Estimated title losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ 461,560	$ 480,990
Provisions:
Current year	15,526	18,880
Previous policy years	160	101
Total provisions	15,686	18,981
Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year	(2,695)	(2,564)
Previous policy years	(20,772)	(15,708)
Total payments, net of recoveries	(23,467)	(18,272)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	296	(1,894)
Balances at end of period	$ 454,075	$ 479,805
Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions	4.10%	4.50%
Total provisions	4.20%	4.50%