Note 9 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Loss Reserves Rollforward (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Add reinsurance recoverables	$ 15,155				28,119
Balance at March 31	1,384,714		1,893,960		1,560,032
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1	1,560,032		2,164,353		2,164,353
Less reinsurance recoverables	26,665	[1]	38,363	[1]	38,363	[1]
Balance at beginning of period, net of reinsurance recoverables	1,533,367		2,125,990		2,125,990
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Current year	80,437	[2]	108,849	[2],[3]
Prior years	(35,360)		(59,689)	[3]
Total incurred losses and LAE	45,077		49,160
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Paid Losses and LAE Current year	0	[2]	0	[2]
Paid losses and LAE Prior years	207,095		306,941
Total paid losses and LAE	207,095		306,941
Balance at end of period, net of reinsurance recoverables	1,371,349		1,868,209
Add reinsurance recoverables	13,365	[1]	25,751	[1]
Balance at March 31	1,384,714		1,893,960
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Primary Mortgage Product [Member]
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Net Of Denials Rescissions and Reinstatements	53.00%				52.00%
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Excluding Pending Claims Net Of Denials And Rescissions	47.00%
Default To Claim Rate Estimate, Gross, For New Defaults	15.00%				16.00%
Default To Claim Rate Estimate, Gross, For Pre-Foreclosure Stage Defaults	65.00%
Gross Default To Claim Rate Estimate	81.00%
Bank of America Settlement Agreement [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Total paid losses and LAE	98,500
Classification Error [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Current year			(33,800)		(71,800)		(65,000)	(75,700)
Prior years			$ 33,800		71,800		$ 65,000	$ 75,700

[1] Related to ceded losses on captive reinsurance transactions and the QSR Reinsurance Transactions. See Note 7 for additional information.

[2] Related to underlying defaulted loans with a most recent default notice dated in the year indicated. For example, if a loan had defaulted in a prior year, but then subsequently cured and later re-defaulted in the current year, that default would be considered a current year default.

[3] Amounts previously reported for losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in current year and prior years have been reclassified to correct an error. There was no net change to total incurred losses in any period as a result of these reclassifications. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the amounts previously reported for losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in current year have been revised downward by approximately $33.8 million, with an equal and offsetting adjustment to the amount previously reported for default notices reported and unreported in prior years. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the amounts previously reported related to losses and LAE incurred from current year default notices should have been lower by approximately $71.8 million, $65.0 million and $75.7 million, respectively, with equal and offsetting adjustments to the incurred loss amounts related to prior years’ default notices.