Note 9 - Financial Guaranty Insurance Contracts Adjustments To Premiums Earned For Financial Guaranty Contracts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Adjustments To Premiums Earned For Financial Guaranty Contracts [Line Items]
Refundings	$ 2,117	$ 4,753
Recaptures/commutations	0	(2,447)
Adjustments to installment premiums, gross of commissions	139	2,692
Unearned premium acceleration upon establishment of case reserves	0	65
Adjustment To Premiums Earned Foreign Exchange Revaluation Gross of Commission	314	(768)
Total Adjustment To Premiums Earned For Financial Guaranty Contracts	$ 2,570	$ 4,295