Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies Guarantor Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) transaction
Guaranteed Structure Transactions [Abstract]
Number of Guaranteed Structured Transactions For Radian Guaranty	2
Guaranteed Structured Transactions [Member]
Guaranteed Structure Transactions [Abstract]
Number of Guaranteed Structured Transactions For Radian Guaranty	2
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted \| $	$ 119.2

Maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee or each group of similar guarantees before reduction for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 460
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6851643&loc=d3e12069-110248

Name:	us-gaap_GuaranteeObligationsMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant