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Taxation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]        
Valuation allowance $ 17us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance $ 17us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance $ 64us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance  
Unrecognized tax benefits that would not affect the effective tax rate 17ace_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldNotImpactEffectiveTaxRate 17ace_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldNotImpactEffectiveTaxRate 22ace_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldNotImpactEffectiveTaxRate  
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate 6us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate 6us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate 5us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate  
Tax-related interest and penalties reported in the consolidated statements of operations   (1)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense (1)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense (8)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense
Liabilities recorded for tax-related interest and penalties 9us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued 9us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued 11us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued  
Income Tax Reconciliation, Change To Deferred Taxes Related to Unrealized Foreign Exchange Net 89ace_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeToDeferredTaxesRelatedtoUnrealizedForeignExchangeNet 71ace_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeToDeferredTaxesRelatedtoUnrealizedForeignExchangeNet    
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]        
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]        
Net operating loss carry-forwards 113us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember
113us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember
   
Switzerland        
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]        
Applicable income tax rates   7.83%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= country_CH
   
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]        
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]        
Foreign tax credit carry-forward $ 129us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember
$ 129us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember
   
Bermuda        
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]        
Applicable income tax rates   0.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= country_BM
   
U.S.        
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]        
Applicable income tax rates   35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= country_US
   
U.K.        
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]        
Applicable income tax rates   21.50%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= country_GB