Note 10 - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Mortgage Insurance Reserve for Losses and LAE Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020		Mar. 31, 2019
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		$ 404,765
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Balance at end of period		418,202
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Loss reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period		401,273	[1]	$ 397,891
Less: Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	14,594		11,009
Balance at beginning of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		386,679		386,882
Add losses and LAE incurred in respect of default notices reported and unreported in [Abstract]
Incurred Losses and LAE Current year	[3]	41,242		38,922
Incurred Losses and LAE Prior years		(5,876)		(18,173)
Total incurred losses and LAE		35,366		20,749
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Paid Losses and LAE Current year	[3]	0		295
Paid losses and LAE Prior years		23,391		34,294
Total paid losses and LAE		23,391		34,589
Balance at end of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		398,654		373,042
Add: Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	16,024		12,319
Balance at end of period		$ 414,678	[1]	$ 385,361

[1] Primarily comprises first lien primary case reserves of $353.2 million and $339.8 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

[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.