Estimated title losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ 462,572	$ 462,622
Provisions:
Current year	20,537	22,991
Previous policy years	164	102
Total provisions	20,701	23,093
Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year	(2,988)	(3,762)
Previous policy years	(20,909)	(19,542)
Total payments, net of recoveries	(23,897)	(23,304)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	766	3,998
Balances at end of period	$ 460,142	$ 466,409
Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions	4.90%	5.60%
Total provisions	4.90%	5.60%