Basis of Preparation and Nature of Operations	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Preparation and Nature of Operations	Basis of Preparation and Nature of Operations Harbinger Group Inc. (“HGI” and, collectively with its respective subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a diversified holding company. HGI is focused on obtaining controlling equity stakes in companies that operate across a diversified set of industries and growing acquired businesses. In addition to acquiring controlling interests, HGI may make investments in debt instruments, acquire minority equity interests in companies and expand its operating businesses. HGI’s shares of common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “HRG.” HGI’s principal operations are conducted through subsidiaries that offer life insurance and annuity products (Fidelity & Guaranty Life, “FGL”, formerly Harbinger F&G LLC), reinsurance (Front Street Re (Delaware) Ltd., “Front Street”), financing and asset management (Salus Capital Partners, LLC, “Salus”, Five Island Asset Management, LLC, “FIAM”, which holds our interests in FIAM Capital Management, LLC (“Five Island”), Energy & Infrastructure Capital (“EIC”) and CorAmerica Capital, LLC ("CorAmerica")), branded consumer products (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., “Spectrum Brands”) such as batteries, small appliances, pet supplies, home and garden control products, personal care products and hardware and home improvement products. HGI also holds oil and natural gas properties through an equity investment in a joint venture (Compass Production GP, LLC and Compass Production Partners, LP, collectively, and together with their respective subsidiaries, "Compass", and formerly referred to as the "EXCO/HGI JV") through our wholly-owned subsidiary, HGI Energy Holdings, LLC (“HGI Energy”). HGI also owns 97.9% of Zap.Com Corporation (“Zap.Com”), a public shell company that may seek assets or businesses to acquire or may sell assets and/or liquidate. While HGI searches for additional acquisition opportunities, the Company manages a portion of its available cash and acquire interests in possible acquisition targets through its wholly-owned subsidiary, HGI Funding, LLC ("HGI Funding"). In December 2012 and January 2013, the Company closed a secondary offering, in which Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. (the “Master Fund”), Global Opportunities Breakaway Ltd. and Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. (together, the “HCP Stockholders”) offered a total of 23.0 million shares of common stock at a price to the public of $7.50 per share. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares in this offering. In December 2012, the Company issued $700.0 aggregate principal amount 7.875% senior secured notes due 2019 (the “7.875% Notes”) and used part of the proceeds of the offering to accept for purchase $498.0 aggregate principal amount of its 10.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 (the “10.625% Notes”) pursuant to a tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for the 10.625% Notes. Additionally, the Company deposited sufficient funds in trust with the trustee under the indenture governing the 10.625% Notes in satisfaction and discharge of the remaining $2.0 aggregate principal amount of the 10.625% Notes. The remainder of the proceeds were used for working capital by the Company and its subsidiaries and for general corporate purposes, including the financing of future acquisitions and businesses. In December 2012, Spectrum Brands acquired the residential hardware and home improvement business (the “HHI Business”) from Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (“Stanley Black & Decker”), (the “Hardware Acquisition”). The HHI Business has a broad portfolio of recognized brand names, including Kwikset, Weiser, Baldwin, National Hardware, Stanley, FANAL and Pfister, as well as patented technologies such as Smartkey, a rekeyable lockset technology, and Smart Code Home Connect. On April 8, 2013, the Company completed the final piece of the Hardware Acquisition, which included the acquisition of certain assets of Tong Lung Metal Industry Co. Ltd., a Taiwan Corporation (“TLM Taiwan”), which is involved in the production of residential locksets. For information pertaining to the Hardware Acquisition, see Note 4, Acquisitions. Also in December 2012, Spectrum Brands Escrow Corp. issued $520.0 aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2020 (the “6.375% Notes”) and $570.0 aggregate principal amount of 6.625% senior notes due 2022 (the “6.625% Notes”). The 6.375% Notes and the 6.625% Notes were assumed by Spectrum Brands Inc., in connection with the Hardware Acquisition. Spectrum Brands used the net proceeds from the offering to fund a portion of the purchase price and related fees and expenses for the Hardware Acquisition. Spectrum Brands financed the remaining portion of the Hardware Acquisition with a new $800.0 facility, of which $100.0 is in Canadian dollar equivalents (the “Term Loan”). A portion of the Term Loan proceeds were also used to refinance the former term loan facility, maturing June 17, 2016, which had an aggregate amount outstanding of $370.2 prior to refinancing. See Note 15, Debt and Note 4, Acquisitions. In December 2012, FGL entered into a coinsurance agreement (the “Reinsurance Agreement”) with Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. (“Front Street Cayman”), also an indirect subsidiary of the Company. Pursuant to the Reinsurance Agreement, Front Street Cayman reinsures approximately 10%, or approximately $1,500.0 of FGL’s policy liabilities, on a funds-withheld basis. In connection with the Reinsurance Agreement, Front Street Cayman, FGL and an indirect subsidiary of the Company, Five Island, also entered into an investment management agreement, pursuant to which Five Island manages a portion of the assets securing Front Street Cayman’s reinsurance obligations under the Reinsurance Agreement, which assets are held by FGL in a segregated account. The assets in the segregated account are invested in accordance with FGL’s investment guidelines. In February 2013, HGI finalized an agreement with with EXCO Resources, Inc. (“EXCO”) to create a private oil and natural gas joint venture, Compass, through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary HGI Energy. In connection with its formation, Compass