Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 630	$ 758	$ 481
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities:
(Income) loss from discontinued operations	1	21	2
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	9		14
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	192	327	177
Trading portfolio activity	1	153	(164)
Net realized investment (gains) losses, net of participating policyholders' interests	4	(86)	857
Equity method investees	97	(136)	(223)
Amortization of investments	(64)	(117)	(198)
Depreciation	79	78	86
Changes in:
Receivables, net	1,020	(406)	976
Accrued investment income	(17)	(15)	(60)
Deferred acquisition costs	(9)	29	17
Insurance reserves	(237)	(805)	(612)
Other assets	175	142	99
Other liabilities	(187)	53	(174)
Other, net	10	5	3
Total adjustments	1,074	(757)	800
Net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities-continuing operations	1,704	1	1,281
Net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities-discontinued operations	(2)	(90)	(23)
Net cash flows provided (used) by operating activities-total	1,702	(89)	1,258
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of fixed maturity securities	(12,168)	(16,704)	(24,189)
Proceeds from fixed maturity securities:
Sales	7,579	12,514	19,245
Maturities, calls and redemptions	3,055	3,340	3,448
Purchases of equity securities	(72)	(99)	(269)
Proceeds from sales of equity securities	178	341	901
Origination of mortgage loans	(149)	(87)
Change in short term investments	566	1,629	(327)
Change in other investments	(141)	(263)	140
Purchases of property and equipment	(84)	(53)	(63)
Dispositions	171	66
Other, net	3	7	(2)
Net cash flows provided (used) by investing activities-continuing operations	(1,062)	691	(1,116)
Net cash flows provided (used) by investing activities-discontinued operations	2	76	23
Net cash flows provided (used) by investing activities-total	(1,060)	767	(1,093)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Acquisition of CNA Surety noncontrolling interest	(475)
Dividends paid to common stockholders	(108)
Dividends paid to Loews Corporation for 2008 Senior Preferred		(76)	(122)
Payment to redeem 2008 Senior Preferred		(1,000)	(250)
Proceeds from the issuance of debt	396	495	350
Repayment of debt	(451)	(150)	(100)
Stock options exercised	2	11	1
Other, net	(8)	(22)	1
Net cash flows provided (used) by financing activities-continuing operations	(644)	(742)	(120)
Net cash flows provided (used) by financing activities-discontinued operations
Net cash flows provided (used) by financing activities-total	(644)	(742)	(120)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash-continuing operations		1	10
Net change in cash	(2)	(63)	55
Net cash transactions from continuing operations to discontinued operations		(14)
Net cash transactions to discontinued operations from continuing operations		14
Cash, beginning of year	77	140	85
Cash, end of year	75	77	140
Cash-continuing operations	75	77	140
Cash-discontinued operations
Cash	$ 75	$ 77	$ 140