Note 4 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments Other Fair Value Disclosure (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total held to maturity amortized cost	$ 428,000		$ 679,000
Fixed-maturities held to maturity	421,000		676,000
Other Investments	129,394,000		126,750,000
Long-term debt	921,927,000		663,571,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total held to maturity amortized cost	400,000		700,000
Other Investments	49,600,000
Other invested assets fair value disclosure	49,600,000		48,700,000
Long-term debt	921,900,000	[1]	663,600,000	[1]
Non Derivative Financial Guaranty liabilities	165,800,000		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	[2]	700,000	[2]
Other invested assets fair value disclosure	54,200,000	[2]	57,400,000	[2]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,496,500,000	[1],[2]	704,800,000	[1],[2]
Non Derivative Financial Guaranty Liabilities, Estimated Fair Value	$ 234,600,000	[3]	$ 308,100,000	[3]

[1] The carrying amount of long-term debt is net of the equity component of our convertible notes, which is accounted for under the accounting standard for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement). The fair value is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues. See Note 10 for further information.

[2] These estimated fair values would be classified in Level II of the fair value hierarchy.

[3] These estimated fair values would be classified in Level III of the fair value hierarchy.