CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Retained Earnings	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 648,848	$ 23,783	$ 157,176	$ (8,881)	$ 471,788	$ (2,666)	$ 7,648
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss) attributable to Stewart	48,659				48,659
Dividends on Common Stock ($1.20 per share)	(28,749)				(28,749)
Stock compensation	5,303	306	4,997
Stock repurchases	(727)	(17)	(710)
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary	(1,810)		(1,509)				(301)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments (net of tax)	1,766			1,766
Net realized gain reclassification (net of tax)	(2,086)			(2,086)
Foreign currency translation (net of tax)	8,354			8,354
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	11,487						11,487
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(11,651)						(11,651)
Net effect of changes in ownership and other	(584)						(584)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017	678,810	24,072	159,954	(847)	491,698	(2,666)	6,599
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss) attributable to Stewart	47,523				47,523
Dividends on Common Stock ($1.20 per share)	(28,565)				(28,565)
Stock compensation	4,809	29	4,780
Stock repurchases	(1,175)	(29)	(1,146)
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary	(1,101)		(946)				(155)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments (net of tax)	(8,922)			(8,922)
Net realized gain reclassification (net of tax)	(922)			(922)
Foreign currency translation (net of tax)	(10,488)			(10,488)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	11,499						11,499
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(11,631)						(11,631)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	679,837	24,072	162,642	(24,771)	514,248	(2,666)	6,312
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss) attributable to Stewart	78,615				78,615
Dividends on Common Stock ($1.20 per share)	(28,471)				(28,471)
Stock compensation	2,097	3	2,094
Stock repurchases	(532)	(13)	(519)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments (net of tax)	15,184			15,184
Net realized gain reclassification (net of tax)	410			410
Foreign currency translation (net of tax)	6,478			6,478
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	11,657						11,657
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(11,506)						(11,506)
Net effect of changes in ownership and other	(10)						(10)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 753,759	$ 24,062	$ 164,217	$ (2,699)	$ 564,392	$ (2,666)	$ 6,453