Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2022		Dec. 31, 2021		Dec. 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ (22,058)		$ 90,807		$ 43,253
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	67,623		(77,576)		(40,905)
Depreciation and amortization	10,899		10,718		10,596
Other	(4,324)		(3,397)		11,263
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	4,057		4,194		4,476
Deferred charges - retroactive reinsurance	769		1,802		1,307
Unearned premiums	1,861		2,306		1,587
Receivables and originated loans	(5,592)		(5,834)		(1,609)
Inventories	(4,779)		(1,862)		681
Other assets	(373)		176		(1,790)
Other liabilities	2,033		2,790		3,719
Income taxes	(12,892)		15,297		7,195
Net cash flows from operating activities	37,224		39,421		39,773
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of equity securities	(67,930)		(8,448)		(30,161)
Sales of equity securities	33,664		15,849		38,756
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	(183,922)		(152,637)		(208,429)
Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	90,088		27,188		31,873
Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	66,318		160,402		149,709
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(10,594)		(456)		(2,532)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and equipment held for lease	(15,464)		(13,276)		(13,012)
Other	239		770		(3,961)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(87,601)		29,392		(37,757)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in short term borrowings, net	(596)		(624)		(1,118)
Acquisition of treasury stock	(7,854)		(27,061)		(24,706)
Other, principally transactions with noncontrolling interests	(1,979)		(695)		(429)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,662)		(28,508)		(18,344)
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(268)		5		92
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(52,307)		40,310		(16,236)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	88,706		48,396		64,632
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	36,399		88,706		48,396
Restricted cash, included in other assets at end of year	$ 588		$ 522		$ 406
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Other		Other		Other
Insurance and Other [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	$ 7,822		$ 2,961		$ 5,925
Repayments of borrowings	(1,502)		(3,032)		(2,700)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	32,260	[1]	85,319	[1]	44,714
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	4,873		3,959		8,445
Repayments of borrowings	(2,426)		(4,016)		(3,761)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 3,551	[1]	$ 2,865	[1]	$ 3,276

[1] Includes U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities of three months or less when purchased of $2.6 billion at December 31, 2022 and $61.7 billion at December 31, 2021.