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Investments (Net realized investment gains (losses)) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Net realized investment gains (losses) $ 10us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet $ 46us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
Fixed maturity securities [Member]    
Gross realized gains 33us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
53us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
Gross realized losses (21)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
(15)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
Net realized investment gains (losses) 12us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
38us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_FixedIncomeSecuritiesMember
Equity securities [Member]    
Gross realized gains 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
5us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Gross realized losses (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Net realized investment gains (losses) 0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
5us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Derivative [Member]    
Net realized investment gains (losses) (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeMember
0us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeMember
Short term investments and other [Member]    
Net realized investment gains (losses) $ (1)us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= cna_ShorttermInvestandotherMember
$ 3us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGainLossNet
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= cna_ShorttermInvestandotherMember