Note 1 - Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Business Overview and Significant Accounting Policies Business Overview and Significant Accounting Policies(Details) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) segment shares	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Basis of Presentation and Business Overview [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities, continuing operations	$ 41,869	$ 666
Net cash used in operating activities, discontinued operations	0	(1,759)
Net cash provided by investing activities, discontinued operations	0	4,999
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase Including Discontinued Operations		29,979
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations	$ 0	3,240
Business Overview [Abstract]
Number of Operating Segments | segment	2
Mortgage Insurance [Abstract]
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares | shares	9.4
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock	$ 100,188	0
Loss on induced conversion and debt extinguishment (Note 10)	$ 55,570	0
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Mortgage Insurance [Abstract]
Private Mortgage Insurance Protects Lenders For Loans Made With Less Than This Maximum Down Payment Percentage	20.00%
Percentage Of Primary Insurance On Domestic First-Lien Mortgages To Total Risk In Force	97.60%
First Lien Primary Mortgage Insurance Risk In Force	$ 45,800,000
Percentage Of Pool Insurance On Domestic First-Lien Mortgages To Total Risk In Force	2.30%
Senior Notes Due 2021
Mortgage Insurance [Abstract]
Long-term debt, Gross	$ 350,000
Convertible Senior Notes Due 2017
Mortgage Insurance [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount	30,100
Convertible Senior Notes Due 2019
Mortgage Insurance [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount	288,400
Convertible Debt [Member]
Mortgage Insurance [Abstract]
Loss on induced conversion and debt extinguishment (Note 10)	$ 55,600
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Basis of Presentation and Business Overview [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities, continuing operations		80
Net cash used in operating activities, discontinued operations		(12,168)
Net cash provided by investing activities, discontinued operations		9,514
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase Including Discontinued Operations		23,499
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations		$ (3,240)