CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interests
Balances at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 678,810	$ 24,072	$ 159,954	$ 491,698	$ (847)	$ (2,666)	$ 6,599
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	18,598			18,598
Dividends on Common Stock	(14,232)			(14,232)
Stock-based compensation	1,979	42	1,937
Stock repurchases	(672)	(17)	(655)
Purchase of remaining interest in consolidated subsidiary	(1,112)		(1,032)				(80)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(10,434)				(10,434)
Net investment realized loss (gain) reclassification, net of taxes	(480)				(480)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	(5,630)				(5,630)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,161						5,161
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(5,751)						(5,751)
Balances at end of period at Jun. 30, 2018	666,237	24,097	160,204	499,656	(20,983)	(2,666)	5,929
Balances at beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2018	656,203	24,086	159,300	484,359	(14,286)	(2,666)	5,410
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	22,378			22,378
Dividends on Common Stock	(7,081)			(7,081)
Stock-based compensation	1,839	14	1,825
Stock repurchases	(93)	(3)	(90)
Purchase of remaining interest in consolidated subsidiary	(831)		(831)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(2,428)				(2,428)
Net investment realized loss (gain) reclassification, net of taxes	(231)				(231)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	(4,038)				(4,038)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,342						3,342
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,823)						(2,823)
Balances at end of period at Jun. 30, 2018	666,237	24,097	160,204	499,656	(20,983)	(2,666)	5,929
Balances at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2018	679,837	24,072	162,642	514,248	(24,771)	(2,666)	6,312
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	12,540			12,540
Dividends on Common Stock	(14,321)			(14,321)
Stock-based compensation	2,057	4	2,053
Stock repurchases	(471)	(11)	(460)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	14,382				14,382
Net investment realized loss (gain) reclassification, net of taxes	212				212
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	7,063				7,063
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,001						5,001
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(5,487)						(5,487)
Net effect of other changes in ownership	14						14
Balances at end of period at Jun. 30, 2019	700,827	24,065	164,235	512,467	(3,114)	(2,666)	5,840
Balances at beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2019	678,904	24,052	163,087	500,335	(11,010)	(2,666)	5,106
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	19,306			19,306
Dividends on Common Stock	(7,174)			(7,174)
Stock-based compensation	1,253	15	1,238
Stock repurchases	(92)	(2)	(90)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	5,371				5,371
Net investment realized loss (gain) reclassification, net of taxes	50				50
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	2,475				2,475
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,019						3,019
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,310)						(2,310)
Net effect of other changes in ownership	25						25
Balances at end of period at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 700,827	$ 24,065	$ 164,235	$ 512,467	$ (3,114)	$ (2,666)	$ 5,840