 reflects higher average invested assets, primarily related to growth in the annuity business, partially offset by lower yields on fixed maturity investments. The $9 million decrease in investment income in 2010 compared to 2009 reflects lower yields on fixed maturity investments partially offset by higher average invested assets. Investment income includes $27 million in 2011, $66 million in 2010 and $130 million in 2009 of interest income earned on interest-only and similar MBS, primarily non-agency interest-only securities with interest rates that float inversely with short-term rates.

Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities Net realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):

	2011			2010			2009
Realized gains (losses) before impairments:
Disposals	$	156		$	134		$	115
Change in the fair value of derivatives		(24	)		43			154
Adjustments to annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and related items		(4	)		(14	)		(23	)
		128			163			246
Impairment charges:
Securities		(68	)		(86	)		(271	)
Adjustments to annuity deferred policy acquisition costs and related items		16			24			68
		(52	)		(62	)		(203	)
	$	76		$	101		$	43

Realized gains on disposals include gains of approximately $76 million in 2011, $26 million in 2010 and $76 million in 2009 on sales of shares of Verisk Analytics, Inc.

The change in fair value of derivatives includes net losses of less than $1 million in 2011, net gains of $50 million in 2010 and $157 million in 2009 from the mark-to-market of MBS, primarily interest-only securities with interest rates that float inversely with short-term rates. See Note F—“Derivatives.”

Approximately $57 million, $79 million and $221 million of the impairment charges in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to fixed maturity investments, primarily corporate bonds and MBS.

Realized Losses on Subsidiaries In the third quarter of 2010, AFG recorded an impairment charge of $22 million resulting from management’s decision to de-emphasize the sale of supplemental health insurance products through career agents, including the sale of a marketing subsidiary. Partially offsetting this loss was National Interstate’s $7 million gain on the acquisition of Vanliner in 2010. See Note I—“Goodwill and Other Intangibles” and Note B—“Acquisition.”

Other Income The $19 million decrease in other income in 2011 compared to 2010 reflects $16 million in income recorded in the third quarter of 2010 from the sale of real estate and the termination of leases by a tenant. When comparing other income for 2010 to 2009, this income was more than offset by a decline in income from AFG’s warranty business and lower fee income in certain other businesses.

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Annuity Benefits Annuity benefits reflect amounts accrued on annuity policyholders’ funds accumulated. On deferred annuities (annuities in the accumulation phase), interest is generally credited to policyholders’ accounts at their current stated interest rates. Furthermore, for “two-tier” deferred annuities (annuities under which a higher interest amount can be earned if a policy is annuitized rather than surrendered), additional reserves are accrued for (i) persistency and premium bonuses and (ii) excess benefits expected to be paid for future deaths and annuitizations. Changes in investment yields, crediting rates, actual surrender, death and annuitization experience or modifications in actuarial assumptions can affect these additional reserves and could result in charges (or credits) to earnings in the period the projections are modified.

In the fourth quarters of 2011, 2010 and 2009, AFG conducted its detailed review of actual results and future assumptions underlying its annuity operations. As a result of the reviews, AFG recorded expense reductions of $10 million in 2011 and $3 million in 2010 and a charge of $5 million in 2009 to annuity benefits related to changes in these assumptions. Excluding these items, annuity benefits increased $73 million in 2011 compared to 2010 and $17 million in 2010 compared to 2009 reflecting growth in the annuity business partially offset by lower average crediting rates. The impact of changes in interest rates and stock market performance on the fair value of derivatives related to the indexed annuity business also impacted the 2011 and 2010 results.

Annuity and Supplemental Insurance Acquisition Expenses Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses include amortization of annuity, supplemental insurance and life business DPAC as well as a portion of commissions on sales of insurance products. Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses also include amortization of the present value of future profits of businesses acquired (“PVFP”).

As a result of the 2011 and 2010 reviews of actual results and future assumptions discussed above in “Annuity Benefits,” AFG recorded write-offs of DPAC of $10 million in 2011 and $28 million in 2010 due primarily to the impact of changes in assumptions related to future investment yields, surrenders and annuitization and death benefits partially offset by the impact of lower expected expenses and crediting rates in the fixed annuity business. As a result of the 2009 review, AFG recorded an $8 million write-off of DPAC due primarily to the impact of changes in assumptions related to future investment yields on the fixed annuity business. Excluding these charges, insurance acquisition expenses increased $1 million in 2011 compared to 2010 and $19 million in 2010 compared to 2009 reflecting additional amortization due to growth in the annuity business.

The vast majority of this group’s DPAC asset relates to its annuity and life insurance lines of business. Unanticipated spread compression, decreases in the stock market, adverse mortality experience, and higher than expected lapse rates could lead to further write-offs of DPAC or PVFP in the future.

Interest Charges on Borrowed Money Interest expense increased $7 million (9%) in 2011 compared to 2010 and $11 million (16%) in 2010 compared to 2009 reflecting AFG’s issuance of $132 million of 7% Senior Notes in September 2010.

Other Operating and General Expenses The $85 million decrease in 2010 compared to 2009 reflects the 2009 sale of a small subsidiary, lower expenses in AFG’s warranty business due to the run-off of certain products, and lower expenses in the annuity and supplemental insurance operations.

Income Taxes See Note L—“Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate.

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Noncontrolling Interests The following table details net earnings (loss) in consolidated subsidiaries attributable to holders other than AFG (in millions):

	2011			2010			2009
National Interstate	$	15		$	19		$	21
Marketform		(15	)		(11	)		(10	)
Managed Investment Entities		(24	)		(64	)		—
Other		1			—			—
	$	(23	)	$	(56	)	$	11

Marketform’s losses reflect adverse reserve development in its run-off Italian public hospital medical malpractice business. As discussed in Notes A and H to the financial statements, the losses of Managed Investment Entities in 2011 and 2010 represent CLO losses that ultimately inure to holders of CLO debt other than AFG.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

See Note A – “Accounting Policies—Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012” for a discussion of new accounting standards adopted by AFG in 2012.

ITEM 7A

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk represents the potential economic loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments. AFG’s exposures to market risk relate primarily to its investment portfolio and annuity contracts, which are exposed to interest rate risk and, to a lesser extent, equity price risk. To a much lesser extent, AFG’s long-term debt is also exposed to interest rate risk.

Fixed Maturity Portfolio The fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio is directly impacted by changes in market interest rates. AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio is comprised of primarily fixed rate investments with intermediate-term maturities. This practice is designed to allow flexibility in reacting to fluctuations of interest rates. The portfolios of AFG’s insurance operations are managed with an attempt to achieve an adequate risk-adjusted return while maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet policyholder obligations. AFG’s annuity and run-off life operations attempt to align the duration of their invested assets to the projected cash flows of policyholder liabilities.

Consistent with the discussion in Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis”—“Investments,” the following table demonstrates the sensitivity of the fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have at December 31 (based on the duration of the portfolio, dollars in millions). Increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.

	2011			2010
Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio	$	22,247		$	19,721
Pretax impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates	$	(1,046	)	$	(868	)
Pretax impact as % of total fixed maturity portfolio		(4.7	%)		(4.4	%)

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European Debt Exposure Certain European countries, including the so-called “peripheral countries” (Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Spain) have been experiencing varying degrees of financial stress over the past couple of years. There remains considerable uncertainty as to future developments in the European debt crisis and the impact on global financial markets. Market concerns over the direct and indirect exposure of European financial institutions to the peripheral countries have resulted in widening of credit spreads and increased costs of funding for some European financial institutions.

At December 31, 2011, AFG owned no sovereign debt issued by the peripheral countries. The total exposure of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio to sovereign and non-sovereign (corporate industrial and financial institution) debt at December 31, 2011, is shown in the table below (in millions):

	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Unrealized Gain (Loss)
European Industrials
Eurozone (17 countries with euro as common currency)	$	293	$	308	$	15
Non-Eurozone (primarily U.K., Switzerland and Sweden)		404		445		41
Total European Industrials	$	697	$	753	$	56
European Financials
Eurozone (17 countries with euro as common currency)	$	135	$	132	$	(3	)
Non-Eurozone (primarily U.K., Switzerland and Sweden)		285		273		(12	)
Total European Financials	$	420	$	405	$	(15	)
European Sovereign Debt
Eurozone (primarily France, Germany and Netherlands)	$	18	$	18	$	—
Non-Eurozone (primarily U.K. and Sweden)		13		13		—
Total European Sovereign Debt	$	31	$	31	$	—
Total European Exposure
Eurozone	$	446	$	458	$	12
Non-Eurozone		702		731		29
Total European Exposure	$	1,148	$	1,189	$	41

Annuity Contracts Substantially all of AFG’s fixed rate annuity contracts permit AFG to change crediting rates (subject to minimum interest rate guarantees as determined by applicable law) enabling management to react to changes in market interest rates. In late 2003, AFG began issuing products with guaranteed minimum crediting rates of less than 2% in states where required approvals have been received. The guaranteed minimum crediting rate on virtually all new product sales since 2010 is 1%. At December 31, 2011, approximately half of AFG’s annuity contracts were at, or within ten basis points of the guaranteed minimum crediting rate.

At December 31, 2011, the weighted-average stated crediting rate on the in-force block of AFG’s principal fixed annuity products was approximately 3.1%, and management estimates that the crediting rate on this in-force business will remain approximately 3.1% over the next five years. This rate reflects actuarial assumptions as to (i) expected investment spreads, (ii) deaths, (iii) annuitizations, (iv) surrenders and (v) renewal premiums. Actual experience and changes in actuarial assumptions may result in different effective crediting rates than those above. The current stated crediting rates (excluding bonus interest) on new sales of AFG’s fixed annuity products generally range from 1.0% to 2.0%.

Actuarial assumptions used to estimate DPAC and certain annuity liabilities, as well as AFG’s ability to maintain spread, could be impacted if a low interest rate environment continues for an extended period, or if increases in interest rates cause policyholder behavior to differ significantly from current expectations.

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Projected payments (in millions) in each of the subsequent five years and for all years thereafter on AFG’s fixed annuity liabilities at December 31 were as follows.

	First		Second		Third		Fourth		Fifth		Thereafter		Total		Fair Value (*)
2011	$	1,373	$	1,500	$	1,495	$	1,772	$	1,941	$	7,339	$	15,420	$	15,314
2010		1,248		1,309		1,418		1,381		1,602		5,947		12,905		12,233

(*) Fair value excludes life contingent annuities in the payout phase (carrying value of $201 million and $208 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively).

AFG’s indexed annuities represented approximately one-third of annuity benefits accumulated at December 31, 2011. These annuities provide policyholders with a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performance of an existing stock market index. AFG attempts to mitigate the risk in the index-based component of these products through the purchase of call options on the appropriate index. AFG’s strategy is designed so that an increase in the liabilities, due to an increase in the market index, will be generally offset by unrealized and realized gains on the call options purchased by AFG. Both the index-based component of the annuities and the related call options are considered derivatives and adjusted to fair value through current earnings as annuity benefits. Adjusting these derivatives to fair value increased (decreased) annuity benefits expense by $42 million in 2011, ($21 million) in 2010 and $3 million in 2009.

Long-Term Debt The following table shows scheduled principal payments (in millions) on fixed-rate long-term debt of AFG and its subsidiaries and related weighted average interest rates for each of the subsequent five years and for all years thereafter.

	December 31, 2011						December 31, 2010
	Scheduled Principal Payments		Rate				Scheduled Principal Payments		Rate
2012	$	1		5.9	%	2011	$	9		10.2	%
2013		2		5.9		2012		1		5.9
2014		2		5.9		2013		2		5.9
2015		14		5.7		2014		2		5.9
2016		45		6.1		2015		14		5.7
Thereafter		799		8.4		Thereafter		844		8.3
Total	$	863		7.9	%	Total	$	872		8.2	%
Fair Value	$	940				Fair Value	$	941

No amounts were outstanding under AFG’s bank credit facility at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

55

ITEM 8

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheet:
December 31, 2011 and 2010		F-2
Consolidated Statement of Earnings:
Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009		F-3
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income:
Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009		F-4
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity:
Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009		F-5
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows:
Years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009		F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-7

“Selected Quarterly Financial Data” has been included in Note N to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 9A

Controls and Procedures

AFG’s management, with participation of its Co-Chief Executive Officers and its principal financial officer, has evaluated AFG’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, AFG’s Co-CEOs and principal financial officer concluded that these controls and procedures are effective. There have been no changes in AFG’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2011 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, AFG’s internal control over financial reporting. There have been no significant changes in AFG’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

AFG’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including AFG’s principal executive officers and principal financial officer, AFG conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the criteria set forth in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of internal controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective internal controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

Based on AFG’s evaluation, management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2011. The attestation report of AFG’s independent registered public accounting firm on AFG’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, is set forth below.

56

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Board of Directors and Shareholders

American Financial Group, Inc.

We have audited American Financial Group, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company’s) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, American Financial Group, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of American Financial Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, and our report dated February 28, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

	/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
February 28, 2012

57

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders

American Financial Group, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Financial Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of American Financial Group, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note A to the consolidated financial statements, in connection with implementing new accounting standards, the Company retrospectively changed its method of accounting for costs associated with issuing or renewing insurance contracts and changed its presentation of comprehensive income. Also as discussed in Note A to the consolidated financial statements, in connection with implementing a new accounting standard, the Company changed its method of accounting for certain variable interest entities in 2010.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), American Financial Group, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio

February 28, 2012, except with respect to our opinion on the consolidated financial statements insofar as it relates to the effects of the change in accounting for costs associated with issuing or renewing insurance contracts and the effects of the adoption of the accounting standard related to the presentation of comprehensive income as discussed in the section titled Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012 of Note A, as to which the date is June 5, 2012.

F-1

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Dollars In Millions)

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,324	$	1,099
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value (amortized cost – $20,562 and $18,490)		21,807		19,328
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		440		393
Equity securities, at fair value (cost – $744 and $458)		928		690
Mortgage loans		401		468
Policy loans		252		264
Real estate and other investments		425		428
Total cash and investments		25,577		22,670
Recoverables from reinsurers		2,942		2,964
Prepaid reinsurance premiums		409		422
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable		565		535
Deferred policy acquisition costs		901		1,031
Assets of managed investment entities		3,058		2,537
Other receivables		895		674
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts)		548		616
Other assets		757		606
Goodwill		186		186
Total assets	$	35,838	$	32,241
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	$	6,520	$	6,413
Unearned premiums		1,484		1,534
Annuity benefits accumulated		15,420		12,905
Life, accident and health reserves		1,727		1,650
Payable to reinsurers		475		320
Liabilities of managed investment entities		2,787		2,323
Long-term debt		934		952
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts)		548		616
Other liabilities		1,386		1,047
Total liabilities		31,281		27,760
Shareholders’ equity:
Common Stock, no par value - 200,000,000 shares authorized - 97,846,402 and 105,168,366 shares outstanding		98		105
Capital surplus		1,121		1,166
Retained earnings:
Appropriated – managed investment entities		173		197
Unappropriated		2,439		2,368
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax		580		495
Total shareholders’ equity		4,411		4,331
Noncontrolling interests		146		150
Total equity		4,557		4,481
Total liabilities and equity	$	35,838	$	32,241

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-2

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)

	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$	2,759		$	2,550		$	2,412
Life, accident and health premiums		430			451			444
Investment income		1,241			1,191			1,200
Realized gains (losses) on:
Securities (*)		76			101			43
Subsidiaries		(3	)		(13	)		(5	)
Income (loss) of managed investment entities:
Investment income		105			93			—
Loss on change in fair value of assets/liabilities		(33	)		(70	)		—
Other income		175			194			226
Total revenues		4,750			4,497			4,320
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses		1,744			1,457			1,187
Commissions and other underwriting expenses		835			787			792
Annuity benefits		510			444			435
Life, accident and health benefits		369			368			361
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses		202			219			180
Interest charges on borrowed money		85			78			67
Expenses of managed investment entities		71			55			—
Other operating and general expenses		376			395			480
Total costs and expenses		4,192			3,803			3,502
Operating earnings before income taxes		558			694			818
Provision for income taxes		239			268			284
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		319			426			534
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(23	)		(56	)		11
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	342		$	482		$	523
Earnings Attributable to Shareholders per Common Share:
Basic	$	3.37		$	4.41		$	4.52
Diluted	$	3.32		$	4.36		$	4.48
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic		101.3			109.2			115.7
Diluted		102.9			110.5			116.8
Cash dividends per Common Share	$	.6625		$	.575		$	.52
(*) Consists of the following:
Realized gains before impairments	$	128		$	163		$	246
Losses on securities with impairment		(31	)		(50	)		(373	)
Non-credit portion recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		(21	)		(12	)		170
Impairment charges recognized in earnings		(52	)		(62	)		(203	)
Total realized gains on securities	$	76		$	101		$	43

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In Millions)

	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	319		$	426		$	534
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Net unrealized gains on securities:
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period		161			403			958
Reclassification adjustment for:
Realized gains included in net earnings		(68	)		(73	)		(51	)
Unrealized gains on subsidiary sold		(1	)		—			—
Total net unrealized gains on securities		92			330			907
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(2	)		8			19
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments		1			—			(1	)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		91			338			925
Total comprehensive income, net of tax		410			764			1,459
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(17	)		(54	)		18
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$	427		$	818		$	1,441

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Dollars In Millions)

			Shareholders’ Equity
	Common		Common Stock and Capital		Retained Earnings				Accum. Other Comp				Noncon- trolling		Total
	Shares		Surplus		Appro.		Unappro.		Inc. (Loss)		Total		Interests		Equity
Balance at December 31, 2008		115,599,169	$	1,351	$	—	$	1,842	$	(703)	$	2,490	$	112	$	2,602
Cumulative effect of accounting change for deferred policy acquisition costs		—		—		—		(162)		(34)		(196)		—		(196)
Balance at December 31, 2008, as adjusted		115,599,169		1,351		—		1,680		(737)		2,294		112		2,406
Cumulative effect of accounting change for other-than-temporary impairments		—		—		—		17		(17)		—		—		—
Net earnings		—		—		—		523		—		523		11		534
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—		—		—		—		918		918		7		925
Dividends on Common Stock		—		—		—		(61)		—		(61)		—		(61)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options		1,026,891		18		—		—		—		18		—		18
Other benefit plans		207,601		3		—		—		—		3		—		3
Dividend reinvestment plan		20,847		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation expense		—		11		—		—		—		11		—		11
Shares acquired and retired		(3,291,835)		(39)		—		(42)		—		(81)		—		(81)
Shares exchanged – benefit plans		(176,330)		(2)		—		(2)		—		(4)		—		(4)
Noncontrolling interest of acquired business		—		—		—		—		—		—		10		10
Other		—		2		—		—		—		2		(2)		—
Balance at December 31, 2009		113,386,343		1,344		—		2,115		164		3,623		138		3,761
Cumulative effect of accounting change		—		—		261		4		(4)		261		—		261
Net earnings		—		—		—		482		—		482		(56)		426
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—		—		—		—		336		336		2		338
Allocation of losses of managed investment entities		—		—		(64)		—		—		(64)		64		—
Dividends on Common Stock		—		—		—		(63)		—		(63)		—		(63)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options		1,547,526		31		—		—		—		31		—		31
Other benefit plans		479,514		6		—		—		—		6		—		6
Dividend reinvestment plan		17,028		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Stock-based compensation expense		—		12		—		—		—		12		—		12
Shares acquired and retired		(10,261,045)		(122)		—		(170)		—		(292)		—		(292)
Shares exchanged – benefit plans		(1,000)		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Other		—		—		—		—		(1)		(1)		2		1
Balance at December 31, 2010		105,168,366		1,271		197		2,368		495		4,331		150		4,481
Net earnings		—		—		—		342		—		342		(23)		319
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—		—		—		—		85		85		6		91
Allocation of losses of managed investment entities		—		—		(24)		—		—		(24)		24		—
Dividends on Common Stock		—		—		—		(69)		—		(69)		—		(69)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options		1,576,664		38		—		—		—		38		—		38
Other benefit plans		387,746		9		—		—		—		9		—		9
Dividend reinvestment plan		15,763		1		—		—		—		1		—		1
Stock-based compensation expense		—		14		—		—		—		14		—		14
Shares acquired and retired		(9,281,386)		(113)		—		(202)		—		(315)		—		(315)
Shares exchanged – benefit plans		(20,751)		(1)		—		—		—		(1)		—		(1)
Other		—		—		—		—		—		—		(11)		(11)
Balance at December 31, 2011		97,846,402	$	1,219	$	173	$	2,439	$	580	$	4,411	$	146	$	4,557

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In Millions)

	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	319		$	426		$	534
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization		180			202			191
Annuity benefits		510			444			435
Realized gains on investing activities		(74	)		(92	)		(34	)
Net purchases of trading securities		(45	)		(11	)		(51	)
Deferred annuity and life policy acquisition costs		(239	)		(195	)		(155	)
Change in:
Reinsurance and other receivables		(228	)		555			352
Other assets		(101	)		(1	)		131
Insurance claims and reserves		134			(413	)		(421	)
Payable to reinsurers		155			(150	)		(41	)
Other liabilities		245			4			(17	)
Managed investment entities’ assets/liabilities		(212	)		89			—
Other operating activities, net		23			6			(9	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		667			864			915
Investing Activities:
Purchases of:
Fixed maturities		(5,321	)		(4,979	)		(4,855	)
Equity securities		(397	)		(223	)		(21	)
Mortgage loans		(190	)		(159	)		(82	)
Real estate, property and equipment		(86	)		(74	)		(62	)
Subsidiaries		—			(128	)		(5	)
Proceeds from:
Maturities and redemptions of fixed maturities		1,974			2,081			1,934
Repayments of mortgage loans		269			71			11
Sales of fixed maturities		1,293			1,540			2,207
Sales of equity securities		198			49			127
Sales of real estate, property and equipment		3			4			1
Sale of subsidiary		9			—			—
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments		(1,563	)		(1,008	)		—
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments		1,391			1,018			—
Cash and cash equivalents of businesses acquired or sold, net		(5	)		95			(23	)
Other investing activities, net		(14	)		8			(15	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(2,439	)		(1,705	)		(783	)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts		3,326			2,282			1,434
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals		(1,321	)		(1,221	)		(1,273	)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets		39			7			(10	)
Additional long-term borrowings		2			159			581
Reductions of long-term debt		(20	)		(39	)		(785	)
Issuances of managed investment entities’ liabilities		394			—			—
Retirement of managed investment entities’ liabilities		(66	)		(45	)		—
Issuances of Common Stock		39			32			15
Repurchases of Common Stock		(315	)		(292	)		(81	)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock		(67	)		(63	)		(60	)
Other financing activities, net		(14	)		—			(97	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		1,997			820			(276	)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents		225			(21	)		(144	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		1,099			1,120			1,264
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	1,324		$	1,099		$	1,120

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEX TO NOTES

A.	Accounting Policies	J.	Long-Term Debt
B.	Acquisition	K.	Shareholders’ Equity
C.	Segments of Operations	L.	Income Taxes
D.	Fair Value Measurements	M.	Contingencies
E.	Investments	N.	Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)
F.	Derivatives	O.	Insurance
G.	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	P.	Additional Information
H.	Managed Investment Entities	Q.	Condensed Consolidating Information
I.	Goodwill and Other Intangibles

A. Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Financial Group, Inc. (“AFG”) and its subsidiaries. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years to conform to the current year’s presentation. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations of companies since their formation or acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements. Events or transactions occurring subsequent to December 31, 2011, and prior to the filing of this Form 10-K, have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure herein.

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimates.

Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012 Effective January 1, 2012, AFG retrospectively adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-26 that addresses which costs related to issuing or renewing insurance contracts qualify for deferral. To qualify for deferral, the guidance specifies that a cost must be directly related to the successful acquisition of an insurance contract. The financial statements and related disclosures for prior periods have been adjusted to reflect the adoption of the new standard.

The impact of adoption on amounts previously reported is shown in the table below (in millions, except per share data):

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Deferred policy acquisition costs
As reported	$	1,105	$	1,244
As adjusted		901		1,031
Net deferred tax liability (included in other liabilities)
As reported	$	203	$	116
As adjusted		133		42
Shareholders’ equity
As reported	$	4,545	$	4,470
As adjusted		4,411		4,331

F-7

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

	December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Net earnings attributable to shareholders
As reported	$	343	$	479	$	519
As adjusted		342		482		523
Diluted earnings per Common Share
As reported	$	3.33	$	4.33	$	4.45
As adjusted		3.32		4.36		4.48

Effective January 1, 2012, AFG retrospectively adopted ASU 2011-05, which eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income in the Statement of Changes in Equity. As permitted by the standard, comprehensive income is presented herein in a separate statement immediately following the Statement of Earnings. This new presentation does not change the measurement of net earnings, other comprehensive income or earnings per share, and accordingly, had no impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial position.

Fair Value Measurements Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standards establish a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (“inputs”) are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect AFG’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Except for the acquisition discussed in Note B—“Acquisition” and the impairment of goodwill discussed in Note I—“Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” AFG did not have any significant nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and liabilities in 2011 or 2010.

New accounting guidance adopted by AFG on January 1, 2010, requires additional disclosures about transfers between levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements. The guidance also clarifies existing disclosure requirements related to the level of disaggregation presented and inputs used in determining fair values. Additional detail relating to the roll-forward of Level 3 fair values was required in 2011.

Effective January 1, 2012, AFG prospectively adopted ASU 2011-04, which clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and amends certain disclosure requirements. The impact of adoption was not material to AFG’s results of operations or financial position.

Investments Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as “available for sale” are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as “trading” are reported at fair value with changes in unrealized holding gains or losses during the period included in investment income. Mortgage and policy loans are carried primarily at the aggregate unpaid balance.

Premiums and discounts on fixed maturity securities are amortized using the interest method; mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are amortized over a period based on estimated future principal payments, including prepayments. Prepayment assumptions are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect actual prepayments and changes in expectations.

Gains or losses on securities are determined on the specific identification basis. When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be other-than-temporary at the balance sheet date, a provision for impairment is charged to earnings (included in realized gains (losses)) and the cost basis of that investment is reduced.

F-8

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

In 2009, AFG adopted new accounting guidance relating to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments. Under the guidance, if management can assert that it does not intend to sell an impaired fixed maturity security and it is not more likely than not that it will have to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, then the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into two components: 1) the amount related to credit losses (recorded in earnings) and 2) the amount related to all other factors (recorded in other comprehensive income (loss)). The credit-related portion of an other-than-temporary impairment is measured by comparing a security’s amortized cost to the present value of its current expected cash flows discounted at its effective yield prior to the impairment charge. Both components are shown in the Statement of Earnings. If management intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, an impairment charge to earnings is recorded to reduce the amortized cost of that security to fair value. AFG adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009, and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $17 million to reclassify the non-credit component of previously recognized impairments from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Additional disclosures required by this guidance are contained in Note E—“Investments.”

Derivatives Derivatives included in AFG’s Balance Sheet are recorded at fair value and consist primarily of (i) components of certain fixed maturity securities (primarily interest-only MBS) and (ii) the equity-based component of certain annuity products (included in annuity benefits accumulated) and related call options (included in other investments) designed to be consistent with the characteristics of the liabilities and used to mitigate the risk embedded in those annuity products. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are included in earnings.

Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of cost of subsidiaries over AFG’s equity in their underlying net assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an impairment test at least annually. On October 1, 2011, AFG adopted ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” which simplifies the annual goodwill impairment test by only requiring an entity to complete the test on a reporting unit if the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. The adoption of this guidance did not impact AFG’s results of operations or financial position.

Reinsurance Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries report as assets (a) the estimated reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, including an estimate for losses incurred but not reported, and (b) amounts paid to reinsurers applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Payable to reinsurers includes ceded premiums due to reinsurers as well as ceded premiums retained by AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries under contracts to fund ceded losses as they become due. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries also assume reinsurance from other companies. Earnings on reinsurance assumed is recognized based on information received from ceding companies.

Certain annuity and supplemental insurance subsidiaries cede life insurance policies to a third party on a funds withheld basis whereby the subsidiaries retain the assets (securities) associated with the reinsurance contracts. Interest is credited to the reinsurer based on the actual investment performance of the retained assets. These reinsurance contracts are considered to contain embedded derivatives (that must be adjusted to fair value) because the yield on the payables is based on specific blocks of the ceding companies’ assets, rather than the overall creditworthiness of the ceding company. AFG determined that changes in the fair value of the underlying portfolios of fixed maturity securities is an appropriate measure of the value of the embedded derivative. The securities related to these transactions are classified as “trading.” The adjustment to fair value on the embedded derivatives offsets the investment income recorded on the adjustment to fair value of the related trading portfolios.

F-9

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”) Policy acquisition costs (principally commissions, premium taxes and certain policy issuance costs) directly related to the successful acquisition of an insurance contract are deferred. DPAC also includes capitalized costs associated with sales inducements offered to fixed annuity policyholders such as enhanced interest rates and premium and persistency bonuses. As discussed above under “Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012,” AFG’s accounting for DPAC changed effective January 1, 2012, and amounts previously reported have been adjusted retrospectively.

For the property and casualty companies, DPAC is limited based upon recoverability without any consideration for anticipated investment income and is charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected claims costs, claims adjustment expenses and unamortized acquisition costs exceed the related unearned premiums. A premium deficiency is first recognized by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency is greater than unamortized acquisition costs, a liability is accrued for the excess deficiency and reported with unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.

DPAC related to annuities is deferred to the extent deemed recoverable and amortized, with interest, in relation to the present value of actual and expected gross profits on the policies. Expected gross profits consist principally of estimated future investment margin (estimated future net investment income less interest credited on policyholder funds) and surrender, mortality, and other life and variable annuity policy charges, less death and annuitization benefits in excess of account balances and estimated future policy administration expenses. To the extent that realized gains and losses result in adjustments to the amortization of DPAC related to annuities, such adjustments are reflected as components of realized gains (losses).

DPAC related to traditional life and health insurance is amortized over the expected premium paying period of the related policies, in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenues to total anticipated premium revenues.

DPAC related to annuities is also adjusted, net of tax, for the change in amortization that would have been recorded if the unrealized gains (losses) from securities had actually been realized. This adjustment is included in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in AFG’s Balance Sheet.

DPAC includes the present value of future profits on business in force of annuity and supplemental insurance companies acquired (“PVFP”). PVFP represents the portion of the costs to acquire companies that is allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows from insurance contracts existing at the date of acquisition. PVFP is amortized with interest in relation to expected gross profits of the acquired policies for annuities and universal life products and in relation to the premium paying period for traditional life and health insurance products.

F-10

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Managed Investment Entities A company is considered the primary beneficiary of, and therefore must consolidate, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based primarily on its ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact that entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

AFG manages, and has investments in, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) that are VIEs (See Note H – “Managed Investment Entities.”) Both the management fees (payment of which are subordinate to other obligations of the CLOs) and the investments in the CLOs are considered variable interests. AFG has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the CLOs because (i) its role as asset manager gives it the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the CLOs and (ii) it has exposure to CLO losses (through its investments in the CLO debt tranches) and the right to receive benefits (through its subordinated management fees and returns on its investments), both of which could potentially be significant to the CLOs.

Because AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities, the assets and liabilities of the CLOs are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet (at fair value). Prior to adoption of guidance requiring the consolidation of VIEs beginning in 2010, the CLOs were not consolidated. Upon adoption of the guidance, the $261 million excess of fair value of the CLOs’ assets over the fair value of the liabilities was recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet as appropriated retained earnings—managed investment entities, representing the cumulative effect of adopting the new guidance that ultimately will inure to the benefit of the CLO debt holders.

AFG has elected the fair value option for reporting on the CLO assets and liabilities to improve the transparency of financial reporting related to the CLOs. The net gain or loss from accounting for the CLO assets and liabilities at fair value subsequent to January 1, 2010, is separately presented in AFG’s Statement of Earnings. CLO earnings attributable to AFG’s shareholders represent the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs and management fees earned. All other CLO earnings (losses) are not attributable to AFG’s shareholders and will ultimately inure to the benefit of the other CLO debt holders. As a result, such CLO earnings (losses) are included in net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in AFG’s Statement of Earnings and in appropriated retained earnings—managed investment entities in the Balance Sheet. As the CLOs approach maturity (2016 to 2022), it is expected that losses attributable to noncontrolling interests will reduce appropriated retained earnings towards zero as the fair values of the assets and liabilities converge and the CLO assets are used to pay the CLO debt.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses The net liabilities stated for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon (a) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period on direct business written; (b) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (c) estimates of unreported losses (including possible development on known claims) based on past experience; (d) estimates based on experience of expenses for investigating and adjusting claims; and (e) the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Establishing reserves for asbestos, environmental and other mass tort claims involves considerably more judgment than other types of claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage.

F-11

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Loss reserve liabilities are subject to the impact of changes in claim amounts and frequency and other factors. Changes in estimates of the liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reflected in the Statement of Earnings in the period in which determined. Despite the variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are adequate.

Annuity Benefits Accumulated Annuity receipts and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in annuity benefits accumulated rather than as revenue and expense. Increases in this liability for interest credited are charged to expense and decreases for surrender charges are credited to other income.

For certain products, annuity benefits accumulated also includes reserves for accrued persistency and premium bonuses and excess benefits expected to be paid on future deaths and annuitizations (“EDAR”). The liability for EDAR is accrued for and modified using assumptions consistent with those used in determining DPAC and DPAC amortization, except that amounts are determined in relation to the present value of total expected assessments. Total expected assessments consist principally of estimated future investment margin, surrender, mortality, and other life and variable annuity policy charges, and unearned revenues once they are recognized as income.

Life, Accident and Health Reserves Liabilities for future policy benefits under traditional life, accident and health policies are computed using the net level premium method. Computations are based on the original projections of investment yields, mortality, morbidity and surrenders and include provisions for unfavorable deviations. Claim reserves and liabilities established for accident and health claims are modified as necessary to reflect actual experience and developing trends.

Variable Annuity Assets and Liabilities Separate accounts related to variable annuities represent the fair value of deposits invested in underlying investment funds on which AFG earns a fee. Investment funds are selected and may be changed only by the policyholder, who retains all investment risk.

AFG’s variable annuity contracts contain a guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) to be paid if the policyholder dies before the annuity payout period commences. In periods of declining equity markets, the GMDB may exceed the value of the policyholder’s account. A GMDB liability is established for future excess death benefits using assumptions together with a range of reasonably possible scenarios for investment fund performance that are consistent with DPAC capitalization and amortization assumptions.

Premium Recognition Property and casualty premiums are earned generally over the terms of the policies on a pro rata basis. Unearned premiums represent that portion of premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. On reinsurance assumed from other insurance companies or written through various underwriting organizations, unearned premiums are based on information received from such companies and organizations. For traditional life, accident and health products, premiums are recognized as revenue when legally collectible from policyholders. For interest-sensitive life and universal life products, premiums are recorded in a policyholder account, which is reflected as a liability. Revenue is recognized as amounts are assessed against the policyholder account for mortality coverage and contract expenses.

Noncontrolling Interests For Balance Sheet purposes, noncontrolling interests represents the interests of shareholders other than AFG in consolidated entities. In the Statement of Earnings, net earnings and losses attributable to noncontrolling interests represents such shareholders’ interest in the earnings and losses of those entities.

F-12

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established to reduce total deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized.

AFG records a liability for the inherent uncertainty in quantifying its income tax provisions. Related interest and penalties are recognized as a component of tax expense.

Stock-Based Compensation All share-based grants are recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their vesting periods based on their calculated fair value at the date of grant. AFG uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to measure the fair value of employee stock options. See Note K -”Shareholders’ Equity” for further information.

Benefit Plans AFG provides retirement benefits to qualified employees of participating companies through the AFG 401(k) Retirement and Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan. AFG makes all contributions to the retirement fund portion of the plan and matches a percentage of employee contributions to the savings fund. Company contributions are expensed in the year for which they are declared. AFG and many of its subsidiaries provide health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees. AFG also provides postemployment benefits to former or inactive employees (primarily those on disability) who were not deemed retired under other company plans. The projected future cost of providing these benefits is expensed over the period employees earn such benefits.

Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the following adjustments to weighted average common shares related to stock-based compensation plans: 2011 – 1.6 million, 2010—1.3 million and 2009—1.1 million.

AFG’s weighted average diluted shares outstanding excludes the following anti-dilutive potential common shares related to stock compensation plans: 2011 – 2.3 million, 2010—3.5 million and 2009—5.7 million. Adjustments to net earnings attributable to shareholders in the calculation of diluted earnings per share were nominal in the 2011, 2010 and 2009 periods.

Statement of Cash Flows For cash flow purposes, “investing activities” are defined as making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property and equipment. “Financing activities” include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on their investments, borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed. Annuity receipts, benefits and withdrawals are also reflected as financing activities. All other activities are considered “operating.” Short-term investments having original maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents for purposes of the financial statements.

B. Acquisition

Vanliner Group, Inc. (“Vanliner”) In July 2010, National Interstate (“NATL”), a 52%-owned subsidiary of AFG, completed the acquisition of Vanliner, a market leader in providing insurance for the moving and storage industry for $114 million (including post-closing adjustments). The initial purchase price (funded primarily with cash on hand) was based on Vanliner’s estimated tangible book value at the date of closing and is subject to certain adjustments, including a four and one-half year balance sheet guarantee whereby both favorable and unfavorable developments related to the closing balance sheet inure to the seller, UniGroup, Inc. In accordance with accounting guidance, all assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The purchase price allocation based on these fair values resulted in a gain on purchase of $7 million (included in realized gains on subsidiaries). Vanliner’s premiums associated with policies in force as of December 31, 2011 totaled approximately $93 million. Pro forma results of operations for AFG assuming the acquisition of Vanliner had taken place at the beginning of 2010 would not differ significantly from actual reported results.

F-13

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

C. Segments of Operations

AFG manages its business as three segments: (i) property and casualty insurance, (ii) annuity and supplemental insurance and (iii) other, which includes holding company assets and costs, and the assets and operations of the managed investment entities.

AFG reports its property and casualty insurance business in the following Specialty sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, which includes physical damage and liability coverage for buses, trucks and recreational vehicles, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products and other property coverages, (ii) Specialty casualty, which includes primarily excess and surplus, general liability, executive liability, umbrella and excess liability, customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and California workers’ compensation, and (iii) Specialty financial, which includes risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions (including collateral and mortgage protection insurance), surety and fidelity products and trade credit insurance. AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance business markets traditional fixed and indexed annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance products such as Medicare supplement.

