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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Additional Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | May 01, 2013 | Apr. 30, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period | 9 years 4 months 24 days |  |  |
Common Stock Voting Restrictions | 10.00%ambc_CommonStockVotingRestrictions | 10.00%ambc_CommonStockVotingRestrictions |  |
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ 0.01 us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare | $ 0.01 us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare |  | $ 0.01 us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation | Apr. 29, 1991 |  |  |
Preferred stock, shares authorized | 20,000,000 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized | 20,000,000 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized |  | 20,000,000 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ 0.01 us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare | $ 0.01 us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare |  | $ 0.01 us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Common stock, shares issued | 45,005,932 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued | 45,003,461 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued |  | 45,000,000 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Warrant Exercised During Period Shares | 949 ambc_WarrantExercisedDuringPeriodShares | 6,312 ambc_WarrantExercisedDuringPeriodShares |  |
Mediation Agreement Cash Grant |  |  |  | $ 30,000 ambc_MediationAgreementCashGrant
Junior surplus note of Ambac Assurance Segregated Account |  |  | $ 350,000 ambc_Ambc_JuniorSurplusNotesIssued |
Common Stock Transfer Restrictions | 5.00%ambc_CommonStockTransferRestrictions |  |  |
Common Stock Additional Transfer Restrictions | 5.00%ambc_CommonStockAdditionalTransferRestrictions |  |  |
Minimum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member] |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life | 3 years |  |  |
Maximum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member] |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life | 5 years |  |  |

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- Definition Junior Surplus Notes issued by the Segregated Account of Ambac Assurance to Ambac upon Ambac's emergence from bankruptcy. These Junior Surplus notes will be includable in surplus for statutory accounting purposes as prescribed or permitted by state laws and regulations. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Cash grant released from escrow as part of Mediation Agreement. Balance distributed from Ambac Assurance to Ambac upon emergence from bankruptcy. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Face amount or stated value per share of common stock. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 + Details
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