Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 81	$ 280
Total assets	7,606	8,107
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	6,558	6,975
Commitments and contingencies (Refer to Note 14: Commitments and Contingencies)
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--283,625,689 and 283,625,689	284	284
Additional paid-in capital	2,997	3,025
Retained earnings	850	966
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $21 and $8	(43)	(156)
Treasury stock, at cost--203,157,759 and 193,803,976 shares	(3,053)	(3,000)
Total shareholders' equity of MBIA Inc.	1,035	1,119
Preferred stock of subsidiary	13	13
Total equity	1,048	1,132
Total liabilities and equity	7,606	8,107
Non Variable Interest Entity [Member]
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $2,734 and $3,601)	2,840	3,565
Investments carried at fair value	217	222
Investments pledged as collateral, at fair value (amortized cost $14 and $46)	10	43
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost $429 and $241)	428	241
Other investments at amortized cost	0	1
Total investments	3,495	4,072
Cash and cash equivalents	76	222
Premiums receivable	273	296
Deferred acquisition costs	63	74
Insurance loss recoverable	1,843	1,595
Other assets	224	122
Liabilities:
Unearned premium revenue	499	587
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	859	965
Long-term debt	2,199	2,249
Medium-term notes (includes financial instruments carried at fair value of $106 and $102)	670	722
Investment agreements	310	311
Derivative liabilities	194	199
Other liabilities	195	198
Variable Interest Entity Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Investments:
Investments carried at fair value	88	157
Other assets	25	31
Cash	5	58
Investments held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $977 and $925)	890	890
Loans receivable at fair value	146	172
Loan repurchase commitments	478	418
Liabilities:
Variable interest entity notes (includes financial instruments carried at fair value of $472 and $480)	$ 1,632	$ 1,744