Investments (Amortized Cost And Fair Value Of Available-For-Sale and Held-To-Maturity Investment Portfolios) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Investment, Type [Extensible Enumeration]	Fixed Maturities [Member]	Fixed Maturities [Member]
Total available-for-sale, amortized cost	$ 1,544	$ 1,688
Allowance for Credit Losess	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	7	9
Gross unrealized losses	(154)	(140)
Total available-for-sale, fair value	1,397	1,557
U.S. Treasury And Government Agency [Member]
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available-for-sale, amortized cost	567	721
Allowance for Credit Losess	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	0	1
Gross unrealized losses	(20)	(18)
Total available-for-sale, fair value	547	704
US States And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available-for-sale, amortized cost	125	128
Allowance for Credit Losess	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	3	3
Gross unrealized losses	(9)	(8)
Total available-for-sale, fair value	119	123
Foreign Governments [Member]
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available-for-sale, amortized cost	14	19
Allowance for Credit Losess	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	1	1
Gross unrealized losses	(2)	(2)
Total available-for-sale, fair value	13	18
Corporate Obligations [Member]
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available-for-sale, amortized cost	511	505
Allowance for Credit Losess	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	1	2
Gross unrealized losses	(98)	(90)
Total available-for-sale, fair value	414	417
Residential Mortgage-Backed Agency [Member]
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available-for-sale, amortized cost	143	149
Allowance for Credit Losess	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	(17)	(14)
Total available-for-sale, fair value	126	135
Residential Mortgage-Backed Non-Agency [Member]
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available-for-sale, amortized cost	31	31
Allowance for Credit Losess	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	1	1
Gross unrealized losses	(6)	(5)
Total available-for-sale, fair value	26	27
Commercial Mortgage-Backed [Member]
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available-for-sale, amortized cost	13	13
Allowance for Credit Losess	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	0	0
Total available-for-sale, fair value	13	13
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available-for-sale, amortized cost	96	96
Allowance for Credit Losess	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	1	1
Gross unrealized losses	(1)	(1)
Total available-for-sale, fair value	96	96
Other Asset-Backed [Member]
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Total available-for-sale, amortized cost	44	26
Allowance for Credit Losess	0	0
Gross unrealized gains	0	0
Gross unrealized losses	(1)	(2)
Total available-for-sale, fair value	$ 43	$ 24

Amount, before tax, of unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481800/320-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, before tax, of unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481800/320-10-50-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(1))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479440/944-210-S99-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481800/320-10-50-2

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479130/326-30-45-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (aa)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481800/320-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481830/320-10-45-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(6))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479853/942-210-S99-1

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479130/326-30-45-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of allowance for credit loss on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (aaa)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147481800/320-10-50-2

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479130/326-30-45-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479106/326-30-50-9

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 30
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (i)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479106/326-30-50-9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Indicates type of investment. Includes, but is not limited to, common stock, preferred stock, convertible security, fixed income security, government security, option purchased, warrant, loan participation and assignment, commercial paper, bankers' acceptance, certificates of deposit, short-term security, repurchase agreement, and other investment company.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480524/946-210-50-6

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 210
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480524/946-210-50-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 320
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-12A(Column A)(Footnote 2))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480032/946-320-S99-2

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 320
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-14(Column A)(Footnote 2))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480032/946-320-S99-6

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 320
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-12(Column A)(Footnote 2)(i))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480032/946-320-S99-1

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 320
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-12(Column C)(Footnote 5))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480032/946-320-S99-1

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 320
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-12B(Column A)(Footnote 1)(a))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480032/946-320-S99-3

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 320
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-12B(Column C)(Footnote 2))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480032/946-320-S99-3

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 320
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-14(Column F)(Footnote 7))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480032/946-320-S99-6

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 946
-SubTopic 320
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-12A(Column C)(Footnote 4))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480032/946-320-S99-2

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeExtensibleEnumeration
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	enum2:enumerationSetItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=mbi_ResidentialMortgageBackedAgencyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=mbi_ResidentialMortgageBackedNonAgencyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_CollateralizedDebtObligationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=mbi_OtherAssetBackedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: