Note 3 - Segment Reporting Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)		Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)		Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) segment		Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		$ (184,374)		$ 0		$ (184,374)		$ 0
Number of Operating Segments | segment						2
Net premiums earned-insurance		229,096		229,085		$ 450,896		450,035
Services revenue		37,802		40,263		75,829		73,112
Net investment income		30,071		28,839		61,103		56,040
Other income		612		1,454		1,358		2,120
Policy acquisition costs		6,123		5,393		12,852		11,782
Cost of services		25,635		27,365		54,010		50,915
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		68,750		63,173		137,127		120,361
Net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments		5,331		30,527		2,480		61,813
Total assets		5,817,106				5,817,106				$ 5,863,174
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written—insurance	[1]	241,307		232,353	[2]	465,972		258,663	[2]
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums		(12,211)		(3,268)	[2]	(15,076)		191,372	[2]
Net premiums earned-insurance		229,096		229,085	[2]	450,896		450,035	[2]
Net investment income		30,071		28,839	[2]	61,103		56,040	[2]
Other income		612		1,454	[2]	1,358		2,120	[2]
Total	[3]	259,779		259,378	[2]	513,357		508,195	[2]
Provision for losses		17,714		50,074	[2]	64,946		93,349	[2]
Policy acquisition costs		6,123		5,393	[2]	12,852		11,782	[2]
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		37,939		34,365	[2]	77,228		66,911	[2]
Total	[4]	61,776		89,832	[2]	155,026		172,042	[2]
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss) before corporate allocations		198,003		169,546	[2]	358,331		336,153	[2]
Allocation of corporate operating expenses		15,894		14,286	[2]	30,080		23,615	[2]
Allocation of interest expense		11,748		18,124	[2]	23,257		35,236	[2]
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	[5]	170,361		137,136	[2]	304,994		277,302	[2]
Inter-segment expenses		2,173		1,947		4,235		3,546
Total assets		5,605,607				5,605,607				5,506,338
Mortgage and Real Estate Services Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		(184,374)				(184,374)				0
Services revenue	[6]	39,975		42,210	[7]	80,064		76,658	[7]
Cost of services		25,962		27,730	[7]	54,652		51,584	[7]
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		12,803		13,030	[7]	25,407		27,398	[7]
Total		38,765		40,760	[7]	80,059		78,982	[7]
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss) before corporate allocations		1,210		1,450	[7]	5		(2,324)	[7]
Allocation of corporate operating expenses		3,404		2,779	[7]	7,122		4,530	[7]
Allocation of interest expense		4,431		4,422	[7]	8,860		8,844	[7]
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	[5]	(6,625)		(5,751)	[7]	(15,977)		(15,698)	[7]
Inter-segment revenues		2,173		$ 1,947		4,235		$ 3,546
Total assets		$ 211,499	[8]			$ 211,499	[8]			$ 356,836

[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 made during the fourth quarter of 2016 to align our segment reporting structure concurrent with 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 gains on investments and other financial instruments of $5.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, and net gains on investments and other financial instruments of $30.5 million and $61.8 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, not included in adjusted pretax operating income.

[4] Includes inter-segment expenses as follows: Three Months EndedJune 30, Six Months EndedJune 30,(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016Inter-segment expenses$2,173 $1,947 $4,235 $3,546

[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 EndedJune 30, Six Months EndedJune 30,(In thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016Inter-segment revenues$2,173 $1,947 $4,235 $3,546

[7] Reflects changes made during the fourth quarter of 2016 to align our segment reporting structure concurrent with 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.

[8] The decrease in total assets for the Services segment at June 30, 2017, as compared to December 31, 2016, is primarily due to the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets. See Note 6 for further details.