Note 11 - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Reconciliation of Outstanding Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	[1]	$ 733,838
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		760,269	$ 976,399
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items]
Reinsurance Recoverable for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustments	[2]	6,851	8,286	$ 26,665	$ 38,363
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Accumulated Unallocated Claim Adjustment Expense		19,580
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		760,269	$ 976,399	$ 1,560,032	$ 2,164,353
Mortgage Insurance Segment | Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Product Line [Member]
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net		$ 733,838

[1] Calculated as follows:(In thousands) Incurred losses, net of reinsurance $9,377,232Add: All outstanding liabilities before 2007, net of reinsurance 27,327Less: Cumulative paid claims, net of reinsurance 8,670,721Liabilities for claims, net of reinsurance $733,838

[2] Related to ceded losses recoverable, if any, on captive reinsurance transactions, the QSR Transactions and the Single Premium QSR Transaction. See Note 8 for additional information.