SCHEDULE II - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 20, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income				$ 2,280	$ 2,306	$ 787
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt	480	11	11	491
Changes in:
Net cash provided by operating activities				4,242	3,054	1,929
Cash flows from investing activities
Change in short-term investments, net				(427)	(698)	2,182
Acquisition of subsidiary, net				(1,312)	(1,524)	(1,696)
Net cash provided by investing activities				1,580	1,581	6,161
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt				2,271	493	7
Repayment of long-term debt				(2,627)	(352)	(7)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock				781
Dividends paid on common stock				(352)	(534)	(435)
Dividends paid on preferred stock				(6)
Treasury stock purchases				(1,834)	(913)	(953)
Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net				170	85	19
Excess tax benefits on share-based payment arrangements				38	10	(5)
Other				(12)	(33)	2
Net cash used in financing activities				(5,953)	(4,605)	(7,876)
Net (decrease) increase in cash				(131)	30	214
Cash at beginning of year				806	776	562
Cash at end of year		675		675	806	776
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activity and cash flow information
Non-cash decrease in investment in subsidiaries				322	323	601
Interest paid on debt				361	366	363
Allstate Corporation
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income				2,280	2,306	787
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income of subsidiaries				(2,687)	(2,547)	(1,027)
Dividends received from subsidiaries				1,992	1,038	878
Loss on extinguishment of debt				491
Realized capital gains and losses						(28)
Changes in:
Pension and other postretirement benefits				(184)
Income taxes				113	(4)	7
Operating assets and liabilities				25	59	70
Net cash provided by operating activities				2,030	852	687
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales of investments					92	1,045
Investment purchases				(156)		(653)
Investment collections				200	100
Return of capital from subsidiaries				37	154	27
Change in short-term investments, net				(450)	15	1,282
Acquisition of subsidiary, net						(1,009)
Net cash provided by investing activities				(369)	361	692
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt				2,271	493
Repayment of long-term debt				(2,627)	(352)
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock				781
Dividends paid on common stock				(352)	(534)	(435)
Dividends paid on preferred stock				(6)
Treasury stock purchases				(1,834)	(913)	(953)
Shares reissued under equity incentive plans, net				170	85	19
Excess tax benefits on share-based payment arrangements				38	10	(5)
Other				(1)	(3)
Net cash used in financing activities				(1,560)	(1,214)	(1,374)
Net (decrease) increase in cash				101	(1)	5
Cash at beginning of year				4	5
Cash at end of year		105		105	4	5
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing activity and cash flow information
Non-cash decrease in investment in subsidiaries						713
Interest paid on debt				$ 359	$ 364	$ 360