SCHEDULE III - Supplementary Insurance Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Supplementary Insurance Information By Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$ 547,202	$ 595,557	$ 614,857
Gross Reserves	11,273,091	10,666,604	10,811,483
Unearned Premiums	1,448,841	1,599,139	1,706,816
Other Benefits Payable	1,645,662	1,750,410	1,615,193
Premium Revenue	4,647,754	4,776,471	4,119,825
Net Investment Income	629,148	672,782	596,071
Losses Incurred	4,372,570	3,283,618	2,295,296
Amortization of DAC	938,361	972,537	885,214
Other Operating Expenses	434,846	539,751	430,808
Premiums Written	3,700,575	3,962,677	3,357,820
[LifeMember]
Supplementary Insurance Information By Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	208,108	226,476	271,091
Gross Reserves
Unearned Premiums	15,316	20,385	21,724
Other Benefits Payable	1,645,662	1,750,410	1,615,193
Premium Revenue	792,148	743,565	587,553
Net Investment Income	66,069	71,539	61,833
Losses Incurred	650,261	623,627	440,337
Amortization of DAC	116,884	116,280	112,920
Other Operating Expenses	52,905	56,965	47,247
[NonLifeMember]
Supplementary Insurance Information By Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	339,010	369,075	343,729
Gross Reserves	11,273,091	10,666,604	10,811,483
Unearned Premiums	1,432,476	1,578,696	1,684,015
Other Benefits Payable
Premium Revenue	3,844,270	4,029,644	3,524,690
Losses Incurred	3,717,171	2,657,041	1,857,481
Amortization of DAC	820,747	856,068	771,684
Other Operating Expenses	283,450	316,900	252,861
Premiums Written	3,688,185	3,960,713	3,350,909
[CorporateAndOtherMember]
Supplementary Insurance Information By Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	84	6	37
Gross Reserves
Unearned Premiums	1,049	58	1,077
Other Benefits Payable
Premium Revenue	11,336	3,262	7,582
Net Investment Income	563,079	601,243	534,238
Losses Incurred	5,138	2,950	(2,522)
Amortization of DAC	730	189	610
Other Operating Expenses	98,491	165,886	130,700
Premiums Written	$ 12,390	$ 1,964	$ 6,911