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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013 | May. 01, 2013 | Apr. 30, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill, Impairment Loss | $ 514,511 |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period |  | 9 years 4 months 24 days |  |  |  |
Common Stock Voting Restrictions |  |  | 10.00% |  |  |
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.01
Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation |  | Apr. 29, 1991 | Apr. 29, 1991 |  |  |
Preferred stock, shares authorized |  |  |  |  |  | 20,000,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.01
Common stock, shares issued |  |  |  |  |  | 45,000,000
Mediation Agreement Cash Grant |  |  |  |  |  | $ 30,000
Junior surplus note of Ambac Assurance Segregated Account |  |  |  |  | $ 350,000 | $ 350,000
Common Stock Transfer Restrictions |  |  | 5.00% |  |  |
Common Stock Additional Transfer Restrictions |  |  | 5.00% |  |  |
Minimum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life |  | 3 years |  |  |  |
Maximum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life |  | 5 years |  |  |  |
Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Goodwill, Impairment Loss |  | $ 514,511 | $ 0 |  |  |
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share |  | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |  | $ 0.01 |
Preferred stock, shares authorized |  | 20,000,000 | 20,000,000 |  |  |
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share |  | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |  |  |
Common stock, shares issued |  | 45,044,222 | 45,005,932 |  | 45,000,000 |
Warrant Exercised During Period Shares |  | 740 | 949 | 6,312 |  |

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- Definition Junior Surplus Notes issued by the Segregated Account of Ambac Assurance to Ambac upon Ambac's emergence from bankruptcy. These Junior Surplus notes will be includable in surplus for statutory accounting purposes as prescribed or permitted by state laws and regulations. + References No definition available. + Details
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