Schedule II (details) - Condensed Balance Sheet (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 07, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Condensed financial statements
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value	$ 64,232		$ 62,820
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value	559		519
Short-term securities	3,594		5,616
Total assets	104,602		105,656
Debt	6,605		6,611
Other liabilities	5,424		5,293
Total liabilities	80,125		80,181
Preferred Stock Savings Plan - convertible preferred stock (0.0 and 0.2 shares issued and outstanding)			68	79	89
Common stock (1,750.0 and 1,748.6 shares authorized; 392.8 and 434.6 shares issued and outstanding)	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 (349.0 and 296.6 shares)	(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
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
Travelers [Member]
Condensed financial statements
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
Investment in subsidiaries	27,565		27,422
Other assets	506		139
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 (0.0 and 0.2 shares issued and outstanding)			68
Common stock (1,750.0 and 1,748.6 shares authorized; 392.8 and 434.6 shares issued and outstanding)	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 (349.0 and 296.6 shares)	(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