Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 92,501	$ 117,196
Cash and cash equivalents - statutory reserve funds	22,610	23,647
Cash and cash equivalents at carrying value	115,111	140,843
Short-term investments	32,952	33,137
Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
Statutory reserve funds	398,501	397,074
Other	69,288	63,911
Available for sale securities total	467,789	460,985
Receivables:
Notes	9,469	10,394
Premiums from agencies	38,292	47,351
Income taxes	10,143	7,412
Other	43,966	39,660
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(14,636)	(16,056)
Total receivables	87,234	88,761
Property and equipment, at cost
Land	6,656	6,429
Buildings	27,729	23,823
Furniture and equipment	235,212	234,262
Accumulated depreciation	(212,491)	(208,077)
Total property and equipment, at cost	57,106	56,437
Title plants, at cost	77,947	77,406
Real estate, at lower of cost or net realizable value	2,697	5,236
Investments in investees, on an equity method basis	14,759	18,055
Goodwill	217,042	214,492
Intangible assets, net of amortization	8,235	8,693
Other assets	56,512	52,096
Total assets	1,137,384	1,156,141
Liabilities
Notes payable	7,432	11,722
Convertible senior notes	64,556	64,513
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	76,412	86,389
Estimated title losses	502,154	502,611
Deferred income taxes	29,201	27,449
Total Liabilities	679,755	692,684
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders' equity
Common and Class B Common Stock and additional paid-in capital	152,453	152,102
Retained earnings	271,940	284,097
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	22,935	16,681
Treasury stock - 352,161 common shares, at cost	(2,666)	(2,666)
Stockholders' equity attributable to Stewart	444,662	450,214
Noncontrolling interests	12,967	13,243
Total stockholders' equity (19,328,333 and 19,303,844 shares outstanding)	457,629	463,457
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	$ 1,137,384	$ 1,156,141