Note 19 - Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2013		Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Net premiums earned—insurance	$ 224,293		$ 217,827		$ 203,646		$ 198,762		$ 200,356		$ 200,120		$ 197,952		$ 182,992		$ 844,528		$ 781,420		$ 702,385
Services revenue	34,450		42,243		0		0										76,693		0		0
Net investment income	16,531		17,143		16,663		15,318		17,722		16,351		17,087		16,961		65,655		68,121		72,679
Net (losses) gains on other financial instruments	(675)		14		(2,901)		(318)		(2,208)		(193)		60		(5,239)		(3,880)		(7,580)		7,802
Provision for losses	82,867		48,942		64,648		49,626		144,072		149,687		137,661		131,327		246,083		562,747		921,548
Policy Acquisition Amortization Expense And Other Operating Expenses	92,243		55,465		67,497		61,524		68,473		70,324		62,487		84,603		276,729		285,887
Direct cost of services	19,709		23,896		0		0										43,605		0		0
Increase (Decrease) in Goodwill and Intangible Assets	5,354		3,294		0		0										8,648		0		0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	878,026	[1]	132,031	[1]	103,537	[1]	145,980	[1]	(16,047)		(28,011)		(77,579)		(20,214)		1,259,574	[1]	(141,851)		(224,105)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(449,691)	[2]	21,559	[2]	71,296	[2]	56,779	[2]	52,416		15,329		44,407		(167,286)		(300,057)	[2]	(55,134)		(227,363)
Net income (loss)	428,335		153,590		174,833		202,759		36,369		(12,682)		(33,172)		(187,500)		959,517		(196,985)		(451,468)
Net (loss) income per share—diluted	$ 1.78	[3],[4]	$ 0.67	[3],[4]	$ 0.78	[3],[4]	$ 0.94	[3],[4]	$ 0.21	[3],[4]	$ (0.07)	[3],[4]	$ (0.19)	[3],[4]	$ (1.30)	[3],[4]	$ 4.16	[3],[4]	$ (1.18)	[3],[4]	$ (3.41)
Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding—diluted	242,801	[3]	238,067	[3]	230,779	[3]	222,668	[3]	173,099	[3]	171,830	[3]	171,783	[3]	144,355	[3]	233,902	[3]	166,366	[3]	132,533
Net gains (losses) on investments	18,658	[5]	(6,308)	[5]	28,233	[5]	43,286	[5]	(2,631)	[5]	(6,366)	[5]	(86,808)	[5]	(3,140)	[5]	83,869	[5]	(98,945)	[5]	114,282
Sale of Radian Asset Assurance [Member]
Discontinued Operation, Provision for Loss (Gain) on Disposal, before Income Tax																	$ 468,000

[1] This amount reflects a reversal of substantially all of our tax valuation allowance in the fourth quarter.

[2] This amount reflects a $468 million loss on reclassification of Radian Asset Assurance as assets held for sale in the fourth quarter.

[3] Diluted net income (loss) per share and average shares outstanding per the accounting standard regarding earnings per share.

[4] Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed independently for each period presented. Consequently, the sum of the quarters may not equal the total net income (loss) per share for the year. For all calculations, the determination of whether potential common shares are dilutive or anti-dilutive is based on net income (loss) from continuing operations.

[5] The 2014 and 2013 amounts reflect unrealized gains (losses), respectively, on our trading securities.