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Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Carrying Amount and Fair Value of Ambac's Financial Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Sep. 30, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities $ 713,467 $ 783,071
Other assets 15,021 16,779
Financial liabilities:    
Obligations under investment and repurchase agreements 397,570 523,046
Liabilities subject to compromise 1,707,408 1,707,421
Long term debt 146,909 223,601
Derivative liabilities 187,121 190,653
Short-term Investments [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 713,467 783,071
Fair Value, Level 1 [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Cash 90,065 15,999
Restricted cash 2,500 2,500
Total financial assets 1,199,374 1,162,207
Financial liabilities:    
Total financial liabilities 1,975 627
Fair Value, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Government Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 111,586 111,562
Fixed income securities, pledged as collateral 285,860 260,802
Fair Value, Level 1 [Member] | Short-term Investments [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 707,070 769,204
Fair Value, Level 2 [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Total financial assets 5,508,944 6,080,738
Financial liabilities:    
Liabilities subject to compromise 469,215 112,233
Total financial liabilities 14,549,756 14,532,792
Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 1,861,774 2,002,999
Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 1,118,489 1,119,570
Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 70,395 94,795
Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Agency Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 84,023 85,647
Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 1,409,026 1,412,517
Fixed income securities, pledged as collateral   2,728
Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 29,977 33,755
Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Other commercial asset-backed securities [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 694,698 871,922
Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Short-term Investments [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 6,397 13,867
Fair Value, Level 3 [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Loans 8,587 16,934
Other assets 15,021 16,779
Total financial assets 17,283,525 16,372,076
Financial liabilities:    
Obligations under investment and repurchase agreements 414,149 549,043
Long term debt, fair value   562,043
Long term debt 717,126  
Liabilities for net financial guarantees written 4,075,022 2,642,795
Total financial liabilities 8,728,022 6,089,707
Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 3,595 7,930
Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Agency Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities   1,224
Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 6,832 12,482
Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Other commercial asset-backed securities [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 50,295 75,886
Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Other [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 100 100
Variable Interest Entity [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 2,160,113 2,199,338
Loans 14,984,659 14,126,994
Financial liabilities:    
Long term debt, fair value 14,877,975 14,039,450
Long term debt 15,113,094 14,288,540
Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Fair Value, Level 1 [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Restricted cash 2,293 2,140
Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Fair Value, Level 2 [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Loans 191,024 182,140
Financial liabilities:    
Long term debt, fair value 12,094,342 12,320,810
Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Fair Value, Level 3 [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Loans 14,984,659 14,126,994
Financial liabilities:    
Long term debt, fair value 2,993,341 1,934,642
Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 2,160,113 2,199,338
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value, Level 2 [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities (85,312)  
Derivative liabilities 10,305 9,913
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets 43,141 260,851
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value, Level 2 [Member] | Liability position [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets   (53)
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value, Level 3 [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities (81,033) (30,859)
Derivative liabilities 422,276 241,390
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets 54,323 150,801
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Fair Value, Level 3 [Member] | Liability position [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets   (242,447)
Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Fair Value, Level 2 [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 1,981,460 2,023,974
Future Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Level 1 [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 1,975 627
Call options on long-term debt [Member] | Fair Value, Level 3 [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets   6,055
Credit Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Level 3 [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 187,121 190,653
Currency Swaps [Member] | Fair Value, Level 2 [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities   2,423
Currency Swaps [Member] | Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Fair Value, Level 2 [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities   (27,779)
Derivative liabilities 79,491 90,857
Other contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Level 2 [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 255 361
Carrying Amount [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Cash 90,065 15,999
Restricted cash 2,500 2,500
Loans at carrying amount 10,380 18,996
Other assets 15,021 16,779
Total financial assets 24,006,311 23,637,464
Financial liabilities:    
Obligations under investment and repurchase agreements 415,846 546,546
Liabilities subject to compromise 1,622,189 1,622,189
Long term debt 146,909 223,601
Liabilities for net financial guarantees written 7,480,962 7,547,288
Total financial liabilities 27,295,528 26,729,724
Carrying Amount [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 1,861,774 2,002,999
Carrying Amount [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 1,122,084 1,127,500
Carrying Amount [Member] | Foreign Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 70,395 94,795
Carrying Amount [Member] | U.S. Government Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 111,586 111,562
Fixed income securities, pledged as collateral 285,860 260,802
Carrying Amount [Member] | U.S. Agency Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 84,023 86,871
Carrying Amount [Member] | Residential Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 1,409,026 1,412,517
Fixed income securities, pledged as collateral   2,728
Carrying Amount [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 36,809 46,237
Carrying Amount [Member] | Other commercial asset-backed securities [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 744,993 947,808
Carrying Amount [Member] | Short-term Investments [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 713,467 783,071
Carrying Amount [Member] | Other [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 100 100
Carrying Amount [Member] | Variable Interest Entity [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Restricted cash 2,293 2,140
Loans at carrying amount 15,188,358 14,329,515
Financial liabilities:    
Long term debt, fair value 15,113,094 14,288,540
Carrying Amount [Member] | Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 2,160,113 2,199,338
Carrying Amount [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities (166,345) (30,859)
Derivative liabilities 432,581 251,303
Carrying Amount [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets 97,464 411,652
Carrying Amount [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Liability position [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets   (242,500)
Carrying Amount [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Variable Interest Entity [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 1,981,460 2,023,974
Carrying Amount [Member] | Future Contracts [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 1,975 627
Carrying Amount [Member] | Call options on long-term debt [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets   6,055
Carrying Amount [Member] | Credit Derivatives [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 187,121 190,653
Carrying Amount [Member] | Currency Swaps [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities   2,423
Carrying Amount [Member] | Currency Swaps [Member] | Variable Interest Entity [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities   (27,779)
Derivative liabilities 79,491 90,857
Carrying Amount [Member] | Other contracts [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 255 361
Total Fair Value [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Cash 90,065 15,999
Restricted cash 2,500 2,500
Loans 8,587 16,934
Other assets 15,021 16,779
Total financial assets 23,991,843 23,615,021
Financial liabilities:    
Obligations under investment and repurchase agreements 414,149 549,043
Liabilities subject to compromise 469,215 112,233
Long term debt, fair value   562,043
Long term debt 717,126  
Liabilities for net financial guarantees written 4,075,022 2,642,795
Total financial liabilities 23,279,733 20,623,126
Total Fair Value [Member] | Municipal Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 1,861,774 2,002,999
Total Fair Value [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 1,122,084 1,127,500
Total Fair Value [Member] | Foreign Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 70,395 94,795
Total Fair Value [Member] | U.S. Government Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 111,586 111,562
Fixed income securities, pledged as collateral 285,860 260,802
Total Fair Value [Member] | U.S. Agency Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 84,023 86,871
Total Fair Value [Member] | Residential Mortgage-backed securities [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 1,409,026 1,412,517
Fixed income securities, pledged as collateral   2,728
Total Fair Value [Member] | Collateralized debt obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 36,809 46,237
Total Fair Value [Member] | Other commercial asset-backed securities [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 744,993 947,808
Total Fair Value [Member] | Short-term Investments [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 713,467 783,071
Total Fair Value [Member] | Other [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 100 100
Total Fair Value [Member] | Variable Interest Entity [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Restricted cash 2,293 2,140
Loans 15,175,683 14,309,134
Financial liabilities:    
Long term debt, fair value 15,087,683 14,255,452
Total Fair Value [Member] | Variable Interest Entity [Member] | Corporate Obligations [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Fixed income securities 2,160,113 2,199,338
Total Fair Value [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities (166,345) (30,859)
Derivative liabilities 432,581 251,303
Total Fair Value [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets 97,464 411,652
Total Fair Value [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Liability position [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets   (242,500)
Total Fair Value [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member] | Variable Interest Entity [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 1,981,460 2,023,974
Total Fair Value [Member] | Future Contracts [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 1,975 627
Total Fair Value [Member] | Call options on long-term debt [Member]
   
Financial assets:    
Derivative assets   6,055
Total Fair Value [Member] | Credit Derivatives [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities 187,121 190,653
Total Fair Value [Member] | Currency Swaps [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities   2,423
Total Fair Value [Member] | Currency Swaps [Member] | Variable Interest Entity [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities   (27,779)
Derivative liabilities 79,491 90,857
Total Fair Value [Member] | Other contracts [Member]
   
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative liabilities $ 255 $ 361