Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 9,340	$ 11,231
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(459)	(3,497)
Depreciation and amortization	3,812	3,582
Other	160	(249)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	670	599
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	246	(216)
Unearned premiums	1,379	1,612
Receivables and originated loans	(2,667)	(2,815)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	(1,144)	(405)
Income taxes	2,763	1,726
Other	(157)	265
Net cash flows from operating activities	13,943	11,833
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(3,001)	(3,477)
Purchases of equity securities	(4,714)	(2,054)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	622	577
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	2,295	3,159
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	2,160	2,961
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(57)	(141)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	246	658
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(4,500)	(676)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(6,836)	(6,093)
Other	41	262
Net cash flows from investing activities	(13,744)	(4,824)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in short term borrowings, net	(246)	317
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(70)	(1,287)
Other financing activities	(113)	(3)
Net cash flows from financing activities	3,196	239
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	(77)	21
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	3,318	7,269
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	63,269	48,186
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter	66,587	55,455
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(232)	(3,425)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	3,253	70
Repayments of borrowings	(1,843)	(36)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	57,974	42,433
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter	60,394	49,182
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	3,238	2,772
Repayments of borrowings	(848)	(1,301)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,001	3,400
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter	3,860	3,410
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(227)	(72)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	998	749
Repayments of borrowings	(1,173)	(1,042)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,294	2,353
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter	$ 2,333	$ 2,863