XML 101 R86.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.4.0.3

Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts - Estimated Future Amortization Expense for Insurance Intangible Asset (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 8 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance Intangible Asset [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization Of Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 | $ 111,857 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 111,857 |  |
2016 | 98,570 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 98,570 |  |
2017 | 88,388 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 88,388 |  |
2018 | 81,370 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 81,370 |  |
2019 | 75,743 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 75,743 |  |
Thereafter | 756,184 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 756,184 |  |
Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization Of Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of insurance intangible assets | 54,357 | $ 39,680 | $ 38,088 | $ 37,432 | $ 41,952 | $ 41,908 | $ 36,256 | $ 31,714 | $ 99,658 | 169,557 | $ 151,830 |
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) | 1,626,566 |  |  |  | 1,660,125 |  |  |  |  | 1,626,566 | 1,660,125 |
Accumulated amortization on insurance intangible asset | $ 414,454 |  |  |  | $ 249,205 |  |  |  |  | 414,454 | 249,205 |
Successor [Member] | Insurance Asset [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization Of Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of insurance intangible assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 169,557 | $ 151,830 | $ 99,658

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 Amortization Of Intangible Assets [Line Items] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
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 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274 Reference 2: 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=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585 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
Name: | us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseAfterYearFive
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized in the remainder of the fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseRemainderOfFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before accumulated amortization of intangible assets, excluding goodwill. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IntangibleAssetsGrossExcludingGoodwill
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=ambc_InsuranceIntangibleAssetMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_SuccessorMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=ambc_InsuranceAssetMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |