Note 2 - Segment Reporting Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written—insurance	$ 213,706,000	$ 207,185,000
Net premiums earned-insurance	205,665,000	192,588,000
Net Premiums Earned On Derivatives	3,445,000	4,992,000
Net investment income	24,229,000	26,873,000
Other income	1,127,000	1,771,000
Revenue Non GAAP Basis	234,466,000	226,224,000
Provision for losses	54,809,000	132,059,000
Change In Present Value of Estimated Credit Loss Payments	(362,000)	(3,144,000)
Change in premium deficiency reserve (“PDR”)	466,000	(629,000)
Policy acquisition costs	8,614,000	17,195,000
Other operating expenses	59,909,000	80,100,000
Interest expense	19,927,000	15,881,000
Total Expenses Non-GAAP	143,363,000	241,462,000
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(13,000)	1,000
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	91,090,000	(15,237,000)
Cash and investments	4,901,908,000	5,672,888,000
Deferred policy acquisition costs	63,708,000	74,601,000	66,926,000
Total assets	5,528,985,000	6,370,949,000	5,621,691,000
Unearned premiums	774,788,000	673,849,000	768,871,000
Reserve for losses and LAE	1,923,711,000	2,919,073,000	2,185,421,000
VIE debt	95,580,000	107,401,000	94,645,000
Derivative liabilities	257,717,000	430,898,000	307,185,000
New Insurance Written
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written—insurance	212,953,000	217,286,000
Net premiums earned-insurance	198,762,000	182,992,000
Net Premiums Earned On Derivatives	0	0
Net investment income	14,021,000	15,102,000
Other income	1,057,000	1,712,000
Revenue Non GAAP Basis	213,840,000	199,806,000
Provision for losses	49,159,000	131,956,000
Change In Present Value of Estimated Credit Loss Payments	139,000	(299,000)
Change in premium deficiency reserve (“PDR”)	466,000	(629,000)
Policy acquisition costs	7,017,000	11,732,000
Other operating expenses	50,358,000	65,780,000
Interest expense	5,372,000	2,669,000
Total Expenses Non-GAAP	112,511,000	211,209,000
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	0	0
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	101,329,000	(11,403,000)
Cash and investments	2,735,809,000	3,186,871,000
Deferred policy acquisition costs	27,870,000	29,920,000
Total assets	3,136,537,000	3,663,552,000
Unearned premiums	580,453,000	428,574,000
Reserve for losses and LAE	1,893,960,000	2,894,500,000
VIE debt	3,144,000	11,062,000
Derivative liabilities	0	0
New Insurance Written	6,808,000,000	10,906,000,000
Financial Guaranty Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written—insurance	753,000	(10,101,000)
Net premiums earned-insurance	6,903,000	9,596,000
Net Premiums Earned On Derivatives	3,445,000	4,992,000
Net investment income	10,208,000	11,771,000
Other income	70,000	59,000
Revenue Non GAAP Basis	20,626,000	26,418,000
Provision for losses	5,650,000	103,000
Change In Present Value of Estimated Credit Loss Payments	(501,000)	(2,845,000)
Change in premium deficiency reserve (“PDR”)	0	0
Policy acquisition costs	1,597,000	5,463,000
Other operating expenses	9,551,000	14,320,000
Interest expense	14,555,000	13,212,000
Total Expenses Non-GAAP	30,852,000	30,253,000
Equity in net (loss) income of affiliates	(13,000)	1,000
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	(10,239,000)	(3,834,000)
Cash and investments	2,166,099,000	2,486,017,000
Deferred policy acquisition costs	35,838,000	44,681,000
Total assets	2,392,448,000	2,707,397,000
Unearned premiums	194,335,000	245,275,000
Reserve for losses and LAE	29,751,000	24,573,000
VIE debt	92,436,000	96,339,000
Derivative liabilities	$ 257,717,000	$ 430,898,000