Note 10 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Loss Reserves Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Less reinsurance recoverables	$ 157,985,000
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Add reinsurance recoverables	89,204,000		157,985,000
Increase (Decrease) in Reinsurance Recoverable	66,385,000		86,047,000		58,266,000
Default To Claim Rate Assumptions Two Missed Payments [Member]
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Number Of Payments Missed For Insured Loans	2
Default To Claim Rate Assumptions Three Missed Payments [Member]
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Number Of Payments Missed For Insured Loans	3
Default To Claim Rate Assumptions Twelve Or More Missed Payments [Member]
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Number Of Payments Missed For Insured Loans	12
Smart Home [Member]
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Increase (Decrease) in Reinsurance Recoverable	(46,800,000)
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1	3,247,900,000		3,524,971,000		3,450,538,000
Less reinsurance recoverables	151,569,000	[1]	223,254,000	[1]	621,644,000	[1]
Balance at beginning of period, net of reinsurance recoverables	3,096,331,000		3,301,717,000		2,828,894,000
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Current year	899,511,000	[2]	1,127,079,000	[2]	1,173,035,000	[2]
Prior years	21,996,000		166,778,000		557,766,000
Total incurred losses and LAE	921,507,000		1,293,857,000		1,730,801,000
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Current year	12,503,000	[2]	39,642,000	[2]	54,410,000	[2]
Prior years	1,004,965,000		1,459,601,000		1,203,568,000
Total paid	1,017,468,000		1,499,243,000		1,257,978,000
Balance at end of period, net of reinsurance recoverables	3,000,370,000		3,096,331,000		3,301,717,000
Add reinsurance recoverables	83,238,000	[1]	151,569,000	[1]	223,254,000	[1]
Balance at December 31	3,083,608,000		3,247,900,000		3,524,971,000
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Net Of Denials And Rescissions	47.00%		43.00%		40.00%
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Excluding Pending Claims Net Of Denials And Rescissions	39.00%
Default To Claim Rate Estimate Net Of Rescission And Denial Estimates For Insured Loans That Missed Two To Three Monthly Payments	20.00%
Default To Claim Estimate Net Of Rescission And Denial Estimates For Loans That Missed Twelve Or More Monthly Payments	46.00%
Impact To Our Loss Reserves Due To Estimated Rescissions And Denials [Abstract]
Decrease To Our Loss Reserves Due To Estimated Rescissions And Denials	455,000,000		631,000,000
Increase To Our Loss Reserves Due To Estimated Future Reinstatements Of Previously Rescinded Policies And Denied Claims	303,000,000		129,000,000
IBNR Reserve Estimate [Abstract]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims, Amount	323,000,000		170,600,000
Impact To Loss Reserves Based On One Percentage Change in Default To Claim Rate	$ 55,000,000

[1] Related to ceded losses on captive reinsurance transactions, Smart Home and quota share reinsurance transactions. See Note 9 for additional information.

[2] Related to underlying defaulted loans with a most recent default notice dated in the year indicated. For example, if a loan had defaulted in a prior year, but then subsequently cured and later re-defaulted in the current year, that default would be considered a current year default.