Note 4 - Derivative Instruments Derivative Contract (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013 contract		Dec. 31, 2012
NIMS related and other [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	1	[1]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 0	[1]
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	10,319	[1]
Corporate collateralized debt obligations (CDO's)[Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	18
Derivative, Notional Amount	7,337,838
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(1,361)
Non Corporate CDOS and other derivative transactions[Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	42
Derivative, Notional Amount	4,597,715
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(221,777)
Trust Preferred Securities (TruPs) [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	13
Derivative, Notional Amount	972,569
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(43,881)
CDOS of commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS)[Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	4
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,831,000
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(67,777)
Structured finance [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	4
Derivative, Notional Amount	518,031
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(80,326)
Public finance [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	21
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,276,115
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(29,793)
Total Assumed [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	31
Derivative, Notional Amount	255,733
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(9,267)
Assumed structured finance [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	26
Derivative, Notional Amount	159,693
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(8,812)
Assumed public finance [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	5
Derivative, Notional Amount	96,040
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(455)
Financial Guaranty VIE derivative liabilities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	1	[2]
Derivative, Notional Amount	78,135	[2]
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(68,457)	[2]
Radian Group Consolidated [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	93
Derivative, Notional Amount	12,269,421		19,200,000
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	$ (290,543)		$ (253,264)

[1] Represents derivative assets related to other purchased derivatives for which we do not have loss exposure that exceeds our net asset amount.

[2] Represents the fair value of a CDS included in a VIE that we have consolidated. See Note 6 for more information on this transaction, the underlying reference securities and our maximum exposure to loss from this consolidated financial guaranty transaction. The assets in the VIE represent the only funds available to pay the CDS Counterparty for amounts due under the contract; therefore, the notional exposure presented for the CDS is limited to the current trust assets.