Note 3 - Segment Reporting Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) segment	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments | segment				2
Net premiums earned-insurance		$ 229,085	$ 237,437	$ 450,035	$ 462,032
Services revenue		38,294	43,503	69,894	74,133
Net investment income		28,839	19,285	56,040	36,613
Other income		3,423	1,743	5,338	3,074
Provision for losses		49,725	32,560	92,716	77,588
Policy acquisition costs		5,393	6,963	11,782	14,713
Direct cost of services		24,858	23,520	46,607	42,773
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		65,680	67,731	124,669	121,505
Net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments		30,527	28,448	61,813	45,227
Total assets		6,067,263		6,067,263		$ 5,642,100
Mortgage Insurance Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written—insurance	[1]	232,353	251,082	258,663	492,990
Decrease (increase) in unearned premiums		(3,268)	(13,645)	191,372	(30,958)
Net premiums earned-insurance		229,085	237,437	450,035	462,032
Net investment income		28,839	19,285	56,040	36,613
Other income		3,424	1,743	5,339	3,074
Total	[2]	261,348	258,465	511,414	501,719
Provision for losses		50,074	31,637	93,349	77,488
Policy acquisition costs		5,393	6,963	11,782	14,713
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		36,126	41,853	69,955	75,903
Total	[3]	91,593	80,453	175,086	168,104
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss) before corporate allocations		169,755	178,012	336,328	333,615
Allocation of corporate operating expenses		14,286	12,516	23,615	22,274
Allocation of interest expense		18,124	20,070	35,236	40,023
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	[4]	137,345	145,426	277,477	271,318
Net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments		30,500	28,400	61,800	45,200
Inter-segment expenses		709	1,092	1,305	1,994
Total assets		5,708,233		5,708,233		5,281,597
Mortgage and Real Estate Services Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Services revenue	[5]	39,002	44,595	71,198	76,127
Direct cost of services		25,224	25,501	47,277	44,754
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		12,537	11,522	26,420	20,379
Total		37,761	37,023	73,697	65,133
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss) before corporate allocations		1,241	7,572	(2,499)	10,994
Allocation of corporate operating expenses		2,779	1,307	4,530	2,288
Allocation of interest expense		4,422	4,431	8,844	8,863
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	[4]	(5,960)	1,834	(15,873)	(157)
Inter-segment revenues		709	$ 1,092	1,305	$ 1,994
Total assets		$ 359,030		$ 359,030		$ 360,503

[1] Net of ceded premiums written under the QSR Transactions and the Single Premium QSR Transaction. See Note 7 for additional information.

[2] Excludes net gains on investments and other financial instruments of $30.5 million and $61.8 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, and $28.4 million and $45.2 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, not included in adjusted pretax operating income.

[3] Includes inter-segment expenses as follows: Three Months EndedJune 30, Six Months EndedJune 30,(In thousands)2016 2015 2016 2015Inter-segment expenses$709 $1,092 $1,305 $1,994

[4] Includes inter-segment expenses and revenues as listed in the notes to the preceding tables.

[5] Includes inter-segment revenues as follows: Three Months EndedJune 30, Six Months EndedJune 30,(In thousands)2016 2015 2016 2015Inter-segment revenues$709 $1,092 $1,305 $1,994