Catatrophe Reinsurance - Catastrophe Losses and LAE (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Liability for Catastrophe Claims [Line Items]
Catastrophe Loss and LAE Reserves, (Unfavorable) Favorable Developement	$ (64.6)	$ (31.5)	$ (33.1)
Catastrophe Losses and LAE	991.9	1,221.6	1,305.4
Catastrophe [Member]
Liability for Catastrophe Claims [Line Items]
Catastrophe Loss and LAE Reserves, (Unfavorable) Favorable Developement	(14.5)	(6.3)	(6.4)
Catastrophe Losses and LAE	36.2	118.2	157.4
Catastrophe [Member] | Superstorm Sandy [Member]
Liability for Catastrophe Claims [Line Items]
Catastrophe Losses and LAE		48.5
Catastrophe [Member] | Hurricane Irene [Member]
Liability for Catastrophe Claims [Line Items]
Catastrophe Losses and LAE			23.0
Kemper Preferred [Member] | Catastrophe [Member]
Liability for Catastrophe Claims [Line Items]
Catastrophe Loss and LAE Reserves, (Unfavorable) Favorable Developement	(11.9)	(6.2)	(5.5)
Catastrophe Losses and LAE	29.2	99.2	138.7
Kemper Preferred [Member] | Catastrophe [Member] | Superstorm Sandy [Member]
Liability for Catastrophe Claims [Line Items]
Catastrophe Losses and LAE		44.0
Kemper Preferred [Member] | Catastrophe [Member] | Hurricane Irene [Member]
Liability for Catastrophe Claims [Line Items]
Catastrophe Losses and LAE			22.1
Kemper Specialty [Member] | Catastrophe [Member]
Liability for Catastrophe Claims [Line Items]
Catastrophe Losses and LAE	3.7	4.9	3.9
Kemper Direct [Member] | Catastrophe [Member]
Liability for Catastrophe Claims [Line Items]
Catastrophe Losses and LAE	1.7	8.0	7.2
Life and Health Insurance [Member] | Catastrophe [Member]
Liability for Catastrophe Claims [Line Items]
Catastrophe Loss and LAE Reserves, (Unfavorable) Favorable Developement	(2.0)	0.1	(1.5)
Catastrophe Losses and LAE	$ 1.6	$ 6.1	$ 7.6