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Long-term Debt - Carrying Value of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
--- | --- | ---
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Long-term debt | $ 146,909 | $ 223,601
Variable Interest Entity [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Long-term debt | 15,113,094 | 14,288,540
5.1% Surplus Notes, General Account, Due 2020 [Member] | Ambac Assurance Corporation [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Long-term debt | 136,469 | 213,790
5.1% Surplus Notes, Segregated Account, Due 2020 [Member] | Ambac Assurance Corporation [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Long-term debt | 6,359 | 6,020
5.1% Junior Surplus Notes, Segregated Account, Due 2020 [Member] | Ambac Assurance Corporation [Member] |  |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |
Long-term debt | $ 4,081 | $ 3,791

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- Definition Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 9 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 16 -Article 7 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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