Note 8 - Losses and LAE Rescissions And Denials (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended				39 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 Claims Denied in the Last Twelve Months [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Policies Rescinded in the Last Twenty Four Months [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Mortgage Insurance Segment Denials [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Mortgage Insurance Segment First Lien Claims [Member]		Mar. 31, 2012 Mortgage Insurance Segment First Lien Claims [Member]		Mar. 31, 2013 Mortgage Insurance Segment Rescissions [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Mortgage Insurance Segment Rescissions [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Minimum [Member] Mortgage Insurance Segment Claims Denied in the Last Twelve Months [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Minimum [Member] Mortgage Insurance Segment Policies Rescinded in the Last Twenty Four Months [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Maximum [Member] Mortgage Insurance Segment Claims Denied in the Last Twelve Months [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Maximum [Member] Mortgage Insurance Segment Policies Rescinded in the Last Twenty Four Months [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Pool Insurance Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Non Pool Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Rescissions And Denials [Line Items]
Change In IBNR Related To Reinstatements			$ 166.3					$ 92.5
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Claim rescissions				15.3		33.3
Claim denials				27.2		212.4
Total first loss position				42.5	[1]	245.7	[1]
Gross Reinstatement Percentage Assumption for Denied Claims										0.00%		60.00%
Gross Reinstatement Percentage Assumption on Rescinded Policies											0.00%		20.00%
Number of Months That the Gross Reinstatement Rate Used in Estimating Claim Liability Declines	12 months	24 months
Number of Years That Mortgage Insurance That Has Been Rebutted But Not Overturned														3 years	2 years
Non Overturned Rebuttals On Rescinded Total First Lien Claims								842.5
Accrued Liability For Premiums Expected To Be Refunded From Rescissions								$ 47.5	$ 48.0

[1] Includes an amount related to a small number of submitted claims that were subsequently withdrawn by the insured.