v2.4.0.8

Assumed life reinsurance programs involving minimum benefit guarantees under annuity contracts (Tables) | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2014
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract] |
Schedule Of Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefits And Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefits Income And Expense |
| Three Months Ended |  |  | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30 |  |  | September 30 |
(in millions of U.S. dollars) | 2014 |  |  | 2013 |  |  | 2014 |  |  | 2013 |
GMDB |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net premiums earned | $ | 17 |  |  | $ | 19 |  |  | $ | 54 |  |  | $ | 59 |
Policy benefits and other reserve adjustments | $ | 12 |  |  | $ | 14 |  |  | $ | 40 |  |  | $ | 58 |
GLB |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net premiums earned | $ | 35 |  |  | $ | 36 |  |  | $ | 105 |  |  | $ | 112 |
Policy benefits and other reserve adjustments | 8 |  |  | 9 |  |  | 27 |  |  | 20 |
Net realized gains (losses) | (76 | ) |  | 138 |  |  | (124 | ) |  | 608 |
Gain (loss) recognized in income | $ | (49 | ) |  | $ | 165 |  |  | $ | (46 | ) |  | $ | 700 |
Net cash received | $ | 31 |  |  | $ | 31 |  |  | $ | 93 |  |  | $ | 94 |
Net (increase) decrease in liability | $ | (80 | ) |  | $ | 134 |  |  | $ | (139 | ) |  | $ | 606 |

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- Definition Schedule of income and expenses relating to guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB) and guaranteed minimum income benefits (GMIB) reinsurance. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ace_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration