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Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts - Estimated Future Amortization Expense for Insurance Intangible Asset (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 2 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 8 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2014
Amortization Of Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) |  | $ 1,660,125 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill |  |  |  | $ 1,698,732 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill |  | $ 1,698,732 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill | $ 1,660,125 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill
Accumulated amortization on insurance intangible asset |  | 249,205 ambc_AccumulatedAmortizationOnIntangibleAsset |  |  |  | 100,767 ambc_AccumulatedAmortizationOnIntangibleAsset |  | 100,767 ambc_AccumulatedAmortizationOnIntangibleAsset | 249,205 ambc_AccumulatedAmortizationOnIntangibleAsset
Insurance Intangible Asset [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization Of Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 |  | 122,675 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseRemainderOfFiscalYear / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember |  |  |  |  |  |  | 122,675 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseRemainderOfFiscalYear / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember
2016 |  | 108,582 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember |  |  |  |  |  |  | 108,582 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember
2017 |  | 99,446 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember |  |  |  |  |  |  | 99,446 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember
2018 |  | 92,078 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember |  |  |  |  |  |  | 92,078 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember
2019 |  | 85,356 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember |  |  |  |  |  |  | 85,356 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember
Thereafter |  | 902,783 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseAfterYearFive / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember |  |  |  |  |  |  | 902,783 us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseAfterYearFive / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember
Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization Of Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of insurance intangible assets | 24,952 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 41,952 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 41,908 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 36,256 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 31,714 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 37,233 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 37,473 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 99,658 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 151,830 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember
Successor [Member] | Insurance Asset [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization Of Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of insurance intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 99,658 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceAssetMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | $ 151,830 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceAssetMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember

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- Definition Accumulated Amortization on Intangible Asset + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized in the remainder of the fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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- Definition Amount before accumulated amortization of intangible assets, excluding goodwill. + References No definition available. + Details
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