Statutory Accounting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Essent Guaranty
Dividends Restrictions
Statutory net income	$ 93,002	$ 60,806
Statutory surplus	807,363	595,102
Contingency reserve liability	734,944	525,256
Increase in contingency reserve	56,200
Essent PA
Dividends Restrictions
Statutory net income	2,475	2,805
Statutory surplus	46,505	43,299
Contingency reserve liability	44,606	38,219
Increase in contingency reserve	1,500
Essent Re
Dividends Restrictions
Statutory net income	31,200	$ 20,200
Statutory capital and surplus	$ 684,600		$ 662,600