Pension Benefits - Changes in Fair Value of Pension Plans Level 3 (Details) - Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	$ 543.0
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	507.5	$ 543.0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	64.9	47.4
Return on Plan Assets Held	(1.5)	3.4
Purchases, Sales and Settlements, Net	15.2	14.1
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	78.6	64.9
Other Equity Interests [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	64.5	46.9
Return on Plan Assets Held	(1.5)	3.4
Purchases, Sales and Settlements, Net	15.2	14.2
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	78.2	64.5
Receivables and Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	1.4
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	1.5	1.4
Receivables and Other [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	0.4	0.5
Return on Plan Assets Held	0.0	0.0
Purchases, Sales and Settlements, Net	0.0	(0.1)
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	$ 0.4	$ 0.4

Actual return on plan assets, separately identifying the amount related to assets still held at the reporting date.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(02)(A)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (c)(iv)(02)(A)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e2446-114920

+ Details

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

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 30
-Section 35
-Paragraph 50
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49178875&loc=d3e12355-114930

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in plan assets from purchases, sales and settlement of plan obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(02)(B)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 715
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (c)(iv)(02)(B)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=58740216&loc=d3e2446-114920

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=kmpr_OtherEquityInterestsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanByPlanAssetCategoriesAxis=kmpr_ReceivablesAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: