Note 6 - Investments Total Debt and Equity Securities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Held-to-maturity securities, amortized cost	$ 50		$ 358
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	50		351
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	448,155		120,385
Equity securities available for sale
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	78,106		78,106
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	144,593		135,168
Total debt and equity securities
Amortized Cost	526,311		198,849
Fair Value	595,313		256,072
Gross Unrealized Gains	71,762		58,340
Gross Unrealized Losses	2,760		1,117
Debt Securities
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Held-to-maturity securities, amortized cost	50		358
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	50		351
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		7
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	448,155		120,385
Fair value	450,670		120,553
Gross unrealized gains	5,275		1,278
Gross unrealized losses	2,760		1,110
State and municipal obligations
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Held-to-maturity securities, amortized cost	50		358
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	50		351
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		7
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	26,788		26,489
Fair value	27,932		25,946
Gross unrealized gains	1,175		26
Gross unrealized losses	31		569
US government and agency securities
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	43,178		8,939
Fair value	43,314		9,106
Gross unrealized gains	171		224
Gross unrealized losses	35		57
Corporate bonds and notes
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	124,536		11,951
Fair value	125,898		12,045
Gross unrealized gains	2,194		578
Gross unrealized losses	832		484
RMBS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	76,139		72,665
Fair value	77,431		73,115
Gross unrealized gains	1,292		450
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
CMBS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	31,617
Fair value	31,546
Gross unrealized gains	66
Gross unrealized losses	137
Other ABS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	126,392
Fair value	124,721
Gross unrealized gains	13
Gross unrealized losses	1,684
Foreign government securities
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	19,303
Fair value	19,626
Gross unrealized gains	364
Gross unrealized losses	41
Other investments
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	202		341
Fair value	202		341
Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Private Equity Funds, Domestic [Member]
Equity securities available for sale
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	137,000		128,300
Preferred and Common Stock [Member]
Equity securities available for sale
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	7,600		6,900
Equity securities
Equity securities available for sale
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	78,106	[1]	78,106	[2]
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	144,593	[1]	135,168	[2]
Gross unrealized gains	66,487	[1]	57,062	[2]
Gross unrealized losses	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[2]

[1] Comprising broadly diversified domestic equity mutual funds ($137.0 million fair value) and various preferred and common stocks invested across numerous companies and industries ($7.6 million fair value).

[2] Comprising broadly diversified domestic equity mutual funds ($128.3 million fair value) and various preferred and common stocks invested across numerous companies and industries ($6.9 million fair value).