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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 0 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 8 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Apr. 30, 2013 | Apr. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 Segment | Dec. 31, 2012
Reorganization Items [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fresh Start Reporting Date |  |  |  | Apr. 30, 2013 |
Goodwill impairment test |  |  |  | October 1st of each year |
Number of reporting units |  |  |  | 2 |
Weighted average risk-free rate |  |  |  | 3.00% | 2.60%
Weighted average period of future premiums |  |  |  | 9 years 7 months 6 days | 9 years 7 months 6 days
Transactions with non-investment grade internal ratings |  |  |  | 44.00% | 40.00%
Non-investment grade RMBS on total premium receivables |  |  |  | 7.00% | 7.00%
Percentage of student loan transactions on total premium receivables |  |  |  | 7.00% | 9.00%
Percentage related to asset-backed transaction |  |  |  | 17.00% | 12.00%
Premium receivables relating to a non-investment obligation deemed uncollectible |  |  | $ 15,262,000 | $ 15,262,000 | $ 118,961,000
Weighted-average amortization period | 16 years |  |  | 9 years 4 months 24 days |
Intangible assets at fair value | 164,520,000 | 164,520,000 |  |  |
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |  | 6,480,000 |  |  | 25,465,000
Fair value deferred acquisition costs | 0 | 0 |  |  |
Fair values declined below amortized cost percentage |  |  |  | 20.00% |
Percentage of permitted policy claim |  |  |  | 25.00% |
Postretirement benefits description |  |  |  | Effective August 1, 2005, new employees were not eligible for postretirement benefits. |
Maximum common shares may be used for awards |  |  | 4,000,000 | 4,000,000 |
Future grant equity shares under the Equity Plan |  |  | 3,779,146 | 3,779,146 |
Pre-tax (losses) gains from foreign exchange items |  | 8,694,000 | (12,372,000) |  | (7,894,000)
Risk Classification - Class II [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Reorganization Items [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of monetary default |  |  | 10.00% | 10.00% |
Successor Ambac [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Reorganization Items [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Accelerated premium revenue for retired obligations |  |  | 56,541,000 |  |
Predecessor Ambac [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Reorganization Items [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Accelerated premium revenue for retired obligations |  | 36,433,000 |  |  | 127,628,000
Ambac Financial Group, Inc Parent Company Only [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Reorganization Items [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Discontinued Liabilities subject to compromise | 239,468,000 | 239,468,000 |  |  |
Liabilities subject to compromise contractual interest on debt |  | 27,572,000 |  |  | 85,371,000
Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Reorganization Items [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Voting shares of the emerging entity |  |  | 50.00% | 50.00% |
Past due premiums on policies insuring non-investment grade obligations amount |  |  |  | $ 500,000 |
Fair values declined below amortized cost percentage |  |  |  | 20.00% |
Estimated useful lives of assets |  |  |  | 5 years |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Reorganization Items [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fair values declined below amortized cost percentage |  |  |  | 5.00% |
Estimated useful lives of assets |  |  |  | 3 years |
Minimum [Member] | Risk Classification - Class III [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Reorganization Items [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of monetary default |  |  |  |  | 50.00%

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