Consolidating Financial Statements (details) - Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 07, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Consolidating Balance Sheet
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value	$ 64,232		$ 62,820
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value	559		519
Real estate investments	865		838
Short-term securities	3,594		5,616
Other investments	3,451		2,929
Total investments	72,701		72,722
Cash	214		200	255	350
Investment income accrued	768		791
Premiums receivable	5,730		5,497
Reinsurance recoverables	11,182		11,994
Ceded unearned premiums	828		813
Deferred acquisition costs	1,786		1,782	1,758
Deferred taxes	7		493
Contractholder receivables	5,186		5,343
Goodwill	3,365		3,365
Other intangible assets	433		502
Other assets	2,402		2,154
Total assets	104,602		105,656
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves	51,419		51,606	53,602
Unearned premium reserves	11,102		10,921	10,861
Contractholder payables	5,186		5,343
Payables for reinsurance premiums	389		407
Debt	6,605		6,611
Other liabilities	5,424		5,293
Total liabilities	80,125		80,181
Preferred Stock Savings Plan -- convertible preferred stock			68	79	89
Common stock	20,732		20,162	19,593	19,242
Retained earnings	19,579		18,847	16,315	13,314
Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources	2,005		1,255	1,219	(900)
Treasury stock, at cost	(17,839)		(14,857)	(9,791)	(6,426)
Total shareholders' equity	24,477		25,475	27,415
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	104,602		105,656
Fixed maturities, available for sale, amortized cost	59,994		60,170
Equity securities, available for sale, cost	414		372
Preferred Stock Savings Plan - convertible preferred stock, shares issued	0		200,000
Preferred Stock Savings Plan - convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	190,083	200,000
Common stock, shares authorized	1,750,000,000		1,748,600,000
Common stock, shares issued	392,800,000		434,600,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	392,800,000		434,600,000	520,300,000	585,100,000
Treasury stock, at cost, shares	349,000,000		296,600,000
TPC [Member]
Consolidating Balance Sheet
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value	43,438		42,415
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value	146		190
Real estate investments	33		1
Short-term securities	879		1,596
Other investments	2,446		1,982
Total investments	46,942		46,184
Cash	114		86	132	183
Investment income accrued	517		532
Premiums receivable	3,865		3,691
Reinsurance recoverables	7,399		7,868
Ceded unearned premiums	656		648
Deferred acquisition costs	1,536		1,511
Deferred taxes	(82)		294
Contractholder receivables	3,891		4,050
Goodwill	2,411		2,411
Other intangible assets	297		326
Other assets	1,983		1,904
Total assets	69,529		69,505
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves	33,754		33,770
Unearned premium reserves	7,644		7,478
Contractholder payables	3,891		4,050
Payables for reinsurance premiums	178		214
Debt	1,190		1,189
Other liabilities	3,910		3,906
Total liabilities	50,567		50,607
Additional paid-in capital	11,135		11,135
Retained earnings	5,900		6,489
Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources	1,927		1,274
Total shareholders' equity	18,962		18,898
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	69,529		69,505
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Consolidating Balance Sheet
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value	20,761		20,385
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value	319		263
Real estate investments	832		837
Short-term securities	376		436
Other investments	1,004		946
Total investments	23,292		22,867
Cash	98		110	122	167
Investment income accrued	251		259
Premiums receivable	1,865		1,806
Reinsurance recoverables	3,783		4,126
Ceded unearned premiums	172		165
Deferred acquisition costs	250		271
Deferred taxes	(47)		125
Contractholder receivables	1,295		1,293
Goodwill	954		954
Other intangible assets	136		176
Other assets	52		237
Total assets	32,101		32,389
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves	17,665		17,836
Unearned premium reserves	3,458		3,443
Contractholder payables	1,295		1,293
Payables for reinsurance premiums	211		193
Debt			9
Other liabilities	859		1,089
Total liabilities	23,488		23,863
Common stock	390		390
Additional paid-in capital	6,501		7,016
Retained earnings	882		576
Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources	840		544
Total shareholders' equity	8,613		8,526
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	32,101		32,389
Travelers [Member]
Consolidating Balance Sheet
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value	33		20
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value	94		66
Short-term securities	2,339		3,584
Other investments	1		1
Total investments	2,467		3,671
Cash	2		4	1
Deferred taxes	136		74
Investment in subsidiaries	27,565		27,422
Other assets	367		60
Total assets	30,537		31,231
Debt	5,415		5,460
Other liabilities	655		298
Total liabilities	6,070		5,758
Preferred Stock Savings Plan -- convertible preferred stock			68
Common stock	20,732		20,162
Retained earnings	19,569		18,845
Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources	2,005		1,255
Treasury stock, at cost	(17,839)		(14,857)
Total shareholders' equity	24,467		25,473
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	30,537		31,231
Preferred Stock Savings Plan - convertible preferred stock, shares issued	0		200,000
Preferred Stock Savings Plan - convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding	0		200,000
Common stock, shares authorized	1,750,000,000		1,748,600,000
Common stock, shares issued	392,800,000		434,600,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	392,800,000		434,600,000
Treasury stock, at cost, shares	349,000,000		296,600,000
Eliminations [Member]
Consolidating Balance Sheet
Investment in subsidiaries	(27,565)		(27,422)
Other assets			(47)
Total assets	(27,565)		(27,469)
Debt			(47)
Total liabilities			(47)
Common stock	(390)		(390)
Additional paid-in capital	(17,636)		(18,151)
Retained earnings	(6,772)		(7,063)
Accumulated other changes in equity from nonowner sources	(2,767)		(1,818)
Total shareholders' equity	(27,565)		(27,422)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ (27,565)		$ (27,469)