Note 10 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Reserves by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		$ 556,488	$ 760,269
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1]	7,470	6,851	$ 6,484	$ 8,286
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		556,488	760,269	$ 821,934	$ 976,399
Prime Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		296,885	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		112,033	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		78,048	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]	13,085	71,107
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		14,687	18,630
Reinsurance recoverables	[3]	7,445	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		522,183	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		18,630	31,853
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims		14,576	673
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		550	932
Reinsurance recoverables	[3]	25	35
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		33,781	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		555,964	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]	$ 524	$ 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] At December 31, 2016, primarily related to expected payments under the Freddie Mac Agreement. During the third quarter of 2017, the scheduled final settlement date under the Freddie Mac Agreement occurred and therefore, except for loans with loss mitigation and claims activity already in process, most of the loans subject to the Freddie Mac Agreement were removed from RIF and IIF because the insurance no longer remains in force. See “—Freddie Mac Agreement,” below for additional information.

[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.