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v2.4.1.9

Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Estimated Future Premium Payments Weighted Average Discounted Rate | 2.50%ambc_EstimatedFuturePremiumPaymentsWeightedAverageDiscountedRate | 2.70%ambc_EstimatedFuturePremiumPaymentsWeightedAverageDiscountedRate |  | 2.70%ambc_EstimatedFuturePremiumPaymentsWeightedAverageDiscountedRate |
Weighted average period of future premiums | 9 years 7 months 6 days |  |  | 10 years 1 month 6 days |
Transactions with non-investment grade internal ratings | 32.00%ambc_PercentagePremiumsReceivableRelatedToTransactionsWithNonInvestmentGradeInternalRatings | 32.00%ambc_PercentagePremiumsReceivableRelatedToTransactionsWithNonInvestmentGradeInternalRatings |  |  |
Non-investment grade RMBS on total premiums receivable | 7.00%ambc_PercentageOfPremiumsReceivableRelatedToNonInvestmentGradeRmbsTransactions | 7.00%ambc_PercentageOfPremiumsReceivableRelatedToNonInvestmentGradeRmbsTransactions |  |  |
Percentage of student loan transactions on total premium receivables | 7.00%ambc_PercentageOfPremiumsReceivableRelatedToStudentLoanTransactions | 8.00%ambc_PercentageOfPremiumsReceivableRelatedToStudentLoanTransactions |  |  |
Uncollectable premium receivables | $ 17,082 us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableAllowanceForDoubtfulAccounts | $ 17,780 us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableAllowanceForDoubtfulAccounts |  | $ 17,780 us-gaap_PremiumsReceivableAllowanceForDoubtfulAccounts |
Past due premiums on policies insuring non-investment grade obligations amount | 500 ambc_PremiumsPastDueOnNonInvestmentGradeObligation |  |  |  |
Accelerated premium revenue for retired obligations | 22,852 us-gaap_FinancialGuaranteeInsuranceContractsAcceleratedPremiumRevenueAmount |  | 25,114 us-gaap_FinancialGuaranteeInsuranceContractsAcceleratedPremiumRevenueAmount |  |
Losses and loss expense reserves ceded to reinsurers | 74,519 ambc_LossReservesCededToReinsurers | 100,355 ambc_LossReservesCededToReinsurers |  | 100,355 ambc_LossReservesCededToReinsurers |
Subrogation recoveries | 2,568,353 ambc_BalanceOfGrossRmbsSubrogationRecoveries | 2,523,540 ambc_BalanceOfGrossRmbsSubrogationRecoveries |  | 2,523,540 ambc_BalanceOfGrossRmbsSubrogationRecoveries |
Subrogation recoveries, net of reinsurance | 2,540,710 ambc_BalanceOfRmbsSubrogationRecoveriesNetOfReinsurance | 2,496,515 ambc_BalanceOfRmbsSubrogationRecoveriesNetOfReinsurance |  | 2,496,515 ambc_BalanceOfRmbsSubrogationRecoveriesNetOfReinsurance |
Accumulated amortization on insurance intangible asset | 283,773 ambc_AccumulatedAmortizationOnIntangibleAsset | 249,205 ambc_AccumulatedAmortizationOnIntangibleAsset |  | 249,205 ambc_AccumulatedAmortizationOnIntangibleAsset |
Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Insurance [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Reinsurance Payable | 59,268 us-gaap_ReinsurancePayable / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 60,436 us-gaap_ReinsurancePayable / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember |  | 60,436 us-gaap_ReinsurancePayable / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember |
Reinsurance recoveries of losses included in losses and loss expenses | 20,601 us-gaap_ReinsuranceEffectOnClaimsAndBenefitsIncurredAmountCeded / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember |  | 10,559 us-gaap_ReinsuranceEffectOnClaimsAndBenefitsIncurredAmountCeded / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember |  |
Losses and loss expense reserves ceded to reinsurers | 74,519 ambc_LossReservesCededToReinsurers / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 100,355 ambc_LossReservesCededToReinsurers / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 111,303 ambc_LossReservesCededToReinsurers / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 100,355 ambc_LossReservesCededToReinsurers / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 122,357 ambc_LossReservesCededToReinsurers / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember
Intangible amortization expense | 37,432 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember |  | 31,714 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember |  |
Insurance intangible asset | 1,347,295 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember | 1,410,920 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember |  | 1,410,920 us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsNetExcludingGoodwill / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember |
Successor [Member] | Insurance Intangible Asset [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Insurance [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Intangible amortization expense | $ 37,432 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceAssetMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember |  | $ 31,714 us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets / us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis = ambc_InsuranceAssetMember / us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis = us-gaap_SuccessorMember |  |
Loss Reserves [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Insurance [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Weighted average risk-free rate used to discount loss reserves | 2.10%us-gaap_FinancialGuaranteeInsuranceContractsClaimLiabilityWeightedAverageRiskFreeDiscountRate / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = ambc_LossReservesClaimLiabilityMember |  |  | 2.30%us-gaap_FinancialGuaranteeInsuranceContractsClaimLiabilityWeightedAverageRiskFreeDiscountRate / us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis = ambc_LossReservesClaimLiabilityMember |

X
- Definition Accumulated Amortization on Intangible Asset + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_AccumulatedAmortizationOnIntangibleAsset
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This element represents the reduction to gross claim liability for subrogation on insured RMBS financial obligations with credit deterioration. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_BalanceOfGrossRmbsSubrogationRecoveries
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This element represents the reduction to gross claim liability for subrogation on insured RMBS financial obligations with credit deterioration, net of reinsurance. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_BalanceOfRmbsSubrogationRecoveriesNetOfReinsurance
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Weighted average discounted rate of estimated future premium payments to be paid by the VIEs. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_EstimatedFuturePremiumPaymentsWeightedAverageDiscountedRate
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | ambc_InsuranceLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from reinsurers for claims expected to be paid or incurred by the ceding insurer. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_LossReservesCededToReinsurers
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Percentage of financial guarantee premiums receivable related to RMBS insured transactions with non-investment grade internal ratings. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_PercentageOfPremiumsReceivableRelatedToNonInvestmentGradeRmbsTransactions
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of financial guarantee premiums receivable related to Student Loan insured transactions with non-investment grade internal ratings. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_PercentageOfPremiumsReceivableRelatedToStudentLoanTransactions
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage of financial guarantee premiums receivable related to insured transactions with non-investment grade internal ratings. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_PercentagePremiumsReceivableRelatedToTransactionsWithNonInvestmentGradeInternalRatings
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Past due premiums on policies insuring internally rated non-investment grade obligations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_PremiumsPastDueOnNonInvestmentGradeObligation
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- 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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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the amount of premium revenue on financial guarantee insurance contracts recognized during the period that was accelerated for revenue recognition purposes. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 605 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933581&loc=SL5749298-161291 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents the weighted average risk free rate used to discount the claim liability related to financial guarantee insurance contracts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933314&loc=SL5749324-161292 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialGuaranteeInsuranceContractsClaimLiabilityWeightedAverageRiskFreeDiscountRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Weighted average period over which premium receivable for financial guarantee insurance contracts is collected where premium is received over the contract period, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 310 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933075&loc=SL5748726-161290 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16212-109274 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph ((a)(1),(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the estimated valuation allowance to reduce gross premiums receivable to net realizable value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5074-111524 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 5 -Article 7 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-09) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 09 -Article 12 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of reduction of provision for policy benefits and costs incurred for policies ceded. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6480758&loc=d3e6811-158387 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the known and estimated amounts owed to insurers under reinsurance treaties or other arrangements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.13(a)(3),(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a(3) -Article 7 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
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Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
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