Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Non-cash modifications of certain mortgage loans, fixed income securities, limited partnerships and other investments, as well as mergers completed with equity securities	$ 8us-gaap_TransferOfInvestments	$ 46us-gaap_TransferOfInvestments
Net change in proceeds managed
Net change in short-term investments	18	(169)
Operating cash flow provided (used)	18	(169)
Net change in liabilities
Liabilities for collateral, beginning of period	(510)	(328)
Liabilities for collateral, end of period	(492)	(497)
Operating cash flow (used) provided	$ (18)	$ 169

The net operating cash flow provided by (used in) the net change in liabilities for collateral.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	alic_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net operating cash flow provided or used related to collateral received in conjunction with the entity's securities lending and over-the-counter derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	alic_NetChangeInLiabilitiesForCollateralAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Details

Name:	alic_NetChangeInProceedsManagedAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net change in short-term investments from the proceeds managed related to collateral received in conjunction with the entity's securities lending and over-the-counter derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	alic_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The liability to return cash and securities received as collateral in conjunction with securities lending and over-the-counter derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	alic_ObligationToReturnCollateralSecuritiesLendingAndDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	alic_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Value of investments transferred from the entity's investments in noncash transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_TransferOfInvestments
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration