Note 2 - Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Radian Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions, and intercompany profits and losses, have been eliminated. We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP pursuant to the instructions set forth in Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. We refer to Radian Group Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries as “Radian,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our,” unless the context requires otherwise. We generally refer to Radian Group Inc. alone, without its consolidated subsidiaries, as “Radian Group.” Unless otherwise defined in this report, certain terms and acronyms used throughout this report are defined in the Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms included as part of this report. The financial information presented for interim periods is unaudited; however, such information reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from our audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. To fully understand the basis of presentation, these interim financial statements and related notes contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2019 Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year or for any other period. See Note 1 for discussion of the elevated risks to our future business, liquidity, results of operations and financial condition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. See Note 4 for additional information on our segment reporting reclassifications. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. While the amounts included in our condensed consolidated financial statements include our best estimates and assumptions, actual results may vary materially. Other Significant Accounting Policies See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2019 Form 10-K for information regarding other significant accounting policies. There have been no significant changes in our significant accounting policies from those discussed in our 2019 Form 10-K, other than described below in “—Investments” and “—Recent Accounting Pronouncements—Accounting Standards Adopted During 2020.” Investments Investments in fixed-maturity securities not classified as held to maturity or trading securities are classified as available for sale and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses (net of tax) reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), unless: (i) we intend to sell the impaired security; (ii) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the impaired security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (iii) the present value of cash flows we expect to collect is less than the amortized cost basis of a security. In those instances, we record an impairment loss through earnings that varies depending on specific circumstances, as described below. If a sale is likely, the full amount of the impairment is recognized as a loss in the statement of operations. Otherwise, unrealized losses on securities are separated into: (i) the portion of loss that represents the credit loss and (ii) the portion that is due to other factors. As a result of the adoption, effective January 2020, of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13”), described below, in evaluating whether a decline in value for other securities relates to an existing credit loss, we consider several factors, including, but not limited to, the following: ■the extent to which the amortized cost basis is greater than fair value; ■reasons for the decline in value (e.g., adverse conditions related to industry or geographic area, changes in financial condition to the issuers or underlying loan obligors); ■any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency; ■the failure of the issuer to make a scheduled payment; ■the financial position, access to capital and near-term prospects of the issuer, including the current and future impact of any specific events; and ■our best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected. In addition, we no longer consider the duration of the decline in value in assessing whether our fixed income securities available for sale have a credit loss impairment. On initial recognition and at each reporting date after a credit loss is identified, we recognize an allowance for remaining lifetime expected credit losses. This amount is calculated as the difference between the amortized cost and the present value of future expected cash flows, limited to the difference between the carrying amount (i.e., fair value) and amortized cost. If a credit loss is determined to exist, the credit loss impairment is included in net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments in the statement of operations, with an offset to an allowance for credit losses. Subsequent changes (favorable and unfavorable) in expected credit losses are recognized immediately in net income (loss) as a credit loss impairment or a reversal of credit loss impairment. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Adopted During 2020 We adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective adoption approach. This ASU and the associated subsequent amendments require that financial assets measured at their amortized cost basis be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Credit losses relating to our available-for-sale debt securities are recorded through an allowance for credit losses, rather than a write-down of the asset, with the amount of the allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is less than amortized cost. This allowance method will allow reversals of credit losses if the estimate of credit losses declines. This ASU affected certain of our accounts and notes receivable, including premiums receivable, and certain of our other assets, including reinsurance recoverables; however, the update did not have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures. See Note 6 for additional information. We adopted ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements related to Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Derivatives and Hedging, and Financial Instruments on January 1, 2020. This update to the accounting standards regarding financial instruments and derivatives and hedging clarifies the accounting treatment for the measurement of credit losses and provides further clarification on previously issued updates. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures. Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-12, Financial Services—Insurance. The new standard: (i) requires that assumptions used to measure the liability for future policy benefits be reviewed at least annually; (ii) defines and simplifies the measurement of market risk benefits; (iii) simplifies the amortization of deferred acquisition costs; and (iv) enhances the required disclosures about long-duration contracts. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statements and future disclosures as a result of this update. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes—Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This update simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principals of ASC Topic 740 in GAAP. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statements and future disclosures as a result of this update. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Reform on Financial Reporting. This update provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The amendments in this update are optional and may be elected from the date of issuance through December 31, 2022, as reference rate reform activities occur. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance and our options related to the practical expedients. In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. This update clarifies that an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security is within the scope of ASC paragraph 310-20-35-33 for each reporting period. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is not permitted. Entities are required to apply ASU 2020-08 on a prospective basis as of the beginning of the period of adoption for existing or newly purchased callable debt securities. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statements and future disclosures as a result of this update.

Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Radian Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions, and intercompany profits and losses, have been eliminated. We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP pursuant to the instructions set forth in Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the SEC.

We refer to Radian Group Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries as “Radian,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our,” unless the context requires otherwise. We generally refer to Radian Group Inc. alone, without its consolidated subsidiaries, as “Radian Group.” Unless otherwise defined in this report, certain terms and acronyms used throughout this report are defined in the Glossary of Abbreviations and Acronyms included as part of this report.

The financial information presented for interim periods is unaudited; however, such information reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair statement of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from our audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

To fully understand the basis of presentation, these interim financial statements and related notes contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2019 Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year or for any other period. See Note 1 for discussion of the elevated risks to our future business, liquidity, results of operations and financial condition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. While the amounts included in our condensed consolidated financial statements include our best estimates and assumptions, actual results may vary materially.

See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2019 Form 10-K for information regarding other significant accounting policies. There have been no significant changes in our significant accounting policies from those discussed in our 2019 Form 10-K, other than described below in “—Investments” and “—Recent Accounting Pronouncements—Accounting Standards Adopted During 2020.”

Investments in fixed-maturity securities not classified as held to maturity or trading securities are classified as available for sale and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses (net of tax) reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), unless: (i) we intend to sell the impaired security; (ii) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the impaired security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (iii) the present value of cash flows we expect to collect is less than the amortized cost basis of a security. In those instances, we record an impairment loss through earnings that varies depending on specific circumstances, as described below.

If a sale is likely, the full amount of the impairment is recognized as a loss in the statement of operations. Otherwise, unrealized losses on securities are separated into: (i) the portion of loss that represents the credit loss and (ii) the portion that is due to other factors. As a result of the adoption, effective January 2020, of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (“ASU 2016-13”), described below, in evaluating whether a decline in value for other securities relates to an existing credit loss, we consider several factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

On initial recognition and at each reporting date after a credit loss is identified, we recognize an allowance for remaining lifetime expected credit losses. This amount is calculated as the difference between the amortized cost and the present value of future expected cash flows, limited to the difference between the carrying amount (i.e., fair value) and amortized cost. If a credit loss is determined to exist, the credit loss impairment is included in net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments in the statement of operations, with an offset to an allowance for credit losses. Subsequent changes (favorable and unfavorable) in expected credit losses are recognized immediately in net income (loss) as a credit loss impairment or a reversal of credit loss impairment.

We adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective adoption approach. This ASU and the associated subsequent amendments require that financial assets measured at their amortized cost basis be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Credit losses relating to our available-for-sale debt securities are recorded through an allowance for credit losses, rather than a write-down of the asset, with the amount of the allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is less than amortized cost. This allowance method will allow reversals of credit losses if the estimate of credit losses declines. This ASU affected certain of our accounts and notes receivable, including premiums receivable, and certain of our other assets, including reinsurance recoverables; however, the update did not have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures. See Note 6 for additional information.

We adopted ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements related to Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Derivatives and Hedging, and Financial Instruments on January 1, 2020. This update to the accounting standards regarding financial instruments and derivatives and hedging clarifies the accounting treatment for the measurement of credit losses and provides further clarification on previously issued updates. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-12, Financial Services—Insurance. The new standard: (i) requires that assumptions used to measure the liability for future policy benefits be reviewed at least annually; (ii) defines and simplifies the measurement of market risk benefits; (iii) simplifies the amortization of deferred acquisition costs; and (iv) enhances the required disclosures about long-duration contracts. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statements and future disclosures as a result of this update.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes—Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This update simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principals of ASC Topic 740 in GAAP. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statements and future disclosures as a result of this update.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Reform on Financial Reporting. This update provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The amendments in this update are optional and may be elected from the date of issuance through December 31, 2022, as reference rate reform activities occur. We are currently evaluating the impact of the guidance and our options related to the practical expedients.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. This update clarifies that an entity should reevaluate whether a callable debt security is within the scope of ASC paragraph 310-20-35-33 for each reporting period. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is not permitted. Entities are required to apply ASU 2020-08 on a prospective basis as of the beginning of the period of adoption for existing or newly purchased callable debt securities. We are currently evaluating the impact on our financial statements and future disclosures as a result of this update.