Note 10 - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Mortgage Insurance Reserve for Losses and LAE Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019		Mar. 31, 2018
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		$ 401,361
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Balance at end of period		388,784
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		397,891	[1]	$ 507,588
Less: Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	11,009		8,350
Balance at beginning of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		386,882		499,238
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Incurred Losses and LAE Current year	[3]	38,922		36,516
Incurred Losses and LAE Prior years		(18,173)		391
Total incurred losses and LAE		20,749		36,907
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Paid Losses and LAE Current year	[3]	295		226
Paid losses and LAE Prior years		34,294		59,700
Total paid losses and LAE		34,589		59,926
Balance at end of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		373,042		476,219
Add: Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	12,319		8,973
Balance at end of period		$ 385,361	[1]	$ 485,192

[1] Includes ceded losses on reinsurance transactions, which are expected to be recovered and are included in the reinsurance recoverables reported in other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 8.

[2] Related to ceded losses recoverable, if any, on reinsurance transactions. See Note 7 for additional information.

[3] Related to underlying defaulted loans with a most recent default notice dated in the year indicated. For example, if a loan had defaulted in a prior year, but then subsequently cured and later re-defaulted in the current year, that default would be considered a current year default.