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Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 0 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 06, 2013 petition | Sep. 30, 2014
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |
Number of petitions filed | 2 |
Litigation Settlement, Amount |  | $ 7,760
Ambac Assurance [Member] |  |
Loss Contingencies [Line Items] |  |
Litigation Settlement, Expense |  | $ 207

X
- Definition Number Of Petitions Filed + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_NumberOfPetitionsFiled
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of litigation expense, including but not limited to legal, forensic, accounting, and investigative fees. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration