Note 1 - Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Business Overview and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy	Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Radian Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions, and intercompany profits and losses, have been eliminated. We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP pursuant to the instructions set forth in Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the SEC.
Reclassification, Policy	Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.
Use of Estimates, Policy	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. While the amounts included in our condensed consolidated financial statements include our best estimates and assumptions, actual results may vary materially.
Lessee, Leases, Policy	we determine if an arrangement includes a lease at inception. If it does, we recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and are recognized net of any payments made or received from the lessor. Lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease and are based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. In determining the net present value of lease payments, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date or as of our date of adoption, January 1, 2019. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. For lease agreements entered into after the adoption of this ASU that include lease and non-lease components, such components are generally not accounted for separately. We have elected the short-term exemption for contracts with lease terms of 12 months or less.
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	Accounting Standards Adopted During 2019. We adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), on January 1, 2019. Most significantly, this update requires a lessee to recognize, as of the lease commencement date, a liability to make lease payments and an asset with respect to its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. Upon adoption for contracts in effect as of January 1, 2019, we recorded a lease liability of $73.5 million within other liabilities, and a right-of-use asset of $49.4 million within other assets, corresponding to the lease liability as adjusted for deferred rent and unamortized allowances and incentives of $24.1 million. We elected the optional transition method and the practical expedients for transitioning existing leases to the new standard as of the effective date. As a result of applying the practical expedients: (i) we did not reassess expired or existing contracts to determine if they contain additional leases; (ii) we did not reassess the lease classification for expired and existing leases; and (iii) we did not reassess initial direct costs for existing leases. Prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under previous lease guidance. We adopted ASU 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, on January 1, 2019. The new standard requires certain premiums on purchased callable debt securities to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amortization period for callable debt securities purchased at a discount will not be impacted. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures.
New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted, Policy	Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance. This ASU and the associated subsequent amendments require that financial assets measured at their amortized cost basis be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Credit losses relating to our available for sale debt securities are to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, rather than a write-down of the asset, with the amount of the allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is less than amortized cost. This allowance method will allow reversals of credit losses if the estimate of credit losses declines. This ASU will also affect certain of our accounts and notes receivable, including premiums receivable, and certain of our other assets, including reinsurance recoverables. However, this ASU is not applicable to the accounting for insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses. Due to the nature of our assets affected by this update, we do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures. This update is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-12, Financial Services-Insurance. The new standard: (i) requires that assumptions used to measure the liability for future policy benefits be reviewed at least annually; (ii) defines and simplifies the measurement of market risk benefits; (iii) simplifies the amortization of deferred acquisition costs; and (iv) enhances the required disclosures about long-duration contracts. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this update but do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software. This ASU requires the capitalization of implementation costs for activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The new standard aligns the accounting for implementation costs of hosting arrangements that are service contracts with the accounting for capitalizing internal-use software. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this update but do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures. In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements related to Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Derivatives and Hedging, and Financial Instruments. This update to the accounting standards regarding financial instruments and derivatives and hedging clarifies the accounting treatment for the measurement of credit losses and provides further clarification on previously issued updates. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this update but do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures.
Segment Reporting, Policy	We have two strategic business units that we manage separately—Mortgage Insurance and Services. Adjusted pretax operating income (loss) for each segment represents segment results on a standalone basis; therefore, inter-segment eliminations and reclassifications required for consolidated GAAP presentation have not been reflected. Inter-segment activities are recorded at market rates for segment reporting and eliminated in consolidation. We allocate to our Mortgage Insurance segment: (i) corporate expenses based on the segment’s forecasted annual percentage of total revenue, which approximates the estimated percentage of time spent on the segment; (ii) except as described below for periods prior to January 1, 2019, all interest expense; and (iii) all net investment income from corporate cash and investments. Prior to January 1, 2019, interest expense related to the Clayton Intercompany Note was allocated to our Services segment. Effective January 1, 2019, Radian Group recapitalized the Services segment with a capital contribution that enabled the Services segment to repay the Clayton Intercompany Note and its accumulated allocated interest expense associated with the note, and effective as of the same date, all interest expense is allocated to our Mortgage Insurance segment. We allocate to our Services segment: (i) corporate expenses based on the segment’s forecasted annual percentage of total revenue, which approximates the estimated percentage of time spent on the segment and (ii) until January 1, 2019, the allocated interest expense related to the Clayton Intercompany Note as discussed above.
Income Tax, Policy	We are required to establish a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. At each balance sheet date, we assess our need for a valuation allowance and this assessment is based on all available evidence, both positive and negative. This requires management to exercise judgment and make assumptions regarding whether our deferred tax assets will be realized in future periods.