entered into a credit agreement which had an initial borrowing base of $400.0, maturing on February 14, 2018 (the “Compass Credit Agreement”). In March 2013, Compass acquired all of the shallow Cotton Valley assets from an affiliate of BG Group plc (“BG Group”) for $130.7, funded with borrowings from the Compass Credit Agreement. Also in February 2013, Salus announced the closing of Salus CLO 2012-1, Ltd., a collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicle providing for the issuance of up to $250.0 in collateralized obligations, initially funded with $175.5 of the asset-based loans that Salus had originated through that date. In September 2013, $25.0 of this issuance was redeemed when Salus announced the closing of an additional $325.0 note issuance by the CLO, bringing the aggregate amount of notes issued by the CLO to $550.0. In connection with this transaction, Salus and its affiliates committed and funded the CLO with an additional $166.9 and $136.5, respectively. See Note 7, Securitizations and Variable Interest Entities. In March 2013, FGL issued $300.0 aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due April 1, 2021, at par. FGL used a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance to pay a dividend to HGI and expects to use the remainder for general corporate purposes, to support the growth of its subsidiary life insurance company. See Note 15, Debt. In July 2013, HGI issued $225.0 aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior secured notes due 2019 (the “New 7.875% Notes”, and together with the 7.875% Notes, the “Senior Secured Notes”) at 101.5% of par plus accrued interest from July 15, 2013. See Note 15, Debt. In September 2013, Spectrum Brands, announced that it had closed on $1,150.0 of term loans (the “New Term Loans”) pursuant to the New Term Loan Commitment Agreement No. 1 among Spectrum Brands, the lenders party thereto, and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent (the “Term Administrative Agent”). The proceeds of the New Term Loans were used (i) to fund the consummation of Spectrum Brands cash tender offer and consent solicitation (the “Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation”) to purchase any and all of its outstanding 9.5% senior secured notes due 2018 (the “9.5% Notes”), (ii) to fund the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture governing the 9.5% Notes not tendered in the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation and (iii) for working capital and general corporate purposes. In December 2013, FGL, a then wholly-owned subsidiary of HGI, announced an initial public offering of 9.8 million shares of common stock at a price to the public of $17.00 per share. The shares began trading on the NYSE on December 13, 2013 under the ticker symbol "FGL". FGL also granted the underwriters an option to purchase an additional 1.5 million shares of common stock that was subsequently exercised. HGI was not a selling shareholder in the offering. Subsequent to the offering HGI held 47.0 million shares of FGL's outstanding common stock, representing an 80.4% interest as of September 30, 2014. Also in December 2013, Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. ("Front Street Cayman"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of HGI, closed a reinsurance treaty with Bankers Life Insurance Company. Under the terms of the treaty, Bankers Life Insurance Company ceded approximately $153.0 of its annuity business to Front Street Cayman on a funds withheld basis. Furthermore in December 2013, Spectrum Brands amended a senior secured term loan, issuing two tranches maturing September 4, 2019 which provide for borrowings in aggregate principal amounts of $215.0 and €225.0. The proceeds from the amendment were used to refinance a portion of the term loan which was scheduled to mature December 17, 2019 and had an aggregate amount outstanding of $513.3 prior to refinancing. In January 2014, Spectrum Brands completed the $35.8 acquisition of The Liquid Fence Company, Inc. ("Liquid Fence"), a producer of animal repellents. See Note 4, Acquisitions. Also in January 2014, HGI issued $200.0 aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior unsecured notes due 2022 at par (the "7.75% Notes"). See Note 15, Debt. In May 2014, HGI exercised its option to convert all but one of its issued and outstanding shares of Series A Participating Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Shares") and all of its outstanding Series A-2 Participating Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-2 Preferred Shares", together with the Series A Preferred Shares, the "Preferred Stock") into common stock of the Company, par value $0.01. See Note 16, Temporary Equity. Also in May 2014, HGI exchanged $320.6 of its outstanding Senior Secured Notes for $350.0 aggregate principal amount of new 7.75% senior notes due 2022 (the “Additional 7.75% Notes”). Following settlement, HGI had $604.4 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes outstanding and $550.0 in aggregate principal amount of 7.750% senior notes due 2022 outstanding. See Note 15, Debt. In addition, in May 2014, HGI Funding completed the $13.5 acquisition of Frederick's of Hollywood Group Inc. ("FOH"), a retailer of women's apparel and related products. See Note 4, Acquisitions. In August 2014, Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. (“FGH”), a wholly owned subsidiary of FGL, as borrower, and FGL as guarantor, entered into a three-year $150.0 unsecured revolving credit facility. See Note 15, Debt. In September 2014, HGI issued additional $200.0 aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior unsecured notes due 2022 at par (the “September 2014 Notes”). See Note 15, Debt. During Fiscal 2014, HGI purchased 5.2 million shares of its outstanding common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $65.6 under the $100.0 repurchase program authorized by HGI's Board of Directors earlier in in May 2014. The Company’s reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how HGI’s management views those business activities. Accordingly, the Company currently operates its business in four reporting segments: (i) Consumer Products, (ii) Insurance, (iii) Energy, and (iv) Asset Management. For the results of operations by segment, and other segment data, see Note 28., Segment and Geographic Data. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).

