Note 2 - Segment Reporting Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	$ 250,842	$ 209,277	$ 709,256	$ 468,887
Net premiums earned-insurance	211,984	190,963	617,696	545,107
Net investment income	26,732	25,635	81,220	91,225
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	(7,132)	84,659	(142,891)	178,537
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	10,778	(41,056)	(70,357)	(146,937)
Net gains (losses) on other financial instruments	902	(740)	(3,585)	(80,454)
Gain on sale of affiliate	0	0	0	7,708
Other income	1,314	1,328	5,319	4,163
Total revenues	244,578	260,789	487,402	599,349
Provision for losses	157,174	176,352	429,524	653,374
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	(2,325)	966	(1,703)	1,505
Policy acquisition costs	7,958	12,927	35,159	51,778
Other operating expenses	70,974	50,429	212,055	140,776
Interest expense	19,570	12,520	54,871	39,249
Total expenses	253,351	253,194	729,906	886,682
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	0	0	1	(13)
Pretax income (loss)	(8,773)	7,595	(242,503)	(287,346)
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	68,461		68,461		88,202
Total assets	5,758,573		5,758,573		5,903,200
Unearned premiums	751,587		751,587		648,682
VIE debt—at fair value	104,218		104,218		108,858
Derivative liabilities	344,870		344,870		266,873
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	250,799	209,890	719,244	589,261
Net premiums earned-insurance	200,120	178,685	581,064	522,899
Net investment income	14,868	14,758	45,236	50,377
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	(4,380)	43,379	(91,003)	102,219
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	0	(1)	0	(32)
Net gains (losses) on other financial instruments	(168)	(1,960)	(1,971)	(2,627)
Other income	1,250	1,280	5,121	3,928
Total revenues	211,690	236,141	538,447	676,764
Provision for losses	152,012	171,805	420,378	614,612
Change in reserve for premium deficiency	(2,325)	966	(1,703)	1,505
Policy acquisition costs	5,839	10,126	24,072	26,662
Other operating expenses	59,590	40,250	176,665	107,787
Interest expense	4,447	1,910	10,820	5,355
Total expenses	219,563	225,057	630,232	755,921
Pretax income (loss)	(7,873)	11,084	(91,785)	(79,157)
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Cash and investments	2,790,050	3,192,341	2,790,050	3,192,341
Deferred policy acquisition costs	29,158	39,148	29,158	39,148
Total assets	3,238,224	3,651,849	3,238,224	3,651,849
Unearned premiums	535,420	333,144	535,420	333,144
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Property Casualty Liability	2,314,785	3,046,706	2,314,785	3,046,706	3,083,608
Derivative liabilities	0	0	0	0
New Insurance Written (“NIW”) (in millions)	13,720	10,598	38,003	25,398
Financial Guaranty Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written-insurance	43	(613)	(9,988)	(120,374)
Net premiums earned-insurance	11,864	12,278	36,632	22,208
Net investment income	11,864	10,877	35,984	40,848
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	(2,752)	41,280	(51,888)	76,318
Change in fair value of derivative instruments	10,778	(41,055)	(70,357)	(146,905)
Net gains (losses) on other financial instruments	1,070	1,220	(1,614)	(77,827)
Gain on sale of affiliate	0	0	0	7,708
Other income	64	48	198	235
Total revenues	32,888	24,648	(51,045)	(77,415)
Provision for losses	5,162	4,547	9,146	38,762
Policy acquisition costs	2,119	2,801	11,087	25,116
Other operating expenses	11,384	10,179	35,390	32,989
Interest expense	15,123	10,610	44,051	33,894
Total expenses	33,788	28,137	99,674	130,761
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	0	0	1	(13)
Pretax income (loss)	(900)	(3,489)	(150,718)	(208,189)
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
Cash and investments	2,293,586	2,099,454	2,293,586	2,099,454
Deferred policy acquisition costs	39,303	52,123	39,303	52,123
Total assets	2,520,349	2,389,508	2,520,349	2,389,508
Unearned premiums	216,167	281,311	216,167	281,311
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts	32,094	72,891	32,094	72,891	66,328
Derivative liabilities	344,870	267,323	344,870	267,323
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
VIE debt—at fair value	11,109	9,448	11,109	9,448
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Financial Guaranty Segment
Segment Reporting Information, Additional Information [Abstract]
VIE debt—at fair value	$ 93,109	$ 100,203	$ 93,109	$ 100,203