Note 9 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Reserves by Product (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	$ 24,752				$ 46,846
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	1,749,435				2,185,421		2,716,490
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	22,458	[1]	25,751	[1]	38,363	[1]	58,427	[1]	72,101	[1]	83,238	[1]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	1,714,681		1,893,960		2,164,353		2,690,861		2,894,500		3,083,608
Mortgage Insurance Segment | First Lien Mortgage Insurance Products [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	1,712,705				2,159,058
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Pool Insurance Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims	104,424				169,682
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims	4,621				8,938
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense	4,180				5,439
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	113,225				184,059
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Second Lien Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	1,976	[2]			5,295	[2]
Primary Mortgage Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims	326,821				347,698
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense	50,071				51,245
Reinsurance recoverables	22,458	[3]			38,363	[3]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	1,599,480				1,974,999
Primary Mortgage Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment | Prime Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims	701,718				937,307
Primary Mortgage Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment | Alt A Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims	323,490				384,841
Primary Mortgage Product [Member] | 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	$ 174,922				$ 215,545

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

[2] Does not include our second-lien premium deficiency reserve that is included in other liabilities.

[3] Primarily represents ceded losses on captive transactions and the Reinsurance Transactions.