Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Notes Receivable [Member]	Parent Company [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008		$ 1,250	$ 683	$ 2,174	$ 6,845	$ (3,924)	$ (109)	$ (42)		$ 420
Net income (loss)	481				419					62
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,747					3,721				26
Dividends paid to common stockholders
Stock-based compensation				2
(Increase) Decrease in notes receivable from the issuance of common stock								12
Other				1						(2)
Dividends paid to Loews Corporation for 2008 Senior Preferred					(122)
Redemption of 2008 Senior Preferred		(250)
Cumulative effect adjustment from change in accounting guidance, net of tax (FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 [Member])					122	(122)
Cumulative effect adjustment from change in accounting guidance, net of tax (Accounting Standards Update 2010-11 [Member])
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	11,166	1,000	683	2,177	7,264	(325)	(109)	(30)	10,660	506
Net income (loss)	758				690					68
Other comprehensive income (loss)	661					649				12
Dividends paid to common stockholders
Stock-based compensation				1			4
(Increase) Decrease in notes receivable from the issuance of common stock								4
Other				22						(16)
Dividends paid to Loews Corporation for 2008 Senior Preferred					(76)
Redemption of 2008 Senior Preferred		(1,000)
Cumulative effect adjustment from change in accounting guidance, net of tax (FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 [Member])
Cumulative effect adjustment from change in accounting guidance, net of tax (Accounting Standards Update 2010-11 [Member])					(2)	2
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	11,524		683	2,200	7,876	326	(105)	(26)	10,954	570
Net income (loss)	630				614					16
Other comprehensive income (loss)	141					133				8
Dividends paid to common stockholders					(108)
Stock-based compensation				4			3
(Increase) Decrease in notes receivable from the issuance of common stock								4
Other				2						(11)
Redemption of 2008 Senior Preferred
Cumulative effect adjustment from change in accounting guidance, net of tax (FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2 [Member])
Cumulative effect adjustment from change in accounting guidance, net of tax (Accounting Standards Update 2010-11 [Member])
Acquisition of CNA Surety noncontrolling interest				(60)		19				(434)
Disposition of FICOH ownership interest						(8)				(149)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 11,557		$ 683	$ 2,146	$ 8,382	$ 470	$ (102)	$ (22)	$ 11,557