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Obligations under Investment Agreements - Principal Due under Investment and Investment Repurchase Agreements, Based on Expected Optional Draw Date (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment [Line Items]
Net payments due under investment agreements, Principal Amount	$ 358,733
2014 [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Net payments due under investment agreements, Principal Amount
2015 [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Net payments due under investment agreements, Principal Amount	44,374
2016 [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Net payments due under investment agreements, Principal Amount	190,051
2017 [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Net payments due under investment agreements, Principal Amount	124,308
2018 [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Net payments due under investment agreements, Principal Amount
All Later Years [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Net payments due under investment agreements, Principal Amount

X

- Definition

Amount of investment agreement principal due to be paid based on the expected optional draw date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ambc_InvestmentAgreementExpectedRepaymentsOfPrincipal
Namespace Prefix:	ambc_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	invest_InvestmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration