Segment information - Selected Statement of Operations and Income (Loss) Information Related to Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 553,210	$ 555,705	$ 1,480,875	$ 1,536,482
Depreciation and amortization	7,082	7,633	22,728	22,013
Income before taxes and noncontrolling interest	38,808	(5,568)	65,007	6,589
Title segment:
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	529,816	527,294	1,410,863	1,431,412
Depreciation and amortization	5,120	4,711	15,642	13,870
Income before taxes and noncontrolling interest	50,308	48,803	100,984	95,978
Ancillary services and corporate segment:
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	23,394	28,411	70,012	105,070
Depreciation and amortization	1,962	2,922	7,086	8,143
Income before taxes and noncontrolling interest	$ (11,500)	$ (54,371)	$ (35,977)	$ (89,389)