CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 196,471	$ 117,196
Cash and cash equivalents - statutory reserve funds	12,067	23,647
Cash and cash equivalents at carrying value	208,538	140,843
Short-term investments	37,025	33,137
Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value:
Statutory reserve funds	444,579	397,074
Other	58,680	63,911
Available for sale securities, Total	503,259	460,985
Receivables:
Notes	8,483	10,394
Premiums from agencies	45,458	47,351
Income taxes	3,259	7,412
Other	56,311	39,660
Allowance for uncollectible amounts	(12,823)	(16,056)
Total receivables	100,688	88,761
Property and equipment, at cost:
Land	5,848	6,429
Buildings	26,887	23,823
Furniture and equipment	241,694	234,262
Accumulated depreciation	(219,715)	(208,077)
Total property and equipment, at cost	54,714	56,437
Title plants, at cost	77,360	77,406
Real estate, at lower of cost or net realizable value	3,941	5,236
Investments in investees, on an equity method basis	13,891	18,055
Goodwill	220,955	214,492
Intangible assets, net of amortization	7,015	8,693
Deferred tax asset	7,562
Other assets	56,229	52,096
Total assets	1,291,177	1,156,141
Liabilities
Notes payable	6,481	11,722
Convertible senior notes	64,687	64,513
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	116,617	86,389
Estimated title losses	520,375	502,611
Deferred income taxes	2,645	27,449
Total Liabilities	710,805	692,684
Contingent liabilities and commitments
Stockholders' equity
Additional paid-in capital	133,685	132,446
Retained earnings	391,447	284,097
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	12,169	9,250
Unrealized investment gains on investments	14,415	7,431
Treasury stock, at cost	(2,666)	(2,666)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to Stewart	568,806	450,214
Noncontrolling interests	11,566	13,243
Total stockholders' equity	580,372	463,457
Liabilities and Equity, Total	1,291,177	1,156,141
Common Stock
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock	18,706	18,606
Class B Common Stock
Stockholders' equity
Common Stock	$ 1,050	$ 1,050