Note 9 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Reserves by Product (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	$ 46,846		$ 89,204
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	10.00%		10.00%
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Gross	2,164,353		3,083,608		3,247,900		3,524,971
Reinsurance recoverables	38,363	[1]	83,238	[1]	151,569	[1]	223,254	[1]
Mortgage Insurance Segment | First Lien Mortgage Insurance Products [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Gross	2,159,058		3,072,861
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Total Primary Insurance Mortgage Insurance Products [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Gross	1,974,999		2,749,458
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Prime Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims	937,307		1,508,140
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Alt A Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims	384,841		490,728
Mortgage Insurance Segment | A Minus and Below Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims	215,545		314,068
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Primary Mortgage Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims	347,698		289,032
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense	51,245		64,252
Reinsurance recoverables	38,363	[2]	83,238	[2]
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Pool Insurance Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims	169,682		281,937
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Gross	184,059		323,403
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims	8,938		34,000
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense	5,439		7,466
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Second Lien Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Gross	$ 5,295	[3]	$ 10,747	[3]

[1] Related to ceded losses on captive reinsurance transactions, Smart Home and Reinsurance Transactions. See Note 8 for additional information.

[2] Primarily represents ceded losses on captive transactions and Smart Home (for 2012).

[3] Does not include second-lien premium deficiency reserve.