Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning balance				$ 580,372					$ 580,372
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	17,511	15,409	26,899	3,207	61,760	34,668	24,911	(12,157)	63,026	109,182	2,348
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									(9,558)	(9,795)	(6,330)
Ending balance	663,089				580,372				663,089	580,372
Common and Class B Common Stock
Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning balance				19,756				19,656	19,756	19,656	18,851
Stock bonuses and other									1	50	169
Settlement of wage and hour litigation through issuance of Common Stock											636
Exercise of stock options									2	50
Conversion of bonds									3,094
Ending balance	22,853				19,756				22,853	19,756	19,656
Additional paid-in capital
Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning balance				133,685				132,446	133,685	132,446	124,413
Stock bonuses and other									900	935	1,452
Settlement of wage and hour litigation through issuance of Common Stock											6,946
Exercise of stock options									57	1,044
Settlement of note payable through issuance of Common Stock held in treasury											(365)
Conversion of bonds									38,715
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary									(1,442)	(740)
Ending balance	171,915				133,685				171,915	133,685	132,446
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings
Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning balance				26,584				16,681	26,584	16,681	13,610
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments									(7,282)	9,240	7,245
Net realized gain reclassification									(1,601)	(2,256)	(2,331)
Foreign currency translation									(6,819)	2,919	(1,843)
Ending balance	10,882				26,584				10,882	26,584	16,681
Retained Earnings
Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning balance				391,447				284,097	391,447	284,097	282,666
Net earnings attributable to Stewart									63,026	109,182	2,348
Cash dividends on Common Stock ($0.1 in 2013 and 2012 and $0.05 in 2011)									(2,159)	(1,832)	(917)
Ending balance	452,314				391,447				452,314	391,447	284,097
Treasury stock
Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning balance											(4,330)
Settlement of note payable through issuance of Common Stock held in treasury											1,664
Ending balance	(2,666)				(2,666)				(2,666)	(2,666)	(2,666)
Noncontrolling interests
Equity Note [Line Items]
Beginning balance				11,566				13,243	11,566	13,243	13,123
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests									9,558	9,795	6,330
Subsidiary dividends paid to noncontrolling interests									(9,239)	(9,512)	(6,142)
Net effect of changes in ownership and other									(4,094)	(1,960)	(68)
Ending balance	$ 7,791				$ 11,566				$ 7,791	$ 11,566	$ 13,243