Note 9 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Reserves by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		$ 891,348	$ 976,399
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1]	8,239	8,286	$ 13,365	$ 26,665
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		891,348	976,399	$ 1,384,714	$ 1,560,032
Prime Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		438,598	480,481
Alt A Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		183,189	203,706
A Minus and Below Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		116,835	129,352
Primary Mortgage Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims	[2]	79,051	83,066
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		23,600	26,108
Reinsurance recoverables	[3]	8,239	8,286
Total Primary Insurance Mortgage Insurance Products [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		849,512	930,999
Pool Insurance Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		38,843	42,084
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims		1,050	1,118
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		1,227	1,335
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		41,120	44,537
First Lien Mortgage Insurance Products [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		890,632	975,536
Second Lien Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	[4]	$ 716	$ 863

[1] Related to ceded losses recoverable, on captive reinsurance transactions, the QSR Transactions and the Single Premium QSR Transaction, if any. See Note 7 for additional information.

[2] Primarily related to expected payments under the Freddie Mac Agreement.

[3] Represents ceded losses on captive transactions, the QSR Transactions and the Single Premium QSR Transaction.

[4] Does not include our Second-lien premium deficiency reserve that is included in other liabilities.