Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 4,773	$ 5,017
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	(1,131)	(505)
Depreciation and amortization	1,772	1,601
Other	(236)	(16)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities before business acquisitions:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	474	547
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	(278)	(389)
Unearned premiums	1,497	1,306
Receivables and originated loans	(2,415)	(1,475)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(236)	(1,117)
Income taxes	1,141	1,793
Other	(433)	(707)
Net cash flows from operating activities	4,928	6,055
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(1,996)	(1,807)
Purchases of equity securities	(1,202)	(1,411)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	88	675
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	1,989	1,426
Sales of equity securities	103	673
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(58)	(57)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	501	69
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(700)	(92)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(2,794)	(2,207)
Other	214	(1,225)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(3,855)	(3,956)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in short term borrowings, net	(4)	(496)
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(1,286)	(590)
Other financing activities	14	(7)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(311)	57
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes		(59)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	762	2,097
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	48,186	46,992
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	48,948	49,089
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	(1,059)	(434)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	10	2,579
Repayments of borrowings	(27)	(2,681)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	42,433	42,358
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	42,193	43,984
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	1,925	1,500
Repayments of borrowings	(838)	(152)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,400	2,570
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	3,847	3,003
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	(72)	(71)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	749	519
Repayments of borrowings	(854)	(615)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,353	2,064
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	$ 2,908	$ 2,102