Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019		Jun. 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 35,905		$ 11,006
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to operating cash flows:
Investment (gains) losses	(29,387)		1,819
Depreciation and amortization	4,873		4,774
Other	(737)		(421)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	2,032		924
Deferred charges reinsurance assumed	470		549
Unearned premiums	2,005		2,253
Receivables and originated loans	(3,094)		(3,413)
Other assets	(2,102)		(1,367)
Other liabilities	(1,359)		(45)
Income taxes	8,156		12
Net cash flows from operating activities	16,762		16,091
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	(66,754)		(50,227)
Purchases of equity securities	(2,834)		(20,845)
Sales of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	6,733		19,374
Redemptions and maturities of U.S. Treasury Bills and fixed maturity securities	62,807		71,486
Sales and redemptions of equity securities	4,460		9,011
Purchases of loans and finance receivables	(191)		(81)
Collections of loans and finance receivables	175		188
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(580)		(373)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and equipment held for lease	(6,747)		(6,329)
Other	23		226
Net cash flows from investing activities	(2,908)		22,430
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in short term borrowings, net	(95)		(1,080)
Acquisition of treasury stock	(2,133)
Other	(279)		(253)
Net cash flows from financing activities	411		(5,516)
Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes	26		(41)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	14,291		32,964
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 second quarter	45,102		65,176
Restricted cash, included in other assets at beginning of year	450		629
Restricted cash, included in other assets at end of second quarter	468		615
Insurance and Other [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	4,176		49
Repayments of borrowings	(2,907)		(6,043)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	27,749	[1]	28,673
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter	41,375	[1]	61,198
Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings	3,339		4,239
Repayments of borrowings	(1,690)		(2,428)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2,612	[1]	2,910
Cash and cash equivalents at end of second quarter	$ 3,259	[1]	$ 3,363

[1] Cash and cash equivalents included U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities of three months or less when purchased of $16.2 billion at June 30, 2019 and $3.9 billion at December 31, 2018.