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Acquisitions and Sale of Businesses - Narrative on acquisitions of subsidiaries (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Nov. 10, 2016
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisitions [Line Items]            
Payments to acquire additional interest in subsidiaries       $ 0 $ 315 $ 0
Income tax expense (benefit)       247 119 195
National Interstate            
Business Acquisitions [Line Items]            
Percentage ownership of National Interstate by noncontrolling owners prior to acquisition 49.00%          
Payments to acquire additional interest in subsidiaries $ 315          
Acquisition price per share (USD per share) $ 32.00          
Cash dividend paid (USD per share) $ 0.50          
Payment of special cash dividends $ 5          
Payments for acquisition related costs     $ 10      
AFG            
Business Acquisitions [Line Items]            
Income tax expense (benefit)   $ (56) (177) $ 247 $ 119 $ 195
AFG | National Interstate            
Business Acquisitions [Line Items]            
Reduction to capital surplus $ (137)          
Income tax expense (benefit)     $ (66)