Note 10 - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Rescissions And Denials (Details) (Mortgage Insurance Segment, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended						24 Months Ended	18 Months Ended	36 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 percentagepoint		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Aug. 29, 2017
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Claim rescissions	$ 56.8		$ 81.2		$ 279.3
Claim denials	87.9		171.7		539.4
Total rescissions and denials	144.7	[1]	252.9	[1]	818.7	[1]
Decrease To Our Loss Reserves Due To Estimated Rescissions And Denials	125		247				125	125	125
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims, Amount	163.6		281.9				163.6	163.6	163.6
Accrued Liability For Premiums Expected To Be Refunded From Rescissions	9.0		17.0				9.0	9.0	9.0
Percentage Point Change In Severity Used In Assumption Shift Analysis	1						1	1	1
First Lien Primary Claim Severity	103.70%
Impact To Loss Reserves Based On One Percentage Change In Primary Claim Severity	12						12	12	12
Impact To Loss Reserves Based On One Percentage Change in Default To Claim Rate	23						23	23	23
Denials [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims, Amount	18.3						18.3	18.3	18.3
Rescissions [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims, Amount	1.4						1.4	1.4	1.4
Claim Curtailments [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims, Amount	3.4						3.4	3.4	3.4
Claims Denied in the Last Twelve Months [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Gross Exposure Related to Denied Claims From Previous Twelve Months	113.3
Policies Rescinded in the Last Twenty Four Months [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Gross Exposure Related to Rescinded Policies Within Twenty Four Months							90.5
Claim Curtailments [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Claim Curtailments, Gross							34.8
Bank of America Settlement Agreement [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred but Not Reported (IBNR) Claims, Amount	133.0						133.0	133.0	133.0
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Percentage of Subject Loans Not Held by Insureds or Are Non-GSE Investors	12.00%						12.00%	12.00%	12.00%
Primary Mortgage Product [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Net Of Denials And Rescissions	52.00%		50.00%
2013 Freddie Mac Agreement [Member] | First Lien Position [Member] | Primary Mortgage Product [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Final Loss Mitigation Activity								48
Not Final Loss Mitigation Activity									113
Pro Forma [Member] | First Lien Position [Member] | Primary Mortgage Product [Member] | Bank of America Settlement Agreement [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Not Final Loss Mitigation Activity									23
Projected Final Loss Mitigation Activity Amount Including Settlement of Dispute								116
Maximum [Member] | Bank of America Settlement Agreement [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Number of Days Delinquent for a Loan to be Considered for Curtailment	90 days
Subsequent Event [Member] | Minimum [Member] | 2013 Freddie Mac Agreement [Member]
Claims Rescissions and Denials [Abstract]
Restricted Investments Held as Collateral for Master Transaction Agreement, Net										$ 205.0

[1] Includes an amount related to a small number of submitted claims that were subsequently withdrawn by the insured.