Note 17 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			$ (18,477)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax			8,782		$ (22,573)		$ 13,650
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax			2,251		44,183		(1,039)
Net foreign currency translation adjustments			(474)		(217)		(226)
Net actuarial gain (loss)			25		265		(59)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			6,082		(69,962)		14,102
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(12,395)		(18,477)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss), Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments		$ 69,200	(170)	[1]	69,150	[1]	0	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax			(28,425)		79,208		57,345
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Tax (Benefit)			(9,948)		27,723		19,962
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(18,477)		51,485		37,383
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax			13,510		(34,728)		21,204
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax	[2]		3,463		67,974	[3]	(1,599)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax			10,047		(102,702)		22,803
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax			(724)		(333)		(326)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax, Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments Recorded as Assets Held for Sale					(5,006)	[4]	(329)	[5]
Net actuarial gain (loss), before Tax			39		408		(285)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent			9,362		(107,633)		21,863
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax			4,728		(12,155)		7,554
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax	[2]		1,212		23,791	[3]	(560)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax			3,516		(35,946)		8,114
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax			(250)		(116)		(100)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Effect, Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments Recorded as Assets Held for Sale					(1,752)	[4]	(27)	[5]
Net actuarial gain (loss), Tax			14		143		(226)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax			3,280		(37,671)		7,761
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax			8,782		(22,573)		13,650
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	[2]		2,251		44,183	[3]	(1,039)
Net unrealized gains on investments			6,531		(66,756)		14,689
Net foreign currency translation adjustments			(474)		(217)		(226)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments Recorded as Assets Held for Sale					(3,254)	[4]	(302)	[5]
Net actuarial gain (loss)			25		265		(59)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax			6,082		(69,962)		14,102
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax			(19,063)		(28,425)		79,208
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Tax (Benefit)			(6,668)		(9,948)		27,723
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			$ (12,395)		$ (18,477)		$ 51,485

[1] Net realized gains (losses) on equities available for sale for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 represent the gross amount of losses and gains, respectively, realized for those periods.

[2] Included in net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments on our consolidated statements of operations.

[3] During the second quarter of 2015, we sold equity securities in our portfolio and reinvested the proceeds in assets that qualify as PMIERs-compliant Available Assets, recognizing pretax gains of $69.2 million.

[4] For 2015, this amount represents the recognition of investment gains included in income from discontinued operations, net of tax, as a result of the completion of the sale of Radian Asset Assurance on April 1, 2015. Previously, pursuant to accounting standards, such investment gains had been deferred and recorded in AOCI.

[5] Represents the unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period on investments recorded as assets held for sale, net of reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income from discontinued operations.