Estimated title losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ 462,572	$ 462,622
Provisions:
Current year	43,850	47,146
Previous policy years	1,313	(6,899)
Total provisions	45,163	40,247
Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year	(5,966)	(9,047)
Previous policy years	(39,664)	(34,352)
Total payments, net of recoveries	(45,630)	(43,399)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	3,189	3,768
Balances at end of period	$ 465,294	$ 463,238
Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions	4.90%	5.40%
Total provisions	5.10%	4.60%
Net policy loss reserve reduction		$ 5,400