Note 10 - Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Mortgage Insurance Reserve for Losses and LAE Rollforward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2020		Jun. 30, 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		738,885
Mortgage 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]	356,555		73,494
Incurred Losses and LAE Prior years		(17,223)		(5,617)
Total incurred losses and LAE		339,332		67,877
Deduct paid claims and LAE related to [Abstract]
Paid Losses and LAE Current year	[3]	1,594		507
Paid losses and LAE Prior years		44,580		66,510
Total paid losses and LAE		46,174		67,017
Balance at end of period, net of reinsurance recoverables		679,837		387,742
Add: Reinsurance recoverables	[2]	55,154		13,552
Balance at end of period		$ 734,991	[1]	$ 401,294

[1] Primarily comprises first lien primary case reserves of $660.1 million and $339.8 million at June 30, 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.