XML 157 R106.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Derivative Instruments - Summary of Gross Fair Values of Individual Derivative Instruments (Detail) (Successor [Member], USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Apr. 30, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets, Derivative Assets $ 163,683ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeAssetsGrossRecognizedAmount $ 134,587ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeAssetsGrossRecognizedAmount  
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities, Derivative Liabilities 461,610ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount 310,774ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount  
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets / Liabilities 54,666ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement 56,876ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement  
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets / Liabilities 54,666ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement 56,876ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement  
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets 109,017us-gaap_DerivativeAssets 77,711us-gaap_DerivativeAssets 121,643us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 406,944us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities 253,898us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities 621,645us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
Gross Amount of Collateral Received/Pledged Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets 0ambc_DerivativeAssetsGrossAmountOfCollateralCashAndSecuritiesPledgedNotOffset 690ambc_DerivativeAssetsGrossAmountOfCollateralCashAndSecuritiesPledgedNotOffset  
Gross Amount of Collateral Received/Pledged Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 170,135ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesGrossAmountOfCollateralCashAndSecuritiesPledgedNotOffset 42,555ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesGrossAmountOfCollateralCashAndSecuritiesPledgedNotOffset  
Net Amount, Derivative Assets 109,017ambc_DerivativeAssetsNetAmount 77,021ambc_DerivativeAssetsNetAmount  
Net Amount, Derivative Liabilities 236,809ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount 211,343ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount  
Variable Interest Entities [Member]
     
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities, Derivative Liabilities 2,200,163ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
1,772,306ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets / Liabilities 0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets / Liabilities 0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 2,200,163us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
1,772,306us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Gross Amount of Collateral Received/Pledged Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 0ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesGrossAmountOfCollateralCashAndSecuritiesPledgedNotOffset
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
0ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesGrossAmountOfCollateralCashAndSecuritiesPledgedNotOffset
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Net Amount, Derivative Liabilities 2,200,163ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
1,772,306ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
     
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets, Derivative Assets 161,640ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeAssetsGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
132,250ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeAssetsGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities, Derivative Liabilities 385,346ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
216,287ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets / Liabilities 54,666ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
56,876ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets / Liabilities 54,666ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
56,876ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets 106,974us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
75,374us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 330,680us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
159,411us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Gross Amount of Collateral Received/Pledged Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 169,573ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesGrossAmountOfCollateralCashAndSecuritiesPledgedNotOffset
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
42,555ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesGrossAmountOfCollateralCashAndSecuritiesPledgedNotOffset
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amount, Derivative Assets 106,974ambc_DerivativeAssetsNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
75,374ambc_DerivativeAssetsNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amount, Derivative Liabilities 161,107ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
116,856ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Variable Interest Entities [Member]
     
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities, Derivative Liabilities 2,133,268ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
1,680,834ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 2,133,268us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
1,680,834us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Net Amount, Derivative Liabilities 2,133,268ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
1,680,834ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Futures Contracts [Member]
     
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets, Derivative Assets   2,337ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeAssetsGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities, Derivative Liabilities 562ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
   
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets / Liabilities 0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets / Liabilities 0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets   2,337us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 562us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
   
Gross Amount of Collateral Received/Pledged Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets   690ambc_DerivativeAssetsGrossAmountOfCollateralCashAndSecuritiesPledgedNotOffset
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Gross Amount of Collateral Received/Pledged Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 562ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesGrossAmountOfCollateralCashAndSecuritiesPledgedNotOffset
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
   
Net Amount, Derivative Assets   1,647ambc_DerivativeAssetsNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amount, Derivative Liabilities 0ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_FuturesContractsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
   
Credit Derivatives [Member]
     
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets, Derivative Assets 2,043ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeAssetsGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
   
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities, Derivative Liabilities 75,502ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
94,322ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets / Liabilities 0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets / Liabilities 0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
0ambc_AmountOfGrossDerivativeAssetOrLiabilitiesAtFairValuePresentedAsOffsetUnderMasterNettingAgreement
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Assets 2,043us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
   
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 75,502us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
94,322us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amount, Derivative Assets 2,043ambc_DerivativeAssetsNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
   
Net Amount, Derivative Liabilities 75,502ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
94,322ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= ambc_CreditDerivativesMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Other Contracts [Member]
     
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities, Derivative Liabilities 200ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_OtherContractMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
165ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_OtherContractMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 200us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_OtherContractMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
165us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_OtherContractMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Net Amount, Derivative Liabilities 200ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_OtherContractMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
165ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_OtherContractMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
 
Currency Swaps [Member] | Variable Interest Entities [Member]
     
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities, Derivative Liabilities 66,895ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
91,472ambc_FinancialAndDerivativeLiabilityGrossRecognizedAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Derivative Liabilities 66,895us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
91,472us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
 
Net Amount, Derivative Liabilities $ 66,895ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember
$ 91,472ambc_DerivativeLiabilitiesNetAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_SuccessorMember
/ us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis
= ambc_VariableInterestEntityMember