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Insurance - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2017
Sep. 30, 2016
Jun. 30, 2016
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance [Line Items]              
Carrying value of cash and securities owned by U.S.-based insurance subsidiaries on deposit $ 1,080       $ 1,080    
Carrying value of cash and securities owned by insurance subsidiaries on deposit in support of underwriting activities at Lloyd's 205       205    
Undrawn letters of credit 447       447    
Undrawn letters of credit, collateralized 0       $ 0    
Workers' compensation insurance discount rate         4.50% 4.50%  
Workers' compensation insurance discount, which has reduced the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses 15       $ 15 $ 16  
Long-term care insurance reserves, net of reinsurance recoverables 39       39 37  
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank capital stock 44       44    
Repayments under funding agreements with the Federal Home Loan Bank 64            
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank 871       $ 871    
Description of variable rate basis         LIBOR    
Repayments of advances from Federal Home Loan Bank due in next twelve months 285       $ 285    
Repayments of advances from Federal Home Loan Bank due in year three 586       586    
Fair value of fixed maturity investments held as collateral by the Federal Home Loan Bank 1,040       1,040    
Interest on advances from Federal Home Loan Bank         14 8 $ 3
Maximum amount of dividends available to be paid by insurance subsidiaries to AFG without prior approval of regulatory authorities 826       826    
Dividends on Common Stock         (421) (187) (178)
Aggregate guaranteed minimum death benefit value on variable annuity polices in force 15       15 20  
Minimum              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Dividends payments without violating the most restrictive debt covenants, minimum 1,000       $ 1,000    
Minimum | LIBOR              
Insurance [Line Items]              
FHLB advances, basis spread on variable rate         0.03%    
Maximum | LIBOR              
Insurance [Line Items]              
FHLB advances, basis spread on variable rate         0.35%    
Average | LIBOR              
Insurance [Line Items]              
FHLB advances, basis spread on variable rate         1.75%    
FHLB, advances, refinanced terms              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank 831       $ 831    
Catastrophe Bonds              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Catastrophe reinsurance coverage, excess retention percentage         95.00%    
Catastrophe reinsurance coverage, excess retention amount         $ 200    
Catastrophe reinsurance coverage, retention amount         100    
Catastrophe reinsurance coverage, annual cost         11    
Life insurance              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Life insurance in force, ceded premiums 8,320       8,320 10,220  
Life insurance in force, direct premiums 12,050       12,050 13,490  
Life written premiums ceded         28 31 40
Reinsurance recoveries         35 41 50
Variable annuities | Maximum              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Death benefits paid in excess of the variable annuity account balances (are less than in 2014, 2015 and 2016)         1 1 1
Property and casualty insurance | Other lines              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Favorable reserve development related to certain lines of business within subsidiaries in connection with a reinsurance to close agreement         18    
Special charges to increase asbestos and environmental reserves   $ 89 $ 36   $ 89 36 $ 67
Special charges related to the exit of certain lines of business within subsidiaries       $ 65   65  
Property and casualty insurance | Other lines | Increased insurance loss reserves related to medical malpractice and general liability lines              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Special charges related to the exit of certain lines of business within subsidiaries       $ 57      
Neon Capital Limited | Property and casualty insurance              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Favorable reserve development related to certain lines of business within subsidiaries in connection with a reinsurance to close agreement 42            
Neon Capital Limited | Property and casualty insurance | Other lines              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Favorable reserve development related to certain lines of business within subsidiaries in connection with a reinsurance to close agreement 18            
Special charges related to the exit of certain lines of business within subsidiaries           $ 65  
Neon Capital Limited | Property and casualty insurance | Other lines | Reinsurance to close agreement              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Favorable reserve development related to certain lines of business within subsidiaries in connection with a reinsurance to close agreement 18            
Neon Capital Limited | Neon Capital Limited | Current lines              
Insurance [Line Items]              
Favorable reserve development related to certain lines of business within subsidiaries in connection with a reinsurance to close agreement $ 24