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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, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Aug. 03, 2018 | Jun. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2015 | May 01, 2013 | Apr. 30, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income Taxes Paid | $ 34,980 | $ 40,334 | $ 21,437 |  |  |  |  |  |
AMPS Exchange Carrying Value of Surplus Notes Issued |  |  |  |  | $ 187,220 |  |  |  |
Decrease in long-term debt as a result of an exchange for investment securities | $ 0 | $ 55,426 | $ 0 |  |  |  |  |  |
Common Stock Voting Restrictions |  |  |  | 10.00% |  |  |  |  |
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0.01
Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation | Apr. 29, 1991 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, shares authorized | 20,000,000 | 20,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Warrant Exercised During Period Shares | 194 | 0 | 136 |  |  |  |  |  |
Junior surplus note of Ambac Assurance Segregated Account |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 350,000 |
Common Stock Transfer Restrictions |  |  |  | 5.00% |  |  |  |  |
Common Stock Additional Transfer Restrictions |  |  |  | 5.00% |  |  |  |  |
Non Cash Impact of Rehabilitation Exit Transaction |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1,918,561 |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 63,089 | $ 623,703 | $ 91,025 |  |  |  |  |  |
Restricted Cash | 19,405 | 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents | $ 83,493 | 624,681 | 95,898 |  |  |  | $ 41,566 |  |
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term Debt [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities | $ 231,734 | 39,112 | 4,537 |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Domain] | AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification |  | (6,588) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] | AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification | (2,900) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification | 2,900 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating Expense [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Operating Results |  | 920 | 625 |  |  |  |  |  |
Deferred Income Tax Charge [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification | 590 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restricted Cash | $ 999 | $ 978 | $ 4,873 |  |  |  |  |  |

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