Note 3 - Segment Reporting Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		$ 0	$ (184,374)	$ 0	$ (184,374)
Net premiums earned-insurance		251,344	229,096	493,894	450,896
Services revenue		36,828	37,802	69,992	75,829
Net investment income		37,473	30,071	71,429	61,103
Other income		1,016	612	1,823	1,358
Policy acquisition costs		5,996	6,123	13,113	12,852
Cost of services		24,205	25,635	47,331	54,010
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		70,184	68,750	133,427	137,127
Restructuring and other exit costs		925	0	1,476	0
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)		191,009	163,736	355,112	289,017
Net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments		(7,404)	5,331	(26,291)	2,480
Total assets		6,139,488		6,139,488		$ 5,900,881
Mortgage Insurance Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums written—insurance	[1]	251,958	241,307	489,938	465,972
(Increase) decrease in unearned premiums		(2,990)	(12,211)	1,580	(15,076)
Net premiums earned-insurance		248,968	229,096	491,518	450,896
Net investment income		37,447	30,071	71,403	61,103
Other income		621	612	1,428	1,358
Total	[2]	287,036	259,779	564,349	513,357
Provision for losses		19,362	17,714	56,753	64,946
Policy acquisition costs		5,996	6,123	13,113	12,852
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		33,262	37,939	65,150	77,228
Total	[3]	58,620	61,776	135,016	155,026
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss) before corporate allocations		228,416	198,003	429,333	358,331
Allocation of corporate operating expenses		20,136	15,894	38,713	30,080
Allocation of interest expense		10,840	11,748	21,469	23,257
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	[4]	197,440	170,361	369,151	304,994
Inter-segment expenses				1,887	4,235
Inter-segment revenues		885	2,173
Total assets		5,949,845		5,949,845		5,733,918
Mortgage and Real Estate Services Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss				0		(184,374)
Net premiums earned-insurance	[5]	2,376	0	2,376	0
Services revenue	[6]	37,713	39,975	71,879	80,064
Net investment income	[5]	26	0	26	0
Other income	[5]	395	0	395	0
Total	[6]	40,510	39,975	74,676	80,064
Provision for losses	[5]	53	0	53	0
Cost of services		24,357	25,962	47,627	54,652
Other operating expenses before corporate allocations		14,015	12,803	24,759	25,407
Restructuring and other exit costs	[7]	1,055	0	1,580	0
Total		39,480	38,765	74,019	80,059
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss) before corporate allocations		1,030	1,210	657	5
Allocation of corporate operating expenses		3,010	3,404	5,794	7,122
Allocation of interest expense		4,451	4,431	8,902	8,860
Adjusted pretax operating income (loss)	[4]	(6,431)	(6,625)	(14,039)	(15,977)
Inter-segment revenues		885	$ 2,173	1,887	$ 4,235
Total assets		189,643		189,643		$ 166,963
Investments and Cash		0		0
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 300,000		$ 300,000

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

[2] Excludes net losses on investments and other financial instruments of $7.4 million and $26.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, and net gains on investments and other financial instruments of $5.3 million and $2.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, not included in adjusted pretax operating income.

[3] Includes inter-segment expenses as follows: Three Months EndedJune 30, Six Months EndedJune 30,(In thousands)2018 2017 2018 2017Inter-segment expenses$885 $2,173 $1,887 $4,235

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

[5] Results from inclusion of the operations of EnTitle Direct, a national title insurance and settlement services company, acquired in March 2018.

[6] Includes inter-segment revenues as follows: Three Months EndedJune 30, Six Months EndedJune 30,(In thousands)2018 2017 2018 2017Inter-segment revenues$885 $2,173 $1,887 $4,235

[7] Does not include impairment of long-lived assets and loss from the sale of a business line, which is not a component of adjusted pretax operating income.