Note 10 - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Mortgage Insurance Reserve for Losses and LAE by Category (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		$ 412,460	$ 507,588
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1]	9,997	8,350	$ 7,470	$ 6,851
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		408,980	507,588	$ 556,488	$ 760,269
Prime | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		231,916	285,022
Alt-A and A minus and below | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Unpaid Claims		129,262	170,873
Primary Mortgage Product | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
IBNR and other		14,505	16,021
LAE		11,203	13,349
Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	9,977	8,315
Total primary reserves | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		396,863	493,580
Total pool reserves | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	20	35
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	[3]	11,705	13,463
Total First-lien reserves | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense		408,568	507,043
Other (Second-lien reserves) | Mortgage Insurance Segment
Liability for Future Policy Benefit, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	[4]	$ 412	$ 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. These amounts are included in the reinsurance recoverables reported in other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

[3] Includes reinsurance recoverable of $20 thousand and $35 thousand as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

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