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	36,151			36,151
Dividends on Common Stock	(21,373)			(21,373)
Stock-based compensation	3,039	38	3,001
Stock repurchases	(687)	(17)	(670)
Purchase of remaining interest in consolidated subsidiary	(1,102)		(946)				(156)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(12,344)				(12,344)
Net investment realized loss (gain) reclassification, net of taxes	(617)				(617)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	(4,490)				(4,490)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,012						8,012
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(8,665)						(8,665)
Balances at end of period at Sep. 30, 2018	676,734	24,093	161,339	510,068	(21,890)	(2,666)	5,790
Balances at beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2018	666,237	24,097	160,204	499,656	(20,983)	(2,666)	5,929
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	17,553			17,553
Dividends on Common Stock	(7,141)			(7,141)
Stock-based compensation	1,060	(4)	1,064
Stock repurchases	(15)		(15)
Purchase of remaining interest in consolidated subsidiary	10		86				(76)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(1,910)				(1,910)
Net investment realized loss (gain) reclassification, net of taxes	(137)				(137)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	1,140				1,140
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,851						2,851
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,914)						(2,914)
Balances at end of period at Sep. 30, 2018	676,734	24,093	161,339	510,068	(21,890)	(2,666)	5,790
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	78,648			78,648
Dividends on Common Stock	(21,506)			(21,506)
Stock-based compensation	3,380	4	3,376
Stock repurchases	(481)	(11)	(470)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	17,985				17,985
Net investment realized loss (gain) reclassification, net of taxes	120				120
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	1,928				1,928
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,561						8,561
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(8,578)						(8,578)
Net effect of other changes in ownership	(10)						(10)
Balances at end of period at Sep. 30, 2019	759,884	24,065	165,548	571,390	(4,738)	(2,666)	6,285
Balances at beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2019	700,827	24,065	164,235	512,467	(3,114)	(2,666)	5,840
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	66,108			66,108
Dividends on Common Stock	(7,185)			(7,185)
Stock-based compensation	1,323		1,323
Stock repurchases	(10)		(10)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	3,603				3,603
Net investment realized loss (gain) reclassification, net of taxes	(92)				(92)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	(5,135)				(5,135)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,560						3,560
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,091)						(3,091)
Net effect of other changes in ownership	(24)						(24)
Balances at end of period at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 759,884	$ 24,065	$ 165,548	$ 571,390	$ (4,738)	$ (2,666)	$ 6,285