Note 1 - Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Basis of Presentation Mortgage Insurance Segment (Details) (Mortgage Insurance Segment, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Mortgage Insurance Data [Line Items]
Private Mortage Insurance Protects Lenders For Loans Made With This Maximum Downpayment Percentage	20.00%
Percentage Of Primary Insurance On Domestic First-Lien Mortgages To Total First Lien Insurance Risk In Force	93.80%
Total Risk In Force	$ 33,900.0
Percentage Of Pool Insurance On Domestic First-Lien Mortgages To Total First Lien Insurance Risk In Force	5.70%
NonTraditional Risk In Force	$ 179
Percentage Of Non-Traditional RIF To Total RIF	0.50%