Name:	alic_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesIncludedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	alic_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The pre-tax amount of other than temporary impairment loss on debt securities related to factors other than credit losses when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Such amount is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, attributable to the parent entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The net unrealized gain or loss related to changes in valuation of fixed income securities subsequent to the impairment measurement date for fixed income securities with other than temporary impairment losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Details

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

- Definition

This item represents an increase to the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings for an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of a debt security held for which a previous OTTI was recognized and the investor does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not more likely than not that the investor will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27340-111563

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 18B

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsAdditionalCreditLosses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents an increase to the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings for an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of a debt security held for which no such other than temporary impairment (OTTI) was previously recognized.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27340-111563

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 18B

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsAdditionsNoPreviousImpairment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings related to debt securities held for which a portion of an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) was recognized in other comprehensive income (a component of shareholders' equity).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27340-111563

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 18B

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 18B

-Subparagraph g

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents reductions in the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings for an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of a debt security because of the sale of impaired securities during the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27340-111563

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 18B

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsReductionsSecuritiesSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

Investments (Details 7) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments
Net unrealized gains related to changes in valuation of fixed income securities subsequent to impairment measurement date	$ 158		$ 158		$ 134
Other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income for fixed income securities, not included in earnings	(120)		(120)		(142)
Credit Losses on Fixed Income Securities
Beginning balance	(343)	(495)	(345)	(581)
Additional credit loss for securities previously other-than-temporarily impaired	(2)	(7)	(12)	(23)
Additional credit loss for securities not previously other-than-temporarily impaired	(1)	(5)	(17)	(7)
Reduction in credit loss for securities disposed or collected	28	47	56	151
Ending balance	(318)	(460)	(318)	(460)
Municipal
Other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income for fixed income securities, not included in earnings	(5)		(5)		(5)
Corporate
Other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income for fixed income securities, not included in earnings	(1)		(1)		(1)
ABS
Other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income for fixed income securities, not included in earnings	(10)		(10)		(14)
RMBS
Other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income for fixed income securities, not included in earnings	(92)		(92)		(103)
CMBS
Other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Amount of other-than-temporary impairment losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income for fixed income securities, not included in earnings	$ (12)		$ (12)		$ (19)