Basis of Preparation and Nature of Operations

Harbinger Group Inc. (“HGI” and, collectively with its respective subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a diversified holding company. HGI is focused on obtaining controlling equity stakes in companies that operate across a diversified set of industries and growing acquired businesses. In addition to acquiring controlling interests, HGI may make investments in debt instruments, acquire minority equity interests in companies and expand its operating businesses. HGI’s shares of common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “HRG.”

HGI’s principal operations are conducted through subsidiaries that offer life insurance and annuity products (Fidelity & Guaranty Life, “FGL”, formerly Harbinger F&G LLC), reinsurance (Front Street Re (Delaware) Ltd., “Front Street”), financing and asset management (Salus Capital Partners, LLC, “Salus”, Five Island Asset Management, LLC, “FIAM”, which holds our interests in FIAM Capital Management, LLC (“Five Island”), Energy & Infrastructure Capital (“EIC”) and CorAmerica Capital, LLC ("CorAmerica")), branded consumer products (Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., “Spectrum Brands”) such as batteries, small appliances, pet supplies, home and garden control products, personal care products and hardware and home improvement products. HGI also holds oil and natural gas properties through an equity investment in a joint venture (Compass Production GP, LLC and Compass Production Partners, LP, collectively, and together with their respective subsidiaries, "Compass", and formerly referred to as the "EXCO/HGI JV") through our wholly-owned subsidiary, HGI Energy Holdings, LLC (“HGI Energy”). HGI also owns 97.9% of Zap.Com Corporation (“Zap.Com”), a public shell company that may seek assets or businesses to acquire or may sell assets and/or liquidate. While HGI searches for additional acquisition opportunities, the Company manages a portion of its available cash and acquire interests in possible acquisition targets through its wholly-owned subsidiary, HGI Funding, LLC ("HGI Funding").

In December 2012 and January 2013, the Company closed a secondary offering, in which Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd. (the “Master Fund”), Global Opportunities Breakaway Ltd. and Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. (together, the “HCP Stockholders”) offered a total of 23.0 million shares of common stock at a price to the public of $7.50 per share. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares in this offering.

