Note 9 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Loss Reserves Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 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		$ 12,025		12,025		$ 28,119
Balance at September 30		1,098,570		1,098,570		1,560,032
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1		1,204,792	$ 1,714,681	1,560,032	$ 2,164,353	2,164,353
Less reinsurance recoverables	[1]	11,677	22,458	26,665	38,363	38,363
Balance at beginning of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		1,193,115	1,692,223	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]	50,436	72,408	184,490	256,729
Prior years	[2]	13,037	(23,851)	(42,158)	(94,747)
Total incurred losses and LAE		63,473	48,557	142,332	161,982
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Paid Losses and LAE Current year	[3]	2,841	4,784	3,417	5,587
Paid losses and LAE Prior years		166,248	169,066	584,783	715,455
Total paid losses and LAE		169,089	173,850	588,200	721,042
Balance at end of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		1,087,499	1,566,930	1,087,499	1,566,930	1,533,367	$ 2,125,990
Add reinsurance recoverables	[1]	11,071	21,201	11,071	21,201	26,665	38,363
Balance at September 30		1,098,570	1,588,131	1,098,570	1,588,131	1,560,032	2,164,353
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Primary Mortgage Product [Member]
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Less reinsurance recoverables	[4]			26,665
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Add reinsurance recoverables	[4]	$ 11,071		$ 11,071		$ 26,665
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Net Of Denials Rescissions and Reinstatements				49.00%		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				$ 236,600
Classification Error [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Current year			(34,500)		(82,800)	$ (71,800)	(65,000)	$ (75,700)
Prior years			$ 34,500		$ 82,800	$ 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 nine months ended September 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 $34.5 million and $82.8 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.

[4] Primarily represents ceded losses on captive transactions and the QSR Transactions.