Deferred Policy Acquisition and Sales Inducement Costs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Deferred Policy Acquisition and Sales Inducement Costs

Schedule of deferred policy acquisition costs

	2012
($ in millions)	Allstate Financial			Property- Liability			Total
Balance, beginning of year	$	2,523		$	1,348		$	3,871
Acquisition costs deferred		371			3,531			3,902
Amortization charged to income		(401	)		(3,483	)		(3,884	)
Effect of unrealized gains and losses		(268	)		—			(268	)
Balance, end of year	$	2,225		$	1,396		$	3,621

	2011
($ in millions)	Allstate Financial			Property- Liability			Total
Balance, beginning of year	$	2,859		$	1,321		$	4,180
Esurance acquisition present value of future profits		—			42			42
Acquisition costs deferred		333			3,462			3,795
Amortization charged to income		(494	)		(3,477	)		(3,971	)
Effect of unrealized gains and losses		(175	)		—			(175	)
Balance, end of year	$	2,523		$	1,348		$	3,871

	2010
	Allstate Financial			Property- Liability			Total
Balance, beginning of year	$	3,398		$	1,355		$	4,753
Acquisition costs deferred		385			3,483			3,868
Amortization charged to income		(290	)		(3,517	)		(3,807	)
Effect of unrealized gains and losses		(634	)		—			(634	)
Balance, end of year	$	2,859		$	1,321		$	4,180

Schedule of DSI activity for Allstate Financial

($ in millions)	2012			2011			2010
Balance, beginning of year	$	41		$	86		$	195
Sales inducements deferred		22			7			14
Amortization charged to income		(14	)		(23	)		(27	)
Effect of unrealized gains and losses		(8	)		(29	)		(96	)
Balance, end of year	$	41		$	41		$	86