Segment information - Selected Statement of Operations and Income (Loss) Information Related to Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 398,519	$ 437,230
Depreciation and amortization	5,990	6,234
(Loss) income before taxes and noncontrolling interest	(7,226)	(3,255)
Title segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	384,437	425,411
Depreciation and amortization	5,153	5,317
(Loss) income before taxes and noncontrolling interest	(379)	5,125
Ancillary services and corporate segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	14,082	11,819
Depreciation and amortization	837	917
(Loss) income before taxes and noncontrolling interest	$ (6,847)	$ (8,380)

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations, including income (loss) from equity method investments, before deduction of income tax expense (benefit), and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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