Contracts Accounted for as Insurance - Reconciliation of Net Expected Loss to be Paid and Expensed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net expected loss to be paid after recoveries for R&W	$ (1,298)	$ (1,303)	$ (1,244)	$ (1,198)
Loss and LAE reserve - financial guaranty insurance contracts, net of reinsurance	(1,261)	$ (1,400)
Net expected loss to be expensed	427
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net expected loss to be expensed	48
Financial Guarantee Insurance And Other Product Line [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Net expected loss to be paid after recoveries for R&W	1,211
Contra-paid, net	60
Salvage and subrogation recoverable, net of reinsurance	413
Loss and LAE reserve - financial guaranty insurance contracts, net of reinsurance	(1,260)
Other recoverable (payable)	3
Net expected loss to be expensed	$ 427