Reinsurance (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Reinsurance [Abstract]

Direct, Assumed, And Ceded Premiums

	Years Ended December 31
(in millions of U.S. dollars)	2011			2010			2009
Premiums written
Direct	$	17,626		$	15,887		$	15,467
Assumed		3,205			3,624			3,697
Ceded		(5,459	)		(5,803	)		(5,865	)
Net	$	15,372		$	13,708		$	13,299
Premiums earned
Direct	$	17,534		$	15,780		$	15,415
Assumed		3,349			3,516			3,768
Ceded		(5,496	)		(5,792	)		(5,943	)
Net	$	15,387		$	13,504		$	13,240

Composition Of Reinsurance Recoverable On Losses And Loss Expenses

(in millions of U.S. dollars)	December 31 2011		December 31 2010
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss expenses, net of a provision for uncollectible reinsurance	$	11,602	$	12,149
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses and loss expenses, net of a provision for uncollectible reinsurance		787		722
Net reinsurance recoverable on losses and loss expenses	$	12,389	$	12,871

Reinsurance Recoverable By Category And Listing Of Largest Reinsurers

(in millions of U.S. dollars, except percentages)	2011		Provision		% of Gross
Categories
Largest reinsurers	$	6,230	$	109		1.7%
Other reinsurers balances rated A- or better		3,109		57		1.8%
Other reinsurers balances with ratings lower than A- or not rated		667		108		16.2%
Other pools and government agencies		122		8		6.6%
Structured settlements		585		22		3.8%
Other captives		1,842		37		2.0%
Other		313		138		44.1%
Total	$	12,868	$	479		3.7%

Largest Reinsurers
Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Group	Munich Re Group	Swiss Re Group
Everest Re Group	National Workers Compensation	Transatlantic Holdings
HDI Re Group (Hanover Re)	Reinsurance Pool	XL Capital Group
Lloyd's of London	Partner Re

Income And Expenses Relating To GMDB And GLB Reinsurance

	Years Ended December 31
(in millions of U.S. dollars)	2011			2010			2009
GMDB
Net premiums earned	$	98		$	109		$	104
Policy benefits and other reserve adjustments	$	59		$	99		$	111
GLB
Net premiums earned	$	163		$	164		$	159
Policy benefits and other reserve adjustments		47			29			20
Net realized gains (losses)		(812	)		(64	)		368
(Loss) gain recognized in income	$	(696	)	$	71		$	507
Net cash received	$	161		$	160		$	156
Net (increase) decrease in liability	$	(857	)	$	(89	)	$	351