Note 10 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Reserves by Product (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 3,247,900		$ 3,524,971
First Lien Mortgage Insurance Products [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	3,236,793		3,498,657
Total Primary Reserves Mortgage Insurance Products [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	2,883,210		2,932,092
Prime Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	1,748,412		1,607,741
Alt A Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	612,423		687,960
A Minus and Below Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	370,806		413,137
Reinsurance Recoverables Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	151,569	[1]	223,254	[1]
Pool Insurance Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	353,583		566,565
Second Lien Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	11,070	[2]	26,161	[2]
Other Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	$ 37		$ 153
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Primary Risk In Force [Member] | Concentration of Risk, Geographical, California, Florida and Texas [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	19.50%

[1] Represents ceded losses on captive transactions and Smart Home.

[2] Does not include second-lien premium deficiency reserve.