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Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts - Summary of Loss Reserve Roll-Forward, Net of Subrogation Recoverable and Reinsurance (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 8 Months Ended | 4 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2013 Successor Ambac [Member] | Apr. 30, 2013 Predecessor Ambac [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Predecessor Ambac [Member]
Effects Of Reinsurance [Line Items] |  |  |
Beginning loss and loss expense reserves, net of subrogation recoverable, gross of reinsurance | $ 5,572,672 | $ 6,122,140 | $ 6,384,260
Reinsurance on loss and loss expense reserves | 138,155 | 147,409 | 153,480
Beginning balance of loss and loss expense reserves, net of subrogation recoverable and reinsurance | 5,434,517 | 5,974,731 | 6,230,780
Current year: |  |  |
Establishment of new loss and loss expense reserves, gross of RMBS subrogation and net of reinsurance | 97,342 | 2,748 | 464,058
Claim and loss expense payments, net of subrogation and reinsurance | (442) | (58) | (20,765)
Establishment of RMBS subrogation recoveries, net of reinsurance | (315) | (159) |
Total current year | 96,585 | 2,531 | 443,293
Prior years: |  |  |
Change in previously established loss and loss expense reserves, gross of RMBS subrogation and net of reinsurance | (514,728) | (52,642) | 72,700
Claim and loss expense recoveries (payments), net of subrogation and reinsurance | 59,184 | 20,902 | (944,860)
Change in previously established RMBS subrogation recoveries, net of reinsurance | 272,319 | (12,596) | 172,818
Total prior years | (183,225) | (44,336) | (699,342)
Net change in loss and loss expense reserves | (86,640) | (41,805) | (256,049)
Net consolidation of certain VIE's |  | (498,409) |
Ending loss and loss expense reserves, net of subrogation recoverable and reinsurance | 5,347,877 | 5,434,517 | 5,974,731
Reinsurance on loss and loss expense reserves | 122,357 | 138,155 | 147,409
Ending loss and loss expense reserves, net of subrogation recoverable, gross of reinsurance | $ 5,470,234 | $ 5,572,672 | $ 6,122,140

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- Definition The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the loss and loss expense reserve accounts, net of subrogation and reinsurance. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the loss and loss expense accounts for consolidation and or deconsolidation of variable interest entities. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Change in Established Subrogation Recoveries Prior Years + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expense change in loss reserves current year. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Change in Previously Established Loss Reserves Prior Years + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Liability for unpaid claims and claims adjustment expense establishment of subrogation recoveries current year, net of reinsurance. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Reinsurance on loss and loss expense reserves, net of subrogation recoverables. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in reserve for incurred claims and claim adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior fiscal years. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section W + Details
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- Definition Amount of payments made in the reporting period to settle claims incurred in the current period and related claims settlement costs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 403 -Paragraph 04 -Subparagraph b Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 + Details
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- Definition Amount of payments made in the reporting period to settle claims incurred in prior periods and related claims settlement costs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 403 -Paragraph 04 -Subparagraph b Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 + Details
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- Definition The estimated cost of settling claims under the terms of the underlying insurance policies and assumed and ceded insurance contracts as of the balance sheet date, including an estimate for claims which have been incurred but not reported and the actual and estimated costs of settling claims. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 403 -Paragraph 04 -Subparagraph b + Details
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- Definition Liability as of the balance sheet date for amounts representing estimated cost of settling unpaid claims under the terms of the underlying insurance policies, less estimated reinsurance recoveries on such claims. This includes an estimate for claims which have been incurred but not reported. Claim adjustment expenses represent the costs estimated to be incurred in the settlement of unpaid claims. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 403 -Paragraph 04 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 7 + Details
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