CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common and Class B Common Stock ($1 par value)	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Retained Earnings	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 580,372	$ 19,756	$ 133,685	$ 26,584	$ 391,447	$ (2,666)	$ 11,566
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net loss attributable to Stewart	63,026				63,026
Cash dividends on Common Stock	(2,159)				(2,159)
Stock bonuses and other (including tax effects)	901	1	900
Exercise of stock options	59	2	57
Conversion of Convertible Senior Notes for Common Stock	41,809	3,094	38,715
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary	(1,442)		(1,442)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments (net of tax)	(7,282)			(7,282)
Net realized gain reclassification (net of tax)	(1,601)			(1,601)
Foreign currency translation (net of tax)	(6,819)			(6,819)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,558						9,558
Subsidiary dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(9,239)						(9,239)
Net effect of changes in ownership and other	(4,094)						(4,094)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	663,089	22,853	171,915	10,882	452,314	(2,666)	7,791
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net loss attributable to Stewart	29,753				29,753
Cash dividends on Common Stock	(2,334)				(2,334)
Stock bonuses and other (including tax effects)	3,916	77	3,839
Exercise of stock options	58	2	56
Stock repurchases	(22,048)	(685)	(21,363)
Conversion of Convertible Senior Notes for Common Stock	27,190	2,111	25,079
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary	(321)		(321)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments (net of tax)	9,793			9,793
Net realized gain reclassification (net of tax)	(555)			(555)
Foreign currency translation (net of tax)	(7,565)			(7,565)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,556						8,556
Subsidiary dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(8,986)						(8,986)
Net effect of changes in ownership and other	(93)						(93)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	700,453	24,358	179,205	12,555	479,733	(2,666)	7,268
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net loss attributable to Stewart	(6,204)				(6,204)
Cash dividends on Common Stock	(18,010)				(18,010)
Stock bonuses and other (including tax effects)	4,851	93	4,758
Exercise of stock options	130	4	126
Stock repurchases	(27,950)	(762)	(27,188)
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary	(209)		(209)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments (net of tax)	(3,741)			(3,741)
Net realized gain reclassification (net of tax)	(1,626)			(1,626)
Foreign currency translation (net of tax)	(11,145)			(11,145)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	10,247						10,247
Subsidiary dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(9,706)						(9,706)
Net effect of changes in ownership and other	38						38
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 637,128	$ 23,693	$ 156,692	$ (3,957)	$ 455,519	$ (2,666)	$ 7,847