Trading Arrangements, by Individual Trading Arrangements, by Individual [Table] Trading Arrangement: Trading Arrangement [Axis] Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Table] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Table] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Increase in notes receivable Increase (Decrease) in Notes Receivables Title revenues Revenue Not from Contract with Customer, Excluding Interest Income Adjustment to Compensation, Amount Adjustment to Compensation Amount Financial Instrument [Axis] Financial Instrument [Axis] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Receivables: Premiums and Other Receivables, Net [Abstract] Schedule of Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Direct Title Insurance Premiums, Direct [Member] Title Insurance Premiums, Direct [Member] Common Stock ($1 par value) and additional paid-in 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Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Investment income Net Investment Income Losses Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax Schedule of Amortized Costs and Fair Values of Investments in Debt Securities Schedule of Proceeds from Sale of Investments in Securities Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Table Text Block] Restricted stock and restricted stock units Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member] Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units Net-of-Tax Amount Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Allowance for uncollectible amounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Premiums and Other Receivables Change in net deferred income taxes Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Income Taxes Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Total Debt Securities, 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After five years through ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 5 Through 10 Operating revenues Operating revenues Noninterest Income Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Granted (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Award Timing MNPI Disclosure Award Timing MNPI Disclosure [Text Block] Management's responsibility Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group [Text Block] Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates Liability For Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense, Effects Of Changes In Foreign Currency Exchange Rates Liability For Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense, Effects Of Changes In Foreign Currency Exchange Rates United States UNITED STATES Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Selected Statement of Income Information Related to Segments Segment Reporting [Table Text Block] Noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Before-Tax Amount Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax, Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Real estate solutions and abstract fees Real Estate Solutions And Abstract Fees [Member] Real Estate Solutions And Abstract Fees After one year through five years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year One Through Five Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Cash used by investing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in Compensation Table Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in the Compensation Table [Member] Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Treasury stock – 352,161 common shares, at cost Treasury Stock, Common, Value After ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 10 Notes Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] More than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer Earnings per share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Name Outstanding Recovery, Individual Name Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Award Timing, How MNPI Considered Award Timing, How MNPI Considered [Text Block] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Peer Group Issuers, Footnote Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] Liabilities, Total Liabilities Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year [Member] Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost [Member] Company Selected Measure Name Company Selected Measure Name Distributions to noncontrolling interests and other Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest Purchases of investments in securities Payments to Acquire Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Purchases of cost-basis and other investments Payments to Acquire Other Investments Estimated title losses Balances at beginning of period Balances at end of period Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Compensation Amount Outstanding Recovery Compensation Amount Individual: Individual [Axis] Diluted average shares outstanding (in shares) Diluted average shares outstanding (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items] Realized gains Investments, Realized Gain Investments, Realized Gain Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote [Text Block] Underlying Security Market Price Change Underlying Security Market Price Change, Percent Property and equipment Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Guarantee of indebtedness, relating to unused letters of credit Contingent Liabilities For Guarantees Of Consolidated Subsidiaries, Unused Letters of Credit Contingent liabilities for guarantees of consolidated subsidiaries, unused letters of credit. Investments, at fair value: Investments, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] Goodwill Goodwill [Text Block] Accumulated depreciation Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Award Timing Predetermined Award Timing Predetermined [Flag] Treasury stock Treasury Stock, Common [Member] Intangible Asset, Goodwill and Other [Abstract] Intangible Asset, Goodwill and Other [Abstract] Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Line Items] Net income attributable to Stewart Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] Title losses and related claims Total provisions Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Net unrealized gains and losses on investments AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Including Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Average number of dilutive shares relating to options and restricted units (in shares) Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-Based Payment Arrangements Fair values Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale [Abstract] All Executive Categories All Executive Categories [Member] Estimated title losses Estimated Title Losses [Text Block] Estimated Title Losses Net unrealized investment gains on equity securities held Equity Securities, Accumulated Unrealized Gain (Loss) Equity Securities, Accumulated Unrealized Gain (Loss) Stock repurchases Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Pension Adjustments Service Cost Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Investments restricted for statutory reserve funds Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required Operating lease assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset In one year or less Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Year One Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Number Of Authorized Shares, Not Disclosed Number Of Authorized Shares, Not Disclosed Number Of Authorized Shares, Not Disclosed Segment information Segment Reporting [Text Block] Investments in debt and equity securities Net realized and unrealized gains Investment in Debt and Equity Securities and Other Trading Assets [Text Block] Cash dividends paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock Expiration Date Trading Arrangement Expiration Date Payments, net of recoveries: Loss Contingency Accrual, Payments Net of Recoveries [Abstract] Loss Contingency Accrual, Payments Net of Recoveries Schedule of Operating Revenues Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block] Net realized and unrealized gains Noncash Investment And Other Gains (Losses) Noncash Investment And Other Gains (Losses) Liabilities Liabilities [Abstract] Denominator (in '000): Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Reconciliation [Abstract] Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Title plants, at cost Title Plants At Cost Title plants, at cost Fair values Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Total stockholders’ equity ($30,449,652 and 30,223,311 shares outstanding) Balances at beginning of period Balances at end of period Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Amortized costs Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost [Abstract] Payments on notes payable Repayments of Notes Payable Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Accumulated Other comprehensive (loss) income [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Real estate solutions Real Estate Solutions And Other [Member] Real Estate Solutions And Other After ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 10 Exercise Price Award Exercise Price Segment Reporting [Line Items] Segment Reporting [Line Items] Proceeds from matured investments in debt securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Segments [Domain] Segments [Domain] Municipal Municipal Municipal US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] Proceeds from sales of debt securities Proceeds from Sale of Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Previous policy years Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Prior Years Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Table Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table Text Block] Loss Contingency [Abstract] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount Expenses Benefits, Losses and Expenses [Abstract] Buildings and improvements Buildings and Improvements, Gross Adoption Date Trading Arrangement Adoption Date Dividends on Common Stock Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Stockholders’ equity attributable to Stewart Equity, Attributable to Parent Assets Assets [Abstract] Title Trading Arrangement, Individual Title Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Amortized cost Amortized costs Amortized costs Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost Restatement does not require Recovery Restatement Does Not Require Recovery [Text Block] Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items] Purchase accounting adjustments Goodwill, Measurement Period Adjustment Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted [Flag] Performance-based shares Performance Shares [Member] Proceeds from sales of investments in securities Total proceeds from sales of investments in securities Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Other Investments Current year Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Current Year Segment Reporting, Entity-Wide Information Not Provided as Part of Reportable Segment, Geographical Area, Revenue and Long-Lived Asset [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Entity-Wide Information Not Provided as Part of Reportable Segment, Geographical Area, Revenue and Long-Lived Asset [Line Items] Contingent liabilities and commitments Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] Direct title revenues Title - Direct Operations [Member] Title - Direct Operations [Member] Schedule of Changes in Goodwill Goodwill [Table Text Block] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key All Adjustments to Compensation All Adjustments to Compensation [Member] Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year [Member] Cash provided by operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Regulatory and legal developments Legal Matters and Contingencies [Text Block] Previous policy years Prior Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Deferred tax assets Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] City Area Code City Area Code Provisions: Loss Contingency Accrual, Provisions [Abstract] Loss Contingency Accrual, Provisions Accumulated other comprehensive loss AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] All Individuals All Individuals [Member] Corporate: Corporate Segment [Member] Schedule of Revenues Generated in United States and all International Operations Segment Reporting, Entity-Wide Information Not Provided as Part of Reportable Segment, Geographical Area, Revenue [Table Text Block] Schedule of Estimated Title Losses Schedule of Loss Contingencies by Contingency [Table Text Block] Name Forgone Recovery, Individual Name Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward] Loss Contingency Accrual [Roll Forward] Non-GAAP Measure Description Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Total assets Assets Interest Interest Expense, Operating Time-based shares Time-Based Restricted Stock [Member] Time-Based Restricted Stock [Member] Less: Net realized gains (losses) on equity securities sold during the period Equity Securities, FV-NI, Realized Gain (Loss) Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] Current year provisions Liability For Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense, Loss Ratio In Percentage, Current Year Estimated Loss Liability For Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense, Loss Ratio In Percentage, Current Year Estimated Loss Gains Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax Share-based payments Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Short-Term Investments Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax Increase in other assets – net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets PEO PEO [Member] Number of investments in an unrealized loss positions for more than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Number of Positions Goodwill Beginning balances Ending balance Goodwill Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Acquisitions Goodwill, Acquired During Period Number of investments in an unrealized loss position Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Number of Positions Average grant price (in usd per share) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Net investment gains recognized on equity securities during the period Equity Securities, FV-NI, Gain (Loss) In one year or less Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Fair Value, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, Year One Retained earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Fair value