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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 (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, 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
Other Contracts [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Notional outstanding	146,995	1,424,623
Weighted average life (WAL) in years	1 year	7 years 10 months 24 days
Weighted average quotes	1.00%	10.00%
CVA percentage	8.70%	55.00%
Weighted average credit rating	A+	A
Fair value of derivative liabilities	$ (1,549)	$ (62,854)

X

- Definition

Fair value input weighted average credit derivative quote as percentage of notional.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Fair value input weighted average credit rating.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ambc_FairValueInputWeightedAverageCreditRating
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

Name:	ambc_FairValueInputWeightedAverageLife
Namespace Prefix:	ambc_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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

Name:	invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
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

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeLiabilityAmountNotOffsetAgainstCollateral
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration