XML 95 R80.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.4.0.3

Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts - Components of Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Subrogation Recoverable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 4 Months Ended | 8 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Apr. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2012
Unpaid Claims-Claims [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Components of Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Subrogation Recoverable [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense reserves |  |  | $ 2,138,952 | $ 2,172,041 |
Subrogation recoverable |  |  | 828,802 | 772,948 |
Claim liability reported on Balance Sheet, before reinsurance |  |  | 2,967,754 | 2,944,989 |
Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Components of Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Subrogation Recoverable [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Ceded |  | $ (14,106) | (47,085) | (21,164) |
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net | $ 5,434,517 | $ 5,347,877 | 2,814,754 | 3,698,378 |
Loss and loss expense reserves | 6,106,345 |  | 4,088,106 | 4,752,007 |
Subrogation recoverable | (533,673) |  | (1,229,293) | (953,274) |
Claim liability reported on Balance Sheet, before reinsurance |  |  | 2,858,813 | 3,798,733 |
Unearned Premium Reserve [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Components of Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Subrogation Recoverable [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense reserves |  |  | (189,587) | (241,348) |
Subrogation recoverable |  |  | 0 | 0 |
Claim liability reported on Balance Sheet, before reinsurance |  |  | (189,587) | (241,348) |
Present Value of Expected Net Cash Flows-Recoveries [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Components of Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Subrogation Recoverable [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense reserves |  |  | (1,476,276) | (1,205,621) |
Subrogation recoverable |  |  | (2,407,118) | (2,018,398) |
Claim liability reported on Balance Sheet, before reinsurance |  |  | (3,883,394) | (3,224,019) |
Present Value of Expected Net Cash Flows- Claims and Loss Expenses [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Components of Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Subrogation Recoverable [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense reserves |  |  | 3,265,349 | 3,792,133 |
Subrogation recoverable |  |  | 207,674 | 197,751 |
Claim liability reported on Balance Sheet, before reinsurance |  |  | 3,473,023 | 3,989,884 |
Unpaid Claims-Accrued Interest [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Components of Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Subrogation Recoverable [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Loss and loss expense reserves |  |  | 349,668 | 234,802 |
Subrogation recoverable |  |  | 141,349 | 94,425 |
Claim liability reported on Balance Sheet, before reinsurance |  |  | $ 491,017 | $ 329,227 |
Predecessor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Components of Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Subrogation Recoverable [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Ceded | 3,889 |  |  |  |
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net | 5,434,517 |  |  |  | $ 5,974,731
Loss and loss expense reserves | 6,106,345 |  |  |  |
Subrogation recoverable | $ (533,673) |  |  |  |

X
- Definition [Line Items] for Components of Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Subrogation Recoverable [Table] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_ComponentsofLossandLossExpenseReservesandSubrogationRecoverableLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Liability as of the balance sheet date for amounts representing estimated cost of settling unpaid claims under the terms of the underlying insurance policies, less estimated reinsurance recoveries on such claims. This includes an estimate for claims which have been incurred but not reported. Claim adjustment expenses represent the costs estimated to be incurred in the settlement of unpaid claims. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 7 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 403 -Paragraph 04 -Subparagraph b + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount needed to reflect the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to financial default insured events that have occurred on or before a particular date (ordinarily, the balance sheet date) and the amount needed to provide for the estimated ultimate cost required to investigate and settle claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before a particular date (ordinarily, the balance sheet date), whether or not reported to the insurer at that date. + 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)(5)(vii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933314&loc=SL5749324-161292 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933001&loc=SL5747862-161289 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LiabilityNetForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseFinancialGuaranteeInsuranceContracts
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
Name: | us-gaap_ReinsuranceEffectOnClaimsAndBenefitsIncurredAmountCeded
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The estimated amount as of the balance sheet date to be received by an insurer from the sale of property (usually damaged) on which the insurer has paid a total claim to the insured and has obtained title to the property and the right of an insurer to pursue any course of recovery of damages, in its name or in the name of the policyholder, against a third party who is liable for costs relating to an insured event that have been paid by the insurer. Estimated salvage and subrogation is generally deducted from the liability for unpaid claims. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 30 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482241&loc=d3e13779-158432 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 30 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482241&loc=d3e13783-158432 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SalvageAndSubrogationRecoveriesValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This element represents the claim liability, reported on or included in the statement of financial position, related to financial guarantee insurance contracts and presented in the schedule of insured financial obligations with credit deterioration in the context of each surveillance grouping or category used by management to monitor and track potential deterioration in the credit worthiness of the insured party's ability to meet its financial obligations related to the contracts underlying financial guarantee insurance contracts the entity has issued. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 55 -Paragraph 34 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34726416&loc=SL5751140-161288 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfInsuredFinancialObligationsWithCreditDeteriorationStatementOfFinancialPositionClaimLiability
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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

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

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

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

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