Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 29, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-18298
Entity Registrant Name	Kemper Corporation
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-4255452
Entity Address, Address Line One	200 E. Randolph Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 3300
Entity Address, City or Town	Chicago
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60601
City Area Code	312
Local Phone Number	661-4600
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share
Trading Symbol	KMPR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		66,647,148
Entity Central Index Key	0000860748
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false