AFG’s reportable segments and their components were determined based primarily upon similar economic characteristics, products and services.

Sales of property and casualty insurance outside of the United States represented 5% of AFG’s revenues in 2011, and 4% in both 2010 and 2009.

F-14

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

The following tables (in millions) show AFG’s assets, revenues and operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment.

	2011			2010			2009
Assets
Property and casualty insurance (a)	$	11,740		$	11,466		$	11,711
Annuity and supplemental insurance		20,389			17,696			15,387
Other		3,709			3,079			344
Total assets	$	35,838		$	32,241		$	27,442
Revenues
Property and casualty insurance:
Premiums earned:
Specialty
Property and transportation	$	1,412		$	1,167		$	909
Specialty casualty		872			873			917
Specialty financial		408			446			517
Other		67			64			69
Total premiums earned		2,759			2,550			2,412
Investment income		296			341			414
Realized gains (losses)		97			88			123
Other income		65			64			106
Total property and casualty insurance		3,217			3,043			3,055
Annuity and supplemental insurance:
Investment income		944			856			784
Life, accident and health premiums		430			451			444
Realized gains (losses)		(23	)		—			(86	)
Other income		104			110			114
Total annuity and supplemental insurance		1,455			1,417			1,256
Other		78			37			9
Total revenues	$	4,750		$	4,497		$	4,320
Operating Earnings Before Income Taxes
Property and casualty insurance:
Underwriting:
Specialty
Property and transportation	$	113		$	141		$	237
Specialty casualty		35			45			64
Specialty financial		65			123			148
Other		18			8			(9	)
Other lines (b)		(51	)		(11	)		(7	)
Total underwriting		180			306			433
Investment and other income, net		263			299			338
Realized gains (losses)		97			88			123
Total property and casualty insurance		540			693			894
Annuity and supplemental insurance:
Operations		222			197			152
Realized gains (losses)		(23	)		—			(86	)
Total annuity and supplemental insurance		199			197			66
Other (c)		(181	)		(196	)		(142	)
Total operating earnings before income taxes	$	558		$	694		$	818

(a) Not allocable to sub-segments.

(b) Includes a second quarter 2011 special charge of $50 million to increase asbestos and environmental reserves.

(c) Includes holding company expenses, a second quarter 2011 special charge of $9 million to increase asbestos and environmental reserves and $24 million and $64 million in losses of managed investment entities attributable to noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

F-15

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

D. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards for measuring fair value are based on inputs used in estimating fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1—Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (markets in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis). AFG’s Level 1 financial instruments consist primarily of publicly traded equity securities and highly liquid government bonds for which quoted market prices in active markets are available and short-term investments of managed investment entities.

Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets (markets in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, price quotations vary substantially over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly); and valuations based on other significant inputs that are observable in active markets. AFG’s Level 2 financial instruments include separate account assets, corporate and municipal fixed maturity securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and investments of managed investment entities priced using observable inputs. Level 2 inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, corroborated broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads and benchmark securities. When non-binding broker quotes can be corroborated by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs, they are classified as Level 2.

Level 3—Valuations derived from market valuation techniques generally consistent with those used to estimate the fair values of Level 2 financial instruments in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable or when the market for a security exhibits significantly less liquidity relative to markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements. The unobservable inputs may include management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use based on the best information available in the circumstances. AFG’s Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments, including liabilities of managed investment entities, whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker quotes or internally developed using significant inputs not based on, or corroborated by, observable market information.

AFG’s management is responsible for the valuation process and uses data from outside sources (including nationally recognized pricing services and broker/dealers) in establishing fair value. Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, the Company communicates directly with the pricing service regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the service to value specific securities.

F-16

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31 are summarized below (in millions):

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
2011
Assets:
Available for sale (“AFS”) fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	248	$	134	$	—	$	382
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		—		3,794		83		3,877
Foreign government		—		254		—		254
Residential MBS		—		3,487		361		3,848
Commercial MBS		—		2,821		19		2,840
All other corporate		9		10,078		519		10,606
Total AFS fixed maturities		257		20,568		982		21,807
Trading fixed maturities		—		439		1		440
Equity securities		888		29		11		928
Assets of managed investment entities (“MIE”)		290		2,724		44		3,058
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) (a)		—		548		—		548
Other investments		—		71		—		71
Total assets accounted for at fair value	$	1,435	$	24,379	$	1,038	$	26,852
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities	$	194	$	—	$	2,593	$	2,787
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated		—		—		395		395
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value	$	194	$	—	$	2,988	$	3,182
2010
Assets:
Available for sale fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	251	$	216	$	—	$	467
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		—		2,919		20		2,939
Foreign government		—		278		—		278
Residential MBS		—		3,563		312		3,875
Commercial MBS		—		2,117		6		2,123
All other corporate		9		9,201		436		9,646
Total AFS fixed maturities		260		18,294		774		19,328
Trading fixed maturities		—		390		3		393
Equity securities		461		208		21		690
Assets of managed investment entities		96		2,393		48		2,537
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) (a)		—		616		—		616
Other investments		—		98		—		98
Total assets accounted for at fair value	$	817	$	21,999	$	846	$	23,662
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities	$	65	$	—	$	2,258	$	2,323
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated		—		—		190		190
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value	$	65	$	—	$	2,448	$	2,513

(a) Variable annuity liabilities equal the fair value of variable annuity assets.

During 2011 and 2010, there were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. Approximately 4% of the total assets measured at fair value on December 31, 2011, were Level 3 assets. Approximately 95% of these assets were priced using non-binding broker quotes. The fair values of the liabilities of managed investment entities were determined using non-binding broker quotes, which were reviewed by AFG’s investment professionals.

F-17

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Changes in balances of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities during 2011, 2010 and 2009 are presented below (in millions). The transfers into and out of Level 3 were due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs. All transfers are reflected in the table at fair value as of the end of the reporting period.

				Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in
	Balance at December  31, 2010			Net income			Other comp. income (loss)			Purchases and issuances			Sales and settlements			Transfer into Level 3		Transfer out of Level 3			Balance at December  31, 2011
AFS fixed maturities:
State and municipal	$	20		$	—		$	4		$	58			(4	)	$	17	$	(12	)	$	83
Residential MBS		312			3			(9	)		42			(38	)		127		(76	)		361
Commercial MBS		6			1			—			9			—			13		(10	)		19
All other corporate		436			2			15			236			(72	)		90		(188	)		519
Trading fixed maturities		3			—			—			—			—			—		(2	)		1
Equity securities		21			—			1			2			(2	)		2		(13	)		11
Assets of MIE		48			(8	)		—			32			(18	)		9		(19	)		44
Liabilities of MIE (*)		(2,258	)		—			—			(401	)		66			—		—			(2,593	)
Embedded derivatives		(190	)		(29	)		—			(200	)		24			—		—			(395	)

(*) Total realized/unrealized loss included in net income includes losses of $3 million related to liabilities outstanding as of December 31, 2011. See Note H—“Managed Investment Entities.”

							Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in
	Balance at December  31, 2009			Consolidate Managed Inv. Entities			Net income			Other comp. income (loss)			Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements			Transfer into Level 3		Transfer out of Level 3			Balance at December  31, 2010
AFS fixed maturities:
State and municipal	$	23		$	—		$	—		$	1		$	(4	)	$	17	$	(17	)	$	20
Residential MBS		435			—			7			26			17			27		(200	)		312
Commercial MBS		—			—			—			—			6			—		—			6
All other corporate		311			(6	)		(10	)		10			100			118		(87	)		436
Trading fixed maturities		1			—			—			—			4			2		(4	)		3
Equity securities		25			—			—			(1	)		—			—		(3	)		21
Assets of MIE		—			90			8			—			(16	)		26		(60	)		48
Liabilities of MIE (*)		—			(2,084	)		(220	)		—			46			—		—			(2,258	)
Embedded derivatives		(113	)		—			(20	)		—			(57	)		—		—			(190	)

(*) Total realized/unrealized loss included in net income includes losses of $213 million related to liabilities outstanding as of December 31, 2010. See Note H—“Managed Investment Entities.”

				Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in
	Balance at December  31, 2008			Net income			Other comp. income (loss)		Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements		Net Transfer out of Level 3			Balance at December  31, 2009
AFS fixed maturities	$	706		$	7		$	89	$	292	$	(325	)	$	769
Trading fixed maturities		1			—			—		—		—			1
Equity securities		44			(13	)		1		1		(8	)		25
Other assets		5			—			—		—		(5	)		—
Embedded derivatives		(96	)		(29	)		—		12		—			(113	)

F-18

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Fair Value of Financial Instruments The following table presents (in millions) the carrying value and estimated fair value of AFG’s financial instruments at December 31.

	2011				2010
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	Value		Value		Value		Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,324	$	1,324	$	1,099	$	1,099
Fixed maturities		22,247		22,247		19,721		19,721
Equity securities		928		928		690		690
Mortgage loans		401		401		468		469
Policy loans		252		252		264		264
Other investments—derivatives		71		71		98		98
Assets of managed investment entities		3,058		3,058		2,537		2,537
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts)		548		548		616		616
Liabilities:
Annuity benefits accumulated (*)	$	15,219	$	15,314	$	12,696	$	12,233
Long-term debt		934		1,010		952		1,023
Liabilities of managed investment entities		2,787		2,787		2,323		2,323
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts)		548		548		616		616
Other liabilities—derivatives		23		23		14		14

(*) Excludes life contingent annuities in the payout phase.

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value. Fair values for mortgage loans are estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. The fair value of policy loans is estimated to approximate carrying value; policy loans have no defined maturity dates and are inseparable from insurance contracts. The fair value of annuity benefits was estimated based on expected cash flows discounted using forward interest rates adjusted for the Company’s credit risk and includes the impact of maintenance expenses and capital costs. Fair values of long-term debt are based primarily on quoted market prices.

E. Investments

Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities at December 31 consisted of the following (in millions):

	2011									2010
	Amortized		Fair		Gross Unrealized					Amortized		Fair		Gross Unrealized
	Cost		Value		Gains		Losses			Cost		Value		Gains		Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	363	$	382	$	19	$	—		$	453	$	467	$	15	$	(1	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		3,613		3,877		267		(3	)		2,927		2,939		53		(41	)
Foreign government		236		254		18		—			269		278		9		—
Residential MBS		3,858		3,848		170		(180	)		3,781		3,875		222		(128	)
Commercial MBS		2,628		2,840		218		(6	)		1,972		2,123		153		(2	)
All other corporate		9,864		10,606		802		(60	)		9,088		9,646		602		(44	)
Total fixed maturities	$	20,562	$	21,807	$	1,494	$	(249	)	$	18,490	$	19,328	$	1,054	$	(216	)
Common stocks	$	610	$	797	$	207	$	(20	)	$	312	$	543	$	232	$	(1	)
Perpetual preferred stocks	$	134	$	131	$	5	$	(8	)	$	146	$	147	$	6	$	(5	)

The non-credit related portion of other-than-temporary impairment charges are included in other comprehensive income (loss). Such charges taken for residential MBS still owned at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were $227 million and $258 million.

F-19

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

The following tables show gross unrealized losses (in millions) on fixed maturities and equity securities by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

	Less Than Twelve Months								Twelve Months or More
	Unrealized			Fair		Fair Value as			Unrealized			Fair		Fair Value as
	Loss			Value		% of Cost			Loss			Value		% of Cost
2011
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	—		$	2		100	%	$	—		$	—		—	%
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		(2	)		120		98	%		(1	)		59		98	%
Foreign government		—			1		100	%		—			—		—	%
Residential MBS		(59	)		1,141		95	%		(121	)		473		80	%
Commercial MBS		(6	)		183		97	%		—			18		100	%
All other corporate		(43	)		940		96	%		(17	)		114		87	%
Total fixed maturities	$	(110	)	$	2,387		96	%	$	(139	)	$	664		83	%
Common stocks	$	(19	)	$	169		90	%	$	(1	)	$	4		80	%
Perpetual preferred stocks	$	(1	)	$	23		96	%	$	(7	)	$	31		82	%
2010
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	(1	)	$	86		99	%	$	—		$	—		—	%
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		(38	)		1,180		97	%		(3	)		40		93	%
Foreign government		—			37		99	%		—			—		—	%
Residential MBS		(11	)		412		97	%		(117	)		551		82	%
Commercial MBS		(2	)		83		98	%		—			15		97	%
All other corporate		(24	)		1,020		98	%		(20	)		275		93	%
Total fixed maturities	$	(76	)	$	2,818		97	%	$	(140	)	$	881		86	%
Common stocks	$	—		$	21		99	%	$	(1	)	$	4		88	%
Perpetual preferred stocks	$	—		$	22		98	%	$	(5	)	$	37		88	%

At December 31, 2011, the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities of $249 million relate to approximately 850 securities. Investment grade securities (as determined by nationally recognized rating agencies) represented approximately 38% of the gross unrealized loss and 62% of the fair value.

Gross Unrealized Losses on MBS At December 31, 2011, gross unrealized losses on AFG’s residential MBS represented 72% of the total gross unrealized loss on fixed maturity securities and 87% of the “twelve months or more”. Of the residential MBS that have been in an unrealized loss position (“impaired”) for 12 months or more (239 securities), approximately 27% of the unrealized losses and 49% of the fair value relate to investment grade rated securities. AFG analyzes its MBS for other-than-temporary impairment each quarter based upon expected future cash flows. Management estimates expected future cash flows based upon its knowledge of the MBS market, cash flow projections (which reflect loan to collateral values, subordination, vintage and geographic concentration) received from independent sources, implied cash flows inherent in security ratings and analysis of historical payment data. For 2011, AFG recorded in earnings $52 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges related to its residential MBS.

Gross Unrealized Losses on All Other Corporates AFG recorded in earnings approximately $6 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges on “all other corporate” securities during 2011. Management concluded that no additional charges for other-than-temporary impairments were required based on many factors, including AFG’s ability and intent to hold the investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery of its amortized cost, the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost, analysis of historical and projected company-specific financial data, the outlook for industry sectors, and credit ratings.

F-20

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

The following table is a progression of the credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities for which the non-credit portion of an impairment has been recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (in millions).

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1	$	143		$	99		$	14
Additional credit impairments on:
Previously impaired securities		44			44			26
Securities without prior impairments		8			9			72
Reductions—disposals		(8	)		(9	)		(13	)
Balance at December 31	$	187		$	143		$	99

The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of available for sale fixed maturities as of December 31, 2011 (in millions). Asset-backed securities and other securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers. MBS had an average life of approximately 4 years at December 31, 2011.

	Amortized		Fair Value
	Cost		Amount		%
Maturity
One year or less	$	603	$	615		3	%
After one year through five years		5,196		5,478		25
After five years through ten years		6,437		6,998		32
After ten years		1,840		2,028		9
		14,076		15,119		69
MBS		6,486		6,688		31
Total	$	20,562	$	21,807		100	%

Certain risks are inherent in connection with fixed maturity securities, including loss upon default, price volatility in reaction to changes in interest rates, and general market factors and risks associated with reinvestment of proceeds due to prepayments or redemptions in a period of declining interest rates.

There were no investments in individual issuers that exceeded 10% of Shareholders’ Equity at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

F-21

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Net Unrealized Gain on Marketable Securities In addition to adjusting equity securities and fixed maturity securities classified as “available for sale” to fair value, GAAP requires that deferred policy acquisition costs related to annuities and certain other balance sheet amounts be adjusted to the extent that unrealized gains and losses from securities would result in adjustments to those balances had the unrealized gains or losses actually been realized. The following table shows (in millions) the components of the net unrealized gain on securities that is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in AFG’s Balance Sheet.

				Deferred Tax and
				Amounts Attributable
				to Noncontrolling
	Pre-tax			Interests			Net
December 31, 2011
Unrealized gain on:
Fixed maturity securities	$	1,245		$	(444	)	$	801
Equity securities		184			(65	)		119
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(537	)		188			(349	)
Annuity benefits and other liabilities		10			(3	)		7
	$	902		$	(324	)	$	578
December 31, 2010
Unrealized gain on:
Fixed maturity securities	$	838		$	(295	)	$	543
Equity securities		232			(82	)		150
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(315	)		109			(206	)
Annuity benefits and other liabilities		6			(2	)		4
	$	761		$	(270	)	$	491

Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments are summarized as follows (in millions):

							Mortgage
							Loans									Noncon-
	Fixed			Equity			and Other			Other			Tax			trolling
	Maturities			Securities			Investments			(a)			Effects			Interests			Total
2011
Realized before impairments	$	68		$	88		$	(24	)	$	(4	)	$	(45	)	$	(2	)	$	81
Realized—impairments		(57	)		(6	)		(5	)		16			18			1			(33	)
Change in unrealized		407			(48	)		—			(218	)		(49	)		(5	)		87
2010
Realized before impairments		146			36			(5	)		(14	)		(57	)		(2	)		104
Realized—impairments		(79	)		(1	)		(6	)		24			22			—			(40	)
Change in unrealized		751			49			—			(293	)		(177	)		(2	)		328
2009
Realized before impairments		207			61			1			(23	)		(82	)		(5	)		159
Realized—impairments		(221	)		(22	)		(28	)		68			72			1			(130	)
Change in unrealized		2,005			126			—			(735	)		(489	)		(6	)		901

(a) Primarily adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs related to annuities.

F-22

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Realized gains (losses) on securities include net losses of less than $1 million in 2011 and net gains of $50 million in 2010 and $157 million in 2009 from the mark-to-market of certain MBS, primarily interest-only securities with interest rates that float inversely with short-term rates. Gross realized gains and losses (excluding impairment writedowns and mark-to-market of derivatives) on available for sale fixed maturity and equity security investment transactions included in the Statement of Cash Flows consisted of the following (in millions):

	2011			2010			2009
Fixed maturities:
Gross gains	$	77		$	108		$	92
Gross losses		(9	)		(11	)		(43	)
Equity securities:
Gross gains		90			35			82
Gross losses		(1	)		—			(21	)

F. Derivatives

As discussed under “Derivatives” in Note A, AFG uses derivatives in certain areas of its operations. AFG’s derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting under GAAP; changes in the fair value of derivatives are included in earnings.

The following derivatives are included in AFG’s Balance Sheet at fair value (in millions):

		December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
Derivative	Balance Sheet Line	Asset		Liability		Asset		Liability
MBS with embedded derivatives	Fixed maturities	$	99	$	—	$	101	$	—
Interest rate swaptions	Other investments		5		—		21		—
Indexed annuities (embedded derivative)	Annuity benefits accumulated		—		395		—		190
Equity index call options	Other investments		66		—		77		—
Reinsurance contracts (embedded derivative)	Other liabilities		—		23		—		14
		$	170	$	418	$	199	$	204

The MBS with embedded derivatives consist primarily of interest-only MBS with interest rates that float inversely with short-term rates. AFG records the entire change in the fair value of these securities in earnings. These investments are part of AFG’s overall investment strategy and represent a small component of AFG’s overall investment portfolio.

AFG has entered into $1 billion notional amount of pay-fixed interest rate swaptions (options to enter into pay-fixed/receive floating interest rate swaps at future dates expiring between 2012 and 2015) to mitigate interest rate risk in its annuity operations. AFG paid $29 million to purchase these swaptions, which represents its maximum potential economic loss over the life of the contracts.

AFG’s indexed annuities, which represented approximately one-third of annuity benefits accumulated at December 31, 2011, provide policyholders with a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performance of an existing stock market index. AFG attempts to mitigate the risk in the index-based component of these products through the purchase of call options on the appropriate index. AFG’s strategy is designed so that an increase in the liabilities, due to an increase in the market index, will be generally offset by unrealized and realized gains on the call options purchased by AFG. Both the index-based component of the annuities and the related call options are considered derivatives. As shown in the table below, both the embedded derivative and call options declined in value during 2011. The decline in fair value of the options reflects the relatively flat stock market during 2011. However, the negative impact of lower interest rates more than offset the positive impact of the flat stock market on the fair value of the indexed annuity embedded derivative.

F-23

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

As discussed under “Reinsurance” in Note A, certain reinsurance contracts in AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance business are considered to contain embedded derivatives.

The following table summarizes the gain (loss) included in the Statement of Earnings for changes in the fair value of these derivatives for 2011, 2010 and 2009 (in millions):

	Statement of
Derivative	Earnings Line	2011			2010			2009
MBS with embedded derivatives	Realized gains	$	—		$	50		$	157
Interest rate swaptions	Realized gains		(24	)		(7	)		8
Indexed annuities (embedded derivative)	Annuity benefits		(29	)		(20	)		(29	)
Equity index call options	Annuity benefits		(13	)		41			26
Reinsurance contracts (embedded derivative)	Investment income		(9	)		(9	)		(25	)
		($	75	)	$	55		$	137

G. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred policy acquisition costs consisted of the following at December 31 (in millions):

	2011			2010
Property and casualty insurance	$	189		$	181
Annuity and supplemental insurance:
Policy acquisition costs		898			793
Policyholder sales inducements		207			208
Present value of future profits (“PVFP”)		144			164
Impact of unrealized gains and losses on securities		(537	)		(315	)
Total annuity and supplemental		712			850
	$	901		$	1,031

See “Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012” under Note A – “Accounting Policies.”

During 2011, 2010 and 2009, amortization of property and casualty deferred policy acquisition costs (included in “Commissions and other underwriting expenses”) was $425 million, $404 million and $421 million, respectively. Amortization of annuity and supplemental insurance policy acquisition costs was $126 million, $137 million and $107 million in these periods, respectively.

During 2011, 2010 and 2009, AFG capitalized $20 million, $33 million and $32 million respectively, relating to sales inducements offered to annuity policyholders. Amortization of sales inducements was $21 million, $36 million and $20 million in these periods, respectively.

The PVFP amounts in the table above are net of $195 million and $174 million of accumulated amortization at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Amortization of the PVFP was $20 million in 2011, $26 million in 2010 and $29 million in 2009. During each of the next five years, the PVFP is expected to decrease at a rate of approximately one-sixth of the balance at the beginning of each respective year.

H. Managed Investment Entities

AFG is the investment manager and has investments ranging from 7.5% to 51.1% of the most subordinate debt tranche of seven collateralized loan obligation entities or “CLOs,” which are considered variable interest entities. Upon formation between 2004 and 2011, these entities issued securities in various senior and subordinate classes and invested the proceeds primarily in secured bank loans, which serve as collateral for the debt securities issued by each particular CLO. None of the collateral was purchased from AFG. AFG’s investments in the subordinate debt tranches of these entities receive residual income from the CLOs only after the CLOs pay operating expenses (including management fees to AFG), interest on and returns of capital to senior levels of debt securities. There are no contractual requirements for AFG to provide additional funding for these entities. AFG has not provided and does not intend to provide any financial support to these entities.

F-24

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

AFG’s maximum ultimate exposure to economic loss on its CLOs is limited to its investment in the CLOs, which had an aggregate fair value of $98 million at December 31, 2011, and $17 million at December 31, 2010.

In December 2011, AFG formed a new CLO, which issued $450 million face amount of liabilities (including $41 million face amount purchased by subsidiaries of AFG). In August 2011, AFG subsidiaries purchased $49 million face amount of the most senior debt tranche of one of the existing CLOs for $46 million.

In February 2012, one of the AFG CLOs was substantially liquidated at the instruction of the holder of the majority of the most subordinate debt tranche, as permitted by the CLO indentures. AFG intends to begin marketing a new CLO with a similar structure to the existing CLOs, which is expected to initially have both assets and liabilities of approximately $410 million (similar in size to the liquidated CLO).

The revenues and expenses of the CLOs are separately identified in AFG’s Statement of Earnings, after the elimination of management fees and earnings attributable to shareholders of AFG as measured by the change in the fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs. Selected financial information related to the CLOs is shown below (in millions):

	Year ended
	December 31,
	2011			2010
Gains (losses) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities (a):
Assets	$	(33	)	$	150
Liabilities		—			(220	)
Management fees paid to AFG		19			15
CLO earnings (losses) attributable to:
AFG shareholders (b)		6			17
Noncontrolling interests (b)		(24	)		(64	)

(a) Included in AFG’s “Revenues.”

(b) Included in AFG’s “Operating earnings before income taxes.”

The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ fixed maturity investments exceeded the fair value of the investments by $120 million and $69 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010. The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ debt exceeded its fair value by $306 million and $301 million at those dates. The CLO assets include $2 million and $6 million in loans (aggregate unpaid principal balance of $7 million and $12 million, respectively) at December 31, 2011 and 2010 for which the CLOs are not accruing interest because the loans are in default.

I. Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Changes in the carrying value of goodwill during 2010 and 2011, by reporting segment, are presented in the following table (in millions):

	Property and		Annuity and
	Casualty		Supplemental			Total
Balance January 1, 2010	$	152	$	56		$	208
Impairment charge		—		(22	)		(22	)
Balance December 31, 2010 and 2011	$	152	$	34		$	186

F-25

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

In the third quarter of 2010, management decided to de-emphasize the sale of supplemental health insurance products through career agents, including the sale of a marketing subsidiary. As a result of this decision, AFG performed an interim impairment test of the goodwill associated with the reporting unit using an income valuation method based on discounted cash flows. Based on the results of this test, AFG recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $22 million (included in realized gains (losses) on subsidiaries) to write off all of the goodwill related to this reporting unit.

Included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet is $41 million at December 31, 2011 and $49 million at December 31, 2010 in amortizable intangible assets related to property and casualty insurance acquisitions. These amounts are net of accumulated amortization of $47 million and $35 million, respectively. Amortization of these intangibles was $12 million in each of 2011 and 2010 and $22 million in 2009. Future amortization of intangibles (weighted average amortization period of 3 years) is estimated to be $14 million in 2012, $13 million in each of 2013 and 2014, and less than $1 million per year thereafter. Other assets also include $8 million in non-amortizable intangible assets related to insurance licenses acquired in the acquisition of Vanliner in 2010.

J. Long-Term Debt

The carrying value of long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31 (in millions):

	2011		2010
Direct obligations of AFG:
9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019	$	350	$	350
7% Senior Notes due September 2050		132		132
7-1/8% Senior Debentures due February 2034		115		115
Other		3		3
		600		600
Subsidiaries:
Obligations of AAG Holding (guaranteed by AFG):
7-1/2% Senior Debentures due November 2033		112		112
7-1/4% Senior Debentures due January 2034		86		86
Notes payable secured by real estate due 2012 through 2016		64		65
Secured borrowings ($17 and $18 guaranteed by AFG)		30		41
National Interstate bank credit facility		22		20
American Premier Underwriters 10-7/8% Subordinated Notes		—		8
		314		332
Payable to Subsidiary Trusts:
AAG Holding Variable Rate Subordinated Debentures due May 2033		20		20
	$	934	$	952

At December 31, 2011, scheduled principal payments on debt for the subsequent five years were as follows: 2012 – $34 million, 2013 – $20 million, 2014 – $2 million, 2015 – $14 million and 2016 – $45 million.

As shown below at December 31 (in millions), the majority of AFG’s long-term debt is unsecured obligations of the holding company and its subsidiaries:

	2011		2010
Unsecured obligations	$	840	$	846
Obligations secured by real estate		64		65
Other secured borrowings		30		41
	$	934	$	952

F-26

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

AFG can borrow up to $500 million under its revolving credit facility which expires in August 2013. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.75% to 3.00% (currently 2%) over LIBOR based on AFG’s credit rating. No amounts were borrowed under this facility at December 31, 2011.

In May 2011, American Premier Underwriters, Inc. (“American Premier”) paid $8 million to redeem its outstanding 10-7/8% Subordinated Notes at maturity. In September 2010, AFG issued $132 million of 7% Senior Notes due in 2050.

Cash interest payments on long-term debt were $74 million in 2011, $68 million in 2010 and $64 million in 2009. Interest expense in the Statement of Earnings includes interest credited on funds held by AFG’s insurance subsidiaries under reinsurance contracts and other similar agreements as follows: $10 million in 2011 and 2010 and $7 million in 2009.

K. Shareholders’ Equity

AFG is authorized to issue 12.5 million shares of Voting Preferred Stock and 12.5 million shares of Nonvoting Preferred Stock, each without par value.

Stock Incentive Plans Under AFG’s Stock Incentive Plan, employees of AFG and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive equity awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock awards.

At December 31, 2011, there were 12.8 million shares of AFG Common Stock reserved for issuance under AFG’s stock incentive plans. Options are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of AFG Common Stock at the date of grant. Options generally become exercisable at the rate of 20% per year commencing one year after grant; those granted to non-employee directors of AFG are fully exercisable upon grant. Options expire ten years after the date of grant. Data for stock options issued under AFG’s stock incentive plans is presented below:

						Average		Aggregate
				Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
				Exercise		Contractual		Value
	Shares			Price		Term		(in millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 2011		8,484,233		$	24.98
Granted		1,122,525		$	34.34
Exercised		(1,576,664	)	$	21.14
Forfeited/Cancelled		(107,620	)	$	26.47
Outstanding at December 31, 2011		7,922,474		$	27.05		6.0 years	$	78
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011		4,580,849		$	26.29		4.7 years	$	49

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $23 million, $19 million and $11 million, respectively. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, AFG received $33 million, $27 million and $10 million, respectively, in cash from the exercise of stock options. The total tax benefit related to the exercises was $7 million, $6 million and $4 million, respectively.

F-27

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

AFG uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of its option grants. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility over a period equal to the expected term. The expected term was estimated based on historical exercise patterns and post vesting cancellations. The weighted average fair value of options granted during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $12.49 per share, $8.90 per share and $5.85 per share, respectively, based on the following assumptions:

	2011			2010			2009
Expected dividend yield		1.9	%		2.2	%		2.7	%
Expected volatility		38	%		39	%		37	%
Expected term (in years)		7.3			7.5			7.5
Risk-free rate		3.0	%		3.2	%		2.1	%

The restricted Common Stock that AFG has granted generally vests over a three or four year period. Data relating to grants of restricted stock is presented below:

				Average
				Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2011		322,986		$	25.27
Granted		131,955		$	31.45
Vested		(39,819	)	$	28.41
Outstanding at December 31, 2011		415,122		$	27.85

AFG issued 188,302 shares of Common Stock (fair value of $33.99 per share) in the first quarter of 2011 under the Annual Co-CEO Equity Bonus Plan.

Total compensation expense related to stock incentive plans of AFG and its subsidiaries for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $22 million, $20 million and $13 million, respectively. Related tax benefits totaled $7 million in 2011, $6 million in 2010 and $3 million in 2009. At December 31, 2011, there was $23 million and $8 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock options and restricted stock awards, respectively. These amounts are expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 3.2 and 2.4 years, respectively.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (“AOCI”) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as all changes in Shareholders’ Equity except those arising from transactions with shareholders. Comprehensive income (loss) includes net earnings and other comprehensive income (loss) “OCI”, which consists primarily of changes in net unrealized gains or losses on available for sale securities. The progression of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) follows (in millions):

				OCI
	AOCI									Non-									AOCI
	Beginning			Pre-						controlling									Ending
	Balance			tax			Tax			interests			Net			Other(b)			Balance
Year ended December 31, 2011
Net unrealized gains on securities	$	491	(a)	$	141		$	(49	)	$	(5	)	$	87		$	—		$	578	(a)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		12			(2	)		—			(1	)		(3	)		—			9
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments		(8	)		1			—			—			1			—			(7	)
Total	$	495		$	140		$	(49	)	$	(6	)	$	85			—		$	580
Year ended December 31, 2010
Net unrealized gains on securities	$	167	(a)	$	507		$	(177	)	$	(2	)	$	328		$	(4	)	$	491	(a)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		5			8			—			—			8			(1	)		12
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments		(8	)		—			—			—			—			—			(8	)
Total	$	164		$	515		$	(177	)	$	(2	)	$	336		$	(5	)	$	495
Year ended December 31, 2009
Net unrealized gains on securities	$	(717	)	$	1,396		$	(489	)	$	(6	)	$	901		$	(17	)	$	167
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(13	)		19			—			(1	)		18			—			5
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments		(7	)		(2	)		1			—			(1	)		—			(8	)
Total	$	(737	)	$	1,413		$	(488	)	$	(7	)	$	918		$	(17	)	$	164

(a) Includes $16 million, $11 million and $66 million at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 in net unrealized losses related to securities for which only the credit portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recorded in earnings.

(b) Primarily cumulative effect of accounting change.

F-28

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

L. Income Taxes

The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate of 35% and income taxes as shown in the Statement of Earnings (in millions):

	2011			2010			2009
Earnings before income taxes	$	558		$	694		$	818
Income taxes at statutory rate	$	195		$	243		$	286
Effect of:
Change in valuation allowance		44			(1	)		(7	)
Losses of managed investment entities		9			23			—
Goodwill impairment charge		—			8			—
Subsidiaries not in AFG’s tax return		5			6			8
Tax exempt interest		(23	)		(16	)		(10	)
Other		9			5			7
Provision for income taxes as shown on the Statement of Earnings	$	239		$	268		$	284

Total earnings before income taxes include losses subject to tax in foreign jurisdictions of $31 million in 2011, $12 million in 2010 and $71 million in 2009.

The total income tax provision (credit) consists of (in millions):

	2011		2010			2009
Current taxes:
Federal	$	186	$	214		$	239
State		4		4			6
Foreign		—		(1	)		1
Deferred taxes:
Federal		22		65			53
Foreign		27		(14	)		(15	)
Provision for income taxes	$	239	$	268		$	284

For income tax purposes, AFG and its subsidiaries had the following carryforwards available at December 31, 2011 (in millions):

	Expiring	Amount
Operating Loss – U.S.	2012 - 2020	$	73
	2021 - 2025		73
Operating Loss – United Kingdom	indefinite		79

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amounts recognized for tax purposes. The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities included in the Balance Sheet at December 31, were as follows (in millions):

	2011			2010
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	51		$	52
Foreign underwriting losses		42			32
Insurance claims and reserves		435			404
Employee benefits		94			93
Other, net		52			68
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance		674			649
Valuation allowance against deferred tax assets		(97	)		(54	)
Total deferred tax assets		577			595
Deferred tax liabilities:
Subsidiaries not in AFG’s tax return		(61	)		(56	)
Investment securities		(441	)		(324	)
Deferred acquisition costs		(208	)		(257	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(710	)		(637	)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(133	)	$	(42	)

F-29

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

AFG’s net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2011 and 2010, is included in other liabilities in AFG’s Balance Sheet.

The likelihood of realizing deferred tax assets is reviewed periodically; any adjustments required to the valuation allowance are made in the period during which developments requiring an adjustment become known.

“Foreign underwriting losses” in the table above include the net operating loss carryforward and other deferred tax assets related to the Marketform Lloyd’s insurance business, which resulted primarily from underwriting losses in its run-off Italian public hospital medical malpractice business that has not been written since 2008. During the fourth quarter of 2011, AFG recorded losses in other lines written by its Lloyd’s insurance business. Net operating losses can be carried forward indefinitely to offset future taxable income in the United Kingdom, and management expects these businesses to produce underwriting profits in future years. Nevertheless, because the Marketform Lloyd’s insurance business is in a cumulative loss position for the last three years, and the fourth quarter 2011 losses were not limited to the run-off Italian public hospital medical malpractice business, there is uncertainty concerning the realization of the deferred tax benefits associated with the losses. Accordingly, AFG recorded a $44 million valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets related to the Lloyd’s insurance business in 2011, approximately $34 million of which related to prior year losses. AFG will be able to reduce this valuation allowance in future periods when income is generated by the Lloyd’s business.

In addition to the valuation allowance related to the Marketform Lloyd’s insurance business discussed above, the gross deferred tax asset has also been reduced by a $50 million valuation allowance related to a portion of AFG’s net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL”) that is subject to the separate return limitation year (“SRLY”) tax rules. A SRLY NOL can be used only by the entity that created it and only in years that the consolidated group has taxable income.

The changes in the deferred tax liabilities related to investment securities and deferred acquisition costs at year end 2011 compared to 2010 are due primarily to the increase in unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities.

A progression of the liability for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties, follows (in millions):

	2011		2010		2009
Balance at January 1	$	52	$	36	$	36
Additions for tax positions of current year		7		16		—
Balance at December 31	$	59	$	52	$	36

AFG increased its liability for uncertain tax positions by $7 million in 2011 and $16 million in 2010, exclusive of interest, to reflect uncertainty as to the timing of tax return inclusion of income related to certain securities. Because the ultimate recognition of income with respect to these securities is highly certain, the recording of this liability resulted in an offsetting reduction in AFG’s deferred tax liability. Accordingly, the ultimate resolution of this item will not impact AFG’s annual effective tax rate but could accelerate the payment of taxes.

The total unrecognized tax benefits and related interest that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate is $51 million at December 31, 2011. This amount does not include tax and interest totaling $17 million paid to the IRS in 2005 and 2006 for which a suit for refund has been filed (discussed below). AFG’s provision for income taxes included $3 million in 2011 and $2 million in both 2010 and 2009 of interest (net of federal benefit). AFG’s liability for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits was $15 million at December 31, 2011 and $12 million at December 31, 2010 (net of federal benefit); no penalties were accrued at those dates.

F-30

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

AFG’s 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 tax years remain subject to examination by the IRS. In addition, AFG has several tax years for which there are ongoing disputes. AFG filed a suit for refund in the U.S. District Court in Southern Ohio as a result of its dispute with the IRS regarding the calculation of tax reserves for certain annuity reserves pursuant to Actuarial Guideline 33. In June 2010, the Court issued a final summary judgment in favor of AFG. The IRS has appealed the decision and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear the case in early March 2012. Ultimate resolution may require revised tax calculations for the years 1996-2005, possibly requiring a revised application of tax attribute carryovers or carrybacks, both capital and ordinary, to the affected years, and is contingent upon formal review and acceptance by the IRS. Resolution of the case could result in a decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits by up to $36 million and a decrease in related accrued interest of $15 million. These amounts do not include tax and interest paid to the IRS in 2005 and 2006, for which the suit was filed, totaling $17 million.

Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds, were $157 million, $196 million and $190 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

M. Contingencies

Establishing property and casualty insurance reserves for claims related to environmental exposures, asbestos and other mass tort claims is subject to uncertainties that are significantly greater than those presented by other types of claims. For this group of claims, traditional actuarial techniques that rely on historical loss development trends cannot be used and a range of reasonably possible losses cannot be estimated. In addition, accruals (included in other liabilities) have been recorded for various environmental and occupational injury and disease claims and other contingencies arising out of the railroad operations disposed of by American Premier’s predecessor, Penn Central Transportation Company (“PCTC”) and its subsidiaries, prior to its bankruptcy reorganization in 1978 and certain manufacturing operations disposed of by American Premier and GAFRI.

AFG completed a comprehensive study of asbestos and environmental exposures in the second quarter of 2011 with the assistance of outside actuarial and engineering firms and specialty outside counsel. The study resulted in asbestos and environmental charges of $50 million for the property and casualty group and $9 million for the former railroad and manufacturing operations.

The insurance group’s liability for asbestos and environmental reserves was $454 million at December 31, 2011; related recoverables from reinsurers (net of allowances for doubtful accounts) at that date were $92 million.

At December 31, 2011, American Premier and its subsidiaries had liabilities for environmental and personal injury claims aggregating $84 million. The environmental claims consist of a number of proceedings and claims seeking to impose responsibility for hazardous waste remediation costs related to certain sites formerly owned or operated by the railroad and manufacturing operations. Remediation costs are difficult to estimate for a number of reasons, including the number and financial resources of other potentially responsible parties, the range of costs for remediation alternatives, changing technology and the time period over which these matters develop. The personal injury claims include pending and expected claims, primarily by former employees of PCTC, for injury or disease allegedly caused by exposure to excessive noise, asbestos or other substances in the workplace.

At December 31, 2011, GAFRI had a liability of approximately $8 million for environmental costs and certain other matters associated with the sales of its former manufacturing operations.

While management believes AFG has recorded adequate reserves for the items discussed in this note, the outcome is uncertain and could result in liabilities that may vary from amounts AFG has currently recorded. Such amounts could have a material effect on AFG’s future results of operations and financial condition.

F-31

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

N. Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)

The operations of certain AFG business segments are seasonal in nature. While insurance premiums are recognized on a relatively level basis, claim losses related to adverse weather (snow, hail, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) may be seasonal. The profitability of AFG’s crop insurance business is primarily recognized during the second half of the year as crop prices and yields are determined. Quarterly results necessarily rely heavily on estimates. These estimates and certain other factors, such as the discretionary sales of assets, cause the quarterly results not to be necessarily indicative of results for longer periods of time.

The following are quarterly results of consolidated operations for the two years ended December 31, 2011 (in millions, except per share amounts). Quarterly earnings per share do not add to year-to-date amounts due to changes in shares outstanding.

	1st		2nd		3rd		4th		Total
	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year
2011
Revenues	$	1,039	$	1,093	$	1,335	$	1,283	$	4,750
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		54		30		108		127		319
Net earnings attributable to shareholders		88		48		97		109		342
Earnings attributable to shareholders per common share:
Basic	$	.84	$	.47	$	.97	$	1.11	$	3.37
Diluted		.83		.46		.95		1.09		3.32
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic		104.6		102.7		99.7		98.2		101.3
Diluted		106.2		104.4		101.3		99.8		102.9
2010
Revenues	$	1,034	$	1,052	$	1,255	$	1,156	$	4,497
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		86		95		136		109		426
Net earnings attributable to shareholders		104		103		143		132		482
Earnings attributable to shareholders per common share:
Basic	$	.93	$	.93	$	1.32	$	1.24	$	4.41
Diluted		.92		.92		1.30		1.22		4.36
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic		112.0		110.2		108.2		106.7		109.2
Diluted		113.1		111.8		109.5		108.1		110.5

Pretax realized gains on securities (including other-than-temporary impairments) and favorable (unfavorable) prior year development of AFG’s liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) were as follows (in millions):

	1st		2nd			3rd		4th		Total
	Quarter		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Year
Realized Gains on Securities
2011	$	—	$	19		$	8	$	49	$	76
2010		4		11			57		29		101
Prior Year Development Favorable (Unfavorable)
2011	$	21	$	(13	)	$	34	$	27	$	69
2010		39		57			14		48		158

Unfavorable prior year development (in the table above) for the second quarter of 2011 includes pretax special charges of $50 million to strengthen property and casualty insurance reserves for asbestos and environmental exposures. Results for the second quarter of 2011 also include pretax special charges of $9 million to strengthen reserves for asbestos and environmental exposures related to AFG’s railroad and manufacturing operations, pretax catastrophe losses of $23 million primarily from tornadoes and pretax realized gains of $33 million from the sales of a portion of AFG’s investment in Verisk Analytics, Inc. (“Verisk”). The 2011 fourth quarter includes a $34 million special charge for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets and $40 million of pretax realized gains on sales of Verisk.

F-32

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Results for 2010 include pretax catastrophe losses of $34 million in the second quarter, primarily from hailstorms in Oklahoma. Results for the third quarter of 2010 include a pretax gain of $26 million from the sale of Verisk and $39 million in adverse reserve development related to Marketform, primarily its run-off Italian public hospital medical malpractice business.

O. Insurance

Securities owned by U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries having a carrying value of approximately $1.2 billion at December 31, 2011, were on deposit as required by regulatory authorities. At December 31, 2011, AFG and its subsidiaries had $173 million in undrawn letters of credit ($16 million of which was collateralized) supporting the underwriting capacity of its U.K.-based Lloyd’s insurer.

Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves The liability for losses and LAE for long-term scheduled payments under certain workers’ compensation insurance has been discounted at 6%, an approximation of long-term investment yields. As a result, the total liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses at December 31, 2011, has been reduced by $30 million.

The following table provides an analysis of changes in the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance (and grossed up), over the past three years (in millions). Favorable development in 2011 was due primarily to lower than expected severity in certain businesses within the Specialty casualty sub-segment and lower than expected frequency in crop business within the Property and transportation sub-segment, partially offset by the $50 million special charge to increase asbestos and environmental reserves. Favorable development in 2010 was primarily in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments. Favorable development in 2009 was in the Specialty financial, Specialty casualty and Property and transportation sub-segments.

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,164		$	3,899		$	4,154
Provision for losses and LAE occurring in the current year		1,813			1,615			1,385
Net decrease in provision for claims of prior years		(69	)		(158	)		(198	)
Total losses and LAE incurred		1,744			1,457			1,187
Payments for losses and LAE of:
Current year		(652	)		(360	)		(504	)
Prior years		(969	)		(1,116	)		(998	)
Total payments		(1,621	)		(1,476	)		(1,502	)
Reserves of businesses acquired		—			287			—
Foreign—currency translation and other		(5	)		(3	)		60
Balance at end of period		4,282			4,164			3,899
Add back reinsurance recoverables, net of allowance		2,238			2,249			2,513
Gross unpaid losses and LAE included in the Balance Sheet	$	6,520		$	6,413		$	6,412

F-33

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

FHLB Funding Agreements Great American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”), a wholly-owned annuity and supplemental insurance subsidiary, is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB”). The FHLB makes advances and provides other banking services to member institutions. Members are required to purchase stock in the FHLB in addition to maintaining collateral deposits that back any funds advanced. GALIC’s $22 million investment in FHLB capital stock at December 31, 2011, is included in other investments at cost. Membership in the FHLB provides the annuity and supplemental insurance operations with a substantial additional source of liquidity. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the FHLB advanced GALIC $240 million (included in annuity benefits accumulated at December 31, 2011) under various funding agreements at interest rates ranging from .02% to .03% over LIBOR (average rate of .31% at December 31, 2011). These advances must be repaid within 5 to 7 years, but GALIC has the option to prepay all or a portion of the advances on a monthly basis. The advances on these agreements are collateralized by commercial mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $301 million (included in available for sale fixed maturity securities) at December 31, 2011. Interest credited on the funding agreements, which is included in annuity benefits, was approximately $100,000 in 2011.

Net Investment Income The following table shows (in millions) investment income earned and investment expenses incurred by AFG’s insurance group.

	2011			2010			2009
Insurance group investment income:
Fixed maturities	$	1,142		$	1,112		$	1,142
Equity securities		26			11			11
Other		65			61			44
Total investment income		1,233			1,184			1,197
Insurance group investment expenses (*)		(34	)		(25	)		(38	)
Net investment income	$	1,199		$	1,159		$	1,159

(*) Included primarily in “Other operating and general expenses” in the Statement of Earnings.

Statutory Information AFG’s U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries are required to file financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities prepared on an accounting basis prescribed or permitted by such authorities (statutory basis). Net earnings (loss) and policyholders’ surplus on a statutory basis for the insurance subsidiaries were as follows (in millions):

								Policyholders’
	Net Earnings (Loss)							Surplus
	2011		2010		2009			2011		2010
Property and casualty companies	$	375	$	624	$	574		$	1,976	$	2,101
Life insurance companies		190		213		(76	)		1,225		1,153

Reinsurance In the normal course of business, AFG’s insurance subsidiaries cede reinsurance to other companies to diversify risk and limit maximum loss arising from large claims. To the extent that any reinsuring companies are unable to meet obligations under agreements covering reinsurance ceded, AFG’s insurance subsidiaries would remain liable. The following table shows (in millions) (i) amounts deducted from property and casualty written and earned premiums in connection with reinsurance ceded, (ii) written and earned premiums included in income for reinsurance assumed and (iii) reinsurance recoveries represent ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses.

F-34

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

	2011			2010			2009
Direct premiums written	$	4,061		$	3,542		$	3,731
Reinsurance assumed		45			47			32
Reinsurance ceded		(1,336	)		(1,181	)		(1,452	)
Net written premiums	$	2,770		$	2,408		$	2,311
Direct premiums earned	$	4,062		$	3,653		$	3,854
Reinsurance assumed		41			45			32
Reinsurance ceded		(1,344	)		(1,148	)		(1,474	)
Net earned premiums	$	2,759		$	2,550		$	2,412
Reinsurance recoveries	$	770		$	395		$	898

AFG has reinsured approximately $16 billion in face amount of life insurance at December 31, 2011 and $18 billion at December 31, 2010. Life written premiums ceded were $44 million, $49 million and $54 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Variable Annuities At December 31, 2011, the aggregate guaranteed minimum death benefit value (assuming every variable annuity policyholder died on that date) on AFG’s variable annuity policies exceeded the fair value of the underlying variable annuities by $63 million, compared to $52 million at December 31, 2010. Death benefits paid in excess of the variable annuity account balances were less than $1 million in each of the last three years.

P. Additional Information

Losses and loss adjustment expenses included charges for possible losses on reinsurance recoverables of less than $1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009. The aggregate allowance for losses on reinsurance recoverables amounted to approximately $26 million and $28 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Operating Leases Total rental expense for various leases of office space and equipment was $54 million in 2011 and $42 million in each of 2010 and 2009. Future minimum rentals, related principally to office space, required under operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2011, were as follows: 2012 – $52 million; 2013 – $49 million; 2014 – $44 million; 2015 – $37 million; 2016 – $33 million; and $197 million thereafter.

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk On occasion, AFG and its subsidiaries have entered into financial instrument transactions that may present off-balance-sheet risks of both a credit and market risk nature. These transactions include commitments to fund loans, loan guarantees and commitments to purchase and sell securities or loans. At December 31, 2011, AFG and its subsidiaries had commitments to fund credit facilities and contribute limited partnership capital totaling up to $25 million.

Restrictions on Transfer of Funds and Assets of Subsidiaries Payments of dividends, loans and advances by AFG’s subsidiaries are subject to various state laws, federal regulations and debt covenants that limit the amount of dividends, loans and advances that can be paid. Under applicable restrictions, the maximum amount of dividends available to AFG in 2012 from its insurance subsidiaries without seeking regulatory clearance is $546 million. Additional amounts of dividends, loans and advances require regulatory approval.

Benefit Plans AFG expensed approximately $26 million in 2011, $30 million in 2010 and $34 million in 2009 for its retirement and employee savings plans.

F-35

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

Q. Condensed Consolidating Information

AFG has guaranteed all of the outstanding public debt of GAFRI and GAFRI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, AAG Holding Company, Inc. In addition, GAFRI guarantees AAG Holding’s public debt. The AFG and GAFRI guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. Condensed consolidating financial statements for AFG are as follows:

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

(In millions)

					AAG		All Other		Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs		Entries			Consolidated
DECEMBER 31, 2011
Assets:
Cash and investments	$	456	$	32	$	—	$	25,090	$	(1	)	$	25,577
Recoverables from reinsurers and prepaid reinsurance premiums		—		—		—		3,351		—			3,351
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable		—		—		—		565		—			565
Deferred policy acquisition costs		—		—		—		901		—			901
Assets of managed investment entities		—		—		—		3,058		—			3,058
Other assets		105		5		5		2,309		(38	)		2,386
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates		4,732		2,015		2,107		643		(9,497	)		—
Total assets	$	5,293	$	2,052	$	2,112	$	35,917	$	(9,536	)	$	35,838
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	8,004	$	—		$	8,004
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves		—		—		—		17,148		(1	)		17,147
Liabilities of managed investment entities		—		—		—		2,787		—			2,787
Long-term debt		600		—		220		115		(1	)		934
Other liabilities		282		20		109		2,196		(198	)		2,409
Total liabilities		882		20		329		30,250		(200	)		31,281
Total shareholders’ equity		4,411		2,032		1,783		5,521		(9,336	)		4,411
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		146		—			146
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,293	$	2,052	$	2,112	$	35,917	$	(9,536	)	$	35,838
DECEMBER 31, 2010
Assets:
Cash and investments	$	412	$	33	$	—	$	22,228	$	(3	)	$	22,670
Recoverables from reinsurers and prepaid reinsurance premiums		—		—		—		3,386		—			3,386
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable		—		—		—		535		—			535
Deferred policy acquisition costs		—		—		—		1,031		—			1,031
Assets of managed investment entities		—		—		—		2,537		—			2,537
Other assets		36		6		5		2,050		(15	)		2,082
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates		4,677		1,854		1,951		671		(9,153	)		—
Total assets	$	5,125	$	1,893	$	1,956	$	32,438	$	(9,171	)	$	32,241
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	7,947	$	—		$	7,947
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves		—		—		—		14,556		(1	)		14,555
Liabilities of managed investment entities		—		—		—		2,323		—			2,323
Long-term debt		600		1		219		133		(1	)		952
Other liabilities		194		19		110		1,814		(154	)		1,983
Total liabilities		794		20		329		26,773		(156	)		27,760
Total shareholders’ equity		4,331		1,873		1,627		5,515		(9,015	)		4,331
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		150		—			150
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,125	$	1,893	$	1,956	$	32,438	$	(9,171	)	$	32,241

F-36

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

(In millions)

						AAG		All Other			Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI			Holding		Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	2,759		$	—		$	2,759
Life, accident and health premiums		—		—			—		430			—			430
Realized gains (losses)		—		(1	)		—		75			(1	)		73
Income of managed investment entities		—		—			—		72			—			72
Investment and other income		2		11			—		1,430			(27	)		1,416
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		708		187			214		—			(1,109	)		—
Total revenues		710		197			214		4,766			(1,137	)		4,750
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		—		—			—		3,660			—			3,660
Interest charges on borrowed money		64		—			25		16			(20	)		85
Expenses of managed investment entities		—		—			—		71			—			71
Other operating and general expenses		65		15			5		297			(6	)		376
Total costs and expenses		129		15			30		4,044			(26	)		4,192
Operating earnings before income taxes		581		182			184		722			(1,111	)		558
Provision (credit) for income taxes		239		61			63		282			(406	)		239
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		342		121			121		440			(705	)		319
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—		(23	)		—			(23	)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	342	$	121		$	121	$	463		$	(705	)	$	342
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	2,550		$	—		$	2,550
Life, accident and health premiums		—		—			—		451			—			451
Realized gains (losses)		—		(2	)		—		90			—			88
Income of managed investment entities		—		—			—		23			—			23
Investment and other income		4		11			—		1,392			(22	)		1,385
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		855		191			238		—			(1,284	)		—
Total revenues		859		200			238		4,506			(1,306	)		4,497
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		—		—			—		3,275			—			3,275
Interest charges on borrowed money		58		—			25		17			(22	)		78
Expenses of managed investment entities		—		—			—		55			—			55
Other operating and general expenses		51		16			5		323			—			395
Total costs and expenses		109		16			30		3,670			(22	)		3,803
Operating earnings before income taxes		750		184			208		836			(1,284	)		694
Provision (credit) for income taxes		268		70			70		316			(456	)		268
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		482		114			138		520			(828	)		426
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—		(56	)		—			(56	)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	482	$	114		$	138	$	576		$	(828	)	$	482

F-37

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

(In millions)

						AAG		All Other		Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI			Holding		Subs		Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	2,412	$	—		$	2,412
Life, accident and health premiums		—		—			—		444		—			444
Realized gains (losses)		—		(7	)		—		44		1			38
Investment and other income		2		10			—		1,437		(23	)		1,426
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		902		63			105		—		(1,070	)		—
Total revenues		904		66			105		4,337		(1,092	)		4,320
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		—		—			—		2,955		—			2,955
Interest charges on borrowed money		50		—			25		15		(23	)		67
Other operating and general expenses		47		20			6		408		(1	)		480
Total costs and expenses		97		20			31		3,378		(24	)		3,502
Operating earnings before income taxes		807		46			74		959		(1,068	)		818
Provision (credit) for income taxes		284		13			22		329		(364	)		284
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		523		33			52		630		(704	)		534
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—		11		—			11
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	523	$	33		$	52	$	619	$	(704	)	$	523

F-38

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)

					AAG		All Other			Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	342	$	121	$	121	$	440		$	(705	)	$	319
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		85		62		62		91			(209	)		91
Total comprehensive income, net of tax		427		183		183		531			(914	)		410
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		(17	)		—			(17	)
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$	427	$	183	$	183	$	548		$	(914	)	$	427

					AAG		All Other			Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	482	$	114	$	138	$	520		$	(828	)	$	426
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		336		244		240		334			(816	)		338
Total comprehensive income, net of tax		818		358		378		854			(1,644	)		764
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		(54	)		—			(54	)
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$	818	$	358	$	378	$	908		$	(1,644	)	$	818

					AAG		All Other		Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs		Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	523	$	33	$	52	$	630	$	(704	)	$	534
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		918		527		518		926		(1,964	)		925
Total comprehensive income, net of tax		1,441		560		570		1,556		(2,668	)		1,459
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		18		—			18
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$	1,441	$	560	$	570	$	1,538	$	(2,668	)	$	1,441

F-39

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

							AAG			All Other			Consol.
	AFG			GAFRI			Holding			Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	342		$	121		$	121		$	440		$	(705	)	$	319
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(439	)		(123	)		(141	)		—			703			—
Dividends from subsidiaries		542			3			38			—			(583	)		—
Other operating activities, net		17			(1	)		2			328			2			348
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		462			—			20			768			(583	)		667
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(54	)		—			—			(5,940	)		—			(5,994	)
Returns of capital from (capital contributions to) subsidiaries		(27	)		14			(1	)		—			14			—
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		4			9			—			2,230			—			2,243
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		5			—			—			1,489			—			1,494
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments		—			—			—			(1,563	)		—			(1,563	)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments		—			—			—			1,391			—			1,391
Other investing activities, net		—			—			—			(10	)		—			(10	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(72	)		23			(1	)		(2,403	)		14			(2,439	)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts		—			—			—			3,326			—			3,326
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals		—			—			—			(1,321	)		—			(1,321	)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets		—			—			—			39			—			39
Additional long-term borrowings		—			—			—			2			—			2
Reductions of long-term debt		—			—			—			(20	)		—			(20	)
Issuances of managed investment entities’ liabilities		—			—			—			394			—			394
Retirement of managed investment entities’ liabilities		—			—			—			(66	)		—			(66	)
Issuances of Common Stock		37			—			—			2			—			39
Capital contributions from (returns of capital to) parent		—			16			(19	)		(143	)		146			—
Repurchases of Common Stock		(315	)		—			—			—			—			(315	)
Cash dividends paid		(67	)		(40	)		—			(383	)		423			(67	)
Other financing activities, net		—			—			—			(14	)		—			(14	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(345	)		(24	)		(19	)		1,816			569			1,997
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		45			(1	)		—			181			—			225
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		370			20			—			709			—			1,099
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	415		$	19		$	—		$	890		$	—		$	1,324

F-40

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

							AAG			All Other			Consol.
	AFG			GAFRI			Holding			Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	482		$	114		$	138		$	520		$	(828	)	$	426
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(551	)		(119	)		(157	)		—			827			—
Dividends from subsidiaries		550			—			16			—			(566	)		—
Other operating activities, net		—			(2	)		1			438			1			438
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		481			(7	)		(2	)		958			(566	)		864
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(13	)		(5	)		—			(5,417	)		—			(5,435	)
Purchase of subsidiaries		—			—			—			(128	)		—			(128	)
Capital contributions to subsidiaries		(97	)		(7	)		(5	)		—			109			—
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		—			11			—			2,141			—			2,152
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		—			—			—			1,593			—			1,593
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments		—			—			—			(1,008	)		—			(1,008	)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments		—			—			—			1,018			—			1,018
Other investing activities, net		—			—			—			103			—			103
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(110	)		(1	)		(5	)		(1,698	)		109			(1,705	)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts		—			—			—			2,282			—			2,282
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals		—			—			—			(1,221	)		—			(1,221	)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets		—			—			—			7			—			7
Additional long-term borrowings		128			—			—			31			—			159
Reductions of long-term debt		—			—			—			(39	)		—			(39	)
Retirement of managed investment entities’ liabilities		—			—			—			(45	)		—			(45	)
Issuances of Common Stock		31			—			—			1			—			32
Capital contributions from parent		—			16			7			86			(109	)		—
Repurchases of Common Stock		(292	)		—			—			—			—			(292	)
Cash dividends paid		(63	)		—			—			(566	)		566			(63	)
Other financing activities, net		(2	)		—			—			2			—			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(198	)		16			7			538			457			820
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		173			8			—			(202	)		—			(21	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		197			12			—			911			—			1,120
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	370		$	20		$	—		$	709		$	—		$	1,099

F-41

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

							AAG			All Other			Consol.
	AFG			GAFRI			Holding			Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	523		$	33		$	52		$	630		($	704	)	$	534
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(587	)		(45	)		(73	)		—			705			—
Dividends from subsidiaries		636			3			—			—			(639	)		—
Other operating activities, net		14			4			(3	)		367			(1	)		381
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		586			(5	)		(24	)		997			(639	)		915
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(14	)		(15	)		—			(4,991	)		—			(5,020	)
Purchase of subsidiaries		—			—			—			(5	)		—			(5	)
Capital contributions to subsidiaries		(170	)		(141	)		(116	)		—			427			—
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		1			2			—			1,942			—			1,945
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		15			1			—			2,319			—			2,335
Other investing activities, net		—			—			—			(38	)		—			(38	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(168	)		(153	)		(116	)		(773	)		427			(783	)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts		—			—			—			1,434			—			1,434
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals		—			—			—			(1,273	)		—			(1,273	)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets		—			—			—			(10	)		—			(10	)
Additional long-term borrowings		522			—			—			59			—			581
Reductions of long-term debt		(776	)		—			—			(9	)		—			(785	)
Issuances of Common Stock		14			—			—			1			—			15
Capital contributions from parent		—			168			140			119			(427	)		—
Repurchases of Common Stock		(81	)		—			—			—			—			(81	)
Cash dividends paid		(60	)		—			—			(639	)		639			(60	)
Other financing activities, net		—			—			—			(97	)		—			(97	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(381	)		168			140			(415	)		212			(276	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		37			10			—			(191	)		—			(144	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		160			2			—			1,102			—			1,264
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	197		$	12		$	—		$	911		$	—		$	1,120

F-42

PART III

The information required by the following Items will be included in AFG’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the Registrant’s fiscal year and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 10	Directors, Executive Officers of the Registrant and Corporate Governance
ITEM 11	Executive Compensation
ITEM 12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
ITEM 13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
ITEM 14	Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PART IV

ITEM 15

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Documents filed as part of this Report:

1. Financial Statements are included in Part II, Item 8.

2. Financial Statement Schedules:

A. Selected Quarterly Financial Data is included in Note N to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
B. Schedules filed herewith for 2011, 2010 and 2009:
	Page
I—Condensed Financial Information of Registrant		S-2
V—Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations		S-4
All other schedules for which provisions are made in the applicable regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted as they are not applicable, not required, or the information required thereby is set forth in the Financial Statements or the notes thereto.
3. Exhibits - See AFG’s Annual Report on Form 10-K that was filed on February 28, 2012.

S-1

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.—PARENT ONLY

SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

(In Millions)

Condensed Balance Sheet

	December 31
	2011		2010
Assets:
Cash and investments	$	456	$	412
Investment in subsidiaries (a)		4,732		4,677
Other assets		105		36
Total assets	$	5,293	$	5,125
Liabilities and Equity:
Long-term debt	$	600	$	600
Other liabilities		282		194
Shareholders’ equity		4,411		4,331
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,293	$	5,125

Condensed Statement of Earnings

	Year ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Revenues:
Dividends from subsidiaries	$	544	$	554	$	673
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries		164		301		229
Investment and other income (b)		2		4		2
Total revenues		710		859		904
Costs and Expenses:
Interest charges on intercompany borrowings		11		12		13
Interest charges on other borrowings		53		46		37
Other operating and general expenses		65		51		47
Total costs and expenses		129		109		97
Operating earnings before income taxes		581		750		807
Provision for income taxes		239		268		284
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	342	$	482	$	523
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	$	342	$	482	$	523
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		85		336		918
Total comprehensive income, net of tax	$	427	$	818	$	1,441

(a) Investment in subsidiaries includes intercompany receivables and payables.

(b) Includes mark-to-market adjustments on trading securities.

S-2

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.—PARENT ONLY

SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT—CONTINUED

(In Millions)

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Operating Activities:
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	$	342		$	482		$	523
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(439	)		(551	)		(587	)
Dividends from subsidiaries		542			550			636
Other operating activities, net		17			—			14
Net cash provided by operating activities		462			481			586
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(54	)		(13	)		(14	)
Net capital contributions to subsidiaries		(27	)		(97	)		(170	)
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		4			—			1
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		5			—			15
Net cash used in investing activities		(72	)		(110	)		(168	)
Financing Activities:
Additional long-term borrowings		—			128			522
Reductions of long-term debt		—			—			(776	)
Issuances of Common Stock		37			31			14
Repurchases of Common Stock		(315	)		(292	)		(81	)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock		(67	)		(63	)		(60	)
Other financing activities, net		—			(2	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(345	)		(198	)		(381	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		45			173			37
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		370			197			160
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	415		$	370		$	197

S-3

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE V—SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING

PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS

THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

(IN MILLIONS)

COLUMN A	COLUMN B		COLUMN C		COLUMN D		COLUMN E		COLUMN F		COLUMN G		COLUMN H					COLUMN I		COLUMN J		COLUMN K
AFFILIATION WITH REGISTRANT	DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS		(a) RESERVES  FOR UNPAID CLAIMS AND CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES		(b) DISCOUNT DEDUCTED IN COLUMN C		(c) UNEARNED PREMIUMS		EARNED PREMIUMS		NET INVESTMENT INCOME		CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES INCURRED RELATED TO					AMORTIZATION OF  DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS		PAID CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES		PREMIUMS WRITTEN
													CURRENT YEAR		PRIOR YEARS
CONSOLIDATED PROPERTY-CASUALTY ENTITIES
2011	$	189	$	6,520	$	30	$	1,484	$	2,759	$	269	$	1,813	$	(69	)	$	425	$	1,621	$	2,770
2010	$	181	$	6,413	$	32	$	1,534	$	2,550	$	317	$	1,615	$	(158	)	$	404	$	1,476	$	2,408
2009									$	2,412	$	394	$	1,385	$	(198	)	$	421	$	1,502	$	2,311

(a) Grossed up for reinsurance recoverables of $2,238 and $2,249 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(b) Discounted at approximately 6%.

(c) Grossed up for prepaid reinsurance premiums of $409 and $422 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

S-4

EX-99.2

AMERCIAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

EXHIBIT 99.2

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(Dollars in Millions)

	Year ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009		2008		2007
Operating earnings before income taxes	$	558	$	694	$	818	$	295	$	606
Undistributed equity in losses of investees		1		3		2		2		2
Losses of managed investment entities attributable to noncontrolling interest		24		64		—		—		—
Fixed charges:
Interest on annuities		510		444		435		418		372
Interest expense		85		78		67		70		71
Debt discount and expense		2		2		1		2		2
Portion of rentals representing interest		18		14		13		13		12
EARNINGS	$	1,198	$	1,299	$	1,336	$	800	$	1,065
Fixed charges:
Interest on annuities	$	510	$	444	$	435	$	418	$	372
Interest expense		85		78		67		70		71
Debt discount and expense		2		2		1		2		2
Portion of rentals representing interest		18		14		13		13		12
FIXED CHARGES	$	615	$	538	$	516	$	503	$	457
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges		1.95		2.42		2.59		1.59		2.33
Earnings in Excess of Fixed Charges	$	583	$	761	$	820	$	297	$	608

XML

Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Operating Results [Abstract]

Schedule of quarterly operating results

	1st		2nd		3rd		4th		Total
	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year
2011
Revenues	$	1,039	$	1,093	$	1,335	$	1,283	$	4,750
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		54		30		108		127		319
Net earnings attributable to shareholders		88		48		97		109		342
Earnings attributable to shareholders per common share:
Basic	$	.84	$	.47	$	.97	$	1.11	$	3.37
Diluted		.83		.46		.95		1.09		3.32
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic		104.6		102.7		99.7		98.2		101.3
Diluted		106.2		104.4		101.3		99.8		102.9
2010
Revenues	$	1,034	$	1,052	$	1,255	$	1,156	$	4,497
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		86		95		136		109		426
Net earnings attributable to shareholders		104		103		143		132		482
Earnings attributable to shareholders per common share:
Basic	$	.93	$	.93	$	1.32	$	1.24	$	4.41
Diluted		.92		.92		1.30		1.22		4.36
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic		112.0		110.2		108.2		106.7		109.2
Diluted		113.1		111.8		109.5		108.1		110.5

Quarterly information on realized gains (losses) on securities and favorable (unfavorable) development on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses

	1st		2nd			3rd		4th		Total
	Quarter		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Year
Realized Gains on Securities
2011	$	—	$	19		$	8	$	49	$	76
2010		4		11			57		29		101
Prior Year Development Favorable (Unfavorable)
2011	$	21	$	(13	)	$	34	$	27	$	69
2010		39		57			14		48		158

XML

Investments (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
U.S. Government and government agencies [Member]
Available for sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position
Unrealized Loss - Less than twelve months		$ (1)
Fair Value - Less than twelve months	2	86
Fair Value as % of Cost - Less than twelve months	100.00%	99.00%
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Available for sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position
Unrealized Loss - Less than twelve months	(2)	(38)
Fair Value - Less than twelve months	120	1,180
Fair Value as % of Cost - Less than twelve months	98.00%	97.00%
Unrealized Loss - Twelve months or more	(1)	(3)
Fair Value - Twelve months or more	59	40
Fair Value as % of Cost - Twelve months or more	98.00%	93.00%
Foreign government [Member]
Available for sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position
Fair Value - Less than twelve months	1	37
Fair Value as % of Cost - Less than twelve months	100.00%	99.00%
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available for sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position
Unrealized Loss - Less than twelve months	(59)	(11)
Fair Value - Less than twelve months	1,141	412
Fair Value as % of Cost - Less than twelve months	95.00%	97.00%
Unrealized Loss - Twelve months or more	(121)	(117)
Fair Value - Twelve months or more	473	551
Fair Value as % of Cost - Twelve months or more	80.00%	82.00%
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available for sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position
Unrealized Loss - Less than twelve months	(6)	(2)
Fair Value - Less than twelve months	183	83
Fair Value as % of Cost - Less than twelve months	97.00%	98.00%
Fair Value - Twelve months or more	18	15
Fair Value as % of Cost - Twelve months or more	100.00%	97.00%
All Other Corporate [Member]
Available for sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position
Unrealized Loss - Less than twelve months	(43)	(24)
Fair Value - Less than twelve months	940	1,020
Fair Value as % of Cost - Less than twelve months	96.00%	98.00%
Unrealized Loss - Twelve months or more	(17)	(20)
Fair Value - Twelve months or more	114	275
Fair Value as % of Cost - Twelve months or more	87.00%	93.00%
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Available for sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position
Unrealized Loss - Less than twelve months	(110)	(76)
Fair Value - Less than twelve months	2,387	2,818
Fair Value as % of Cost - Less than twelve months	96.00%	97.00%
Unrealized Loss - Twelve months or more	(139)	(140)
Fair Value - Twelve months or more	664	881
Fair Value as % of Cost - Twelve months or more	83.00%	86.00%
Common Stocks [Member]
Available for sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position
Unrealized Loss - Less than twelve months	(19)
Fair Value - Less than twelve months	169	21
Fair Value as % of Cost - Less than twelve months	90.00%	99.00%
Unrealized Loss - Twelve months or more	(1)	(1)
Fair Value - Twelve months or more	4	4
Fair Value as % of Cost - Twelve months or more	80.00%	88.00%
Perpetual preferred stocks [Member]
Available for sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position
Unrealized Loss - Less than twelve months	(1)
Fair Value - Less than twelve months	23	22
Fair Value as % of Cost - Less than twelve months	96.00%	98.00%
Unrealized Loss - Twelve months or more	(7)	(5)
Fair Value - Twelve months or more	$ 31	$ 37
Fair Value as % of Cost - Twelve months or more	82.00%	88.00%

XML

Segments of Operations (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Jun. 30, 2011 Other Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Segment [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Segment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Other Lines [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Lines [Member]
Segments of Operations (Textual) [Abstract]
Revenue derived from sale of property and casualty insurance outside of the United States	5.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Earnings (losses) of managed investment entities attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ (24)	$ (64)			$ (24)	$ (64)
Special charges to increase asbestos and environmental reserves				$ 9	$ 9		$ 50	$ 50

XML

Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of Carrying value of long-term debt
Long-term debt	$ 934	$ 952
Notes payable secured by real estate due 2012 through 2016	64	65
Secured borrowings ($17 and $18 guaranteed by AFG)	30	41
Subsidiaries [Member]
Summary of Carrying value of long-term debt
Long-term debt	314	332
Notes payable secured by real estate due 2012 through 2016	64	65
Secured borrowings ($17 and $18 guaranteed by AFG)	30	41
National Interstate bank credit facility	22	20
AFG [Member]
Summary of Carrying value of long-term debt
Other long-term debt	3	3
Long-term debt	600	600
Payable To Subsidiary Trusts [Member]
Summary of Carrying value of long-term debt
AAG Holding Variable Rate Subordinated Debentures due May 2033	20	20
9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019 [Member] | AFG [Member]
Summary of Carrying value of long-term debt
Senior Notes	350	350
7% Senior Notes due September 2050 [Member] | AFG [Member]
Summary of Carrying value of long-term debt
Senior Notes	132	132
7-1/2% Senior Debentures due November 2033 [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]
Summary of Carrying value of long-term debt
Senior Notes	112	112
7-1/4% Senior Debentures due January 2034 [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]
Summary of Carrying value of long-term debt
Senior Notes	86	86
7-1/8% Senior Debentures due February 2034 [Member] | AFG [Member]
Summary of Carrying value of long-term debt
Senior Notes	115	115
10-7/8% Subordinated Notes due May 2011 [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]
Summary of Carrying value of long-term debt
American Premier Underwriters 10-7/8% Subordinated Notes due		$ 8

XML

Investments (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
The credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities, non-credit portion of an impairment has been recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning Balance	$ 143	$ 99	$ 14
Additional credit impairments on:
Previously impaired securities	44	44	26
Securities without prior impairments	8	9	72
Reductions - disposals	(8)	(9)	(13)
Ending Balance	$ 187	$ 143	$ 99

XML

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate and income taxes shown in the Statement of Earnings
Earnings before income taxes	$ 558	$ 694	$ 818
Income taxes at statutory rate	195	243	286
Effect of Change in valuation allowance	44	(1)	(7)
Effect of Losses of managed investment entities	9	23
Effect of Goodwill impairment charge		8
Effect of Subsidiaries not in AFG's tax return	5	6	8
Effect of Tax exempt interest	(23)	(16)	(10)
Effect of Other income tax reconciliation	9	5	7
Provision for income taxes as shown on the Statement of Earnings	$ 239	$ 268	$ 284

XML

Segments of Operations (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues by significant business segment and sub-segment
Total premiums earned									$ 2,759	$ 2,550	$ 2,412
Investment income									1,241	1,191	1,200
Life, accident and health premiums									430	451	444
Realized gains (losses)									73	88	38
Other income									175	194	226
Total revenues	1,283	1,335	1,093	1,039	1,156	1,255	1,052	1,034	4,750	4,497	4,320
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Revenues by significant business segment and sub-segment
Investment income									296	341	414
Realized gains (losses)									97	88	123
Other income									65	64	106
Total revenues									3,217	3,043	3,055
Annuity and Supplemental Insurance [Member]
Revenues by significant business segment and sub-segment
Investment income									944	856	784
Life, accident and health premiums									430	451	444
Realized gains (losses)									(23)		(86)
Other income									104	110	114
Total revenues									1,455	1,417	1,256
Other Segment [Member]
Revenues by significant business segment and sub-segment
Total revenues									78	37	9
Specialty Property and Transportation [Member]
Revenues by significant business segment and sub-segment
Total premiums earned									1,412	1,167	909
Specialty Casualty [Member]
Revenues by significant business segment and sub-segment
Total premiums earned									872	873	917
Specialty Financial [Member]
Revenues by significant business segment and sub-segment
Total premiums earned									408	446	517
Specialty Other [Member]
Revenues by significant business segment and sub-segment
Total premiums earned									$ 67	$ 64	$ 69

XML

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Abstract]

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

	2011			2010
Property and casualty insurance	$	189		$	181
Annuity and supplemental insurance:
Policy acquisition costs		898			793
Policyholder sales inducements		207			208
Present value of future profits (“PVFP”)		144			164
Impact of unrealized gains and losses on securities		(537	)		(315	)
Total annuity and supplemental		712			850
	$	901		$	1,031

XML

Income Taxes (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Current taxes:
Federal	$ 186	$ 214	$ 239
State	4	4	6
Foreign		(1)	1
Deferred taxes:
Federal	22	65	53
Foreign	27	(14)	(15)
Provision for income taxes as shown on the Statement of Earnings	$ 239	$ 268	$ 284

XML

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y
Stock options issued under stock incentive plans
Options outstanding, Beginning balance	8,484,233
Granted	1,122,525
Exercised	(1,576,664)
Forfeited/Cancelled	(107,620)
Options outstanding, Ending balance	7,922,474
Options exercisable	4,580,849
Average exercise price, Beginning balance	$ 24.98
Average exercise price, Granted	$ 34.34
Average exercise price, Exercised	$ 21.14
Average exercise price, Forfeited/Cancelled	$ 26.47
Average exercise price, Ending balance	$ 27.05
Average exercise price, Options exercisable	$ 26.29
Average remaining contractual term, Options outstanding	6.0
Average remaining contractual term, Options exercisable	4.7
Aggregate intrinsic value, Options outstanding	$ 78
Aggregate intrinsic value, Options exercisable	$ 49

XML

Insurance (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net Investment Income of AFG's Insurance Group
Investment income	$ 1,241	$ 1,191	$ 1,200
AFG Insurance Group [Member]
Net Investment Income of AFG's Insurance Group
Investment income	1,233	1,184	1,197
Investment expenses	(34)	(25)	(38)
Net investment income	1,199	1,159	1,159
Fixed Maturities [Member] | AFG Insurance Group [Member]
Net Investment Income of AFG's Insurance Group
Investment income	1,142	1,112	1,142
Equity Securities [Member] | AFG Insurance Group [Member]
Net Investment Income of AFG's Insurance Group
Investment income	26	11	11
Other [Member] | AFG Insurance Group [Member]
Net Investment Income of AFG's Insurance Group
Investment income	$ 65	$ 61	$ 44

XML

Investments (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Unrealized gain on:
Pre-tax	$ 902	$ 761
Deferred Tax Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(324)	270
Net	578	491	167	(717)
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pre-tax	1,245	838
Deferred Tax Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(444)	(295)
Net	801	543
Equity Securities [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pre-tax	184	232
Deferred Tax Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(65)	(82)
Net	119	150
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pre-tax	(537)	(315)
Deferred Tax Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	188	109
Net	(349)	(206)
Annuity Benefits And Other Liabilities [Member]
Unrealized gain on:
Pre-tax	10	6
Deferred Tax Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(3)	(2)
Net	$ 7	$ 4

XML

Shareholders' Equity (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Components of accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net unrealized gains on securities, beginning balance	$ 491	$ 167	$ (717)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, foreign currency translation adjustments, ending balance	9	12	5
Other comprehensive income, net unrealized gains on securities, pre-tax	141	507	1,396
Other comprehensive income, net unrealized gains on securities, tax	(49)	(177)	(489)
Other comprehensive income, net unrealized gains on securities, noncontrolling interests	(5)	(2)	(6)
Other comprehensive income, net unrealized gains on securities, net of tax	87	328	901
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income due to cumulative effect of accounting change, net unrealized gains on securities		(4)	(17)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net unrealized gains on securities, ending balance	578	491	167
Accumulated other comprehensive income, foreign currency translation adjustments, beginning balance	12	5	(13)
Other comprehensive income, foreign currency translation adjustments, pre-tax	(2)	8	19
Other comprehensive income, foreign currency translation adjustments, noncontrolling interests	(1)		(1)
Other comprehensive income, foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(3)	8	18
Other change in accumulated other comprehensive income, foreign currency translation adjustments		(1)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement plans adjustments, beginning balance	(8)	(8)	(7)
Other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement plans adjustments, pre-tax	1		(2)
Other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement plans adjustments, tax			1
Other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement plans adjustments, net of tax	1		(1)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, pension and other postretirement plans adjustments, ending balance	(7)	(8)	(8)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, total, Beginning balance	495	164	(737)
Other comprehensive income, total, pre-tax	140	515	1,413
Other comprehensive income, total, tax	(49)	(177)	(488)
Other comprehensive income, total, noncontrolling interests	(6)	(2)	(7)
Other comprehensive income, total, net of tax	85	336	918
Other change in accumulated other comprehensive income, total		(5)	(17)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, total, Ending balance	$ 580	$ 495	$ 164

XML

Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited) (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Realized gains (losses) on securities and favorable (unfavorable) development on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses
Total realized gains on securities	$ 49	$ 8	$ 19		$ 29	$ 57	$ 11	$ 4	$ 76	$ 101	$ 43
Prior year development favorable (unfavorable)	$ 27	$ 34	$ (13)	$ 21	$ 48	$ 14	$ 57	$ 39	$ 69	$ 158	$ 198

XML

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$ 51	$ 52
Foreign underwriting losses	42	32
Insurance claims and reserves	435	404
Employee benefits	94	93
Other, net	52	68
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	674	649
Valuation allowance against deferred tax assets	(97)	(54)
Total deferred tax assets	577	595
Deferred tax liabilities:
Subsidiaries not in AFG's tax return	(61)	(56)
Investment securities	(441)	(324)
Deferred acquisition costs	(208)	(257)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(710)	(637)
Net deferred tax liability	$ (133)	$ (42)

XML

Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited) (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Operating Results Unaudited [Line Items]
Total realized gains on securities	$ 49	$ 8	$ 19		$ 29	$ 57	$ 11	$ 4	$ 76	$ 101	$ 43
Prior year development favorable (unfavorable)	27	34	(13)	21	48	14	57	39	69	158	198
Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited) (Textual) [Abstract]
Pretax catastrophe losses			23				34
Investment in Verisk Analytics, Inc. [Member]
Quarterly Operating Results Unaudited [Line Items]
Total realized gains on securities	40		33			26
Marketform [Member]
Quarterly Operating Results Unaudited [Line Items]
Prior year development favorable (unfavorable)						(39)
Property and casualty insurance reserves [Member]
Quarterly Operating Results Unaudited [Line Items]
Special charges to increase asbestos and environmental reserves			50
Railroad and manufacturing operations [Member]
Quarterly Operating Results Unaudited [Line Items]
Special charges to increase asbestos and environmental reserves			9
Special Charges [Member]
Quarterly Operating Results Unaudited [Line Items]
Charge for valuation allowance against deferred tax assets	$ 34

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Shareholders' Equity (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock Options [Member] Y	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock incentive plan [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Annual Co-CEO Equity Bonus Plan [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Voting Preferred Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Nonvoting Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, shares authorized								12,500,000	12,500,000
Preferred Stock, par value								$ 0	$ 0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock reserved for issuance under stock incentive plans						12,800,000
Other benefit plans, shares							188,302
Common Stock issued, fair value per share							$ 33.99
Unrecognized compensation expense related to equity-based awards that have yet to vest				$ 8	$ 23
Weighted average period of cost expected to be recognized				2.4	3.2
Stockholders' Equity (Textual) [Abstract]
Rate of options exercisable per year, commencing one year after grant	20% per year commencing one year after grant
Duration of options expiration, after date of grant	10 years
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	23	19	11
Cash received from the exercise of stock options	33	27	10
Tax benefit related to exercise of stock options	7	6	4
Fair value per share of options granted	$ 12.49	$ 8.90	$ 5.85
Restricted common stock vesting period	three or four year period
Total compensation expense related to stock incentive plans	22	20	13
Tax benefit related to compensation costs	7	6	3
Net of tax unrealized gains (losses) related to credit-only impaired securities	$ (16)	$ (11)	$ (66)

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Long-Term Debt (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary showing division of total long term debt
Unsecured obligations	$ 840	$ 846
Obligations secured by real estate	64	65
Other secured borrowings	30	41
Long-term Debt	$ 934	$ 952

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Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company [Abstract]

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.—PARENT ONLY

SCHEDULE I—CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT

(In Millions)

Condensed Balance Sheet

	December 31
	2011		2010
Assets:
Cash and investments	$	456	$	412
Investment in subsidiaries (a)		4,732		4,677
Other assets		105		36
Total assets	$	5,293	$	5,125
Liabilities and Equity:
Long-term debt	$	600	$	600
Other liabilities		282		194
Shareholders’ equity		4,411		4,331
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,293	$	5,125

Condensed Statement of Earnings

	Year ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Revenues:
Dividends from subsidiaries	$	544	$	554	$	673
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries		164		301		229
Investment and other income (b)		2		4		2
Total revenues		710		859		904
Costs and Expenses:
Interest charges on intercompany borrowings		11		12		13
Interest charges on other borrowings		53		46		37
Other operating and general expenses		65		51		47
Total costs and expenses		129		109		97
Operating earnings before income taxes		581		750		807
Provision for income taxes		239		268		284
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	342	$	482	$	523
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	$	342	$	482	$	523
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		85		336		918
Total comprehensive income, net of tax	$	427	$	818	$	1,441

(a) Investment in subsidiaries includes intercompany receivables and payables.

(b) Includes mark-to-market adjustments on trading securities.

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

	Year ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Operating Activities:
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	$	342		$	482		$	523
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(439	)		(551	)		(587	)
Dividends from subsidiaries		542			550			636
Other operating activities, net		17			—			14
Net cash provided by operating activities		462			481			586
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(54	)		(13	)		(14	)
Net capital contributions to subsidiaries		(27	)		(97	)		(170	)
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		4			—			1
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		5			—			15
Net cash used in investing activities		(72	)		(110	)		(168	)
Financing Activities:
Additional long-term borrowings		—			128			522
Reductions of long-term debt		—			—			(776	)
Issuances of Common Stock		37			31			14
Repurchases of Common Stock		(315	)		(292	)		(81	)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock		(67	)		(63	)		(60	)
Other financing activities, net		—			(2	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(345	)		(198	)		(381	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		45			173			37
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		370			197			160
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	415		$	370		$	197

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Fair Value Measurements (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended																						12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Liabilities of Managed Investment Entities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Liabilities of Managed Investment Entities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Embedded derivatives [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Embedded derivatives [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Embedded derivatives [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Assets of Managed Investment Entities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Assets of Managed Investment Entities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 All other corporate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 All other corporate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Equity Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Equity Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Equity Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Other Assets [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Trading fixed maturities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Trading fixed maturities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2008 Trading fixed maturities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 AFS Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Financial assets, Beginning Balance						$ 20	$ 23	$ 312	$ 435	$ 6		$ 48		$ 436	$ 311	$ 21	$ 25	$ 44	$ 5	$ 3	$ 1	$ 1	$ 706
Consolidate Managed Investment Entities													90		(6)
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in Net income								3	7	1		(8)	8	2	(10)			(13)					7
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in Other comprehensive income loss						4	1	(9)	26					15	10	1	(1)	1					89
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements							(4)		17		6		(16)		100						4		292
Purchases and issuances						58		42		9		32		236		2		1
Sales and settlements						(4)		(38)				(18)		(72)		(2)
Transfer into Level 3						17	17	127	27	13		9	26	90	118	2					2
Transfer out of Level 3						(12)	(17)	(76)	(200)	(10)		(19)	(60)	(188)	(87)	(13)	(3)	(8)	(5)	(2)	(4)		(325)
Financial assets, Ending Balance						83	20	361	312	19	6	44	48	519	436	11	21	25		1	3	1	769
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Financial liabilities, Beginning Balance	(2,258)		(190)	(113)	(96)
Consolidate Managed Investment Entities		(2,084)
Total realized/unrealized Gains (losses) included in Net income		(220)	(29)	(20)	(29)
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements		46		(57)	12
Purchases and issuances			(200)
Purchases and issuances	(401)
Sales and settlements	66		24
Financial liabilities, Ending Balance	$ (2,593)	$ (2,258)	$ (395)	$ (190)	$ (113)

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Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Prospective Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 901				$ 1,031				$ 901	$ 1,031
Net deferred tax liability (included in other liabilities)	133				42				133	42
Shareholders' equity	4,411				4,331				4,411	4,331
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	109	97	48	88	132	143	103	104	342	482	523
Diluted earnings per Common Share	$ 1.09	$ 0.95	$ 0.46	$ 0.83	$ 1.22	$ 1.30	$ 0.92	$ 0.92	$ 3.32	$ 4.36	$ 4.48
As reported [Member]
Prospective Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	1,105				1,244				1,105	1,244
Net deferred tax liability (included in other liabilities)	203				116				203	116
Shareholders' equity	4,545				4,470				4,545	4,470
Net earnings attributable to shareholders									343	479	519
Diluted earnings per Common Share									$ 3.33	$ 4.33	$ 4.45
As adjusted [Member]
Prospective Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	901				1,031				901	1,031
Net deferred tax liability (included in other liabilities)	133				42				133	42
Shareholders' equity	4,411				4,331				4,411	4,331
Net earnings attributable to shareholders									$ 342	$ 482	$ 523
Diluted earnings per Common Share									$ 3.32	$ 4.36	$ 4.48

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Shareholders' Equity (Details 2) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock [Member]
Restricted stock awards activity
Outstanding, Beginning balance	322,986
Granted	131,955
Vested	(39,819)
Outstanding, Ending balance	415,122
Average grant date fair value, Outstanding, Beginning balance	$ 25.27
Average grant date fair value, Granted	$ 31.45
Average grant date fair value, Vested	$ 28.41
Average grant date fair value, Outstanding, Ending balance	$ 27.85

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Condensed Consolidating Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$ 127	$ 108	$ 30	$ 54	$ 109	$ 136	$ 95	$ 86	$ 319	$ 426	$ 534
Adjustments:
Other operating activities, net									348	438	381
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									667	864	915
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment									(5,994)	(5,435)	(5,020)
Purchases of subsidiaries										(128)	(5)
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments									2,243	2,152	1,945
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment									1,494	1,593	2,335
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments									(1,563)	(1,008)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments									1,391	1,018
Other investing activities, net									(10)	103	(38)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(2,439)	(1,705)	(783)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts									3,326	2,282	1,434
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals									(1,321)	(1,221)	(1,273)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets									39	7	(10)
Additional long-term borrowings									2	159	581
Reductions of long-term debt									(20)	(39)	(785)
Issuances of managed investment entities' liabilities									394
Retirement of managed investment entities' liabilities									(66)	(45)
Issuances of Common Stock									39	32	15
Repurchases of Common Stock									(315)	(292)	(81)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock									(67)	(63)	(60)
Other financing activities, net									(14)		(97)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									1,997	820	(276)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents									225	(21)	(144)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				1,099				1,120	1,099	1,120	1,264
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	1,324				1,099				1,324	1,099	1,120
AFG [Member]
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									342	482	523
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries									(439)	(551)	(587)
Dividends from subsidiaries									542	550	636
Other operating activities, net									17		14
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									462	481	586
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment									(54)	(13)	(14)
Returns of capital from (capital contributions to) subsidiaries									(27)	(97)	(170)
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments									4		1
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment									5		15
Managed investment entities:
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(72)	(110)	(168)
Financing Activities:
Additional long-term borrowings										128	522
Reductions of long-term debt											(776)
Issuances of Common Stock									37	31	14
Repurchases of Common Stock									(315)	(292)	(81)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock									(67)	(63)	(60)
Other financing activities, net										(2)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(345)	(198)	(381)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents									45	173	37
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				370				197	370	197	160
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	415				370				415	370	197
GAFRI [Member]
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									121	114	33
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries									(123)	(119)	(45)
Dividends from subsidiaries									3		3
Other operating activities, net									(1)	(2)	4
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities										(7)	(5)
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment										(5)	(15)
Returns of capital from (capital contributions to) subsidiaries									14	(7)	(141)
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments									9	11	2
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment											1
Managed investment entities:
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									23	(1)	(153)
Financing Activities:
Capital contributions from (returns of capital to) parent									16	16	168
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock									(40)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(24)	16	168
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents									(1)	8	10
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				20				12	20	12	2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	19				20				19	20	12
AAG Holding [Member]
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									121	138	52
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries									(141)	(157)	(73)
Dividends from subsidiaries									38	16
Other operating activities, net									2	1	(3)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									20	(2)	(24)
Investing Activities:
Returns of capital from (capital contributions to) subsidiaries									(1)	(5)	(116)
Managed investment entities:
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(1)	(5)	(116)
Financing Activities:
Capital contributions from (returns of capital to) parent									(19)	7	140
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(19)	7	140
All Other Subs [Member]
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									440	520	630
Adjustments:
Other operating activities, net									328	438	367
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									768	958	997
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment									(5,940)	(5,417)	(4,991)
Purchases of subsidiaries										(128)	(5)
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments									2,230	2,141	1,942
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment									1,489	1,593	2,319
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments									(1,563)	(1,008)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments									1,391	1,018
Other investing activities, net									(10)	103	(38)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(2,403)	(1,698)	(773)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts									3,326	2,282	1,434
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals									(1,321)	(1,221)	(1,273)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets									39	7	(10)
Additional long-term borrowings									2	31	59
Reductions of long-term debt									(20)	(39)	(9)
Issuances of managed investment entities' liabilities									394
Retirement of managed investment entities' liabilities									(66)	(45)
Issuances of Common Stock									2	1	1
Capital contributions from (returns of capital to) parent									(143)	86	119
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock									(383)	(566)	(639)
Other financing activities, net									(14)	2	(97)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									1,816	538	(415)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents									181	(202)	(191)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				709				911	709	911	1,102
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	890				709				890	709	911
Consol. Entries [Member]
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									(705)	(828)	(704)
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries									703	827	705
Dividends from subsidiaries									(583)	(566)	(639)
Other operating activities, net									2	1	(1)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									(583)	(566)	(639)
Investing Activities:
Returns of capital from (capital contributions to) subsidiaries									14	109	427
Managed investment entities:
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									14	109	427
Financing Activities:
Capital contributions from (returns of capital to) parent									146	(109)	(427)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock									423	566	639
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									$ 569	$ 457	$ 212

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Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]

Summary of stock options activity

						Average		Aggregate
				Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
				Exercise		Contractual		Value
	Shares			Price		Term		(in millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 2011		8,484,233		$	24.98
Granted		1,122,525		$	34.34
Exercised		(1,576,664	)	$	21.14
Forfeited/Cancelled		(107,620	)	$	26.47
Outstanding at December 31, 2011		7,922,474		$	27.05		6.0 years	$	78
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011		4,580,849		$	26.29		4.7 years	$	49

Assumptions used in estimating weighted average fair value of options on grant date

	2011			2010			2009
Expected dividend yield		1.9	%		2.2	%		2.7	%
Expected volatility		38	%		39	%		37	%
Expected term (in years)		7.3			7.5			7.5
Risk-free rate		3.0	%		3.2	%		2.1	%

Summary of restricted stock awards activity

				Average
				Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2011		322,986		$	25.27
Granted		131,955		$	31.45
Vested		(39,819	)	$	28.41
Outstanding at December 31, 2011		415,122		$	27.85

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

				OCI
	AOCI									Non-									AOCI
	Beginning			Pre-						controlling									Ending
	Balance			tax			Tax			interests			Net			Other(b)			Balance
Year ended December 31, 2011
Net unrealized gains on securities	$	491	(a)	$	141		$	(49	)	$	(5	)	$	87		$	—		$	578	(a)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		12			(2	)		—			(1	)		(3	)		—			9
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments		(8	)		1			—			—			1			—			(7	)
Total	$	495		$	140		$	(49	)	$	(6	)	$	85			—		$	580
Year ended December 31, 2010
Net unrealized gains on securities	$	167	(a)	$	507		$	(177	)	$	(2	)	$	328		$	(4	)	$	491	(a)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		5			8			—			—			8			(1	)		12
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments		(8	)		—			—			—			—			—			(8	)
Total	$	164		$	515		$	(177	)	$	(2	)	$	336		$	(5	)	$	495
Year ended December 31, 2009
Net unrealized gains on securities	$	(717	)	$	1,396		$	(489	)	$	(6	)	$	901		$	(17	)	$	167
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(13	)		19			—			(1	)		18			—			5
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments		(7	)		(2	)		1			—			(1	)		—			(8	)
Total	$	(737	)	$	1,413		$	(488	)	$	(7	)	$	918		$	(17	)	$	164

(a) Includes $16 million, $11 million and $66 million at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 in net unrealized losses related to securities for which only the credit portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recorded in earnings.

(b) Primarily cumulative effect of accounting change.

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Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value Measurements (Textual) [Abstract]
Level 3 assets as a percentage of total asset measured at fair value	4.00%
Percentage of level 3 assets that were priced using non-binding broker quotes	95.00%
Total realized/unrealized losses included in net income on liabilities still outstanding	$ 3	$ 213

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Managed Investment Entities (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 CollateralizedLoanObligations	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Debt of Collateralized Loan Obligations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]	Feb. 29, 2012 CLO Currently Being Marketed - Estimates [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 New CLO Formed in December 2011 [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Aggregate fair value of investment in collateralized loan obligations				$ 98	$ 17
Purchased senior debt, face amount			49
Purchased CLO senior debt purchase price			46
Assets of managed investment entities	3,058	2,537				410
Liabilities of managed investment entities	2,787	2,323				410
Face amount of liabilities							450
Face amount of liabilities purchased by subsidiaries of AFG							41
Managed Investment Entities (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage of investment of most subordinate debt tranche, Minimum	7.50%
Percentage of investment of most subordinate debt tranche, Maximum	51.10%
Number of collateralized loan obligation entities	7
Difference between aggregate unpaid principal balance and fair value of CLOs' fixed maturity investments	120	69
Difference between aggregate unpaid principal balance and fair value of CLOs' debt	306	301
Aggregate unpaid principal balance of CLO loans in default	7	12
Carrying amount of CLO loans in default	$ 2	$ 6

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Derivatives (Details) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivatives included in AFG' s Balance Sheet at fair value
Derivative asset, at fair value	$ 170	$ 199
Derivative liability, at fair value	418	204
MBS with embedded derivatives [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Derivatives included in AFG' s Balance Sheet at fair value
Derivative asset, at fair value	99	101
Interest rate swaptions [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Derivatives included in AFG' s Balance Sheet at fair value
Derivative asset, at fair value	5	21
Indexed annuities embedded derivative [Member] | Annuity benefits accumulated [Member]
Derivatives included in AFG' s Balance Sheet at fair value
Derivative liability, at fair value	395	190
Equity index call options [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Derivatives included in AFG' s Balance Sheet at fair value
Derivative asset, at fair value	66	77
Reinsurance contracts embedded derivative [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives included in AFG' s Balance Sheet at fair value
Derivative liability, at fair value	$ 23	$ 14

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Segments of Operations (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment
Realized gains (losses)	$ 73	$ 88	$ 38
Operating earnings before income taxes	558	694	818
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment
Property and casualty insurance underwriting income (loss)	180	306	433
Investment and other income, net	263	299	338
Realized gains (losses)	97	88	123
Operating earnings before income taxes	540	693	894
Annuity and Supplemental Insurance [Member]
Operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment
Operations	222	197	152
Realized gains (losses)	(23)		(86)
Operating earnings before income taxes	199	197	66
Other Segment [Member]
Operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment
Operating earnings before income taxes	(181)	(196)	(142)
Specialty Property and Transportation [Member]
Operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment
Property and casualty insurance underwriting income (loss)	113	141	237
Specialty Casualty [Member]
Operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment
Property and casualty insurance underwriting income (loss)	35	45	64
Specialty Financial [Member]
Operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment
Property and casualty insurance underwriting income (loss)	65	123	148
Specialty Other [Member]
Operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment
Property and casualty insurance underwriting income (loss)	18	8	(9)
Other Lines [Member]
Operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment
Property and casualty insurance underwriting income (loss)	$ (51)	$ (11)	$ (7)

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Acquisition

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Acquisition [Abstract]

Acquisition

B. Acquisition

Vanliner Group, Inc. (“Vanliner”) In July 2010, National Interstate (“NATL”), a 52%-owned subsidiary of AFG, completed the acquisition of Vanliner, a market leader in providing insurance for the moving and storage industry for $114 million (including post-closing adjustments). The initial purchase price (funded primarily with cash on hand) was based on Vanliner’s estimated tangible book value at the date of closing and is subject to certain adjustments, including a four and one-half year balance sheet guarantee whereby both favorable and unfavorable developments related to the closing balance sheet inure to the seller, UniGroup, Inc. In accordance with accounting guidance, all assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The purchase price allocation based on these fair values resulted in a gain on purchase of $7 million (included in realized gains on subsidiaries). Vanliner’s premiums associated with policies in force as of December 31, 2011 totaled approximately $93 million. Pro forma results of operations for AFG assuming the acquisition of Vanliner had taken place at the beginning of 2010 would not differ significantly from actual reported results.

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Derivatives (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Summary of gain (loss) included in earnings for changes in the fair value of derivatives
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ (75)	$ 55	$ 137
MBS with embedded derivatives [Member] | Realized gains [Member]
Summary of gain (loss) included in earnings for changes in the fair value of derivatives
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net		50	157
Interest rate swaptions [Member] | Realized gains [Member]
Summary of gain (loss) included in earnings for changes in the fair value of derivatives
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	(24)	(7)	8
Indexed annuities embedded derivative [Member] | Annuity benefits [Member]
Summary of gain (loss) included in earnings for changes in the fair value of derivatives
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	(29)	(20)	(29)
Equity index call options [Member] | Annuity benefits [Member]
Summary of gain (loss) included in earnings for changes in the fair value of derivatives
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	(13)	41	26
Reinsurance contracts embedded derivative [Member] | Investment Income [Member]
Summary of gain (loss) included in earnings for changes in the fair value of derivatives
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ (9)	$ (9)	$ (25)

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Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Reclassification adjustment of non-credit component of previously recognized impairments from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)				$ 17
Excess of fair value of assets over liabilities of managed investment entities			$ 261
Weighted average common shares adjustment related to stock-based compensation	1.6	1.3	1.1
Anti-dilutive potential common shares related to stock-based compensation plans	2.3	3.5	5.7

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Segments of Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segments of Operations [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

	2011			2010			2009
Assets
Property and casualty insurance (a)	$	11,740		$	11,466		$	11,711
Annuity and supplemental insurance		20,389			17,696			15,387
Other		3,709			3,079			344
Total assets	$	35,838		$	32,241		$	27,442
Revenues
Property and casualty insurance:
Premiums earned:
Specialty
Property and transportation	$	1,412		$	1,167		$	909
Specialty casualty		872			873			917
Specialty financial		408			446			517
Other		67			64			69
Total premiums earned		2,759			2,550			2,412
Investment income		296			341			414
Realized gains (losses)		97			88			123
Other income		65			64			106
Total property and casualty insurance		3,217			3,043			3,055
Annuity and supplemental insurance:
Investment income		944			856			784
Life, accident and health premiums		430			451			444
Realized gains (losses)		(23	)		—			(86	)
Other income		104			110			114
Total annuity and supplemental insurance		1,455			1,417			1,256
Other		78			37			9
Total revenues	$	4,750		$	4,497		$	4,320
Operating Earnings Before Income Taxes
Property and casualty insurance:
Underwriting:
Specialty
Property and transportation	$	113		$	141		$	237
Specialty casualty		35			45			64
Specialty financial		65			123			148
Other		18			8			(9	)
Other lines (b)		(51	)		(11	)		(7	)
Total underwriting		180			306			433
Investment and other income, net		263			299			338
Realized gains (losses)		97			88			123
Total property and casualty insurance		540			693			894
Annuity and supplemental insurance:
Operations		222			197			152
Realized gains (losses)		(23	)		—			(86	)
Total annuity and supplemental insurance		199			197			66
Other (c)		(181	)		(196	)		(142	)
Total operating earnings before income taxes	$	558		$	694		$	818

(a) Not allocable to sub-segments.

(b) Includes a second quarter 2011 special charge of $50 million to increase asbestos and environmental reserves.

(c) Includes holding company expenses, a second quarter 2011 special charge of $9 million to increase asbestos and environmental reserves and $24 million and $64 million in losses of managed investment entities attributable to noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Impact of adoption of new standard

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Deferred policy acquisition costs
As reported	$	1,105	$	1,244
As adjusted		901		1,031
Net deferred tax liability (included in other liabilities)
As reported	$	203	$	116
As adjusted		133		42
Shareholders’ equity
As reported	$	4,545	$	4,470
As adjusted		4,411		4,331

	December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Net earnings attributable to shareholders
As reported	$	343	$	479	$	519
As adjusted		342		482		523
Diluted earnings per Common Share
As reported	$	3.33	$	4.33	$	4.45
As adjusted		3.32		4.36		4.48

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Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	$ 109	$ 97	$ 48	$ 88	$ 132	$ 143	$ 103	$ 104	$ 342	$ 482	$ 523
Other comprehensive income, net of tax									91	338	925
Total comprehensive income, net of tax									427	818	1,441
AFG [Member]
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income
Net earnings attributable to shareholders									342	482	523
Other comprehensive income, net of tax									85	336	918
Total comprehensive income, net of tax									$ 427	$ 818	$ 1,441

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Investments (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
The scheduled maturities of available for sale fixed maturities
Fixed maturities amortized cost, One year or less	$ 603
Fixed maturities fair value, One year or less	615
Fixed maturities fair value, One year or less, Percent	3.00%
Fixed maturities amortized cost, After one year through five years	5,196
Fixed maturities fair value, After one year through five years	5,478
Fixed maturities fair value, After one year through five years, Percent	25.00%
Fixed maturities amortized cost, After five years through ten years	6,437
Fixed maturities fair value, After five years through ten years	6,998
Fixed maturities fair value, After five years through ten years, Percent	32.00%
Fixed maturities amortized cost, After ten years	1,840
Fixed maturities fair value, After ten years	2,028
Fixed maturities fair value, After ten years, Percent	9.00%
Fixed maturities amortized cost, Subtotal	14,076
Fixed maturities fair value, Subtotal	15,119
Fixed maturities fair value, Subtotal, Percent	69.00%
Fixed maturities amortized cost, MBS	6,486
Fixed maturities fair value, MBS	6,688
Fixed maturities fair value, MBS, Percent	31.00%
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
The scheduled maturities of available for sale fixed maturities
Amortized Cost	20,562	18,490
Fair Value	$ 21,807	$ 19,328
Fair value, Total, Percent	100.00%

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Acquisition (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2011 National Interstate [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 National Interstate [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Vanliner Group, Inc. [Member]
Acquisition (Textual) [Abstract]
Percentage ownership of National Interstate		52.00%
Purchase of subsidiaries including post-closing adjustments			$ 114
Premiums associated with policies in force					93
Period of balance sheet guarantee				Four and one-half year
Gain on bargain purchase	$ 7

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
2011
Assets:
Available for sale (“AFS”) fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	248	$	134	$	—	$	382
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		—		3,794		83		3,877
Foreign government		—		254		—		254
Residential MBS		—		3,487		361		3,848
Commercial MBS		—		2,821		19		2,840
All other corporate		9		10,078		519		10,606
Total AFS fixed maturities		257		20,568		982		21,807
Trading fixed maturities		—		439		1		440
Equity securities		888		29		11		928
Assets of managed investment entities (“MIE”)		290		2,724		44		3,058
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) (a)		—		548		—		548
Other investments		—		71		—		71
Total assets accounted for at fair value	$	1,435	$	24,379	$	1,038	$	26,852
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities	$	194	$	—	$	2,593	$	2,787
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated		—		—		395		395
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value	$	194	$	—	$	2,988	$	3,182
2010
Assets:
Available for sale fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	251	$	216	$	—	$	467
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		—		2,919		20		2,939
Foreign government		—		278		—		278
Residential MBS		—		3,563		312		3,875
Commercial MBS		—		2,117		6		2,123
All other corporate		9		9,201		436		9,646
Total AFS fixed maturities		260		18,294		774		19,328
Trading fixed maturities		—		390		3		393
Equity securities		461		208		21		690
Assets of managed investment entities		96		2,393		48		2,537
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) (a)		—		616		—		616
Other investments		—		98		—		98
Total assets accounted for at fair value	$	817	$	21,999	$	846	$	23,662
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities	$	65	$	—	$	2,258	$	2,323
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated		—		—		190		190
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value	$	65	$	—	$	2,448	$	2,513

(a) Variable annuity liabilities equal the fair value of variable annuity assets.

Changes in balances of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities

				Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in
	Balance at December  31, 2010			Net income			Other comp. income (loss)			Purchases and issuances			Sales and settlements			Transfer into Level 3		Transfer out of Level 3			Balance at December  31, 2011
AFS fixed maturities:
State and municipal	$	20		$	—		$	4		$	58			(4	)	$	17	$	(12	)	$	83
Residential MBS		312			3			(9	)		42			(38	)		127		(76	)		361
Commercial MBS		6			1			—			9			—			13		(10	)		19
All other corporate		436			2			15			236			(72	)		90		(188	)		519
Trading fixed maturities		3			—			—			—			—			—		(2	)		1
Equity securities		21			—			1			2			(2	)		2		(13	)		11
Assets of MIE		48			(8	)		—			32			(18	)		9		(19	)		44
Liabilities of MIE (*)		(2,258	)		—			—			(401	)		66			—		—			(2,593	)
Embedded derivatives		(190	)		(29	)		—			(200	)		24			—		—			(395	)

(*) Total realized/unrealized loss included in net income includes losses of $3 million related to liabilities outstanding as of December 31, 2011. See Note H—“Managed Investment Entities.”

							Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in
	Balance at December  31, 2009			Consolidate Managed Inv. Entities			Net income			Other comp. income (loss)			Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements			Transfer into Level 3		Transfer out of Level 3			Balance at December  31, 2010
AFS fixed maturities:
State and municipal	$	23		$	—		$	—		$	1		$	(4	)	$	17	$	(17	)	$	20
Residential MBS		435			—			7			26			17			27		(200	)		312
Commercial MBS		—			—			—			—			6			—		—			6
All other corporate		311			(6	)		(10	)		10			100			118		(87	)		436
Trading fixed maturities		1			—			—			—			4			2		(4	)		3
Equity securities		25			—			—			(1	)		—			—		(3	)		21
Assets of MIE		—			90			8			—			(16	)		26		(60	)		48
Liabilities of MIE (*)		—			(2,084	)		(220	)		—			46			—		—			(2,258	)
Embedded derivatives		(113	)		—			(20	)		—			(57	)		—		—			(190	)

(*) Total realized/unrealized loss included in net income includes losses of $213 million related to liabilities outstanding as of December 31, 2010. See Note H—“Managed Investment Entities.”

				Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in
	Balance at December  31, 2008			Net income			Other comp. income (loss)		Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements		Net Transfer out of Level 3			Balance at December  31, 2009
AFS fixed maturities	$	706		$	7		$	89	$	292	$	(325	)	$	769
Trading fixed maturities		1			—			—		—		—			1
Equity securities		44			(13	)		1		1		(8	)		25
Other assets		5			—			—		—		(5	)		—
Embedded derivatives		(96	)		(29	)		—		12		—			(113	)

Fair value of financial instruments

	2011				2010
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	Value		Value		Value		Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,324	$	1,324	$	1,099	$	1,099
Fixed maturities		22,247		22,247		19,721		19,721
Equity securities		928		928		690		690
Mortgage loans		401		401		468		469
Policy loans		252		252		264		264
Other investments—derivatives		71		71		98		98
Assets of managed investment entities		3,058		3,058		2,537		2,537
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts)		548		548		616		616
Liabilities:
Annuity benefits accumulated (*)	$	15,219	$	15,314	$	12,696	$	12,233
Long-term debt		934		1,010		952		1,023
Liabilities of managed investment entities		2,787		2,787		2,323		2,323
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts)		548		548		616		616
Other liabilities—derivatives		23		23		14		14

(*) Excludes life contingent annuities in the payout phase.

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Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities

	2011									2010
	Amortized		Fair		Gross Unrealized					Amortized		Fair		Gross Unrealized
	Cost		Value		Gains		Losses			Cost		Value		Gains		Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	363	$	382	$	19	$	—		$	453	$	467	$	15	$	(1	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		3,613		3,877		267		(3	)		2,927		2,939		53		(41	)
Foreign government		236		254		18		—			269		278		9		—
Residential MBS		3,858		3,848		170		(180	)		3,781		3,875		222		(128	)
Commercial MBS		2,628		2,840		218		(6	)		1,972		2,123		153		(2	)
All other corporate		9,864		10,606		802		(60	)		9,088		9,646		602		(44	)
Total fixed maturities	$	20,562	$	21,807	$	1,494	$	(249	)	$	18,490	$	19,328	$	1,054	$	(216	)
Common stocks	$	610	$	797	$	207	$	(20	)	$	312	$	543	$	232	$	(1	)
Perpetual preferred stocks	$	134	$	131	$	5	$	(8	)	$	146	$	147	$	6	$	(5	)

Available for sale securities in a continuous unrealized loss position

	Less Than Twelve Months								Twelve Months or More
	Unrealized			Fair		Fair Value as			Unrealized			Fair		Fair Value as
	Loss			Value		% of Cost			Loss			Value		% of Cost
2011
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	—		$	2		100	%	$	—		$	—		—	%
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		(2	)		120		98	%		(1	)		59		98	%
Foreign government		—			1		100	%		—			—		—	%
Residential MBS		(59	)		1,141		95	%		(121	)		473		80	%
Commercial MBS		(6	)		183		97	%		—			18		100	%
All other corporate		(43	)		940		96	%		(17	)		114		87	%
Total fixed maturities	$	(110	)	$	2,387		96	%	$	(139	)	$	664		83	%
Common stocks	$	(19	)	$	169		90	%	$	(1	)	$	4		80	%
Perpetual preferred stocks	$	(1	)	$	23		96	%	$	(7	)	$	31		82	%
2010
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	(1	)	$	86		99	%	$	—		$	—		—	%
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		(38	)		1,180		97	%		(3	)		40		93	%
Foreign government		—			37		99	%		—			—		—	%
Residential MBS		(11	)		412		97	%		(117	)		551		82	%
Commercial MBS		(2	)		83		98	%		—			15		97	%
All other corporate		(24	)		1,020		98	%		(20	)		275		93	%
Total fixed maturities	$	(76	)	$	2,818		97	%	$	(140	)	$	881		86	%
Common stocks	$	—		$	21		99	%	$	(1	)	$	4		88	%
Perpetual preferred stocks	$	—		$	22		98	%	$	(5	)	$	37		88	%

Roll forward of cumulative credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1	$	143		$	99		$	14
Additional credit impairments on:
Previously impaired securities		44			44			26
Securities without prior impairments		8			9			72
Reductions—disposals		(8	)		(9	)		(13	)
Balance at December 31	$	187		$	143		$	99

Available for sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity date

	Amortized		Fair Value
	Cost		Amount		%
Maturity
One year or less	$	603	$	615		3	%
After one year through five years		5,196		5,478		25
After five years through ten years		6,437		6,998		32
After ten years		1,840		2,028		9
		14,076		15,119		69
MBS		6,486		6,688		31
Total	$	20,562	$	21,807		100	%

Components of the net unrealized gain on securities, included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

				Deferred Tax and
				Amounts Attributable
				to Noncontrolling
	Pre-tax			Interests			Net
December 31, 2011
Unrealized gain on:
Fixed maturity securities	$	1,245		$	(444	)	$	801
Equity securities		184			(65	)		119
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(537	)		188			(349	)
Annuity benefits and other liabilities		10			(3	)		7
	$	902		$	(324	)	$	578
December 31, 2010
Unrealized gain on:
Fixed maturity securities	$	838		$	(295	)	$	543
Equity securities		232			(82	)		150
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(315	)		109			(206	)
Annuity benefits and other liabilities		6			(2	)		4
	$	761		$	(270	)	$	491

Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments

							Mortgage
							Loans									Noncon-
	Fixed			Equity			and Other			Other			Tax			trolling
	Maturities			Securities			Investments			(a)			Effects			Interests			Total
2011
Realized before impairments	$	68		$	88		$	(24	)	$	(4	)	$	(45	)	$	(2	)	$	81
Realized—impairments		(57	)		(6	)		(5	)		16			18			1			(33	)
Change in unrealized		407			(48	)		—			(218	)		(49	)		(5	)		87
2010
Realized before impairments		146			36			(5	)		(14	)		(57	)		(2	)		104
Realized—impairments		(79	)		(1	)		(6	)		24			22			—			(40	)
Change in unrealized		751			49			—			(293	)		(177	)		(2	)		328
2009
Realized before impairments		207			61			1			(23	)		(82	)		(5	)		159
Realized—impairments		(221	)		(22	)		(28	)		68			72			1			(130	)
Change in unrealized		2,005			126			—			(735	)		(489	)		(6	)		901

(a) Primarily adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs related to annuities.

