Income taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses	$ 16,013	$ 14,435
Net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards	6,936	6,483
Federal offset to Canadian deferred tax liability	6,618	6,300
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3,194	925
Capitalized expenses	2,356	384
Tax credit carryforwards	1,477	1
Net unrealized losses on investments	1,205	0
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	1,023	1,133
Investments	857	894
Other	1,235	327
Deferred tax assets – gross	40,914	30,882
Valuation allowance	(3,824)	(2,231)
Deferred tax assets – net	37,090	28,651
Deferred tax liabilities:
Title loss provisions	(21,936)	(17,889)
Amortization – goodwill and other intangibles	(19,891)	(18,155)
Deferred compensation on life insurance policies	(2,029)	(2,278)
Fixed assets	(1,917)	(1,968)
Net unrealized gains on investments	0	(1,826)
Other	(956)	(1,383)
Deferred tax liabilities – gross	(46,729)	(43,499)
Net deferred income tax liability	$ (9,639)	$ (14,848)