Lease Commitments, Rent Expense, and Contingent Liabilities (Details 2) (USD $)			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Aug. 27, 2012 King v. American General Finance, Inc.	Feb. 28, 2013 King v. American General Finance, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2012 King v. American General Finance, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2012 Class members with one loan King v. American General Finance, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2012 Class members with two loans King v. American General Finance, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2012 Class members with three loans King v. American General Finance, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2012 Class members with four loans King v. American General Finance, Inc.	Dec. 31, 2012 Class members with five or more loans King v. American General Finance, Inc.
Lease Commitments, Rent Expense, and Contingent Liabilities
Estimated PPI claims reserve, net of professional indemnity insurance receivable	$ 62,700,000	$ 13,500,000
LEGAL CONTINGENCIES
Period after which case is settled			17 years
Remaining reserve for class action lawsuit					3,500,000
Amount that will be received by counterparty					16,800,000	5,000	5,750	6,500	7,250	8,000
Attorney fees and costs to be received by counterparty					13,500,000
Amount paid from uncollected funds to South Carolina charities				$ 3,500,000