Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]	Treasury stock [Member]	Notes receivable for the issuance of common stock [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 683	$ 2,200	$ 7,804	$ 326	$ (105)	$ (26)		$ 563
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	628			612					16
Other comprehensive income (loss)	151				143				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)
Acquisition of CNA Surety noncontrolling interest			(65)		19				(429)
Disposition of FICOH ownership interest					(8)				(147)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	11,488	683	2,141	8,308	480	(102)	(22)	11,488
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	628			628
Other comprehensive income (loss)	351				351
Dividends paid to common stockholders				(162)
Stock-based compensation			5			3
(Increase) Decrease in notes receivable from the issuance of common stock							1
Other
Acquisition of CNA Surety noncontrolling interest
Disposition of FICOH ownership interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	12,314	683	2,146	8,774	831	(99)	(21)	12,314
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	937			937
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(389)				(389)
Dividends paid to common stockholders				(216)
Stock-based compensation			(1)			8
(Increase) Decrease in notes receivable from the issuance of common stock							(2)
Other
Acquisition of CNA Surety noncontrolling interest
Disposition of FICOH ownership interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 12,651	$ 683	$ 2,145	$ 9,495	$ 442	$ (91)	$ (23)	$ 12,651