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Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 2 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 2 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2013 Successor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2012 Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2012 Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Insurance Intangible Asset [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Insurance Intangible Asset [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Maximum [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Loss Reserves [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Loss Reserves [Member]
Unpaid Losses And Loss Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted average risk-free interest rate | 2.80% | 2.60% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2.70% | 1.60%
Weighted average period of future premiums | 10 years | 9 years 7 months 6 days |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Transactions with non-investment grade internal ratings | 40.00% | 40.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-investment grade RMBS on total premiums receivable | 7.00% | 7.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of student loan transactions on total premium receivables | 9.00% | 9.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage related to asset-backed transaction | 15.00% | 15.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Premium receivables relating to a non-investment obligation deemed uncollectible |  | $ 118,961 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Past due premiums on policies insuring non-investment grade obligations amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 500 |  |
Accelerated premium revenue for retired obligations |  |  | 13,049 | 7,073 | 35,866 | 36,433 | 51,656 |  |  |  |  |
Total net loss expense reserves | 113,185 | 136,790 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Reinsurance recoveries of losses included in losses and loss expenses |  |  | 5,396 | 7 | 9,334 | 3,889 | 21,852 |  |  |  |  |
Losses and loss expense reserves ceded to reinsurers | 142,512 | 147,409 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Subrogation recoveries | 2,394,933 | 2,523,225 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Subrogation recoveries, net of reinsurance | 2,369,005 | 2,497,233 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average amortization period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9 years 4 months 24 days |  |  |  |
Intangible amortization expense |  |  | 24,952 |  |  |  |  |  | 24,952 |  |  |
Accumulated amortization on insurance intangible asset |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 24,952 |  |  |

X
- Definition Accumulated amount of amortization on insurance intangible asset. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_AccumulatedAmortizationOnInsuranceIntangibleAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This element represents the reduction to gross claim liability for subrogation on insured RMBS financial obligations with credit deterioration. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This element represents the reduction to gross claim liability for subrogation on insured RMBS financial obligations with credit deterioration, net of reinsurance. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_BalanceOfRmbsSubrogationRecoveriesNetOfReinsurance
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
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Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts Premium Receivable Deemed Uncollectible + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from reinsurers for claims paid or incurred by the ceding insurer. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_LossReservesCededToReinsurers
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Percentage of financial guarantee premiums receivable related to RMBS insured transactions with non-investment grade internal ratings. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
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Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of financial guarantee premiums receivable related to Student Loan insured transactions with non-investment grade internal ratings. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Percentage Premiums Receivable Related To Asset Backed Transactions + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Percentage of financial guarantee premiums receivable related to insured transactions with non-investment grade internal ratings. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
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Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Past due premiums on policies insuring internally rated non-investment grade obligations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_PremiumsPastDueOnNonInvestmentGradeObligation
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Loss adjustment expense reserves, net of reinsurance, represent the costs estimated to be incurred in the settlement of unpaid claims. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
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Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The weighted average amortization period of insurance intangible asset. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658586&loc=d3e16323-109275 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(2) -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
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- Definition This element represents the amount of premium revenue on financial guarantee insurance contracts recognized during the period that was accelerated for revenue recognition purposes. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 605 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933581&loc=SL5749298-161291 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 163 -Paragraph 30 -Subparagraph d -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
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- Definition This element represents the weighted average risk free rate used to discount the claim liability related to financial guarantee insurance contracts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933314&loc=SL5749324-161292 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 163 -Paragraph 30 -Subparagraph f(1) -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
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- Definition Weighted average period over which premium receivable for financial guarantee insurance contracts is collected where premium is received over the contract period, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 310 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933075&loc=SL5748726-161290 + Details
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- Definition The reduction in the amount of the provision for the period for claims and benefits incurred on contract risks ceded to other insurers under reinsurance arrangements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6480758&loc=d3e6811-158387 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 113 -Paragraph 27, 113 -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
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