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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | May 01, 2013 | Apr. 30, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Common Stock Voting Restrictions |  |  |  | 10.00% |  |
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.01
Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation | 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
Junior surplus note of Ambac Assurance Segregated Account |  |  |  |  | $ 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] |  |  |  |  |  |
Obligations under investment agreements | $ 0 | $ 82,358 |  |  |  |
Income Taxes Paid | 40,334 | 21,437 | $ 16,969 |  |  |
Decrease in long-term debt as a result of an exchange for investment securities | 55,426 | 0 | 0 |  |  |
Goodwill, Impairment Loss | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 514,511 |  |  |
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 |  |  |  |  | 45,000,000 |
Warrant Exercised During Period Shares | 0 | 136 | 740 |  |  |
Successor [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Basis for Effective Rate |  | .0094 |  |  |  |
Long-term Debt [Member] | Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest Paid | $ 39,112 | $ 4,537 | $ 1,847 |  |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Domain] | Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification | 0 |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Domain] | AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] | Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification | (6,588) |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Domain] | Retained Earnings [Member] | Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification | $ 6,588 |  |  |  |  |

X
- 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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