Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current And Noncurrent Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, including $3 and $104 from affiliates Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Unrealized investment gains on investments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated other comprehensive earnings: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Unrealized Net Gain On Investments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Unrealized Net Gain On Investments Unrealized investment gains Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive earnings Additional Paid In Capital Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional paid-in capital Adjustments [Member] Adjustments [Member] Adjustments Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Add (deduct): Adjustment To Additional Paid In Equity Bonus Grant Adjustment To Additional Paid In Equity Bonus Grant Stock bonuses and other Affiliated Entity [Member] Affiliates Agency operations. Agency Operations Agency operations Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Premiums And Other Receivables Allowance for uncollectible amounts Allowance For Uncollectible Accounts [Member] Allowance For Uncollectible Accounts [Member] Allowance for uncollectible amounts Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amortization Of Acquired Intangible Assets Amortization expense of acquired intangibles Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs Amortization Of Debt Issuance Costs Notes payable, amortization of debt issuance costs Amortized costs and fair values. Amortized Costs And Fair Values Table [Text Block] Amortized Costs and Fair Values Amount decided in the motion for judgment. Amount Decided In Motion For Judgment Motion granted under Judgment Assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] Assets Available For Sale Debt Securities Amortized Cost Basis Debt securities, Amortized costs Available For Sale Equity Securities Amortized Cost Basis Equity securities, Amortized costs Available For Sale Securities Available for sale securities, Total Available for sale securities, Total Available For Sale Securities [Abstract] Investments in debt and equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value: Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost Total, Amortized costs Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position 12 Months Or Longer Aggregate Losses 2 Losses, More than 12 months Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses 2 Total Losses Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value Total Fair Values Availableforsale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses 2 Losses, Less than 12 months Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value Fair Values, Less than 12 months Available For Sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer Fair Value Fair Values, More than 12 months Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Five Through Ten Years Amortized Cost Amortized costs, After five years through ten years Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Five Through Ten Years Fair Value Fair Values, After five years through ten years Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Amortized Cost Amortized costs, After one year through five years Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After One Through Five Years Fair Value Fair Values, After one year through five years Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Ten Years Amortized Cost Amortized costs, After ten years Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities After Ten Years Fair Value Fair Values, After ten years Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Amortized Cost Amortized costs, Total Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Amortized Cost Amortized costs, In one year or less Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities Within One Year Fair Value Fair Values, In one year or less Available For Sale Securities Debt Securities Debt securities, Fair values Debt securities, fair values total Available For Sale Securities Equity Securities Equity securities, Fair values Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Disclosure Available-for-sale securities, Fair value measurements Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gain Loss Net Investment and other gains (losses) Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Gains Realized gains Available For Sale Securities Gross Realized Losses Realized losses Availableforsale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Gross unrealized gains Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses 1 Gross unrealized losses Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Positions Number of investments in an unrealized loss position Available For Sale Securities [Line Items] Available For Sale Securities [Line Items] Available For Sale Securities [Line Items] Available For Sale Securities [Table] Available For Sale Securities [Table] Available For Sale Securities [Table] Benefits Losses And Expenses Total expenses Benefits Losses And Expenses [Abstract] Expenses Building [Member] Buildings Buildings And Improvements Gross Buildings Cash and equivalents excluding restricted cash. Cash And Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at carrying value Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Policy [Text Block] Cash equivalents Cash Contributions To Subsidiaries Cash Contributions To Subsidiaries Contributions to subsidiaries Cash Divested From Deconsolidation Change in cash and cash equivalents due to sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries Cash Dividend Per Common Share Increase Cash Dividend Per Common Share Increase Convertible senior notes, conversion price dividend adjustment Cash Equivalents Maturity Period Maximum Cash Equivalents Maturity Period Maximum Cash equivalents, maturity period Cash paid for loss on loan commitment. Cash Paid For Loss On Loan Commitment Cash paid for loan guarantee obligation Reduction in cash and equivalents due to sale or deconsolidation of subsidiaries. Change In Cash And Cash Equivalents Due To Sale And Deconsolidation Of Subsidiaries Change in cash and cash equivalents due to sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries (see below) Change In Valuation Allowance Due To Utilization Of Operating Loss Carryforwards Change In Valuation Allowance Due To Utilization Of Operating Loss Carryforwards Federal net operating loss, valuation allowances released Changes In Financial Statement Amounts Due To Sale And Deconsolidation Of Subsidiaries [Abstract] Changes In Financial Statement Amounts Due To Sale And Deconsolidation Of Subsidiaries [Abstract] Changes in financial statement amounts due to sale and deconsolidation of subsidiaries Class Of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitment And Contingencies [Table] Commitments And Contingencies Contingent liabilities and commitments Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Contingent liabilities and