Schedule I - Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of net earnings to cash used by operating activities:
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	$ 63,026	$ 109,182	$ 2,348
Add (deduct):
Depreciation and amortization	17,920	17,783	19,542
Provision for bad debt	2,170	3,201	1,318
Other losses (gains)	1,066	(7,578)	(2,302)
(Increase) decrease in receivables - net	(5,796)	(16,133)	(6,748)
Decrease (increase) in other assets - net	(1,467)	(2,779)	(189)
(Decrease) increase in payables and accrued liabilities - net	(8,100)	29,278	(5,602)
Net (earnings) loss from equity investees	(4,137)	(4,253)	(1,710)
Other - net	1,287	2,426	1,645
Cash provided by operating activities	87,187	120,522	23,409
Investing activities:
Cash paid for loan guarantee obligation			(4,318)
Collections on notes receivables	2,666	959	721
Cash used by investing activities	(78,363)	(36,528)	(29,219)
Financing activities:
Cash used by financing activities	(18,196)	(18,120)	(7,034)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(14,249)	67,695	(13,647)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	208,538	140,843	154,490
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	194,289	208,538	140,843
Supplemental information:
Income taxes paid	18,032	6,747	19,259
Interest paid	2,202	4,427	4,557
Stewart Information Services Corporation - Parent Company
Reconciliation of net earnings to cash used by operating activities:
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	63,026	109,182	2,348
Add (deduct):
Depreciation and amortization	527	802	893
Provision for bad debt	(1)	(1)	(2)
Other losses (gains)	3,164	3,358	3,770
(Increase) decrease in receivables - net	(95)	433	(218)
Decrease (increase) in other assets - net	2,413	(229)	(1,171)
(Decrease) increase in payables and accrued liabilities - net	3,335	16,747	3,941
Net (earnings) loss from equity investees	(70,210)	(123,898)	(14,039)
Other - net	(3,944)	1,899	3,213
Cash provided by operating activities	(1,785)	8,293	(1,265)
Investing activities:
Cash paid for loan guarantee obligation			(4,318)
Proceeds from the sale of (purchases of) property and equipment - net	5	1,593	3,070
Collections on notes receivables	1	1	9
Contributions to subsidiaries		(1,500)
Cash used by investing activities	6	94	(1,239)
Financing activities:
Dividends paid	(2,159)	(1,832)	(917)
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiaries	(1,442)
Settlement of convertible debt	(1,149)
Cash used by financing activities	(4,750)	(1,832)	(917)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(6,529)	6,555	(3,421)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	10,725	4,170	7,591
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	4,196	10,725	4,170
Supplemental information:
Income taxes paid	773	149	82
Interest paid	$ 4		$ 3,900