Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Federal income taxes received from (paid to) Loews	$ 10	$ 298	$ 196
Unrecognized tax benefits
Interest income (expense)			2
Penalties recognized
Accrued interest and penalties
Deferred tax liabilities, undistributed earnings
Foreign tax expense (benefit) on income from continuing operations	27	50	39
Income (loss) from continuing foreign operations	75	91	126
Operating loss carryforwards	19
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	2014
Tax credit carryforward, amount	18
Tax credit carryforwards expiring	14
Tax credit carryforward, expiration dates	2020
Valuation allowance