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| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryAxis} : Fixed Maturities [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) </KeyName> |
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| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
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| <Name/> |
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| <ValueName> Fixed Maturities [Member] </ValueName> |
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| <type> explicitMember </type> |
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| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
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| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
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| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
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| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investment gains/losses: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 7 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_GainOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> This item represents the gross total realized and unrealized gain included in earnings for the period as a result of selling... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 720000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 720 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
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| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| </Cells> |
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| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> This item represents the gross total realized and unrealized gain included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Gross gains from sales and other disposals </Label> |
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| | | <Id> 8 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
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| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> This item represents the gross total realized and unrealized loss included in earnings for the period as a result of selling... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
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| | | <IsReverseSign> true </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> negated </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <Cell> |
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| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
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| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> This item represents the gross total realized and unrealized loss included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding loss of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized loss which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any losses realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Gross losses from sales and other disposals </Label> |
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| | | <Id> 10 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
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| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
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| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
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| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
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| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
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| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investment gains/losses: </Label> |
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| | | <Id> 12 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
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| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> This item represents the gross total realized and unrealized gain included in earnings for the period as a result of selling... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
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| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
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| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
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| <Cell> |
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| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
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| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> This item represents the gross total realized and unrealized gain included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Gross gains from sales and other disposals </Label> |
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| | | <Id> 13 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
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| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
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| | | <BalanceType> debit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> This item represents the gross total realized and unrealized loss included in earnings for the period as a result of selling... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
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| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> This item represents the gross total realized and unrealized loss included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding loss of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized loss which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any losses realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
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| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
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| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
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| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
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| <KeyName> {us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryAxis} : Other Investment Gain / Loss [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
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| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryAxis} : Other Investment Gain / Loss [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_12mos_20081231_OtherInvestmentGainLossMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2008-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 2008-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Other Investment Gain / Loss [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_OtherInvestmentGainLossMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_ScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeReportedAmountsByCategoryAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Other Investment Gain / Loss [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Other Investment Gain / Loss [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 16 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investment gains/losses: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 17 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> totallabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 1017000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1017 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer> [1] </FootnoteIndexer> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> -69000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> -69 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 255000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 255 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain or loss of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain or loss which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains or losses realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> true </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investment gains/losses </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 18 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_FootnoteNarrativeAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Footnote Narrative: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 19 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGainOrLoss </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> terselabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 979000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 979 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> In a business combination achieved in stages, this element represents the amount of gain or loss recognized by the entity as a result of re measuring to fair value the equity interest in the acquiree it held before the business combination. