Schedule II (Condensed Balance Sheets) (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,258	$ 990	$ 633	$ 1,130
Deferred income taxes, net	1,100
Total assets	16,953	21,724	26,873
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	1,702	1,732
Derivative liabilities	1,200	2,900
Total liabilities	13,654	18,530
Equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares--10,000,000; issued and outstanding--none	0	0
Common stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares--400,000,000; issued shares--277,812,430 and 277,405,039	278	277
Additional paid-in capital	3,115	3,076
Retained earnings	2,289	2,039
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $25 and $26	(86)	56	(176)	(406)
Treasury stock, at cost--85,562,546 and 81,733,530 shares	(2,318)	(2,275)
Total shareholders' equity of MBIA Inc.	3,278	3,173
Total liabilities and equity	16,953	21,724
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, amortized cost	6,824	6,122
Preferred stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, authorized shares	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, issued	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized shares	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	277,812,430	277,405,039
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), taxes	54	21
Treasury stock, shares	85,562,546	81,733,530
Parent Company [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $703 and $825)	728	843
Fixed-maturity securities at fair value	32	13
Investments pledged as collateral, at fair value (amortized cost $463 and $510)	375	443
Short-term investments held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $171 and $235)	171	236
Other investments	3	4
Total investments	1,309	1,539
Cash and cash equivalents	140	92	132	83
Investment in wholly-owned subsidiaries	3,890	4,127
Deferred income taxes, net	791	581
Other assets	140	183
Total assets	6,270	6,522
Liabilities:
Investment agreements	654	893
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	0	32
Long-term debt	592	731
Affiliate loans payable	1,510	1,681
Other liabilities	236	12
Total liabilities	2,992	3,349
Equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares--10,000,000; issued and outstanding--none	0	0
Common stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares--400,000,000; issued shares--277,812,430 and 277,405,039	278	277
Additional paid-in capital	3,115	3,076
Retained earnings	2,289	2,039
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $25 and $26	(86)	56
Treasury stock, at cost--85,562,546 and 81,733,530 shares	(2,318)	(2,275)
Total shareholders' equity of MBIA Inc.	3,278	3,173
Total liabilities and equity	6,270	6,522
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, amortized cost	703	825
Investments pledged as collateral, amortized cost	463	510
Short-term investments held as available-for-sale, amortized cost	171	235
Preferred stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, authorized shares	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, issued	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, authorized shares	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	277,812,430	277,405,039
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), taxes	$ 25	$ 26
Treasury stock, shares	85,562,546	81,733,530