XML 122 R107.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.4.0.3

Derivative Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Contract | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Contract
--- | --- | ---
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Value of right to reclaim cash collateral and posted margin, recorded in "Other assets" | $ 165,073 | $ 158,240
Net liability fair value of all derivative instruments linked to Ambac's own credit risk | 95,415 | 92,869
Fair value of posted assets as collateral | $ 147,974 | $ 118,844
Credit Derivatives [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] |  |
Number of credit derivative contracts | Contract | 2 | 4
Net liability fair value of credit derivative contracts | $ 19,820 | $ 60,729
Notional value of credit derivative contracts | $ 68,526 | $ 270,747

X
- Definition Derivative Liability Fair Value For Credit Derivative Contracts On Adversely Classified Credit Listing + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_DerivativeLiabilityFairValueForCreditDerivativeContractsOnAdverselyClassifiedCreditListing
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Notional principal outstanding of Credit Derivative Contracts on adversely classified credit listing. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_NotionalPrincipalOutstandingOfCreditDerivativeContractsOnAdverselyClassifiedCreditListing
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of Credit Derivative Contracts on adversely classified credit listing. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_NumberOfCreditDerivativeContractsOnAdverselyClassifiedCreditListing
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_ScheduleOfLoansAndAllowanceForLoanByClassIndividuallyAndCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairmentLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The aggregate fair value of assets that are already posted, at the end of the reporting period, as collateral for derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4H -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5624258-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CollateralAlreadyPostedAggregateFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of right to receive cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative liabilities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=d3e41678-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCash
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The aggregate fair value amounts of derivative instruments that contain credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a net liability position at the end of the reporting period. For nonderivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the fair value amounts are the carrying value of the nonderivative hedging instrument, including the adjustment for the foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on that instrument. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4H -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56946850&loc=SL5624258-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeNetLiabilityPositionAggregateFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |