Note 3 - Derivative Instruments Derivative Contract (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014 contract		Dec. 31, 2013
Corporate collateralized debt obligations (CDO's)[Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	17
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 6,957,838
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(2,457)
Non Corporate CDOs and other derivative transactions[Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	41
Derivative, Notional Amount	4,117,605
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(193,301)
Trust Preferred Securities (TruPs) [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	13
Derivative, Notional Amount	956,989
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(30,202)
CDOs of commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS)[Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	3
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,381,000
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(56,312)
Structured finance [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	4
Derivative, Notional Amount	500,950
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(75,691)
Public finance [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	21
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,278,666
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(31,096)
Total Assumed [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	30
Derivative, Notional Amount	246,365
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(8,552)
Assumed structured finance [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	26
Derivative, Notional Amount	156,168
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(8,151)
Assumed public finance [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	4
Derivative, Notional Amount	90,197
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(401)
Financial Guaranty VIE derivative liabilities [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	1	[1]
Derivative, Notional Amount	78,575	[1]
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	(47,769)	[1]
Other Credit Derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	1	[2]
Derivative, Notional Amount	0	[2]
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	8,828	[2]
Radian Group Consolidated [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of Credit Risk Derivatives Held	90
Derivative, Notional Amount	11,400,383		12,300,000
Derivative assets (liabilities), at fair value, net	$ (243,251)		$ (290,543)

[1] Represents the fair value of a CDS included in a VIE that we have consolidated.

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