Note 11 - Reserve for Premium Deficiency First Lien Portfolio (Details) (Mortgage Insurance Segment)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Total First Lien Loans [Member]
First Lien Expected Losses Assumptions [Abstract]
First Lien PDR Discount Rate (Pre-Tax Investment Yield)	2.62%	2.44%
Expected Paid Claim Rate In Our First Lien PDR	14.20%
Paid Claim Rate Percentage Which Would Require Us To Establish A First-Lien PDR	15.80%
Performing Loans [Member]
First Lien Expected Losses Assumptions [Abstract]
Expected Paid Claim Rate In Our First Lien PDR	8.90%
Nonperforming Loans [Member]
First Lien Expected Losses Assumptions [Abstract]
Expected Paid Claim Rate In Our First Lien PDR	43.10%