Note 2 - Segment Reporting Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	$ 207,185	$ 77,678
Net premiums earned-insurance	192,588	167,365
Net investment income	26,873	34,713
Net (losses) gains on investments	(5,505)	67,459
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	(167,670)	(72,757)
Net losses on other financial instruments	(5,675)	(17,852)
Other income	1,771	1,440
Total revenues	42,382	180,368
Provision for losses	132,059	266,154
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	(629)	(20)
Policy acquisition costs	17,195	28,046
Other operating expenses	80,100	50,154
Interest expense	15,881	14,148
Total expenses	244,606	358,482
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	1	(11)
Pretax loss	(202,223)	(178,125)
Income tax benefit	(14,723)	(8,893)
Net loss	(187,500)	(169,232)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	74,601		88,202
Total assets	6,370,949		5,903,200
Unearned premiums	673,849		648,682
Reserve for losses and LAE	2,919,073		3,149,936
VIE debt—at fair value	107,401		108,858
Derivative liabilities	430,898		266,873
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	217,286	196,853
Net premiums earned-insurance	182,992	173,451
Net investment income	15,102	18,011
Net (losses) gains on investments	(3,237)	32,178
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	0	21
Net losses on other financial instruments	(1,877)	(709)
Other income	1,712	1,344
Total revenues	194,692	224,296
Provision for losses	131,956	234,729
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	(629)	(20)
Policy acquisition costs	11,732	8,646
Other operating expenses	65,780	36,265
Interest expense	2,669	1,722
Total expenses	211,508	281,342
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	0	0
Pretax loss	(16,816)	(57,046)
Cash and investments	3,186,871	3,259,204
Deferred policy acquisition costs	29,920	49,786
Total assets	3,663,552	3,476,732
Unearned premiums	428,574	256,809
Reserve for losses and LAE	2,894,500	3,230,938	3,083,608
VIE debt—at fair value	11,062	8,625
Derivative liabilities	0	0
New Insurance Written (“NIW”) (in millions)	10,906	6,465
Financial Guaranty Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	(10,101)	(119,175)
Net premiums earned-insurance	9,596	(6,086)
Net investment income	11,771	16,702
Net (losses) gains on investments	(2,268)	35,281
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	(167,670)	(72,778)
Net losses on other financial instruments	(3,798)	(17,143)
Other income	59	96
Total revenues	(152,310)	(43,928)
Provision for losses	103	31,425
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	0	0
Policy acquisition costs	5,463	19,400
Other operating expenses	14,320	13,889
Interest expense	13,212	12,426
Total expenses	33,098	77,140
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates	1	(11)
Pretax loss	(185,407)	(121,079)
Cash and investments	2,486,017	2,392,620
Deferred policy acquisition costs	44,681	58,155
Total assets	2,707,397	2,971,789
Unearned premiums	245,275	315,756
Reserve for losses and LAE	24,573	85,426	66,328
VIE debt—at fair value	96,339	246,609
Derivative liabilities	$ 430,898	$ 202,100