Note 9 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Loss Reserves Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1				$ 1,560,032
Less reinsurance recoverables				28,119
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Add reinsurance recoverables		$ 13,227		13,227		$ 28,119
Balance at March 31		1,204,792		1,204,792		1,560,032
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1		1,384,714	$ 1,893,960	1,560,032	$ 2,164,353	2,164,353
Less reinsurance recoverables	[1]	13,365	25,751	26,665	38,363	38,363
Balance at beginning of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		1,371,349	1,868,209	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	[2],[3]	53,617	75,472	134,054	184,321
Prior years	[2]	(19,835)	(11,207)	(55,195)	(70,896)
Total incurred losses and LAE		33,782	64,265	78,859	113,425
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Paid Losses and LAE Current year	[3]	576	803	576	803
Paid losses and LAE Prior years		211,440	239,448	418,535	546,389
Total paid losses and LAE		212,016	240,251	419,111	547,192
Balance at end of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		1,193,115	1,692,223	1,193,115	1,692,223	1,533,367	$ 2,125,990
Add reinsurance recoverables	[1]	11,677	22,458	11,677	22,458	26,665	38,363
Balance at March 31		$ 1,204,792	1,714,681	$ 1,204,792	1,714,681	$ 1,560,032	2,164,353
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				50.00%		52.00%
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Excluding Pending Claims Net Of Denials And Rescissions				45.00%
Default To Claim Rate Estimate, Gross, For New Defaults		14.00%		14.00%		16.00%
Default To Claim Rate Estimate, Gross, For Pre-Foreclosure Stage Defaults		65.00%		65.00%
Gross Default To Claim Rate Estimate		81.00%		81.00%
Bank of America Settlement Agreement [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Total paid losses and LAE				$ 174,600
Classification Error [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Current year			(14,400)		(48,200)	$ (71,800)	(65,000)	$ (75,700)
Prior years			$ 14,400		$ 48,200	$ 71,800	$ 65,000	$ 75,700

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

[2] 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 and six months ended June 30, 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 $14.4 million and $48.2 million, respectively, 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.

[3] 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.