Note 10 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Reserves by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		$ 821,934	$ 976,399
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1]	6,484	8,286	$ 11,071	$ 26,665
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		821,934	976,399	$ 1,098,570	$ 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		409,438	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		166,349	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		106,678	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]	73,057	83,066
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		21,255	26,108
Reinsurance recoverables	[3]	6,448	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		783,225	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		36,065	42,084
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims		823	1,118
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		1,112	1,335
Reinsurance recoverables	[3]	36	0
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		38,036	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		821,261	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]	$ 673	$ 863

[1] Related to ceded losses recoverable, if any, on captive reinsurance transactions, the QSR Transactions and the Single Premium QSR Transaction. 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.