commitments Commitments And Contingencies Policy [Text Block] Title losses and related claims Common And Class B Common Stock [Member] Common And Class B Common Stock [Member] Common and Class B Common Stock Common Class B [Member] Class B Common Stock Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Common Stock And Class B Common Stock [Text Block] Common Stock and Class B Common Stock Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid Cash dividends on common stock Cash dividends on Common Stock, per share Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common Stock, par value Common Stock Shares Authorized Common Stock, authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock Shares Issued Common Stock, shares issued Common Stock Shares Outstanding Common Stock, shares outstanding Common Stock Value Common Stock Component Of Net Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Component Of Net Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Component Of Net Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Component Of Net Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Component Of Net Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Component Of Net Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Components Of Common Stock [Line Items] Components Of Common Stock [Line Items] Components Of Common Stock [Line Items] Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Stewart Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Less comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive earnings (loss) Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Other comprehensive earnings: Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule I - Parent Company Financial Information Consolidation Less Than Wholly Owned Subsidiary Parent Ownership Interest Changes Purchase Of Interest By Parent Purchase of remaining interest of consolidated subsidiary Consolidation Policy [Text Block] Consolidation Contingent liabilities for guarantees of consolidated subsidiaries. Contingent Liabilities For Guarantees Of Consolidated Subsidiaries Contingent liabilities for guarantees of consolidated subsidiaries Conversion Of Debt [Member] Conversion Of Debt [Member] Conversion of Debt Conversion Of Debt To Common Stock Per Share Conversion Of Debt To Common Stock Per Share Convertible senior notes, conversion price per share Convertible Notes Payable Convertible senior notes Convertible Notes Payable [Member] Convertible Notes Payable Corporate and utilities. Corporate And Utilities [Member] Corporate and utilities Corporate [Member] Corporate Cost Method Investments Aggregate Carrying Amount Cost-basis investments, aggregate amount Cost Method Investments Fair Value Disclosure Cost-basis investments, at fair value Costmethod Investments [Member] Cost-method investments Cost Method Investments Realized Losses Cost-basis investments, impairment charges Impairment loss recorded Cost to cure the title defect at issue in case. Cost To Cure Title Defect At Issue In Case Cost to cure the title defect at issue in the case Credit Facility, Expiration Month and Year Credit Facility Expiration Month And Year Bank line of credit facility, expiration date Current Federal Tax Expense Benefit Federal Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Foreign Tax Expense Benefit Foreign Current Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations [Abstract] Current: Current State And Local Tax Expense Benefit State Current year [Member] Current Year [Member] Current year Debt And Receivables Securitization [Line Items] Debt And Receivables Securitization [Line Items] Debt And Receivables Securitization [Line Items] Debt And Receivables Securitization [Table] Debt And Receivables Securitization [Table] Debt And Receivables Securitization [Table] Debt Conversion Converted Instrument Shares Issued 1 Convertible senior notes, conversion rate of shares issued Debt Conversion Original Debt Amount 1 Convertible senior notes, conversion rate of principal amount Settlement of note payable through issuance of Common Stock held in treasury Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Notes payable, convertible senior notes and line of credit Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument Convertible Interest Expense Notes payable, interest expense Debt Instrument Face Amount Convertible senior notes, aggregate principal amount Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Convertible senior notes, interest rate Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument Maturity Date Year Debt Instrument Maturity Date Year Convertible senior notes, maturity date Debt Instrument Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Issuance Cost Debt Issuance Cost Notes payable, debt issuance cost Debt financial instruments include: (1) securities held-to-maturity, and (2) securities available-for-sale. Debt Securities Foreign debt securities Debt Securities [Member] Debt securities Debt Security [Axis] Debt Security [Axis] Debt Weighted Average Interest Rate Average interest rate Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense Benefit Federal Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense Benefit Foreign Deferred Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Deferred Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Deferred Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Line Items] Deferred Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Deferred Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Deferred Income Tax Assets And Liabilities [Table] Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Federal net operating loss, deferred tax benefit Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations [Abstract] Deferred: Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Deferred income taxes Net deferred tax liabilities Deferred State And Local Income Tax Expense Benefit State Deferred Tax Assets Gross Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total Deferred Tax Assets Investments Investments Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Net deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Deferred tax asset Net deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets Net [Abstract] Deferred tax assets: Deferred Tax Assets Net Of Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Assets Net Of Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Total Deferred Tax Assets Operating Loss Carryforwards Net operating loss carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets Other Other Deferred Tax Assets Property Plant And Equipment Fixed assets Deferred Tax Assets Tax Credit Carryforwards Tax credit carryforwards Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Accrued Liabilities Accrued expenses Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Allowance for uncollectible amounts Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Provision For Loan Losses Title loss provisions Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance Valuation allowance Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Expense