Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,258	$ 990
Premiums receivable	1,051	1,228
Deferred income taxes, net	1,100
Investments held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $2,651 and $2,674)	2,801	2,829
Total assets	16,953	21,724
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	1,702	1,732
Derivative liabilities	1,200	2,900
Total liabilities	13,654	18,530
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 21)
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 $54 and $21	(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
Preferred stock of subsidiary and noncontrolling interest	21	21
Total equity	3,299	3,194
Total liabilities and equity	16,953	21,724
Non Variable Interest Entity [Member]
Assets
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $5,064 and $4,347) Investments held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $136 and $637)	4,987	4,485
Fixed-maturity securities at fair value	204	244
Investments pledged as collateral, at fair value (amortized cost $483 and $489)	424	443
Short-term investments held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,203 and $662)	1,204	669
Other investments (includes investments at fair value of $11 and $12)	16	21
Total investments	6,835	5,862
Cash and cash equivalents	1,161	814
Premiums receivable	1,051	1,228
Deferred acquisition costs	260	302
Insurance loss recoverable	694	3,648
Property and equipment, at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $88 and $146)	8	69
Assets held for sale	29	0
Deferred income taxes, net	1,109	1,199
Other assets	214	268
Liabilities:
Unearned premium revenue	2,441	2,938
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	641	853
Investment agreements	700	944
Medium-term notes (includes financial instruments carried at fair value of $203 and $165)	1,427	1,598
Long-term debt	1,702	1,732
Derivative liabilities	1,152	2,934
Other liabilities	294	245
Variable Interest Entity Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Assets
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $5,064 and $4,347) Investments held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $136 and $637)	136	625
Fixed-maturity securities at fair value	587	1,735
Other assets	0	2
Cash	97	176
Investments held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $2,651 and $2,674)	2,801	2,829
Loans receivable at fair value	1,612	1,881
Loan repurchase commitments	359	1,086
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities	11	162
Variable interest entity notes (includes financial instruments carried at fair value of $2,356 and $3,659)	$ 5,286	$ 7,124