Business Segments - Segment Assets (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 7,656.4	$ 8,009.1
Kemper Preferred [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	1,600.9	1,562.0
Kemper Specialty [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	655.4	684.6
Kemper Direct [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	392.3	453.3
Life and Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	4,545.6	4,781.8
Corporate and Other, Net [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 462.2	$ 527.4