CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common and Class B Common Stock ($1 par value)	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	Retained Earnings	Treasury stock	Noncontrolling interests
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 463,457	$ 19,656	$ 132,446	$ 16,681	$ 284,097	$ (2,666)	$ 13,243
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	109,182				109,182
Cash dividends on Common Stock ($0.10 in 2014 and 2013 and $0.05 in 2012)	(1,832)				(1,832)
Stock bonuses and other	985	50	935
Exercise of stock options	1,094	50	1,044
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary	(740)		(740)			0
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments (net of tax)	9,239			9,239
Net realized gain reclassification (net of tax)	(2,255)			(2,255)
Foreign currency translation (net of tax)	2,919			2,919
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,795						9,795
Subsidiary dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(9,512)						(9,512)
Net effect of changes in ownership and other	(1,960)						(1,960)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	580,372	19,756	133,685	26,584	391,447	(2,666)	11,566
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	63,026				63,026
Cash dividends on Common Stock ($0.10 in 2014 and 2013 and $0.05 in 2012)	(2,159)				(2,159)
Stock bonuses and other	901	1	900
Exercise of stock options	59	2	57
Conversion of Notes for Common Stock	41,809	3,094	38,715
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary	(1,442)		(1,442)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments (net of tax)	(7,282)			(7,282)
Net realized gain reclassification (net of tax)	(1,601)			(1,601)
Foreign currency translation (net of tax)	(6,819)			(6,819)
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	9,558						9,558
Subsidiary dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(9,239)						(9,239)
Net effect of changes in ownership and other	(4,094)						(4,094)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	663,089	22,853	171,915	10,882	452,314	(2,666)	7,791
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net earnings attributable to Stewart	29,753				29,753
Cash dividends on Common Stock ($0.10 in 2014 and 2013 and $0.05 in 2012)	(2,334)				(2,334)
Stock bonuses and other	3,916	77	3,839
Exercise of stock options	58	2	56
Stock repurchases	(22,048)	(685)	(21,363)
Conversion of Notes for Common Stock	27,190	2,111	25,079
Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary	(321)		(321)
Net change in unrealized gains and losses on investments (net of tax)	9,793			9,793
Net realized gain reclassification (net of tax)	(555)			(555)
Foreign currency translation (net of tax)	(7,565)			(7,565)
Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests	8,556						8,556
Subsidiary dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(8,986)						(8,986)
Net effect of changes in ownership and other	(93)						(93)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 700,453	$ 24,358	$ 179,205	$ 12,555	$ 479,733	$ (2,666)	$ 7,268