Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 5,657	$ 5,233
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(1,850)	(97)
Depreciation and amortization	2,125	1,871
Other	255	(66)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	1,454	(114)
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	(111)	139
Unearned premiums	1,476	1,667
Receivables and originated loans	(1,987)	(2,064)
Derivative contract assets and liabilities	810	(1,307)
Income taxes	497	1,612
Other	(845)	(911)
Net cash flows from operating activities	7,481	5,963
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(1,496)	(2,164)
Purchases of equity securities	(3,059)	(1,624)
Sales of fixed maturity securities	539	227
Redemptions and maturities of fixed maturity securities	2,782	1,662
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	2,258	1,112
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(175)	(39)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	80	129
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(30,185)	(3,995)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(2,843)	(3,447)
Other	(390)	7
Net cash flows from investing activities	(32,489)	(8,132)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in short term borrowings, net	547	136
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(1)	(43)
Other financing activities	26	(67)
Net cash flows from financing activities	11,613	2,818
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	7	(207)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(13,388)	442
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	71,730	63,269
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	58,342	63,711
Insurance and Other [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(1,846)	(96)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	8,539	3,241
Repayments of borrowings	(381)	(1,722)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	61,181	57,974
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	53,587	58,198
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings		1,984
Repayments of borrowings	(522)	(636)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,437	3,001
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	2,692	3,522
Finance and Financial Products [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to operating cash flows:
Investment gains/losses	(4)	(1)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	3,493	998
Repayments of borrowings	(88)	(1,073)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	7,112	2,294
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	$ 2,063	$ 1,991