Brown & Brown (BRO) 10-Q 11 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	5-May-15
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	BRO
Entity Registrant Name	BROWN & BROWN INC
Entity Central Index Key	79282
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		140,845,547

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES
Commissions and fees	$403,781	$362,007
Investment income	220	103
Other income, net	297	1,484
Total revenues	404,298	363,594
EXPENSES
Employee compensation and benefits	205,305	184,110
Non-cash stock-based compensation	6,357	7,515
Other operating expenses	61,093	52,461
Gain on disposal	-257	0
Amortization	21,625	17,876
Depreciation	5,183	4,640
Interest	9,851	4,072
Change in estimated acquisition earn-out payables	1,363	6,083
Total expenses	310,520	276,757
Income before income taxes	93,778	86,837
Income taxes	36,827	34,422
Net income	$56,951	$52,415
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.36
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.39	$0.36
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$0.11	$0.10

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$340,731	$470,048
Restricted cash and investments	284,809	259,769
Short-term investments	10,867	11,157
Premiums, commissions and fees receivable	431,155	424,547
Reinsurance recoverable	13,092	13,028
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	291,037	320,586
Deferred income taxes	13,906	25,431
Other current assets	47,761	45,542
Total current assets	1,433,358	1,570,108
Fixed assets, net	83,220	84,668
Goodwill	2,487,791	2,460,611
Amortizable intangible assets, net	774,913	784,642
Investments	18,786	19,862
Other assets	40,874	36,567
Total assets	4,838,942	4,956,458
Current Liabilities:
Premiums payable to insurance companies	587,387	568,184
Losses and loss adjustment reserve	13,092	13,028
Unearned premiums	291,037	320,586
Premium deposits and credits due customers	80,419	83,313
Accounts payable	82,912	57,261
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	127,100	181,156
Current portion of long-term debt	27,500	45,625
Total current liabilities	1,209,447	1,269,153
Long-term debt	1,146,010	1,152,846
Deferred income taxes, net	336,597	341,497
Other liabilities	85,426	79,217
Shareholders’ Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share; authorized 280,000 shares; issued 145,866 shares and outstanding 140,814 shares at 2015, issued 145,871 shares and outstanding 143,486 shares at 2014	14,587	14,587
Additional paid-in capital	397,498	405,982
Treasury stock, at cost 5,053 and 2,385 shares at 2015 and 2014, respectively	-160,025	-75,025
Retained earnings	1,809,367	1,768,201
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effect of $35 at 2015, of $0 at 2014	35	0
Total shareholders’ equity	2,061,462	2,113,745
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$4,838,942	$4,956,458

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	280,000,000	280,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	145,866,000	145,871,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	140,814,000	143,486,000
Treasury stock shares (in shares)	5,053,000	2,385,000
Tax effect of accumulated other comprehensive income	$35	$0

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$56,951	$52,415
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization	21,625	17,876
Depreciation	5,183	4,640
Non-cash stock-based compensation	6,357	7,515
Change in estimated acquisition earn-out payables	1,363	6,083
Deferred income taxes	6,625	10,706
Amortization of debt discount	39	0
Income tax benefit from exercise of shares from the stock benefit plans	-1,783	-2,258
Net gain on sales of investments, fixed assets and customer accounts	-190	-656
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect from acquisitions and divestitures:
Restricted cash and investments (increase)	-25,040	-2,863
Premiums, commissions and fees receivable (increase)	-5,126	-8,172
Reinsurance recoverables (increase)	-64	0
Prepaid reinsurance premiums decrease	29,549	0
Other assets (increase) decrease	-6,650	128
Premiums payable to insurance companies increase (decrease)	18,538	-2,120
Premium deposits and credits due customers (decrease) increase	-2,894	10,436
Losses and loss adjustment reserve increase	64	0
Unearned premiums (decrease)	-29,549	0
Accounts payable increase	32,019	31,100
Accrued expenses and other liabilities (decrease)	-54,100	-50,959
Other liabilities (decrease)	-2,215	-6,726
Net cash provided by operating activities	50,702	67,145
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to fixed assets	-3,727	-4,727
Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	-36,195	-1,013
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets and customer accounts	3,712	829
Purchases of investments	-7,719	-5,421
Proceeds from sales of investments	9,126	5,078
Net cash used in investing activities	-34,803	-5,254
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on acquisition earn-outs	-4,590	-615
Payments on long-term debt	-25,000	0
Income tax benefit from exercise of shares from the stock benefit plans	1,783	2,258
Issuances of common stock for employee stock benefit plans	500	720
Repurchase stock benefit plan shares for employees to fund tax withholdings	-2,124	-2,643
Purchase of treasury stock	-85,000	0
Prepayment of accelerated share repurchase program	-15,000	0
Cash dividends paid	-15,785	-14,546
Net cash used in financing activities	-145,216	-14,826
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-129,317	47,065
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	470,048	202,952
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$340,731	$250,017

Nature_of_Operations

Nature of Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Nature of Operations
	Brown & Brown, Inc., a Florida corporation, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Brown & Brown” or the “Company”) is a diversified insurance agency, wholesale brokerage, insurance programs and services organization that markets and sells to its customers insurance products and services, primarily in the property and casualty area. Brown & Brown’s business is divided into four reportable segments: the Retail Segment, which provides a broad range of insurance products and services to commercial, public entity, professional and individual customers; the National Programs Segment, acting as a managing general agent (“MGA”), provides professional liability and related package products for certain professionals, flood coverage and targeted products and services designated for specific industries, trade groups, governmental entities and market niches, all of which are delivered through nationwide networks of independent agents, and markets; the Wholesale Brokerage Segment markets and sells excess and surplus commercial insurance, primarily through independent agents and brokers, including Brown & Brown Retail offices; and the Services Segment, which provides insurance-related services, including third-party claims administration and comprehensive medical utilization management services in both the workers’ compensation and all-lines liability arenas, as well as Medicare Set-aside services, Social Security disability and Medicare benefits advocacy services, and catastrophe claims adjusting services. In addition, as the result of our acquisition of The Wright Insurance Group, LLC (“Wright”), in May 2014, we own a flood insurance carrier, Wright National Flood Insurance Company (“Wright Flood”), that is a Wright subsidiary. Wright Flood's business consists of policies written pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”), the program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”), and several excess flood insurance policies which are fully reinsured.

Basis_of_Financial_Reporting

Basis of Financial Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Basis of Financial Reporting	Basis of Financial Reporting
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
	Segment results for prior periods have been recast to reflect the current year segmental structure. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior-year amounts reported in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q in order to conform to the current-year presentation.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." ("ASU 2015-03") requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, and not recorded as separate assets. This update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and is to be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2015-03 in the first quarter of 2016. As the Company's debt issuance costs are not material, implementation of this update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” (“ASU 2014-15”), which addresses management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect to early adopt this guidance and it believes the adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017 and, at that time the Company may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method and impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net_Income_Per_Share

Net Income Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income Per Share	Net Income Per Share
	Basic EPS is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares (including participating securities) issued and outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding plus equivalent shares, assuming the exercise of stock options. The dilutive effect of stock options is computed by application of the treasury-stock method. The following is a reconciliation between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding:
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2015			2014
	Net income	$	56,951		$	52,415
	Net income attributable to unvested awarded performance stock	(1,363		)	(1,376		)
	Net income attributable to common shares	$	55,588		$	51,039
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	142,777			145,429
	Less unvested awarded performance stock included in weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	(3,417		)	(3,819		)
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share	139,360			141,610
	Dilutive effect of stock options	2,127			1,699
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted	141,487			143,309
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.4		$	0.36
	Diluted	$	0.39		$	0.36

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combinations	Business Combinations
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, Brown & Brown acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of three insurance intermediaries and two books of business (customer accounts). Additionally, miscellaneous adjustments were recorded to the purchase price allocation of certain prior acquisitions completed within the last twelve months as permitted by Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805 — Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). All of these acquisitions were acquired primarily to expand Brown & Brown’s core business and to attract and hire high-quality individuals. The recorded purchase price for all acquisitions consummated after January 1, 2009 included an estimation of the fair value of liabilities associated with any potential earn-out provisions. Subsequent changes in the fair value of earn-out obligations will be recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income when incurred.
	The fair value of earn-out obligations is based on the present value of the expected future payments to be made to the sellers of the acquired businesses in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective purchase agreements. In determining fair value, the acquired business’s future performance is estimated using financial projections developed by management for the acquired business and reflects market participant assumptions regarding revenue growth and/or profitability. The expected future payments are estimated on the basis of the earn-out formula and performance targets specified in each purchase agreement compared to the associated financial projections. These payments are then discounted to present value using a risk-adjusted rate that takes into consideration the likelihood that the forecasted earn-out payments will be made.
	Based on the acquisition date and the complexity of the underlying valuation work, certain amounts included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements may be provisional and thus subject to further adjustments within the permitted measurement period, as defined in ASC 805. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, several adjustments were made within the permitted measurement period that resulted in a decrease in the aggregate purchase price of the affected acquisitions of $634,680 relating to the assumption of certain liabilities.
	Cash paid for acquisitions were $36.2 million and $1.0 million in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We completed three acquisitions (excluding book of business purchases) in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015. We completed one acquisition (excluding book of business purchases) in the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.
	The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation made as of the date of each acquisition for current year acquisitions and adjustments made during the measurement period for prior year acquisitions:
	(in thousands)
	Name	Business		Effective	Cash			Other			Recorded			Net Assets		Maximum
		Segment		Date of	Paid			Payable			Earn-Out			Acquired		Potential Earn-
				Acquisition							Payable					Out Payable
	Liberty Insurance Brokers, Inc. and Affiliates (Liberty)	Retail		February 1, 2015	$	12,000		$	—		$	1,436		$	13,436	$	3,750
	Spain Agency, Inc.	Retail		March 1, 2015	20,681			—			2,750			23,431		9,162
	Other	Various		Various	3,514			5			1,467			4,986		2,000
	Total				$	36,195		$	5		$	5,653		$	41,853	$	14,912
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the aggregate assets and liabilities acquired as of the date of each acquisition:
	(in thousands)	Liberty			Spain Agency, Inc.			Other			Total
	Other current assets	$	2,437		$	—		$	(445	)	$	1,992
	Fixed assets	40			50			18			108
	Goodwill	8,689			16,682			4,047			29,418
	Purchased customer accounts	4,289			6,715			1,423			12,427
	Non-compete agreements	24			21			13			58
	Total assets acquired	15,479			23,468			5,056			44,003
	Other current liabilities	—			(37		)	(705		)	(742		)
	Other liabilities	(2,043		)	—			635			(1,408		)
	Total liabilities assumed	(2,043		)	(37		)	(70		)	(2,150		)
	Net assets acquired	$	13,436		$	23,431		$	4,986		$	41,853
	The weighted average useful lives for the acquired amortizable intangible assets are as follows: purchased customer accounts, 15 years; and non-compete agreements, 5 years.
	Goodwill of $29,418,000 was allocated to the Retail, National Programs and Wholesale Brokerage Segments in the amounts of $26,461,000, $(194,000) and $3,151,000, respectively. Of the total goodwill of $29,418,000, $23,959,000 is currently deductible for income tax purposes and $(194,000) is non-deductible. The remaining $5,653,000 relates to the recorded earn-out payables and will not be deductible until it is earned and paid.
	For the acquisitions completed during 2015, the results of operations since the acquisition date have been combined with those of the Company. The total revenues and income before income taxes, including the intercompany cost of capital charge, from the acquisitions completed through March 31, 2015, included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015, were $1,726,000 and $294,000, respectively. If the acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of the respective periods, the Company’s results of operations would be as shown in the following table. These unaudited pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred had the acquisitions actually been made at the beginning of the respective periods.
	(UNAUDITED)	For the three months
		ended March 31,
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2015			2014
	Total revenues	$	406,379		$	367,131
	Income before income taxes	$	94,463		$	87,913
	Net income	$	57,367		$	53,064
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.4		$	0.36
	Diluted	$	0.4		$	0.36
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
	Basic	139,360			141,610
	Diluted	141,487			143,309
	As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the fair values of the estimated acquisition earn-out payables were re-evaluated and measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) as defined in ASC 820-Fair Value Measurement. The resulting additions, payments, and net changes, as well as the interest expense accretion on the estimated acquisition earn-out payables, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015			2014
	Balance as of the beginning of the period	$	75,283		$	43,058
	Additions to estimated acquisition earn-out payables	5,653			280
	Payments for estimated acquisition earn-out payables	(4,590		)	(615		)
	Subtotal	76,346			42,723
	Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables:
	Change in fair value on estimated acquisition earn-out payables	677			5,603
	Interest expense accretion	686			480
	Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables	1,363			6,083
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	77,709		$	48,806
	Of the $77.7 million estimated acquisition earn-out payables as of March 31, 2015, $29.3 million was recorded as accounts payable and $48.4 million was recorded as other non-current liabilities.

Goodwill

Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	Goodwill
	Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value-based test. The Company completed its most recent annual assessment as of November 30, 2014, and identified no impairment as a result of the evaluation.
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:
	(in thousands)	Retail		National			Wholesale		Services		Total
				Programs			Brokerage
	Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	1,231,869	$	886,095		$	222,356	$	120,291	$	2,460,611
	Goodwill of acquired businesses	26,461		(194		)	3,151		—		29,418
	Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	—		(2,238		)	—		—		(2,238		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	1,258,330	$	883,663		$	225,507	$	120,291	$	2,487,791

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets

Amortizable Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortizable Intangible Assets	Amortizable Intangible Assets
	Amortizable intangible assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		31-Mar-15								31-Dec-14
	(in thousands)	Gross		Accumulated			Net		Weighted	Gross		Accumulated			Net		Weighted
		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Average	Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Average
		Value					Value		Life	Value					Value		Life
									(Years)(1)								(Years)(1)
	Purchased customer accounts	$	1,365,525	$	(593,742	)	$	771,783	15	$	1,355,550	$	(574,285	)	$	781,265	14.9
	Non-compete agreements	29,193		(26,063		)	3,130		6.8	29,139		(25,762		)	3,377		6.8
	Total	$	1,394,718	$	(619,805	)	$	774,913		$	1,384,689	$	(600,047	)	$	784,642
	-1	Weighted average life calculated as of the date of acquisition.
	Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 is estimated to be $86.6 million, $82.2 million, $79.3 million, $74.1 million, and $69.5 million, respectively.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	2015		2014
	Current portion of long-term debt:
	Current portion of 5-year term loan facility expires 2019	$	27,500	$	20,625
	5.370% senior notes, Series D, quarterly interest payments, balloon due 2015	—		25,000
	Total current portion of long-term debt	27,500		45,625
	Long-term debt:
	Note agreements:
	5.660% senior notes, Series C, semi-annual interest payments, balloon due 2016	25,000		25,000
	4.500% senior notes, Series E, quarterly interest payments, balloon due 2018	100,000		100,000
	4.200% senior notes, semi-annual interest payments, balloon due 2024	498,510		498,471
	Total notes	623,510		623,471
	Credit agreements:
	5-year term-loan facility, periodic interest and principal payments, currently LIBOR plus 1.375%, expires May 20, 2019	522,500		529,375
	5-year revolving-loan facility, periodic interest payments, currently LIBOR plus 1.175%, plus commitment fees of 0.20%, expires May 20, 2019	—		—
	Revolving credit loan, quarterly interest payments, LIBOR plus up to 1.40% and availability fee up to 0.25%, expires December 31, 2016	—		—
	Total credit agreements	522,500		529,375
	Total long-term debt	1,146,010		1,152,846
	Current portion of long-term debt	27,500		45,625
	Total debt	$	1,173,510	$	1,198,471
	On December 22, 2006, the Company entered into a Master Shelf and Note Purchase Agreement (the “Master Agreement”) with a national insurance company (the “Purchaser”). The initial issuance of notes under the Master Agreement occurred on December 22, 2006, through the issuance of $25.0 million in Series C Senior Notes due December 22, 2016, with a fixed interest rate of 5.66% per year. On February 1, 2008, $25.0 million in Series D Senior Notes due January 15, 2015, with a fixed interest rate of 5.37% per year, were issued. On September 15, 2011, and pursuant to a Confirmation of Acceptance (the “Confirmation”), dated January 21, 2011, in connection with the Master Agreement, $100.0 million in Series E Senior Notes were issued and are due September 15, 2018, with a fixed interest rate of 4.50% per year. The Series E Senior Notes were issued for the sole purpose of retiring existing senior notes. On January 15, 2015 the Series D Notes were redeemed at maturity using cash proceeds to pay off the principal of $25.0 million plus any remaining accrued interest. As of March 31, 2015, there was an outstanding debt balance issued under the provisions of the Master Agreement of $125.0 million.
	On July 1, 2013, in conjunction with the acquisition of Beecher Carlson Holdings, Inc., the Company entered into: (1) a revolving loan agreement (the “Wells Fargo Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. that provided for a $50.0 million revolving line of credit (the “Wells Fargo Revolver”). The maturity date for the Wells Fargo Revolver is December 31, 2016, at which time all outstanding principal and unpaid interest will be due. On April 16, 2014, in connection with the signing of the Credit Facility (as defined below) an amendment to the agreement was established to reduce the total revolving loan commitment from $50.0 million to $25.0 million. The Wells Fargo Revolver may be increased by up to $50.0 million (bringing the total amount available to $75.0 million). The calculation of interest and fees for the Wells Fargo Agreement is generally based on the Company’s funded debt-to-EBITDA ratio. Interest is charged at a rate equal to 1.00% to 1.40% above LIBOR or 1.00% below the Base Rate, each as more fully described in the Wells Fargo Agreement. Fees include an up-front fee, an availability fee of 0.175% to 0.25%, and a letter of credit margin fee of 1.00% to 1.40%. The obligations under the Wells Fargo Revolver are unsecured and the Wells Fargo Agreement includes various covenants, limitations and events of default that are customary for similar facilities for similar borrowers. There were no borrowings against the Wells Fargo Revolver as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	On October 12, 2012, the Company entered into a Master Note Facility Agreement (the “New Master Agreement”) with another national insurance company (the “New Purchaser”). The New Master Agreement provides for a $125.0 million private uncommitted “shelf” facility for the issuance of unsecured senior notes over a three-year period, with interest rates that may be fixed or floating and with such maturity dates, not to exceed ten years, as the parties may determine. The New Master Agreement includes various covenants, limitations, and events of default similar to the Master Agreement. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no borrowings against this facility.
	On April 17, 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and certain other banks as co-syndication agents and co-documentation agents (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement in the amount of $1,350.0 million provides for an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) in the initial amount of $800.0 million and unsecured term loans in the initial amount of $550.0 million, either or both of which may, subject to lenders’ discretion, potentially be increased by up to $500.0 million. The Credit Facility was funded on May 20, 2014 in conjunction with the closing of the Wright acquisition, with the $550.0 million term loan being funded as well as a drawdown of $375.0 million on the revolving loan facility. Use of these proceeds was to retire existing term loan debt and to facilitate the closing of the Wright acquisition as well as other acquisitions. The Credit Facility terminates on May 20, 2019, but either or both of the revolving credit facility and the term loans may be extended for two additional one-year periods at the Company’s request and at the discretion of the respective lenders. Interest and facility fees in respect to the Credit Facility are based on the better of the Company’s net debt leverage ratio or a non-credit enhanced senior unsecured long-term debt rating. Based on the Company’s net debt leverage ratio, the rates of interest charged on the term loan are 1.00% to 1.75% and the revolving loan is 0.85% to 1.50% above the adjusted LIBOR rate for outstanding amounts drawn. There are fees included in the facility which include a facility fee based on the revolving credit commitments of the lenders (whether used or unused) at a rate of ) 0.15% to 0.25% and letter of credit fees based on the amounts of outstanding secured or unsecured letters of credit. The Credit Facility includes various covenants, limitations and events of default customary for similar facilities for similarly rated borrowers. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there was an outstanding debt balance issued under the provisions of the Credit Facility in total of $550.0 million with no borrowings outstanding relative to the revolving loan. Per the terms of the agreement, the first principal payment of $6.9 million is due on June 30, 2015.
	On September 18, 2014, the Company issued $500.0 million of 4.200% unsecured senior notes due in 2024. The senior notes were given investment grade ratings of BBB-/Baa3 with a stable outlook. The notes are subject to certain covenant restrictions and regulations which are customary for credit rated obligations. At the time of funding, the proceeds were offered at a discount of the original note amount which also excluded an underwriting fee discount. The net proceeds received from the issuance were used to repay the outstanding balance of $475.0 million on the revolving Credit Facility and for other general corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 there was an outstanding debt balance of $500.0 million.
	The Master Agreement, Wells Fargo Agreement and the Credit Agreement all require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios and comply with certain other covenants. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	The 30-day Adjusted LIBOR Rate as of March 31, 2015 was 0.19%.

