Note 10 - Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Accrued expenses	$ 30,267	$ 41,219
Unearned premiums	35,035	67,538
NOL	0	179,128
Deferred Tax Assets, Unrealized Losses on Trading Securities	0	6,285
State and Local NOL Carryforwards	68,577	51,875
Partnership Investments	47,991	73,918
Loss reserves	1,397	3,801
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards, Alternative Minimum Tax	57,086	7,367
Deferred Tax Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets	36,947
Other	41,499	49,511
Total deferred tax assets	318,799	480,642
Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Convertible and other long-term debt	0	2,212
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Differences in FV of Derivative and Other Financial Instruments	3,833	1,758
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	11,138	10,626
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Goodwill and Intangible Assets		4,758
Other	2,446	2,598
Total deferred tax liabilities	24,209	21,952
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	65,023	46,892
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	229,567	411,798
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Comprehensive Income	$ 6,792	$ 0