Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 117,196	$ 144,564
Cash and cash equivalents - statutory reserve funds	23,647	9,926
Cash and cash equivalents at carrying value	140,843	154,490
Short-term investments	33,137	33,457
Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
Statutory reserve funds	397,074	396,317
Other	63,911	54,007
Available for sale securities total	460,985	450,324
Receivables:
Notes	10,394	10,747
Premiums from agencies	47,351	45,399
Income taxes	7,412	651
Other	39,660	41,323
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(16,056)	(19,438)
Total receivables	88,761	78,682
Property and equipment, at cost:
Land	6,429	6,445
Buildings	23,823	23,769
Furniture and equipment	234,262	250,355
Accumulated depreciation	(208,077)	(219,000)
Total property and equipment, at cost	56,437	61,569
Title plants, at cost	77,406	77,397
Real estate, at lower of cost or net realizable value	5,236	3,266
Investments in investees, on an equity method basis	18,055	17,608
Goodwill	214,492	206,861
Intangible assets, net of amortization	8,693	8,228
Other assets	52,096	49,324
Total assets	1,156,141	1,141,206
Liabilities
Notes payable	11,722	8,784
Convertible senior notes	64,513	64,338
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	86,389	95,666
Estimated title losses	502,611	495,849
Deferred income taxes	27,449	28,236
Total Liabilities	692,684	692,873
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders' equity
Additional paid-in capital	132,446	124,413
Retained earnings	284,097	282,666
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	9,250	11,093
Unrealized investment gains	7,431	2,517
Treasury stock - 352,161 and 476,227 common shares, at cost	(2,666)	(4,330)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Stewart	450,214	435,210
Noncontrolling interests	13,243	13,123
Total stockholders' equity	463,457	448,333
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	1,156,141	1,141,206
Common Stock
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock - $1 par, authorized 50,000,000; issued 18,605,993 and 17,801,273; outstanding 18,253,832 and 17,325,046	18,606	17,801
Common Class B
Stockholders' equity
Class B Common Stock - $1 par, authorized 1,500,000; issued and outstanding 1,050,012	$ 1,050	$ 1,050