Estimated title losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ 480,990	$ 462,572
Provisions:
Current year	41,372	43,850
Previous policy years	(3,694)	1,313
Total provisions	37,678	45,163
Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year	(5,263)	(5,966)
Previous policy years	(33,590)	(39,664)
Total payments, net of recoveries	(38,853)	(45,630)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	(4,355)	3,189
Balances at end of period	$ 475,460	$ 465,294
Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions	4.60%	4.90%
Total provisions	4.20%	5.10%