SCHEDULE III - SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplementary Insurance Information
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 3,372	$ 3,621	$ 3,871
Reserves for claims and claims expense, contract benefits and contractholder funds	58,547	75,502	77,113
Unearned premiums	10,932	10,375	10,057
Premium revenue and contract charges	29,970	28,978	28,180
Net investment income	3,943	4,010	3,971
Claims and claims expense, contract benefits and interest credited to contractholders	21,106	21,618	23,567
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	4,002	3,884	3,971
Other operating costs and expenses	5,315	4,525	4,150
Premiums written (excluding life)	28,887	27,682	26,627
Allstate Protection
Supplementary Insurance Information
Deferred policy acquisition costs	1,625	1,396	1,348
Reserves for claims and claims expense, contract benefits and contractholder funds	19,598	19,036	18,042
Unearned premiums	10,917	10,345	10,023
Premium revenue and contract charges	27,618	26,737	25,942
Claims and claims expense, contract benefits and interest credited to contractholders	17,769	18,433	20,140
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	3,674	3,483	3,477
Other operating costs and expenses	3,814	3,568	3,182
Premiums written (excluding life)	28,164	27,026	25,981
Discontinued Lines and Coverages
Supplementary Insurance Information
Reserves for claims and claims expense, contract benefits and contractholder funds	2,259	2,252	2,333
Claims and claims expense, contract benefits and interest credited to contractholders	142	51	21
Other operating costs and expenses	1	2	4
Premiums written (excluding life)		1	(1)
Property-Liability
Supplementary Insurance Information
Deferred policy acquisition costs	1,625	1,396	1,348
Reserves for claims and claims expense, contract benefits and contractholder funds	21,857	21,288	20,375
Unearned premiums	10,917	10,345	10,023
Premium revenue and contract charges	27,618	26,737	25,942
Net investment income	1,375	1,326	1,201
Claims and claims expense, contract benefits and interest credited to contractholders	17,911	18,484	20,161
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	3,674	3,483	3,477
Other operating costs and expenses	3,815	3,570	3,186
Premiums written (excluding life)	28,164	27,027	25,980
Allstate Financial operations
Supplementary Insurance Information
Deferred policy acquisition costs	1,747	2,225	2,523
Reserves for claims and claims expense, contract benefits and contractholder funds	36,690	54,214	56,738
Unearned premiums	15	30	34
Premium revenue and contract charges	2,352	2,241	2,238
Net investment income	2,538	2,647	2,716
Claims and claims expense, contract benefits and interest credited to contractholders	3,195	3,134	3,406
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	328	401	494
Other operating costs and expenses	572	576	556
Premiums written (excluding life)	723	655	647
Corporate and Other
Supplementary Insurance Information
Net investment income	30	37	54
Other operating costs and expenses	$ 928	$ 379	$ 408