Note 2 - Segment Reporting Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	$ 251,229	$ 181,932	$ 458,414	$ 259,610
Net premiums earned-insurance	213,124	186,779	405,712	354,144
Net investment income	27,615	30,877	54,488	65,590
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	(130,254)	26,419	(135,759)	93,878
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	86,535	(33,124)	(81,135)	(105,881)
Net gains (losses) on other financial instruments	1,188	(61,862)	(4,487)	(79,714)
Gain on sale of affiliate	0	7,708	0	7,708
Other income	2,234	1,395	4,005	2,835
Total revenues	200,442	158,192	242,824	338,560
Provision for losses	140,291	210,868	272,350	477,022
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	1,251	559	622	539
Policy acquisition costs	10,006	10,805	27,201	38,851
Other operating expenses	60,981	40,193	141,081	90,347
Interest expense	19,420	12,581	35,301	26,729
Total expenses	231,949	275,006	476,555	633,488
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	0	(2)	1	(13)
Pretax income (loss)	(31,507)	(116,816)	(233,730)	(294,941)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	70,427		70,427		88,202
Total assets	6,054,000		6,054,000		5,903,200
Unearned premiums	712,706		712,706		648,682
VIE debt—at fair value	106,767		106,767		108,858
Derivative liabilities	350,576		350,576		266,873
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	251,159	182,518	468,445	379,371
Net premiums earned-insurance	197,952	170,763	380,944	344,214
Net investment income	15,266	17,608	30,368	35,619
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	(83,386)	26,662	(86,623)	58,840
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	0	(52)	0	(31)
Net gains (losses) on other financial instruments	74	42	(1,803)	(667)
Other income	2,159	1,304	3,871	2,648
Total revenues	132,065	216,327	326,757	440,623
Provision for losses	136,410	208,078	268,366	442,807
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	1,251	559	622	539
Policy acquisition costs	6,501	7,890	18,233	16,536
Other operating expenses	51,295	31,272	117,075	67,537
Interest expense	3,704	1,723	6,373	3,445
Total expenses	199,161	249,522	410,669	530,864
Pretax income (loss)	(67,096)	(33,195)	(83,912)	(90,241)
Cash and investments	2,962,997	3,176,027	2,962,997	3,176,027
Deferred policy acquisition costs	29,138	44,240	29,138	44,240
Total assets	3,431,444	3,388,524	3,431,444	3,388,524
Unearned premiums	483,303	290,880	483,303	290,880
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Property Casualty Liability	2,690,861	3,155,343	2,690,861	3,155,343	3,083,608
VIE debt—at fair value	10,963	7,500	10,963	7,500
Derivative liabilities	0	0	0	0
New Insurance Written (“NIW”) (in millions)	13,377	8,335	24,283	14,800
Financial Guaranty Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	70	(586)	(10,031)	(119,761)
Net premiums earned-insurance	15,172	16,016	24,768	9,930
Net investment income	12,349	13,269	24,120	29,971
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	(46,868)	(243)	(49,136)	35,038
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	86,535	(33,072)	(81,135)	(105,850)
Net gains (losses) on other financial instruments	1,114	(61,904)	(2,684)	(79,047)
Gain on sale of affiliate	0	7,708	0	7,708
Other income	75	91	134	187
Total revenues	68,377	(58,135)	(83,933)	(102,063)
Provision for losses	3,881	2,790	3,984	34,215
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	0	0	0	0
Policy acquisition costs	3,505	2,915	8,968	22,315
Other operating expenses	9,686	8,921	24,006	22,810
Interest expense	15,716	10,858	28,928	23,284
Total expenses	32,788	25,484	65,886	102,624
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	0	(2)	1	(13)
Pretax income (loss)	35,589	(83,621)	(149,818)	(204,700)
Cash and investments	2,403,636	2,137,956	2,403,636	2,137,956
Deferred policy acquisition costs	41,289	55,146	41,289	55,146
Total assets	2,622,556	2,643,006	2,622,556	2,643,006
Unearned premiums	229,403	297,551	229,403	297,551
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts	25,629	94,937	25,629	94,937	66,328
VIE debt—at fair value	95,804	100,333	95,804	100,333
Derivative liabilities	$ 350,576	$ 219,960	$ 350,576	$ 219,960