SCHEDULE I: Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant (Parent Company Only, Statements Of Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Total	$ 3,479	$ 3,438	$ 3,542	$ 3,668	$ 3,715	$ 3,701	$ 3,486	$ 3,713	$ 14,127		$ 14,615		$ 14,117
Expenses:
Interest									522		517		448
Total									11,895		11,713		12,387
Income tax (expense) benefit									536		895		345
Net income									1,696		1,987		1,383
Cash dividends paid to the Company by affiliates									616		712		947
Loews Corp [Member]
Revenues:
Equity in income of subsidiaries									1,195	[1]	1,345	[1]	601	[1]
Interest and other									(17)		134		164
Total									1,178		1,479		765
Expenses:
Administrative									81		80		77
Interest									44		55		55
Total									125		135		132
Income from continuing operations before taxes									1,053		1,344		633
Income tax (expense) benefit									11		(56)		(69)
Net income									$ 1,064		$ 1,288		$ 564

[1] Cash dividends paid to the Company by affiliates amounted to $616, $712 and $947 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.