Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019		Mar. 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 21,732		$ (1,071)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	(19,552)		7,809
Depreciation and amortization	2,417		2,387
Other	(469)		(1)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	778		69
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	273		271
Unearned premiums	2,054		2,352
Receivables and originated loans	(2,237)		(2,186)
Other assets	(990)		(881)
Other liabilities	(1,800)		(392)
Income taxes	5,371		(801)
Net cash flows from operating activities	7,577		7,556
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	(30,918)		(13,037)
Purchases of equity securities	(1,527)		(14,765)
Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	2,334		13,577
Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	21,114		35,088
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	2,063		4,240
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(14)		(41)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	93		100
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(262)		(112)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and equipment held for lease	(3,151)		(2,589)
Other	67		(153)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(10,201)		22,308
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in short term borrowings, net	(503)		(1,929)
Acquisition of treasury stock	(1,585)
Other	(289)		(102)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(1,678)		(3,794)
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	15		92
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	(4,287)		26,162
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	30,811		32,212
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of first quarter	26,524		58,374
Restricted cash, included in other assets at beginning of year	450		629
Restricted cash, included in other assets at end of first quarter	385		493
Insurance and Other [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	1,996		37
Repayments of borrowings	(2,811)		(4,192)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	27,749	[1]	28,673
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	22,487	[1]	54,331
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	2,945		3,613
Repayments of borrowings	(1,431)		(1,221)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,612	[1]	2,910
Cash and cash equivalents at end of first quarter	$ 3,652	[1]	$ 3,550

[1] Cash and cash equivalents includes U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities of three months or less when purchased of $2.1 billion at March 31, 2019 and $3.9 billion at December 31, 2018.