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Special Purpose Entities, Including Variable Interest Entities - Summary of Carrying Amount of Assets, Liabilities and Maximum Exposure to Loss of Ambac's Variable Interests in Non-Consolidated Variable Interest Entities (Detail) (Variable Interest Entity [Member], Successor [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
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Variable Interest Entities [Line Items] |  |
Maximum Exposure To Loss | $ 61,759,766 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount |
Insurance Assets | 1,755,687 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets |
Insurance Liabilities | 4,757,836 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities |
Derivative Liabilities | (204,040)ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities |
Global Structured Finance [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entities [Line Items] |  |
Maximum Exposure To Loss | 31,085,114 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember |
Insurance Assets | 1,316,835 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember |
Insurance Liabilities | 4,244,172 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember |
Derivative Liabilities | (174,149)ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember |
Global Public Finance [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entities [Line Items] |  |
Maximum Exposure To Loss | 30,674,652 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalPublicFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 31,639,004 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalPublicFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Assets | 438,852 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalPublicFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 457,774 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalPublicFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Liabilities | 513,664 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalPublicFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 533,192 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalPublicFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Derivative Liabilities | (29,891)ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalPublicFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | (22,135)ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalPublicFinanceMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Global Structured Finance [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entities [Line Items] |  |
Maximum Exposure To Loss | 1,297,393 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 1,386,100 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Assets | 303 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 345 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Liabilities | 3,889 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 4,000 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Derivative Liabilities | (155,357)ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | (145,565)ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Global Structured Finance [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entities [Line Items] |  |
Maximum Exposure To Loss | 18,837,405 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 19,464,549 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Assets | 1,037,566 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 1,011,888 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Liabilities | 2,879,199 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 2,924,987 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Other Consumer Asset-Backed [Member] | Global Structured Finance [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entities [Line Items] |  |
Maximum Exposure To Loss | 4,460,126 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherConsumerAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 5,109,776 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherConsumerAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Assets | 55,219 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherConsumerAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 65,204 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherConsumerAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Liabilities | 671,303 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherConsumerAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 885,572 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherConsumerAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Derivative Liabilities | (35,558)ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherConsumerAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | (36,877)ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherConsumerAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Other Commercial Asset-Backed [Member] | Global Structured Finance [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entities [Line Items] |  |
Maximum Exposure To Loss | 2,943,920 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherCommercialAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 3,119,891 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherCommercialAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Assets | 129,218 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherCommercialAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 135,215 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherCommercialAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Liabilities | 124,124 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherCommercialAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 128,988 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherCommercialAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Derivative Liabilities | 0 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherCommercialAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 0 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = ambc_OtherCommercialAssetBackedMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Other [Member] | Global Structured Finance [Member] |  |
Variable Interest Entities [Line Items] |  |
Maximum Exposure To Loss | 3,546,270 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 3,801,382 us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Assets | 94,529 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 97,345 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Insurance Liabilities | 565,657 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | 599,915 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Derivative Liabilities | $ 16,766 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember | $ 18,176 ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities / us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis = ambc_GlobalStructuredFinanceMember / us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis = us-gaap_OtherDebtSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember / us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis = us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember

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- Definition The net carrying amount of derivative assets or liabilities in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the entity's variable interests in Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) where the VIEs are not consolidated. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountDerivativeNetAssetsOrLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The carrying amount of insurance assets in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the entity's variable interests in Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) where the VIEs are not consolidated. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceAssets
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The carrying amount of insurance liabilities in the reporting entity's statement of financial position that relate to the entity's variable interests in Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) where the VIEs are not consolidated. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_VariableInterestEntityNonconsolidatedCarryingAmountInsuranceLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph b -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5728-111685 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28200181&loc=d3e5747-111685 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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