Estimated title losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward]
Balances at beginning of period	$ 461,560	$ 480,990	$ 480,990
Provisions:
Current year	54,670	62,592
Previous policy years	863	(3,410)	4,000
Total provisions	55,533	59,182
Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year	(11,424)	(9,466)
Previous policy years	(55,375)	(50,822)
Total payments, net of recoveries	(66,799)	(60,288)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	2,067	(3,014)
Balances at end of period	$ 452,361	$ 476,870	$ 461,560
Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions	4.10%	4.50%
Total provisions	4.20%	4.30%