Insurance Claim Reserves (tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Insurance Claim Reserves disclosure

Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves [Table Text Block]

(at December 31, in millions)	2011		2010
Property-casualty	$	51,353	$	51,537
Accident and health		66		69
Total	$	51,419	$	51,606

Reconciliation of beginning and ending property casualty reserve balances for claims and claim adjustment expenses [Table Text Block]

(at and for the year ended December 31, in millions)	2011			2010			2009
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves at beginning of year	$	51,537		$	53,529		$	55,121
Less reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		11,282			12,588			13,809
Net reserves at beginning of year		40,255			40,941			41,312
Estimated claims and claim adjustment expenses for claims arising in the current year		16,937			14,452			13,681
Estimated decrease in claims and claim adjustment expenses for claims arising in prior years		(842	)		(1,417	)		(1,449	)
Total increases		16,095			13,035			12,232
Claims and claim adjustment expense payments for claims arising in:
Current year		7,751			5,949			5,399
Prior years		7,653			7,748			7,519
Total payments		15,404			13,697			12,918
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss		(27	)		(24	)		315
Net reserves at end of year		40,919			40,255			40,941
Plus reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses		10,434			11,282			12,588
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves at end of year	$	51,353		$	51,537		$	53,529