Segment information - Selected Statement of Operations and Income (Loss) Information Related to Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 595,696	$ 559,508	$ 1,551,701	$ 1,430,102
Depreciation and amortization	5,144	5,694	13,436	17,458
(Loss) income before taxes and noncontrolling interest	76,343	91,061	134,632	113,187
Title segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	567,743	501,199	1,506,618	1,349,272
Depreciation and amortization	3,748	5,110	11,302	15,309
(Loss) income before taxes and noncontrolling interest	82,376	49,481	152,003	88,144
Ancillary services and corporate segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	27,953	58,309	45,083	80,830
Depreciation and amortization	1,396	584	2,134	2,149
(Loss) income before taxes and noncontrolling interest	$ (6,033)	$ 41,580	$ (17,371)	$ 25,043