Note 10 - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Mortgage Insurance Loss Reserves Rollforward (Details) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) percentagepoint	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
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		11,044	$ 28,119
Balance at December 31		976,399	1,560,032
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at January 1		1,560,032	2,164,353		$ 3,083,608
Less reinsurance recoverables	[1]	26,665	38,363		83,238
Balance at beginning of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		1,533,367	2,125,990		3,000,370
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Current year	[2]	229,061	351,184	[3]	519,188	[3]
Prior years		(29,647)	(105,545)		45,460
Total incurred losses and LAE		199,414	245,639		564,648
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Increase (Decrease) in Incurred Claim Expense	[2]	46,200
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Paid Losses and LAE Current year	[2]	10,837	13,562		35,108
Paid losses and LAE Prior years		753,831	824,700		1,403,920
Total paid losses and LAE		764,668	838,262		1,439,028
Balance at end of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		968,113	1,533,367		2,125,990
Add reinsurance recoverables	[1]	8,286	26,665		38,363
Balance at December 31		$ 976,399	1,560,032		2,164,353
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Percentage Point Change In Severity Used In Assumption Shift Analysis | percentagepoint		1
2013 Freddie Mac Agreement [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Total paid losses and LAE			255,000
Provision for Loan Losses Expensed			$ 22,000
Primary Mortgage Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Default To Claim Rate Estimate, Gross, For New Defaults		13.00%	16.00%
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Default To Claim Rate Estimate, Gross, For Pre-Foreclosure Stage Defaults		65.00%
Default To Claim Rate Detail [Abstract]
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Net Of Denials Rescissions and Reinstatements		46.00%	52.00%
Weighted Average Default To Claim Rate Assumption Excluding Pending Claims Net Of Denials And Rescissions		42.00%	47.00%
Default To Claim Estimate, Gross, For Foreclosure Stage Defaults		81.00%
Classification Error [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Current year			$ (71,800)		$ (65,000)

[1] Related to ceded losses on captive reinsurance transactions and the QSR Transactions. See Note 8 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 years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, 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 $71.8 million and $65.0 million, respectively, with equal and offsetting adjustments to the amount previously reported for default notices reported and unreported in prior years.