CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues
Direct operations	$ 718,789		$ 627,810		$ 625,891
Agency operations	1,007,380		877,225		914,581
Mortgage services	162,856		112,064		91,739
Investment income	13,809		15,505		18,397
Investment and other gains - net	7,578		2,302		21,782
Total revenues	1,910,412		1,634,906		1,672,390
Expenses
Amounts retained by agencies	829,070		723,943		753,438
Employee costs	542,461		469,839		467,491
Other operating expenses	286,496		256,194		273,253
Title losses and related claims	140,029		142,101		148,438
Depreciation and amortization	17,783		19,542		21,422
Interest	5,235		5,268		5,423
Total expenses	1,821,074		1,616,887		1,669,465
Earnings before taxes and noncontrolling interests	89,338		18,019		2,925
Income tax (benefit) expense	(29,639)		9,341		8,075
Net earnings (loss)	118,977		8,678		(5,150)
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,795		6,330		7,432
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart	109,182		2,348		(12,582)
Net earnings (loss)	118,977		8,678		(5,150)
Other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation	3,880		(2,241)		5,110
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investments	14,213		9,202		2,440
Reclassification of adjustment for gains in net earnings (loss)	(3,470)		(3,465)		(1,970)
Other comprehensive earnings, before taxes	14,623		3,496		5,580
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive earnings	4,721		425		2,930
Other comprehensive earnings, net of taxes	9,902		3,071		2,650
Comprehensive earnings (loss)	128,879		11,749		(2,500)
Less comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,795		6,330		7,432
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart	$ 119,084		$ 5,419		$ (9,932)
Basic average shares outstanding (000)	19,294		19,131		18,313
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart	$ 5.66		$ 0.12		$ (0.69)
Dilutive average shares outstanding (000)	24,384		19,131		18,313
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart	$ 4.61	[1]	$ 0.12	[1]	$ (0.69)

[1] Quarterly per share data may not sum to annual totals due to rounding or effects of dilution in particular quarters but not in annual totals.