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Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Information about Described Model Inputs Used to Determine Fair Value of Each Class of Credit Derivatives (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Notional outstanding	$ 2,776,103	$ 11,281,777
Successor Ambac [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Notional outstanding	2,776,103
Predecessor Ambac [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Notional outstanding		11,281,777
CLO [Member] | Successor Ambac [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Notional outstanding	1,337,737
Weighted average reference obligation price	$ 98.0
Weighted average life (WAL) in years	2 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted average credit rating	AA
Weighted average relative change ratio	35.30%
CVA percentage	13.70%
Fair value of derivative liabilities	(7,993)
CLO [Member] | Predecessor Ambac [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Notional outstanding		6,155,767
Weighted average reference obligation price		$ 96.5
Weighted average life (WAL) in years		2 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted average credit rating		AA-
Weighted average relative change ratio		34.40%
CVA percentage		55.00%
Fair value of derivative liabilities		(34,645)
Other [Member] | Successor Ambac [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Notional outstanding	1,291,371
Weighted average reference obligation price	$ 85.7
Weighted average life (WAL) in years	5 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted average credit rating	BBB-
Weighted average relative change ratio	43.10%
CVA percentage	30.70%
Fair value of derivative liabilities	(84,780)
Other [Member] | Predecessor Ambac [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Notional outstanding		3,701,387
Weighted average reference obligation price		$ 86.9
Weighted average life (WAL) in years		4 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted average credit rating		A
Weighted average relative change ratio		38.20%
CVA percentage		55.00%
Fair value of derivative liabilities		$ (116,086)

X

- Definition

Fair value input weighted average credit rating.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ambc_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value input weighted average life.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ambc_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
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X

- Definition

Fair value input weighted average obligation price.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ambc_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value input weighted average relative change ratio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ambc_FairValueInputWeightedAverageRelativeChangeRatio
Namespace Prefix:	ambc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Credit valuation adjustment (CVA) as a percentage of the credit derivative liability calculated excluding the CVA.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ambc_PercentageOfCreditValueAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	ambc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 12

-Section 13

-Sentence Column B

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	invest_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value of financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset, elected not to be offset against a right to receive collateral under a master netting arrangement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20225523&loc=SL20225862-175312



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41678-113959



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 55

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28370219&loc=SL20226011-175313



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 55

-Paragraph 9

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28370219&loc=SL20226006-175313

+ Details

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- Details

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