Estimated title losses - Estimated Title Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Loss Contingency Accrual
Balances at beginning of period	$ 461,560	$ 480,990	$ 462,572
Provisions:
Current year	79,141	70,480	90,401
Previous policy years	5,282	1,034	6,131
Total provisions	84,423	71,514	96,532
Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year	(19,052)	(17,460)	(20,335)
Previous policy years	(71,956)	(65,246)	(63,914)
Total payments, net of recoveries	(91,008)	(82,706)	(84,249)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	4,078	(8,238)	6,135
Balances at end of period	$ 459,053	$ 461,560	$ 480,990
Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions	4.30%	3.80%	4.80%
Total provisions	4.60%	3.90%	5.10%