Note 1 - Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Business Overview and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy

Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and include the accounts of Radian Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions, and intercompany profits and losses, have been eliminated. We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP pursuant to the instructions set forth in Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the SEC.

Reclassification, Policy

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Use of Estimates, Policy

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of our contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. While the amounts

included in our condensed consolidated financial statements include our best estimates and assumptions, actual results may vary materially.

Lessee, Leases, Policy

we determine if an arrangement includes a lease at inception. If it does, we recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and are recognized net of any payments made or received from the lessor. Lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease and are based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. In determining the net present value of lease payments, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date or as of our date of adoption, January 1, 2019. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. For lease agreements entered into after the adoption of this ASU that include lease and non-lease components, such components are generally not accounted for separately. We have elected the short-term exemption for contracts with lease terms of 12 months or less.

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles

Accounting Standards Adopted During 2019. We adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), on January 1, 2019. Most significantly, this update requires a lessee to recognize, as of the lease commencement date, a liability to make lease payments and an asset with respect to its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. Upon adoption for contracts in effect as of January 1, 2019, we recorded a lease liability of $73.5 million within other liabilities, and a right-of-use asset of $49.4 million within other assets, corresponding to the lease liability as adjusted for deferred rent and unamortized allowances and incentives of $24.1 million. We elected the optional transition method and the practical expedients for transitioning existing leases to the new standard as of the effective date. As a result of applying the practical expedients: (i) we did not reassess expired or existing contracts to determine if they contain additional leases; (ii) we did not reassess the lease classification for expired and existing leases; and (iii) we did not reassess initial direct costs for existing leases. Prior period amounts continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under previous lease guidance.

We adopted ASU 2017-08, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, on January 1, 2019. The new standard requires certain premiums on purchased callable debt securities to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amortization period for callable debt securities purchased at a discount will not be impacted. The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted, Policy

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance. This ASU and the associated subsequent amendments require that financial assets measured at their amortized cost basis be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. Credit losses relating to our available for sale debt securities are to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, rather than a write-down of the asset, with the amount of the allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is less than amortized cost. This allowance method will allow reversals of credit losses if the estimate of credit losses declines. This ASU will also affect certain of our accounts and notes receivable, including premiums receivable, and certain of our other assets, including reinsurance recoverables. However, this ASU is not applicable to the accounting for insurance losses and loss adjustment expenses. Due to the nature of our assets affected by this update, we do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures. This update is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-12, Financial Services-Insurance. The new standard: (i) requires that assumptions used to measure the liability for future policy benefits be reviewed at least annually; (ii) defines and simplifies the measurement of market risk benefits; (iii) simplifies the amortization of deferred acquisition costs; and (iv) enhances the required disclosures about long-duration contracts. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this update but do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software. This ASU requires the capitalization of implementation costs for activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The new standard aligns the accounting for implementation costs of hosting arrangements that are service contracts with the accounting for capitalizing internal-use software. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this update but do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements related to Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Derivatives and Hedging, and Financial Instruments. This update to the accounting standards regarding financial instruments and derivatives and hedging clarifies the accounting treatment for the measurement of credit losses and provides further clarification on previously issued updates. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this update but do not expect it to have a material effect on our financial statements and disclosures.

Segment Reporting, Policy

We have two strategic business units that we manage separately—Mortgage Insurance and Services. Adjusted pretax operating income (loss) for each segment represents segment results on a standalone basis; therefore, inter-segment eliminations and reclassifications required for consolidated GAAP presentation have not been reflected. Inter-segment activities are recorded at market rates for segment reporting and eliminated in consolidation.

We allocate to our Mortgage Insurance segment: (i) corporate expenses based on the segment’s forecasted annual percentage of total revenue, which approximates the estimated percentage of time spent on the segment; (ii) except as described below for periods prior to January 1, 2019, all interest expense; and (iii) all net investment income from corporate cash and investments. Prior to January 1, 2019, interest expense related to the Clayton Intercompany Note was allocated to our Services segment. Effective January 1, 2019, Radian Group recapitalized the Services segment with a capital contribution that enabled the Services segment to repay the Clayton Intercompany Note and its accumulated allocated interest expense associated with the note, and effective as of the same date, all interest expense is allocated to our Mortgage Insurance segment.

We allocate to our Services segment: (i) corporate expenses based on the segment’s forecasted annual percentage of total revenue, which approximates the estimated percentage of time spent on the segment and (ii) until January 1, 2019, the allocated interest expense related to the Clayton Intercompany Note as discussed above.

Income Tax, Policy

We are required to establish a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. At each balance sheet date, we assess our need for a valuation allowance and this assessment is based on all available evidence, both positive and negative. This requires management to exercise judgment and make assumptions regarding whether our deferred tax assets will be realized in future periods.