Gross realized gains and losses on available for sale fixed maturity and equity security investments

	2011			2010			2009
Fixed maturities:
Gross gains	$	77		$	108		$	92
Gross losses		(9	)		(11	)		(43	)
Equity securities:
Gross gains		90			35			82
Gross losses		(1	)		—			(21	)

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Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Accounting Policies

A. Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Financial Group, Inc. (“AFG”) and its subsidiaries. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years to conform to the current year’s presentation. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations of companies since their formation or acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements. Events or transactions occurring subsequent to December 31, 2011, and prior to the filing of this Form 10-K, have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure herein.

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimates.

Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012 Effective January 1, 2012, AFG retrospectively adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-26 that addresses which costs related to issuing or renewing insurance contracts qualify for deferral. To qualify for deferral, the guidance specifies that a cost must be directly related to the successful acquisition of an insurance contract. The financial statements and related disclosures for prior periods have been adjusted to reflect the adoption of the new standard.

The impact of adoption on amounts previously reported is shown in the table below (in millions, except per share data):

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Deferred policy acquisition costs
As reported	$	1,105	$	1,244
As adjusted		901		1,031
Net deferred tax liability (included in other liabilities)
As reported	$	203	$	116
As adjusted		133		42
Shareholders’ equity
As reported	$	4,545	$	4,470
As adjusted		4,411		4,331

	December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Net earnings attributable to shareholders
As reported	$	343	$	479	$	519
As adjusted		342		482		523
Diluted earnings per Common Share
As reported	$	3.33	$	4.33	$	4.45
As adjusted		3.32		4.36		4.48

Effective January 1, 2012, AFG retrospectively adopted ASU 2011-05, which eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income in the Statement of Changes in Equity. As permitted by the standard, comprehensive income is presented herein in a separate statement immediately following the Statement of Earnings. This new presentation does not change the measurement of net earnings, other comprehensive income or earnings per share, and accordingly, had no impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial position.

Fair Value Measurements Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standards establish a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (“inputs”) are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect AFG’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Except for the acquisition discussed in Note B—“Acquisition” and the impairment of goodwill discussed in Note I—“Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” AFG did not have any significant nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and liabilities in 2011 or 2010.

New accounting guidance adopted by AFG on January 1, 2010, requires additional disclosures about transfers between levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements. The guidance also clarifies existing disclosure requirements related to the level of disaggregation presented and inputs used in determining fair values. Additional detail relating to the roll-forward of Level 3 fair values was required in 2011.

Effective January 1, 2012, AFG prospectively adopted ASU 2011-04, which clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and amends certain disclosure requirements. The impact of adoption was not material to AFG’s results of operations or financial position.

Investments Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as “available for sale” are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as “trading” are reported at fair value with changes in unrealized holding gains or losses during the period included in investment income. Mortgage and policy loans are carried primarily at the aggregate unpaid balance.

Premiums and discounts on fixed maturity securities are amortized using the interest method; mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are amortized over a period based on estimated future principal payments, including prepayments. Prepayment assumptions are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect actual prepayments and changes in expectations.

Gains or losses on securities are determined on the specific identification basis. When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be other-than-temporary at the balance sheet date, a provision for impairment is charged to earnings (included in realized gains (losses)) and the cost basis of that investment is reduced.

In 2009, AFG adopted new accounting guidance relating to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments. Under the guidance, if management can assert that it does not intend to sell an impaired fixed maturity security and it is not more likely than not that it will have to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, then the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into two components: 1) the amount related to credit losses (recorded in earnings) and 2) the amount related to all other factors (recorded in other comprehensive income (loss)). The credit-related portion of an other-than-temporary impairment is measured by comparing a security’s amortized cost to the present value of its current expected cash flows discounted at its effective yield prior to the impairment charge. Both components are shown in the Statement of Earnings. If management intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, an impairment charge to earnings is recorded to reduce the amortized cost of that security to fair value. AFG adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009, and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $17 million to reclassify the non-credit component of previously recognized impairments from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Additional disclosures required by this guidance are contained in Note E—“Investments.”

Derivatives Derivatives included in AFG’s Balance Sheet are recorded at fair value and consist primarily of (i) components of certain fixed maturity securities (primarily interest-only MBS) and (ii) the equity-based component of certain annuity products (included in annuity benefits accumulated) and related call options (included in other investments) designed to be consistent with the characteristics of the liabilities and used to mitigate the risk embedded in those annuity products. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are included in earnings.

Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of cost of subsidiaries over AFG’s equity in their underlying net assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an impairment test at least annually. On October 1, 2011, AFG adopted ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” which simplifies the annual goodwill impairment test by only requiring an entity to complete the test on a reporting unit if the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. The adoption of this guidance did not impact AFG’s results of operations or financial position.

Reinsurance Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries report as assets (a) the estimated reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, including an estimate for losses incurred but not reported, and (b) amounts paid to reinsurers applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Payable to reinsurers includes ceded premiums due to reinsurers as well as ceded premiums retained by AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries under contracts to fund ceded losses as they become due. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries also assume reinsurance from other companies. Earnings on reinsurance assumed is recognized based on information received from ceding companies.

Certain annuity and supplemental insurance subsidiaries cede life insurance policies to a third party on a funds withheld basis whereby the subsidiaries retain the assets (securities) associated with the reinsurance contracts. Interest is credited to the reinsurer based on the actual investment performance of the retained assets. These reinsurance contracts are considered to contain embedded derivatives (that must be adjusted to fair value) because the yield on the payables is based on specific blocks of the ceding companies’ assets, rather than the overall creditworthiness of the ceding company. AFG determined that changes in the fair value of the underlying portfolios of fixed maturity securities is an appropriate measure of the value of the embedded derivative. The securities related to these transactions are classified as “trading.” The adjustment to fair value on the embedded derivatives offsets the investment income recorded on the adjustment to fair value of the related trading portfolios.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”) Policy acquisition costs (principally commissions, premium taxes and certain policy issuance costs) directly related to the successful acquisition of an insurance contract are deferred. DPAC also includes capitalized costs associated with sales inducements offered to fixed annuity policyholders such as enhanced interest rates and premium and persistency bonuses. As discussed above under “Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012,” AFG’s accounting for DPAC changed effective January 1, 2012, and amounts previously reported have been adjusted retrospectively.

For the property and casualty companies, DPAC is limited based upon recoverability without any consideration for anticipated investment income and is charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected claims costs, claims adjustment expenses and unamortized acquisition costs exceed the related unearned premiums. A premium deficiency is first recognized by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency is greater than unamortized acquisition costs, a liability is accrued for the excess deficiency and reported with unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.

DPAC related to annuities is deferred to the extent deemed recoverable and amortized, with interest, in relation to the present value of actual and expected gross profits on the policies. Expected gross profits consist principally of estimated future investment margin (estimated future net investment income less interest credited on policyholder funds) and surrender, mortality, and other life and variable annuity policy charges, less death and annuitization benefits in excess of account balances and estimated future policy administration expenses. To the extent that realized gains and losses result in adjustments to the amortization of DPAC related to annuities, such adjustments are reflected as components of realized gains (losses).

DPAC related to traditional life and health insurance is amortized over the expected premium paying period of the related policies, in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenues to total anticipated premium revenues.

DPAC related to annuities is also adjusted, net of tax, for the change in amortization that would have been recorded if the unrealized gains (losses) from securities had actually been realized. This adjustment is included in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in AFG’s Balance Sheet.

DPAC includes the present value of future profits on business in force of annuity and supplemental insurance companies acquired (“PVFP”). PVFP represents the portion of the costs to acquire companies that is allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows from insurance contracts existing at the date of acquisition. PVFP is amortized with interest in relation to expected gross profits of the acquired policies for annuities and universal life products and in relation to the premium paying period for traditional life and health insurance products.

Managed Investment Entities A company is considered the primary beneficiary of, and therefore must consolidate, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based primarily on its ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact that entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

AFG manages, and has investments in, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) that are VIEs (See Note H – “Managed Investment Entities.”) Both the management fees (payment of which are subordinate to other obligations of the CLOs) and the investments in the CLOs are considered variable interests. AFG has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the CLOs because (i) its role as asset manager gives it the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the CLOs and (ii) it has exposure to CLO losses (through its investments in the CLO debt tranches) and the right to receive benefits (through its subordinated management fees and returns on its investments), both of which could potentially be significant to the CLOs.

Because AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities, the assets and liabilities of the CLOs are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet (at fair value). Prior to adoption of guidance requiring the consolidation of VIEs beginning in 2010, the CLOs were not consolidated. Upon adoption of the guidance, the $261 million excess of fair value of the CLOs’ assets over the fair value of the liabilities was recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet as appropriated retained earnings—managed investment entities, representing the cumulative effect of adopting the new guidance that ultimately will inure to the benefit of the CLO debt holders.

AFG has elected the fair value option for reporting on the CLO assets and liabilities to improve the transparency of financial reporting related to the CLOs. The net gain or loss from accounting for the CLO assets and liabilities at fair value subsequent to January 1, 2010, is separately presented in AFG’s Statement of Earnings. CLO earnings attributable to AFG’s shareholders represent the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs and management fees earned. All other CLO earnings (losses) are not attributable to AFG’s shareholders and will ultimately inure to the benefit of the other CLO debt holders. As a result, such CLO earnings (losses) are included in net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in AFG’s Statement of Earnings and in appropriated retained earnings—managed investment entities in the Balance Sheet. As the CLOs approach maturity (2016 to 2022), it is expected that losses attributable to noncontrolling interests will reduce appropriated retained earnings towards zero as the fair values of the assets and liabilities converge and the CLO assets are used to pay the CLO debt.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses The net liabilities stated for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon (a) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period on direct business written; (b) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (c) estimates of unreported losses (including possible development on known claims) based on past experience; (d) estimates based on experience of expenses for investigating and adjusting claims; and (e) the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Establishing reserves for asbestos, environmental and other mass tort claims involves considerably more judgment than other types of claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage.

Loss reserve liabilities are subject to the impact of changes in claim amounts and frequency and other factors. Changes in estimates of the liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reflected in the Statement of Earnings in the period in which determined. Despite the variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are adequate.

Annuity Benefits Accumulated Annuity receipts and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in annuity benefits accumulated rather than as revenue and expense. Increases in this liability for interest credited are charged to expense and decreases for surrender charges are credited to other income.

For certain products, annuity benefits accumulated also includes reserves for accrued persistency and premium bonuses and excess benefits expected to be paid on future deaths and annuitizations (“EDAR”). The liability for EDAR is accrued for and modified using assumptions consistent with those used in determining DPAC and DPAC amortization, except that amounts are determined in relation to the present value of total expected assessments. Total expected assessments consist principally of estimated future investment margin, surrender, mortality, and other life and variable annuity policy charges, and unearned revenues once they are recognized as income.

Life, Accident and Health Reserves Liabilities for future policy benefits under traditional life, accident and health policies are computed using the net level premium method. Computations are based on the original projections of investment yields, mortality, morbidity and surrenders and include provisions for unfavorable deviations. Claim reserves and liabilities established for accident and health claims are modified as necessary to reflect actual experience and developing trends.

Variable Annuity Assets and Liabilities Separate accounts related to variable annuities represent the fair value of deposits invested in underlying investment funds on which AFG earns a fee. Investment funds are selected and may be changed only by the policyholder, who retains all investment risk.

AFG’s variable annuity contracts contain a guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) to be paid if the policyholder dies before the annuity payout period commences. In periods of declining equity markets, the GMDB may exceed the value of the policyholder’s account. A GMDB liability is established for future excess death benefits using assumptions together with a range of reasonably possible scenarios for investment fund performance that are consistent with DPAC capitalization and amortization assumptions.

Premium Recognition Property and casualty premiums are earned generally over the terms of the policies on a pro rata basis. Unearned premiums represent that portion of premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. On reinsurance assumed from other insurance companies or written through various underwriting organizations, unearned premiums are based on information received from such companies and organizations. For traditional life, accident and health products, premiums are recognized as revenue when legally collectible from policyholders. For interest-sensitive life and universal life products, premiums are recorded in a policyholder account, which is reflected as a liability. Revenue is recognized as amounts are assessed against the policyholder account for mortality coverage and contract expenses.

Noncontrolling Interests For Balance Sheet purposes, noncontrolling interests represents the interests of shareholders other than AFG in consolidated entities. In the Statement of Earnings, net earnings and losses attributable to noncontrolling interests represents such shareholders’ interest in the earnings and losses of those entities.

Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established to reduce total deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized.

AFG records a liability for the inherent uncertainty in quantifying its income tax provisions. Related interest and penalties are recognized as a component of tax expense.

Stock-Based Compensation All share-based grants are recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their vesting periods based on their calculated fair value at the date of grant. AFG uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to measure the fair value of employee stock options. See Note K -”Shareholders’ Equity” for further information.

Benefit Plans AFG provides retirement benefits to qualified employees of participating companies through the AFG 401(k) Retirement and Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan. AFG makes all contributions to the retirement fund portion of the plan and matches a percentage of employee contributions to the savings fund. Company contributions are expensed in the year for which they are declared. AFG and many of its subsidiaries provide health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees. AFG also provides postemployment benefits to former or inactive employees (primarily those on disability) who were not deemed retired under other company plans. The projected future cost of providing these benefits is expensed over the period employees earn such benefits.

Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the following adjustments to weighted average common shares related to stock-based compensation plans: 2011 – 1.6 million, 2010—1.3 million and 2009—1.1 million.

AFG’s weighted average diluted shares outstanding excludes the following anti-dilutive potential common shares related to stock compensation plans: 2011 – 2.3 million, 2010—3.5 million and 2009—5.7 million. Adjustments to net earnings attributable to shareholders in the calculation of diluted earnings per share were nominal in the 2011, 2010 and 2009 periods.

Statement of Cash Flows For cash flow purposes, “investing activities” are defined as making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property and equipment. “Financing activities” include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on their investments, borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed. Annuity receipts, benefits and withdrawals are also reflected as financing activities. All other activities are considered “operating.” Short-term investments having original maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents for purposes of the financial statements.

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Derivatives (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivatives [Abstract]

Derivatives included in Balance Sheet at fair value

		December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
Derivative	Balance Sheet Line	Asset		Liability		Asset		Liability
MBS with embedded derivatives	Fixed maturities	$	99	$	—	$	101	$	—
Interest rate swaptions	Other investments		5		—		21		—
Indexed annuities (embedded derivative)	Annuity benefits accumulated		—		395		—		190
Equity index call options	Other investments		66		—		77		—
Reinsurance contracts (embedded derivative)	Other liabilities		—		23		—		14
		$	170	$	418	$	199	$	204

Summary of gain (loss) included in the Statement of Earnings for changes in the fair value of derivatives

	Statement of
Derivative	Earnings Line	2011			2010			2009
MBS with embedded derivatives	Realized gains	$	—		$	50		$	157
Interest rate swaptions	Realized gains		(24	)		(7	)		8
Indexed annuities (embedded derivative)	Annuity benefits		(29	)		(20	)		(29	)
Equity index call options	Annuity benefits		(13	)		41			26
Reinsurance contracts (embedded derivative)	Investment income		(9	)		(9	)		(25	)
		($	75	)	$	55		$	137

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Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2006
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
Change in AFG's liability for uncertain tax positions	$ 7	$ 16
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance	50
Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract]
Statutory rate of income taxes	35.00%
Income (losses) subject to tax in foreign jurisdictions	(31)	(12)	(71)
Total unrecognized tax benefits and related interest that would impact the effective tax rate	51
Penalties accrued	0	0
Decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits	36
Decrease in related accrued interest	15
Cash payments for income taxes	157	196	190	17
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
AFG's liability for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits	15	12
Change in AFG's liability for uncertain tax positions	7	16
AFG [Member]
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
Interest included in tax provision	3	2	2
Charge for valuation allowance [Member]
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
Charge for valuation allowance against deferred tax assets	44
Charge for valuation allowance related to prior year losses [Member]
Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
Charge for valuation allowance against deferred tax assets	$ 34

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Insurance (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Insurance [Abstract]

Reconciliation of beginning and ending liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,164		$	3,899		$	4,154
Provision for losses and LAE occurring in the current year		1,813			1,615			1,385
Net decrease in provision for claims of prior years		(69	)		(158	)		(198	)
Total losses and LAE incurred		1,744			1,457			1,187
Payments for losses and LAE of:
Current year		(652	)		(360	)		(504	)
Prior years		(969	)		(1,116	)		(998	)
Total payments		(1,621	)		(1,476	)		(1,502	)
Reserves of businesses acquired		—			287			—
Foreign—currency translation and other		(5	)		(3	)		60
Balance at end of period		4,282			4,164			3,899
Add back reinsurance recoverables, net of allowance		2,238			2,249			2,513
Gross unpaid losses and LAE included in the Balance Sheet	$	6,520		$	6,413		$	6,412

Net investment income of insurance group

	2011			2010			2009
Insurance group investment income:
Fixed maturities	$	1,142		$	1,112		$	1,142
Equity securities		26			11			11
Other		65			61			44
Total investment income		1,233			1,184			1,197
Insurance group investment expenses (*)		(34	)		(25	)		(38	)
Net investment income	$	1,199		$	1,159		$	1,159

(*) Included primarily in “Other operating and general expenses” in the Statement of Earnings.

Statutory information

								Policyholders’
	Net Earnings (Loss)							Surplus
	2011		2010		2009			2011		2010
Property and casualty companies	$	375	$	624	$	574		$	1,976	$	2,101
Life insurance companies		190		213		(76	)		1,225		1,153

Reinsurance information

	2011			2010			2009
Direct premiums written	$	4,061		$	3,542		$	3,731
Reinsurance assumed		45			47			32
Reinsurance ceded		(1,336	)		(1,181	)		(1,452	)
Net written premiums	$	2,770		$	2,408		$	2,311
Direct premiums earned	$	4,062		$	3,653		$	3,854
Reinsurance assumed		41			45			32
Reinsurance ceded		(1,344	)		(1,148	)		(1,474	)
Net earned premiums	$	2,759		$	2,550		$	2,412
Reinsurance recoveries	$	770		$	395		$	898

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Investments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities
Gross Unrealized, Losses	$ (249)
U.S. Government and government agencies [Member]
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities
Amortized Cost	363	453
Fair Value	382	467
Gross Unrealized, Gains	19	15
Gross Unrealized, Losses		(1)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities
Amortized Cost	3,613	2,927
Fair Value	3,877	2,939
Gross Unrealized, Gains	267	53
Gross Unrealized, Losses	(3)	(41)
Foreign government [Member]
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities
Amortized Cost	236	269
Fair Value	254	278
Gross Unrealized, Gains	18	9
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities
Amortized Cost	3,858	3,781
Fair Value	3,848	3,875
Gross Unrealized, Gains	170	222
Gross Unrealized, Losses	(180)	(128)
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities
Amortized Cost	2,628	1,972
Fair Value	2,840	2,123
Gross Unrealized, Gains	218	153
Gross Unrealized, Losses	(6)	(2)
All Other Corporate [Member]
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities
Amortized Cost	9,864	9,088
Fair Value	10,606	9,646
Gross Unrealized, Gains	802	602
Gross Unrealized, Losses	(60)	(44)
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities
Amortized Cost	20,562	18,490
Fair Value	21,807	19,328
Gross Unrealized, Gains	1,494	1,054
Gross Unrealized, Losses	(249)	(216)
Common Stocks [Member]
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities
Amortized Cost	610	312
Fair Value	797	543
Gross Unrealized, Gains	207	232
Gross Unrealized, Losses	(20)	(1)
Perpetual preferred stocks [Member]
Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities
Amortized Cost	134	146
Fair Value	131	147
Gross Unrealized, Gains	5	6
Gross Unrealized, Losses	$ (8)	$ (5)

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Long-Term Debt (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended										1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 7% Senior Notes due September 2050 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 7% Senior Notes due September 2050 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 7-1/2% Senior Debentures due November 2033 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 7-1/4% Senior Debentures due January 2034 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 7-1/8% Senior Debentures due February 2034 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 10-7/8% Subordinated Notes due May 2011 [Member]	May 31, 2011 10-7/8% Subordinated Notes due May 2011 [Member] Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
American Premier 10-7/8% Subordinated Notes due May 2011											$ 8
Interest rate on debt instruments				9.875%	7.00%		7.50%	7.25%	7.125%	10.875%
7% Senior Notes due September 2050						132
Long-Term Debt (Textual) [Abstract]
Interest expense credited on funds held by AFG's insurance subsidiaries under reinsurance contracts and other similar agreements	10	10	7
Secured Borrowings guaranteed by AFG	17	18
Scheduled principal payments on debt in 2012	34
Scheduled principal payments on debt in 2013	20
Scheduled principal payments on debt in 2014	2
Scheduled principal payments on debt in 2015	14
Scheduled principal payments on debt in 2016	45
AFG's revolving credit line	500
Interest rate range for revolving credit facility	1.75% to 3.00% (currently 2%) over LIBOR
Amount borrowed under AFG revolving credit facility	0
Cash interest payments on long-term debt	$ 74	$ 68	$ 64

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Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,324	$ 1,099
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value (amortized cost - $20,562 and $18,490)	21,807	19,328
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value	440	393
Equity securities, at fair value (cost - $744 and $458)	928	690
Mortgage loans	401	468
Policy loans	252	264
Real estate and other investments	425	428
Total cash and investments	25,577	22,670
Recoverables from reinsurers	2,942	2,964
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	409	422
Agents' balances and premiums receivable	565	535
Deferred policy acquisition costs	901	1,031
Assets of managed investment entities	3,058	2,537
Other receivables	895	674
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts)	548	616
Other assets	757	606
Goodwill	186	186
Total assets	35,838	32,241
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	6,520	6,413
Unearned premiums	1,484	1,534
Annuity benefits accumulated	15,420	12,905
Life, accident and health reserves	1,727	1,650
Payable to reinsurers	475	320
Liabilities of managed investment entities	2,787	2,323
Long-term debt	934	952
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts)	548	616
Other liabilities	1,386	1,047
Total liabilities	31,281	27,760
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock, no par value - 200,000,000 shares authorized - 97,846,402 and 105,168,366 shares outstanding	98	105
Capital surplus	1,121	1,166
Retained earnings:
Appropriated - managed investment entities	173	197
Unappropriated	2,439	2,368
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	580	495
Total shareholders' equity	4,411	4,331
Noncontrolling interests	146	150
Total equity	4,557	4,481
Total liabilities and equity	$ 35,838	$ 32,241

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Segments of Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Assets:
Total assets	$ 35,838	$ 32,241	$ 27,442
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Assets:
Total assets	11,740	11,466	11,711
Annuity and Supplemental Insurance [Member]
Assets:
Total assets	20,389	17,696	15,387
Other Segment [Member]
Assets:
Total assets	$ 3,709	$ 3,079	$ 344

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Condensed Consolidating Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$ 127	$ 108	$ 30	$ 54	$ 109	$ 136	$ 95	$ 86	$ 319	$ 426	$ 534
Other comprehensive income, net of tax									91	338	925
Total comprehensive income, net of tax									410	764	1,459
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests									(17)	(54)	18
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders									427	818	1,441
AFG [Member]
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									342	482	523
Other comprehensive income, net of tax									85	336	918
Total comprehensive income, net of tax									427	818	1,441
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders									427	818	1,441
GAFRI [Member]
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									121	114	33
Other comprehensive income, net of tax									62	244	527
Total comprehensive income, net of tax									183	358	560
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders									183	358	560
AAG Holding [Member]
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									121	138	52
Other comprehensive income, net of tax									62	240	518
Total comprehensive income, net of tax									183	378	570
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders									183	378	570
All Other Subs [Member]
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									440	520	630
Other comprehensive income, net of tax									91	334	926
Total comprehensive income, net of tax									531	854	1,556
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests									(17)	(54)	18
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders									548	908	1,538
Consol. Entries [Member]
Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									(705)	(828)	(704)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax									(209)	(816)	(1,964)
Total comprehensive income, net of tax									(914)	(1,644)	(2,668)
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders									$ (914)	$ (1,644)	$ (2,668)

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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total USD ($)	Common Shares	Common Stock and Capital Surplus USD ($)	Retained Earnings Appro. USD ($)	Retained Earnings Unappro. USD ($)	Accum.Other Comprehensive Inc. (Loss) USD ($)	Total USD ($)	Noncontrolling Interests USD ($)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2007
Balance at December 31, 2008, as previously reported	$ 2,602		$ 1,351		$ 1,842	$ (703)	$ 2,490	$ 112
Balance at December 31, 2008, shares previously reported		115,599,169
Cumulative effect of accounting change for deferred policy acquisition costs	(196)				(162)	(34)	(196)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	2,406		1,351		1,680	(737)	2,294	112
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2008		115,599,169
Cumulative effect of accounting change for other-than-temporary impairments					17	(17)
Net earnings	534				523		523	11
Other comprehensive income (loss)	925					918	918	7
Dividends on Common Stock	(61)				(61)		(61)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options	18		18				18
Exercise of stock options, shares		1,026,891
Other benefit plans	3		3				3
Other benefit plans, shares		207,601
Dividend reinvestment plan, shares		20,847
Stock-based compensation expense	11		11				11
Shares acquired and retired	(81)		(39)		(42)		(81)
Shares acquired and retired, shares		(3,291,835)
Shares exchanged - benefit plans	(4)		(2)		(2)		(4)
Shares exchanged - benefit plans, shares		(176,330)
Noncontrolling interest of acquired business	10							10
Other			2				2	(2)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	3,761		1,344	0	2,115	164	3,623	138
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		113,386,343
Cumulative effect of accounting change for other-than-temporary impairments	261			261	4	(4)	261
Net earnings	426				482		482	(56)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	338					336	336	2
Allocation of losses of managed investment entities				(64)			(64)	64
Dividends on Common Stock	(63)				(63)		(63)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options	31		31				31
Exercise of stock options, shares		1,547,526
Other benefit plans	6		6				6
Other benefit plans, shares		479,514
Dividend reinvestment plan, shares		17,028
Stock-based compensation expense	12		12				12
Shares acquired and retired	(292)		(122)		(170)		(292)
Shares acquired and retired, shares		(10,261,045)
Shares exchanged - benefit plans, shares		(1,000)
Other	1					(1)	(1)	2
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	4,481		1,271	197	2,368	495	4,331	150
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	105,168,366	105,168,366
Net earnings	319				342		342	(23)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	91					85	85	6
Allocation of losses of managed investment entities				(24)			(24)	24
Dividends on Common Stock	(69)				(69)		(69)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options	38		38				38
Exercise of stock options, shares	1,576,664	1,576,664
Other benefit plans	9		9				9
Other benefit plans, shares		387,746
Dividend reinvestment plan	1		1				1
Dividend reinvestment plan, shares		15,763
Stock-based compensation expense	14		14				14
Shares acquired and retired	(315)		(113)		(202)		(315)
Shares acquired and retired, shares		(9,281,386)
Shares exchanged - benefit plans	(1)		(1)				(1)
Shares exchanged - benefit plans, shares		(20,751)
Other	(11)							(11)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 4,557		$ 1,219	$ 173	$ 2,439	$ 580	$ 4,411	$ 146
Ending Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	97,846,402	97,846,402

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Condensed Consolidating Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Assets:
Cash and investments	$ 25,577	$ 22,670
Recoverables from reinsurers and prepaid reinsurance premiums	3,351	3,386
Agents' balances and premiums receivable	565	535
Deferred policy acquisition costs	901	1,031
Assets of managed investment entities	3,058	2,537
Other assets	2,386	2,082
Total assets	35,838	32,241	27,442
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	8,004	7,947
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves	17,147	14,555
Liabilities of managed investment entities	2,787	2,323
Long-term debt	934	952
Other liabilities	2,409	1,983
Total liabilities	31,281	27,760
Total shareholders' equity	4,411	4,331
Noncontrolling interests	146	150
Total liabilities and equity	35,838	32,241
AFG [Member]
Assets:
Cash and investments	456	412
Other assets	105	36
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	4,732	4,677
Total assets	5,293	5,125
Liabilities and Equity:
Long-term debt	600	600
Other liabilities	282	194
Total liabilities	882	794
Total shareholders' equity	4,411	4,331
Total liabilities and equity	5,293	5,125
GAFRI [Member]
Assets:
Cash and investments	32	33
Other assets	5	6
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	2,015	1,854
Total assets	2,052	1,893
Liabilities and Equity:
Long-term debt		1
Other liabilities	20	19
Total liabilities	20	20
Total shareholders' equity	2,032	1,873
Total liabilities and equity	2,052	1,893
AAG Holding [Member]
Assets:
Other assets	5	5
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	2,107	1,951
Total assets	2,112	1,956
Liabilities and Equity:
Long-term debt	220	219
Other liabilities	109	110
Total liabilities	329	329
Total shareholders' equity	1,783	1,627
Total liabilities and equity	2,112	1,956
All Other Subs [Member]
Assets:
Cash and investments	25,090	22,228
Recoverables from reinsurers and prepaid reinsurance premiums	3,351	3,386
Agents' balances and premiums receivable	565	535
Deferred policy acquisition costs	901	1,031
Assets of managed investment entities	3,058	2,537
Other assets	2,309	2,050
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	643	671
Total assets	35,917	32,438
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	8,004	7,947
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves	17,148	14,556
Liabilities of managed investment entities	2,787	2,323
Long-term debt	115	133
Other liabilities	2,196	1,814
Total liabilities	30,250	26,773
Total shareholders' equity	5,521	5,515
Noncontrolling interests	146	150
Total liabilities and equity	35,917	32,438
Consol. Entries [Member]
Assets:
Cash and investments	(1)	(3)
Other assets	(38)	(15)
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	(9,497)	(9,153)
Total assets	(9,536)	(9,171)
Liabilities and Equity:
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves	(1)	(1)
Long-term debt	(1)	(1)
Other liabilities	(198)	(154)
Total liabilities	(200)	(156)
Total shareholders' equity	(9,336)	(9,015)
Total liabilities and equity	$ (9,536)	$ (9,171)

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Investments (Details 6) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Gross realized gains and losses on the sale of available for sale fixed maturity and equity security investments
Gross gains	$ 77	$ 108	$ 92
Gross losses	(9)	(11)	(43)
Equity Securities [Member]
Gross realized gains and losses on the sale of available for sale fixed maturity and equity security investments
Gross gains	90	35	82
Gross losses	$ (1)		$ (21)

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Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Investment and other income									$ 1,416	$ 1,385	$ 1,426
Total revenues	1,283	1,335	1,093	1,039	1,156	1,255	1,052	1,034	4,750	4,497	4,320
Costs and Expenses:
Other operating and general expenses									376	395	480
Total costs and expenses									4,192	3,803	3,502
Operating earnings before income taxes									558	694	818
Provision for income taxes									239	268	284
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	109	97	48	88	132	143	103	104	342	482	523
AFG [Member]
Revenues:
Dividends from subsidiaries									544	554	673
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									164	301	229
Investment and other income									2	4	2
Total revenues									710	859	904
Costs and Expenses:
Interest charges on intercompany borrowings									11	12	13
Interest charges on other borrowings									53	46	37
Other operating and general expenses									65	51	47
Total costs and expenses									129	109	97
Operating earnings before income taxes									581	750	807
Provision for income taxes									239	268	284
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders									$ 342	$ 482	$ 523

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Other Intangibles [Abstract]

Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reporting segment

	Property and		Annuity and
	Casualty		Supplemental			Total
Balance January 1, 2010	$	152	$	56		$	208
Impairment charge		—		(22	)		(22	)
Balance December 31, 2010 and 2011	$	152	$	34		$	186

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Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Textual) [Abstract]
Deferred policyholder sales inducements capitalized	$ 20	$ 33	$ 32
Amortization of deferred policyholder sales inducements	21	36	20
Accumulated amortization of present value of future profits	195	174
Amortization of present value of future profits	20	26	29
Decrease in present value of future profits during next five years	approximately one-sixth
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Deferred Policy Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization of policy acquisition costs	425	404	421
Annuity and Supplemental Insurance [Member]
Deferred Policy Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization of policy acquisition costs	$ 126	$ 137	$ 107

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Insurance

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Insurance [Abstract]

Insurance

O. Insurance

Securities owned by U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries having a carrying value of approximately $1.2 billion at December 31, 2011, were on deposit as required by regulatory authorities. At December 31, 2011, AFG and its subsidiaries had $173 million in undrawn letters of credit ($16 million of which was collateralized) supporting the underwriting capacity of its U.K.-based Lloyd’s insurer.

Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves The liability for losses and LAE for long-term scheduled payments under certain workers’ compensation insurance has been discounted at 6%, an approximation of long-term investment yields. As a result, the total liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses at December 31, 2011, has been reduced by $30 million.

The following table provides an analysis of changes in the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance (and grossed up), over the past three years (in millions). Favorable development in 2011 was due primarily to lower than expected severity in certain businesses within the Specialty casualty sub-segment and lower than expected frequency in crop business within the Property and transportation sub-segment, partially offset by the $50 million special charge to increase asbestos and environmental reserves. Favorable development in 2010 was primarily in the Specialty casualty and Specialty financial sub-segments. Favorable development in 2009 was in the Specialty financial, Specialty casualty and Property and transportation sub-segments.

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,164		$	3,899		$	4,154
Provision for losses and LAE occurring in the current year		1,813			1,615			1,385
Net decrease in provision for claims of prior years		(69	)		(158	)		(198	)
Total losses and LAE incurred		1,744			1,457			1,187
Payments for losses and LAE of:
Current year		(652	)		(360	)		(504	)
Prior years		(969	)		(1,116	)		(998	)
Total payments		(1,621	)		(1,476	)		(1,502	)
Reserves of businesses acquired		—			287			—
Foreign—currency translation and other		(5	)		(3	)		60
Balance at end of period		4,282			4,164			3,899
Add back reinsurance recoverables, net of allowance		2,238			2,249			2,513
Gross unpaid losses and LAE included in the Balance Sheet	$	6,520		$	6,413		$	6,412

FHLB Funding Agreements Great American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”), a wholly-owned annuity and supplemental insurance subsidiary, is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB”). The FHLB makes advances and provides other banking services to member institutions. Members are required to purchase stock in the FHLB in addition to maintaining collateral deposits that back any funds advanced. GALIC’s $22 million investment in FHLB capital stock at December 31, 2011, is included in other investments at cost. Membership in the FHLB provides the annuity and supplemental insurance operations with a substantial additional source of liquidity. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the FHLB advanced GALIC $240 million (included in annuity benefits accumulated at December 31, 2011) under various funding agreements at interest rates ranging from .02% to .03% over LIBOR (average rate of .31% at December 31, 2011). These advances must be repaid within 5 to 7 years, but GALIC has the option to prepay all or a portion of the advances on a monthly basis. The advances on these agreements are collateralized by commercial mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $301 million (included in available for sale fixed maturity securities) at December 31, 2011. Interest credited on the funding agreements, which is included in annuity benefits, was approximately $100,000 in 2011.

Net Investment Income The following table shows (in millions) investment income earned and investment expenses incurred by AFG’s insurance group.

	2011			2010			2009
Insurance group investment income:
Fixed maturities	$	1,142		$	1,112		$	1,142
Equity securities		26			11			11
Other		65			61			44
Total investment income		1,233			1,184			1,197
Insurance group investment expenses (*)		(34	)		(25	)		(38	)
Net investment income	$	1,199		$	1,159		$	1,159

(*) Included primarily in “Other operating and general expenses” in the Statement of Earnings.

Statutory Information AFG’s U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries are required to file financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities prepared on an accounting basis prescribed or permitted by such authorities (statutory basis). Net earnings (loss) and policyholders’ surplus on a statutory basis for the insurance subsidiaries were as follows (in millions):

								Policyholders’
	Net Earnings (Loss)							Surplus
	2011		2010		2009			2011		2010
Property and casualty companies	$	375	$	624	$	574		$	1,976	$	2,101
Life insurance companies		190		213		(76	)		1,225		1,153

Reinsurance In the normal course of business, AFG’s insurance subsidiaries cede reinsurance to other companies to diversify risk and limit maximum loss arising from large claims. To the extent that any reinsuring companies are unable to meet obligations under agreements covering reinsurance ceded, AFG’s insurance subsidiaries would remain liable. The following table shows (in millions) (i) amounts deducted from property and casualty written and earned premiums in connection with reinsurance ceded, (ii) written and earned premiums included in income for reinsurance assumed and (iii) reinsurance recoveries represent ceded losses and loss adjustment expenses.

