Note 4 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments Other Fair Value Disclosure (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed-maturities held to maturity	$ 421,000		$ 676,000
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	400,000		700,000
Other invested assets fair value disclosure	50,200,000		48,700,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	906,100,000		663,600,000
Non Derivative Financial Guaranty liabilities	177,000,000		232,900,000
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	400,000	[1]	700,000	[1]
Other invested assets fair value disclosure	56,900,000	[1]	57,400,000	[1]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,290,300,000	[1]	704,800,000	[1]
Non Derivative Financial Guaranty liabilities	$ 251,900,000	[2]	$ 308,100,000	[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.