Supplemental_Disclosures_of_Ca

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities	Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015		2014
	Cash paid during the period for:
	Interest	$	14,899	$	5,230
	Income taxes	$	8,004	$	1,532
	Brown & Brown’s significant non-cash investing and financing activities are summarized as follows:
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015		2014
	Other payable issued for purchased customer accounts	$	5	$	—
	Estimated acquisition earn-out payables and related charges	$	5,653	$	280
	Notes received on the sale of fixed assets and customer accounts	$	362	$	131

Legal_and_Regulatory_Proceedin

Legal and Regulatory Proceedings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal and Regulatory Proceedings	Legal and Regulatory Proceedings
	The Company is involved in numerous pending or threatened proceedings by or against Brown & Brown, Inc. or one or more of its subsidiaries that arise in the ordinary course of business. The damages that may be claimed against the Company in these various proceedings are in some cases substantial, including in many instances claims for punitive or extraordinary damages. Some of these claims and lawsuits have been resolved, others are in the process of being resolved and others are still in the investigation or discovery phase. The Company will continue to respond appropriately to these claims and lawsuits and to vigorously protect its interests.
	Wright National Flood Insurance Company (“Wright Flood”), a wholly-owned subsidiary acquired by the Company effective May 2014, is engaged in litigation in New York and New Jersey arising out of its claims handling procedures during Superstorm Sandy, which affected the northeastern United States in October 2012. The claims in litigation involve theories of an alleged fraudulent scheme by third party engineering firms engaged by Wright Flood and other Write Your Own flood insurance carriers to underpay claimants.  Based upon currently available information, the Company does not believe it is reasonably possible that these claims by themselves would be material to the Company’s results of operations or would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity.
	Although the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be ascertained and liabilities in indeterminate amounts may be imposed on Brown & Brown, Inc. or its subsidiaries, on the basis of present information and the availability of insurance and legal advice, it is the opinion of management that the disposition or ultimate determination of such claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position. However, as (i) one or more of the Company’s insurance carriers could take the position that portions of these claims are not covered by the Company’s insurance, (ii) to the extent that payments are made to resolve claims and lawsuits, applicable insurance policy limits are eroded, and (iii) the claims and lawsuits relating to these matters are continuing to develop, it is possible that future results of operations or cash flows for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by the unfavorable resolution of these matters.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	Brown & Brown’s business is divided into four reportable segments: (1) the Retail Segment, which provides a broad range of insurance products and services to commercial, public and quasi-public entities, and to professional and individual customers; (2) the National Programs Segment, which provides professional liability and related package products for certain professionals delivered through nationwide networks of independent agents and Brown & Brown retail agents, and markets targeted products and services designed for specific industries, trade groups, public and quasi-public entities, market niches and provides flood coverage; (3) the Wholesale Brokerage Segment, which markets and sells excess and surplus commercial and personal lines insurance, primarily through independent agents and brokers; and (4) the Services Segment, which provides insurance-related services, including third-party claims administration and comprehensive medical utilization management services in both the workers’ compensation and all-lines liability arenas, as well as Medicare Set-aside services, Social Security disability and Medicare benefits advocacy services and catastrophe claims adjusting services.
	Brown & Brown conducts all of its operations within the United States of America, except for one wholesale brokerage operation based in London, England, and retail operations in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. These operations earned $2.7 million and $2.4 million of total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Long-lived assets held outside of the United States during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were not material.
	The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based upon revenues and income before income taxes. Inter-segment revenues are eliminated.
	Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table. The “Other” column includes any income and expenses not allocated to reportable segments and corporate-related items, including the inter-company interest expense charge to the reporting segment.
		For the three months ended March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)	Retail		National		Wholesale		Services		Other			Total
				Programs		Brokerage
	Total revenues	$	218,344	$	99,555	$	51,828	$	34,788	$	(217	)	$	404,298
	Investment income	$	22	$	45	$	72	$	—	$	81		$	220
	Amortization	$	10,934	$	7,235	$	2,423	$	1,023	$	10		$	21,625
	Depreciation	$	1,642	$	1,766	$	563	$	530	$	682		$	5,183
	Interest expense	$	10,158	$	14,955	$	229	$	1,599	$	(17,090	)	$	9,851
	Income before income taxes	$	47,009	$	9,476	$	14,484	$	4,502	$	18,307		$	93,778
	Total assets	$	3,305,917	$	2,407,695	$	858,149	$	300,155	$	(2,032,974	)	$	4,838,942
	Capital expenditures	$	1,424	$	1,489	$	451	$	240	$	123		$	3,727
		For the three months ended March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)	Retail		National		Wholesale		Services		Other			Total
				Programs		Brokerage
	Total revenues	$	205,470	$	76,675	$	50,001	$	31,642	$	(194	)	$	363,594
	Investment income	$	16	$	5	$	4	$	2	$	76		$	103
	Amortization	$	10,269	$	3,864	$	2,676	$	1,057	$	10		$	17,876
	Depreciation	$	1,593	$	1,489	$	619	$	463	$	476		$	4,640
	Interest expense	$	10,745	$	5,442	$	386	$	1,970	$	(14,471	)	$	4,072
	Income before income taxes	$	41,217	$	16,944	$	10,747	$	2,769	$	15,160		$	86,837
	Total assets	$	3,057,253	$	1,376,590	$	877,555	$	276,219	$	(1,913,328	)	$	3,674,289
	Capital expenditures	$	2,116	$	1,889	$	287	$	291	$	144		$	4,727

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Investments
	At March 31, 2015, the Company’s amortized cost and fair values of fixed maturity securities are summarized as follows:
	(in thousands)	Cost		Gross Unrealized		Gross Unrealized			Fair Value
				Gains		Losses
	U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government agencies and Municipals	$	10,761	$	33	$	—		$	10,794
	Foreign government	50		1		—			51
	Corporate debt	5,725		32		(1		)	5,756
	Short duration fixed income fund	2,155		30		—			2,185
	Total	$	18,691	$	96	$	(1	)	$	18,786
	The following table shows the investments’ gross unrealized loss and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2015:
	(in thousands)	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More					Total
		Fair Value		Unrealized		Fair Value			Unrealized		Fair Value		Unrealized
				Losses					Losses				Losses
	Corporate debt	$	1,178	$	1	$	—		$	—	$	1,178	$	1
	Total	$	1,178	$	1	$	—		$	—	$	1,178	$	1
	The unrealized losses from corporate issuers were caused by interest rate increases. At March 31, 2015, the Company had 39 securities in an unrealized loss position. The contractual cash flows of the U.S. Treasury Securities and obligations of the U.S. Government agencies investments are either guaranteed by the U.S. Government or an agency of the U.S. Government. Accordingly, it is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. The corporate securities are highly rated securities with no indicators of potential impairment. Based on the ability and intent of the Company to hold these investments until recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the bonds were not considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015.
	At December 31, 2014, the Company’s amortized cost and fair values of fixed maturity securities are summarized as follows:
	(in thousands)	Cost		Gross Unrealized		Gross Unrealized			Fair Value
				Gains		Losses
	U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government agencies and Municipals	$	10,774	$	7	$	(1	)	$	10,780
	Foreign government	50		—		—			50
	Corporate debt	5,854		9		(11		)	5,852
	Short duration fixed income fund	3,143		37					3,180
	Total	$	19,821	$	53	$	(12	)	$	19,862
	The following table shows the investments’ gross unrealized loss and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2014:
	(in thousands)	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More					Total
		Fair Value		Unrealized		Fair Value			Unrealized		Fair Value		Unrealized
				Losses					Losses				Losses
	U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government agencies and Municipals	$	3,994	$	1	$	—		$	—	$	3,994	$	1
	Foreign Government	$	50	$	—						$	50	$	—
	Corporate debt	$	4,439	$	11	$	—		$	—	$	4,439	$	11
	Total	$	8,483	$	12	$	—		$	—	$	8,483	$	12
	The unrealized losses from corporate issuers were caused by interest rate increases. At December 31, 2014, the Company had 38 securities in an unrealized loss position. The contractual cash flows of the U.S. Treasury Securities and obligations of the U.S. Government agencies investments are either guaranteed by the U.S. Government or an agency of the U.S. Government. Accordingly, it is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the amortized cost of the Company’s investment. The corporate securities are highly rated securities with no indicators of potential impairment. Based on the ability and intent of the Company to hold these investments until recovery of fair value, which may be maturity, the bonds were not considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2015 by contractual maturity are set forth below:
	(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	Years to maturity:
	Due in one year or less	$	8,134	$	8,137
	Due after one year through five years	10,227		10,304
	Due after five years through ten years	330		345
	Total	$	18,691	$	18,786
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2014 by contractual maturity are set forth below:
	(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	Years to maturity:
	Due in one year or less	$	5,628	$	5,628
	Due after one year through five years	13,863		13,897
	Due after five years through ten years	330		337
	Total	$	19,821	$	19,862
	The expected maturities in the foregoing table may differ from the contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalty.
	Proceeds from sales of the Company’s investment in fixed maturity securities were $0.1 million including maturities from the period January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2015. There were no gains and losses realized on those sales for the period from January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2015.
	Realized gains and losses are reported on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, with the cost of securities sold determined on a specific identification basis.
	At March 31, 2015, investments with a fair value of approximately $4.1 million were on deposit with the state insurance departments to satisfy regulatory requirements.

Losses_and_Loss_Adjustment_Res

Losses and Loss Adjustment Reserve	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Losses and Loss Adjustment Reserve	Losses and Loss Adjustment Reserve
	Although the reinsurers are liable to the Company for amounts reinsured, Wright Flood remains primarily liable to its policyholders for the full amount of the policies written whether or not the reinsurers meet their obligations to Wright Flood when they become due. The effects of reinsurance on premiums written and earned are as follows:
	(in thousands)	Period from January 1, 2015 to
		31-Mar-15
		Written		Earned
	Direct premiums	$	123,113	$	152,645
	Assumed premiums	—		17
	Ceded premiums	123,110		152,659
	Net premiums	$	3	$	3
	All premiums written by Wright Flood under the National Flood Insurance Program are 100% ceded to FEMA, for which Wright Flood received a 30.8% expense allowance from January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015. For the period from January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015, the Company ceded $122.9 million of written premiums.
	Effective April 1, 2014, Wright Flood is also a party to a quota share agreement whereby it cedes 100% of its gross excess flood premiums, which excludes fees, to Arch Reinsurance Company and receives a 30.5% commission. Wright Flood ceded $0.2 million for the period from January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015. No loss data exists on this agreement.
	Wright Flood also ceded 100% of the Homeowners, Private Passenger Auto Liability, and Other Liability Occurrence to Stillwater Insurance Company formerly known as Fidelity National Insurance Company. This business is in runoff. Therefore, only loss data still exists on this business. As of March 31, 2015, ceded unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for Homeowners, Private Passenger Auto Liability and Other Liability Occurrence was $8,698, $69,026 and $5,001, respectively. The incurred but not reported was $102 for Homeowners and $39,424 for Private Passenger Auto Liability.
	The reinsurance recoverable balance as of March 31, 2015 was $304.1 million and comprises recoverables on unpaid losses and loss expenses of $13.1 million and prepaid reinsurance premiums of $291.0 million. There was no net activity in the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expense during the period January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015, as Wright Flood's direct premiums written were 100% ceded to three reinsurers. The balance of the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expense, excluding related reinsurance recoverable, as of March 31, 2015 was $13.1 million.

Statutory_Financial_Informatio

Statutory Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Statutory Accounting Practices [Abstract]
Statutory Financial Information	Statutory Financial Information
	Wright Flood is required to maintain minimum amounts of statutory capital and surplus of $7.5 million as required by regulatory authorities. Wright Flood’s statutory capital and surplus exceeded their respective minimum statutory requirements. The unaudited statutory capital and surplus of Wright Flood was $11.5 million at March 31, 2015. For the period from January 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015, Wright Flood generated statutory net income of $0.6 million.
	Immediately before the acquisition of Wright Flood by the Company, Wright Flood issued and paid an extraordinary dividend of $7.0 million to WRM America Intermediate Holding Company, Inc., the former owner of Wright Flood.  That dividend was issued and paid with the prior approval of the Texas Department of Insurance.

Subsidiary_Dividend_Restrictio

Subsidiary Dividend Restrictions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Restrictions on Dividends, Loans and Advances Disclosure [Abstract]
Subsidiary Dividend Restrictions	Subsidiary Dividend Restrictions
	Under the insurance regulations of Texas, the maximum amount of ordinary dividends that Wright Flood can pay to shareholders in a rolling twelve month period is limited to the greater of 10% of statutory adjusted capital and surplus as shown on Wright Flood’s last annual statement on file with the superintendent of the Texas Department of Insurance or 100% of adjusted net income. As stated in Note 13, an extraordinary dividend of $7.0 million was paid on May 20, 2014, therefore no ordinary dividend may be paid until May 21, 2015. Thereafter, the maximum dividend payout that may be made in 2015 without prior approval is $2.3 million.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders’ Equity
	On July 21, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200.0 million of its shares of common stock. This is in addition to the $25.0 million that was authorized in the first quarter and executed in the second quarter of 2014. On September 2, 2014, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (“ASR”) with an investment bank to repurchase an aggregate $50.0 million of the Company’s common stock. The total number of shares repurchased under the ASR of 1,539,760 was determined upon settlement of the final delivery and was based on the Company’s volume weighted average price per its common share over the ASR period less a discount.
	On March 5, 2015, the Company entered into a second ASR with an investment bank to repurchase an aggregate $100.0 million of the Company’s common stock. As part of the ASR, the Company received an initial delivery of 2,667,992 shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of approximately $85.0 million. The initial delivery of 2,667,992 shares reduced the outstanding shares used to determine the Company’s weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share. The remaining $15.0 million of the aggregate repurchase amount was prepaid to the investment bank and is expected to be settled during the second quarter of 2015. As of March 31, 2015, a total of 5,052,820 shares have been repurchased since the first quarter of 2014.

