Note 10 - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Mortgage Insurance Reserves by Product (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	$ 1,560,032		$ 2,164,353
Reinsurance recoverables	28,119		46,846
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	1,560,032		2,164,353		3,083,608		3,247,900
Reinsurance recoverables	26,665	[1]	38,363	[1]	83,238	[1]	151,569	[1]
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”)	1,558,615		2,159,058
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Total Primary Insurance Mortgage Insurance Products [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	1,477,513		1,974,999
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Prime Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims	700,174		937,307
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Alt A Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims	292,293		384,841
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	179,103		215,545
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Primary Mortgage Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims	223,114		347,698
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense	56,164		51,245
Reinsurance recoverables	26,665	[2]	38,363	[2]
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Pool Insurance Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims	75,785		169,682
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	81,102		184,059
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims	1,775		8,938
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense	3,542		5,439
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”)	$ 1,417	[3]	$ 5,295	[3]

[1] Related to ceded losses on captive transactions, Smart Home (for 2012) and QSR Reinsurance Transactions. See Note 8 for additional information.

[2] Represents ceded losses on captive transactions and the QSR Reinsurance Transactions.

[3] Does not include our Second-lien PDR that is included in other liabilities.