Investments and Derivative Instruments (Details Textual) (Commercial [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012 Security
Commercial [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Carrying value of two delinquent commercial mortgage loans, both past due by 90 days or more	$ 3
Valuation allowance of loans of two delinquent commercial mortgage loans, both past due by 90 days or more	$ 51
Number of delinquent commercial mortgage loans, both past due by 90 days or more	2
Delinquency period commercial mortgage loans	90 days or more

Financing receivable recorded investment delinquency period.

No definition available.

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Financing receivable recorded investment number of securities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	hig_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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- Definition

A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=SL6953423-111524

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Recorded investment in financing receivables that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5111-111524

-Subparagraph (d)

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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