Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Detail) (Stewart Information Services Corporation and subsidiaries, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Estimated title losses
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves
Balance at beginning of period	$ 506,888	$ 520,375	$ 502,611
Additions charged to costs and expenses	81,305	106,318	140,029
Additions charged to other accounts	2,268	0	0
Deductions	95,066	119,805	122,265
Balance At end of period	495,395	506,888	520,375
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves
Balance at beginning of period	6,971	12,136	84,771
Additions charged to costs and expenses	(4,407)	(5,165)	(72,635)
Additions charged to other accounts	0	0	0
Balance At end of period	2,564	6,971	12,136
Allowance for uncollectible amounts
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves
Balance at beginning of period	9,871	12,823	16,056
Additions charged to costs and expenses	1,977	2,063	3,201
Additions charged to other accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	9,193	5,015	6,434
Balance At end of period	$ 2,655	$ 9,871	$ 12,823