Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities [Abstract]
Net income	$ 308,253	$ 286,924	[1]	$ 959,517
Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	5,385	[1],[2]	(300,057)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net (gains) losses on investments and other financial instruments recognized in earnings	(30,751)	(35,693)	[1]	(79,989)
Loss on induced conversion and debt extinguishment	75,075	94,207	[1]	0
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	170,887	156,170		(825,843)
Amortization and impairment of intangible assets	13,221	12,986	[1]	8,648
Depreciation and other amortization, net	57,795	68,639		57,301
Change in:
Accounts and notes receivable	(16,011)	25,656		(28,310)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(188,947)	16,800		3,221
Unearned premiums	862	35,796		77,432
Reserve for losses and LAE	(216,135)	(583,633)		(604,321)
Reinsurance funds withheld	158,001	0		0
Other assets	(3,381)	14		23,790
Other liabilities	52,855	(59,001)		(54,836)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, continuing operations	381,724	13,480		(163,333)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, discontinued operations	0	(1,759)		17,071
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	381,724	11,721		(146,262)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Available-for-sale Securities	687,173	20,100		19,672
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Equity	74,868	146,049		0
Proceeds from Sale of Trading Securities Held-for-investment	290,855	78,826		469,582
Proceeds from redemptions of fixed-maturity investments held to maturity	0	0		350
Proceeds from redemptions of fixed-maturity investments available for sale	337,630	103,595		4,985
Proceeds from redemptions of fixed-maturity investments held to maturity	123,645	221,914		201,597
Purchases of Available-for-sale Securities	(1,990,652)	(1,486,318)		(519,166)
Purchases of equity securities available for sale	(830)	(75,538)		0
Sales, redemptions and (purchases) of short-term investments, net	334,456	222,882		(364,855)
Sales, redemptions and (purchases) of other assets and other invested assets, net	2,489	16,717		7,836
Proceeds from the sale of investment in affiliate, net of cash transferred	0	784,866		0
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(35,542)	(25,466)		(18,495)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(150)	(9,834)		(294,386)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities, continuing operations	(176,058)	(2,207)		(492,880)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities, discontinued operations	0	4,999		156,839
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(176,058)	2,792		(336,041)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(2,105)	(1,996)		(1,865)
Issuance of long-term debt, net	343,417	343,334		293,809
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	(445,072)	(156,172)		(57,223)
Proceeds from termination of capped calls	0	13,150		0
Issuance of common stock	717	1,285		247,188
Purchase of common shares	(100,188)	(202,000)		0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	333	3,000		107
Repayment of other borrowings	(371)	0		0
Net cash provided by financing activities, continuing operations	(203,269)	601		482,016
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities, discontinued operations	0	0		0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(203,269)	601		482,016
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and restricted cash	(481)	(133)		(67)
Increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash	1,916	14,981		(354)
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of period	59,898	44,496		45,407
Less: Increase (decrease) in cash of business held for sale	0	(421)		557
Cash and restricted cash, end of period	61,814	59,898		44,496
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid (received), continuing operations	(673)	3,712		(4,312)
Income taxes paid, discontinued operations	0	2,036		13,891
Interest paid	$ 65,531	$ 61,077		$ 50,702

[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.