Note 10 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Loss Reserves Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Add reinsurance recoverables	$ 157,985,000		$ 244,894,000
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Net Of Denials And Rescissions	43.00%		40.00%
Claim Severity Detail [Abstract]
Percentage Point Change In Severity Used In Assumption Shift Analysis	1.00%
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1	3,524,971,000		3,450,538,000		2,989,994,000
Less reinsurance recoverables	223,254,000	[1]	621,644,000		491,836,000
Balance at beginning of period, net of reinsurance recoverables	3,301,717,000		2,828,894,000		2,498,158,000
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Current year	1,127,079,000	[2]	1,173,035,000		1,712,477,000
Prior years	166,778,000		557,766,000		(411,650,000)
Total incurred losses and LAE	1,293,857,000		1,730,801,000		1,300,827,000
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Current year	39,642,000	[2]	54,410,000		138,717,000
Prior years	1,459,601,000		1,203,568,000		831,374,000
Total paid	1,499,243,000		1,257,978,000		970,091,000
Balance at end of period, net of reinsurance recoverables	3,096,331,000		3,301,717,000		2,828,894,000
Add reinsurance recoverables	151,569,000	[1]	223,254,000	[1]	621,644,000
Balance at December 31	3,247,900,000		3,524,971,000		3,450,538,000
Incurred Losses Related To Prior Year Rescissions And Denials	120,300,000
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Net Of Denials And Rescissions	43.00%		40.00%		36.00%
Default To Claim Rate Estimate Net Of Rescission And Denial Estimates For Insured Loans That Missed Two To Three Monthly Payments	19.00%
Impact To Our Loss Reserves Due To Estimated Rescissions And Denials [Abstract]
Decrease To Our Loss Reserves Due To Estimated Rescissions And Denials	631,000,000		922,000,000
Increase To Our Loss Reserves Due To Estimated Future Reinstatements Of Previously Rescinded Policies And Denied Claims	129,000,000		26,000,000
IBNR Reserve Estimate [Abstract]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims, Amount	170,600,000		39,500,000
Claim Severity Detail [Abstract]
Percentage Point Change In Severity Used In Assumption Shift Analysis	1.00%
First Lien Primary Claim Severity	27.00%
Impact To Loss Reserves Based On One Percentage Change In Primary Claim Severity	96,000,000
First Lien Pool Claim Severity	44.00%
Impact To Loss Reserves Based On One Percentage Change In Pool Claim Severity	6,000,000
Impact To Loss Reserves Based On One Percentage Change in Default To Claim Rate	67,000,000
Amount By Which Our Provision For Losses Increased As A Result Of The Actual Reinstatement Of Policies And Resubmission Of Claims That Had Been Rescinded Or Denied As Of The Prior Year End	$ 114,500,000		$ 43,700,000
Default To Claim Rate Assumptions Two Missed Payments [Member]
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Number Of Payments Missed For Insured Loans	2
Default To Claim Rate Assumptions Three Missed Payments [Member]
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Number Of Payments Missed For Insured Loans	3
Default To Claim Rate Assumptions Twelve Or More Missed Payments [Member]
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Number Of Payments Missed For Insured Loans	12
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Net Of Denials And Rescissions	43.00%		40.00%
Default To Claim Rate Estimate Net Of Rescission And Denial Estimates For Insured Loans That Missed Two To Three Monthly Payments	19.00%
Default To Claim Estimate Net Of Rescission And Denial Estimates For Loans That Missed Twelve Or More Monthly Payments	52.00%

[1] Related to ceded losses on captive reinsurance transactions and Smart Home. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements" for additional information regarding our Smart Home transactions.

[2] Related to underlying defaulted loans with a most recent date of default notice in the year indicated. For example, if a loan had defaulted in a prior year, but then subsequently cured and later re-defaulted in the current year, that default would be considered a current year default.