XML 71 R83.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Investments (Distribution Of Securities By Percentage Of Fair Value Below Book Value By More Than 5% For A Continuous Twelve Month Period Or Longer) (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]    
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, amortized cost $ 6,509us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost $ 6,824us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
Available For Sale Securities 6,571us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities 6,692us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Held To Maturity Securities [Abstract]    
Held-To-Maturity Securities Amortized Cost 2,757us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities 2,801us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
Held-To-Maturity Securities Fair Value 2,632us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue 2,651us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
> 5% To 15% [Member]    
Held To Maturity Securities [Abstract]    
Percentage Of Fair Value Below Book Value Minimum 5.00%mbi_PercentageOfFairValueBelowBookValueMinimum
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFivePercentToFifteenPercentMember
 
Percentage Of Fair Value Below Book Value Maximum 15.00%mbi_PercentageOfFairValueBelowBookValueMaximum
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFivePercentToFifteenPercentMember
 
> 5% To 15% [Member] | Unrealized loss position > 12 months    
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]    
Number of available-for-sale securities in unrealized loss position 12us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFivePercentToFifteenPercentMember
 
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, amortized cost 58us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFivePercentToFifteenPercentMember
 
Available For Sale Securities 53us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFivePercentToFifteenPercentMember
 
Held To Maturity Securities [Abstract]    
Number of Held-To-Maturity Securities in unrealized loss position 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFivePercentToFifteenPercentMember
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities Amortized Cost 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFivePercentToFifteenPercentMember
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities Fair Value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFivePercentToFifteenPercentMember
 
> 15% To 25% [Member]    
Held To Maturity Securities [Abstract]    
Percentage Of Fair Value Below Book Value Minimum 15.00%mbi_PercentageOfFairValueBelowBookValueMinimum
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFifteenPercentToTwentyFivePercentMember
 
Percentage Of Fair Value Below Book Value Maximum 25.00%mbi_PercentageOfFairValueBelowBookValueMaximum
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFifteenPercentToTwentyFivePercentMember
 
> 15% To 25% [Member] | Unrealized loss position > 12 months    
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]    
Number of available-for-sale securities in unrealized loss position 5us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFifteenPercentToTwentyFivePercentMember
 
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, amortized cost 78us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFifteenPercentToTwentyFivePercentMember
 
Available For Sale Securities 61us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFifteenPercentToTwentyFivePercentMember
 
Held To Maturity Securities [Abstract]    
Number of Held-To-Maturity Securities in unrealized loss position 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFifteenPercentToTwentyFivePercentMember
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities Amortized Cost 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFifteenPercentToTwentyFivePercentMember
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities Fair Value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFifteenPercentToTwentyFivePercentMember
 
> 25% To 50% [Member]    
Held To Maturity Securities [Abstract]    
Percentage Of Fair Value Below Book Value Minimum 25.00%mbi_PercentageOfFairValueBelowBookValueMinimum
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanTwentyFivePercentToFiftyPercentMember
 
Percentage Of Fair Value Below Book Value Maximum 50.00%mbi_PercentageOfFairValueBelowBookValueMaximum
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanTwentyFivePercentToFiftyPercentMember
 
> 25% To 50% [Member] | Unrealized loss position > 12 months    
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]    
Number of available-for-sale securities in unrealized loss position 2us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanTwentyFivePercentToFiftyPercentMember
 
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, amortized cost 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanTwentyFivePercentToFiftyPercentMember
 
Available For Sale Securities 1us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanTwentyFivePercentToFiftyPercentMember
 
Held To Maturity Securities [Abstract]    
Number of Held-To-Maturity Securities in unrealized loss position 1us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanTwentyFivePercentToFiftyPercentMember
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities Amortized Cost 575us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanTwentyFivePercentToFiftyPercentMember
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities Fair Value 373us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanTwentyFivePercentToFiftyPercentMember
 
> 50% [Member]    
Held To Maturity Securities [Abstract]    
Percentage Of Fair Value Below Book Value Minimum 50.00%mbi_PercentageOfFairValueBelowBookValueMinimum
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFiftyPercentMember
 
> 50% [Member] | Unrealized loss position > 12 months    
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]    
Number of available-for-sale securities in unrealized loss position 3us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFiftyPercentMember
 
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, amortized cost 129us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFiftyPercentMember
 
Available For Sale Securities 25us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFiftyPercentMember
 
Held To Maturity Securities [Abstract]    
Number of Held-To-Maturity Securities in unrealized loss position 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFiftyPercentMember
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities Amortized Cost 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFiftyPercentMember
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities Fair Value 0us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_GreaterThanFiftyPercentMember
 
Greater Than 5% [Member] | Unrealized loss position > 12 months    
Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]    
Number of available-for-sale securities in unrealized loss position 22us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_FairValueBelowBookValueGreaterThanFivePercentMember
 
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, amortized cost 266us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_FairValueBelowBookValueGreaterThanFivePercentMember
 
Available For Sale Securities 140us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_FairValueBelowBookValueGreaterThanFivePercentMember
 
Held To Maturity Securities [Abstract]    
Number of Held-To-Maturity Securities in unrealized loss position 1us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_FairValueBelowBookValueGreaterThanFivePercentMember
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities Amortized Cost 575us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_FairValueBelowBookValueGreaterThanFivePercentMember
 
Held-To-Maturity Securities Fair Value $ 373us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
/ invest_InvestmentAxis
= mbi_UnrealizedLossPositionGreaterThanTwelveMonthsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= mbi_FairValueBelowBookValueGreaterThanFivePercentMember