Estimated title losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ 462,572	$ 462,622
Provisions:
Current year	69,067	73,380
Previous policy years	1,524	(6,768)
Total provisions	70,591	66,612
Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year	(10,403)	(13,938)
Previous policy years	(53,491)	(57,410)
Total payments, net of recoveries	(63,894)	(71,348)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	6,576	2,814
Balances at end of period	$ 475,845	$ 460,700
Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions	5.00%	5.30%
Total provisions	5.10%	4.80%
Net policy loss reserve reduction		$ 5,400