In December 2012, the Company issued $700.0 aggregate principal amount 7.875% senior secured notes due 2019 (the “7.875% Notes”) and used part of the proceeds of the offering to accept for purchase $498.0 aggregate principal amount of its 10.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2015 (the “10.625% Notes”) pursuant to a tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for the 10.625% Notes. Additionally, the Company deposited sufficient funds in trust with the trustee under the indenture governing the 10.625% Notes in satisfaction and discharge of the remaining $2.0 aggregate principal amount of the 10.625% Notes. The remainder of the proceeds were used for working capital by the Company and its subsidiaries and for general corporate purposes, including the financing of future acquisitions and businesses.

In December 2012, Spectrum Brands acquired the residential hardware and home improvement business (the “HHI Business”) from Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (“Stanley Black & Decker”), (the “Hardware Acquisition”). The HHI Business has a broad portfolio of recognized brand names, including Kwikset, Weiser, Baldwin, National Hardware, Stanley, FANAL and Pfister, as well as patented technologies such as Smartkey, a rekeyable lockset technology, and Smart Code Home Connect. On April 8, 2013, the Company completed the final piece of the Hardware Acquisition, which included the acquisition of certain assets of Tong Lung Metal Industry Co. Ltd., a Taiwan Corporation (“TLM Taiwan”), which is involved in the production of residential locksets. For information pertaining to the Hardware Acquisition, see Note 4, Acquisitions.

Also in December 2012, Spectrum Brands Escrow Corp. issued $520.0 aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2020 (the “6.375% Notes”) and $570.0 aggregate principal amount of 6.625% senior notes due 2022 (the “6.625% Notes”). The 6.375% Notes and the 6.625% Notes were assumed by Spectrum Brands Inc., in connection with the Hardware Acquisition. Spectrum Brands used the net proceeds from the offering to fund a portion of the purchase price and related fees and expenses for the Hardware Acquisition. Spectrum Brands financed the remaining portion of the Hardware Acquisition with a new $800.0 facility, of which $100.0 is in Canadian dollar equivalents (the “Term Loan”). A portion of the Term Loan proceeds were also used to refinance the former term loan facility, maturing June 17, 2016, which had an aggregate amount outstanding of $370.2 prior to refinancing. See Note 15, Debt and Note 4, Acquisitions.

In December 2012, FGL entered into a coinsurance agreement (the “Reinsurance Agreement”) with Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. (“Front Street Cayman”), also an indirect subsidiary of the Company. Pursuant to the Reinsurance Agreement, Front Street Cayman reinsures approximately 10%, or approximately $1,500.0 of FGL’s policy liabilities, on a funds-withheld basis. In connection with the Reinsurance Agreement, Front Street Cayman, FGL and an indirect subsidiary of the Company, Five Island, also entered into an investment management agreement, pursuant to which Five Island manages a portion of the assets securing Front Street Cayman’s reinsurance obligations under the Reinsurance Agreement, which assets are held by FGL in a segregated account. The assets in the segregated account are invested in accordance with FGL’s investment guidelines.

In February 2013, HGI finalized an agreement with with EXCO Resources, Inc. (“EXCO”) to create a private oil and natural gas joint venture, Compass, through the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary HGI Energy. In connection with its formation, Compass entered into a credit agreement which had an initial borrowing base of $400.0, maturing on February 14, 2018 (the “Compass Credit Agreement”). In March 2013, Compass acquired all of the shallow Cotton Valley assets from an affiliate of BG Group plc (“BG Group”) for $130.7, funded with borrowings from the Compass Credit Agreement.

Also in February 2013, Salus announced the closing of Salus CLO 2012-1, Ltd., a collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicle providing for the issuance of up to $250.0 in collateralized obligations, initially funded with $175.5 of the asset-based loans that Salus had originated through that date. In September 2013, $25.0 of this issuance was redeemed when Salus announced the closing of an additional $325.0 note issuance by the CLO, bringing the aggregate amount of notes issued by the CLO to $550.0. In connection with this transaction, Salus and its affiliates committed and funded the CLO with an additional $166.9 and $136.5, respectively. See Note 7, Securitizations and Variable Interest Entities.

In March 2013, FGL issued $300.0 aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due April 1, 2021, at par. FGL used a portion of the net proceeds from the issuance to pay a dividend to HGI and expects to use the remainder for general corporate purposes, to support the growth of its subsidiary life insurance company. See Note 15, Debt.

