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Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) - Condensed Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12 Months Ended |  | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated Deficit [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated Deficit [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Paid-in Capital [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Common Stock Held in Treasury, at Cost [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stock Held in Treasury, at Cost [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Accumulated Deficit [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Accumulated Deficit [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Preferred Stock [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Preferred Stock [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Preferred Stock [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Common Stock [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Common Stock [Member] | Dec. 31, 2010 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Common Stock [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Paid-in Capital [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Paid-in Capital [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Common Stock Held in Treasury, at Cost [Member] | Dec. 31, 2011 AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC PARENT COMPANY ONLY [Member] Common Stock Held in Treasury, at Cost [Member]
Schedule Of Stockholders Equity [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning balance | $ (3,812,975) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (3,812,975) | $ (2,008,536) | $ (6,039,922) | $ (4,042,335) | $ 463,259 | $ 291,774 |  |  |  | $ 3,080 | $ 3,080 | $ 3,080 | $ 2,187,485 | $ 2,172,027 | $ (411,419) | $ (448,540)
Total comprehensive loss | (97,434) | (1,788,839) | (256,678) | (1,960,431) | 162,126 | 171,485 |  |  |  | (94,552) | (1,788,946) | (256,678) | (1,960,431) | 162,126 | 171,485 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock-based compensation | (664) | (52,614) | (664) | (37,156) |  |  | (15,458) |  |  | (664) | (52,614) | (664) | (37,156) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (15,458) |  |  |
Cost of shares acquired |  | (35) |  |  |  |  |  |  | (35) |  | (35) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (35)
Shares issued under equity plans | 664 | 37,156 |  |  |  |  |  | 664 | 37,156 | 664 | 37,156 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 664 | 37,156
Ending balance | $ (3,907,527) | $ (3,812,975) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (3,907,527) | $ (3,812,975) | $ (6,297,264) | $ (6,039,922) | $ 625,385 | $ 463,259 |  |  |  | $ 3,080 | $ 3,080 | $ 3,080 | $ 2,172,027 | $ 2,172,027 | $ (410,755) | $ (411,419)

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- Definition All amounts related to share-based compensation plans. Includes the value of stock issued during the period as a result of any share-based compensation plans and the amount of share-based compensation recognized in the statement of operations. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29 -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 AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A5 -Appendix A Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 55 -Paragraph 4K -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733213&loc=SL4591552-111686 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683 + Details
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- Definition Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30, 31 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A3 -Appendix A Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6228006&loc=d3e74512-122707 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 4 -Section E + Details
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- Definition Value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of stock value of such awards forfeited. Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph 64 -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 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (d)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 -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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30, 31 -Article 5 + Details
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