CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	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	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)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	17,985				17,985
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, 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	0	1,323
Stock repurchases	(10)	0	(10)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	3,603				3,603
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, 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
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	95,232			95,232
Dividends on Common Stock	(22,401)			(22,401)
Issuance of Common Stock	108,961	3,026	105,935
Stock-based compensation	4,234	4	4,230
Stock repurchases	(826)	(20)	(806)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	15,055				15,055
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(276)				(276)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	(3,404)				(3,404)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	10,107						10,107
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(9,572)						(9,572)
Balances at end of period at Sep. 30, 2020	950,869	27,072	273,576	637,223	8,676	(2,666)	6,988
Balances at beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2020	787,332	24,052	166,208	589,424	4,087	(2,666)	6,227
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	55,909			55,909
Dividends on Common Stock	(8,110)			(8,110)
Issuance of Common Stock	108,961	3,026	105,935
Stock-based compensation	1,785	2	1,783
Stock repurchases	(358)	(8)	(350)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	920				920
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(175)				(175)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	3,844				3,844
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,376						4,376
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,615)						(3,615)
Balances at end of period at Sep. 30, 2020	$ 950,869	$ 27,072	$ 273,576	$ 637,223	$ 8,676	$ (2,666)	$ 6,988