Note 10 - Losses and LAE Mortgage Insurance Reserves by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		$ 451,542	$ 507,588
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1]	9,341	8,350	$ 7,371	$ 6,851
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		448,094	507,588	$ 651,591	$ 760,269
Prime Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		255,284	285,022
Alt-A and 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		144,379	170,873
Primary Mortgage Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Incurred but Not Reported Claims		14,246	16,021
Liability for Claims Adjustment Expense		12,228	13,349
Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	9,317	8,315
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		435,454	493,580
Pool Insurance Mortgage Insurance Product [Member] | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	24	35
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	[3]	12,197	13,463
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		447,651	507,043
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]	$ 443	$ 545

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

[2] Represents ceded losses on captive reinsurance transactions, the QSR Program and the Single Premium QSR Program.

[3] Includes reinsurance recoverable of $24 thousand and $35 thousand as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

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