Reserves And Accruals Accrued expenses Deferred Tax Liabilities Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Deferred Tax Liabilities Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Foreign currency translation adjustments Deferred Tax Liabilities Goodwill And Intangible Assets Amortization - goodwill and other intangibles Deferred Tax Liabilities Insurance Deferred Tax Liabilities Insurance Cash surrender value of insurance policies Deferred Tax Liabilities Investments Investments Deferred Tax Liabilities Net [Abstract] Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred Tax Liabilities Other Other Deferred Tax Liabilities Property Plant And Equipment Fixed assets Deferred Tax Liabilities Unrealized Gains On Investments Deferred Tax Liabilities Unrealized Gains On Investments Unrealized gains on investments Denominator. Denominator [Abstract] Denominator (000): Depreciation And Amortization Depreciation and amortization Diluted earning per share using if converted method. Diluted Earning Per Share Using If Converted Method Table [Text Block] Diluted Earnings per Share using Converted Method Direct operations. Direct Operations Direct operations Direct Operations [Member] Direct Operations [Member] Direct Operations Disclosure - Amortized Costs and Fair Values [Abstract] Disclosure Amortized Costs And Fair Values [Abstract] Disclosure - Amortized Costs and Fair Values [Abstract] Disclosure Assets Measured At Fair Value On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure Assets Measured At Fair Value On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure Assets Measured At Fair Value On Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure Changes In Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Disclosure Changes In Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Disclosure Changes In Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Disclosure - Common Stock and Class B Common Stock - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Common Stock And Class B Common Stock Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Common Stock and Class B Common Stock - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Contingent Liabilities and Commitments - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Contingent Liabilities And Commitments Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Contingent Liabilities and Commitments - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Debt Securities According Contractual Terms [Abstract] Disclosure Debt Securities According Contractual Terms [Abstract] Disclosure - Debt Securities According Contractual Terms [Abstract] Disclosure - Deferred Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure Deferred Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure - Deferred Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure - Diluted Earnings Per Share Using if- Converted Method [Abstract] Disclosure Diluted Earnings Per Share Using If Converted Method [Abstract] Disclosure - Diluted Earnings Per Share Using if- Converted Method [Abstract] Disclosure - Dividend Restrictions - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Dividend Restrictions Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Dividend Restrictions - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Equity Investees - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Equity Investees Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Equity Investees - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Estimated Title Losses [Abstract] Disclosure Estimated Title Losses [Abstract] Disclosure - Estimated Title Losses [Abstract] Disclosure - Estimated Title Losses - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Estimated Title Losses Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Estimated Title Losses - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Measurements Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Measurements Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Measurements Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instrument Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure Financial Instrument Measured At Fair Value On Recurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial Instrument Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis [Abstract] Disclosure General Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure General Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure General Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Goodwill and Acquired Intangibles - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Goodwill And Acquired Intangibles Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Goodwill and Acquired Intangibles - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Gross Realized Investment and Other Gains and Losses [Abstract] Disclosure Gross Realized Investment And Other Gains And Losses [Abstract] Disclosure - Gross Realized Investment and Other Gains and Losses [Abstract] Disclosure - Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses [Abstract] Disclosure Gross Unrealized Gains And Losses [Abstract] Disclosure - Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses [Abstract] Disclosure - Gross Unrealized Losses on Investments and Fair Values of Related Securities [Abstract] Disclosure Gross Unrealized Losses On Investments And Fair Values Of Related Securities [Abstract] Disclosure - Gross Unrealized Losses on Investments and Fair Values of Related Securities [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Tax Provision [Abstract] Disclosure Income Tax Provision [Abstract] Disclosure - Income Tax Provision [Abstract] Disclosure - Investment Income - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Investment Income Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Investment Income - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Investments in Debt and Equity Securities - Additional information [Abstract] Disclosure Investments In Debt And Equity Securities Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Investments in Debt and Equity Securities - Additional information [Abstract] Disclosure Leases Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Leases Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Leases Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Notes Payable Convertible Senior Notes and Line of Credit - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Notes Payable Convertible Senior Notes And Line Of Credit Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Notes Payable Convertible Senior Notes and Line of Credit - Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] Share-based incentives Disclosure - Reconciliation of Federal Income Taxes Computed at Statutory Rate with Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure Reconciliation Of Federal Income Taxes Computed At Statutory Rate With Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure - Reconciliation of Federal Income Taxes Computed at Statutory Rate with Income Taxes [Abstract]