Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs or Unpaid Losses and Loss Expenses or Reinsurance [Abstract]

Deferred policy acquisition costs and the related amortization

	Years Ended December 31
	2011			2010			2009
	(in millions)
Balance, beginning of year	$	1,562		$	1,533		$	1,532
Costs deferred during year
Commissions and brokerage		1,910			1,734			1,663
Premium taxes and assessments		242			242			240
Salaries and operating costs		1,136			1,121			1,091
		3,288			3,097			2,994
Foreign currency translation effect		5			(1	)		28
Amortization during year		(3,225	)		(3,067	)		(3,021	)
Balance, end of year	$	1,630		$	1,562		$	1,533