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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Additional Information (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Apr. 30, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |
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 |
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ 0.01 us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare | $ 0.01 us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare |
Common stock, shares issued | 45,006,057 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued | 45,005,932 us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued |
Warrant Exercised During Period Shares | 125 ambc_WarrantExercisedDuringPeriodShares |  |

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