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Fair value measurements - Financial assets and liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022
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Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | $ 23,758 |  | $ 25,128 |
Investments in equity securities |  | 353,842 | [1] | 308,793 | [2]
Insurance and Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 23,758 |  | 25,128 |
Investments in equity securities |  | 353,842 |  | 308,793 |
The Kraft Heinz Company [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investments, fair value |  | 12,035 |  | 13,249 |
U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 10,269 |  | 9,802 |
Foreign governments [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 11,805 |  | 10,327 |
Corporate bonds [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 1,449 |  | 2,195 |
Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 235 |  | 2,804 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in equity securities |  | 343,358 |  | 296,610 |
Derivative contract assets | [3] | $ 39 |  | $ 56 |
Derivative Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] |  | Other Assets |  | Other Assets |
Derivative contract liabilities | [3] | $ 7 |  | $ 8 |
Derivative Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] |  | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |  | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | The Kraft Heinz Company and Occidental Petroleum Corporation [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investments, fair value |  | $ 26,587 |  | $ 25,491 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 10,234 |  | 9,733 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices (Level 1) [Member] | Foreign governments [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 11,559 |  | 9,854 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in equity securities |  | 10 |  | 9 |
Loans and finance receivables |  | 892 |  | 1,513 |
Derivative contract assets | [3] | $ 282 |  | $ 474 |
Derivative Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] |  | Other Assets |  | Other Assets |
Derivative contract liabilities | [3] | $ 111 |  | $ 122 |
Derivative Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] |  | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |  | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Notes payable and other borrowings |  | $ 81,036 |  | $ 67,651 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Notes payable and other borrowings |  | 39,153 |  | 41,061 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 35 |  | 69 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Foreign governments [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 246 |  | 473 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 860 |  | 1,546 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 235 |  | 2,804 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in equity securities |  | 10,474 |  | 12,174 |
Loans and finance receivables |  | 23,298 |  | 21,915 |
Derivative contract assets | [3] | $ 13 |  | $ 59 |
Derivative Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] |  | Other Assets |  | Other Assets |
Derivative contract liabilities | [3] | $ 95 |  | $ 112 |
Derivative Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] |  | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |  | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Notes payable and other borrowings |  | $ 31 |  | $ 900 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 589 |  | 649 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in equity securities |  | 353,842 |  | 308,793 |
Loans and finance receivables |  | 24,681 |  | 23,208 |
Derivative contract assets | [3] | $ 334 |  | $ 589 |
Derivative Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] |  | Other Assets |  | Other Assets |
Derivative contract liabilities | [3] | $ 213 |  | $ 242 |
Derivative Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] |  | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |  | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Notes payable and other borrowings |  | $ 85,579 |  | $ 76,206 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Notes payable and other borrowings |  | 42,692 |  | 46,538 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | The Kraft Heinz Company and Occidental Petroleum Corporation [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investments, fair value |  | 28,640 |  | 24,421 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 10,269 |  | 9,802 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Foreign governments [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 11,805 |  | 10,327 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 1,449 |  | 2,195 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 235 |  | 2,804 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in equity securities |  | 353,842 |  | 308,793 |
Loans and finance receivables |  | 24,190 |  | 23,428 |
Derivative contract assets | [3] | $ 334 |  | $ 589 |
Derivative Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] |  | Other Assets |  | Other Assets |
Derivative contract liabilities | [3] | $ 213 |  | $ 242 |
Derivative Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] |  | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |  | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Railroad, Utilities and Energy [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Notes payable and other borrowings |  | $ 81,036 |  | $ 67,651 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Insurance and Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Notes payable and other borrowings |  | 39,184 |  | 41,961 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | The Kraft Heinz Company and Occidental Petroleum Corporation [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity method investments, fair value |  | 26,587 |  | 25,491 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | U.S. Treasury, U.S. government corporations and agencies [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 10,269 |  | 9,802 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Foreign governments [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 11,805 |  | 10,327 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | 1,449 |  | 2,195 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Other [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Investments in fixed maturity securities |  | $ 235 |  | $ 2,804 |
[1] | Approximately 79% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in five companies (American Express Company – $28.4 billion; Apple Inc. – $174.3 billion; Bank of America Corporation – $34.8 billion; The Coca-Cola Company – $23.6 billion and Chevron Corporation – $18.8 billion).
[2] | Approximately 75% of the aggregate fair value was concentrated in five companies (American Express Company – $22.4 billion; Apple Inc. – $119.0 billion; Bank of America Corporation – $34.2 billion; The Coca-Cola Company – $25.4 billion and Chevron Corporation – $30.0 billion).
[3] | Assets are included in other assets, and liabilities are included in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities.

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- Definition Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (aa) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481800/320-10-50-2 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481830/320-10-45-1 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(6)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479853/942-210-S99-1 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479130/326-30-45-1 + Details
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- Definition Fair value portion of debt instrument payable, including, but not limited to, notes payable and loans payable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 55 -Paragraph 69B -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69B Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 55 -Paragraph 69C -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481568/470-20-55-69C Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 470 -SubTopic 20 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1D -Subparagraph (c) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481139/470-20-50-1D Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482907/825-10-50-10 + Details
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- Definition Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. 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