Note 13 - Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 1,100,000
Foreign tax credit carryforward	900
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Accrued expenses	38,456	$ 60,858
Unearned premiums	87,609	82,800
NOL	342,002	475,095
Differences in fair value of derivative and other financial instruments	7,767	0
Deferred Tax Assets, Unrealized Losses on Trading Securities	9,801	0
State and Local NOL Carryforwards	46,914	34,851
Partnership Investments	74,309	74,179
Loss reserves	4,720	6,362
Outside basis difference of investment in subsidiary	0	14,084
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax	5,923	2,286
Other	34,241	47,991
Total deferred tax assets	651,742	798,506
Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Convertible and other long-term debt	16,654	38,750
Net unrealized gain on investments	0	26,145
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	6,397	0
Other	14,516	15,536
Total deferred tax liabilities	37,567	80,431
Valuation Allowance, Amount	36,230	17,874
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	$ 577,945	$ 700,201