Note 10 - Financial Guaranty Insurance Contracts Adjustments To Premiums Earned For Financial Guaranty Contracts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Adjustments To Premiums Earned For Financial Guaranty Contracts [Line Items]
Refundings	$ 6,253	$ 6,979	$ 14,443	$ 22,020
Recaptures/commutations	0	0	0	(2,447)
Adjustments to installment premiums, gross of commissions	(1,586)	(155)	(1,425)	2,527
Unearned premium acceleration upon establishment of case reserves	905	0	967	69
Adjustment To Premiums Earned Foreign Exchange Revaluation Gross of Commission	(299)	112	21	(975)
Total Adjustment To Premiums Earned For Financial Guaranty Contracts	$ 5,273	$ 6,936	$ 14,006	$ 21,194