Note 11 - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Mortgage Insurance Reserves by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		$ 7,368	$ 11,044
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) (Note 11)		760,269	976,399
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) (Note 11)		760,269	976,399	$ 1,560,032	$ 2,164,353
Mortgage Insurance Segment | First Lien Mortgage Insurance Products [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) (Note 11)		759,550	975,536
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Total Primary Insurance Mortgage Insurance Products [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) (Note 11)		726,057	930,999
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Prime Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		379,845	480,481
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Alt A Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		148,006	203,706
Mortgage Insurance Segment | A Minus and Below Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		101,653	129,352
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Primary Mortgage Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims	[1]	71,107	83,066
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		18,630	26,108
Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	6,816	8,286
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Pool Insurance Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		31,853	42,084
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims		673	1,118
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		932	1,335
Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	35	0
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) (Note 11)		33,493	44,537
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Second Lien Mortgage Insurance Product [Member]
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) (Note 11)	[3]	$ 719	$ 863

[1] Primarily related to expected payments under the Freddie Mac Agreement.

[2] Represents ceded losses on captive transactions, the QSR Transactions and the Single Premium QSR Transaction.

[3] Does not include our Second-lien PDR that is included in other liabilities.