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Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Gains and Losses (Realized and Unrealized) Relating to Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Included in Earnings (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 8 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 8 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 8 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 8 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 8 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 8 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2013 Successor Ambac [Member] Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Predecessor Ambac [Member] Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Predecessor Ambac [Member] Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Realized Gains Or (Losses) and Other Settlements On Credit Derivative Contracts [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Realized Gains Or (Losses) and Other Settlements On Credit Derivative Contracts [Member] Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Realized Gains Or (Losses) and Other Settlements On Credit Derivative Contracts [Member] Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Unrealized Gains Or (Losses) On Credit Derivative Contracts [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Unrealized Gains Or (Losses) On Credit Derivative Contracts [Member] Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Unrealized Gains Or (Losses) On Credit Derivative Contracts [Member] Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Interest Rate Swaps [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Interest Rate Swaps [Member] Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Interest Rate Swaps [Member] Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Other Income [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Other Income [Member] Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Other Income [Member] Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2013 Net Investment Income [Member] Successor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Net Investment Income [Member] Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Net Investment Income [Member] Predecessor Ambac [Member]
Fair Value, Net Derivative Asset (Liability) Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total gains or losses included in earnings for the period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,870 | $ (33) | $ (3)
Total gains or losses included in earnings for the period | (636,043) | 1,146,256 | 702,496 | 9,778 | 3,444 | 13,713 | 183,091 | (63,828) | (22,932) | 24,797 | (28,162) | (70,415) | (677) | (496) | 98,488 |  |  |
Changes in unrealized gains or losses relating to the assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date | $ (655,964) | $ 1,146,256 | $ 702,977 |  |  |  | $ 66,639 | $ (63,840) | $ (35,331) | $ 24,797 | $ (28,162) | $ (78,505) | $ (677) | $ (496) | $ (2,222) |  |  |

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- Definition The amount of gains or losses included in earnings attributable to unrealized gains or losses on financial instruments measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs that are still held at the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the amount of the total realized and unrealized gains or losses for the period which are included in the statement of income (or changes in net assets); the fair value of which assets and liabilities was or is measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition Amount of gain (loss) recognized in the income statement for financial instrument classified as an asset measured using unobservable inputs that reflect the entity's own assumption about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25499696&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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