Note 9 - Reserve for Premium Deficiency First Lien Portfolio (Details) (Mortgage Insurance Segment)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
First Lien Portfolio for PDR Disclosure [Member]
First Lien Portfolio Premium Excess [Line Items]
First Lien PDR Discount Rate (Pre-Tax Investment Yield)	2.34%	2.62%
Total First Lien Loans [Member]
First Lien Expected Losses Assumptions [Abstract]
Expected Paid Claim Rate In Our First Lien PDR	13.30%
Paid Claim Rate Percentage Which Would Require Us To Establish A First-Lien PDR	15.10%
Performing Loans [Member]
First Lien Expected Losses Assumptions [Abstract]
Expected Paid Claim Rate In Our First Lien PDR	8.00%
Nonperforming Loans [Member]
First Lien Expected Losses Assumptions [Abstract]
Expected Paid Claim Rate In Our First Lien PDR	46.00%