Financial Guaranty Insurance Acquisition Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Aquisition Costs With Change in Accounting Principle [Roll Forward]
Beginning of period	$ 116	$ 132	$ 146
Commissions on assumed and ceded business	9	(13)	(13)
Premium taxes	4	4	7
Compensation and other acquisition costs	8	10	9
Total costs deferred	21	1	3
Costs amortized during the period	(13)	(17)	(17)
Foreign exchange translation	0	0	0
End of period	$ 124	$ 116	$ 132