Loss And Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (Schedule Of Financial Guarantees And Related Claim Liability) (Detail) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) issue policy		Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) issue policy
Loss And Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves [Line Items]
Number of policies | policy		287		276
Number of issues | issue	[1]	123		112
Remaining weighted average contract period (in years)		7 years 4 months 24 days		7 years 8 months 12 days
Principal	[2]	$ 5,140		$ 5,588
Interest	[2]	3,605		3,885
Total	[2]	8,745		9,473
Gross claim liability	[3]	1,088		965
Less: Gross potential recoveries	[4]	2,008		2,184
Discount, net	[5]	(133)		(453)
Net claim liability (recoverable)		(787)		(766)
Unearned premium revenue		49		48
Reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses		$ 10	[6]	$ 19
Caution List Low [Member]
Loss And Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves [Line Items]
Number of policies | policy		50		45
Number of issues | issue	[1]	18		13
Remaining weighted average contract period (in years)		6 years 1 month 6 days		7 years 3 months 18 days
Principal	[2]	$ 1,558		$ 1,546
Interest	[2]	2,058		2,107
Total	[2]	3,616		3,653
Gross claim liability	[3]	0		0
Less: Gross potential recoveries	[4]	0		0
Discount, net	[5]	0		0
Net claim liability (recoverable)		0		0
Unearned premium revenue		$ 10		$ 6
Caution List Medium [Member]
Loss And Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves [Line Items]
Number of policies | policy		17		19
Number of issues | issue	[1]	4		5
Remaining weighted average contract period (in years)		6 years 7 months 6 days		7 years 2 months 12 days
Principal	[2]	$ 218		$ 248
Interest	[2]	90		110
Total	[2]	308		358
Gross claim liability	[3]	0		0
Less: Gross potential recoveries	[4]	0		0
Discount, net	[5]	0		0
Net claim liability (recoverable)		0		0
Unearned premium revenue		$ 3		$ 3
Caution List High [Member]
Loss And Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves [Line Items]
Number of policies | policy		0		0
Number of issues | issue	[1]	0		0
Principal	[2]	$ 0		$ 0
Interest	[2]	0		0
Total	[2]	0		0
Gross claim liability	[3]	0		0
Less: Gross potential recoveries	[4]	0		0
Discount, net	[5]	0		0
Net claim liability (recoverable)		0		0
Unearned premium revenue		$ 0		$ 0
Classified List [Member]
Loss And Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves [Line Items]
Number of policies | policy		220		212
Number of issues | issue	[1]	101		94
Remaining weighted average contract period (in years)		8 years		7 years 10 months 24 days
Principal	[2]	$ 3,364		$ 3,794
Interest	[2]	1,457		1,668
Total	[2]	4,821		5,462
Gross claim liability	[3]	1,088		965
Less: Gross potential recoveries	[4]	2,008		2,184
Discount, net	[5]	(133)		(453)
Net claim liability (recoverable)		(787)		(766)
Unearned premium revenue		$ 36		$ 39

[1] An “issue” represents the aggregate of financial guarantee policies that share the same revenue source for purposes of making debt service payments on the insured debt.

[2] Represents contractual principal and interest payments due by the issuer of the obligations insured by MBIA.

[3] The gross claim liability with respect to Puerto Rico exposures are net of expected recoveries for policies in a net payable position.

[4] Gross potential recoveries with respect to certain Puerto Rico exposures are net of the claim liability for policies in a net recoverable position.

[5] Represents discount related to Gross Claim Liability and Gross Potential Recoveries.

[6] Included in “Other assets” on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.