CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interests
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
Balances at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2020	1,012,406	27,080	274,857	688,819	17,022	(2,666)	7,294
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	149,055			149,055
Dividends on Common Stock	(18,040)			(18,040)
Stock-based compensation	5,879	131	5,748
Stock repurchases	(2,002)	(39)	(1,963)
Stock option exercises	181	5	176
Purchase of remaining interest in consolidated subsidiaries	(5,616)		(4,744)				(872)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(8,147)				(8,147)
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(563)				(563)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	3,246				3,246
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	6,907						6,907
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(7,253)						(7,253)
Net effect of other changes in ownership	20						20
Balances at end of period at Jun. 30, 2021	1,136,073	27,177	274,074	819,834	11,558	(2,666)	6,096
Balances at beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2021	1,047,898	27,158	273,820	733,973	9,588	(2,666)	6,025
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income attributable to Stewart	94,819			94,819
Dividends on Common Stock	(8,958)			(8,958)
Stock-based compensation	2,705	18	2,687
Stock repurchases	(67)	(2)	(65)
Stock option exercises	120	3	117
Purchase of remaining interest in consolidated subsidiaries	(3,046)		(2,485)				(561)
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	1,009				1,009
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes	(418)				(418)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	1,379				1,379
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,021						4,021
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(3,409)						(3,409)
Net effect of other changes in ownership	20						20
Balances at end of period at Jun. 30, 2021	$ 1,136,073	$ 27,177	$ 274,074	$ 819,834	$ 11,558	$ (2,666)	$ 6,096