measurements Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery [Table] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments Change in net unrealized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), before Adjustment, after Tax Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items] Corporate Corporate Corporate Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Diluted earnings per share attributable to Stewart (in usd per share) Diluted earnings per share attributable to Stewart (in usd per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Accumulated Other comprehensive (loss) income [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Cash used by financing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Total Shareholder Return Amount Total Shareholder Return Amount Foreign currency translation adjustments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Add (deduct): Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Reclassification adjustments for realized gains and losses on investments Reclassification from AOCI, Current Period, Tax Real estate solutions Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Trade and other Trade and Other Receivables Trade and Other Receivables Financial Instruments [Domain] Financial Instruments [Domain] Tax Expense (Benefit) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract] Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues: Loss Contingency, Estimate [Abstract] Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Underlying Securities Award Underlying Securities Amount Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Revenues Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] Other – net Payment for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activity Total receivables Premiums and Other Receivables, Net Segment Reporting [Table] Segment Reporting [Table] Investing activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Continuing Operation [Abstract] Adjustments for insurance recoveries of title losses Adjustments For Insurance Recoveries Of Title Losses Adjustments For Insurance Recoveries Of Title Losses Reconciliation of net income to cash provided by operating activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Continuing Operation [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] All Trading Arrangements All Trading Arrangements [Member] Less than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months Other Performance Measure, Amount Other Performance Measure, Amount Award Timing MNPI Considered Award Timing MNPI Considered [Flag] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Foreign Foreign Foreign Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year [Member] Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Table] Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two-Class Method [Table] Dividends on common stock per share (in usd per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Entity File Number Entity File Number Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Net unrealized losses on debt securities investments AOCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Adjustment, after Tax Schedule of Debt Securities According to Contractual Terms Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block] Distributions to noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation Disclosure [Line Items] Measure: Measure [Axis] Aggregate fair value at grant date Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Nonvested Treasury stock (in shares) Treasury Stock, Common, Shares Total provisions Liability For Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense, Loss Ratio In Percentage, Estimated Loss Liability For Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense, Loss Ratio In Percentage, Estimated Loss More than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss Other comprehensive (loss) income Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Other operating expenses Other Cost and Expense, Operating Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Deferred tax liabilities Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure [Text Block] After one year through five years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year One Through Five Reclassification adjustments for realized gains and losses on investments Reclassification adjustment for realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Comprehensive income attributable to Stewart Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Termination Date Trading Arrangement Termination Date Stock-based compensation Shares Issued And Granted, Value, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Shares Issued And Granted, Value, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value [Flag] Current year Current Year Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Financing activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Continuing Operation [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Cash paid for acquisition of businesses and related assets Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Amounts retained by agencies Insurance Commissions Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Schedule of Changes in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block] Fair Value as of Grant Date Award Grant Date Fair Value Schedule of Gross Unrealized Losses on Investments and Fair Values of Related Securities Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block] Schedule of Goodwill [Table] Goodwill [Table] Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] Arrangement Duration Trading Arrangement Duration Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Less than 12 months Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss Income before taxes and noncontrolling interests Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted [Text Block] Contingent liabilities and commitments Commitments and Contingencies Total revenues Revenues Net revenue Revenues Changed Peer Group, Footnote Changed Peer Group, Footnote [Text Block] Net income from equity method investments Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and other liabilities – net Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Executive Category: Executive Category [Axis] Other comprehensive (loss) income, tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Award vesting period Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Goodwill [Roll Forward] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Fair value measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] U.S. Treasury Bonds U.S. Treasury Bonds U.S. Treasury Bonds US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities PEO Name PEO Name Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Total payments, net of recoveries Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid Payment of contingent consideration related to acquisitions Payment for Contingent Consideration Liability, Financing Activities Other assets Other Assets Premiums from agencies Premiums Receivable, Agencies Premiums Receivable, Agencies Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method [Text Block] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Notes payable Notes Payable Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Escrow