Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 959,517		$ (196,985)	$ (451,468)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	300,057	[1]	55,134	227,363
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Net (gains) losses on investments and other financial instruments recognized in earnings	(79,989)		105,890	(121,892)
Net payments related to derivative contracts and VIEs	(125)		(8,574)	(4,515)
Net cash received (paid) for commutations, terminations and recaptures	1,105		(254,667)	3,190
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision	(825,843)		(31,847)	7,817
Increase (Decrease) in Goodwill and Intangible Assets	8,648		0	0
Depreciation and other amortization, net	57,301		69,726	53,257
Change in:
Unearned premiums	77,432		184,659	148,967
Deferred policy acquisition costs	17,738		8,736	13,617
Reinsurance recoverables	18,156		42,358	66,385
Reserve for losses and LAE	(604,906)		(664,588)	(164,439)
Other assets	(26,744)		16,764	(50,080)
Other liabilities	(55,592)		54,354	24,635
Net cash used in operating activities, continuing operations	(153,245)		(619,040)	(247,163)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, discontinued operations	17,071		(45,897)	(263,337)
Net cash used in operating activities	(136,174)		(664,937)	(510,500)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of fixed-maturity investments available for sale	19,672		17,185	30,966
Proceeds from sales of equity securities available for sale	0		0	31,235
Proceeds from sales of trading securities	671,179		533,340	3,759,095
Proceeds from redemptions of fixed-maturity investments available for sale	4,985		538	5,815
Proceeds from redemptions of fixed-maturity investments held to maturity	350		325	2,076
Proceeds from redemptions of equity securities available for sale	0		10,503	0
Purchases of fixed-maturity investments available for sale	(519,166)		(21,432)	0
Purchases of trading securities	0		(259,897)	(3,877,633)
(Purchases) sales and redemptions of short-term investments, net	(364,855)		(363,446)	356,274
Sales of other assets, net	7,836		41,397	12,691
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(18,495)		(6,004)	(2,199)
Acquisitions, net of cash received	(295,977)		0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities, continuing operations	(494,471)		(47,491)	318,320
Net cash provided by investing activities, discontinued operations	156,839		107,790	342,753
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(337,632)		60,299	661,073
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(1,865)		(1,632)	(1,335)
Proceeds/payments related to issuance or exchange of debt, net	293,809		377,783	0
Redemption of long-term debt	(57,223)		(79,372)	(153,261)
Issuance of common stock	247,188		299,410	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	107		752	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities, continuing operations	482,016		596,941	(154,596)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities, discontinued operations	0		0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	482,016		596,941	(154,596)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(68)		0	(11)
Increase (decrease) in cash	8,142		(7,697)	(4,034)
Cash, beginning of period	22,880		29,408	33,020
Change in cash of business held for sale	(557)		1,169	422
Cash, end of period	30,465		22,880	29,408
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income Taxes Paid, Net	(4,312)		4,436	(32,820)
Interest paid	$ 50,702		$ 40,380	$ 38,378

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