Note 2 - Segment Reporting Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	$ 181,932	$ 152,778	$ 259,610	$ 335,527
Net premiums earned-insurance	186,779	188,934	354,144	391,957
Net investment income	30,877	43,823	65,590	86,063
Net gains (losses) on investments	26,419	44,236	93,878	81,671
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	0	(11)	0	(11)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	(33,124)	188,726	(105,881)	432,618
Net (losses) gains on other financial instruments	(61,862)	5,047	(79,714)	80,298
Gain on sale of affiliate	7,708	0	7,708	0
Other income	1,395	1,196	2,835	2,644
Total revenues	158,192	471,951	338,560	1,075,240
Provision for losses	210,868	263,566	477,022	690,939
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	559	(3,102)	539	(4,485)
Policy acquisition costs	10,805	14,387	38,851	28,518
Other operating expenses	40,193	45,954	90,347	92,173
Interest expense	12,581	16,079	26,729	33,103
Total expenses	275,006	336,884	633,488	840,248
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(2)	0	(13)	65
Pretax (loss) income	(116,816)	135,067	(294,941)	235,057
Income tax (benefit) provision	2,443	(2,048)	(6,450)	(5,064)
Net (loss) income	(119,259)	137,115	(288,491)	240,121
Deferred policy acquisition costs	99,386		99,386		139,906
Total assets	6,031,530		6,031,530		6,656,765
Unearned premiums	588,431		588,431		637,372
Reserve for losses and LAE	3,250,280		3,250,280		3,310,902
VIE debt	107,833		107,833		228,240
Derivative liabilities	219,960		219,960		126,006
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	182,518	164,194	379,371	345,040
Net premiums earned-insurance	170,763	164,325	344,214	350,459
Net investment income	17,608	24,853	35,619	51,686
Net gains (losses) on investments	26,662	27,425	58,840	45,187
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	0	(11)	0	(11)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	(52)	258	(31)	(136)
Net (losses) gains on other financial instruments	42	(631)	(667)	1,835
Gain on sale of affiliate	0	0	0	0
Other income	1,304	1,124	2,648	2,524
Total revenues	216,327	217,343	440,623	451,544
Provision for losses	208,078	269,992	442,807	683,965
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	559	(3,102)	539	(4,485)
Policy acquisition costs	7,890	8,601	16,536	18,817
Other operating expenses	31,272	33,913	67,537	68,050
Interest expense	1,723	146	3,445	9,935
Total expenses	249,522	309,550	530,864	776,282
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Pretax (loss) income	(33,195)	(92,207)	(90,241)	(324,738)
Income tax (benefit) provision	(10,209)	5,374	(22,008)	8,875
Net (loss) income	(22,986)	(97,581)	(68,233)	(333,613)
Cash and investments	3,176,027	3,334,789	3,176,027	3,334,789
Deferred policy acquisition costs	44,240	44,509	44,240	44,509
Total assets	3,388,524	3,688,720	3,388,524	3,688,720
Unearned premiums	290,880	191,737	290,880	191,737
Reserve for losses and LAE	3,155,343	3,268,582	3,155,343	3,268,582
VIE debt	7,500	56,239	7,500	56,239
Derivative liabilities	0	0	0	0
New Insurance Written	8,335	2,280	14,800	4,866
Financial Guaranty Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	(586)	(11,416)	(119,761)	(9,513)
Net premiums earned-insurance	16,016	24,609	9,930	41,498
Net investment income	13,269	18,970	29,971	34,377
Net gains (losses) on investments	(243)	16,811	35,038	36,484
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	0	0	0	0
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	(33,072)	188,468	(105,850)	432,754
Net (losses) gains on other financial instruments	(61,904)	5,678	(79,047)	78,463
Gain on sale of affiliate	7,708	0	7,708	0
Other income	91	72	187	120
Total revenues	(58,135)	254,608	(102,063)	623,696
Provision for losses	2,790	(6,426)	34,215	6,974
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	0	0	0	0
Policy acquisition costs	2,915	5,786	22,315	9,701
Other operating expenses	8,921	12,041	22,810	24,123
Interest expense	10,858	15,933	23,284	23,168
Total expenses	25,484	27,334	102,624	63,966
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(2)	0	(13)	65
Pretax (loss) income	(83,621)	227,274	(204,700)	559,795
Income tax (benefit) provision	12,652	(7,422)	15,558	(13,939)
Net (loss) income	(96,273)	234,696	(220,258)	573,734
Cash and investments	2,137,956	2,703,740	2,137,956	2,703,740
Deferred policy acquisition costs	55,146	94,417	55,146	94,417
Total assets	2,643,006	3,240,076	2,643,006	3,240,076
Unearned premiums	297,551	438,076	297,551	438,076
Reserve for losses and LAE	94,937	75,042	94,937	75,042
VIE debt	100,333	337,501	100,333	337,501
Derivative liabilities	$ 219,960	$ 313,708	$ 219,960	$ 313,708