Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 19,845	$ 15,312	$ 10,746
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	(4,065)	(1,462)	(1,274)
Depreciation and amortization	6,508	6,154	5,492
Other	373	(213)	2
Changes in operating assets and liabilities before business acquisitions:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	578	(421)	3,063
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	(340)	121	(329)
Unearned premiums	519	1,134	852
Receivables and originated loans	1,035	(1,610)	(1,159)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(2,430)	(2,183)	1,881
Income taxes	3,514	1,710	1,493
Other	2,167	2,408	(291)
Net cash flows from operating activities	27,704	20,950	20,476
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(7,546)	(8,250)	(7,362)
Purchases of equity securities	(8,558)	(7,376)	(15,660)
Purchases of other investments	(12,250)		(5,000)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	4,311	2,982	3,353
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	11,203	6,064	6,872
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	3,869	8,088	14,163
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(490)	(650)	(1,657)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	654	1,714	2,915
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(6,431)	(3,188)	(8,685)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(11,087)	(9,775)	(8,191)
Other	(1,210)	(183)	63
Net cash flows from investing activities	(27,535)	(10,574)	(19,189)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in short term borrowings, net	(1,317)	(309)	301
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests and treasury stock	(2,890)	(2,096)	(1,878)
Other financing activities	(134)	48	18
Net cash flows from financing activities	961	(806)	(2,217)
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	64	123	2
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,194	9,693	(928)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	46,992	37,299	38,227
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	48,186	46,992	37,299
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	(3,881)	(990)	(1,065)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	2,622	1,820	2,091
Repayments of borrowings	(2,835)	(2,078)	(2,307)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	42,358	33,513
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	42,614	42,358	33,513
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	7,491	4,707	2,290
Repayments of borrowings	(1,596)	(2,119)	(2,335)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,570	2,246
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	3,400	2,570	2,246
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	(184)	(472)	(209)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	3,462	2,352	1,562
Repayments of borrowings	(3,842)	(3,131)	(1,959)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,064	1,540
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 2,172	$ 2,064	$ 1,540