Estimated title losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ 480,990	$ 462,572
Provisions:
Current year	18,880	20,537
Previous policy years	101	164
Total provisions	18,981	20,701
Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year	(2,564)	(2,988)
Previous policy years	(15,708)	(20,909)
Total payments, net of recoveries	(18,272)	(23,897)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	(1,894)	766
Balances at end of period	$ 479,805	$ 460,142
Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions	4.50%	4.90%
Total provisions	4.50%	4.90%