Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Preferred Stock Of Subsidiary [Member]	Total Shareholders' Equity Of MBIA Inc. [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Total equity balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 3,741	$ 12	$ 3,729	$ 282	$ 3,138	$ 3,038	$ (61)	$ (2,668)
Balance (in common stock shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	281,833,618			281,833,618
Balance (in treasury stock shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	(130,303,241)							(130,303,241)
Balance (in preferred stock shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	0	1,315
Net income (loss)	$ (73)		(73)			(73)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	96		96				96
Share-based compensation	11		11	$ 2	15			$ (6)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				1,696,381				(943,414)
Treasury shares acquired	(105)		(105)					$ (105)
Treasury shares acquired (in shares)								(16,559,937)
Total equity balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 3,670	$ 12	$ 3,658	$ 284	$ 3,153	$ 2,965	$ 35	$ (2,779)
Balance (in common stock shares) at Sep. 30, 2016	283,529,999			283,529,999
Balance (in treasury stock shares) at Sep. 30, 2016	(147,806,592)							(147,806,592)
Balance (in preferred stock shares) at Sep. 30, 2016	0	1,315