Indemnity Supplemental Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Condensed financial statements
Service agreement fee received	$ 23	$ 25
Net investment income received	346	340
Limited partnership distributions	94	93
Commissions and bonuses paid to agents	(470)	(450)
Income taxes paid	(246)	(38)
Net cash provided by operating activities	365	225
Net cash used in investing activities	(34)	(395)
Net cash used in financing activities	(112)	(184)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	219	(354)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	185	430
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	404	76
Indemnity
Condensed financial statements
Management fee received	851	791
Service agreement fee received	23	25
Net investment income received	19	17
Limited partnership distributions	11	14
Decrease in reimbursements collected from affiliates	(2)	(13)
Commissions and bonuses paid to agents	(470)	(450)
Salaries and wages paid	(99)	(95)
Pension contribution and employee benefits paid	(36)	(32)
General operating expenses paid	(99)	(93)
Income taxes paid	(54)	(51)
Net cash provided by operating activities	144	113
Net cash used in investing activities	(8)	(180)
Net cash used in financing activities	(135)	(209)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1	(276)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	11	310
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 12	$ 34