Note 8 - Reinsurance Reinsurance Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Reinsurance Transaction Details [Line Items]
Ceded Premiums Written	$ 16,421,000	$ 18,392,000	$ 32,510,000	$ 46,277,000
Radian Guaranty [Member] | Initial Quota Share Reinsurance Transaction [Member]
Reinsurance Transaction Details [Line Items]
Ceded Premiums Written	5,046,000	5,900,000	10,350,000	12,022,000
Ceded Premiums Earned	6,803,000	7,662,000	13,610,000	15,495,000
Fees and Commissions	1,262,000	1,475,000	2,588,000	3,005,000
First Lien Primary Mortgage Insurance Risk In Force Ceded	1,200,000,000		1,200,000,000
Radian Guaranty [Member] | Second Quota Share Reinsurance Transaction [Member]
Reinsurance Transaction Details [Line Items]
Ceded Premiums Written	8,072,000	7,580,000	15,365,000	24,020,000
Ceded Premiums Earned	7,197,000	4,283,000	13,782,000	7,121,000
Fees and Commissions	2,825,000	2,653,000	5,378,000	8,407,000
First Lien Primary Mortgage Insurance Risk In Force Ceded	1,500,000,000		1,500,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Radian Guaranty [Member] | Initial Quota Share Reinsurance Transaction [Member]
Reinsurance Transaction Details [Line Items]
First Lien Primary Mortgage Insurance Risk In Force Ceded	1,600,000,000		1,600,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Radian Guaranty [Member] | Second Quota Share Reinsurance Transaction [Member]
Reinsurance Transaction Details [Line Items]
First Lien Primary Mortgage Insurance Risk In Force Ceded	$ 1,600,000,000		$ 1,600,000,000