	2011			2010			2009
Direct premiums written	$	4,061		$	3,542		$	3,731
Reinsurance assumed		45			47			32
Reinsurance ceded		(1,336	)		(1,181	)		(1,452	)
Net written premiums	$	2,770		$	2,408		$	2,311
Direct premiums earned	$	4,062		$	3,653		$	3,854
Reinsurance assumed		41			45			32
Reinsurance ceded		(1,344	)		(1,148	)		(1,474	)
Net earned premiums	$	2,759		$	2,550		$	2,412
Reinsurance recoveries	$	770		$	395		$	898

AFG has reinsured approximately $16 billion in face amount of life insurance at December 31, 2011 and $18 billion at December 31, 2010. Life written premiums ceded were $44 million, $49 million and $54 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Variable Annuities At December 31, 2011, the aggregate guaranteed minimum death benefit value (assuming every variable annuity policyholder died on that date) on AFG’s variable annuity policies exceeded the fair value of the underlying variable annuities by $63 million, compared to $52 million at December 31, 2010. Death benefits paid in excess of the variable annuity account balances were less than $1 million in each of the last three years.

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Long-Term Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

Schedule of long-term debt instruments

	2011		2010
Direct obligations of AFG:
9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019	$	350	$	350
7% Senior Notes due September 2050		132		132
7-1/8% Senior Debentures due February 2034		115		115
Other		3		3
		600		600
Subsidiaries:
Obligations of AAG Holding (guaranteed by AFG):
7-1/2% Senior Debentures due November 2033		112		112
7-1/4% Senior Debentures due January 2034		86		86
Notes payable secured by real estate due 2012 through 2016		64		65
Secured borrowings ($17 and $18 guaranteed by AFG)		30		41
National Interstate bank credit facility		22		20
American Premier Underwriters 10-7/8% Subordinated Notes		—		8
		314		332
Payable to Subsidiary Trusts:
AAG Holding Variable Rate Subordinated Debentures due May 2033		20		20
	$	934	$	952

Summary of secured and unsecured long-term debt

	2011		2010
Unsecured obligations	$	840	$	846
Obligations secured by real estate		64		65
Other secured borrowings		30		41
	$	934	$	952

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Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Assets:
Cash and investments	$ 25,577	$ 22,670
Other assets	2,386	2,082
Total assets	35,838	32,241	27,442
Liabilities and Equity:
Long-term debt	934	952
Other liabilities	2,409	1,983
Shareholders' equity	4,411	4,331
Total liabilities and equity	35,838	32,241
AFG [Member]
Assets:
Cash and investments	456	412
Investment in subsidiaries	4,732	4,677
Other assets	105	36
Total assets	5,293	5,125
Liabilities and Equity:
Long-term debt	600	600
Other liabilities	282	194
Shareholders' equity	4,411	4,331
Total liabilities and equity	$ 5,293	$ 5,125

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Condensed Consolidating Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Condensed Consolidating Information [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidating Information

Q. Condensed Consolidating Information

AFG has guaranteed all of the outstanding public debt of GAFRI and GAFRI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, AAG Holding Company, Inc. In addition, GAFRI guarantees AAG Holding’s public debt. The AFG and GAFRI guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. Condensed consolidating financial statements for AFG are as follows:

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

(In millions)

					AAG		All Other		Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs		Entries			Consolidated
DECEMBER 31, 2011
Assets:
Cash and investments	$	456	$	32	$	—	$	25,090	$	(1	)	$	25,577
Recoverables from reinsurers and prepaid reinsurance premiums		—		—		—		3,351		—			3,351
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable		—		—		—		565		—			565
Deferred policy acquisition costs		—		—		—		901		—			901
Assets of managed investment entities		—		—		—		3,058		—			3,058
Other assets		105		5		5		2,309		(38	)		2,386
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates		4,732		2,015		2,107		643		(9,497	)		—
Total assets	$	5,293	$	2,052	$	2,112	$	35,917	$	(9,536	)	$	35,838
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	8,004	$	—		$	8,004
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves		—		—		—		17,148		(1	)		17,147
Liabilities of managed investment entities		—		—		—		2,787		—			2,787
Long-term debt		600		—		220		115		(1	)		934
Other liabilities		282		20		109		2,196		(198	)		2,409
Total liabilities		882		20		329		30,250		(200	)		31,281
Total shareholders’ equity		4,411		2,032		1,783		5,521		(9,336	)		4,411
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		146		—			146
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,293	$	2,052	$	2,112	$	35,917	$	(9,536	)	$	35,838
DECEMBER 31, 2010
Assets:
Cash and investments	$	412	$	33	$	—	$	22,228	$	(3	)	$	22,670
Recoverables from reinsurers and prepaid reinsurance premiums		—		—		—		3,386		—			3,386
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable		—		—		—		535		—			535
Deferred policy acquisition costs		—		—		—		1,031		—			1,031
Assets of managed investment entities		—		—		—		2,537		—			2,537
Other assets		36		6		5		2,050		(15	)		2,082
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates		4,677		1,854		1,951		671		(9,153	)		—
Total assets	$	5,125	$	1,893	$	1,956	$	32,438	$	(9,171	)	$	32,241
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	7,947	$	—		$	7,947
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves		—		—		—		14,556		(1	)		14,555
Liabilities of managed investment entities		—		—		—		2,323		—			2,323
Long-term debt		600		1		219		133		(1	)		952
Other liabilities		194		19		110		1,814		(154	)		1,983
Total liabilities		794		20		329		26,773		(156	)		27,760
Total shareholders’ equity		4,331		1,873		1,627		5,515		(9,015	)		4,331
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		150		—			150
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,125	$	1,893	$	1,956	$	32,438	$	(9,171	)	$	32,241

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

(In millions)

						AAG		All Other			Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI			Holding		Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	2,759		$	—		$	2,759
Life, accident and health premiums		—		—			—		430			—			430
Realized gains (losses)		—		(1	)		—		75			(1	)		73
Income of managed investment entities		—		—			—		72			—			72
Investment and other income		2		11			—		1,430			(27	)		1,416
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		708		187			214		—			(1,109	)		—
Total revenues		710		197			214		4,766			(1,137	)		4,750
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		—		—			—		3,660			—			3,660
Interest charges on borrowed money		64		—			25		16			(20	)		85
Expenses of managed investment entities		—		—			—		71			—			71
Other operating and general expenses		65		15			5		297			(6	)		376
Total costs and expenses		129		15			30		4,044			(26	)		4,192
Operating earnings before income taxes		581		182			184		722			(1,111	)		558
Provision (credit) for income taxes		239		61			63		282			(406	)		239
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		342		121			121		440			(705	)		319
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—		(23	)		—			(23	)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	342	$	121		$	121	$	463		$	(705	)	$	342
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	2,550		$	—		$	2,550
Life, accident and health premiums		—		—			—		451			—			451
Realized gains (losses)		—		(2	)		—		90			—			88
Income of managed investment entities		—		—			—		23			—			23
Investment and other income		4		11			—		1,392			(22	)		1,385
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		855		191			238		—			(1,284	)		—
Total revenues		859		200			238		4,506			(1,306	)		4,497
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		—		—			—		3,275			—			3,275
Interest charges on borrowed money		58		—			25		17			(22	)		78
Expenses of managed investment entities		—		—			—		55			—			55
Other operating and general expenses		51		16			5		323			—			395
Total costs and expenses		109		16			30		3,670			(22	)		3,803
Operating earnings before income taxes		750		184			208		836			(1,284	)		694
Provision (credit) for income taxes		268		70			70		316			(456	)		268
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		482		114			138		520			(828	)		426
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—		(56	)		—			(56	)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	482	$	114		$	138	$	576		$	(828	)	$	482

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

(In millions)

						AAG		All Other		Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI			Holding		Subs		Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	2,412	$	—		$	2,412
Life, accident and health premiums		—		—			—		444		—			444
Realized gains (losses)		—		(7	)		—		44		1			38
Investment and other income		2		10			—		1,437		(23	)		1,426
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		902		63			105		—		(1,070	)		—
Total revenues		904		66			105		4,337		(1,092	)		4,320
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		—		—			—		2,955		—			2,955
Interest charges on borrowed money		50		—			25		15		(23	)		67
Other operating and general expenses		47		20			6		408		(1	)		480
Total costs and expenses		97		20			31		3,378		(24	)		3,502
Operating earnings before income taxes		807		46			74		959		(1,068	)		818
Provision (credit) for income taxes		284		13			22		329		(364	)		284
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		523		33			52		630		(704	)		534
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—		11		—			11
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	523	$	33		$	52	$	619	$	(704	)	$	523

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)

					AAG		All Other			Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	342	$	121	$	121	$	440		$	(705	)	$	319
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		85		62		62		91			(209	)		91
Total comprehensive income, net of tax		427		183		183		531			(914	)		410
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		(17	)		—			(17	)
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$	427	$	183	$	183	$	548		$	(914	)	$	427

					AAG		All Other			Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	482	$	114	$	138	$	520		$	(828	)	$	426
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		336		244		240		334			(816	)		338
Total comprehensive income, net of tax		818		358		378		854			(1,644	)		764
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		(54	)		—			(54	)
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$	818	$	358	$	378	$	908		$	(1,644	)	$	818

					AAG		All Other		Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs		Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	523	$	33	$	52	$	630	$	(704	)	$	534
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		918		527		518		926		(1,964	)		925
Total comprehensive income, net of tax		1,441		560		570		1,556		(2,668	)		1,459
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		18		—			18
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$	1,441	$	560	$	570	$	1,538	$	(2,668	)	$	1,441

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

							AAG			All Other			Consol.
	AFG			GAFRI			Holding			Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	342		$	121		$	121		$	440		$	(705	)	$	319
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(439	)		(123	)		(141	)		—			703			—
Dividends from subsidiaries		542			3			38			—			(583	)		—
Other operating activities, net		17			(1	)		2			328			2			348
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		462			—			20			768			(583	)		667
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(54	)		—			—			(5,940	)		—			(5,994	)
Returns of capital from (capital contributions to) subsidiaries		(27	)		14			(1	)		—			14			—
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		4			9			—			2,230			—			2,243
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		5			—			—			1,489			—			1,494
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments		—			—			—			(1,563	)		—			(1,563	)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments		—			—			—			1,391			—			1,391
Other investing activities, net		—			—			—			(10	)		—			(10	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(72	)		23			(1	)		(2,403	)		14			(2,439	)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts		—			—			—			3,326			—			3,326
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals		—			—			—			(1,321	)		—			(1,321	)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets		—			—			—			39			—			39
Additional long-term borrowings		—			—			—			2			—			2
Reductions of long-term debt		—			—			—			(20	)		—			(20	)
Issuances of managed investment entities’ liabilities		—			—			—			394			—			394
Retirement of managed investment entities’ liabilities		—			—			—			(66	)		—			(66	)
Issuances of Common Stock		37			—			—			2			—			39
Capital contributions from (returns of capital to) parent		—			16			(19	)		(143	)		146			—
Repurchases of Common Stock		(315	)		—			—			—			—			(315	)
Cash dividends paid		(67	)		(40	)		—			(383	)		423			(67	)
Other financing activities, net		—			—			—			(14	)		—			(14	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(345	)		(24	)		(19	)		1,816			569			1,997
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		45			(1	)		—			181			—			225
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		370			20			—			709			—			1,099
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	415		$	19		$	—		$	890		$	—		$	1,324

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

							AAG			All Other			Consol.
	AFG			GAFRI			Holding			Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	482		$	114		$	138		$	520		$	(828	)	$	426
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(551	)		(119	)		(157	)		—			827			—
Dividends from subsidiaries		550			—			16			—			(566	)		—
Other operating activities, net		—			(2	)		1			438			1			438
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		481			(7	)		(2	)		958			(566	)		864
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(13	)		(5	)		—			(5,417	)		—			(5,435	)
Purchase of subsidiaries		—			—			—			(128	)		—			(128	)
Capital contributions to subsidiaries		(97	)		(7	)		(5	)		—			109			—
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		—			11			—			2,141			—			2,152
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		—			—			—			1,593			—			1,593
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments		—			—			—			(1,008	)		—			(1,008	)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments		—			—			—			1,018			—			1,018
Other investing activities, net		—			—			—			103			—			103
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(110	)		(1	)		(5	)		(1,698	)		109			(1,705	)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts		—			—			—			2,282			—			2,282
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals		—			—			—			(1,221	)		—			(1,221	)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets		—			—			—			7			—			7
Additional long-term borrowings		128			—			—			31			—			159
Reductions of long-term debt		—			—			—			(39	)		—			(39	)
Retirement of managed investment entities’ liabilities		—			—			—			(45	)		—			(45	)
Issuances of Common Stock		31			—			—			1			—			32
Capital contributions from parent		—			16			7			86			(109	)		—
Repurchases of Common Stock		(292	)		—			—			—			—			(292	)
Cash dividends paid		(63	)		—			—			(566	)		566			(63	)
Other financing activities, net		(2	)		—			—			2			—			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(198	)		16			7			538			457			820
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		173			8			—			(202	)		—			(21	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		197			12			—			911			—			1,120
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	370		$	20		$	—		$	709		$	—		$	1,099

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

							AAG			All Other			Consol.
	AFG			GAFRI			Holding			Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	523		$	33		$	52		$	630		($	704	)	$	534
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(587	)		(45	)		(73	)		—			705			—
Dividends from subsidiaries		636			3			—			—			(639	)		—
Other operating activities, net		14			4			(3	)		367			(1	)		381
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		586			(5	)		(24	)		997			(639	)		915
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(14	)		(15	)		—			(4,991	)		—			(5,020	)
Purchase of subsidiaries		—			—			—			(5	)		—			(5	)
Capital contributions to subsidiaries		(170	)		(141	)		(116	)		—			427			—
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		1			2			—			1,942			—			1,945
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		15			1			—			2,319			—			2,335
Other investing activities, net		—			—			—			(38	)		—			(38	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(168	)		(153	)		(116	)		(773	)		427			(783	)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts		—			—			—			1,434			—			1,434
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals		—			—			—			(1,273	)		—			(1,273	)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets		—			—			—			(10	)		—			(10	)
Additional long-term borrowings		522			—			—			59			—			581
Reductions of long-term debt		(776	)		—			—			(9	)		—			(785	)
Issuances of Common Stock		14			—			—			1			—			15
Capital contributions from parent		—			168			140			119			(427	)		—
Repurchases of Common Stock		(81	)		—			—			—			—			(81	)
Cash dividends paid		(60	)		—			—			(639	)		639			(60	)
Other financing activities, net		—			—			—			(97	)		—			(97	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(381	)		168			140			(415	)		212			(276	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		37			10			—			(191	)		—			(144	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		160			2			—			1,102			—			1,264
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	197		$	12		$	—		$	911		$	—		$	1,120

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reporting segment
Goodwill, Beginning balance	$ 208	$ 186
Impairment charge	(22)
Goodwill, Ending balance	186	186
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reporting segment
Goodwill, Beginning balance	152	152
Impairment charge	0
Goodwill, Ending balance	152	152
Annuity and Supplemental Insurance [Member]
Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reporting segment
Goodwill, Beginning balance	56	34
Impairment charge	(22)
Goodwill, Ending balance	$ 34	$ 34

XML

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$ 319	$ 426	$ 534
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization	180	202	191
Annuity benefits	510	444	435
Realized gains on investing activities	(74)	(92)	(34)
Net purchases of trading securities	(45)	(11)	(51)
Deferred annuity and life policy acquisition costs	(239)	(195)	(155)
Change in:
Reinsurance and other receivables	(228)	555	352
Other assets	(101)	(1)	131
Insurance claims and reserves	134	(413)	(421)
Payable to reinsurers	155	(150)	(41)
Other liabilities	245	4	(17)
Managed investment entities' assets/liabilities	(212)	89
Other operating activities, net	23	6	(9)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	667	864	915
Investing Activities:
Purchases of fixed maturities	(5,321)	(4,979)	(4,855)
Purchases of equity securities	(397)	(223)	(21)
Purchases of mortgage loans	(190)	(159)	(82)
Purchases of real estate, property and equipment	(86)	(74)	(62)
Purchases of subsidiaries		(128)	(5)
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of fixed maturities	1,974	2,081	1,934
Proceeds from repayments of mortgage loans	269	71	11
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities	1,293	1,540	2,207
Proceeds from sales of equity securities	198	49	127
Proceeds from sales of real estate, property and equipment	3	4	1
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	9
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments	(1,563)	(1,008)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments	1,391	1,018
Cash and cash equivalents of businesses acquired or sold, net	(5)	95	(23)
Other investing activities, net	(14)	8	(15)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(2,439)	(1,705)	(783)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts	3,326	2,282	1,434
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals	(1,321)	(1,221)	(1,273)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets	39	7	(10)
Additional long-term borrowings	2	159	581
Reductions of long-term debt	(20)	(39)	(785)
Issuances of managed investment entities' liabilities	394
Retirement of managed investment entities' liabilities	(66)	(45)
Issuances of Common Stock	39	32	15
Repurchases of Common Stock	(315)	(292)	(81)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock	(67)	(63)	(60)
Other financing activities, net	(14)		(97)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,997	820	(276)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	225	(21)	(144)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,099	1,120	1,264
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 1,324	$ 1,099	$ 1,120

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Consolidated Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Fixed maturities, available for sale at amortized cost	$ 20,562	$ 18,490
Equity securities, at cost	$ 744	$ 458
Common Stock, par value
Common Stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common Stock, shares outstanding	97,846,402	105,168,366

XML

Long-Term Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

J. Long-Term Debt

The carrying value of long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31 (in millions):

	2011		2010
Direct obligations of AFG:
9-7/8% Senior Notes due June 2019	$	350	$	350
7% Senior Notes due September 2050		132		132
7-1/8% Senior Debentures due February 2034		115		115
Other		3		3
		600		600
Subsidiaries:
Obligations of AAG Holding (guaranteed by AFG):
7-1/2% Senior Debentures due November 2033		112		112
7-1/4% Senior Debentures due January 2034		86		86
Notes payable secured by real estate due 2012 through 2016		64		65
Secured borrowings ($17 and $18 guaranteed by AFG)		30		41
National Interstate bank credit facility		22		20
American Premier Underwriters 10-7/8% Subordinated Notes		—		8
		314		332
Payable to Subsidiary Trusts:
AAG Holding Variable Rate Subordinated Debentures due May 2033		20		20
	$	934	$	952

At December 31, 2011, scheduled principal payments on debt for the subsequent five years were as follows: 2012 – $34 million, 2013 – $20 million, 2014 – $2 million, 2015 – $14 million and 2016 – $45 million.

As shown below at December 31 (in millions), the majority of AFG’s long-term debt is unsecured obligations of the holding company and its subsidiaries:

	2011		2010
Unsecured obligations	$	840	$	846
Obligations secured by real estate		64		65
Other secured borrowings		30		41
	$	934	$	952

AFG can borrow up to $500 million under its revolving credit facility which expires in August 2013. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.75% to 3.00% (currently 2%) over LIBOR based on AFG’s credit rating. No amounts were borrowed under this facility at December 31, 2011.

In May 2011, American Premier Underwriters, Inc. (“American Premier”) paid $8 million to redeem its outstanding 10-7/8% Subordinated Notes at maturity. In September 2010, AFG issued $132 million of 7% Senior Notes due in 2050.

Cash interest payments on long-term debt were $74 million in 2011, $68 million in 2010 and $64 million in 2009. Interest expense in the Statement of Earnings includes interest credited on funds held by AFG’s insurance subsidiaries under reinsurance contracts and other similar agreements as follows: $10 million in 2011 and 2010 and $7 million in 2009.

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Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Supplemental Information Concerning Property Casualty Insurance Operations (Textual) [Abstract]
Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of allowance	$ 2,238	$ 2,249	$ 2,513
Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations, Discounted rate	6.00%	6.00%
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	$ 409	$ 422

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Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Additional Information (Textual) [Abstract]
Charges for possible losses on reinsurance recoverables, maximum	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1
Aggregate allowance for losses on reinsurance recoverables	26	28
Total rental expense	54	42	42
Operating lease future minimum payments due in 2012	52
Operating lease future minimum payments due in 2013	49
Operating lease future minimum payments due in 2014	44
Operating lease future minimum payments due in 2015	37
Operating lease future minimum payments due in 2016	33
Operating lease future minimum payments due after five years	197
Commitments to fund limited partnerships	25
Maximum amount of dividends available to be paid by insurance subsidiaries to AFG without prior approval of regulatory authorities	546
Retirement and employee savings plan expense	$ 26	$ 30	$ 34

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Insurance (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Reinsurance
Direct premiums written	$ 4,061	$ 3,542	$ 3,731
Reinsurance assumed	45	47	32
Reinsurance ceded	(1,336)	(1,181)	(1,452)
Net written premiums	2,770	2,408	2,311
Direct premiums earned	4,062	3,653	3,854
Reinsurance assumed	41	45	32
Reinsurance ceded	(1,344)	(1,148)	(1,474)
Net earned premiums	2,759	2,550	2,412
Reinsurance recoveries	$ 770	$ 395	$ 898

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Document and Entity Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001042046
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false

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Shareholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

K. Shareholders’ Equity

AFG is authorized to issue 12.5 million shares of Voting Preferred Stock and 12.5 million shares of Nonvoting Preferred Stock, each without par value.

Stock Incentive Plans Under AFG’s Stock Incentive Plan, employees of AFG and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive equity awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock awards.

At December 31, 2011, there were 12.8 million shares of AFG Common Stock reserved for issuance under AFG’s stock incentive plans. Options are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of AFG Common Stock at the date of grant. Options generally become exercisable at the rate of 20% per year commencing one year after grant; those granted to non-employee directors of AFG are fully exercisable upon grant. Options expire ten years after the date of grant. Data for stock options issued under AFG’s stock incentive plans is presented below:

						Average		Aggregate
				Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
				Exercise		Contractual		Value
	Shares			Price		Term		(in millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 2011		8,484,233		$	24.98
Granted		1,122,525		$	34.34
Exercised		(1,576,664	)	$	21.14
Forfeited/Cancelled		(107,620	)	$	26.47
Outstanding at December 31, 2011		7,922,474		$	27.05		6.0 years	$	78
Options exercisable at December 31, 2011		4,580,849		$	26.29		4.7 years	$	49

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $23 million, $19 million and $11 million, respectively. During 2011, 2010 and 2009, AFG received $33 million, $27 million and $10 million, respectively, in cash from the exercise of stock options. The total tax benefit related to the exercises was $7 million, $6 million and $4 million, respectively.

AFG uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of its option grants. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility over a period equal to the expected term. The expected term was estimated based on historical exercise patterns and post vesting cancellations. The weighted average fair value of options granted during 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $12.49 per share, $8.90 per share and $5.85 per share, respectively, based on the following assumptions:

	2011			2010			2009
Expected dividend yield		1.9	%		2.2	%		2.7	%
Expected volatility		38	%		39	%		37	%
Expected term (in years)		7.3			7.5			7.5
Risk-free rate		3.0	%		3.2	%		2.1	%

The restricted Common Stock that AFG has granted generally vests over a three or four year period. Data relating to grants of restricted stock is presented below:

				Average
				Grant Date
	Shares			Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2011		322,986		$	25.27
Granted		131,955		$	31.45
Vested		(39,819	)	$	28.41
Outstanding at December 31, 2011		415,122		$	27.85

AFG issued 188,302 shares of Common Stock (fair value of $33.99 per share) in the first quarter of 2011 under the Annual Co-CEO Equity Bonus Plan.

Total compensation expense related to stock incentive plans of AFG and its subsidiaries for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $22 million, $20 million and $13 million, respectively. Related tax benefits totaled $7 million in 2011, $6 million in 2010 and $3 million in 2009. At December 31, 2011, there was $23 million and $8 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested stock options and restricted stock awards, respectively. These amounts are expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 3.2 and 2.4 years, respectively.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (“AOCI”) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as all changes in Shareholders’ Equity except those arising from transactions with shareholders. Comprehensive income (loss) includes net earnings and other comprehensive income (loss) “OCI”, which consists primarily of changes in net unrealized gains or losses on available for sale securities. The progression of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) follows (in millions):

				OCI
	AOCI									Non-									AOCI
	Beginning			Pre-						controlling									Ending
	Balance			tax			Tax			interests			Net			Other(b)			Balance
Year ended December 31, 2011
Net unrealized gains on securities	$	491	(a)	$	141		$	(49	)	$	(5	)	$	87		$	—		$	578	(a)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		12			(2	)		—			(1	)		(3	)		—			9
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments		(8	)		1			—			—			1			—			(7	)
Total	$	495		$	140		$	(49	)	$	(6	)	$	85			—		$	580
Year ended December 31, 2010
Net unrealized gains on securities	$	167	(a)	$	507		$	(177	)	$	(2	)	$	328		$	(4	)	$	491	(a)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		5			8			—			—			8			(1	)		12
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments		(8	)		—			—			—			—			—			(8	)
Total	$	164		$	515		$	(177	)	$	(2	)	$	336		$	(5	)	$	495
Year ended December 31, 2009
Net unrealized gains on securities	$	(717	)	$	1,396		$	(489	)	$	(6	)	$	901		$	(17	)	$	167
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(13	)		19			—			(1	)		18			—			5
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments		(7	)		(2	)		1			—			(1	)		—			(8	)
Total	$	(737	)	$	1,413		$	(488	)	$	(7	)	$	918		$	(17	)	$	164

(a) Includes $16 million, $11 million and $66 million at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 in net unrealized losses related to securities for which only the credit portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recorded in earnings.

(b) Primarily cumulative effect of accounting change.

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Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
UNITED STATES | Expiring 2012 - 2020 [Member]
Operating loss carry forwards
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 73
UNITED STATES | Expiring 2021 - 2025 [Member]
Operating loss carry forwards
Operating Loss Carryforwards	73
UNITED KINGDOM
Operating loss carry forwards
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 79

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Insurance (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Property and casualty companies [Member]
Statutory information
Net Earnings (Loss)	$ 375	$ 624	$ 574
Policyholders' Surplus	1,976	2,101
Life insurance companies [Member]
Statutory information
Net Earnings (Loss)	190	213	(76)
Policyholders' Surplus	$ 1,225	$ 1,153

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Consolidated Statement of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$ 2,759	$ 2,550	$ 2,412
Life, accident and health premiums	430	451	444
Investment income	1,241	1,191	1,200
Realized gains (losses) on:
Securities	76	101	43
Subsidiaries	(3)	(13)	(5)
Income (loss) of managed investment entities:
Investment income	105	93
Loss on change in fair value of assets/liabilities	(33)	(70)
Other income	175	194	226
Total revenues	4,750	4,497	4,320
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses	1,744	1,457	1,187
Property and casualty insurance commissions and other underwriting expenses	835	787	792
Annuity benefits	510	444	435
Life, accident and health benefits	369	368	361
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses	202	219	180
Interest charges on borrowed money	85	78	67
Expenses of managed investment entities	71	55
Other operating and general expenses	376	395	480
Total costs and expenses	4,192	3,803	3,502
Operating earnings before income taxes	558	694	818
Provision for income taxes	239	268	284
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	319	426	534
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(23)	(56)	11
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	342	482	523
Earnings Attributable to Shareholders per Common Share:
Basic	$ 3.37	$ 4.41	$ 4.52
Diluted	$ 3.32	$ 4.36	$ 4.48
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic	101.3	109.2	115.7
Diluted	102.9	110.5	116.8
Cash dividends per Common Share	$ 0.6625	$ 0.575	$ 0.52
Supplemental disclosure of Realized gains (losses) on securities:
Realized gains before impairments	128	163	246
Losses on securities with impairment	(31)	(50)	(373)
Non-credit portion recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(21)	(12)	170
Impairment charges recognized in earnings	(52)	(62)	(203)
Total realized gains on securities	$ 76	$ 101	$ 43

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Investments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

E. Investments

Available for sale fixed maturities and equity securities at December 31 consisted of the following (in millions):

	2011									2010
	Amortized		Fair		Gross Unrealized					Amortized		Fair		Gross Unrealized
	Cost		Value		Gains		Losses			Cost		Value		Gains		Losses
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	363	$	382	$	19	$	—		$	453	$	467	$	15	$	(1	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		3,613		3,877		267		(3	)		2,927		2,939		53		(41	)
Foreign government		236		254		18		—			269		278		9		—
Residential MBS		3,858		3,848		170		(180	)		3,781		3,875		222		(128	)
Commercial MBS		2,628		2,840		218		(6	)		1,972		2,123		153		(2	)
All other corporate		9,864		10,606		802		(60	)		9,088		9,646		602		(44	)
Total fixed maturities	$	20,562	$	21,807	$	1,494	$	(249	)	$	18,490	$	19,328	$	1,054	$	(216	)
Common stocks	$	610	$	797	$	207	$	(20	)	$	312	$	543	$	232	$	(1	)
Perpetual preferred stocks	$	134	$	131	$	5	$	(8	)	$	146	$	147	$	6	$	(5	)

The non-credit related portion of other-than-temporary impairment charges are included in other comprehensive income (loss). Such charges taken for residential MBS still owned at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were $227 million and $258 million.

The following tables show gross unrealized losses (in millions) on fixed maturities and equity securities by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

	Less Than Twelve Months								Twelve Months or More
	Unrealized			Fair		Fair Value as			Unrealized			Fair		Fair Value as
	Loss			Value		% of Cost			Loss			Value		% of Cost
2011
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	—		$	2		100	%	$	—		$	—		—	%
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		(2	)		120		98	%		(1	)		59		98	%
Foreign government		—			1		100	%		—			—		—	%
Residential MBS		(59	)		1,141		95	%		(121	)		473		80	%
Commercial MBS		(6	)		183		97	%		—			18		100	%
All other corporate		(43	)		940		96	%		(17	)		114		87	%
Total fixed maturities	$	(110	)	$	2,387		96	%	$	(139	)	$	664		83	%
Common stocks	$	(19	)	$	169		90	%	$	(1	)	$	4		80	%
Perpetual preferred stocks	$	(1	)	$	23		96	%	$	(7	)	$	31		82	%
2010
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	(1	)	$	86		99	%	$	—		$	—		—	%
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		(38	)		1,180		97	%		(3	)		40		93	%
Foreign government		—			37		99	%		—			—		—	%
Residential MBS		(11	)		412		97	%		(117	)		551		82	%
Commercial MBS		(2	)		83		98	%		—			15		97	%
All other corporate		(24	)		1,020		98	%		(20	)		275		93	%
Total fixed maturities	$	(76	)	$	2,818		97	%	$	(140	)	$	881		86	%
Common stocks	$	—		$	21		99	%	$	(1	)	$	4		88	%
Perpetual preferred stocks	$	—		$	22		98	%	$	(5	)	$	37		88	%

At December 31, 2011, the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities of $249 million relate to approximately 850 securities. Investment grade securities (as determined by nationally recognized rating agencies) represented approximately 38% of the gross unrealized loss and 62% of the fair value.

Gross Unrealized Losses on MBS At December 31, 2011, gross unrealized losses on AFG’s residential MBS represented 72% of the total gross unrealized loss on fixed maturity securities and 87% of the “twelve months or more”. Of the residential MBS that have been in an unrealized loss position (“impaired”) for 12 months or more (239 securities), approximately 27% of the unrealized losses and 49% of the fair value relate to investment grade rated securities. AFG analyzes its MBS for other-than-temporary impairment each quarter based upon expected future cash flows. Management estimates expected future cash flows based upon its knowledge of the MBS market, cash flow projections (which reflect loan to collateral values, subordination, vintage and geographic concentration) received from independent sources, implied cash flows inherent in security ratings and analysis of historical payment data. For 2011, AFG recorded in earnings $52 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges related to its residential MBS.

Gross Unrealized Losses on All Other Corporates AFG recorded in earnings approximately $6 million in other-than-temporary impairment charges on “all other corporate” securities during 2011. Management concluded that no additional charges for other-than-temporary impairments were required based on many factors, including AFG’s ability and intent to hold the investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for anticipated recovery of its amortized cost, the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost, analysis of historical and projected company-specific financial data, the outlook for industry sectors, and credit ratings.

The following table is a progression of the credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities for which the non-credit portion of an impairment has been recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (in millions).

	2011			2010			2009
Balance at January 1	$	143		$	99		$	14
Additional credit impairments on:
Previously impaired securities		44			44			26
Securities without prior impairments		8			9			72
Reductions—disposals		(8	)		(9	)		(13	)
Balance at December 31	$	187		$	143		$	99

The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of available for sale fixed maturities as of December 31, 2011 (in millions). Asset-backed securities and other securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers. MBS had an average life of approximately 4 years at December 31, 2011.

	Amortized		Fair Value
	Cost		Amount		%
Maturity
One year or less	$	603	$	615		3	%
After one year through five years		5,196		5,478		25
After five years through ten years		6,437		6,998		32
After ten years		1,840		2,028		9
		14,076		15,119		69
MBS		6,486		6,688		31
Total	$	20,562	$	21,807		100	%

Certain risks are inherent in connection with fixed maturity securities, including loss upon default, price volatility in reaction to changes in interest rates, and general market factors and risks associated with reinvestment of proceeds due to prepayments or redemptions in a period of declining interest rates.

There were no investments in individual issuers that exceeded 10% of Shareholders’ Equity at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

Net Unrealized Gain on Marketable Securities In addition to adjusting equity securities and fixed maturity securities classified as “available for sale” to fair value, GAAP requires that deferred policy acquisition costs related to annuities and certain other balance sheet amounts be adjusted to the extent that unrealized gains and losses from securities would result in adjustments to those balances had the unrealized gains or losses actually been realized. The following table shows (in millions) the components of the net unrealized gain on securities that is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in AFG’s Balance Sheet.

				Deferred Tax and
				Amounts Attributable
				to Noncontrolling
	Pre-tax			Interests			Net
December 31, 2011
Unrealized gain on:
Fixed maturity securities	$	1,245		$	(444	)	$	801
Equity securities		184			(65	)		119
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(537	)		188			(349	)
Annuity benefits and other liabilities		10			(3	)		7
	$	902		$	(324	)	$	578
December 31, 2010
Unrealized gain on:
Fixed maturity securities	$	838		$	(295	)	$	543
Equity securities		232			(82	)		150
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(315	)		109			(206	)
Annuity benefits and other liabilities		6			(2	)		4
	$	761		$	(270	)	$	491

Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments are summarized as follows (in millions):

							Mortgage
							Loans									Noncon-
	Fixed			Equity			and Other			Other			Tax			trolling
	Maturities			Securities			Investments			(a)			Effects			Interests			Total
2011
Realized before impairments	$	68		$	88		$	(24	)	$	(4	)	$	(45	)	$	(2	)	$	81
Realized—impairments		(57	)		(6	)		(5	)		16			18			1			(33	)
Change in unrealized		407			(48	)		—			(218	)		(49	)		(5	)		87
2010
Realized before impairments		146			36			(5	)		(14	)		(57	)		(2	)		104
Realized—impairments		(79	)		(1	)		(6	)		24			22			—			(40	)
Change in unrealized		751			49			—			(293	)		(177	)		(2	)		328
2009
Realized before impairments		207			61			1			(23	)		(82	)		(5	)		159
Realized—impairments		(221	)		(22	)		(28	)		68			72			1			(130	)
Change in unrealized		2,005			126			—			(735	)		(489	)		(6	)		901

(a) Primarily adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs related to annuities.

Realized gains (losses) on securities include net losses of less than $1 million in 2011 and net gains of $50 million in 2010 and $157 million in 2009 from the mark-to-market of certain MBS, primarily interest-only securities with interest rates that float inversely with short-term rates. Gross realized gains and losses (excluding impairment writedowns and mark-to-market of derivatives) on available for sale fixed maturity and equity security investment transactions included in the Statement of Cash Flows consisted of the following (in millions):

	2011			2010			2009
Fixed maturities:
Gross gains	$	77		$	108		$	92
Gross losses		(9	)		(11	)		(43	)
Equity securities:
Gross gains		90			35			82
Gross losses		(1	)		—			(21	)

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Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

D. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards for measuring fair value are based on inputs used in estimating fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1—Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (markets in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis). AFG’s Level 1 financial instruments consist primarily of publicly traded equity securities and highly liquid government bonds for which quoted market prices in active markets are available and short-term investments of managed investment entities.

Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets (markets in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, price quotations vary substantially over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly); and valuations based on other significant inputs that are observable in active markets. AFG’s Level 2 financial instruments include separate account assets, corporate and municipal fixed maturity securities, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and investments of managed investment entities priced using observable inputs. Level 2 inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, corroborated broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads and benchmark securities. When non-binding broker quotes can be corroborated by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs, they are classified as Level 2.

Level 3—Valuations derived from market valuation techniques generally consistent with those used to estimate the fair values of Level 2 financial instruments in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable or when the market for a security exhibits significantly less liquidity relative to markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements. The unobservable inputs may include management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use based on the best information available in the circumstances. AFG’s Level 3 is comprised of financial instruments, including liabilities of managed investment entities, whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker quotes or internally developed using significant inputs not based on, or corroborated by, observable market information.

AFG’s management is responsible for the valuation process and uses data from outside sources (including nationally recognized pricing services and broker/dealers) in establishing fair value. Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, the Company communicates directly with the pricing service regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the service to value specific securities.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31 are summarized below (in millions):

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
2011
Assets:
Available for sale (“AFS”) fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	248	$	134	$	—	$	382
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		—		3,794		83		3,877
Foreign government		—		254		—		254
Residential MBS		—		3,487		361		3,848
Commercial MBS		—		2,821		19		2,840
All other corporate		9		10,078		519		10,606
Total AFS fixed maturities		257		20,568		982		21,807
Trading fixed maturities		—		439		1		440
Equity securities		888		29		11		928
Assets of managed investment entities (“MIE”)		290		2,724		44		3,058
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) (a)		—		548		—		548
Other investments		—		71		—		71
Total assets accounted for at fair value	$	1,435	$	24,379	$	1,038	$	26,852
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities	$	194	$	—	$	2,593	$	2,787
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated		—		—		395		395
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value	$	194	$	—	$	2,988	$	3,182
2010
Assets:
Available for sale fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies	$	251	$	216	$	—	$	467
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		—		2,919		20		2,939
Foreign government		—		278		—		278
Residential MBS		—		3,563		312		3,875
Commercial MBS		—		2,117		6		2,123
All other corporate		9		9,201		436		9,646
Total AFS fixed maturities		260		18,294		774		19,328
Trading fixed maturities		—		390		3		393
Equity securities		461		208		21		690
Assets of managed investment entities		96		2,393		48		2,537
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts) (a)		—		616		—		616
Other investments		—		98		—		98
Total assets accounted for at fair value	$	817	$	21,999	$	846	$	23,662
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities	$	65	$	—	$	2,258	$	2,323
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated		—		—		190		190
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value	$	65	$	—	$	2,448	$	2,513

(a) Variable annuity liabilities equal the fair value of variable annuity assets.

