Consolidated Condensed Statements Of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Insurance premiums	$ 1,781		$ 1,732		$ 5,098		$ 4,942
Net investment income	682		333		1,794		1,513
Investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	(62)		(75)		(89)		(136)
Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2)		(2)		(25)		(44)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(64)		(77)		(114)		(180)
Other net investment gains	71		50		173		195
Total investment gains (losses)	7	[1]	(27)	[1]	59	[1]	15	[1]
Contract drilling revenues	714		861		2,195		2,520
Other	531		539		1,701		1,658
Total	3,715		3,438		10,847		10,648
Expenses:
Insurance claims and policyholders' benefits	1,435		1,400		4,164		4,131
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	333		297		937		880
Contract drilling expenses	358		392		1,160		1,142
Other operating expenses	1,071		784		2,891		2,345
Interest	109		126		331		406
Total	3,306		2,999		9,483		8,904
Income before income tax	409		439		1,364		1,744
Income tax expense	(99)		(123)		(337)		(462)
Net income	310		316		1,027		1,282
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	(133)		(154)		(427)		(491)
Net income attributable to Loews Corporation	$ 177		$ 162		$ 600		$ 791
Basic net income per share	$ 0.45		$ 0.41		$ 1.52		$ 1.94
Diluted net income per share	$ 0.45		$ 0.40		$ 1.51		$ 1.94
Dividends per share	$ 0.0625		$ 0.0625		$ 0.1875		$ 0.1875
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Shares of common stock	394.48		401.01		395.88		407.20
Dilutive potential shares of common stock	0.81		0.72		0.76		0.85
Total weighted-average shares outstanding assuming dilution	395.29		401.73		396.64		408.05

[1] Includes gross realized gains of $80, $57, $203 and $240 and gross realized losses of $69, $87, $144 and $232 on available-for-sale securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.