Investments - Realized capital gains and losses by transaction type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020
Investments [Abstract]
Sales	$ 80	$ 214	$ 441	$ 762
Credit Losses	(12)	7	2	(29)
Valuation of equity investments	(9)	128	321	(198)
Valuation and settlements of derivative instruments	46	(30)	54	62
Realized capital gains (losses)	$ 105	$ 319	$ 818	$ 597

Allowance for Credit Loss, Credit Loss Recognized In Net Income

No definition available.

Name:	all_AllowanceforCreditLossCreditLossRecognizedInNetIncome
Namespace Prefix:	all_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Realized Capital Gains (Losses), Continuing Operations

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	all_RealizedCapitalGainsLossesContinuingOperations
Namespace Prefix:	all_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of unrealized and realized gain (loss) on investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale) and investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (trading).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of realized gain (loss) from sale of investment in equity security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in net income (FV-NI).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 321
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123583765&loc=SL75117546-209714

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(3)(d))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400993&loc=SL114874131-224263

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiRealizedGainLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate net gain (loss) on all derivative instruments recognized in earnings during the period, before tax effects.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=125515794&loc=SL5618551-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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