During 2011 and 2010, there were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2. Approximately 4% of the total assets measured at fair value on December 31, 2011, were Level 3 assets. Approximately 95% of these assets were priced using non-binding broker quotes. The fair values of the liabilities of managed investment entities were determined using non-binding broker quotes, which were reviewed by AFG’s investment professionals.

Changes in balances of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities during 2011, 2010 and 2009 are presented below (in millions). The transfers into and out of Level 3 were due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs. All transfers are reflected in the table at fair value as of the end of the reporting period.

				Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in
	Balance at December  31, 2010			Net income			Other comp. income (loss)			Purchases and issuances			Sales and settlements			Transfer into Level 3		Transfer out of Level 3			Balance at December  31, 2011
AFS fixed maturities:
State and municipal	$	20		$	—		$	4		$	58			(4	)	$	17	$	(12	)	$	83
Residential MBS		312			3			(9	)		42			(38	)		127		(76	)		361
Commercial MBS		6			1			—			9			—			13		(10	)		19
All other corporate		436			2			15			236			(72	)		90		(188	)		519
Trading fixed maturities		3			—			—			—			—			—		(2	)		1
Equity securities		21			—			1			2			(2	)		2		(13	)		11
Assets of MIE		48			(8	)		—			32			(18	)		9		(19	)		44
Liabilities of MIE (*)		(2,258	)		—			—			(401	)		66			—		—			(2,593	)
Embedded derivatives		(190	)		(29	)		—			(200	)		24			—		—			(395	)

(*) Total realized/unrealized loss included in net income includes losses of $3 million related to liabilities outstanding as of December 31, 2011. See Note H—“Managed Investment Entities.”

							Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in
	Balance at December  31, 2009			Consolidate Managed Inv. Entities			Net income			Other comp. income (loss)			Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements			Transfer into Level 3		Transfer out of Level 3			Balance at December  31, 2010
AFS fixed maturities:
State and municipal	$	23		$	—		$	—		$	1		$	(4	)	$	17	$	(17	)	$	20
Residential MBS		435			—			7			26			17			27		(200	)		312
Commercial MBS		—			—			—			—			6			—		—			6
All other corporate		311			(6	)		(10	)		10			100			118		(87	)		436
Trading fixed maturities		1			—			—			—			4			2		(4	)		3
Equity securities		25			—			—			(1	)		—			—		(3	)		21
Assets of MIE		—			90			8			—			(16	)		26		(60	)		48
Liabilities of MIE (*)		—			(2,084	)		(220	)		—			46			—		—			(2,258	)
Embedded derivatives		(113	)		—			(20	)		—			(57	)		—		—			(190	)

(*) Total realized/unrealized loss included in net income includes losses of $213 million related to liabilities outstanding as of December 31, 2010. See Note H—“Managed Investment Entities.”

				Total realized/unrealized gains (losses) included in
	Balance at December  31, 2008			Net income			Other comp. income (loss)		Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements		Net Transfer out of Level 3			Balance at December  31, 2009
AFS fixed maturities	$	706		$	7		$	89	$	292	$	(325	)	$	769
Trading fixed maturities		1			—			—		—		—			1
Equity securities		44			(13	)		1		1		(8	)		25
Other assets		5			—			—		—		(5	)		—
Embedded derivatives		(96	)		(29	)		—		12		—			(113	)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments The following table presents (in millions) the carrying value and estimated fair value of AFG’s financial instruments at December 31.

	2011				2010
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	Value		Value		Value		Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,324	$	1,324	$	1,099	$	1,099
Fixed maturities		22,247		22,247		19,721		19,721
Equity securities		928		928		690		690
Mortgage loans		401		401		468		469
Policy loans		252		252		264		264
Other investments—derivatives		71		71		98		98
Assets of managed investment entities		3,058		3,058		2,537		2,537
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts)		548		548		616		616
Liabilities:
Annuity benefits accumulated (*)	$	15,219	$	15,314	$	12,696	$	12,233
Long-term debt		934		1,010		952		1,023
Liabilities of managed investment entities		2,787		2,787		2,323		2,323
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts)		548		548		616		616
Other liabilities—derivatives		23		23		14		14

(*) Excludes life contingent annuities in the payout phase.

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value. Fair values for mortgage loans are estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. The fair value of policy loans is estimated to approximate carrying value; policy loans have no defined maturity dates and are inseparable from insurance contracts. The fair value of annuity benefits was estimated based on expected cash flows discounted using forward interest rates adjusted for the Company’s credit risk and includes the impact of maintenance expenses and capital costs. Fair values of long-term debt are based primarily on quoted market prices.

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Additional Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Additional Information [Abstract]

Additional Information

P. Additional Information

Losses and loss adjustment expenses included charges for possible losses on reinsurance recoverables of less than $1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009. The aggregate allowance for losses on reinsurance recoverables amounted to approximately $26 million and $28 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Operating Leases Total rental expense for various leases of office space and equipment was $54 million in 2011 and $42 million in each of 2010 and 2009. Future minimum rentals, related principally to office space, required under operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2011, were as follows: 2012 – $52 million; 2013 – $49 million; 2014 – $44 million; 2015 – $37 million; 2016 – $33 million; and $197 million thereafter.

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk On occasion, AFG and its subsidiaries have entered into financial instrument transactions that may present off-balance-sheet risks of both a credit and market risk nature. These transactions include commitments to fund loans, loan guarantees and commitments to purchase and sell securities or loans. At December 31, 2011, AFG and its subsidiaries had commitments to fund credit facilities and contribute limited partnership capital totaling up to $25 million.

Restrictions on Transfer of Funds and Assets of Subsidiaries Payments of dividends, loans and advances by AFG’s subsidiaries are subject to various state laws, federal regulations and debt covenants that limit the amount of dividends, loans and advances that can be paid. Under applicable restrictions, the maximum amount of dividends available to AFG in 2012 from its insurance subsidiaries without seeking regulatory clearance is $546 million. Additional amounts of dividends, loans and advances require regulatory approval.

Benefit Plans AFG expensed approximately $26 million in 2011, $30 million in 2010 and $34 million in 2009 for its retirement and employee savings plans.

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Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

L. Income Taxes

The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate of 35% and income taxes as shown in the Statement of Earnings (in millions):

	2011			2010			2009
Earnings before income taxes	$	558		$	694		$	818
Income taxes at statutory rate	$	195		$	243		$	286
Effect of:
Change in valuation allowance		44			(1	)		(7	)
Losses of managed investment entities		9			23			—
Goodwill impairment charge		—			8			—
Subsidiaries not in AFG’s tax return		5			6			8
Tax exempt interest		(23	)		(16	)		(10	)
Other		9			5			7
Provision for income taxes as shown on the Statement of Earnings	$	239		$	268		$	284

Total earnings before income taxes include losses subject to tax in foreign jurisdictions of $31 million in 2011, $12 million in 2010 and $71 million in 2009.

The total income tax provision (credit) consists of (in millions):

	2011		2010			2009
Current taxes:
Federal	$	186	$	214		$	239
State		4		4			6
Foreign		—		(1	)		1
Deferred taxes:
Federal		22		65			53
Foreign		27		(14	)		(15	)
Provision for income taxes	$	239	$	268		$	284

For income tax purposes, AFG and its subsidiaries had the following carryforwards available at December 31, 2011 (in millions):

	Expiring	Amount
Operating Loss – U.S.	2012 - 2020	$	73
	2021 - 2025		73
Operating Loss – United Kingdom	indefinite		79

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and the amounts recognized for tax purposes. The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities included in the Balance Sheet at December 31, were as follows (in millions):

	2011			2010
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	51		$	52
Foreign underwriting losses		42			32
Insurance claims and reserves		435			404
Employee benefits		94			93
Other, net		52			68
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance		674			649
Valuation allowance against deferred tax assets		(97	)		(54	)
Total deferred tax assets		577			595
Deferred tax liabilities:
Subsidiaries not in AFG’s tax return		(61	)		(56	)
Investment securities		(441	)		(324	)
Deferred acquisition costs		(208	)		(257	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(710	)		(637	)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(133	)	$	(42	)

AFG’s net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2011 and 2010, is included in other liabilities in AFG’s Balance Sheet.

The likelihood of realizing deferred tax assets is reviewed periodically; any adjustments required to the valuation allowance are made in the period during which developments requiring an adjustment become known.

“Foreign underwriting losses” in the table above include the net operating loss carryforward and other deferred tax assets related to the Marketform Lloyd’s insurance business, which resulted primarily from underwriting losses in its run-off Italian public hospital medical malpractice business that has not been written since 2008. During the fourth quarter of 2011, AFG recorded losses in other lines written by its Lloyd’s insurance business. Net operating losses can be carried forward indefinitely to offset future taxable income in the United Kingdom, and management expects these businesses to produce underwriting profits in future years. Nevertheless, because the Marketform Lloyd’s insurance business is in a cumulative loss position for the last three years, and the fourth quarter 2011 losses were not limited to the run-off Italian public hospital medical malpractice business, there is uncertainty concerning the realization of the deferred tax benefits associated with the losses. Accordingly, AFG recorded a $44 million valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets related to the Lloyd’s insurance business in 2011, approximately $34 million of which related to prior year losses. AFG will be able to reduce this valuation allowance in future periods when income is generated by the Lloyd’s business.

In addition to the valuation allowance related to the Marketform Lloyd’s insurance business discussed above, the gross deferred tax asset has also been reduced by a $50 million valuation allowance related to a portion of AFG’s net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL”) that is subject to the separate return limitation year (“SRLY”) tax rules. A SRLY NOL can be used only by the entity that created it and only in years that the consolidated group has taxable income.

The changes in the deferred tax liabilities related to investment securities and deferred acquisition costs at year end 2011 compared to 2010 are due primarily to the increase in unrealized gains on fixed maturity securities.

A progression of the liability for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties, follows (in millions):

	2011		2010		2009
Balance at January 1	$	52	$	36	$	36
Additions for tax positions of current year		7		16		—
Balance at December 31	$	59	$	52	$	36

AFG increased its liability for uncertain tax positions by $7 million in 2011 and $16 million in 2010, exclusive of interest, to reflect uncertainty as to the timing of tax return inclusion of income related to certain securities. Because the ultimate recognition of income with respect to these securities is highly certain, the recording of this liability resulted in an offsetting reduction in AFG’s deferred tax liability. Accordingly, the ultimate resolution of this item will not impact AFG’s annual effective tax rate but could accelerate the payment of taxes.

The total unrecognized tax benefits and related interest that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate is $51 million at December 31, 2011. This amount does not include tax and interest totaling $17 million paid to the IRS in 2005 and 2006 for which a suit for refund has been filed (discussed below). AFG’s provision for income taxes included $3 million in 2011 and $2 million in both 2010 and 2009 of interest (net of federal benefit). AFG’s liability for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits was $15 million at December 31, 2011 and $12 million at December 31, 2010 (net of federal benefit); no penalties were accrued at those dates.

AFG’s 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008 tax years remain subject to examination by the IRS. In addition, AFG has several tax years for which there are ongoing disputes. AFG filed a suit for refund in the U.S. District Court in Southern Ohio as a result of its dispute with the IRS regarding the calculation of tax reserves for certain annuity reserves pursuant to Actuarial Guideline 33. In June 2010, the Court issued a final summary judgment in favor of AFG. The IRS has appealed the decision and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear the case in early March 2012. Ultimate resolution may require revised tax calculations for the years 1996-2005, possibly requiring a revised application of tax attribute carryovers or carrybacks, both capital and ordinary, to the affected years, and is contingent upon formal review and acceptance by the IRS. Resolution of the case could result in a decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits by up to $36 million and a decrease in related accrued interest of $15 million. These amounts do not include tax and interest paid to the IRS in 2005 and 2006, for which the suit was filed, totaling $17 million.

Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds, were $157 million, $196 million and $190 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

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Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Property And Casualty Group [Member]
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Increase in asbestos and environmental reserves	$ 50	$ 50
Liability for asbestos and environmental reserves		454
Reinsurance recoverables on asbestos and environmental reserves, net of allowance		92
Former Railroad And Manufacturing Operations [Member]
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Increase in environmental and other reserves	9	9
GAFRI [Member]
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Liability for environmental and other claims		8
American Premier and Its Subsidiaries [Member]
Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract]
Liability for environmental and other claims		$ 84

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Managed Investment Entities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Managed Investment Entities [Abstract]

Managed Investment Entities

H. Managed Investment Entities

AFG is the investment manager and has investments ranging from 7.5% to 51.1% of the most subordinate debt tranche of seven collateralized loan obligation entities or “CLOs,” which are considered variable interest entities. Upon formation between 2004 and 2011, these entities issued securities in various senior and subordinate classes and invested the proceeds primarily in secured bank loans, which serve as collateral for the debt securities issued by each particular CLO. None of the collateral was purchased from AFG. AFG’s investments in the subordinate debt tranches of these entities receive residual income from the CLOs only after the CLOs pay operating expenses (including management fees to AFG), interest on and returns of capital to senior levels of debt securities. There are no contractual requirements for AFG to provide additional funding for these entities. AFG has not provided and does not intend to provide any financial support to these entities.

AFG’s maximum ultimate exposure to economic loss on its CLOs is limited to its investment in the CLOs, which had an aggregate fair value of $98 million at December 31, 2011, and $17 million at December 31, 2010.

In December 2011, AFG formed a new CLO, which issued $450 million face amount of liabilities (including $41 million face amount purchased by subsidiaries of AFG). In August 2011, AFG subsidiaries purchased $49 million face amount of the most senior debt tranche of one of the existing CLOs for $46 million.

In February 2012, one of the AFG CLOs was substantially liquidated at the instruction of the holder of the majority of the most subordinate debt tranche, as permitted by the CLO indentures. AFG intends to begin marketing a new CLO with a similar structure to the existing CLOs, which is expected to initially have both assets and liabilities of approximately $410 million (similar in size to the liquidated CLO).

The revenues and expenses of the CLOs are separately identified in AFG’s Statement of Earnings, after the elimination of management fees and earnings attributable to shareholders of AFG as measured by the change in the fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs. Selected financial information related to the CLOs is shown below (in millions):

	Year ended
	December 31,
	2011			2010
Gains (losses) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities (a):
Assets	$	(33	)	$	150
Liabilities		—			(220	)
Management fees paid to AFG		19			15
CLO earnings (losses) attributable to:
AFG shareholders (b)		6			17
Noncontrolling interests (b)		(24	)		(64	)

(a) Included in AFG’s “Revenues.”

(b) Included in AFG’s “Operating earnings before income taxes.”

The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ fixed maturity investments exceeded the fair value of the investments by $120 million and $69 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010. The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ debt exceeded its fair value by $306 million and $301 million at those dates. The CLO assets include $2 million and $6 million in loans (aggregate unpaid principal balance of $7 million and $12 million, respectively) at December 31, 2011 and 2010 for which the CLOs are not accruing interest because the loans are in default.

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Investments (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Securities	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities [Line Items]
Percentage (based on amount of unrealized loss) of available for sale fixed maturities that are in an unrealized loss position and rated investment grade	38.00%
Percentage (based on fair value) of available for sale fixed maturities that are in an unrealized loss position and rated investment grade	62.00%
Other than temporary impairment charges	$ 52	$ 62	$ 203
Investments (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of available for sale fixed maturities in an unrealized loss position	850
Number of Residential MBS that have been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or more	239
Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities	249
RMBS unrealized losses for 12 months or more as a percentage of total AFS fixed maturity unrealized losses for 12 months or more	87.00%
Average life of MBS	4 years
Realized gain (loss) from the mark-to-market of certain MBS	(1)	50	157
Percentage of shareholders equity	10.00%	10.00%
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities [Line Items]
Non-credit related portion of other-than-temporary impairment charges taken for securities still owned	227	258
Percentage (based on amount of unrealized loss) of available for sale fixed maturities that are in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months and rated investment grade	27.00%
Percentage (based on fair value) of available for sale fixed maturities that are in an unrealized loss position for more than 12 months and rated investment grade	49.00%
Percentage of gross unrealized losses on the available for sale fixed maturity portfolio	72.00%
Other than temporary impairment charges	52
Investments (Textual) [Abstract]
Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities	180	128
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities [Line Items]
Other than temporary impairment charges	57	79	221
Investments (Textual) [Abstract]
Gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities	249	216
Other Corporate [Member]
Schedule of Available for Sale Securities [Line Items]
Other than temporary impairment charges	$ 6

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Derivatives

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivatives [Abstract]

Derivatives

F. Derivatives

As discussed under “Derivatives” in Note A, AFG uses derivatives in certain areas of its operations. AFG’s derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting under GAAP; changes in the fair value of derivatives are included in earnings.

The following derivatives are included in AFG’s Balance Sheet at fair value (in millions):

		December 31, 2011				December 31, 2010
Derivative	Balance Sheet Line	Asset		Liability		Asset		Liability
MBS with embedded derivatives	Fixed maturities	$	99	$	—	$	101	$	—
Interest rate swaptions	Other investments		5		—		21		—
Indexed annuities (embedded derivative)	Annuity benefits accumulated		—		395		—		190
Equity index call options	Other investments		66		—		77		—
Reinsurance contracts (embedded derivative)	Other liabilities		—		23		—		14
		$	170	$	418	$	199	$	204

The MBS with embedded derivatives consist primarily of interest-only MBS with interest rates that float inversely with short-term rates. AFG records the entire change in the fair value of these securities in earnings. These investments are part of AFG’s overall investment strategy and represent a small component of AFG’s overall investment portfolio.

AFG has entered into $1 billion notional amount of pay-fixed interest rate swaptions (options to enter into pay-fixed/receive floating interest rate swaps at future dates expiring between 2012 and 2015) to mitigate interest rate risk in its annuity operations. AFG paid $29 million to purchase these swaptions, which represents its maximum potential economic loss over the life of the contracts.

AFG’s indexed annuities, which represented approximately one-third of annuity benefits accumulated at December 31, 2011, provide policyholders with a crediting rate tied, in part, to the performance of an existing stock market index. AFG attempts to mitigate the risk in the index-based component of these products through the purchase of call options on the appropriate index. AFG’s strategy is designed so that an increase in the liabilities, due to an increase in the market index, will be generally offset by unrealized and realized gains on the call options purchased by AFG. Both the index-based component of the annuities and the related call options are considered derivatives. As shown in the table below, both the embedded derivative and call options declined in value during 2011. The decline in fair value of the options reflects the relatively flat stock market during 2011. However, the negative impact of lower interest rates more than offset the positive impact of the flat stock market on the fair value of the indexed annuity embedded derivative.

As discussed under “Reinsurance” in Note A, certain reinsurance contracts in AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance business are considered to contain embedded derivatives.

The following table summarizes the gain (loss) included in the Statement of Earnings for changes in the fair value of these derivatives for 2011, 2010 and 2009 (in millions):

	Statement of
Derivative	Earnings Line	2011			2010			2009
MBS with embedded derivatives	Realized gains	$	—		$	50		$	157
Interest rate swaptions	Realized gains		(24	)		(7	)		8
Indexed annuities (embedded derivative)	Annuity benefits		(29	)		(20	)		(29	)
Equity index call options	Annuity benefits		(13	)		41			26
Reinsurance contracts (embedded derivative)	Investment income		(9	)		(9	)		(25	)
		($	75	)	$	55		$	137

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Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Abstract]

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

G. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

Deferred policy acquisition costs consisted of the following at December 31 (in millions):

	2011			2010
Property and casualty insurance	$	189		$	181
Annuity and supplemental insurance:
Policy acquisition costs		898			793
Policyholder sales inducements		207			208
Present value of future profits (“PVFP”)		144			164
Impact of unrealized gains and losses on securities		(537	)		(315	)
Total annuity and supplemental		712			850
	$	901		$	1,031

See “Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012” under Note A – “Accounting Policies.”

During 2011, 2010 and 2009, amortization of property and casualty deferred policy acquisition costs (included in “Commissions and other underwriting expenses”) was $425 million, $404 million and $421 million, respectively. Amortization of annuity and supplemental insurance policy acquisition costs was $126 million, $137 million and $107 million in these periods, respectively.

During 2011, 2010 and 2009, AFG capitalized $20 million, $33 million and $32 million respectively, relating to sales inducements offered to annuity policyholders. Amortization of sales inducements was $21 million, $36 million and $20 million in these periods, respectively.

The PVFP amounts in the table above are net of $195 million and $174 million of accumulated amortization at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Amortization of the PVFP was $20 million in 2011, $26 million in 2010 and $29 million in 2009. During each of the next five years, the PVFP is expected to decrease at a rate of approximately one-sixth of the balance at the beginning of each respective year.

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Other Intangibles [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

I. Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Changes in the carrying value of goodwill during 2010 and 2011, by reporting segment, are presented in the following table (in millions):

	Property and		Annuity and
	Casualty		Supplemental			Total
Balance January 1, 2010	$	152	$	56		$	208
Impairment charge		—		(22	)		(22	)
Balance December 31, 2010 and 2011	$	152	$	34		$	186

In the third quarter of 2010, management decided to de-emphasize the sale of supplemental health insurance products through career agents, including the sale of a marketing subsidiary. As a result of this decision, AFG performed an interim impairment test of the goodwill associated with the reporting unit using an income valuation method based on discounted cash flows. Based on the results of this test, AFG recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $22 million (included in realized gains (losses) on subsidiaries) to write off all of the goodwill related to this reporting unit.

Included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet is $41 million at December 31, 2011 and $49 million at December 31, 2010 in amortizable intangible assets related to property and casualty insurance acquisitions. These amounts are net of accumulated amortization of $47 million and $35 million, respectively. Amortization of these intangibles was $12 million in each of 2011 and 2010 and $22 million in 2009. Future amortization of intangibles (weighted average amortization period of 3 years) is estimated to be $14 million in 2012, $13 million in each of 2013 and 2014, and less than $1 million per year thereafter. Other assets also include $8 million in non-amortizable intangible assets related to insurance licenses acquired in the acquisition of Vanliner in 2010.

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Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of deferred policy acquisition costs
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 901	$ 1,031
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Summary of deferred policy acquisition costs
Policy acquisition costs	189	181
Annuity and Supplemental Insurance [Member]
Summary of deferred policy acquisition costs
Policy acquisition costs	898	793
Policyholder sales inducements	207	208
Present value of future profits	144	164
Impact of unrealized gains and losses on securities	(537)	(315)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 712	$ 850

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Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Operating Results [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,283	$ 1,335	$ 1,093	$ 1,039	$ 1,156	$ 1,255	$ 1,052	$ 1,034	$ 4,750	$ 4,497	$ 4,320
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	127	108	30	54	109	136	95	86	319	426	534
Net earnings attributable to shareholders	$ 109	$ 97	$ 48	$ 88	$ 132	$ 143	$ 103	$ 104	$ 342	$ 482	$ 523
Earnings Attributable to Shareholders per Common Share:
Basic	$ 1.11	$ 0.97	$ 0.47	$ 0.84	$ 1.24	$ 1.32	$ 0.93	$ 0.93	$ 3.37	$ 4.41	$ 4.52
Diluted	$ 1.09	$ 0.95	$ 0.46	$ 0.83	$ 1.22	$ 1.30	$ 0.92	$ 0.92	$ 3.32	$ 4.36	$ 4.48
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic	98.2	99.7	102.7	104.6	106.7	108.2	110.2	112.0	101.3	109.2	115.7
Diluted	99.8	101.3	104.4	106.2	108.1	109.5	111.8	113.1	102.9	110.5	116.8

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Managed Investment Entities (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Gains (losses) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities (a):
Assets	$ (33)	$ 150
Liabilities		(220)
Management fees paid to AFG	19	15
Collateralized loan obligations' earnings (losses) attributable to:
AFG shareholders	6	17
Noncontrolling interests	$ (24)	$ (64)

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Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations [Abstract]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 189	$ 181
Reserves for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses	6,520	6,413
Discount deducted from reserves	30	32
Unearned premiums	1,484	1,534
Earned premiums	2,759	2,550	2,412
Net investment income	269	317	394
Claims and claim adjustment expenses incurred related to current year	1,813	1,615	1,385
Claims and claim adjustment expenses incurred related to prior years	(69)	(158)	(198)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	425	404	421
Paid claims and claim adjustment expenses	1,621	1,476	1,502
Premiums written	$ 2,770	$ 2,408	$ 2,311

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Derivatives (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivatives (Textual) [Abstract]
Notional amount of pay-fixed interest rate swaptions	$ 1,000,000,000
Payments to purchase swaptions	$ 29,000,000
Indexed annuities as a fraction of annuity benefits	approximately one-third

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Insurance (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 GALIC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 GALIC [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Property and Casualty [Member]
Insurance [Line Items]
Proceeds received under funding agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank				$ 240,000,000	$ 240,000,000
Maturity period on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank, earliest					5 years
Maturity period on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank, latest					7 years
Interest rate on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank, range minimum					LIBOR + .02%
Interest rate on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank, range maximum					LIBOR + .03%
Average interest rate on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank					0.31%
Estimated fair value of commercial mortgage-backed securities held as collateral by the Federal Home Loan Bank				301,000,000	301,000,000
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank capital stock				22,000,000	22,000,000
Interest on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank					100,000
Special charge to increase asbestos and environmental reserves						50,000,000
Insurance (Textual) [Abstract]
Carrying value of securities owned by U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries on deposit	1,200,000,000
Undrawn letters of credit	173,000,000
Undrawn letters of credit, collateralized	16,000,000
Workers' compensation insurance discount rate	6.00%
Workers' compensation insurance discount, which has reduced the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	30,000,000
Face amount of life insurance, reinsured by AFG	16,000,000,000	18,000,000,000
Life written premiums ceded	44,000,000	49,000,000	54,000,000
Aggregate guaranteed minimum death benefit value on variable annuity polices in force	63,000,000	52,000,000
Death benefits paid in excess of the variable annuity account balances, maximum	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,000,000

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Managed Investment Entities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Managed Investment Entities [Abstract]

Selected financial information related to collateralized loan obligations

	Year ended
	December 31,
	2011			2010
Gains (losses) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities (a):
Assets	$	(33	)	$	150
Liabilities		—			(220	)
Management fees paid to AFG		19			15
CLO earnings (losses) attributable to:
AFG shareholders (b)		6			17
Noncontrolling interests (b)		(24	)		(64	)

(a) Included in AFG’s “Revenues.”

(b) Included in AFG’s “Operating earnings before income taxes.”

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Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,324	$ 1,099	$ 1,120	$ 1,264
Equity securities	928	690
Mortgage loans	401	468
Policy loans	252	264
Assets of managed investment entities	3,058	2,537
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts)	548	616
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	934	952
Liabilities of managed investment entities	2,787	2,323
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts)	548	616
Carrying Value [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,324	1,099
Fixed maturities	22,247	19,721
Equity securities	928	690
Mortgage loans	401	468
Policy loans	252	264
Other investments - derivatives	71	98
Assets of managed investment entities	3,058	2,537
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts)	548	616
Liabilities:
Annuity benefits accumulated	15,219	12,696
Long-term debt	934	952
Liabilities of managed investment entities	2,787	2,323
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts)	548	616
Other liabilities - derivatives	23	14
Fair Value [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,324	1,099
Fixed maturities	22,247	19,721
Equity securities	928	690
Mortgage loans	401	469
Policy loans	252	264
Other investments - derivatives	71	98
Assets of managed investment entities	3,058	2,537
Variable annuity assets (separate accounts)	548	616
Liabilities:
Annuity benefits accumulated	15,314	12,233
Long-term debt	1,010	1,023
Liabilities of managed investment entities	2,787	2,323
Variable annuity liabilities (separate accounts)	548	616
Other liabilities - derivatives	$ 23	$ 14

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Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Quarterly Operating Results [Abstract]

Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)

N. Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)

The operations of certain AFG business segments are seasonal in nature. While insurance premiums are recognized on a relatively level basis, claim losses related to adverse weather (snow, hail, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.) may be seasonal. The profitability of AFG’s crop insurance business is primarily recognized during the second half of the year as crop prices and yields are determined. Quarterly results necessarily rely heavily on estimates. These estimates and certain other factors, such as the discretionary sales of assets, cause the quarterly results not to be necessarily indicative of results for longer periods of time.

The following are quarterly results of consolidated operations for the two years ended December 31, 2011 (in millions, except per share amounts). Quarterly earnings per share do not add to year-to-date amounts due to changes in shares outstanding.

	1st		2nd		3rd		4th		Total
	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Year
2011
Revenues	$	1,039	$	1,093	$	1,335	$	1,283	$	4,750
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		54		30		108		127		319
Net earnings attributable to shareholders		88		48		97		109		342
Earnings attributable to shareholders per common share:
Basic	$	.84	$	.47	$	.97	$	1.11	$	3.37
Diluted		.83		.46		.95		1.09		3.32
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic		104.6		102.7		99.7		98.2		101.3
Diluted		106.2		104.4		101.3		99.8		102.9
2010
Revenues	$	1,034	$	1,052	$	1,255	$	1,156	$	4,497
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		86		95		136		109		426
Net earnings attributable to shareholders		104		103		143		132		482
Earnings attributable to shareholders per common share:
Basic	$	.93	$	.93	$	1.32	$	1.24	$	4.41
Diluted		.92		.92		1.30		1.22		4.36
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic		112.0		110.2		108.2		106.7		109.2
Diluted		113.1		111.8		109.5		108.1		110.5

Pretax realized gains on securities (including other-than-temporary impairments) and favorable (unfavorable) prior year development of AFG’s liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) were as follows (in millions):

	1st		2nd			3rd		4th		Total
	Quarter		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Year
Realized Gains on Securities
2011	$	—	$	19		$	8	$	49	$	76
2010		4		11			57		29		101
Prior Year Development Favorable (Unfavorable)
2011	$	21	$	(13	)	$	34	$	27	$	69
2010		39		57			14		48		158

Unfavorable prior year development (in the table above) for the second quarter of 2011 includes pretax special charges of $50 million to strengthen property and casualty insurance reserves for asbestos and environmental exposures. Results for the second quarter of 2011 also include pretax special charges of $9 million to strengthen reserves for asbestos and environmental exposures related to AFG’s railroad and manufacturing operations, pretax catastrophe losses of $23 million primarily from tornadoes and pretax realized gains of $33 million from the sales of a portion of AFG’s investment in Verisk Analytics, Inc. (“Verisk”). The 2011 fourth quarter includes a $34 million special charge for a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets and $40 million of pretax realized gains on sales of Verisk.

Results for 2010 include pretax catastrophe losses of $34 million in the second quarter, primarily from hailstorms in Oklahoma. Results for the third quarter of 2010 include a pretax gain of $26 million from the sale of Verisk and $39 million in adverse reserve development related to Marketform, primarily its run-off Italian public hospital medical malpractice business.

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Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations [Abstract]

Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE V—SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING

PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS

THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011

(IN MILLIONS)

COLUMN A	COLUMN B		COLUMN C		COLUMN D		COLUMN E		COLUMN F		COLUMN G		COLUMN H					COLUMN I		COLUMN J		COLUMN K
AFFILIATION WITH REGISTRANT	DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS		(a) RESERVES  FOR UNPAID CLAIMS AND CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES		(b) DISCOUNT DEDUCTED IN COLUMN C		(c) UNEARNED PREMIUMS		EARNED PREMIUMS		NET INVESTMENT INCOME		CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES INCURRED RELATED TO					AMORTIZATION OF  DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS		PAID CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES		PREMIUMS WRITTEN
													CURRENT YEAR		PRIOR YEARS
CONSOLIDATED PROPERTY-CASUALTY ENTITIES
2011	$	189	$	6,520	$	30	$	1,484	$	2,759	$	269	$	1,813	$	(69	)	$	425	$	1,621	$	2,770
2010	$	181	$	6,413	$	32	$	1,534	$	2,550	$	317	$	1,615	$	(158	)	$	404	$	1,476	$	2,408
2009									$	2,412	$	394	$	1,385	$	(198	)	$	421	$	1,502	$	2,311

(a) Grossed up for reinsurance recoverables of $2,238 and $2,249 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(b) Discounted at approximately 6%.

