Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments Other Fair Value Disclosure (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed-maturities held to maturity	$ 676,000		$ 2,748,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed-maturities held to maturity	700,000		2,600,000
Other invested assets fair value disclosure	48,700,000		61,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	663,600,000		818,600,000
Non Derivative Financial Guaranty liabilities	232,900,000		342,300,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed-maturities held to maturity	700,000	[1]	2,700,000	[1]
Other invested assets fair value disclosure	57,400,000	[1]	62,800,000	[1]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	704,800,000	[1]	471,300,000	[1]
Non Derivative Financial Guaranty liabilities	$ 308,100,000	[2]	$ 425,700,000	[2]

[1] These estimated fair values would be classified in Level II of the fair value hierarchy.

[2] These estimated fair values would be classified in Level III of the fair value hierarchy.