Schedule II Financial Information of Registrant Parent Company Statement of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ 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	[1]	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Net investment income	$ 28,996		$ 28,430		$ 28,839		$ 27,201		$ 22,833		$ 22,091		$ 19,285		$ 17,328		$ 113,466	$ 81,537	[1]	$ 65,655
Net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments																	31,004	35,081		83,869
Other income																	3,572	2,899		4,562
Total revenues																	1,238,452	1,193,253		1,072,685
Expenses:
Loss on induced conversion and debt extinguishment	0		(17,397)		(2,108)		(55,570)		(2,320)		(11)		(91,876)		0		(75,075)	(94,207)	[1]	0
Interest expense																	81,132	91,102		90,464
Total expenses (Note G)																	754,766	755,424		665,529
Pretax Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent																	483,686	437,829		407,156
Income tax provision (benefit)																	175,433	156,290		(852,418)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent									74,528		70,091		45,193		91,727		308,253	281,539	[1]	1,259,574
Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	[2]	0	[2]	4,855	[2]	530	[2]	0	5,385	[1],[2]	(300,057)
Net income	$ 61,089		$ 82,803		$ 98,112		$ 66,249		$ 74,528		$ 70,091		$ 50,048		$ 92,257		308,253	286,924	[1]	959,517
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax																	6,082	(69,962)		14,102
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent																	314,335	216,962		973,619
Parent Company
Revenues:
Net investment income																	20,834	17,917		9,515
Net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments																	(150)	2,975		(2,732)
Other income																	49	0		7
Total revenues																	20,733	20,892		6,790
Expenses:
Loss on induced conversion and debt extinguishment																	(75,075)	(94,207)		0
Interest expense																	29,002	55,768		57,366
Total expenses (Note G)																	104,077	149,975		57,366
Pretax Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent																	(83,344)	(129,083)		(50,576)
Income tax provision (benefit)																	(8,676)	(43,854)		143,912
Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates																	382,921	371,949		1,172,032
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent																	308,253	286,720		977,544
Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax																	0	204		(18,027)
Net income																	308,253	286,924		959,517
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax																	6,082	(69,962)		14,102
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent																	$ 314,335	$ 216,962		$ 973,619

[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] 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.