(c) Grossed up for prepaid reinsurance premiums of $409 and $422 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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Condensed Consolidating Information (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums									$ 2,759	$ 2,550	$ 2,412
Life, accident and health premiums									430	451	444
Realized gains (losses)									73	88	38
Income of managed investment entities									72	23
Investment and other income									1,416	1,385	1,426
Total revenues	1,283	1,335	1,093	1,039	1,156	1,255	1,052	1,034	4,750	4,497	4,320
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses									3,660	3,275	2,955
Interest charges on borrowed money									85	78	67
Expenses of managed investment entities									71	55
Other operating and general expenses									376	395	480
Total costs and expenses									4,192	3,803	3,502
Operating earnings before income taxes									558	694	818
Provision (credit) for income taxes									239	268	284
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	127	108	30	54	109	136	95	86	319	426	534
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests									(23)	(56)	11
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	109	97	48	88	132	143	103	104	342	482	523
AFG [Member]
Revenues:
Investment and other income									2	4	2
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									708	855	902
Total revenues									710	859	904
Costs and Expenses:
Interest charges on borrowed money									64	58	50
Other operating and general expenses									65	51	47
Total costs and expenses									129	109	97
Operating earnings before income taxes									581	750	807
Provision (credit) for income taxes									239	268	284
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									342	482	523
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders									342	482	523
GAFRI [Member]
Revenues:
Realized gains (losses)									(1)	(2)	(7)
Investment and other income									11	11	10
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									187	191	63
Total revenues									197	200	66
Costs and Expenses:
Other operating and general expenses									15	16	20
Total costs and expenses									15	16	20
Operating earnings before income taxes									182	184	46
Provision (credit) for income taxes									61	70	13
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									121	114	33
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders									121	114	33
AAG Holding [Member]
Revenues:
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									214	238	105
Total revenues									214	238	105
Costs and Expenses:
Interest charges on borrowed money									25	25	25
Other operating and general expenses									5	5	6
Total costs and expenses									30	30	31
Operating earnings before income taxes									184	208	74
Provision (credit) for income taxes									63	70	22
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									121	138	52
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders									121	138	52
All Other Subs [Member]
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums									2,759	2,550	2,412
Life, accident and health premiums									430	451	444
Realized gains (losses)									75	90	44
Income of managed investment entities									72	23
Investment and other income									1,430	1,392	1,437
Total revenues									4,766	4,506	4,337
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses									3,660	3,275	2,955
Interest charges on borrowed money									16	17	15
Expenses of managed investment entities									71	55
Other operating and general expenses									297	323	408
Total costs and expenses									4,044	3,670	3,378
Operating earnings before income taxes									722	836	959
Provision (credit) for income taxes									282	316	329
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									440	520	630
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests									(23)	(56)	11
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders									463	576	619
Consol. Entries [Member]
Revenues:
Realized gains (losses)									(1)		1
Investment and other income									(27)	(22)	(23)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(1,109)	(1,284)	(1,070)
Total revenues									(1,137)	(1,306)	(1,092)
Costs and Expenses:
Interest charges on borrowed money									(20)	(22)	(23)
Other operating and general expenses									(6)		(1)
Total costs and expenses									(26)	(22)	(24)
Operating earnings before income taxes									(1,111)	(1,284)	(1,068)
Provision (credit) for income taxes									(406)	(456)	(364)
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests									(705)	(828)	(704)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders									$ (705)	$ (828)	$ (704)

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Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets:
Total AFS securities	$ 21,807	$ 19,328
Trading fixed maturities	440	393
Assets of managed investment entities (MIE)	3,058	2,537
Total assets accounted for at fair value	26,852	23,662
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities	2,787	2,323
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated	395	190
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value	3,182	2,513
Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	257	260
Assets of managed investment entities (MIE)	290	96
Total assets accounted for at fair value	1,435	817
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities	194	65
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value	194	65
Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	20,568	18,294
Trading fixed maturities	439	390
Assets of managed investment entities (MIE)	2,724	2,393
Total assets accounted for at fair value	24,379	21,999
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities	0	0
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated	0	0
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value	0	0
Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	982	774
Trading fixed maturities	1	3
Assets of managed investment entities (MIE)	44	48
Total assets accounted for at fair value	1,038	846
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities	2,593	2,258
Derivatives in annuity benefits accumulated	395	190
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value	2,988	2,448
Variable Annuity Assets (separate accounts) [Member]
Assets:
Variable annuity assets	548	616
Variable Annuity Assets (separate accounts) [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Variable annuity assets	548	616
Other Investments [Member]
Assets:
Other Investments	71	98
Other Investments [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Other Investments	71	98
U.S. Government and government agencies [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	382	467
U.S. Government and government agencies [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	248	251
U.S. Government and government agencies [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	134	216
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	3,877	2,939
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	3,794	2,919
States, municipalities and political subdivisions [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	83	20
Foreign government [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	254	278
Foreign government [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	254	278
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	3,848	3,875
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	3,487	3,563
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	361	312
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	2,840	2,123
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	2,821	2,117
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	19	6
All other corporate [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	10,606	9,646
All other corporate [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	9	9
All other corporate [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	10,078	9,201
All other corporate [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	519	436
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	928	690
Equity Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	888	461
Equity Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	29	208
Equity Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Total AFS securities	$ 11	$ 21

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Condensed Consolidating Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Condensed Consolidating Information [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

(In millions)

					AAG		All Other		Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs		Entries			Consolidated
DECEMBER 31, 2011
Assets:
Cash and investments	$	456	$	32	$	—	$	25,090	$	(1	)	$	25,577
Recoverables from reinsurers and prepaid reinsurance premiums		—		—		—		3,351		—			3,351
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable		—		—		—		565		—			565
Deferred policy acquisition costs		—		—		—		901		—			901
Assets of managed investment entities		—		—		—		3,058		—			3,058
Other assets		105		5		5		2,309		(38	)		2,386
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates		4,732		2,015		2,107		643		(9,497	)		—
Total assets	$	5,293	$	2,052	$	2,112	$	35,917	$	(9,536	)	$	35,838
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	8,004	$	—		$	8,004
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves		—		—		—		17,148		(1	)		17,147
Liabilities of managed investment entities		—		—		—		2,787		—			2,787
Long-term debt		600		—		220		115		(1	)		934
Other liabilities		282		20		109		2,196		(198	)		2,409
Total liabilities		882		20		329		30,250		(200	)		31,281
Total shareholders’ equity		4,411		2,032		1,783		5,521		(9,336	)		4,411
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		146		—			146
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,293	$	2,052	$	2,112	$	35,917	$	(9,536	)	$	35,838
DECEMBER 31, 2010
Assets:
Cash and investments	$	412	$	33	$	—	$	22,228	$	(3	)	$	22,670
Recoverables from reinsurers and prepaid reinsurance premiums		—		—		—		3,386		—			3,386
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable		—		—		—		535		—			535
Deferred policy acquisition costs		—		—		—		1,031		—			1,031
Assets of managed investment entities		—		—		—		2,537		—			2,537
Other assets		36		6		5		2,050		(15	)		2,082
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates		4,677		1,854		1,951		671		(9,153	)		—
Total assets	$	5,125	$	1,893	$	1,956	$	32,438	$	(9,171	)	$	32,241
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	7,947	$	—		$	7,947
Annuity, life, accident and health benefits and reserves		—		—		—		14,556		(1	)		14,555
Liabilities of managed investment entities		—		—		—		2,323		—			2,323
Long-term debt		600		1		219		133		(1	)		952
Other liabilities		194		19		110		1,814		(154	)		1,983
Total liabilities		794		20		329		26,773		(156	)		27,760
Total shareholders’ equity		4,331		1,873		1,627		5,515		(9,015	)		4,331
Noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		150		—			150
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,125	$	1,893	$	1,956	$	32,438	$	(9,171	)	$	32,241

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Earnings

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS

(In millions)

						AAG		All Other			Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI			Holding		Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	2,759		$	—		$	2,759
Life, accident and health premiums		—		—			—		430			—			430
Realized gains (losses)		—		(1	)		—		75			(1	)		73
Income of managed investment entities		—		—			—		72			—			72
Investment and other income		2		11			—		1,430			(27	)		1,416
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		708		187			214		—			(1,109	)		—
Total revenues		710		197			214		4,766			(1,137	)		4,750
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		—		—			—		3,660			—			3,660
Interest charges on borrowed money		64		—			25		16			(20	)		85
Expenses of managed investment entities		—		—			—		71			—			71
Other operating and general expenses		65		15			5		297			(6	)		376
Total costs and expenses		129		15			30		4,044			(26	)		4,192
Operating earnings before income taxes		581		182			184		722			(1,111	)		558
Provision (credit) for income taxes		239		61			63		282			(406	)		239
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		342		121			121		440			(705	)		319
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—		(23	)		—			(23	)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	342	$	121		$	121	$	463		$	(705	)	$	342
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	2,550		$	—		$	2,550
Life, accident and health premiums		—		—			—		451			—			451
Realized gains (losses)		—		(2	)		—		90			—			88
Income of managed investment entities		—		—			—		23			—			23
Investment and other income		4		11			—		1,392			(22	)		1,385
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		855		191			238		—			(1,284	)		—
Total revenues		859		200			238		4,506			(1,306	)		4,497
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		—		—			—		3,275			—			3,275
Interest charges on borrowed money		58		—			25		17			(22	)		78
Expenses of managed investment entities		—		—			—		55			—			55
Other operating and general expenses		51		16			5		323			—			395
Total costs and expenses		109		16			30		3,670			(22	)		3,803
Operating earnings before income taxes		750		184			208		836			(1,284	)		694
Provision (credit) for income taxes		268		70			70		316			(456	)		268
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		482		114			138		520			(828	)		426
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—		(56	)		—			(56	)
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	482	$	114		$	138	$	576		$	(828	)	$	482

						AAG		All Other		Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI			Holding		Subs		Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance premiums	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	2,412	$	—		$	2,412
Life, accident and health premiums		—		—			—		444		—			444
Realized gains (losses)		—		(7	)		—		44		1			38
Investment and other income		2		10			—		1,437		(23	)		1,426
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries		902		63			105		—		(1,070	)		—
Total revenues		904		66			105		4,337		(1,092	)		4,320
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses		—		—			—		2,955		—			2,955
Interest charges on borrowed money		50		—			25		15		(23	)		67
Other operating and general expenses		47		20			6		408		(1	)		480
Total costs and expenses		97		20			31		3,378		(24	)		3,502
Operating earnings before income taxes		807		46			74		959		(1,068	)		818
Provision (credit) for income taxes		284		13			22		329		(364	)		284
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests		523		33			52		630		(704	)		534
Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—			—		11		—			11
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$	523	$	33		$	52	$	619	$	(704	)	$	523

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)

					AAG		All Other			Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	342	$	121	$	121	$	440		$	(705	)	$	319
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		85		62		62		91			(209	)		91
Total comprehensive income, net of tax		427		183		183		531			(914	)		410
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		(17	)		—			(17	)
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$	427	$	183	$	183	$	548		$	(914	)	$	427

					AAG		All Other			Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	482	$	114	$	138	$	520		$	(828	)	$	426
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		336		244		240		334			(816	)		338
Total comprehensive income, net of tax		818		358		378		854			(1,644	)		764
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		(54	)		—			(54	)
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$	818	$	358	$	378	$	908		$	(1,644	)	$	818

					AAG		All Other		Consol.
	AFG		GAFRI		Holding		Subs		Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	523	$	33	$	52	$	630	$	(704	)	$	534
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		918		527		518		926		(1,964	)		925
Total comprehensive income, net of tax		1,441		560		570		1,556		(2,668	)		1,459
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		—		—		—		18		—			18
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$	1,441	$	560	$	570	$	1,538	$	(2,668	)	$	1,441

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

							AAG			All Other			Consol.
	AFG			GAFRI			Holding			Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	342		$	121		$	121		$	440		$	(705	)	$	319
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(439	)		(123	)		(141	)		—			703			—
Dividends from subsidiaries		542			3			38			—			(583	)		—
Other operating activities, net		17			(1	)		2			328			2			348
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		462			—			20			768			(583	)		667
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(54	)		—			—			(5,940	)		—			(5,994	)
Returns of capital from (capital contributions to) subsidiaries		(27	)		14			(1	)		—			14			—
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		4			9			—			2,230			—			2,243
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		5			—			—			1,489			—			1,494
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments		—			—			—			(1,563	)		—			(1,563	)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments		—			—			—			1,391			—			1,391
Other investing activities, net		—			—			—			(10	)		—			(10	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(72	)		23			(1	)		(2,403	)		14			(2,439	)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts		—			—			—			3,326			—			3,326
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals		—			—			—			(1,321	)		—			(1,321	)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets		—			—			—			39			—			39
Additional long-term borrowings		—			—			—			2			—			2
Reductions of long-term debt		—			—			—			(20	)		—			(20	)
Issuances of managed investment entities’ liabilities		—			—			—			394			—			394
Retirement of managed investment entities’ liabilities		—			—			—			(66	)		—			(66	)
Issuances of Common Stock		37			—			—			2			—			39
Capital contributions from (returns of capital to) parent		—			16			(19	)		(143	)		146			—
Repurchases of Common Stock		(315	)		—			—			—			—			(315	)
Cash dividends paid		(67	)		(40	)		—			(383	)		423			(67	)
Other financing activities, net		—			—			—			(14	)		—			(14	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(345	)		(24	)		(19	)		1,816			569			1,997
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		45			(1	)		—			181			—			225
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		370			20			—			709			—			1,099
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	415		$	19		$	—		$	890		$	—		$	1,324

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

							AAG			All Other			Consol.
	AFG			GAFRI			Holding			Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	482		$	114		$	138		$	520		$	(828	)	$	426
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(551	)		(119	)		(157	)		—			827			—
Dividends from subsidiaries		550			—			16			—			(566	)		—
Other operating activities, net		—			(2	)		1			438			1			438
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		481			(7	)		(2	)		958			(566	)		864
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(13	)		(5	)		—			(5,417	)		—			(5,435	)
Purchase of subsidiaries		—			—			—			(128	)		—			(128	)
Capital contributions to subsidiaries		(97	)		(7	)		(5	)		—			109			—
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		—			11			—			2,141			—			2,152
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		—			—			—			1,593			—			1,593
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments		—			—			—			(1,008	)		—			(1,008	)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments		—			—			—			1,018			—			1,018
Other investing activities, net		—			—			—			103			—			103
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(110	)		(1	)		(5	)		(1,698	)		109			(1,705	)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts		—			—			—			2,282			—			2,282
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals		—			—			—			(1,221	)		—			(1,221	)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets		—			—			—			7			—			7
Additional long-term borrowings		128			—			—			31			—			159
Reductions of long-term debt		—			—			—			(39	)		—			(39	)
Retirement of managed investment entities’ liabilities		—			—			—			(45	)		—			(45	)
Issuances of Common Stock		31			—			—			1			—			32
Capital contributions from parent		—			16			7			86			(109	)		—
Repurchases of Common Stock		(292	)		—			—			—			—			(292	)
Cash dividends paid		(63	)		—			—			(566	)		566			(63	)
Other financing activities, net		(2	)		—			—			2			—			—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(198	)		16			7			538			457			820
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		173			8			—			(202	)		—			(21	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		197			12			—			911			—			1,120
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	370		$	20		$	—		$	709		$	—		$	1,099

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

							AAG			All Other			Consol.
	AFG			GAFRI			Holding			Subs			Entries			Consolidated
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
Operating Activities:
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$	523		$	33		$	52		$	630		($	704	)	$	534
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(587	)		(45	)		(73	)		—			705			—
Dividends from subsidiaries		636			3			—			—			(639	)		—
Other operating activities, net		14			4			(3	)		367			(1	)		381
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		586			(5	)		(24	)		997			(639	)		915
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment		(14	)		(15	)		—			(4,991	)		—			(5,020	)
Purchase of subsidiaries		—			—			—			(5	)		—			(5	)
Capital contributions to subsidiaries		(170	)		(141	)		(116	)		—			427			—
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments		1			2			—			1,942			—			1,945
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment		15			1			—			2,319			—			2,335
Other investing activities, net		—			—			—			(38	)		—			(38	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(168	)		(153	)		(116	)		(773	)		427			(783	)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts		—			—			—			1,434			—			1,434
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals		—			—			—			(1,273	)		—			(1,273	)
Net transfers from (to) variable annuity assets		—			—			—			(10	)		—			(10	)
Additional long-term borrowings		522			—			—			59			—			581
Reductions of long-term debt		(776	)		—			—			(9	)		—			(785	)
Issuances of Common Stock		14			—			—			1			—			15
Capital contributions from parent		—			168			140			119			(427	)		—
Repurchases of Common Stock		(81	)		—			—			—			—			(81	)
Cash dividends paid		(60	)		—			—			(639	)		639			(60	)
Other financing activities, net		—			—			—			(97	)		—			(97	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(381	)		168			140			(415	)		212			(276	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		37			10			—			(191	)		—			(144	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		160			2			—			1,102			—			1,264
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	197		$	12		$	—		$	911		$	—		$	1,120

XML

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings, including noncontrolling interests	$ 319	$ 426	$ 534
Net unrealized gains on securities:
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period	161	403	958
Reclassification adjustment for:
Realized gains included in net earnings	(68)	(73)	(51)
Unrealized gains on subsidiary sold	(1)
Total net unrealized gains on securities	92	330	907
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(2)	8	19
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments	1		(1)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	91	338	925
Total comprehensive income, net of tax	410	764	1,459
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(17)	(54)	18
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders	$ 427	$ 818	$ 1,441

XML

Insurance (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Analysis of changes in the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance
Balance at beginning of period				$ 4,164				$ 3,899	$ 4,164	$ 3,899	$ 4,154
Provision for losses and LAE occurring in the current year									1,813	1,615	1,385
Net decrease in provision for claims of prior years	(27)	(34)	13	(21)	(48)	(14)	(57)	(39)	(69)	(158)	(198)
Total losses and LAE incurred									1,744	1,457	1,187
Payments for losses and LAE of:
Current year									(652)	(360)	(504)
Prior years									(969)	(1,116)	(998)
Total payments									(1,621)	(1,476)	(1,502)
Reserves of businesses acquired										287
Foreign - currency translation and other									(5)	(3)	60
Balance at end of period	4,282				4,164				4,282	4,164	3,899
Add back reinsurance recoverable, net of allowance	2,238				2,249				2,238	2,249	2,513
Gross unpaid losses and LAE included in the Balance Sheet	$ 6,520				$ 6,413				$ 6,520	$ 6,413	$ 6,412

XML

Segments of Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Segments of Operations [Abstract]

Segments of Operations

C. Segments of Operations

AFG manages its business as three segments: (i) property and casualty insurance, (ii) annuity and supplemental insurance and (iii) other, which includes holding company assets and costs, and the assets and operations of the managed investment entities.

AFG reports its property and casualty insurance business in the following Specialty sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, which includes physical damage and liability coverage for buses, trucks and recreational vehicles, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products and other property coverages, (ii) Specialty casualty, which includes primarily excess and surplus, general liability, executive liability, umbrella and excess liability, customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and California workers’ compensation, and (iii) Specialty financial, which includes risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions (including collateral and mortgage protection insurance), surety and fidelity products and trade credit insurance. AFG’s annuity and supplemental insurance business markets traditional fixed and indexed annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance products such as Medicare supplement.

AFG’s reportable segments and their components were determined based primarily upon similar economic characteristics, products and services.

Sales of property and casualty insurance outside of the United States represented 5% of AFG’s revenues in 2011, and 4% in both 2010 and 2009.

The following tables (in millions) show AFG’s assets, revenues and operating earnings before income taxes by significant business segment and sub-segment.

	2011			2010			2009
Assets
Property and casualty insurance (a)	$	11,740		$	11,466		$	11,711
Annuity and supplemental insurance		20,389			17,696			15,387
Other		3,709			3,079			344
Total assets	$	35,838		$	32,241		$	27,442
Revenues
Property and casualty insurance:
Premiums earned:
Specialty
Property and transportation	$	1,412		$	1,167		$	909
Specialty casualty		872			873			917
Specialty financial		408			446			517
Other		67			64			69
Total premiums earned		2,759			2,550			2,412
Investment income		296			341			414
Realized gains (losses)		97			88			123
Other income		65			64			106
Total property and casualty insurance		3,217			3,043			3,055
Annuity and supplemental insurance:
Investment income		944			856			784
Life, accident and health premiums		430			451			444
Realized gains (losses)		(23	)		—			(86	)
Other income		104			110			114
Total annuity and supplemental insurance		1,455			1,417			1,256
Other		78			37			9
Total revenues	$	4,750		$	4,497		$	4,320
Operating Earnings Before Income Taxes
Property and casualty insurance:
Underwriting:
Specialty
Property and transportation	$	113		$	141		$	237
Specialty casualty		35			45			64
Specialty financial		65			123			148
Other		18			8			(9	)
Other lines (b)		(51	)		(11	)		(7	)
Total underwriting		180			306			433
Investment and other income, net		263			299			338
Realized gains (losses)		97			88			123
Total property and casualty insurance		540			693			894
Annuity and supplemental insurance:
Operations		222			197			152
Realized gains (losses)		(23	)		—			(86	)
Total annuity and supplemental insurance		199			197			66
Other (c)		(181	)		(196	)		(142	)
Total operating earnings before income taxes	$	558		$	694		$	818

(a) Not allocable to sub-segments.

(b) Includes a second quarter 2011 special charge of $50 million to increase asbestos and environmental reserves.

(c) Includes holding company expenses, a second quarter 2011 special charge of $9 million to increase asbestos and environmental reserves and $24 million and $64 million in losses of managed investment entities attributable to noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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Investments (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments
Realized before impairments	$ 128	$ 163	$ 246
Realized - impairments	(52)	(62)	(203)
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments
Realized before impairments	68	146	207
Realized - impairments	(57)	(79)	(221)
Change in unrealized	407	751	2,005
Equity Securities [Member]
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments
Realized before impairments	88	36	61
Realized - impairments	(6)	(1)	(22)
Change in unrealized	(48)	49	126
Mortgage Loans and other investments [Member]
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments
Realized before impairments	(24)	(5)	1
Realized - impairments	(5)	(6)	(28)
Other [Member]
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments
Realized before impairments	(4)	(14)	(23)
Realized - impairments	16	24	68
Change in unrealized	(218)	(293)	(735)
Tax Effects [Member]
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments
Realized before impairments	(45)	(57)	(82)
Realized - impairments	18	22	72
Change in unrealized	(49)	(177)	(489)
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments
Realized before impairments	(2)	(2)	(5)
Realized - impairments	1		1
Change in unrealized	(5)	(2)	(6)
Marketable Securities [Member]
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) related to fixed maturity and equity security investments
Realized before impairments	81	104	159
Realized - impairments	(33)	(40)	(130)
Change in unrealized	$ 87	$ 328	$ 901

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Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2008
Progression of the liability for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties
Balance at January 1	$ 52	$ 36	$ 36
Additions for tax positions of current year	7	16
Balance at December 31	$ 59	$ 52	$ 36

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Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Goodwill and other intangibles (Textual) [Abstract]
Goodwill		$ 186	$ 186	$ 208
Impairment charges of Goodwill	22
Amortizable intangible assets related to property and casualty insurance acquisitions		41	49
Amortization of intangible assets		12	12	22
Accumulated amortization		47	35
Weighted average amortization period		3
Future amortization of intangibles, Year 2012		14
Future amortization of intangibles, Year 2013		13
Future amortization of intangibles, Year 2014		13
Future amortization of intangibles, after 2014		less than 1 million per year
Non-amortizable intangible assets related to insurance licenses		$ 8

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Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of presentation

Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Financial Group, Inc. (“AFG”) and its subsidiaries. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years to conform to the current year’s presentation. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations of companies since their formation or acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements. Events or transactions occurring subsequent to December 31, 2011, and prior to the filing of this Form 10-K, have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure herein.

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimates.

Accounting standards retrospectively adopted in 2012

Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012 Effective January 1, 2012, AFG retrospectively adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-26 that addresses which costs related to issuing or renewing insurance contracts qualify for deferral. To qualify for deferral, the guidance specifies that a cost must be directly related to the successful acquisition of an insurance contract. The financial statements and related disclosures for prior periods have been adjusted to reflect the adoption of the new standard.

The impact of adoption on amounts previously reported is shown in the table below (in millions, except per share data):

	December 31,
	2011		2010
Deferred policy acquisition costs
As reported	$	1,105	$	1,244
As adjusted		901		1,031
Net deferred tax liability (included in other liabilities)
As reported	$	203	$	116
As adjusted		133		42
Shareholders’ equity
As reported	$	4,545	$	4,470
As adjusted		4,411		4,331

	December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Net earnings attributable to shareholders
As reported	$	343	$	479	$	519
As adjusted		342		482		523
Diluted earnings per Common Share
As reported	$	3.33	$	4.33	$	4.45
As adjusted		3.32		4.36		4.48

Effective January 1, 2012, AFG retrospectively adopted ASU 2011-05, which eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income in the Statement of Changes in Equity. As permitted by the standard, comprehensive income is presented herein in a separate statement immediately following the Statement of Earnings. This new presentation does not change the measurement of net earnings, other comprehensive income or earnings per share, and accordingly, had no impact on AFG’s results of operations or financial position.

Fair value measurements

Fair Value Measurements Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standards establish a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (“inputs”) are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect AFG’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Except for the acquisition discussed in Note B—“Acquisition” and the impairment of goodwill discussed in Note I—“Goodwill and Other Intangibles,” AFG did not have any significant nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and liabilities in 2011 or 2010.

New accounting guidance adopted by AFG on January 1, 2010, requires additional disclosures about transfers between levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements. The guidance also clarifies existing disclosure requirements related to the level of disaggregation presented and inputs used in determining fair values. Additional detail relating to the roll-forward of Level 3 fair values was required in 2011.

Effective January 1, 2012, AFG prospectively adopted ASU 2011-04, which clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and amends certain disclosure requirements. The impact of adoption was not material to AFG’s results of operations or financial position.

Investments

Investments Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as “available for sale” are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Fixed maturity and equity securities classified as “trading” are reported at fair value with changes in unrealized holding gains or losses during the period included in investment income. Mortgage and policy loans are carried primarily at the aggregate unpaid balance.

Premiums and discounts on fixed maturity securities are amortized using the interest method; mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are amortized over a period based on estimated future principal payments, including prepayments. Prepayment assumptions are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect actual prepayments and changes in expectations.

Gains or losses on securities are determined on the specific identification basis. When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be other-than-temporary at the balance sheet date, a provision for impairment is charged to earnings (included in realized gains (losses)) and the cost basis of that investment is reduced.

In 2009, AFG adopted new accounting guidance relating to the recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairments. Under the guidance, if management can assert that it does not intend to sell an impaired fixed maturity security and it is not more likely than not that it will have to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, then the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into two components: 1) the amount related to credit losses (recorded in earnings) and 2) the amount related to all other factors (recorded in other comprehensive income (loss)). The credit-related portion of an other-than-temporary impairment is measured by comparing a security’s amortized cost to the present value of its current expected cash flows discounted at its effective yield prior to the impairment charge. Both components are shown in the Statement of Earnings. If management intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, an impairment charge to earnings is recorded to reduce the amortized cost of that security to fair value. AFG adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009, and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $17 million to reclassify the non-credit component of previously recognized impairments from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Additional disclosures required by this guidance are contained in Note E—“Investments.”

Derivatives

Derivatives Derivatives included in AFG’s Balance Sheet are recorded at fair value and consist primarily of (i) components of certain fixed maturity securities (primarily interest-only MBS) and (ii) the equity-based component of certain annuity products (included in annuity benefits accumulated) and related call options (included in other investments) designed to be consistent with the characteristics of the liabilities and used to mitigate the risk embedded in those annuity products. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are included in earnings.

Goodwill

Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of cost of subsidiaries over AFG’s equity in their underlying net assets. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an impairment test at least annually. On October 1, 2011, AFG adopted ASU 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” which simplifies the annual goodwill impairment test by only requiring an entity to complete the test on a reporting unit if the entity determines that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. The adoption of this guidance did not impact AFG’s results of operations or financial position.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries report as assets (a) the estimated reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, including an estimate for losses incurred but not reported, and (b) amounts paid to reinsurers applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Payable to reinsurers includes ceded premiums due to reinsurers as well as ceded premiums retained by AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries under contracts to fund ceded losses as they become due. AFG’s insurance subsidiaries also assume reinsurance from other companies. Earnings on reinsurance assumed is recognized based on information received from ceding companies.

Certain annuity and supplemental insurance subsidiaries cede life insurance policies to a third party on a funds withheld basis whereby the subsidiaries retain the assets (securities) associated with the reinsurance contracts. Interest is credited to the reinsurer based on the actual investment performance of the retained assets. These reinsurance contracts are considered to contain embedded derivatives (that must be adjusted to fair value) because the yield on the payables is based on specific blocks of the ceding companies’ assets, rather than the overall creditworthiness of the ceding company. AFG determined that changes in the fair value of the underlying portfolios of fixed maturity securities is an appropriate measure of the value of the embedded derivative. The securities related to these transactions are classified as “trading.” The adjustment to fair value on the embedded derivatives offsets the investment income recorded on the adjustment to fair value of the related trading portfolios.

Deferred policy acquisition costs ("DPAC")

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”) Policy acquisition costs (principally commissions, premium taxes and certain policy issuance costs) directly related to the successful acquisition of an insurance contract are deferred. DPAC also includes capitalized costs associated with sales inducements offered to fixed annuity policyholders such as enhanced interest rates and premium and persistency bonuses. As discussed above under “Accounting Standards Retrospectively Adopted in 2012,” AFG’s accounting for DPAC changed effective January 1, 2012, and amounts previously reported have been adjusted retrospectively.

For the property and casualty companies, DPAC is limited based upon recoverability without any consideration for anticipated investment income and is charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected claims costs, claims adjustment expenses and unamortized acquisition costs exceed the related unearned premiums. A premium deficiency is first recognized by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency is greater than unamortized acquisition costs, a liability is accrued for the excess deficiency and reported with unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.

DPAC related to annuities is deferred to the extent deemed recoverable and amortized, with interest, in relation to the present value of actual and expected gross profits on the policies. Expected gross profits consist principally of estimated future investment margin (estimated future net investment income less interest credited on policyholder funds) and surrender, mortality, and other life and variable annuity policy charges, less death and annuitization benefits in excess of account balances and estimated future policy administration expenses. To the extent that realized gains and losses result in adjustments to the amortization of DPAC related to annuities, such adjustments are reflected as components of realized gains (losses).

DPAC related to traditional life and health insurance is amortized over the expected premium paying period of the related policies, in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenues to total anticipated premium revenues.

DPAC related to annuities is also adjusted, net of tax, for the change in amortization that would have been recorded if the unrealized gains (losses) from securities had actually been realized. This adjustment is included in unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in AFG’s Balance Sheet.

DPAC includes the present value of future profits on business in force of annuity and supplemental insurance companies acquired (“PVFP”). PVFP represents the portion of the costs to acquire companies that is allocated to the value of the right to receive future cash flows from insurance contracts existing at the date of acquisition. PVFP is amortized with interest in relation to expected gross profits of the acquired policies for annuities and universal life products and in relation to the premium paying period for traditional life and health insurance products.

Managed investment entities

Managed Investment Entities A company is considered the primary beneficiary of, and therefore must consolidate, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based primarily on its ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact that entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

AFG manages, and has investments in, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) that are VIEs (See Note H – “Managed Investment Entities.”) Both the management fees (payment of which are subordinate to other obligations of the CLOs) and the investments in the CLOs are considered variable interests. AFG has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of the CLOs because (i) its role as asset manager gives it the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the CLOs and (ii) it has exposure to CLO losses (through its investments in the CLO debt tranches) and the right to receive benefits (through its subordinated management fees and returns on its investments), both of which could potentially be significant to the CLOs.

Because AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities, the assets and liabilities of the CLOs are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet (at fair value). Prior to adoption of guidance requiring the consolidation of VIEs beginning in 2010, the CLOs were not consolidated. Upon adoption of the guidance, the $261 million excess of fair value of the CLOs’ assets over the fair value of the liabilities was recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet as appropriated retained earnings—managed investment entities, representing the cumulative effect of adopting the new guidance that ultimately will inure to the benefit of the CLO debt holders.

AFG has elected the fair value option for reporting on the CLO assets and liabilities to improve the transparency of financial reporting related to the CLOs. The net gain or loss from accounting for the CLO assets and liabilities at fair value subsequent to January 1, 2010, is separately presented in AFG’s Statement of Earnings. CLO earnings attributable to AFG’s shareholders represent the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs and management fees earned. All other CLO earnings (losses) are not attributable to AFG’s shareholders and will ultimately inure to the benefit of the other CLO debt holders. As a result, such CLO earnings (losses) are included in net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in AFG’s Statement of Earnings and in appropriated retained earnings—managed investment entities in the Balance Sheet. As the CLOs approach maturity (2016 to 2022), it is expected that losses attributable to noncontrolling interests will reduce appropriated retained earnings towards zero as the fair values of the assets and liabilities converge and the CLO assets are used to pay the CLO debt.

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses The net liabilities stated for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims are based upon (a) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period on direct business written; (b) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (c) estimates of unreported losses (including possible development on known claims) based on past experience; (d) estimates based on experience of expenses for investigating and adjusting claims; and (e) the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Establishing reserves for asbestos, environmental and other mass tort claims involves considerably more judgment than other types of claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage.

Loss reserve liabilities are subject to the impact of changes in claim amounts and frequency and other factors. Changes in estimates of the liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reflected in the Statement of Earnings in the period in which determined. Despite the variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are adequate.

Annuity benefits accumulated

Annuity Benefits Accumulated Annuity receipts and benefit payments are recorded as increases or decreases in annuity benefits accumulated rather than as revenue and expense. Increases in this liability for interest credited are charged to expense and decreases for surrender charges are credited to other income.

For certain products, annuity benefits accumulated also includes reserves for accrued persistency and premium bonuses and excess benefits expected to be paid on future deaths and annuitizations (“EDAR”). The liability for EDAR is accrued for and modified using assumptions consistent with those used in determining DPAC and DPAC amortization, except that amounts are determined in relation to the present value of total expected assessments. Total expected assessments consist principally of estimated future investment margin, surrender, mortality, and other life and variable annuity policy charges, and unearned revenues once they are recognized as income.

Life, accident and health reserves

Life, Accident and Health Reserves Liabilities for future policy benefits under traditional life, accident and health policies are computed using the net level premium method. Computations are based on the original projections of investment yields, mortality, morbidity and surrenders and include provisions for unfavorable deviations. Claim reserves and liabilities established for accident and health claims are modified as necessary to reflect actual experience and developing trends.

Variable annuity assets and liabilities

Variable Annuity Assets and Liabilities Separate accounts related to variable annuities represent the fair value of deposits invested in underlying investment funds on which AFG earns a fee. Investment funds are selected and may be changed only by the policyholder, who retains all investment risk.

AFG’s variable annuity contracts contain a guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) to be paid if the policyholder dies before the annuity payout period commences. In periods of declining equity markets, the GMDB may exceed the value of the policyholder’s account. A GMDB liability is established for future excess death benefits using assumptions together with a range of reasonably possible scenarios for investment fund performance that are consistent with DPAC capitalization and amortization assumptions.

Premium recognition

Premium Recognition Property and casualty premiums are earned generally over the terms of the policies on a pro rata basis. Unearned premiums represent that portion of premiums written which is applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. On reinsurance assumed from other insurance companies or written through various underwriting organizations, unearned premiums are based on information received from such companies and organizations. For traditional life, accident and health products, premiums are recognized as revenue when legally collectible from policyholders. For interest-sensitive life and universal life products, premiums are recorded in a policyholder account, which is reflected as a liability. Revenue is recognized as amounts are assessed against the policyholder account for mortality coverage and contract expenses.

Noncontrolling interests

Noncontrolling Interests For Balance Sheet purposes, noncontrolling interests represents the interests of shareholders other than AFG in consolidated entities. In the Statement of Earnings, net earnings and losses attributable to noncontrolling interests represents such shareholders’ interest in the earnings and losses of those entities.

Income taxes

Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established to reduce total deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized.

AFG records a liability for the inherent uncertainty in quantifying its income tax provisions. Related interest and penalties are recognized as a component of tax expense.

Stock-based compensation

Stock-Based Compensation All share-based grants are recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their vesting periods based on their calculated fair value at the date of grant. AFG uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to measure the fair value of employee stock options. See Note K -”Shareholders’ Equity” for further information.

Benefit plans

Benefit Plans AFG provides retirement benefits to qualified employees of participating companies through the AFG 401(k) Retirement and Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan. AFG makes all contributions to the retirement fund portion of the plan and matches a percentage of employee contributions to the savings fund. Company contributions are expensed in the year for which they are declared. AFG and many of its subsidiaries provide health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees. AFG also provides postemployment benefits to former or inactive employees (primarily those on disability) who were not deemed retired under other company plans. The projected future cost of providing these benefits is expensed over the period employees earn such benefits.

Earnings per share

Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the following adjustments to weighted average common shares related to stock-based compensation plans: 2011 – 1.6 million, 2010—1.3 million and 2009—1.1 million.

AFG’s weighted average diluted shares outstanding excludes the following anti-dilutive potential common shares related to stock compensation plans: 2011 – 2.3 million, 2010—3.5 million and 2009—5.7 million. Adjustments to net earnings attributable to shareholders in the calculation of diluted earnings per share were nominal in the 2011, 2010 and 2009 periods.

Statement of cash flows

Statement of Cash Flows For cash flow purposes, “investing activities” are defined as making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property and equipment. “Financing activities” include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on their investments, borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed. Annuity receipts, benefits and withdrawals are also reflected as financing activities. All other activities are considered “operating.” Short-term investments having original maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents for purposes of the financial statements.

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Shareholders' Equity (Details 1)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 Y	Dec. 31, 2010 Y	Dec. 31, 2009 Y
Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions
Expected dividend yield	1.90%	2.20%	2.70%
Expected volatility	38.00%	39.00%	37.00%
Expected term (in years)	7.3	7.5	7.5
Risk-free rate	3.00%	3.20%	2.10%

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Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Reconciliation of income taxes at the statutory rate and income taxes shown in the Statement of Earnings

	2011			2010			2009
Earnings before income taxes	$	558		$	694		$	818
Income taxes at statutory rate	$	195		$	243		$	286
Effect of:
Change in valuation allowance		44			(1	)		(7	)
Losses of managed investment entities		9			23			—
Goodwill impairment charge		—			8			—
Subsidiaries not in AFG’s tax return		5			6			8
Tax exempt interest		(23	)		(16	)		(10	)
Other		9			5			7
Provision for income taxes as shown on the Statement of Earnings	$	239		$	268		$	284

Components of income tax provision (credit)

	2011		2010			2009
Current taxes:
Federal	$	186	$	214		$	239
State		4		4			6
Foreign		—		(1	)		1
Deferred taxes:
Federal		22		65			53
Foreign		27		(14	)		(15	)
Provision for income taxes	$	239	$	268		$	284

Summary of operating loss carryforwards

	Expiring	Amount
Operating Loss – U.S.	2012 - 2020	$	73
	2021 - 2025		73
Operating Loss – United Kingdom	indefinite		79

Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities

	2011			2010
Deferred tax assets:
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	$	51		$	52
Foreign underwriting losses		42			32
Insurance claims and reserves		435			404
Employee benefits		94			93
Other, net		52			68
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance		674			649
Valuation allowance against deferred tax assets		(97	)		(54	)
Total deferred tax assets		577			595
Deferred tax liabilities:
Subsidiaries not in AFG’s tax return		(61	)		(56	)
Investment securities		(441	)		(324	)
Deferred acquisition costs		(208	)		(257	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(710	)		(637	)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(133	)	$	(42	)

Progression of the liability for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties

	2011		2010		2009
Balance at January 1	$	52	$	36	$	36
Additions for tax positions of current year		7		16		—
Balance at December 31	$	59	$	52	$	36

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Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Contingencies [Abstract]

Contingencies

M. Contingencies

Establishing property and casualty insurance reserves for claims related to environmental exposures, asbestos and other mass tort claims is subject to uncertainties that are significantly greater than those presented by other types of claims. For this group of claims, traditional actuarial techniques that rely on historical loss development trends cannot be used and a range of reasonably possible losses cannot be estimated. In addition, accruals (included in other liabilities) have been recorded for various environmental and occupational injury and disease claims and other contingencies arising out of the railroad operations disposed of by American Premier’s predecessor, Penn Central Transportation Company (“PCTC”) and its subsidiaries, prior to its bankruptcy reorganization in 1978 and certain manufacturing operations disposed of by American Premier and GAFRI.

AFG completed a comprehensive study of asbestos and environmental exposures in the second quarter of 2011 with the assistance of outside actuarial and engineering firms and specialty outside counsel. The study resulted in asbestos and environmental charges of $50 million for the property and casualty group and $9 million for the former railroad and manufacturing operations.

The insurance group’s liability for asbestos and environmental reserves was $454 million at December 31, 2011; related recoverables from reinsurers (net of allowances for doubtful accounts) at that date were $92 million.

At December 31, 2011, American Premier and its subsidiaries had liabilities for environmental and personal injury claims aggregating $84 million. The environmental claims consist of a number of proceedings and claims seeking to impose responsibility for hazardous waste remediation costs related to certain sites formerly owned or operated by the railroad and manufacturing operations. Remediation costs are difficult to estimate for a number of reasons, including the number and financial resources of other potentially responsible parties, the range of costs for remediation alternatives, changing technology and the time period over which these matters develop. The personal injury claims include pending and expected claims, primarily by former employees of PCTC, for injury or disease allegedly caused by exposure to excessive noise, asbestos or other substances in the workplace.

At December 31, 2011, GAFRI had a liability of approximately $8 million for environmental costs and certain other matters associated with the sales of its former manufacturing operations.

While management believes AFG has recorded adequate reserves for the items discussed in this note, the outcome is uncertain and could result in liabilities that may vary from amounts AFG has currently recorded. Such amounts could have a material effect on AFG’s future results of operations and financial condition.

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Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Activities:
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders	$ 109	$ 97	$ 48	$ 88	$ 132	$ 143	$ 103	$ 104	$ 342	$ 482	$ 523
Adjustments:
Other operating activities, net									348	438	381
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									667	864	915
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment									(5,994)	(5,435)	(5,020)
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments									2,243	2,152	1,945
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment									1,494	1,593	2,335
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(2,439)	(1,705)	(783)
Financing Activities:
Additional long-term borrowings									2	159	581
Reductions of long-term debt									(20)	(39)	(785)
Issuances of Common Stock									39	32	15
Repurchases of Common Stock									(315)	(292)	(81)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock									(67)	(63)	(60)
Other financing activities, net									(14)		(97)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									1,997	820	(276)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents									225	(21)	(144)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				1,099				1,120	1,099	1,120	1,264
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	1,324				1,099				1,324	1,099	1,120
AFG [Member]
Operating Activities:
Net Earnings Attributable to Shareholders									342	482	523
Adjustments:
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries									(439)	(551)	(587)
Dividends from subsidiaries									542	550	636
Other operating activities, net									17		14
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									462	481	586
Investing Activities:
Purchases of investments, property and equipment									(54)	(13)	(14)
Returns of capital from (capital contributions to) subsidiaries									(27)	(97)	(170)
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of investments									4		1
Proceeds from sales of investments, property and equipment									5		15
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(72)	(110)	(168)
Financing Activities:
Additional long-term borrowings										128	522
Reductions of long-term debt											(776)
Issuances of Common Stock									37	31	14
Repurchases of Common Stock									(315)	(292)	(81)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock									(67)	(63)	(60)
Other financing activities, net										(2)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(345)	(198)	(381)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents									45	173	37
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				370				197	370	197	160
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 415				$ 370				$ 415	$ 370	$ 197