Consolidating Financial Statements (details) - Consolidating Balance Sheet (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidating Balance Sheet
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value	$ 60,658	$ 63,474
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value	705	899
Real estate investments	989	938
Short-term securities	4,671	4,364
Other investments	3,447	3,586
Total investments	70,470	73,261
Cash	380	374	$ 294	$ 330
Investment income accrued	642	685
Premiums receivable	6,437	6,298
Reinsurance recoverables	8,910	9,260
Ceded unearned premiums	656	678
Deferred acquisition costs	1,849	1,835	1,804
Deferred taxes	296	33
Contractholder receivables	4,374	4,362
Goodwill	3,573	3,611
Other intangible assets	279	304
Other assets	2,318	2,377
Total assets	100,184	103,078
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves	48,295	49,850	50,895
Unearned premium reserves	11,971	11,839	11,850
Contractholder payables	4,374	4,362
Payables for reinsurance premiums	296	336
Debt	6,344	6,349
Other liabilities	5,306	5,506
Total liabilities	76,586	78,242
Common stock	22,172	21,843
Retained earnings	29,945	27,251
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(157)	880
Treasury stock, at cost	(28,362)	(25,138)
Total shareholders' equity	23,598	24,836	24,796
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	100,184	103,078
Fixed maturities, available for sale, amortized cost	58,878	60,801
Equity securities, available for sale, cost	$ 528	$ 579
Common stock, shares authorized	1,750.0	1,750.0
Common stock, shares issued	295.9	322.2
Common stock, shares outstanding	295.9	322.2
Treasury stock, at cost, shares	467.6	437.3
TPC [Member]
Consolidating Balance Sheet
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value	$ 42,289	$ 43,401
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value	189	236
Real estate investments	56	56
Short-term securities	1,947	2,128
Other investments	2,516	2,630
Total investments	46,997	48,451
Cash	225	221	137	177
Investment income accrued	453	468
Premiums receivable	4,336	4,241
Reinsurance recoverables	5,849	6,156
Ceded unearned premiums	610	608
Deferred acquisition costs	1,660	1,622
Deferred taxes	178	23
Contractholder receivables	3,387	3,306
Goodwill	2,573	2,602
Other intangible assets	203	216
Other assets	1,958	1,931
Total assets	68,429	69,845
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves	31,965	32,999
Unearned premium reserves	8,335	8,201
Contractholder payables	3,387	3,306
Payables for reinsurance premiums	175	194
Debt	693	692
Other liabilities	3,958	4,084
Total liabilities	48,513	49,476
Additional paid-in capital	11,634	11,634
Retained earnings	7,888	7,673
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	394	1,062
Total shareholders' equity	19,916	20,369
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	68,429	69,845
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Consolidating Balance Sheet
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value	18,323	20,043
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value	375	522
Real estate investments	933	882
Short-term securities	1,178	706
Other investments	930	955
Total investments	21,739	23,108
Cash	153	151	154	151
Investment income accrued	185	215
Premiums receivable	2,101	2,057
Reinsurance recoverables	3,061	3,104
Ceded unearned premiums	46	70
Deferred acquisition costs	189	213
Deferred taxes	83	(40)
Contractholder receivables	987	1,056
Goodwill	1,000	1,009
Other intangible assets	76	88
Other assets	344	429
Total assets	29,964	31,460
Claims and claim adjustment expense reserves	16,330	16,851
Unearned premium reserves	3,636	3,638
Contractholder payables	987	1,056
Payables for reinsurance premiums	121	142
Other liabilities	1,221	1,308
Total liabilities	22,295	22,995
Common stock	390	390
Additional paid-in capital	6,499	6,502
Retained earnings	688	1,073
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	92	500
Total shareholders' equity	7,669	8,465
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	29,964	31,460
Travelers [Member]
Consolidating Balance Sheet
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value	46	30
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value	141	141
Short-term securities	1,546	1,530
Other investments	1	1
Total investments	1,734	1,702
Cash	2	2	$ 3	$ 2
Investment income accrued	4	2
Deferred taxes	35	50
Investment in subsidiaries	27,573	28,821
Other assets	16	17
Total assets	29,364	30,594
Debt	5,651	5,657
Other liabilities	127	114
Total liabilities	5,778	5,771
Common stock	22,172	21,843
Retained earnings	29,933	27,238
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(157)	880
Treasury stock, at cost	(28,362)	(25,138)
Total shareholders' equity	23,586	24,823
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 29,364	$ 30,594
Common stock, shares authorized	1,750.0	1,750.0
Common stock, shares issued	295.9	322.2
Common stock, shares outstanding	295.9	322.2
Treasury stock, at cost, shares	467.6	437.3
Eliminations [Member]
Consolidating Balance Sheet
Investment in subsidiaries	$ (27,573)	$ (28,821)
Total assets	(27,573)	(28,821)
Common stock	(390)	(390)
Additional paid-in capital	(18,133)	(18,136)
Retained earnings	(8,564)	(8,733)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(486)	(1,562)
Total shareholders' equity	(27,573)	(28,821)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ (27,573)	$ (28,821)