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Debtor in Possession Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Reorganizations [Abstract]
Discontinued Liabilities subject to compromise	$ 232,556
Liabilities subject to compromise contractual interest on debt	$ 20,660	$ 24,162

X

- Definition

Liabilities Subject To Compromise Not Recognized In Balance Sheet

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ambc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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X

- Definition

The amount of contractual interest expense on prepetition liabilities not included in the statement of operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 852

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6585303&loc=d3e56145-112766



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 852

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6918054&loc=d3e56068-112765



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 90-7

-Paragraph 29, 51

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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