Note 3 - Segment Reporting Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Details)		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) segment	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments | segment		2
Net premiums earned-insurance		$ 221,800,000	$ 220,950,000
Services revenue		38,027,000	32,849,000
Net investment income		31,032,000	27,201,000
Other income		746,000	666,000
Provision for losses		46,913,000	42,991,000
Policy acquisition costs		6,729,000	6,389,000
Cost of services		28,375,000	23,550,000
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		68,377,000	57,188,000
Net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments		(2,851,000)	31,286,000
Total assets		5,827,760,000			$ 5,863,174,000
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written—insurance	[1]	224,665,000	26,310,000	[2]
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums		(2,865,000)	194,640,000	[2]
Net premiums earned-insurance		221,800,000	220,950,000	[2]
Net investment income		31,032,000	27,201,000	[2]
Other income		746,000	666,000	[2]
Total	[3]	253,578,000	248,817,000	[2]
Provision for losses		47,232,000	43,275,000	[2]
Policy acquisition costs		6,729,000	6,389,000	[2]
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		39,289,000	32,546,000	[2]
Total	[4]	93,250,000	82,210,000	[2]
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss) before corporate allocations		160,328,000	166,607,000	[2]
Allocation of corporate operating expenses		14,186,000	9,329,000	[2]
Allocation of interest expense		11,509,000	17,112,000	[2]
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	[5]	134,633,000	140,166,000	[2]
Inter-segment expenses		2,062,000	1,599,000
Total assets		5,475,502,000			5,506,338,000
Mortgage and Real Estate Services Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Services revenue	[6]	40,089,000	34,448,000	[7]
Cost of services		28,690,000	23,854,000	[7]
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		12,604,000	14,368,000	[7]
Total		41,294,000	38,222,000	[7]
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss) before corporate allocations		(1,205,000)	(3,774,000)	[7]
Allocation of corporate operating expenses		3,718,000	1,751,000	[7]
Allocation of interest expense		4,429,000	4,422,000	[7]
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	[5]	(9,352,000)	(9,947,000)	[7]
Inter-segment revenues		2,062,000	$ 1,599,000
Total assets		352,258,000			$ 356,836,000
Corporate Cash and Investments Allocated to Segments		$ 0

[1] Net of ceded premiums written under the QSR Transactions and the Single Premium QSR Transaction. See Note 7 for additional information.

[2] 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, Services revenue, cost of services and other operating expenses have increased, with offsetting reductions in Mortgage Insurance other income and other operating expenses.

[3] Excludes net losses on investments and other financial instruments of $2.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and net gains on investments and other financial instruments of $31.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, not included in adjusted pretax operating income.

[4] Includes inter-segment expenses as follows: Three Months EndedMarch 31,(In thousands)2017 2016Inter-segment expenses$2,062 $1,599

[5] Includes inter-segment expenses and revenues as listed in the notes to the preceding tables.

[6] Includes inter-segment revenues as follows: Three Months EndedMarch 31,(In thousands)2017 2016Inter-segment revenues$2,062 $1,599

[7] 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, Services revenue, cost of services and other operating expenses have increased, with offsetting reductions in Mortgage Insurance other income and other operating expenses.