Estimated title losses - Estimated Title Losses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Loss Contingency Accrual
Beginning balance	$ 462,622	$ 495,395	$ 506,888
Provisions:
Current year	72,586	68,029	64,577
Previous policy years	18,561	38,236	16,728
Total provisions	91,147	106,265	81,305
Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year	(18,836)	(19,182)	(18,775)
Previous policy years	(73,194)	(104,450)	(67,898)
Total payments, net of recoveries	(92,030)	(123,632)	(86,673)
Adjustments related to acquired balance	0	(2,303)	2,268
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	833	(13,103)	(8,393)
Ending balance	$ 462,572	$ 462,622	$ 495,395
Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions (percent)	3.80%	3.60%	3.80%
Total provisions (percent)	4.80%	5.60%	4.70%