Note 10 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Reserves by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		$ 726,169	$ 760,269
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1]	7,708	6,851	$ 8,239	$ 8,286
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		726,169	760,269	$ 891,348	$ 976,399
Prime Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		362,804	379,845
Alt A Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		140,543	148,006
A Minus and Below Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		96,373	101,653
Primary Mortgage Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims	[2]	70,651	71,107
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		17,551	18,630
Reinsurance recoverables	[3]	7,680	6,816
Total Primary Insurance Mortgage Insurance Products [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		695,602	726,057
Pool Insurance Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		28,453	31,853
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims		603	673
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		822	932
Reinsurance recoverables	[3]	28	35
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		29,906	33,493
First Lien Mortgage Insurance Products [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		725,508	759,550
Second Lien Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	[4]	$ 661	$ 719

[1] Related to ceded losses recoverable, if any, on captive reinsurance transactions, the QSR Transactions and the Single Premium QSR Transaction. See Note 7 for additional information.

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

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

[4] Does not include our Second-lien premium deficiency reserve that is included in other liabilities.