fees Escrow Fees [Member] Escrow Fees [Member] Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined [Text Block] Material Terms of Trading Arrangement Material Terms of Trading Arrangement [Text Block] Non-NEOs Non-NEOs [Member] Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year [Member] Interim financial statements Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Stock-based compensation expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Employee costs Labor and Related Expense Land Land After five years through ten years Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year 5 Through 10 Basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart (in usd per share) Basic earnings per share attributable to Stewart (in usd per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Repurchases of Common Stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Insider Trading Arrangements [Line Items] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Named Executive Officers, Footnote Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Equity securities Equity Securities, FV-NI Contingent liability adjustment Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Change in Contingent Consideration, Liability, Increase (Decrease) Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Debt securities (amortized cost of $554,257 and $558,544) Fair values Fair values Debt securities: Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale Real Estate Solutions Real estate solutions and abstract fees Real Estate Solutions Segment [Member] Real Estate Solutions Segment Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Agency Title Insurance Premiums, Agency [Member] Title Insurance Premiums, Agency [Member] International Non-US [Member] Furniture and equipment Furniture And Fixtures, And Finance Lease, Right-Of-Use Asset, Gross Furniture And Fixtures, And Finance Lease, Right-Of-Use Asset, Gross Realized losses Investments, Realized Loss Investments, Realized Loss Equity Awards Adjustments Equity Awards Adjustments [Member] Net realized and unrealized gains Realized and unrealized gains and losses Other Nonoperating Gains (Losses) Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items] Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items] Stock options Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Reclassification adjustments for realized gains and losses on investments Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Noncontrolling interests Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Additional 402(v) Disclosure Additional 402(v) Disclosure [Text Block] Tabular List, Table Tabular List [Table Text Block] Schedule of Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block] Name Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Individual Name Stockholders’ equity Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Schedule of Net Investment Gains and Losses Debt Securities, Trading, and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Table Text Block] Property and equipment: Property, Plant, and Equipment, after Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization [Abstract] Schedule of Gross Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses Schedule of Realized Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block] Net effect of other changes in ownership Noncontrolling Interest, Increase (Decrease) From Subsidiary Ownership, Other Noncontrolling Interest, Increase (Decrease) From Subsidiary Ownership, Other Adjustment to Compensation: Adjustment to Compensation [Axis] Reclassification adjustments for realized gains and losses on investments Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax Agency title revenues Title - Agency Operations [Member] Title - Agency Operations [Member] Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Purchases of property and equipment and other long-lived assets Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Accumulated other comprehensive loss: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustments Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Aggregate Available Trading Arrangement, Securities Aggregate Available Amount Investments in debt and equity securities Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Not Disclosed Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Not Disclosed Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Not Disclosed Name Measure Name Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Line Items] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Other – net Other Noncash Income (Expense) Proceeds from sales of equity securities Proceeds from Sale of Equity Securities, FV-NI Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Pay vs Performance Disclosure Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] Payments for title losses (in excess of) less than provisions Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense Reserve Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Total Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Unrealized Loss Position Short-term investments Short-Term Investments Name Trading Arrangement, Individual Name Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalent Company Selected Measure Amount Company Selected Measure Amount Dividends received from equity method investments Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Distribution Net unrealized investment gains recognized on equity securities still held Net unrealized investment gains recognized on equity securities still held Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss) Income taxes Income Taxes Receivable Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract] Entity Address, Address Line Two Entity Address, Address Line Two Net income Net income Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Non-PEO NEO Non-PEO NEO [Member] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Total expenses Benefits, Losses and Expenses Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Award Timing Method Award Timing Method [Text Block] Other revenues Product and Service, Other [Member] Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability [Text Block] Numerator: Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stock option and employee stock purchase plan exercises Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options And Employee Stock Purchase Plan Exercises Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options And Employee Stock Purchase Plan Exercises Net income attributable to Stewart Net income attributable to Stewart Net income attributable to Stewart (in $'000) Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Erroneous Compensation Analysis Erroneous Compensation Analysis [Text Block] Location, Statement of Financial Position, Balance [Axis] Location, Statement of Financial Position, Balance [Axis] Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and other assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Restatement Determination Date: Restatement Determination Date [Axis] Proceeds from notes payable Proceeds from Notes Payable Increase in receivables – net Increase (Decrease) in Receivables Title Title Segment [Member] Title Segment Revenues Revenues [Abstract] Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block]