Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Preferred Stock Of Subsidiary And Noncontrolling Interest [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, 2016	$ 3,239	$ 12	$ 3,227	$ 284	$ 3,160	$ 2,700	$ (128)	$ (2,789)
Balance (in common stock shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	283,989,999			283,989,999
Balance (in treasury stock shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	(148,789,168)							(148,789,168)
Balance (in preferred stock shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	0	1,315
Net income (loss)	$ (1,301)		(1,301)			(1,301)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	89		89				89
Share-based compensation	4		4	$ 0	8			$ (4)
Share-based compensation (in shares)				7,528				(352,565)
Treasury shares acquired	(75)		(75)					$ (75)
Treasury shares acquired (in shares)								(9,033,739)
Total equity balance at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 1,956	$ 12	$ 1,944	$ 284	$ 3,168	$ 1,399	$ (39)	$ (2,868)
Balance (in common stock shares) at Jun. 30, 2017	283,997,527			283,997,527
Balance (in treasury stock shares) at Jun. 30, 2017	(158,175,472)							(158,175,472)
Balance (in preferred stock shares) at Jun. 30, 2017	0	1,315