Note 14 - Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrued expenses	$ 41,011	$ 39,295
Unearned premiums	14,327	21,926
Premium deficiency reserves	1,275	3,758
Net operating loss (NOL)	666,407	738,032
Differences in fair value of derivative and other financial instruments	0	347,772
Net unrealized losses on investments	0	15,016
Rescission premium	20,015	15,227
State net operating loss carryforward	31,825	24,499
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Foreign	26,884	26,661
Depreciation	5,037	2,227
Deferred Tax Assets, Equity Method Investments	64,544	0
Other	57,127	53,811
Total deferred tax assets	928,452	1,288,224
Deferred policy acquisition cost	48,969	51,916
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Equity Method Investments	0	277,422
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Convertible Debt	32,091	35,164
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Differences in FV of Derivative and Other Financial Instruments	3,591	0
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Unrealized Gains on Trading Securities	4,191	0
Loss reserves	9,744	9,592
Foreign currency	22	11,375
Other	16,169	23,367
Total deferred tax liabilities	114,777	408,836
Valuation allowance	797,700	851,857
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$ 15,975	$ 27,531