Note 10 - Financial Guaranty Insurance Contracts Adjustments To Premiums Earned For Financial Guaranty Contracts (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Adjustments To Premiums Earned For Financial Guaranty Contracts [Line Items]
Refundings	$ 10.5	$ 9.3	$ 18.7	$ 14.1
Recaptures/commutations	0	2.8	(16.3)	2.8
Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts, Accelerated Premium Revenue, Amount		1.3		1.3
Reinsurance agreements	0	0	(6.0)	0
Foreign exchange revaluation, gross of commissions	(1.0)	0.7	(0.8)	2.0
Adjustments to installment premiums, gross of commissions	0	0.1	0.1	0.3
Total Adjustment To Premiums Earned For Financial Guaranty Contracts	$ 9.5	$ 14.2	$ (4.3)	$ 20.5