Consolidating Financial Statements (details) - Consolidating Statement of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Consolidating financial statements
Premiums	$ 5,517		$ 5,523
Net investment income	670		740
Fee income	97		82
Net realized investment gains (losses)	10	[1]	10	[1]
Other revenues	34		37
Total revenues	6,328		6,392
Claims and claim adjustment expenses	3,153		3,364
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	948		971
General and administrative expenses	915		884
Interest expense	92		96
Total claims and expenses	5,108		5,315
Income before income taxes	1,220		1,077
Income tax expense (benefit)	324		271
Net income	896		806
Total other-than-temporary impairment gains	0		0
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net realized investment gains (losses)	(5)		(4)
Other-than-temporary impairment gains recognized in other comprehensive income	5		4
TPC [Member]
Consolidating financial statements
Premiums	3,741		3,743
Net investment income	455		494
Fee income	96		82
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(7)		12
Other revenues	29		27
Total revenues	4,314		4,358
Claims and claim adjustment expenses	2,131		2,272
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	637		646
General and administrative expenses	630		599
Interest expense	17		18
Total claims and expenses	3,415		3,535
Income before income taxes	899		823
Income tax expense (benefit)	249		205
Net income	650		618
Total other-than-temporary impairment gains	(3)		1
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net realized investment gains (losses)	(4)		(3)
Other-than-temporary impairment gains recognized in other comprehensive income	1		4
Other Subsidiaries [Member]
Consolidating financial statements
Premiums	1,776		1,780
Net investment income	213		244
Fee income	1
Net realized investment gains (losses)	16		(2)
Other revenues	5		10
Total revenues	2,011		2,032
Claims and claim adjustment expenses	1,022		1,092
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	311		325
General and administrative expenses	286		282
Total claims and expenses	1,619		1,699
Income before income taxes	392		333
Income tax expense (benefit)	99		84
Net income	293		249
Total other-than-temporary impairment gains	3		(1)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net realized investment gains (losses)	(1)		(1)
Other-than-temporary impairment gains recognized in other comprehensive income	4
Travelers [Member]
Consolidating financial statements
Net investment income	2		2
Net realized investment gains (losses)	1
Total revenues	3		2
General and administrative expenses	(1)		3
Interest expense	75		78
Total claims and expenses	74		81
Income before income taxes	(71)		(79)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(24)		(18)
Net income of subsidiaries	943		867
Net income	896		806
Eliminations [Member]
Consolidating financial statements
Net income of subsidiaries	(943)		(867)
Net income	$ (943)		$ (867)

[1] Total other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) gains were $0 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. Of total OTTI, credit losses of $(5) million and $(4) million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were recognized in net realized investment gains. In addition, unrealized gains from other changes in total OTTI of $5 million and $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were recognized in other comprehensive income as part of changes in net unrealized gains on investment securities having credit losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income.