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141R -Paragraph 48 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141R -Paragraph 68 -Subparagraph q(2) </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> One-time holding gain related to BNSF acquisition </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 20 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName/> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2010-12-31/role/investmentgainslossesdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 13 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Insurance and Other [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_12mos_20101231_InsuranceAndOtherMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2010-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 2010-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_InsuranceAndOtherMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Insurance and Other [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 14 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Insurance and Other [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_12mos_20091231_InsuranceAndOtherMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2009-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_InsuranceAndOtherMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Insurance and Other [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 15 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Insurance and Other [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_12mos_20081231_InsuranceAndOtherMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2008-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 2008-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Insurance and Other [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_InsuranceAndOtherMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Insurance and Other [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Insurance and Other [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 21 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investment gains/losses: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 22 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> totallabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 4044000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 4044 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 358000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 358 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 1166000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 1166 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain or loss of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain or loss which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains or losses realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> true </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investment gains/losses </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 24 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName/> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> na </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> na </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> true </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/2010-12-31/role/investmentgainslossesdetail </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 16 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Cur_12mos_20101231_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2010-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 2010-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 17 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] 1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_12mos_20091231_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2009-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 2009-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| <Columns> |
| <Id> 18 </Id> |
| <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| <LabelColumn> false </LabelColumn> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <hasSegments> true </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| <MCU> |
| <KeyName> {us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis} : Finance and Financial Products [Member] 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) </KeyName> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <contextRef> |
| <ContextID> Pri_12mos_20081231_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </ContextID> |
| <EntitySchema> http://www.sec.gov/CIK </EntitySchema> |
| <EntityValue> 0001067983 </EntityValue> |
| <PeriodDisplayName/> |
| <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| <PeriodStartDate> 2008-01-01T00:00:00 </PeriodStartDate> |
| <PeriodEndDate> 2008-12-31T00:00:00 </PeriodEndDate> |
| <Segments> |
| <anyType xsi:type="Segment"> |
| <IsDefaultForEntity> false </IsDefaultForEntity> |
| <Name/> |
| <IsFromEntityGroup> false </IsFromEntityGroup> |
| <ValueName> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </ValueName> |
| <ValueType> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </ValueType> |
| <Namespace> xbrldi </Namespace> |
| <Schema> http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi </Schema> |
| <DimensionInfo> |
| <Id> brka_FinanceAndFinancialProductsMember </Id> |
| <dimensionId> us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis </dimensionId> |
| <type> explicitMember </type> |
| </DimensionInfo> |
| </anyType> |
| </Segments> |
| <Scenarios/> |
| </contextRef> |
| <UPS> |
| <UnitProperty> |
| <UnitID> USD </UnitID> |
| <UnitType> Standard </UnitType> |
| <StandardMeasure> |
| <MeasureSchema> http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 </MeasureSchema> |
| <MeasureValue> USD </MeasureValue> |
| <MeasureNamespace> iso4217 </MeasureNamespace> |
| </StandardMeasure> |
| <Scale> 0 </Scale> |
| </UnitProperty> |
| </UPS> |
| <CurrencyCode> USD </CurrencyCode> |
| <OriginalCurrencyCode> USD </OriginalCurrencyCode> |
| </MCU> |
| <CurrencySymbol> $ </CurrencySymbol> |
| <Labels> |
| <Label Id="1" Label="Finance and Financial Products [Member]"/> |
| <Label Id="2" Label="1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008"/> |
| </Labels> |
| </Columns> |
| </OriginalInstanceReportColumns> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType/> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> na </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Finance and Financial Products [Member] </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 25 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> true </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsAbstract </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> us-gaap </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> true </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> na </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> No definition available. </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole/> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> false </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 0 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 0 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> false </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Other </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:stringItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> string </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> No definition available. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> false </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investment gains/losses: </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | <Row> |
| | | <Id> 26 </Id> |
| | | <IsAbstractGroupTitle> false </IsAbstractGroupTitle> |
| | | <Level> 0 </Level> |
| | | <ElementName> brka_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments </ElementName> |
| | | <ElementPrefix> brka </ElementPrefix> |
| | | <IsBaseElement> false </IsBaseElement> |
| | | <BalanceType> credit </BalanceType> |
| | | <PeriodType> duration </PeriodType> |
| | | <ShortDefinition> This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of... </ShortDefinition> |
| | | <IsReportTitle> false </IsReportTitle> |
| | | <IsSegmentTitle> false </IsSegmentTitle> |
| | | <IsSubReportEnd> false </IsSubReportEnd> |
| | | <IsCalendarTitle> false </IsCalendarTitle> |
| | | <IsTuple> false </IsTuple> |
| | | <IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> false </IsEquityPrevioslyReportedAsRow> |
| | | <IsEquityAdjustmentRow> false </IsEquityAdjustmentRow> |
| | | <IsBeginningBalance> false </IsBeginningBalance> |
| | | <IsEndingBalance> false </IsEndingBalance> |
| | | <IsReverseSign> false </IsReverseSign> |
| | | <PreferredLabelRole> totallabel </PreferredLabelRole> |
| | | <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| | | <Cells> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 1 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 14000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 14 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> true </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 2 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> -40000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> -40 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> true </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| <Cell> |
| <Id> 3 </Id> |
| <IsNumeric> true </IsNumeric> |
| <IsRatio> false </IsRatio> |
| <DisplayZeroAsNone> false </DisplayZeroAsNone> |
| <NumericAmount> 7000000 </NumericAmount> |
| <RoundedNumericAmount> 7 </RoundedNumericAmount> |
| <NonNumbericText/> |
| <NonNumericTextHeader/> |
| <FootnoteIndexer/> |
| <CurrencyCode/> |
| <CurrencySymbol/> |
| <IsIndependantCurrency> false </IsIndependantCurrency> |
| <ShowCurrencySymbol> true </ShowCurrencySymbol> |
| <DisplayDateInUSFormat> false </DisplayDateInUSFormat> |
| <hasSegments> false </hasSegments> |
| <hasScenarios> false </hasScenarios> |
| </Cell> |
| </Cells> |
| | | <OriginalInstanceReportColumns/> |
| | | <Unit> Monetary </Unit> |
| | | <ElementDataType> xbrli:monetaryItemType </ElementDataType> |
| | | <SimpleDataType> monetary </SimpleDataType> |
| | | <ElementDefenition> This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain or loss of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain or loss which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains or losses realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. </ElementDefenition> |
| | | <ElementReferences> No authoritative reference available. </ElementReferences> |
| | | <IsTotalLabel> true </IsTotalLabel> |
| | | <IsEPS> false </IsEPS> |
| | | <Label> Investment gains/losses </Label> |
| | | </Row> |
| | </Rows> |
| <Footnotes> |
| | <Footnote> |
| | | <NoteId> 1 </NoteId> |
| | | <Note> Includes a one-time holding gain of $979 million related to the BNSF acquisition. See note 2. </Note> |
| | | </Footnote> |
| | </Footnotes> |
| <NumberOfCols> 3 </NumberOfCols> |
| <NumberOfRows> 21 </NumberOfRows> |
| <ReportName> Investment gains and losses (Detail) (USD $) </ReportName> |
| <MonetaryRoundingLevel> Millions </MonetaryRoundingLevel> |
| <SharesRoundingLevel> UnKnown </SharesRoundingLevel> |
| <PerShareRoundingLevel> UnKnown </PerShareRoundingLevel> |
| <ExchangeRateRoundingLevel> UnKnown </ExchangeRateRoundingLevel> |
| <HasCustomUnits> false </HasCustomUnits> |
| <SharesShouldBeRounded> true </SharesShouldBeRounded> |
| </InstanceReport> |