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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-03-004493.txt : 20031126
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-03-004493.hdr.sgml : 20031126
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031126122829
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-03-004493
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031124
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031126

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CNA FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000021175
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				366169860
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CNA PLZ
		STREET 2:		235
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60685
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3128225000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CNA PLAZA
		STREET 2:		235
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60685

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LOEWS CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000060086
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05823
		FILM NUMBER:		031025453

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		667 MADISON AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10021-8087
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-521-2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		667 MADISON AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10021-8087
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-11-24</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000021175</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CNA FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CNA</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000060086</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LOEWS CORP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>667 MADISON AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10021-8087</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<derivativeTable>
<derivativeTransaction>
<securityTitle>
<value>Series I Convertible Participating Preferred Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>0.0</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-11-24</value>
</transactionDate>
<deemedExecutionDate>
</deemedExecutionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>32327.015</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare>
<value>23200.41</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>32327015</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>32327.015</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
<footnote id="F1">Automatically upon the earlier to occur of (i) stockholder approval of the issuance of the underlying Common Stock, and (ii) the issuance of an exemption or waiver by the New York Stock Exchange of its requirement for such stockholder approval.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">None</footnote>
</footnotes>
<remarks></remarks>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Loews Corporation by /s/ Gary W. Garson, Senior Vice President</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-11-26</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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