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, 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)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	14,382				14,382
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, 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)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	5,371				5,371
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, 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
Balances at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2019	753,759	24,062	164,217	564,392	(2,699)	(2,666)	6,453
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	39,323			39,323
Dividends on Common Stock	(14,291)			(14,291)
Stock-based compensation	2,449	2	2,447
Stock repurchases	(468)	(12)	(456)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	14,135				14,135
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(101)				(101)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	(7,248)				(7,248)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	5,731						5,731
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(5,957)						(5,957)
Balances at end of period at Jun. 30, 2020	787,332	24,052	166,208	589,424	4,087	(2,666)	6,227
Balances at beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2020	737,075	24,032	164,741	562,445	(16,801)	(2,666)	5,324
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	34,146			34,146
Dividends on Common Stock	(7,167)			(7,167)
Stock-based compensation	1,562	22	1,540
Stock repurchases	(75)	(2)	(73)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	16,715				16,715
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(21)				(21)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	4,194				4,194
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,534						3,534
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2,631)						(2,631)
Balances at end of period at Jun. 30, 2020	$ 787,332	$ 24,052	$ 166,208	$ 589,424	$ 4,087	$ (2,666)	$ 6,227