In July 2013, HGI issued $225.0 aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior secured notes due 2019 (the “New 7.875% Notes”, and together with the 7.875% Notes, the “Senior Secured Notes”) at 101.5% of par plus accrued interest from July 15, 2013. See Note 15, Debt.

In September 2013, Spectrum Brands, announced that it had closed on $1,150.0 of term loans (the “New Term Loans”) pursuant to the New Term Loan Commitment Agreement No. 1 among Spectrum Brands, the lenders party thereto, and Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent (the “Term Administrative Agent”). The proceeds of the New Term Loans were used (i) to fund the consummation of Spectrum Brands cash tender offer and consent solicitation (the “Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation”) to purchase any and all of its outstanding 9.5% senior secured notes due 2018 (the “9.5% Notes”), (ii) to fund the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture governing the 9.5% Notes not tendered in the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation and (iii) for working capital and general corporate purposes.

In December 2013, FGL, a then wholly-owned subsidiary of HGI, announced an initial public offering of 9.8 million shares of common stock at a price to the public of $17.00 per share. The shares began trading on the NYSE on December 13, 2013 under the ticker symbol "FGL". FGL also granted the underwriters an option to purchase an additional 1.5 million shares of common stock that was subsequently exercised. HGI was not a selling shareholder in the offering. Subsequent to the offering HGI held 47.0 million shares of FGL's outstanding common stock, representing an 80.4% interest as of September 30, 2014.

Also in December 2013, Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. ("Front Street Cayman"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of HGI, closed a reinsurance treaty with Bankers Life Insurance Company. Under the terms of the treaty, Bankers Life Insurance Company ceded approximately $153.0 of its annuity business to Front Street Cayman on a funds withheld basis.

Furthermore in December 2013, Spectrum Brands amended a senior secured term loan, issuing two tranches maturing September 4, 2019 which provide for borrowings in aggregate principal amounts of $215.0 and €225.0. The proceeds from the amendment were used to refinance a portion of the term loan which was scheduled to mature December 17, 2019 and had an aggregate amount outstanding of $513.3 prior to refinancing.

In January 2014, Spectrum Brands completed the $35.8 acquisition of The Liquid Fence Company, Inc. ("Liquid Fence"), a producer of animal repellents. See Note 4, Acquisitions.

Also in January 2014, HGI issued $200.0 aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior unsecured notes due 2022 at par (the "7.75% Notes"). See Note 15, Debt.

In May 2014, HGI exercised its option to convert all but one of its issued and outstanding shares of Series A Participating Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Shares") and all of its outstanding Series A-2 Participating Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A-2 Preferred Shares", together with the Series A Preferred Shares, the "Preferred Stock") into common stock of the Company, par value $0.01. See Note 16, Temporary Equity.

Also in May 2014, HGI exchanged $320.6 of its outstanding Senior Secured Notes for $350.0 aggregate principal amount of new 7.75% senior notes due 2022 (the “Additional 7.75% Notes”). Following settlement, HGI had $604.4 in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes outstanding and $550.0 in aggregate principal amount of 7.750% senior notes due 2022 outstanding. See Note 15, Debt.

In addition, in May 2014, HGI Funding completed the $13.5 acquisition of Frederick's of Hollywood Group Inc. ("FOH"), a retailer of women's apparel and related products. See Note 4, Acquisitions.

In August 2014, Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. (“FGH”), a wholly owned subsidiary of FGL, as borrower, and FGL as guarantor, entered into a three-year $150.0 unsecured revolving credit facility. See Note 15, Debt.

In September 2014, HGI issued additional $200.0 aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior unsecured notes due 2022 at par (the “September 2014 Notes”). See Note 15, Debt.

During Fiscal 2014, HGI purchased 5.2 million shares of its outstanding common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $65.6 under the $100.0 repurchase program authorized by HGI's Board of Directors earlier in in May 2014.

The Company’s reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how HGI’s management views those business activities. Accordingly, the Company currently operates its business in four reporting segments: (i) Consumer Products, (ii) Insurance, (iii) Energy, and (iv) Asset Management. For the results of operations by segment, and other segment data, see Note 28., Segment and Geographic Data.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).