XML 80 R51.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Losses and Loss Expense Reserve (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
--- | --- | ---
Summary of claim liability reported is included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets |  |
Loss and loss expense reserve (net of potential remediation subrogation of $1,965,070 and $1,890,797 for the period ended June 2012 and Dec 2011) | $ 7,607,663 | $ 7,044,070
Subrogation recoverable (includes gross potential remediation of $805,121 and $829,469 for the period ended June 2012 and Dec 2011) | (442,097) | (659,810)
Liability for Claims | $ 7,165,566 | $ 6,384,260

X
- Details
Name: | abk_ScheduleOfClaimLiabilityReportedIsIncludedInConsolidatedBalanceSheetsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | abk_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount needed to reflect the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the balance sheet date, whether or not reported to the insurer at that date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a),(b),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Statement of Position (SOP) -Number 94-5 -Paragraph 11 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount needed to reflect the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to financial default insured events that have occurred on or before a particular date (ordinarily, the balance sheet date) and the amount needed to provide for the estimated ultimate cost required to investigate and settle claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before a particular date (ordinarily, the balance sheet date), whether or not reported to the insurer at that date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933001&loc=SL5747862-161289 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a)(5)(vii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933314&loc=SL5749324-161292 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 163 -Paragraph 31 -Subparagraph a (7) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LiabilityNetForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseFinancialGuaranteeInsuranceContracts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The estimated amount as of the balance sheet date to be received by an insurer from the sale of property (usually damaged) on which the insurer has paid a total claim to the insured and has obtained title to the property and the right of an insurer to pursue any course of recovery of damages, in its name or in the name of the policyholder, against a third party who is liable for costs relating to an insured event that have been paid by the insurer. Estimated salvage and subrogation is generally deducted from the liability for unpaid claims. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG) -Number AAG-PLI -Paragraph 32 -IssueDate 2006-09-01 -Chapter 4 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 30 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482241&loc=d3e13779-158432 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 30 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482241&loc=d3e13783-158432 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 60 -Paragraph 18 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SalvageAndSubrogationRecoveriesValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant