Statutory Accounting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Essent Re
Dividends Restrictions
Statutory net income	$ 26,679	$ 2,420
Statutory capital and surplus	213,036	152,601
Required statutory capital and surplus	1,000	1,000
Essent Guaranty
Dividends Restrictions
Statutory net income	172,688	118,204	$ 49,838
Statutory surplus	522,172	465,226	346,406
Contingency reserve liability	315,058	179,221	79,921
Increase in contingency reserve	135,800
Essent PA
Dividends Restrictions
Statutory net income	15,200	13,299	5,926
Statutory surplus	47,139	42,672	34,528
Contingency reserve liability	27,502	$ 16,909	$ 6,857
Increase in contingency reserve	$ 10,600