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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Additional Information (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
May 01, 2013
Apr. 30, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period 9 years 4 months 24 days      
Common Stock Voting Restrictions 10.00%ambc_CommonStockVotingRestrictions 10.00%ambc_CommonStockVotingRestrictions    
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share $ 0.01us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare $ 0.01us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare   $ 0.01us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation Apr. 29, 1991      
Preferred stock, shares authorized 20,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized 20,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized   20,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share $ 0.01us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare $ 0.01us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare   $ 0.01us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare
Common stock, shares issued 45,005,932us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued 45,003,461us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued   45,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Warrant Exercised During Period Shares 949ambc_WarrantExercisedDuringPeriodShares 6,312ambc_WarrantExercisedDuringPeriodShares    
Mediation Agreement Cash Grant       $ 30,000ambc_MediationAgreementCashGrant
Junior surplus note of Ambac Assurance Segregated Account     $ 350,000ambc_Ambc_JuniorSurplusNotesIssued  
Common Stock Transfer Restrictions 5.00%ambc_CommonStockTransferRestrictions      
Common Stock Additional Transfer Restrictions 5.00%ambc_CommonStockAdditionalTransferRestrictions      
Minimum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member]        
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life 3 years      
Maximum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member]        
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]        
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life 5 years