Note 18 - Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2008	Dec. 31, 2011	Aug. 13, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 Insurance Claims [Member]	Aug. 01, 2011 Insurance Claims [Member]
Settled Law Suits [Abstract]
Number Of Disputed Pool Policies Covering Second Lien Mortgages Involved In A Lawsuit	3
Number Of Defendant Financial Guaranty Companies Involved In The Lawsuit That Are Subordinated To Our Position	3
Estimated Litigation Liability	$ 77
Litigation Settlement, Gross		$ 44
Pending Law Suits [Abstract]
Number Of RMBS Bulk Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies Involved In Pending or Threatened Litigation			27
Number Of Loans Included In The RMBS Bulk Primary Mortgage Insurance Policies Involved In Litigation			271
Number Of Home Mortgage Loans Involved In Pending Litigation					140
Loss Reserve Information [Abstract]
Under Our Master Insurance Policy Any Suit Or Action Arising From Any Right Of The Insured Under The Policy Must Be Commenced Within This Number Of Years After Such Right First Arose		2		2
Under Our Master Insurance Policy Any Suit Or Action Arising From Any Right Of Certain Other Policies Must Be Commenced Within This Number Of Years After Such Right First Arose		3		3