Nature_of_Operations_Policies

Nature of Operations (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Brown & Brown, Inc., a Florida corporation, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Brown & Brown” or the “Company”) is a diversified insurance agency, wholesale brokerage, insurance programs and services organization that markets and sells to its customers insurance products and services, primarily in the property and casualty area. Brown & Brown’s business is divided into four reportable segments: the Retail Segment, which provides a broad range of insurance products and services to commercial, public entity, professional and individual customers; the National Programs Segment, acting as a managing general agent (“MGA”), provides professional liability and related package products for certain professionals, flood coverage and targeted products and services designated for specific industries, trade groups, governmental entities and market niches, all of which are delivered through nationwide networks of independent agents, and markets; the Wholesale Brokerage Segment markets and sells excess and surplus commercial insurance, primarily through independent agents and brokers, including Brown & Brown Retail offices; and the Services Segment, which provides insurance-related services, including third-party claims administration and comprehensive medical utilization management services in both the workers’ compensation and all-lines liability arenas, as well as Medicare Set-aside services, Social Security disability and Medicare benefits advocacy services, and catastrophe claims adjusting services. In addition, as the result of our acquisition of The Wright Insurance Group, LLC (“Wright”), in May 2014, we own a flood insurance carrier, Wright National Flood Insurance Company (“Wright Flood”), that is a Wright subsidiary. Wright Flood's business consists of policies written pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”), the program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”), and several excess flood insurance policies which are fully reinsured.
Basis of Accounting	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." ("ASU 2015-03") requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, and not recorded as separate assets. This update is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and is to be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2015-03 in the first quarter of 2016. As the Company's debt issuance costs are not material, implementation of this update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” (“ASU 2014-15”), which addresses management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect to early adopt this guidance and it believes the adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017 and, at that time the Company may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method and impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net_Income_Per_Share_Tables

Net Income Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation between Basic and Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding	The following is a reconciliation between basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding:
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2015			2014
	Net income	$	56,951		$	52,415
	Net income attributable to unvested awarded performance stock	(1,363		)	(1,376		)
	Net income attributable to common shares	$	55,588		$	51,039
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	142,777			145,429
	Less unvested awarded performance stock included in weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic	(3,417		)	(3,819		)
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share	139,360			141,610
	Dilutive effect of stock options	2,127			1,699
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted	141,487			143,309
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.4		$	0.36
	Diluted	$	0.39		$	0.36

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Purchase price allocation for current year acquisitions and adjustments made for prior year acquisitions	The following table summarizes the purchase price allocation made as of the date of each acquisition for current year acquisitions and adjustments made during the measurement period for prior year acquisitions:
	(in thousands)
	Name	Business		Effective	Cash			Other			Recorded			Net Assets		Maximum
		Segment		Date of	Paid			Payable			Earn-Out			Acquired		Potential Earn-
				Acquisition							Payable					Out Payable
	Liberty Insurance Brokers, Inc. and Affiliates (Liberty)	Retail		February 1, 2015	$	12,000		$	—		$	1,436		$	13,436	$	3,750
	Spain Agency, Inc.	Retail		March 1, 2015	20,681			—			2,750			23,431		9,162
	Other	Various		Various	3,514			5			1,467			4,986		2,000
	Total				$	36,195		$	5		$	5,653		$	41,853	$	14,912
Estimated fair values of aggregate assets and liabilities acquired	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the aggregate assets and liabilities acquired as of the date of each acquisition:
	(in thousands)	Liberty			Spain Agency, Inc.			Other			Total
	Other current assets	$	2,437		$	—		$	(445	)	$	1,992
	Fixed assets	40			50			18			108
	Goodwill	8,689			16,682			4,047			29,418
	Purchased customer accounts	4,289			6,715			1,423			12,427
	Non-compete agreements	24			21			13			58
	Total assets acquired	15,479			23,468			5,056			44,003
	Other current liabilities	—			(37		)	(705		)	(742		)
	Other liabilities	(2,043		)	—			635			(1,408		)
	Total liabilities assumed	(2,043		)	(37		)	(70		)	(2,150		)
	Net assets acquired	$	13,436		$	23,431		$	4,986		$	41,853
Unaudited pro forma results	These unaudited pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations that would have occurred had the acquisitions actually been made at the beginning of the respective periods.
	(UNAUDITED)	For the three months
		ended March 31,
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2015			2014
	Total revenues	$	406,379		$	367,131
	Income before income taxes	$	94,463		$	87,913
	Net income	$	57,367		$	53,064
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.4		$	0.36
	Diluted	$	0.4		$	0.36
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
	Basic	139,360			141,610
	Diluted	141,487			143,309
Additions, payments, and net changes, as well as interest expense accretion on estimated acquisition earn-out payables	The resulting additions, payments, and net changes, as well as the interest expense accretion on the estimated acquisition earn-out payables, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015			2014
	Balance as of the beginning of the period	$	75,283		$	43,058
	Additions to estimated acquisition earn-out payables	5,653			280
	Payments for estimated acquisition earn-out payables	(4,590		)	(615		)
	Subtotal	76,346			42,723
	Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables:
	Change in fair value on estimated acquisition earn-out payables	677			5,603
	Interest expense accretion	686			480
	Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables	1,363			6,083
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	77,709		$	48,806

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill by Operating Segment	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are as follows:
	(in thousands)	Retail		National			Wholesale		Services		Total
				Programs			Brokerage
	Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	1,231,869	$	886,095		$	222,356	$	120,291	$	2,460,611
	Goodwill of acquired businesses	26,461		(194		)	3,151		—		29,418
	Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	—		(2,238		)	—		—		(2,238		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	1,258,330	$	883,663		$	225,507	$	120,291	$	2,487,791

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets_

Amortizable Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortizable Intangible Assets	Amortizable intangible assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		31-Mar-15								31-Dec-14
	(in thousands)	Gross		Accumulated			Net		Weighted	Gross		Accumulated			Net		Weighted
		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Average	Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Average
		Value					Value		Life	Value					Value		Life
									(Years)(1)								(Years)(1)
	Purchased customer accounts	$	1,365,525	$	(593,742	)	$	771,783	15	$	1,355,550	$	(574,285	)	$	781,265	14.9
	Non-compete agreements	29,193		(26,063		)	3,130		6.8	29,139		(25,762		)	3,377		6.8
	Total	$	1,394,718	$	(619,805	)	$	774,913		$	1,384,689	$	(600,047	)	$	784,642
	-1	Weighted average life calculated as of the date of acquisition.

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt Instrument	Long-term debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	2015		2014
	Current portion of long-term debt:
	Current portion of 5-year term loan facility expires 2019	$	27,500	$	20,625
	5.370% senior notes, Series D, quarterly interest payments, balloon due 2015	—		25,000
	Total current portion of long-term debt	27,500		45,625
	Long-term debt:
	Note agreements:
	5.660% senior notes, Series C, semi-annual interest payments, balloon due 2016	25,000		25,000
	4.500% senior notes, Series E, quarterly interest payments, balloon due 2018	100,000		100,000
	4.200% senior notes, semi-annual interest payments, balloon due 2024	498,510		498,471
	Total notes	623,510		623,471
	Credit agreements:
	5-year term-loan facility, periodic interest and principal payments, currently LIBOR plus 1.375%, expires May 20, 2019	522,500		529,375
	5-year revolving-loan facility, periodic interest payments, currently LIBOR plus 1.175%, plus commitment fees of 0.20%, expires May 20, 2019	—		—
	Revolving credit loan, quarterly interest payments, LIBOR plus up to 1.40% and availability fee up to 0.25%, expires December 31, 2016	—		—
	Total credit agreements	522,500		529,375
	Total long-term debt	1,146,010		1,152,846
	Current portion of long-term debt	27,500		45,625
	Total debt	$	1,173,510	$	1,198,471

Supplemental_Disclosures_of_Ca1

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Summary of Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015		2014
	Cash paid during the period for:
	Interest	$	14,899	$	5,230
	Income taxes	$	8,004	$	1,532
	Brown & Brown’s significant non-cash investing and financing activities are summarized as follows:
		For the three months
		ended March 31,
	(in thousands)	2015		2014
	Other payable issued for purchased customer accounts	$	5	$	—
	Estimated acquisition earn-out payables and related charges	$	5,653	$	280
	Notes received on the sale of fixed assets and customer accounts	$	362	$	131

