Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Deferred tax liabilities:
Net deferred income tax (liability)	$ (128)	$ (283)
Number of uncertain income tax positions	1
Accrued estimated interest on unrecognized tax benefit	0.3	0.2
Indemnity
Deferred tax assets:
Net allowance for service fees and premium cancellations	3	3
Other employee benefits	9	8
Pension and other postretirement benefits	45	21
Write-downs of impaired securities	1	2
Capital loss carryover	0	7
Other	0	1
Total deferred tax assets	58	42
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unrealized gains on investments	6	7
Equity interest in EFL	0	22
Limited partnerships	10	20
Depreciation	13	7
Prepaid expenses	7	5
Capitalized internally developed software	1	5
Other	2	2
Total deferred tax liabilities	39	68
Net deferred income tax (liability)	19	(26)
Tax received due to the sale of limited partnerships	13
Exchange
Deferred tax assets:
Loss reserve discount	81	83
Liability for future life and annuity policy benefits	12	13
Unearned premiums	165	156
Write-downs of impaired securities	29	42
Capital loss carryover	7	9
Wash sales	6	8
Other	14	8
Total deferred tax assets	314	319
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs	159	153
Unrealized gains on investments	272	356
Limited partnerships	12	49
Net allowance for service fees and premium cancellations	3	3
Other	15	15
Total deferred tax liabilities	461	576
Net deferred income tax (liability)	(147)	(257)
Tax received due to the sale of limited partnerships	$ 61