Investments - Summary of Amounts Included in Net Realized (Losses) Gains and Other-Than-Temporary Impairments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	5 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013 Successor Ambac [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Successor Ambac [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Predecessor Ambac [Member]	Apr. 30, 2013 Predecessor Ambac [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Predecessor Ambac [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Gross realized gains on securities	$ 3,906	$ 20,518	$ 3,492	$ 47,448	$ 71,997
Gross realized losses on securities	(7,239)	(8,831)	(72)	(320)	(963)
Foreign exchange (losses) gains	(6,977)	(3,525)	(258)	6,177	(413)
Net realized (losses) gains	(10,310)	8,162	3,162	53,305	70,621
Net other-than-temporary impairments	$ (38,037)	$ (40,039)	$ (354)	$ (467)	$ (5,753)

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This item represents the difference between the gross realized gains and losses realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26805-111562

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- Definition

This item represents the gross profit realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563

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This item represents the gross loss realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

+ References

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- Definition

Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized gain (loss) recognized in the income statement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30690-110894

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450222&loc=d3e30840-110895

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 830

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-Section 45

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450189&loc=d3e30700-110894

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- Definition

The amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on equity securities, OTTI related to credit losses on debt securities, and OTTI losses on debt securities when the entity intends to sell the securities or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this item includes OTTI losses recognized during the period on investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=SL6284393-111563

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