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summarized Financial Information Reportable Segments	Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table. The “Other” column includes any income and expenses not allocated to reportable segments and corporate-related items, including the inter-company interest expense charge to the reporting segment.
		For the three months ended March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)	Retail		National		Wholesale		Services		Other			Total
				Programs		Brokerage
	Total revenues	$	218,344	$	99,555	$	51,828	$	34,788	$	(217	)	$	404,298
	Investment income	$	22	$	45	$	72	$	—	$	81		$	220
	Amortization	$	10,934	$	7,235	$	2,423	$	1,023	$	10		$	21,625
	Depreciation	$	1,642	$	1,766	$	563	$	530	$	682		$	5,183
	Interest expense	$	10,158	$	14,955	$	229	$	1,599	$	(17,090	)	$	9,851
	Income before income taxes	$	47,009	$	9,476	$	14,484	$	4,502	$	18,307		$	93,778
	Total assets	$	3,305,917	$	2,407,695	$	858,149	$	300,155	$	(2,032,974	)	$	4,838,942
	Capital expenditures	$	1,424	$	1,489	$	451	$	240	$	123		$	3,727
		For the three months ended March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)	Retail		National		Wholesale		Services		Other			Total
				Programs		Brokerage
	Total revenues	$	205,470	$	76,675	$	50,001	$	31,642	$	(194	)	$	363,594
	Investment income	$	16	$	5	$	4	$	2	$	76		$	103
	Amortization	$	10,269	$	3,864	$	2,676	$	1,057	$	10		$	17,876
	Depreciation	$	1,593	$	1,489	$	619	$	463	$	476		$	4,640
	Interest expense	$	10,745	$	5,442	$	386	$	1,970	$	(14,471	)	$	4,072
	Income before income taxes	$	41,217	$	16,944	$	10,747	$	2,769	$	15,160		$	86,837
	Total assets	$	3,057,253	$	1,376,590	$	877,555	$	276,219	$	(1,913,328	)	$	3,674,289
	Capital expenditures	$	2,116	$	1,889	$	287	$	291	$	144		$	4,727

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities	At December 31, 2014, the Company’s amortized cost and fair values of fixed maturity securities are summarized as follows:
	(in thousands)	Cost		Gross Unrealized		Gross Unrealized			Fair Value
				Gains		Losses
	U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government agencies and Municipals	$	10,774	$	7	$	(1	)	$	10,780
	Foreign government	50		—		—			50
	Corporate debt	5,854		9		(11		)	5,852
	Short duration fixed income fund	3,143		37					3,180
	Total	$	19,821	$	53	$	(12	)	$	19,862
	At March 31, 2015, the Company’s amortized cost and fair values of fixed maturity securities are summarized as follows:
	(in thousands)	Cost		Gross Unrealized		Gross Unrealized			Fair Value
				Gains		Losses
	U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government agencies and Municipals	$	10,761	$	33	$	—		$	10,794
	Foreign government	50		1		—			51
	Corporate debt	5,725		32		(1		)	5,756
	Short duration fixed income fund	2,155		30		—			2,185
	Total	$	18,691	$	96	$	(1	)	$	18,786
Summary of Unrealized Loss Position	The following table shows the investments’ gross unrealized loss and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2015:
	(in thousands)	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More					Total
		Fair Value		Unrealized		Fair Value			Unrealized		Fair Value		Unrealized
				Losses					Losses				Losses
	Corporate debt	$	1,178	$	1	$	—		$	—	$	1,178	$	1
	Total	$	1,178	$	1	$	—		$	—	$	1,178	$	1
	The following table shows the investments’ gross unrealized loss and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2014:
	(in thousands)	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or More					Total
		Fair Value		Unrealized		Fair Value			Unrealized		Fair Value		Unrealized
				Losses					Losses				Losses
	U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government agencies and Municipals	$	3,994	$	1	$	—		$	—	$	3,994	$	1
	Foreign Government	$	50	$	—						$	50	$	—
	Corporate debt	$	4,439	$	11	$	—		$	—	$	4,439	$	11
	Total	$	8,483	$	12	$	—		$	—	$	8,483	$	12
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Fixed Maturity Securities by Contractual Maturity	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2015 by contractual maturity are set forth below:
	(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	Years to maturity:
	Due in one year or less	$	8,134	$	8,137
	Due after one year through five years	10,227		10,304
	Due after five years through ten years	330		345
	Total	$	18,691	$	18,786
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of the fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2014 by contractual maturity are set forth below:
	(in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	Years to maturity:
	Due in one year or less	$	5,628	$	5,628
	Due after one year through five years	13,863		13,897
	Due after five years through ten years	330		337
	Total	$	19,821	$	19,862

Losses_and_Loss_Adjustment_Res1

Losses and Loss Adjustment Reserve (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Effects of Reinsurance on Premiums Written and Earned	The effects of reinsurance on premiums written and earned are as follows:
	(in thousands)	Period from January 1, 2015 to
		31-Mar-15
		Written		Earned
	Direct premiums	$	123,113	$	152,645
	Assumed premiums	—		17
	Ceded premiums	123,110		152,659
	Net premiums	$	3	$	3

Nature_of_Operations_Additiona

Nature of Operations - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	4

Net_Income_Per_Share_Reconcili

Net Income Per Share - Reconciliation between Basic and Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$56,951	$52,415
Net income attributable to unvested awarded performance stock	-1,363	-1,376
Net income attributable to common shares	$55,588	$51,039
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	142,777	145,429
Less unvested awarded performance stock included in weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	-3,417	-3,819
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share (in shares)	139,360	141,610
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	2,127	1,699
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	141,487	143,309
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.36
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.39	$0.36

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	acquisition	acquisition
	customer_account
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of acquisitions	3	1
Number of customer accounts acquired	2
Aggregate purchase price of acquisitions	$634,680
Cash payment for acquisition	36,195,000	1,000,000
Goodwill assigned	29,418,000
Goodwill currently deductible for income tax purposes	23,959,000
Goodwill currently non-deductible for income tax purposes	-194,000
Goodwill related to the recorded earn-out payables	5,653,000
Total revenues related to acquisitions	1,726,000
Income before income taxes related to acquisitions	294,000
Estimated acquisition earn-out payables	77,709,000	48,806,000	75,283,000	43,058,000
Accounts payable
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated acquisition earn-out payables	29,300,000
Purchased customer accounts
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average life (years)	15 years
Non-compete agreements
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Weighted average life (years)	5 years
Retail
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill assigned	26,461,000
National Programs
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill assigned	-194,000
Wholesale Brokerage
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill assigned	3,151,000
Other non-current liability
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated acquisition earn-out payables	$48,400,000

Business_Combinations_Acquisit

Business Combinations - Acquisitions Accounted for Business Combinations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
Cash Paid	$36,195	$1,000
Other Payable	5
Recorded Earn-Out Payable	5,653
Net Assets Acquired	41,853
Maximum Potential Earn- Out Payable	14,912
Liberty Insurance Brokers, Inc. and Affiliates (Liberty)
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
Net Assets Acquired	13,436
Liberty Insurance Brokers, Inc. and Affiliates (Liberty) | Retail
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
Effective Date of Acquisition	1-Feb-15
Cash Paid	12,000
Other Payable	0
Recorded Earn-Out Payable	1,436
Net Assets Acquired	13,436
Maximum Potential Earn- Out Payable	3,750
Spain Agency, Inc.
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
Net Assets Acquired	23,431
Spain Agency, Inc. | Retail
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
Effective Date of Acquisition	1-Mar-15
Cash Paid	20,681
Other Payable	0
Recorded Earn-Out Payable	2,750
Net Assets Acquired	23,431
Maximum Potential Earn- Out Payable	9,162
Other
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
Net Assets Acquired	4,986
Other | Various
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]
Cash Paid	3,514
Other Payable	5
Recorded Earn-Out Payable	1,467
Net Assets Acquired	4,986
Maximum Potential Earn- Out Payable	$2,000

