Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 Successor Ambac [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Predecessor Ambac [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ 155,942	$ 282,299
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries’ earnings	107	(47)
Net income (loss)	156,049	282,252
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	748	727
Amortization of bond premium and discount	(27,940)	(42,421)
Reorganization items	23	2,059
Share-based compensation	1,537	0
Deferred income taxes	3	(46)
Current income taxes	3,023	496
Deferred acquisition costs	0	6,854
Unearned premiums, net	(84,667)	(147,095)
Losses and loss expenses, net	(146,494)	(78,963)
Ceded premiums payable	(1,070)	(2,006)
Investment income due and accrued	3,022	5,798
Premium receivables	34,907	77,523
Accrued interest payable	22,235	17,543
Amortization of insurance intangible assets	31,714	0
Net mark-to-market (gains) losses	(6,607)	(10,278)
Net realized investment gains	(16,289)	(46,060)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	10,392	0
Variable interest entity activities	5,542	(38,326)
Other, net	52,397	49,273
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	38,525	77,330
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of bonds	276,555	120,603
Proceeds from matured bonds	230,290	255,664
Purchases of bonds	(625,507)	(243,006)
Proceeds from sales of other invested assets	36,894	0
Purchases of other invested assets	(20,611)	(113,712)
Change in short-term investments	56,016	(106,274)
Loans, net	(71)	512
Change in swap collateral receivable	(35,410)	1,740
Other, net	(2,352)	20,508
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(84,196)	(63,965)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Paydowns of variable interest entity secured borrowing	0	(4,067)
Proceeds from warrant exercise	1	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1	(4,067)
Net cash flow	(45,670)	9,298
Cash at January 1	77,370	43,837
Cash at March 31	31,700	53,135
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Income taxes	0	229
Interest on variable interest entity secured borrowing	0	218
Interest on investment agreements	202	462
Cash payments related to reorganization items:
Professional fees paid for services rendered in connection with the Chapter 11 proceeding	$ 81	$ 3,246