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Retroactive reinsurance contracts - Reconciliation of changes in claim liabilities and incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses (Detail) - Retroactive Reinsurance [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023 | Dec. 31, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2021
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items] |  |  |
Balance at the beginning of the year | $ 35,415 | $ 37,855 | $ 40,623
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,484 | 855 | 981
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses | (1,934) | (2,358) | (1,889)
Foreign currency effect | 57 | (168) | (58)
Balance at December 31 | 34,647 | 35,415 | 37,855
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses [Member] |  |  |
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items] |  |  |
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses, current accident year |  |  | 153
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses, prior years' contracts | 1,109 | 86 | (974)
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | 1,109 | 86 | (821)
Deferred Charges Reinsurance Assumed [Member] |  |  |
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items] |  |  |
Total incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses | $ 375 | $ 769 | $ 1,802

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- Definition The amount needed to reflect the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the balance sheet date, whether or not reported to the insurer at that date. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (cc) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480081/944-40-50-3 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480081/944-40-50-3 + Details
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- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of foreign currency gain (loss) which decreases (increases) the cost of settling unpaid claims after deduction of reinsurance recoveries. Includes, but is not limited to, claims which have been incurred but not reported. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount, after effects of reinsurance, of expense (reversal of expense) for claims incurred and costs incurred in the claim settlement process. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480081/944-40-50-3 + Details
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- Definition Amount, after effects of reinsurance, of payments to settle insured claims and pay costs incurred in the claims settlement process. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -Subparagraph (g) -SubTopic 10 -Topic 230 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-25 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -SubTopic 40 -Topic 944 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480081/944-40-50-3 + Details
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- Definition Amount, after effects of reinsurance, of expense for claims incurred in the current reporting period and related claims settlement costs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480081/944-40-50-3 + Details
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- Definition Amount, after effects of reinsurance, of expense (reversal of expense) for claims incurred in prior reporting periods and related claims settlement costs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480081/944-40-50-3 + Details
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