Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	[1]	Sep. 30, 2016	[1]	Jun. 30, 2016	[1]	Mar. 31, 2016	[1]	Dec. 31, 2015	[1]	Sep. 30, 2015	[1]	Jun. 30, 2015	[1]	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015	[1]	Dec. 31, 2014
Net premiums earned—insurance	$ 233,585		$ 238,149		$ 229,085		$ 220,950		$ 226,443		$ 227,433		$ 237,437		$ 224,595	[1]	$ 921,769		$ 915,908		$ 844,528
Services revenue	49,905		45,877		40,263		32,849		38,338	[2]	43,185	[2]	44,558	[2]	31,135	[1],[2]	168,894		157,216	[2]	77,951
Net investment income	28,996		28,430		28,839		27,201		22,833		22,091		19,285		17,328	[1]	113,466		81,537		65,655
Net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments	(38,773)		7,711		30,527		31,286		(13,402)		3,868		28,448		16,779	[1]	30,751		35,693		79,989
Provision for losses	54,287		55,785		49,725		42,991		56,805		64,192		32,560		45,028	[1]	202,788		198,585		246,083
Policy acquisition costs	5,579		6,119		5,393		6,389		4,831		2,880		6,963		7,750	[1]	23,480		22,424		24,446
Cost of services	33,812		29,447		27,365		23,550		23,187		26,018		25,326		19,184	[1]	114,174		93,715		44,679
Other operating expenses	62,416		62,119		63,173		57,188		58,624		64,013		65,925		53,843	[1]	244,896		242,405		251,209
Loss on induced conversion and debt extinguishment	0		(17,397)		(2,108)		(55,570)		(2,320)		(11)		(91,876)		0	[1]	(75,075)		(94,207)		0
Amortization and impairment of intangible assets	3,290		3,292		3,311		3,328		3,409		3,273		3,281		3,023	[1]	13,221		12,986		8,648
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent									74,528		70,091		45,193		91,727	[1]	308,253		281,539		1,259,574
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	[3]	0	[3]	4,855	[3]	530	[1],[3]	0		5,385	[3]	(300,057)
Net income	$ 61,089		$ 82,803		$ 98,112		$ 66,249		$ 74,528		$ 70,091		$ 50,048		$ 92,257	[1]	$ 308,253		$ 286,924		$ 959,517
Net (loss) income per share—diluted	$ 0.27	[4]	$ 0.37	[4]	$ 0.44	[4]	$ 0.29	[4]	$ 0.32	[4]	$ 0.29	[4]	$ 0.22	[4]	$ 0.39	[1],[4]	$ 1.37	[1],[4]	$ 1.22	[4]	$ 4.16
Weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding—diluted	224,776		225,968		226,203		239,707		247,981		250,795		246,650		243,048	[1]	229,258	[1]	246,332		233,902
Reclass of Line of Business [Member]
Services revenue															$ 100

[1] For all periods presented, reflects changes to align our segment reporting structure with recent changes in personnel reporting lines and management oversight related to contract underwriting performed on behalf of third parties. Revenue and expenses for this business are now reflected in the Services segment. As a result, for all periods presented, Services revenue and cost of services have increased, with offsetting reductions in other operating expenses.

[2] Services revenue for the first quarter of 2015 includes $0.1 million that had previously been included in other income.

[3] Radian completed the sale of Radian Asset Assurance to Assured on April 1, 2015, pursuant to the Radian Asset Assurance Stock Purchase Agreement. Until the April 1, 2015 sale date, the operating results of Radian Asset Assurance were classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented in our consolidated statements of operations. See Note 18 for additional information.

[4] Diluted net income per share is computed independently for each period presented. Consequently, the sum of the quarters may not equal the total net income per share for the year. For all calculations, the determination of whether potential common shares are dilutive or anti-dilutive is based on net income from continuing operations.