Business_Combinations_Estimate

Business Combinations - Estimated Fair Values of Aggregate Assets and Liabilities Acquired (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other current assets	$1,992
Fixed assets	108
Goodwill	29,418
Purchased customer accounts	12,427
Non-compete agreements	58
Total assets acquired	44,003
Other current liabilities	-742
Other liabilities	-1,408
Total liabilities assumed	-2,150
Net assets acquired	41,853
Liberty Insurance Brokers, Inc. and Affiliates (Liberty)
Other current assets	2,437
Fixed assets	40
Goodwill	8,689
Purchased customer accounts	4,289
Non-compete agreements	24
Total assets acquired	15,479
Other current liabilities	0
Other liabilities	-2,043
Total liabilities assumed	-2,043
Net assets acquired	13,436
Spain Agency, Inc.
Other current assets	0
Fixed assets	50
Goodwill	16,682
Purchased customer accounts	6,715
Non-compete agreements	21
Total assets acquired	23,468
Other current liabilities	-37
Other liabilities	0
Total liabilities assumed	-37
Net assets acquired	23,431
Other
Other current assets	-445
Fixed assets	18
Goodwill	4,047
Purchased customer accounts	1,423
Non-compete agreements	13
Total assets acquired	5,056
Other current liabilities	-705
Other liabilities	635
Total liabilities assumed	-70
Net assets acquired	$4,986

Business_Combinations_Results_

Business Combinations - Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Total revenues	$406,379	$367,131
Income before income taxes	94,463	87,913
Net income	$57,367	$53,064
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.36
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.36
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	139,360	141,610
Diluted (in shares)	141,487	143,309

Business_Combinations_Addition1

Business Combinations - Additions, Payments, and Net Changes, as well as Interest Expense Accretion on Estimated Acquisition Earn-Out Payables (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$75,283	$43,058
Additions to estimated acquisition earn-out payables	5,653	280
Payments for estimated acquisition earn-out payables	-4,590	-615
Subtotal	76,346	42,723
Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables:
Change in fair value on estimated acquisition earn-out payables	-677	-5,603
Interest expense accretion	686	480
Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables	1,363	6,083
Ending balance	$77,709	$48,806

Goodwill_Changes_in_Carrying_V

Goodwill - Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill by Operating Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$2,460,611
Goodwill of acquired businesses	29,418
Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	-2,238
Ending balance	2,487,791
Retail
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,231,869
Goodwill of acquired businesses	26,461
Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	0
Ending balance	1,258,330
National Programs
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	886,095
Goodwill of acquired businesses	-194
Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	-2,238
Ending balance	883,663
Wholesale Brokerage
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	222,356
Goodwill of acquired businesses	3,151
Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	0
Ending balance	225,507
Services
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	120,291
Goodwill of acquired businesses	0
Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	0
Ending balance	$120,291

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets_1

Amortizable Intangible Assets - Amortizable Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	$1,394,718	$1,384,689
Accumulated Amortization	-619,805	-600,047
Net Carrying Value	774,913	784,642
Purchased customer accounts
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	1,365,525	1,355,550
Accumulated Amortization	-593,742	-574,285
Net Carrying Value	771,783	781,265
Weighted Average Life (Years)	15 years	14 years 10 months 24 days
Non-compete agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Value	29,193	29,139
Accumulated Amortization	-26,063	-25,762
Net Carrying Value	$3,130	$3,377
Weighted Average Life (Years)	6 years 9 months 18 days	6 years 9 months 18 days

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets_2

Amortizable Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense estimated, year one (2015)	$86.60
Amortization expense estimated, year two (2016)	82.2
Amortization expense estimated, year three (2017)	79.3
Amortization expense estimated, year four (2018)	74.1
Amortization expense estimated, year five (2019)	$69.50

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_In

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Instrument (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 16, 2014	Jan. 15, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total current portion of long-term debt	$27,500,000	$45,625,000
Total notes	623,510,000	623,471,000
Long-term credit agreements	522,500,000	529,375,000	25,000,000
Total long-term debt	1,146,010,000	1,152,846,000
Current portion of long-term debt	27,500,000	45,625,000
Total debt	1,173,510,000	1,198,471,000
5.370% senior notes, Series D, quarterly interest payments, balloon due 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of senior notes	0	25,000,000		25,000,000
5.660% senior notes, Series C, semi-annual interest payments, balloon due 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes	25,000,000	25,000,000
4.500% senior notes, Series E, quarterly interest payments, balloon due 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes	100,000,000	100,000,000
4.200% senior notes, semi-annual interest payments, balloon due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total notes	498,510,000	498,471,000
5-year term-loan facility, periodic interest and principal payments, currently LIBOR plus 1.375%, expires May 20, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of loan facility	27,500,000	20,625,000
Long-term credit agreements	522,500,000	529,375,000
5-year revolving-loan facility, periodic interest payments, currently LIBOR plus 1.175%, plus commitment fees of 0.20%, expires May 20, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term credit agreements	0	0
Revolving credit loan, quarterly interest payments, LIBOR plus up to 1.40% and availability fee up to 0.25%, expires December 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term credit agreements	$0	$0

LongTerm_Debt_LongTerm_Debt_In1

Long-Term Debt - Long-Term Debt Instrument (Additional Information) (Detail)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
5.370% senior notes, Series D, quarterly interest payments, balloon due 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		5.37%
Debt instrument maturity year		2015
5.660% senior notes, Series C, semi-annual interest payments, balloon due 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	5.66%	5.66%
Debt instrument maturity year	2016	2016
4.500% senior notes, Series E, quarterly interest payments, balloon due 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%	4.50%
Debt instrument maturity year	2018	2018
4.200% senior notes, semi-annual interest payments, balloon due 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.20%	4.20%
Debt instrument maturity year	2024	2024
5-year term-loan facility, periodic interest and principal payments, currently LIBOR plus 1.375%, expires May 20, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, expiration period	5 years	5 years
Line of credit facility, expiration date	20-May-19	20-May-19
5-year term-loan facility, periodic interest and principal payments, currently LIBOR plus 1.375%, expires May 20, 2019 | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate	1.38%	1.38%
5-year revolving-loan facility, periodic interest payments, currently LIBOR plus 1.175%, plus commitment fees of 0.20%, expires May 20, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, expiration period	5 years	5 years
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.20%	0.20%
Line of credit facility, expiration date	20-May-19	20-May-19
5-year revolving-loan facility, periodic interest payments, currently LIBOR plus 1.175%, plus commitment fees of 0.20%, expires May 20, 2019 | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate	1.18%	1.18%
Revolving credit loan, quarterly interest payments, LIBOR plus up to 1.40% and availability fee up to 0.25%, expires December 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, expiration date	31-Dec-16	31-Dec-16
Maximum | Revolving credit loan, quarterly interest payments, LIBOR plus up to 1.40% and availability fee up to 0.25%, expires December 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.25%	0.25%
Maximum | Revolving credit loan, quarterly interest payments, LIBOR plus up to 1.40% and availability fee up to 0.25%, expires December 31, 2016 | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate	1.40%	1.40%

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

20-May-14

Sep. 18, 2014

Oct. 12, 2012

Apr. 17, 2014

Apr. 16, 2014

Jan. 15, 2015

Apr. 15, 2014

Jul. 01, 2013

Feb. 01, 2008

Dec. 22, 2006

Sep. 15, 2011

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Credit facility, outstanding amount

$522,500,000

$529,375,000

$25,000,000

Revolving and term loan

50,000,000

Potential increased in line of credit facility

500,000,000

Unsecured revolving credit facility

800,000,000

Unsecured term loans

550,000,000

Outstanding debt balance

1,173,510,000

1,198,471,000

5.370% senior notes, Series D, quarterly interest payments, balloon due 2015

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

5.37%

Current portion of senior notes

0

25,000,000

25,000,000

Debt instrument maturity year

2015

Credit Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Credit facility, outstanding amount

550,000,000

550,000,000

Number of extension periods

2

Extension period

1 year

Unsecured revolving credit facility

1,350,000,000

First principal payment

6,900,000

Unsecured Senior Notes

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

4.20%

Debt instrument, face amount

500,000,000

Debt instrument maturity year

2024

Outstanding debt balance

500,000,000

500,000,000

Wells Fargo Revolver

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument, maturity date

31-Dec-16

Potential increased in line of credit facility

75,000,000

Borrowings outstanding

0

0

Wells Fargo Revolver | Beecher Acquisition

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Credit facility, outstanding amount

50,000,000

50,000,000

Line of Credit | Wells Fargo Revolver

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Letter of credit usage fee, minimum

1.00%

Letter of credit usage fee, maximum

1.40%

LIBOR below base rate

1.00%

Availability fees, minimum

0.18%

Availability fees, maximum

0.25%

Term Loan

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Credit facility, outstanding amount

550,000,000

Revolving Credit Facility

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Credit facility, outstanding amount

375,000,000

475,000,000

Proceeds from lines of credit

0

0

Uncommitted Facility | New Master Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Credit facility, outstanding amount

0

0

Potential increased in line of credit facility

125,000,000

Issuance period

3 years

Maturity period

10 years

Master Agreement

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Unsecured senior notes outstanding

125,000,000

Master Agreement | Series C

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Unsecured senior notes outstanding

25,000,000

25,000,000

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

5.66%

Master Agreement | Series D

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

5.37%

Master Agreement | Series E

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Unsecured senior notes outstanding

$100,000,000

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

4.50%

LIBOR

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

30-day Adjusted LIBOR Rate

0.19%

Minimum | Revolving Credit Facility

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Facility fee

0.15%

Minimum | LIBOR | Term Loan

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument, variable interest rate

1.00%

Minimum | LIBOR | Line of Credit | Wells Fargo Revolver

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument, variable interest rate

1.00%

Minimum | LIBOR | Revolving Credit Facility

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument, variable interest rate

0.85%

Maximum | Revolving Credit Facility

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Facility fee

0.25%

Maximum | LIBOR | Term Loan

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument, variable interest rate

1.75%

Maximum | LIBOR | Line of Credit | Wells Fargo Revolver

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument, variable interest rate

1.40%

Maximum | LIBOR | Revolving Credit Facility

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Debt instrument, variable interest rate

1.50%

Supplemental_Disclosures_of_Ca2

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Financing and Investing Activities - Significant Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$14,899	$5,230
Income taxes	8,004	1,532
Significant non-cash investing and financing activities
Other payable issued for purchased customer accounts	5	0
Estimated acquisition earn-out payables and related charges	5,653	280
Notes received on the sale of fixed assets and customer accounts	$362	$131

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	4
Total revenues	$404,298	$363,594
London, Bermuda and Cayman Islands
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$2,700	$2,400

Segment_Information_Summarized

Segment Information - Summarized Financial Information Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$404,298	$363,594
Investment income	220	103
Amortization	21,625	17,876
Depreciation	5,183	4,640
Interest expense	9,851	4,072
Income before income taxes	93,778	86,837
Total assets	4,838,942	3,674,289	4,956,458
Capital expenditures	3,727	4,727
Operating Segments | Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	218,344	205,470
Investment income	22	16
Amortization	10,934	10,269
Depreciation	1,642	1,593
Interest expense	10,158	10,745
Income before income taxes	47,009	41,217
Total assets	3,305,917	3,057,253
Capital expenditures	1,424	2,116
Operating Segments | National Programs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	99,555	76,675
Investment income	45	5
Amortization	7,235	3,864
Depreciation	1,766	1,489
Interest expense	14,955	5,442
Income before income taxes	9,476	16,944
Total assets	2,407,695	1,376,590
Capital expenditures	1,489	1,889
Operating Segments | Wholesale Brokerage
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	51,828	50,001
Investment income	72	4
Amortization	2,423	2,676
Depreciation	563	619
Interest expense	229	386
Income before income taxes	14,484	10,747
Total assets	858,149	877,555
Capital expenditures	451	287
Operating Segments | Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	34,788	31,642
Investment income	0	2
Amortization	1,023	1,057
Depreciation	530	463
Interest expense	1,599	1,970
Income before income taxes	4,502	2,769
Total assets	300,155	276,219
Capital expenditures	240	291
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	-217	-194
Investment income	81	76
Amortization	10	10
Depreciation	682	476
Interest expense	-17,090	-14,471
Income before income taxes	18,307	15,160
Total assets	-2,032,974	-1,913,328
Capital expenditures	$123	$144

Investments_Schedule_of_Invest

Investments - Schedule of Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	$18,691	$19,821
Gross Unrealized Gains	96	53
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-12
Fair Value	18,786	19,862
U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government agencies and Municipals
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	10,761	10,774
Gross Unrealized Gains	33	7
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	-1
Fair Value	10,794	10,780
Foreign government
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	50	50
Gross Unrealized Gains	1	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	51	50
Corporate debt
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	5,725	5,854
Gross Unrealized Gains	32	9
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-11
Fair Value	5,756	5,852
Short duration fixed income fund
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Cost	2,155	3,143
Gross Unrealized Gains	30	37
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Fair Value	$2,185	$3,180

Investments_Summary_of_Unreali

Investments - Summary of Unrealized Loss Position (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	$1,178	$8,483
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	1	12
Fair Value, 12 Months or More	0	0
Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or More	0	0
Fair Value	1,178	8,483
Unrealized Losses	1	12
U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government agencies and Municipals
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months		3,994
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months		1
Fair Value, 12 Months or More		0
Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or More		0
Fair Value		3,994
Unrealized Losses		1
Foreign government
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months		50
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months		0
Fair Value		50
Unrealized Losses		0
Corporate debt
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than 12 Months	1,178	4,439
Unrealized Losses, Less than 12 Months	1	11
Fair Value, 12 Months or More	0	0
Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or More	0	0
Fair Value	1,178	4,439
Unrealized Losses	$1	$11

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	Securities	Securities
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Number of securities in unrealized loss position	39	38
Proceeds from sale of investment in fixed maturity securities	$100,000
Investment security maturity date, start	1-Jan-15
Investment security maturity date, End	31-Mar-15
Gross realized gains and losses of securities	0
Investments on deposit with the state insurance department	$4,100,000

Investments_Amortized_Cost_and

Investments - Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Fixed Maturity Securities by Contractual Maturity (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$8,134	$5,628
Due after one year through five years	10,227	13,863
Due after five years through ten years	330	330
Amortized Cost, Total	18,691	19,821
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	8,137	5,628
Due after one year through five years	10,304	13,897
Due after five years through ten years	345	337
Fair Value, Total	$18,786	$19,862

Losses_and_Loss_Adjustment_Res2

Losses and Loss Adjustment Reserve - Effects of Reinsurance on Premiums Written and Earned (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Written
Direct premiums	$123,113
Assumed premiums	0
Ceded premiums	123,110
Net premiums	3
Earned
Direct premiums	152,645
Assumed premiums	17
Ceded premiums	152,659
Net premiums	$3

Losses_and_Loss_Adjustment_Res3

Losses and Loss Adjustment Reserve - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	Reinsurer
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Ceded rate of premiums under insurance program	100.00%
Premiums written net	$123,110,000
Ceded unpaid loss	13,100,000
The reinsurance recoverable	304,100,000
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	291,037,000	320,586,000
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expense	0
Number of reinsurers	3
Homeowners
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Ceded unpaid loss	8,698
Reinsurance recoverable, incurred but not reported claims	102
Private Passenger Auto Liability
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Ceded unpaid loss	69,026
Reinsurance recoverable, incurred but not reported claims	39,424
Other Liability
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Ceded unpaid loss	5,001
Wright Flood
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Ceded rate of premiums under insurance program	100.00%
Expenses and allowance rate received in premiums	30.80%
Premiums written net	122,900,000
Wright Flood | Quota Share Agreement
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Effective cedes rate under quota share agreement	100.00%
Commission rate, percent of ceded written premiums	30.50%
Wright Flood | Quota Share Agreement | Ceded Credit Risk, Concentrated Credit Risk
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Ceded amount	$200,000

Statutory_Financial_Informatio1

Statutory Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail) (Wright Flood, USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	20-May-14	Mar. 31, 2015
Wright Flood
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory capital and surplus required		$7,500,000
Statutory capital and surplus		11,500,000
Statutory net Income		600,000
Issuance and payment of extraordinary dividend	$7,000,000	$7,000,000

Subsidiary_Dividend_Restrictio1

Subsidiary Dividend Restrictions - Additional Information (Detail) (Wright Flood, USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	20-May-14	Mar. 31, 2015	21-May-15
Dividend Restrictions [Line Items]
Dividend rate as a percentage of net income		100.00%
Ordinary dividends payment description		The maximum amount of ordinary dividends that Wright Flood can pay to shareholders in a rolling twelve month period is limited to the greater of 10% of statutory adjusted capital and surplus as shown on Wright Flood’s last annual statement on file with the superintendent or 100% of adjusted net income.
Payment of extraordinary dividends	$7	$7
Scenario, Forecast
Dividend Restrictions [Line Items]
Maximum dividend payout that may be made without prior approval			$2.30
Maximum
Dividend Restrictions [Line Items]
Dividend rate as a percentage of net income		10.00%

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	15 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Sep. 02, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jul. 21, 2014	Mar. 05, 2015
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Shares repurchased, authorized amount				$25,000,000
Total number of shares repurchased (in shares)	5,052,820
Shares repurchased, number of shares received initially (in shares)	5,053,000		2,385,000
Fair value of common stock repurchased	160,025,000		75,025,000
Maximum
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Shares repurchased, authorized amount					200,000,000
Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Shares repurchased, aggregate repurchase amount		50,000,000
Total number of shares repurchased (in shares)		1,539,760
Second Accelerated Share Repurchase Agreement
Accelerated Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Shares repurchased, aggregate repurchase amount						100,000,000
Shares repurchased, number of shares received initially (in shares)						2,667,992
Fair value of common stock repurchased						85,000,000
Shares repurchased, remaining amount	$15,000,000