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v2.4.1.9

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
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Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] |  |
Fixed income securities, amortized cost | $ 4,514,878 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis | $ 5,927,254 us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
Fixed income securities pledged as collateral, amortized cost | 64,378 ambc_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAmortizedCostBasis | 126,196 ambc_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesPledgedAsCollateralAmortizedCostBasis
Short-term investments, amortized cost | 360,069 ambc_OtherShortTermInvestmentsAmortizedCost | 271,118 ambc_OtherShortTermInvestmentsAmortizedCost
Other investments | $ 336,013 us-gaap_OtherInvestments | $ 240,969 us-gaap_OtherInvestments
Preferred stock, par value | $ 0.01 us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare | $ 0.01 us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Preferred stock, shares authorized | 20,000,000 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized | 20,000,000 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
Preferred stock, shares issued | 0 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued | 0 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued
Preferred stock, shares outstanding | 0 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding | 0 us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding
Common stock, par value | $ 0.01 us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare | $ 0.01 us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Common stock, shares authorized | 130,000,000 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized | 130,000,000 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Common stock, shares issued | 45,005,932 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued | 45,003,461 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Common stock, shares outstanding | 45,005,932 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding | 45,003,461 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding
Treasury stock, shares | 2,459 us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares | 937 us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares

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- Definition This item represents the amortized cost of other short term investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy that will be realized in a short period of time, usually less than one year, net of adjustments made for accretion, amortization, other-than-temporary impairments. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the cost of debt securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any. + 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 210.5-02.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563 + 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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- Definition Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury. + 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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- Definition Other investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. + 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 210.5-02.12) -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 12 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph g -Article 7 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(f,g)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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