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Insurance Premiums (Narrative) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance Premiums [Line Items] |  |  |
Premiums receivable | $ 369 | $ 409 | $ 792
Weighted average risk-free rate | 2.80% | 2.80% |
Weighted average expected collection term of the premiums receivable, years | 9 years 5 months 12 days | 10 years 25 days |
Reinsurance premiums payable | $ 25 | $ 26 |
Other Liabilities [Member] | MBIA UK [Member] |  |  |
Insurance Premiums [Line Items] |  |  |
Reinsurance premiums payable |  | $ 6 |

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- Definition Insurance Premiums Line Items + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | mbi_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Weighted average period over which premium receivable for financial guarantee insurance contracts is collected where premium is received over the contract period, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 310 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933075&loc=SL5748726-161290 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition This element represents the weighted average risk free rate used to discount the premiums expected to be collected for financial guarantee insurance contracts where the premium is to be received over the contract period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 310 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6933075&loc=SL5748726-161290 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date due the entity from (a) agents and insureds, (b) uncollected premiums and (c) others, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the known and estimated amounts owed to insurers under reinsurance treaties or other arrangements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.13(a)(3),(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ReinsurancePayable
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=mbi_MbiaUkMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |