Derivative Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items]
Value of right to reclaim cash collateral and posted margin, recorded in "Other assets"	$ 35,435,000		$ 35,435,000		$ 102,904,000
Value of obligation to return cash collateral, recorded in "Other liabilities"	0		0
Gains in change in fair value of the call options	(35,412,000)	$ 8,932,000	(51,571,000)	$ 34,123,000
Net liability fair value of all derivative instruments linked to Ambac's own credit risk	86,696,000		86,696,000		67,071,000
Fair value of posted assets as collateral	$ 103,764,000		$ 103,764,000		$ 83,700,000

Schedule Of Loans And Allowance For Loan By Class Individually And Collectively Evaluated For Impairment [Line Items]

No definition available.

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- Definition

The aggregate fair value of assets that are already posted, at the end of the reporting period, as collateral for derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4H
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624258-113959

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- Definition

Amount of obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 13
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- Definition

Amount of right to receive cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative liabilities.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value of derivatives recognized in the income statement.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4A
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- Definition

The aggregate fair value amounts of derivative instruments that contain credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a net liability position at the end of the reporting period. For nonderivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the fair value amounts are the carrying value of the nonderivative hedging instrument, including the adjustment for the foreign currency transaction gain (loss) on that instrument.

+ References

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-Publisher FASB
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-SubTopic 10
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