| **Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) - Pension Benefits - USD ($) $ in Millions** | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |
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| Insurance Claims and Policyholder's Benefits, Including Policyholder's Dividends   |           |           |   |   |
| Total non-service cost (benefit)                                                   | $ 2            | $ 1            | $ 4 | $ 1 |
| Other Expense                                                                      |           |           |   |   |
| Total non-service cost (benefit)                                                   | $ 5            | $ 1            | $ 10 | $ 1 |

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| - Definition
Amount of expense (reversal of expense) for net periodic benefit cost components, excluding service cost component, of defined benefit plan. Amount includes, but is not limited to, interest cost, expected (return) loss on plan asset, amortization of prior service cost (credit), amortization of (gain) loss, amortization of transition (asset) obligation, settlement (gain) loss, curtailment (gain) loss and certain termination benefits.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237824&loc=SL108413299-114919
+ Details**Name:**us-gaap_NetPeriodicDefinedBenefitsExpenseReversalOfExpenseExcludingServiceCostComponent**Namespace Prefix:**us-gaap_**Data Type:**xbrli:monetaryItemType**Balance Type:**debit**Period Type:**duration |
| X                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
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| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=cna_InsuranceClaimsandPolicyholdersBenefitsIncludingPolicyholdersDividendsMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                               |
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| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_RetirementPlanTypeAxis=us-gaap_PensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |
| X                                                                                                                                                      |
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| - Details**Name:**us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherExpenseMember**Namespace Prefix:****Data Type:**na**Balance Type:****Period Type:** |