CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues
Direct operations	$ 158,544	$ 150,333
Agency operations	227,662	196,321
Mortgage services	37,172	33,760
Investment income	3,643	3,128
Investment and other (losses) gains - net	(3,307)	1,445
Total revenues	423,714	384,987
Expenses
Amounts retained by agencies	187,065	162,548
Employee costs	136,830	128,233
Other operating expenses	63,797	64,863
Title losses and related claims	23,563	31,387
Depreciation and amortization	4,358	4,524
Interest	954	1,364
Total expenses	416,567	392,919
Earnings (loss) before taxes and noncontrolling interests	7,147	(7,932)
Income tax expense	2,389	2,823
Net earnings (loss)	4,758	(10,755)
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,551	1,402
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart	3,207	(12,157)
Net earnings (loss)	4,758	(10,755)
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings:
Foreign currency translation	(4,246)	3,495
Change in unrealized gains on investments	1,634	3,528
Reclassification of adjustment for gains included in net earnings (loss)	(392)	(769)
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, before taxes	(3,004)	6,254
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive (loss) earnings	(559)
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of taxes	(2,445)	6,254
Comprehensive earnings (loss)	2,313	(4,501)
Less comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,551	1,402
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart	$ 762	$ (5,903)
Basic and diluted average shares outstanding (000)	20,958	19,256
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Stewart	$ 0.15	$ (0.63)