Additional Information	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Additional Information	P. Additional Information Losses and loss adjustment expenses included charges for possible losses on reinsurance recoverables of less than $1 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010. The aggregate allowance for losses on reinsurance recoverables amounted to approximately $26 million at both December 31, 2012 and 2011. Operating Leases Total rental expense for various leases of office space and equipment was $51 million in 2012, $54 million in 2011 and $42 million in 2010. Future minimum rentals, related principally to office space, required under operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2012, were as follows: 2013 – $54 million; 2014 – $52 million; 2015 – $44 million; 2016 – $38 million; 2017 – $31 million; and $185 million thereafter. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk On occasion, AFG and its subsidiaries have entered into financial instrument transactions that may present off-balance-sheet risks of both a credit and market risk nature. These transactions include commitments to fund loans, loan guarantees and commitments to purchase and sell securities or loans. At December 31, 2012, AFG and its subsidiaries had commitments to fund credit facilities and contribute limited partnership capital totaling up to $75 million. Restrictions on Transfer of Funds and Assets of Subsidiaries Payments of dividends, loans and advances by AFG’s subsidiaries are subject to various state laws, federal regulations and debt covenants that limit the amount of dividends, loans and advances that can be paid. Under applicable restrictions, the maximum amount of dividends available to AFG in 2013 from its insurance subsidiaries without seeking regulatory clearance is $395 million. Additional amounts of dividends, loans and advances require regulatory approval. Benefit Plans AFG expensed approximately $27 million in 2012, $26 million in 2011 and $30 million in 2010 for its retirement and employee savings plans.

P. Additional Information

Losses and loss adjustment expenses included charges for possible losses on reinsurance recoverables of less than $1 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010. The aggregate allowance for losses on reinsurance recoverables amounted to approximately $26 million at both December 31, 2012 and 2011.

Operating Leases Total rental expense for various leases of office space and equipment was $51 million in 2012, $54 million in 2011 and $42 million in 2010. Future minimum rentals, related principally to office space, required under operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year at December 31, 2012, were as follows: 2013 – $54 million; 2014 – $52 million; 2015 – $44 million; 2016 – $38 million; 2017 – $31 million; and $185 million thereafter.

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk On occasion, AFG and its subsidiaries have entered into financial instrument transactions that may present off-balance-sheet risks of both a credit and market risk nature. These transactions include commitments to fund loans, loan guarantees and commitments to purchase and sell securities or loans. At December 31, 2012, AFG and its subsidiaries had commitments to fund credit facilities and contribute limited partnership capital totaling up to $75 million.

Restrictions on Transfer of Funds and Assets of Subsidiaries Payments of dividends, loans and advances by AFG’s subsidiaries are subject to various state laws, federal regulations and debt covenants that limit the amount of dividends, loans and advances that can be paid. Under applicable restrictions, the maximum amount of dividends available to AFG in 2013 from its insurance subsidiaries without seeking regulatory clearance is $395 million. Additional amounts of dividends, loans and advances require regulatory approval.

Benefit Plans AFG expensed approximately $27 million in 2012, $26 million in 2011 and $30 million in 2010 for its retirement and employee savings plans.