| **Investments (Net realized investment gains (losses)) (Details) (USD $)In Millions, unless otherwise specified** | 12 Months Ended |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
||
| Net realized investment gains (losses), net of participating policyholders’ interests                      | $ 63            | $ (2) | $ 86 |
| Fixed maturity securities [Member]                                                                                |            |   |   |
| Gross realized gains                                                                                              | 232             | 289 | 475 |
| Gross realized losses                                                                                             | (149)           | (311) | (383) |
| Net realized investment gains (losses), net of participating policyholders’ interests                      | 83              | (22) | 92 |
| Equity securities [Member]                                                                                        |            |   |   |
| Gross realized gains                                                                                              | 19              | 10 | 50 |
| Gross realized losses                                                                                             | (42)            | (11) | (52) |
| Net realized investment gains (losses), net of participating policyholders’ interests                      | (23)            | (1) | (2) |
| Derivative [Member]                                                                                               |            |   |   |
| Net realized investment gains (losses), net of participating policyholders’ interests                      | (2)             |    | (1) |
| Short term investments and other [Member]                                                                         |            |   |   |
| Net realized investment gains (losses), net of participating policyholders’ interests                      | $ 5             | $ 21 | $ (3) |

| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The net realized gain or loss, net of participating policyholders' interests, recognized during the period on investments classified as available for sale.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details**Name:**cna_NetRealizedInvestmentGainsLossesNetOfParticipatingPolicyholdersInterests**Namespace Prefix:**cna_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This item represents the gross profit realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**credit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This item represents the gross loss realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.  This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |