Brown & Brown (BRO) 10-K 28 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 19, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'BRO	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'BROWN & BROWN INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000079282	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	145,433,663	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$3,830,091,657

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
REVENUES	'	'	'
Commissions and fees	$1,355,503	$1,189,081	$1,005,962
Investment income	638	797	1,267
Other income, net	7,138	10,154	6,313
Total revenues	1,363,279	1,200,032	1,013,542
EXPENSES	'	'	'
Employee compensation and benefits	683,000	608,506	508,675
Non-cash stock-based compensation	22,603	15,865	11,194
Other operating expenses	195,677	174,389	144,079
Amortization	67,932	63,573	54,755
Depreciation	17,485	15,373	12,392
Interest	16,440	16,097	14,132
Change in estimated acquisition earn-out payables	2,533	1,418	-2,206
Total expenses	1,005,670	895,221	743,021
Income before income taxes	357,609	304,811	270,521
Income taxes	140,497	120,766	106,526
Net income	$217,112	$184,045	$163,995
Net income per share:	'	'	'
Basic	$1.50	$1.28	$1.15
Diluted	$1.48	$1.26	$1.13
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic	141,033	139,364	138,582
Diluted	142,624	142,010	140,264
Dividends declared per share	$0.37	$0.35	$0.33

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$202,952	$219,821
Restricted cash and investments	250,009	164,564
Short-term investments	10,624	8,183
Premiums, commissions and fees receivable	395,915	302,725
Deferred income taxes	29,276	24,408
Other current assets	39,260	39,811
Total current assets	928,036	759,512
Fixed assets, net	74,733	74,337
Goodwill	2,006,173	1,711,514
Amortizable intangible assets, net	618,888	566,538
Other assets	21,678	16,157
Total assets	3,649,508	3,128,058
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Premiums payable to insurance companies	534,360	406,704
Premium deposits and credits due customers	80,959	32,867
Accounts payable	34,158	48,524
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	157,400	79,593
Current portion of long-term debt	100,000	93
Total current liabilities	906,877	567,781
Long-term debt	380,000	450,000
Deferred income taxes, net	291,704	237,630
Other liabilities	63,786	65,314
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)	'	'
Shareholders' Equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share; authorized 280,000 shares; issued and outstanding 145,419 at 2013 and 143,878 at 2012	14,542	14,388
Additional paid-in capital	371,960	335,872
Retained earnings	1,620,639	1,457,073
Total shareholders' equity	2,007,141	1,807,333
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$3,649,508	$3,128,058

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	280,000	280,000
Common stock, shares issued	145,419	143,878
Common stock, shares outstanding	145,419	143,878

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
In Thousands
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$1,506,344	$14,279	$286,997	$1,205,061	$7
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	'	142,795	'	'	'
Net income	163,995	'	'	163,995	'
Common stock issued for employee stock benefit plans (in shares)	'	545	'	'	'
Common stock issued for employee stock benefit plans	18,914	55	18,859	'	'
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock benefit plans	916	'	916	'	'
Common stock issued to directors (in shares)	'	12	'	'	'
Common stock issued to directors	288	1	287	'	'
Cash dividends paid	-46,494	'	'	-46,494	'
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	1,643,963	14,335	307,059	1,322,562	7
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	143,352	'	'	'
Net income	184,045	'	'	184,045	'
Net unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	-7	'	'	'	-7
Common stock issued for employee stock benefit plans (in shares)	'	501	'	'	'
Common stock issued for employee stock benefit plans	19,599	50	19,549	'	'
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock benefit plans	8,659	'	8,659	'	'
Common stock issued to directors (in shares)	'	25	'	'	'
Common stock issued to directors	608	3	605	'	'
Cash dividends paid	-49,534	'	'	-49,534	'
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	1,807,333	14,388	335,872	1,457,073	'
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	143,878	143,878	'	'	'
Net income	217,112	0	0	217,112	0
Common stock issued for employee stock benefit plans (in shares)	'	1,541	'	'	'
Common stock issued for employee stock benefit plans	33,884	154	33,730	0	0
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock benefit plans	2,358	0	2,358	0	0
Cash dividends paid	-53,546	0	0	-53,546	0
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$2,007,141	$14,542	$371,960	$1,620,639	$0
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	145,419	145,419	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid, per share	$0.37	$0.35	$0.33

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$217,112	$184,045	$163,995
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Amortization	67,932	63,573	54,755
Depreciation	17,485	15,373	12,392
Non-cash stock-based compensation	22,603	15,865	11,194
Change in estimated acquisition earn-out payables	2,533	1,418	-2,206
Deferred income taxes	32,247	32,723	30,328
Income tax benefit from exercise of shares from the stock benefit plans	-2,358	-8,659	-916
Net gain on sales of investments, fixed assets and customer accounts	-2,806	-4,105	-1,890
Payments on acquisition earn-outs in excess of original estimated payables	-2,788	-4,086	-1,369
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect from acquisitions and divestitures:	'	'	'
Restricted cash and investments (increase)	-85,445	-34,029	-6,941
Premiums, commissions and fees receivable (increase)	-40,729	-11,312	-20,570
Other assets (increase) decrease	-2,583	2,145	-7,322
Premiums payable to insurance companies increase (decrease)	61,624	-4,651	9,447
Premium deposits and credits due customers increase	41,049	2,506	1,277
Accounts payable increase (decrease)	5,180	36,505	-2,807
Accrued expenses and other liabilities increase (decrease)	70,872	-43,059	3,975
Other liabilities (decrease)	-12,554	-23,937	-5,811
Net cash provided by operating activities	389,374	220,315	237,531
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Additions to fixed assets	-16,366	-24,028	-13,608
Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	-367,712	-425,054	-166,055
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets and customer accounts	5,886	14,095	3,686
Purchases of investments	-18,102	-11,167	-12,698
Proceeds from sales of investments	15,662	10,654	12,950
Net cash used in investing activities	-380,632	-435,500	-175,725
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Payments on acquisition earn-outs	-15,491	-13,539	-8,843
Proceeds from long-term debt	30,000	200,000	100,000
Payments on long-term debt	-93	-1,227	-102,072
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities	31,863	100,000	'
Payments on revolving credit facilities	-31,863	-100,000	'
Income tax benefit from exercise of shares from the stock benefit plans	2,358	8,659	916
Issuances of common stock for employee stock benefit plans	12,445	13,305	8,667
Repurchase of stock benefit plan shares for employee to fund tax withholdings	-1,284	-8,963	-659
Cash dividends paid	-53,546	-49,534	-46,494
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-25,611	148,701	-48,485
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-16,869	-66,484	13,321
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	219,821	286,305	272,984
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$202,952	$219,821	$286,305

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	NOTE 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	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 Division, which provides a broad range of insurance products and services to commercial, public entity, professional and individual customers; the Wholesale Brokerage Division, which markets and sells excess and surplus commercial insurance and reinsurance, primarily through independent agents and brokers; the National Programs Division, which provides professional liability and related package products for certain professionals delivered through nationwide networks of independent agents, and markets targeted products and services designated for specific industries, trade groups, governmental entities and market niches; and the Services Division, 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.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Brown & Brown, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Revenue Recognition
	Commission revenues are recognized as of the effective date of the insurance policy or the date on which the policy premium is billed to the customer, whichever is later. Commission revenues related to installment billings at the Company’s subsidiary, Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Arrowhead”), are recorded on the later of the effective date of the policy or the first installment billing. At those dates, the earnings process has been completed, and Brown & Brown can reliably estimate the impact of policy cancellations for refunds and establish reserves accordingly. The reserve for policy cancellations is based upon historical cancellation experience adjusted for known circumstances. The policy cancellation reserve was $8,010,000 and $7,174,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and it is periodically evaluated and adjusted as necessary. Subsequent commission adjustments are recognized upon receipt of notification from the insurance companies. Commission revenues are reported net of commissions paid to sub-brokers or co-brokers. Profit-sharing contingent commissions from insurance companies are recognized when determinable, which is when such commissions, or official notification of the amount of such commissions is received. Fee income is recognized as services are rendered.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“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.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents principally consist of demand deposits with financial institutions and highly liquid investments with quoted market prices having maturities of three months or less when purchased.
	Restricted Cash and Investments, and Premiums, Commissions and Fees Receivable
	In its capacity as an insurance agent or broker, Brown & Brown typically collects premiums from insureds and, after deducting its authorized commissions, remits the net premiums to the appropriate insurance company or companies. Accordingly, as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, “premiums” are receivable from insureds. Unremitted net insurance premiums are held in a fiduciary capacity until Brown & Brown disburses them. Brown & Brown invests these unremitted funds only in cash, money market accounts, tax-free variable-rate demand bonds and commercial paper held for a short term. In certain states in which Brown & Brown operates, the use and investment alternatives for these funds are regulated and restricted by various state laws and agencies. These restricted funds are reported as restricted cash and investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The interest income earned on these unremitted funds is reported as investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	In other circumstances, the insurance companies collect the premiums directly from the insureds and remit the applicable commissions to Brown & Brown. Accordingly, as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, “commissions” are receivables from insurance companies. “Fees” are primarily receivables due from customers.
	Investments
	Certificates of deposit and other securities having maturities of more than three months when purchased are reported at cost and are adjusted for other-than-temporary market value declines.
	Fixed Assets
	Fixed assets, including leasehold improvements, are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized, and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed to operations as incurred. Upon sale or retirement, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is reflected in other income. Depreciation has been determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from three to 15 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the term of the related lease.
	Goodwill and Amortizable Intangible Assets
	The excess of the purchase price of an acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and amortizable intangible assets is assigned to goodwill. While goodwill is not amortizable, it is subject to assessment at least annually, and more frequently in the presence of certain circumstances, for impairment by application of a fair value-based test. The Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount to determine if there is potential impairment of goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the fair value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Fair value is estimated based on multiples of earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and change in estimated acquisition earn-out payables (“EBITDAC”), or on a discounted cash flow basis. Brown & Brown completed its most recent annual assessment as of November 30, 2013 and determined that the fair value of goodwill exceeded the carrying value of such assets. In addition, as of December 31, 2013, there are no accumulated impairment losses.
	Amortizable intangible assets are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization, and consist of purchased customer accounts and non-compete agreements. Purchased customer accounts and non-compete agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the related estimated lives and contract periods, which range from five to 15 years. Purchased customer accounts primarily consist of records and files that contain information about insurance policies and the related insured parties that are essential to policy renewals.
	The carrying value of amortizable intangible assets attributable to each business or asset group comprising Brown & Brown is periodically reviewed by management to determine if there are events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Accordingly, if there are any such changes in circumstances during the year, Brown & Brown assesses the carrying value of its amortizable intangible assets by considering the estimated future undiscounted cash flows generated by the corresponding business or asset group. Any impairment identified through this assessment may require that the carrying value of related amortizable intangible assets be adjusted; however, no impairments were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	Income Taxes
	Brown & Brown records income tax expense using the asset-and-liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying values and the income tax bases of Brown & Brown’s assets and liabilities.
	Brown & Brown files a consolidated federal income tax return and has elected to file consolidated returns in certain states. Deferred income taxes are provided for in the Consolidated Financial Statements and relate principally to expenses charged to income for financial reporting purposes in one period and deducted for income tax purposes in other periods.
	Net Income Per Share
	Effective in 2009, the Company adopted new Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) authoritative guidance that states that unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are participating securities and, therefore, are included in computing earnings per share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends or dividend equivalents and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings. Performance stock shares granted to employees under the Company’s Performance Stock Plan and under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable dividend equivalents at the same rate as common stock.
	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 years ended December 31:
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2013			2012			2011
	Net income	$	217,112		$	184,045		$	163,995
	Net income attributable to unvested awarded performance stock		(5,446	)		(5,313	)		(5,099	)
	Net income attributable to common shares	$	211,666		$	178,732		$	158,896
	Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding		144,662			143,507			143,029
	Less unvested awarded performance stock included in weighted average basic share outstanding		(3,629	)		(4,143	)		(4,447	)
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share		141,033			139,364			138,582
	Dilutive effect of stock options		1,591			2,646			1,682
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding		142,624			142,010			140,264
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	1.5		$	1.28		$	1.15
	Diluted	$	1.48		$	1.26		$	1.13
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts of Brown & Brown’s financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments, investments, premiums, commissions and fees receivable, premiums payable to insurance companies, premium deposits and credits due customers and accounts payable, at December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of Brown & Brown’s long-term debt approximates fair value at December 31, 2013 and 2012 because the related coupon rate approximates the current market rate.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company grants stock options and non-vested stock awards to its employees, officers and directors. The Company uses the modified-prospective method to account for share-based payments. Under the modified-prospective method, compensation cost is recognized for all share-based payments granted on or after January 1, 2006 and for all awards granted to employees prior to January 1, 2006 that remained unvested on that date. The Company uses the alternative-transition method to account for the income tax effects of payments made related to stock-based compensation.
	The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for valuing all stock options and shares purchased under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). Compensation for non-vested stock awards is measured at fair value on the grant date based upon the number of shares expected to vest. Compensation cost for all awards is recognized in earnings, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

Business_Combinations

Business Combinations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Combinations	'
	NOTE 2 Business Combinations
	Acquisitions in 2013
	During 2013, Brown & Brown acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of ten insurance intermediaries, all of the stock of one insurance intermediary and a book of business (customer accounts). The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions was $519,794,000, including $408,072,000 of cash payments, the issuance of $552,000 in other payables, the assumption of $106,079,000 of liabilities and $5,091,000 of recorded earn-out payables. All of these acquisitions were acquired primarily to expand Brown & Brown’s core businesses and to attract high-quality personnel. Acquisition purchase prices are typically based on a multiple of average annual operating profit earned over a one—to three-year period within a minimum and maximum price range. 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 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 Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805—Business Combinations.
	For 2013, several adjustments were made within the permitted measurement period that resulted in a reduction to the aggregate purchase price of the applicable acquisition of $504,000, including $18,000 of cash payments, an increase of $117,000 in other payables, the assumption of $82,000 of liabilities and the reduction of $721,000 in recorded earn-out payables.
	The following table summarizes the aggregate purchase price allocation made as of the date of each acquisition for current year acquisitions and adjustment made during the measurement period for prior year acquisitions:
	(in thousands)
	Name	Business		2013	Cash			Other			Recorded			Net Assets			Maximum
		Segment		Date of	Paid			Payable			Earn-out			Acquired			Potential
				Acquisition							Payable						Earn-out
																	Payable
	The Rollins Agency, Inc.	Retail		1-Jun	$	13,792		$	50		$	2,321		$	16,163		$	4,300
	Beecher Carlson Holdings, Inc.	Retail; National Programs		1-Jul		364,256			—			—			364,256			—
	ICA, Inc.	Services		December 31		19,770			—			727			20,497			5,000
	Other	Various		Various		10,254			502			2,043			12,799			7,468
	Total				$	408,072		$	552		$	5,091		$	413,715		$	16,768
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the aggregate assets and liabilities acquired as of the date of each acquisition:
	(in thousands)	Rollins			Beecher			ICA			Other			Total
	Cash	$	—		$	40,360		$	—		$	—		$	40,360
	Other current assets		393			57,632			—			1,573			59,598
	Fixed assets		30			1,786			75			24			1,915
	Goodwill		12,697			265,174			12,377			5,696			295,944
	Purchased customer accounts		3,878			101,565			7,917			5,623			118,983
	Non-compete agreements		31			2,758			21			76			2,886
	Other assets		—			—			107			1			108
	Total assets acquired		17,029			469,275			20,497			12,993			519,794
	Other current liabilities		(866	)		(80,090	)		—			(194	)		(81,150	)
	Deferred income taxes, net		—			(22,764	)		—			—			(22,764	)
	Other liabilities		—			(2,165	)		—			—			(2,165	)
	Total liabilities assumed		(866	)		(105,019	)		—			(194	)		(106,079	)
	Net assets acquired	$	16,163		$	364,256		$	20,497		$	12,799		$	413,715
	The weighted average useful lives for the acquired amortizable intangible assets are as follows: purchased customer accounts, 15.0 years; and non-compete agreements, 5.0 years.
	Goodwill of $295,944,000 was allocated to the Retail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage and Services Divisions in the amounts of $257,196,000, $27,091,000, ($812,000) and $12,469,000, respectively. Of the total goodwill of $295,944,000, $41,663,000 is currently deductible for income tax purposes and $249,190,000 is non-deductible. The remaining $5,091,000 relates to the recorded earn-out payables and will not be deductible until it is earned and paid.
	The results of operations for the acquisitions completed during 2013 have been combined with those of the Company since their respective acquisition dates. The total revenues and income before income taxes from the acquisitions completed through December 31, 2013, included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, were $63,797,000 and $872,000, respectively. If the acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of the period, 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 Year Ended
		December 31,
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2013			2012
	Total revenues	$	1,439,918		$	1,329,262
	Income before income taxes	$	373,175		$	329,291
	Net income	$	226,562		$	198,826
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	1.57		$	1.39
	Diluted	$	1.55		$	1.36
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
	Basic		141,033			139,634
	Diluted		142,624			142,010
	Acquisitions in 2012
	During 2012, Brown & Brown acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of 19 insurance intermediaries, all of the stock of one insurance intermediary and a book of business (customer accounts). The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions was $667,586,000, including $483,933,000 of cash payments, the issuance of notes payable of $59,000, the issuance of $25,439,000 in other payables, the assumption of $136,676,000 of liabilities and $21,479,000 of recorded earn-out payables. The ‘other payables’ amount includes $22,061,000 that the Company is obligated to pay all shareholders of Arrowhead on a pro rata basis for certain pre-merger corporate tax refunds and certain estimated potential future income tax credits that were created by net operating loss carryforwards originating from transaction-related tax benefit items. All of these acquisitions were acquired primarily to expand Brown & Brown’s core businesses and to attract high-quality personnel. Acquisition purchase prices are typically based on a multiple of average annual operating profit earned over a one—to three-year period within a minimum and maximum price range. 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 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.
	The acquisitions made in 2012 have been accounted for as business combinations and are as follows:
	(in thousands)
	Name	Business		2012	Cash			Note			Other			Recorded			Net Assets			Maximum
		Segment		Date of	Paid			Payable			Payable			Earn-out			Acquired			Potential
				Acquisition										Payable						Earn-out
																				Payable
	Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Superholding Corporation	National Programs; Services		January 9	$	396,952		$	—		$	22,061		$	3,290		$	422,303		$	5,000
	Insurcorp & GGM Investments LLC (d/b/a Maalouf Benefit Resources)	Retail		May 1		15,500			—			900			4,944			21,344			17,000
	Richard W. Endlar Insurance Agency, Inc.	Retail		1-May		10,825			—			—			2,598			13,423			5,500
	Texas Security General Insurance Agency, Inc.	Wholesale Brokerage		September 1		14,506			—			2,182			2,124			18,812			7,200
	Behnke & Associates, Inc.	Retail		1-Dec		9,213			—			—			1,126			10,339			3,321
	Rowlands & Barranca Agency, Inc.	Retail		1-Dec		8,745			—			—			2,401			11,146			4,000
	Other	Various		Various		28,192			59			296			4,996			33,543			14,149
Total				$	483,933		$	59		$	25,439		$	21,479		$	530,910		$	56,170
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the aggregate assets and liabilities acquired as of the date of each acquisition:
(in thousands)	Arrowhead			Insurcorp			Endlar			Texas Security			Behnke			Rowlands			Other			Total
Cash	$	61,786		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	61,786
Other current assets		69,051			180			305			1,866			—			—			422			71,824
Fixed assets		4,629			25			25			45			25			30			158			4,937
Goodwill		321,128			14,745			8,044			10,845			6,430			8,363			21,085			390,640
Purchased customer accounts		99,675			6,490			5,230			6,229			3,843			3,367			13,112			137,946
Non-compete agreements		100			22			11			14			41			21			243			452
Other assets		1			—			—			—			—			—			—			1
Total assets acquired		556,370			21,462			13,615			18,999			10,339			11,781			35,020			667,586
Other current liabilities		(107,579	)		(118	)		(192	)		(187	)		—			(635	)		(1,477	)		(110,188	)
Deferred income taxes, net		(26,488	)		—			—			—			—			—			—			(26,488	)
Total liabilities assumed		(134,067	)		(118	)		(192	)		(187	)		—			(635	)		(1,477	)		(136,676	)
Net assets acquired	$	422,303		$	21,344		$	13,423		$	18,812		$	10,339		$	11,146		$	33,543		$	530,910
The weighted average useful lives for the acquired amortizable intangible assets are as follows: purchased customer accounts, 15.0 years; and non-compete agreements, 5.0 years.
Goodwill of $390,640,000, was allocated to the Retail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage and Services Divisions in the amounts of $57,856,000, $289,378,000, $11,656,000 and $31,750,000, respectively. Of the total goodwill of $390,640,000, $52,730,000 is currently deductible for income tax purposes and $316,431,000 is non-deductible. The remaining $21,479,000 relates to the recorded earn-out payables and will not be deductible until it is earned and paid.
The results of operations for the acquisitions completed during 2012 have been combined with those of the Company since their respective acquisition dates. The total revenues and income before income taxes from the acquisitions completed through December 31, 2012, included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, were $129,472,000 and $898,000, respectively. If the acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of the period, 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 Year Ended
	December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2012			2011
Total revenues	$	1,230,408		$	1,163,341
Income before income taxes	$	315,051		$	313,706
Net income	$	190,228		$	190,174
Net income per share:
Basic	$	1.33		$	1.33
Diluted	$	1.3		$	1.31
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		139,364			138,582
Diluted		142,010			140,264
Acquisitions in 2011
During 2011, Brown & Brown acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of 37 insurance intermediaries, all of the stock of one insurance intermediary and several books of business (customer accounts). The aggregate purchase price of these acquisitions was $214,822,000, including $167,444,000 of cash payments, the issuance of $1,194,000 in notes payable, the assumption of $15,659,000 of liabilities and $30,525,000 of recorded earn-out payables. All of these acquisitions were acquired primarily to expand Brown & Brown’s core businesses and to attract high-quality personnel. Acquisition purchase prices are typically based on a multiple of average annual operating profit earned over a one-to three-year period within a minimum and maximum price range. 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 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.
The acquisitions made in 2011 have been accounted for as business combinations and are as follows:
(in thousands)
Name	Business		2011	Cash			Note			Recorded			Net Assets			Maximum
	Segment		Date of	Paid			Payable			Earn-out			Acquired			Potential
			Acquisition							Payable						Earn-out
																Payable
Balcos Insurance, Inc.	Retail		1-Jan	$	8,611		$	—		$	1,595		$	10,206		$	5,766
Associated Insurance Service, Inc. et al.	Retail		1-Jan		12,000			—			1,575			13,575			6,000
United Benefit Services Insurance Agency LLC et al.	Retail		February 1		14,283			—			2,590			16,873			8,442
First Horizon Insurance Group, Inc. et al.	Retail		30-Apr		25,060			—			—			25,060			—
Fitzharris Agency, Inc. et al.	Retail		1-May		6,159			—			888			7,047			3,832
Corporate Benefit Consultants, LLC	Retail		1-Jun		9,000			—			2,038			11,038			4,520
Sitzmann, Morris & Lavis Insurance Agency, Inc. et al.	Retail		November 1		40,460			—			6,228			46,688			19,000
Snapper Shuler Kenner, Inc. et al.	Retail		1-Nov		7,493			—			1,318			8,811			3,988
Industry Consulting Group, Inc.	National Programs		1-Nov		9,133			—			3,877			13,010			5,794
Colonial Claims Corporation et al.	Services		December 23		9,950			—			4,248			14,198			8,000
Other	Various		Various		25,295			1,194			6,168			32,657			12,865
Total				$	167,444		$	1,194		$	30,525		$	199,163		$	78,207
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the aggregate assets and liabilities acquired as of the date of each acquisition:
(in thousands)	Balcos			AIS			United			FHI			FA			CBC
Cash	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	5,170		$	—		$	—
Other current assets		187			252			438			1,640			77			227
Fixed assets		20			100			20			134			60			6
Goodwill		6,486			9,055			10,049			15,254			7,244			6,738
Purchased customer accounts		3,530			4,086			7,045			8,088			3,351			4,046
Non-compete agreements		42			92			45			10			21			21
Other assets		—			—			4			9			—			—
Total assets acquired		10,265			13,585			17,601			30,305			10,753			11,038
Other current liabilities		(59	)		(10	)		(728	)		(3,790	)		(3,706	)		—
Deferred income taxes, net		—			—			—			(1,455	)		—			—
Other liabilities		—			—			—			—			—			—
Total liabilities assumed		(59	)		(10	)		(728	)		(5,245	)		(3,706	)		—
Net assets acquired	$	10,206		$	13,575		$	16,873		$	25,060		$	7,047		$	11,038
(in thousands)	SML			SSK			ICG			CC			Other			Total
Cash	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	5,170
Other current assets		1,372			247			336			—			1,059			5,835
Fixed assets		465			45			100			60			65			1,075
Goodwill		31,601			5,818			9,564			8,070			18,465			128,344
Purchased customer accounts		13,995			2,726			7,161			6,094			13,746			73,868
Non-compete agreements		42			12			11			23			187			506
Other assets		4			—			5			—			2			24
Total assets acquired		47,479			8,848			17,177			14,247			33,524			214,822
Other current liabilities		(791	)		(37	)		(1,096	)		(49	)		(867	)		(11,133	)
Deferred income taxes, net		—			—			—			—			—			(1,455	)
Other liabilities		—			—			(3,071	)		—			—			(3,071	)
Total liabilities assumed		(791	)		(37	)		(4,167	)		(49	)		(867	)		(15,659	)
Net assets acquired	$	46,688		$	8,811		$	13,010		$	14,198		$	32,657		$	199,163
The weighted average useful lives for the above acquired amortizable intangible assets are as follows: purchased customer accounts, 15.0 years; noncompete agreements, 5.0 years.
Goodwill of $128,344,000, was assigned to the Retail, National Programs and Services Divisions in the amounts of $108,420,000, $11,853,000 and $8,071,000, respectively. Of the total goodwill of $128,344,000, $84,105,000 is currently deductible for income tax purposes and $13,714,000 is non-deductible. The remaining $30,525,000 relates to the recorded acquisition earn-out payables and will not be deductible until it is earned and paid.
The results of operations for the acquisitions completed during 2011 have been combined with those of the Company since their respective acquisition dates. The total revenues and income before income taxes from the acquisitions completed through December 31, 2011 included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 were $40,291,000 and $7,223,000, respectively. If the acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period, the Company’s estimated 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 Year Ended
	December 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2011			2010
Total revenues	$	1,058,142		$	1,059,857
Income before income taxes	$	283,404		$	291,944
Net income	$	171,805		$	177,464
Net income per share:
Basic	$	1.2		$	1.25
Diluted	$	1.19		$	1.23
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		138,582			137,924
Diluted		140,264			139,318
For acquisitions consummated prior to January 1, 2009, additional consideration paid to sellers as a result of purchase price earn-out provisions are recorded as adjustments to intangible assets when the contingencies are settled. The net additional consideration paid by the Company in 2013 as a result of these adjustments totaled $873,000, all of which was allocated to goodwill. Of the $873,000 net additional consideration paid, $873,000 was issued in other payables. The net additional consideration paid by the Company in 2012 as a result of these adjustments totaled $2,907,000, all of which was allocated to goodwill. Of the $2,907,000 net additional consideration paid, $2,907,000 was paid in cash.
As of December 31, 2013, the maximum future contingency payments related to all acquisitions totaled $130,584,000, all of which relates to acquisitions consummated subsequent to January 1, 2009.
ASC Topic 805—Business Combinations is the authoritative guidance requiring an acquirer to recognize 100% of the fair values of acquired assets, including goodwill, and assumed liabilities (with only limited exceptions) upon initially obtaining control of an acquired entity. Additionally, the fair value of contingent consideration arrangements (such as earn-out purchase arrangements) at the acquisition date must be included in the purchase price consideration. As a result, the recorded purchase prices for all acquisitions consummated after January 1, 2009 include an estimation of the fair value of liabilities associated with any potential earn-out provisions. Subsequent changes in these earn-out obligations will be recorded in the consolidated statement of income when incurred. Potential earn-out obligations are typically based upon future earnings of the acquired entities, usually between one and three years.
As of December 31, 2013, 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). The resulting additions, payments, and net changes, as well as the interest expense accretion on the estimated acquisition earn-out payables, for the years ended December 31, were as follows:
	For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
Balance as of the beginning of the period	$	52,987		$	47,715		$	29,608
Additions to estimated acquisition earn-out payables		5,816			21,479			30,525
Payments for estimated acquisition earn-out payables		(18,278	)		(17,625	)		(10,212	)
Subtotal		40,525			51,569			49,921
Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables:
Change in fair value on estimated acquisition earn-out payables		570			(1,051	)		(4,043	)
Interest expense accretion		1,963			2,469			1,837
Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables		2,533			1,418			(2,206	)
Balance as of December 31	$	43,058		$	52,987		$	47,715
Of the $43,058,000 estimated acquisition earn-out payables as of December 31, 2013, $6,312,000 was recorded as accounts payable and $36,746,000 was recorded as other non-current liabilities. Of the $52,987,000 in estimated acquisition earn-out payables as of December 31, 2012, $10,164,000 was recorded as accounts payable and $42,823,000 was recorded as other non-current liabilities.

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill	'
	NOTE 3 Goodwill
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, are as follows:
	(in thousands)	Retail			National		Wholesale			Service		Total
					Programs		Brokerage
	Balance as of January 1, 2012	$	823,573		$	149,802	$	273,783		$	76,311	$	1,323,469
	Goodwill of acquired businesses		58,148			289,378		14,271			31,750		393,547
	Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses		(5,502	)		—		—			—		(5,502	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		876,219			439,180		288,054			108,061		1,711,514
	Goodwill of acquired businesses		257,196			27,964		(812	)		12,469		296,817
	Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses		(2,158	)		—		—			—		(2,158	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	1,131,257		$	467,144	$	287,242		$	120,530	$	2,006,173

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets

Amortizable Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Amortizable Intangible Assets	'
	NOTE 4 Amortizable Intangible Assets
	Amortizable intangible assets at December 31 consisted of the following:
		2013									2012
	(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)									(years)
	Purchased customer accounts	$	1,120,719	$	(505,137	)	$	615,582		14.9	$	1,005,031	$	(439,623	)	$	565,408		14.9
	Non-compete agreements		28,115		(24,809	)		3,306		7		25,320		(24,190	)		1,130		7.2
	Total	$	1,148,834	$	(529,946	)	$	618,888			$	1,030,351	$	(463,813	)	$	566,538
	Amortization expense recorded for amortizable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $67,932,000, $63,573,000 and $54,755,000, respectively.
	Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 is estimated to be $71,306,000, $70,017,000, $65,479,000, $62,767,000, and $57,442,000, respectively.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	NOTE 5 Investments
	Investments at December 31 consisted of the following:
		2013				2012
		Carrying Value				Carrying Value
	(in thousands)	Current		Non-		Current		Non-
				Current				Current
	Certificates of deposit and other securities	$	10,624	$	16	$	8,183	$	16
	The following table summarizes the proceeds and realized gains/(losses) on equity securities and certificates of deposit for the years ended December 31:
	(in thousands)	Proceeds		Gross		Gross
				Realized		Realized
				Gains		Losses
	2013	$	15,662	$	—	$	—
	2012	$	10,654	$	13	$	—
	2011	$	12,950	$	124	$	—

Fixed_Assets

Fixed Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Fixed Assets	'
	NOTE 6 Fixed Assets
	Fixed assets at December 31 consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	$	149,170		$	141,844
	Leasehold improvements		21,231			18,889
	Land, buildings and improvements		3,815			3,902
	Total cost		174,216			164,635
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(99,483	)		(90,298	)
	Total	$	74,733		$	74,337
	Depreciation and amortization expense for fixed assets amounted to $17,485,000 in 2013, $15,373,000 in 2012, and $12,392,000 in 2011.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	'
	NOTE 7 Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities at December 31 consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	2013		2012
	Accrued bonuses	$	70,272	$	12,668
	Accrued compensation and benefits		35,145		19,943
	Accrued rent and vendor expenses		19,235		16,972
	Reserve for policy cancellations		8,010		7,174
	Accrued interest		3,324		3,295
	Other		21,414		19,541
	Total	$	157,400	$	79,593

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	NOTE 8 Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt at December 31 consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012
	Unsecured Senior Notes	$	480,000		$	450,000
	Acquisition notes payable		—			93
	Revolving credit facility		—			—
	Total debt		480,000			450,093
	Less current portion		(100,000	)		(93	)
	Long-term debt	$	380,000		$	450,000
	In July 2004, the Company completed a private placement of $200.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “Notes”). The $200.0 million was divided into two series: (1) Series A, which closed on September 15, 2004, for $100.0 million due in 2011 and bore interest at 5.57% per year; and (2) Series B, which closed on July 15, 2004, for $100.0 million due in 2014 and bearing interest at 6.08% per year. The Company has used the proceeds from the Notes for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and repayment of existing debt. On September 15, 2011, the $100.0 million of Series A Notes were redeemed on their normal maturity date. As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there was an outstanding balance on the Notes of $100.0 million.
	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”). On September 30, 2009, the Company and the Purchaser amended the Master Agreement to extend the term of the agreement until August 20, 2012. The Purchaser also purchased Notes issued by the Company in 2004. The Master Agreement provides for a $200.0 million private uncommitted “shelf” facility for the issuance of senior unsecured 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 Master Agreement includes various covenants, limitations and events of default similar to the Notes issued in 2004. 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, dated January 21, 2011 (the “Confirmation”), in connection with the Master Agreement, $100.0 million in Series E Senior Notes due September 15, 2018, with a fixed interest rate of 4.50% per year, were issued. The Series E Senior Notes were issued for the sole purpose of retiring the Series A Senior Notes. As of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there was an outstanding debt balance of $150.0 million attributable to notes issued under the provisions of the Master Agreement. The Master Agreement expired on September 30, 2012 and was not extended.
	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 Purchaser also purchased Notes issued by us in 2004. 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 December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no borrowings against this facility.
	On June 12, 2008, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of June 3, 2008 (the “Prior Loan Agreement”), with a national banking institution, amending and restating the Revolving Loan Agreement dated September 29, 2003, as amended (the “Revolving Agreement”), to, among other things, increase the lending commitment to $50.0 million (subject to potential increases up to $100.0 million) and to extend the maturity date from December 20, 2011, to June 3, 2013. The Revolving Agreement initially provided for a revolving credit facility in the maximum principal amount of $75.0 million. After a series of amendments that provided covenant exceptions for additional notes issued or to be issued under the Master Agreement and relaxed or deleted certain other covenants, the maximum principal amount was reduced to $20.0 million. The Revolving Agreement was amended and restated by the SunTrust Revolver (as defined in the below paragraph).
	On January 9, 2012, the Company entered into: (1) an amended and restated revolving and term loan credit agreement (the “SunTrust Agreement”) with SunTrust Bank (“SunTrust”) that provides for (a) a $100.0 million term loan (the “SunTrust Term Loan”) and (b) a $50.0 million revolving line of credit (the “SunTrust Revolver”) and (2) a $50.0 million promissory note (the “JPM Note”) in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), pursuant to a letter agreement executed by JP Morgan (together with the JPM Note, (the “JPM Agreement”) that provided for a $50.0 million uncommitted line of credit bridge facility (the “JPM Bridge Facility”). The SunTrust Term Loan, the SunTrust Revolver and the JPM Bridge Facility were each funded on January 9, 2012, and provided the financing for the Arrowhead acquisition. The SunTrust Agreement amended and restated the Prior Loan Agreement.
	The maturity date for the SunTrust Term Loan and the SunTrust Revolver is December 31, 2016, at which time all outstanding principal and unpaid interest will be due. Both the SunTrust Term Loan and the SunTrust Revolver may be increased by up to $50.0 million (bringing the total available to $150.0 million for the SunTrust Term Loan and $100.0 million for the SunTrust Revolver). The calculation of interest and fees for the SunTrust 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 SunTrust 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 SunTrust Term Loan and SunTrust Revolver are unsecured and the SunTrust Agreement includes various covenants, limitations and events of default that are customary for similar facilities for similar borrowers and that are substantially similar to those contained in the Prior Loan Agreement.
	The maturity date for the JPM Bridge Facility was February 3, 2012, at which time all outstanding principal and unpaid interest would have been due. On January 26, 2012, the Company entered into a term loan agreement (the “JPM Agreement”) with JPMorgan that provided for a $100.0 million term loan (the “JPM Term Loan”). The JPM Term Loan was fully funded on January 26, 2012, and provided the financing to fully repay (1) the JPM Bridge Facility and (2) the SunTrust Revolver. As a result of the January 26, 2012 financing and repayments, the JPM Bridge Facility was terminated and the SunTrust Revolver’s amount outstanding was reduced to zero. At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no borrowings against the SunTrust Revolver.
	The maturity date for the JPM Term Loan is December 31, 2016, at which time all outstanding principal and unpaid interest will be due. Interest is charged at a rate equal to the Alternative Base Rate or 1.00% above the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, each as more fully described in the JPM Agreement. Fees include an up-front fee. The obligations under the JPM Term Loan are unsecured and the JPM Agreement includes various covenants, limitations and events of default that are customary for similar facilities for similar borrowers.
	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 provides for a $50.0 million revolving line of credit (the “Wells Fargo Revolver”) and (2) a term loan agreement (the “Bank of America Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A. (“Bank of America”) that provides for a $30.0 million term loan (the “Bank of America Term Loan”).
	The maturity date for the Wells Fargo Revolver is December 31, 2016, at which time all outstanding principal and unpaid interest will be due. The Wells Fargo Revolver may be increased by up to $50.0 million (bringing the total available to $100.0 million). The calculation of interest and fees for the Wells Fargo Agreement is generally based on our 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. The Wells Fargo Revolver was drawn down in the amount of $30.0 million on July 1, 2013. There were no borrowings against the Wells Fargo Revolver as of December 31, 2013.
	The maturity date for the Bank of America Term Loan is December 31, 2016, at which time all outstanding principal and unpaid interest will be due. The calculation of interest for the Bank of America Agreement is generally based on our fixed charge coverage ratio. Interest is charged at a rate equal to the Alternative Base Rate or 1.00% to 1.40% above the Adjusted LIBOR Rate, each as more fully described in the Bank of America Agreement. Fees include an up-front fee. Initially, until Bank of America received our September 30, 2013 quarter end financial statements, the applicable margin for Adjusted LIBOR Rate advances was 1.50%. The obligations under the Bank of America Term Loan are unsecured and the Bank of America Agreement includes various covenants, limitations and events of default that are customary for similar facilities for similar borrowers. The Bank of America Term Loan was funded in the amount of $30.0 million on July 1, 2013. As of December 31, 2013 there was an outstanding balance of $30.0 million.
	The 30-day LIBOR and Adjusted LIBOR Rate as of December 31, 2013 were 0.16% and 0.19%, respectively.
	The Notes, the Master Agreement, the SunTrust Agreement and the JPM Agreement 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 December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Acquisition notes payable represent debt incurred to former owners of certain insurance operations acquired by Brown & Brown. These notes and future contingent payments were payable in monthly, quarterly and annual installments through July 2013.
	Interest paid in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $16,501,000, $16,090,000 and $15,571,000, respectively.
	At December 31, 2013, maturities of long-term debt were $100,000,000 in 2014, $25,000,000 in 2015, $255,000,000 in 2016, $0 in 2017 and $100,000,000 in 2018.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	NOTE 9 Income Taxes
	Significant components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	94,007		$	75,522		$	65,461
	State		13,438			11,852			10,084
	Foreign		805			669			638
	Total current provision		108,250			88,043			76,183
	Deferred:
	Federal		28,469			27,348			27,212
	State		3,723			5,375			3,131
	Foreign		55			—			—
	Total deferred provision		32,247			32,723			30,343
	Total tax provision	$	140,497		$	120,766		$	106,526
	A reconciliation of the differences between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal statutory tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		3.5			4.3			3.5
	Non-deductible employee stock purchase plan expense		0.3			0.3			0.3
	Non-deductible meals and entertainment		0.3			0.3			0.3
	Other, net		0.2			(0.3	)		0.3
	Effective tax rate		39.3	%		39.6	%		39.4	%
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the corresponding amounts used for income tax reporting purposes.
	Significant components of Brown & Brown’s current deferred tax assets as of December 31 are as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012
	Current deferred tax assets:
	Deferred profit-sharing contingent commissions	$	9,713		$	9,490
	Net operating loss carryforwards		8,408			5,786
	Accruals and reserves		11,155			9,132
	Total current deferred tax assets	$	29,276		$	24,408
	Significant components of Brown & Brown’s non-current deferred tax liabilities and assets as of December 31 are as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities:
	Fixed assets	$	11,651		$	12,427
	Intangible assets		306,009			245,020
	Total non-current deferred tax liabilities		317,660			257,447
	Non-current deferred tax assets:
	Deferred compensation		22,598			13,576
	Net operating loss carryforwards		3,843			6,658
	Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(485	)		(417	)
	Total non-current deferred tax assets		25,956			19,817
	Net non-current deferred tax liability	$	291,704		$	237,630
	Income taxes paid in 2013, 2012 and 2011 were $110,191,000, $80,622,000, and $75,403,000, respectively.
	At December 31, 2013, Brown & Brown had net operating loss carryforwards of $22,135,000 and $94,561,000 for federal and state income tax reporting purposes, respectively, portions of which expire in the years 2014 through 2033. The federal carryforward is derived from insurance operations acquired by Brown & Brown in 2001 and 2013. The majority of the federal net operating loss carryforward resulted from the 2013 stock acquisition of Beecher Carlson Holdings, Inc. The state carryforward amount is derived from the operating results of certain subsidiaries and from the 2012 and 2013 stock acquisitions of Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Superholding Corp and Beecher Carlson Holdings, Inc.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Unrecognized tax benefits balance at January 1	$	294		$	806		$	656
	Gross increases for tax positions of prior years		232			222			257
	Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years		—			(409	)		—
	Settlements		(135	)		(325	)		(107	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31	$	391		$	294		$	806
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had approximately $121,000 and $79,000 of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, respectively.
	The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized was $391,000 as of December 31, 2013 and $294,000 as of December 31, 2012. The Company does not expect its unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.
	As a result of a 2006 Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) audit, the Company agreed to accrue at each December 31, for tax purposes only, a known amount of profit-sharing contingent commissions represented by the actual amount of profit-sharing contingent commissions received in the first quarter of the related year, with a true-up adjustment to the actual amount received by the end of the following March. Since this method for tax purposes differs from the method used for book purposes, it will result in a current deferred tax asset as of December 31 each year which will reverse by the following March 31 when the related profit-sharing contingent commissions are recognized for financial accounting purposes.
	The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and various state jurisdictions. The Company is also subject to taxation in the United Kingdom. In the United States, federal returns for fiscal years 2011 through 2013 remain open and subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company files and remits state income taxes in various states where the Company has determined it is required to file state income taxes. The Company’s filings with those states remain open for audit for the fiscal years 2008 through 2013. In the United Kingdom, the Company’s filings remain open for audit for the fiscal years 2012 and 2013.
	The Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Superholding Corp, is currently undergoing an Internal Revenue Service review of its federal corporate income tax filings for the tax years ended December 31, 2010, December 31, 2011 and the short period ended January 9, 2012. The Company’s 2008 through 2011 State of Colorado tax returns are currently under audit. In addition the Company has been notified by the State of Oregon regarding audits of all Oregon state tax returns for the period 2009 through 2012. Additionally, the Company has been notified by the State of Michigan regarding a review and audit of state tax returns for the period 2009 through 2011.

Employee_Savings_Plan

Employee Savings Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]	'
Employee Savings Plan	'
	NOTE 10 Employee Savings Plan
	The Company has an Employee Savings Plan (401(k)) in which substantially all employees with more than 30 days of service are eligible to participate. Under this plan, Brown & Brown makes matching contributions, of up to 2.5% of each participant’s annual compensation. Further, the Plan authorizes the Company to make a discretionary profit-sharing contribution each year, which equaled 1.5% of each eligible employee’s compensation in each of the past three years. The Company’s contributions to the plan totaled $14,819,000 in 2013, $14,266,000 in 2012, and $11,866,000 in 2011.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	NOTE 11 Stock-Based Compensation
	Performance Stock Plan
	In 1996, Brown & Brown adopted and the shareholders approved a performance stock plan, under which until the suspension of the plan in 2010, up to 14,400,000 Performance Stock Plan (“PSP”) shares could be granted to key employees contingent on the employees’ future years of service with Brown & Brown and other performance-based criteria established by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Before participants may take full title to Performance Stock, two vesting conditions must be met. Of the grants currently outstanding, specified portions will satisfy the first condition for vesting based on 20% incremental increases in the 20-trading-day average stock price of Brown & Brown’s common stock from the price on the business day prior to date of grant. Performance Stock that has satisfied the first vesting condition is considered “awarded shares.” Awarded shares are included as issued and outstanding common stock shares and are included in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS. Dividends are paid on awarded shares and participants may exercise voting privileges on such shares. Awarded shares satisfy the second condition for vesting on the earlier of a participant’s: (i) 15 years of continuous employment with Brown & Brown from the date shares are granted to the participants (or, in the case of the July 2009 grant to Powell Brown, 20 years); (ii) attainment of age 64 (on a prorated basis corresponding to the number of years since the date of grant); or (iii) death or disability. On April 28, 2010, the PSP was suspended and any remaining authorized but unissued shares, as well as any shares forfeited in the future, will be reserved for issuance under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “SIP”).
	At December 31, 2013, 5,549,882 shares had been granted under the PSP. As of December 31, 2013, 75,435 shares had not met the first condition for vesting, 2,295,852 shares had met the first condition of vesting and had been awarded, and 3,178,595 shares had satisfied both conditions of vesting and had been distributed to participants. Of the shares that have not vested as of December 31, 2013, the initial stock prices ranged from $4.25 to $25.68.
	The Company uses a path-dependent lattice model to estimate the fair value of PSP grants on the grant date.
	A summary of PSP activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
		Weighted-			Granted			Awarded			Shares Not
		Average			Shares			Shares			Yet
		Grant									Awarded
		Date Fair
		Value
	Outstanding at January 1, 2011	$	7.32			5,791,854			3,391,519			2,400,335
	Granted	$	—			—			—			—
	Awarded	$	9.56			—			447,154			(447,154	)
	Vested	$	6.01			(106,490	)		(106,490	)		—
	Forfeited	$	9.48			(753,552	)		(386,914	)		(366,638	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	$	8.08			4,931,812			3,345,269			1,586,543
	Granted	$	—			—			—			—
	Awarded	$	8.09			—			7,743			(7,743	)
	Vested	$	3.29			(877,224	)		(877,224	)		—
	Forfeited	$	13.06			(363,566	)		(81,283	)		(282,283	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	$	8.72			3,691,022			2,394,505			1,296,517
	Granted	$	—			—			—			—
	Awarded	$	10.25			—			122,021			(122,021	)
	Vested	$	4.01			(119,364	)		(119,364	)		—
	Forfeited	$	8.73			(1,200,371	)		(101,310	)		(1,099,061	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	$	8.62			2,371,287			2,295,852			75,435
	The total fair value of PSP grants that vested during each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $3,729,000, $23,034,000 and $2,384,000, respectively.
	Stock Incentive Plan
	On April 28, 2010, the shareholders of Brown & Brown, Inc. approved the Stock Incentive Plan (“SIP”) that provides for the granting of stock options, stock and/or stock appreciation rights to employees and directors contingent on criteria established by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The principal purpose of the SIP is to attract, incentivize and retain key employees by offering those persons an opportunity to acquire or increase a direct proprietary interest in the Company’s operations and future success. The SIP includes a sub-plan applicable to Decus Insurance Brokers Limited (“Decus”) which, together with its parent company, Decus Holdings (U.K.) Limited, are the Company’s only foreign subsidiaries. The shares of stock reserved for issuance under the SIP are any shares that are authorized for issuance under the PSP and not already subject to grants under the PSP, and that were outstanding as of April 28, 2010, the date of suspension of the PSP, together with PSP shares and SIP shares forfeited after that date. As of April 28, 2010, 6,046,768 shares were available for issuance under the PSP, which were then transferred to the SIP. To date stock grants to employees under the SIP generally vest in four-to-ten years, subject to the achievement of certain performance criteria by grantees, and the achievement of consolidated EPS growth at certain levels by the Company, over three-to-five-year measurement periods.
	In 2010, 187,040 shares were granted under the SIP. This grant was conditioned upon the surrender of 187,040 shares previously granted under the PSP in 2009, which were accordingly treated as forfeited PSP shares. The vesting conditions of this grant were identical to those provided for in connection with the 2009 PSP grant; thus the target stock prices and the periods associated with satisfaction of the first and second conditions of vesting were unchanged. Additionally, grants totaling 5,205 shares were made in 2010 to Decus employees under the SIP sub-plan applicable to Decus.
	In 2011, 2,375,892 shares were granted under the SIP. Of this total, 24,670 shares were granted to Decus employees under the SIP sub-plan applicable to Decus. As of December 31, 2012, 37,408 of the granted shares had satisfied the first condition of vesting and had been “awarded”, meaning that dividends are paid on awarded shares and participants may exercise voting privileges on such shares.
	In 2012, 814,545 shares were granted under the SIP, primarily related to the Arrowhead acquisition. As of December 31, 2012, no shares had met the first condition for vesting.
	In 2013, 3,719,974 shares were granted under the SIP. Of the shares granted in 2013, 891,399 shares will vest upon the grantees’ completion of between three and seven years of service with the Company, and because grantees have the right to vote the shares and receive dividends immediately after the date of grant these shares are considered awarded and outstanding under the two-class method. As of December 31, 2013, no shares had met the first condition for vesting.
	Additionally, non-employee members of the Board of Directors received shares annually issued pursuant to the SIP as part of their annual compensation. A total of 36,919 SIP shares were issued to these directors in 2011 and 2012, of which 11,682 were issued in January 2011, 12,627 in January 2012, and 12,610 in December 2012. The shares issued in December 2012 were issued at that earlier time rather than in January 2013 pursuant to action of the Board of Directors. No additional shares were granted or issued to the non-employee members of the Board of Directors in 2013.
	At December 31, 2013, 2,207,098 shares were available for future grants, of which 318,134 are reserved for grants with PSP-type vesting conditions.
	The Company uses the closing stock price on the day prior to the grant date to determine the fair value of SIP grants and then applies an estimated forfeiture factor to estimate the annual expense. Additionally, the Company uses the path-dependent lattice model to estimate the fair value of grants with PSP-type vesting conditions as of the grant date. SIP shares that satisfied the first vesting condition for PSP-like grants or the established performance criteria are considered awarded shares. Awarded shares are included as issued and outstanding common stock shares and are included in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS.
	A summary of SIP activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
		Weighted-			Granted			Awarded			Shares Not
		Average			Shares			Shares			Yet
		Grant									Awarded
		Date Fair
		Value
	Outstanding at January 1, 2011	$	12.62			192,245			38,449			153,796
	Granted	$	23.94			2,375,892			—			2,375,892
	Awarded	$	11.41			—			(1,041	)		1,041
	Vested	$	—			—			—			—
	Forfeited	$	23.94			(90,080	)		—			(90,080	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	$	23.06			2,478,057			37,408			2,440,649
	Granted	$	22.59			814,545			—			814,545
	Awarded	$	—			—			—			—
	Vested	$	—			—			—			—
	Forfeited	$	23.62			(135,291	)		—			(135,291	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	$	22.91			3,157,311			37,408			3,119,903
	Granted	$	31.95			3,719,974			—			3,719,974
	Awarded	$	30.71			—			966,215			(966,215	)
	Vested	$	—			—			—			—
	Forfeited	$	23.88			(271,184	)		(7,906	)		(263,278	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	$	27.96			6,606,101			995,717			5,610,384
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	The Company has a shareholder-approved Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) with a total of 12,000,000 authorized shares of which 1,246,838 were available for future subscriptions as of December 31, 2013. Employees of the Company who regularly work more than 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in the ESPP. Participants, through payroll deductions, may allot up to 10% of their compensation, to a maximum of $25,000, to purchase Company stock between August 1st of each year and the following July 31st (the “Subscription Period”) at a cost of 85% of the lower of the stock price as of the beginning or end of the Subscription Period.
	The Company estimates the fair value of an ESPP share option as of the beginning of the Subscription Period as the sum of: (1) 15% of the quoted market price of the Company’s stock on the day prior to the beginning of the Subscription Period, and (2) 85% of the value of a one-year stock option on the Company stock using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The estimated fair value of an ESPP share option as of the Subscription Period beginning in August 2013 was $8.36. The fair values of an ESPP share option as of the Subscription Periods beginning in August 2012 and 2011, were $5.84 and $4.27, respectively.
	For the ESPP plan years ended July 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued 487,672, 562,748 and 488,052 shares of common stock, respectively. These shares were issued at an aggregate purchase price of $10,456,000, or $21.44 per share, in 2013, $9,302,000, or $16.53 per share, in 2012, and $8,048,000, or $16.49 per share, in 2011.
For the five months ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (portions of the 2013-2014, 2012-2013 and 2011-2012 plan years), 222,526, 246,164, and 230,481 shares of common stock (from authorized but unissued shares), respectively, were subscribed to by ESPP participants for proceeds of approximately $5,937,000, $5,278,000 and $3,810,000, respectively.
Incentive Stock Option Plan
On April 21, 2000, Brown & Brown adopted, and the shareholders approved, a qualified incentive stock option plan (the “ISOP”) that provides for the granting of stock options to certain key employees for up to 4,800,000 shares of common stock. On December 31, 2008, the ISOP expired. The objective of the ISOP was to provide additional performance incentives to grow Brown & Brown’s pre-tax income in excess of 15% annually. The options were granted at the most recent trading day’s closing market price and vest over a one-to-10-year period, with a potential acceleration of the vesting period to three-to-six years based upon achievement of certain performance goals. All of the options expire 10 years after the grant date.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options on the grant date. The risk-free interest rate is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve on the date of grant with a remaining term approximating the expected term of the option granted. The expected term of the options granted is derived from historical data; grantees are divided into two groups based upon expected exercise behavior and are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected volatility is based upon the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over the period of time equivalent to the expected term of the options granted. The dividend yield is based upon the Company’s best estimate of future dividend yield.
A summary of stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
Stock Options	Shares			Weighted-			Weighted-			Aggregate
	Under			Average			Average			Intrinsic
	Option			Exercise			Remaining			Value
				Price			Contractual			(in thousands)
							Term
							(in years)
Outstanding at January 1, 2011		1,875,170		$	17.53			5.4		$	17,147
Granted		—		$	—
Exercised		(52,589	)	$	18.48
Forfeited		(438,044	)	$	17.28
Expired		—		$	—
Outstanding at December 31, 2011		1,384,537		$	17.58			4.4		$	14,587
Granted		—		$	—
Exercised		(645,745	)	$	16.64
Forfeited		—		$	—
Expired		—		$	—
Outstanding at December 31, 2012		738,792		$	18.39			4.9		$	8,891
Granted		—		$	—
Exercised		(115,847	)	$	17.56
Forfeited		—		$	—
Expired		—		$	—
Outstanding at December 31, 2013		622,945		$	18.55			4.1		$	7,289
Ending vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2013		622,945		$	18.55			4.1		$	7,289
Exercisable at December 31, 2013		422,945		$	18.48			4.2		$	5,460
Exercisable at December 31, 2012		162,792		$	17.82			4		$	1,243
Exercisable at December 31, 2011		396,985		$	18.16			5.4		$	1,774
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2013:
Options Outstanding										Options Exercisable
Exercise Price	Number			Weighted			Weighted			Number			Weighted
	Outstanding			Average			Average			Exercisable			Average
				Remaining			Exercise						Exercise
				Contractual			Price						Price
				Life (years)
$22.06		12,000			1		$	22.06			—		$	22.06
$18.48		610,945			4.2		$	18.48			422,945		$	18.48
Totals		622,945			4.1		$	18.55			422,945		$	18.48
The total intrinsic value of options exercised, determined as of the date of exercise, during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $1,558,000, $5,780,000 and $333,000, respectively. The total intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of all underlying awards and the quoted market price of the Company’s stock for all in-the-money stock options at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
There are no option shares available for future grant under the ISOP since this plan expired as of December 31, 2008.
Summary of Non-Cash Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The non-cash stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
(in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
Stock Incentive Plan	$	15,934		$	9,288		$	5,320
Employee Stock Purchase Plan		3,538			2,856			2,126
Performance Stock Plan		2,310			2,612			2,661
Incentive Stock Option Plan		821			1,109			1,087
Total	$	22,603		$	15,865		$	11,194
Summary of Unrecognized Compensation Expense
As of December 31, 2013, there was approximately $133.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to all non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. That expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 6.9 years.

Supplemental_Disclosures_of_Ca

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information	'
	NOTE 12 Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
	Brown & Brown’s significant non-cash investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013		2012		2011
	Other payable issued for purchased customer accounts	$	1,425	$	25,439	$	—
	Notes payable issued or assumed for purchased customer accounts	$	—	$	59	$	1,603
	Estimated acquisition earn-out payables and related charges	$	5,091	$	21,479	$	30,525
	Notes received on the sale of fixed assets and customer accounts	$	1,108	$	967	$	8,166

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	NOTE 13 Commitments and Contingencies
	Operating Leases
	Brown & Brown leases facilities and certain items of office equipment under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements expiring on various dates through 2042. The facility leases generally contain renewal options and escalation clauses based upon increases in the lessors’ operating expenses and other charges. Brown & Brown anticipates that most of these leases will be renewed or replaced upon expiration. At December 31, 2013, the aggregate future minimum lease payments under all non-cancelable lease agreements were as follows:
	(in thousands)
	2014	$	34,972
	2015		31,386
	2016		27,830
	2017		22,209
	2018		16,015
	Thereafter		42,074
	Total minimum future lease payments	$	174,486
	Rental expense in 2013, 2012 and 2011 for operating leases totaled $42,992,000, $39,810,000, and $34,951,000, respectively.
	Legal Proceedings
	The Company records losses for claims in excess of the limits of, or outside the coverage of, applicable insurance at the time and to the extent they are probable and estimable. In accordance with ASC Topic 450—Contingencies, the Company accrues anticipated costs of settlement, damages, losses for liability claims and, under certain conditions, costs of defense, based on historical experience or to the extent specific losses are probable and estimable. Otherwise, the Company expenses these costs as incurred. If the best estimate of a probable loss is a range rather than a specific amount, the Company accrues the amount at the lower end of the range.
	The Company’s accruals for legal matters that were probable and estimable were not material at December 31, 2013 and 2012. We continue to assess certain litigation and claims to determine the amounts, if any, that management believes will be paid as a result of such claims and litigation and, therefore, additional losses may be accrued and paid in the future, which could adversely impact the Company’s operating results, cash flows and overall liquidity. The Company maintains third-party insurance policies to provide coverage for certain legal claims, in an effort to mitigate its overall exposure to unanticipated claims or adverse decisions. 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 unfavorable resolutions of these matters. Based on the A. M. Best ratings of these third-party insurers, management does not believe there is a substantial risk of an insurer’s material nonperformance related to any current insured claims.
	On the basis of current information, the availability of insurance and legal advice, in management’s opinion, the Company is not currently involved in any legal proceedings which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, operations and/or cash flows.

Quarterly_Operating_Results_Un

Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)	'
	NOTE 14 Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited)
	Quarterly operating results for 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	(in thousands, except per share data)	First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	2013
	Total revenues	$	335,012	$	325,792	$	359,310	$	343,165
	Total expenses	$	235,521	$	239,571	$	263,855	$	266,723
	Income before income taxes	$	99,491	$	86,221	$	95,455	$	76,442
	Net income	$	60,131	$	52,007	$	57,749	$	47,225
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.42	$	0.36	$	0.4	$	0.32
	Diluted	$	0.41	$	0.36	$	0.39	$	0.32
	2012
	Total revenues	$	302,486	$	290,916	$	303,800	$	302,830
	Total expenses	$	219,696	$	219,771	$	222,151	$	233,603
	Income before income taxes	$	82,790	$	71,145	$	81,649	$	69,227
	Net income	$	49,433	$	42,471	$	49,504	$	42,637
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.34	$	0.3	$	0.34	$	0.3
	Diluted	$	0.34	$	0.29	$	0.34	$	0.29
	Quarterly financial results are affected by seasonal variations. The timing of the Company’s receipt of profit-sharing contingent commissions, policy renewals and acquisitions may cause revenues, expenses and net income to vary significantly between quarters.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	NOTE 15 Segment Information
	Brown & Brown’s business is divided into four reportable segments: the Retail Division, which provides a broad range of insurance products and services to commercial, public and quasi-public entities, and to professional and individual customers; the National Programs Division, which provides professional liability and related package products for certain professionals delivered through nationwide networks of independent agents, and markets targeted products and services designed for specific industries, trade groups, public and quasi-public entities, and market niches; the Wholesale Brokerage Division, which markets and sells excess and surplus commercial and personal lines insurance, and reinsurance, primarily through independent agents and brokers; and the Services Division, 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 $12.2 million, $9.7 million and $9.1 million of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Long-lived assets held outside of the United States during each of these three years were not material.
	The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1. Brown & Brown evaluates the performance of its segments based upon revenues and income before income taxes. Inter-segment revenues are eliminated.
	Summarized financial information concerning Brown & Brown’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.
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Retail		National		Wholesale		Services		Other			Total
				Programs		Brokerage
	Total revenues	$	728,324	$	292,130	$	209,907	$	131,489	$	1,429		$	1,363,279
	Investment income	$	82	$	19	$	22	$	1	$	514		$	638
	Amortization	$	38,052	$	14,593	$	11,550	$	3,698	$	39		$	67,932
	Depreciation	$	5,847	$	5,399	$	2,794	$	1,623	$	1,822		$	17,485
	Interest expense	$	34,407	$	24,014	$	2,565	$	7,321	$	(51,867	)	$	16,440
	Income before income taxes	$	166,316	$	58,379	$	53,822	$	24,518	$	54,574		$	357,609
	Total assets	$	2,992,087	$	1,335,911	$	927,825	$	277,652	$	(1,883,967	)	$	3,649,508
	Capital expenditures	$	6,847	$	4,743	$	1,931	$	1,811	$	1,034		$	16,366
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(in thousands)	Retail		National		Wholesale		Services		Other			Total
				Programs		Brokerage
	Total revenues	$	644,429	$	252,943	$	183,565	$	116,736	$	2,359		$	1,200,032
	Investment income	$	108	$	20	$	22	$	1	$	646		$	797
	Amortization	$	34,639	$	13,936	$	11,280	$	3,680	$	38		$	63,573
	Depreciation	$	5,181	$	4,600	$	2,718	$	1,278	$	1,596		$	15,373
	Interest expense	$	26,641	$	25,674	$	3,974	$	8,602	$	(48,794	)	$	16,097
	Income before income taxes	$	145,214	$	51,491	$	43,355	$	16,770	$	47,981		$	304,811
	Total assets	$	2,420,759	$	1,183,191	$	837,364	$	238,430	$	(1,551,686	)	$	3,128,058
	Capital expenditures	$	5,732	$	9,633	$	3,383	$	2,519	$	2,761		$	24,028
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
	(in thousands)	Retail		National		Wholesale		Services		Other			Total
				Programs		Brokerage
	Total revenues	$	607,199	$	164,427	$	174,158	$	65,972	$	1,786		$	1,013,542
	Investment income	$	102	$	—	$	34	$	128	$	1,003		$	1,267
	Amortization	$	33,373	$	7,770	$	11,032	$	2,541	$	39		$	54,755
	Depreciation	$	5,046	$	2,937	$	2,594	$	590	$	1,225		$	12,392
	Interest expense	$	27,688	$	1,381	$	7,495	$	5,746	$	(28,178	)	$	14,132
	Income before income taxes	$	137,807	$	60,465	$	36,511	$	7,729	$	28,009		$	270,521
	Total assets	$	2,155,413	$	680,251	$	712,212	$	166,060	$	(1,106,925	)	$	2,607,011
	Capital expenditures	$	6,102	$	1,968	$	2,658	$	689	$	2,191		$	13,608

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	NOTE 16 Subsequent Event
	On January 15, 2014, Brown & Brown entered into a merger agreement (the “Agreement”) to acquire The Wright Insurance Group, LLC (“Wright”). Immediately upon the consummation of the merger, Wright’s equity interests will be converted into the rights to receive cash equal, collectively, to $602.5 million. This amount is composed of cash payments of $587.5 million for the Programs Business, $7.5 million for Wright National Flood Insurance Company (“WNFIC”) and $7.5 million for WNFIC statutory surplus. In addition, Wright’s equityholders may receive additional consideration of up to $37.5 million in cash in the event of the closing of certain acquisition transactions by Wright and its affiliates (or, after the closing of the acquisition of Wright, by the Company and its affiliates) prior to July 15, 2015.
	Under the Agreement, the merger is subject to certain closing conditions including the receipt of required regulatory approvals for the transaction (including the approval of antitrust authorities necessary to complete the acquisition). If the merger is not closed by July 15, 2014 (which may potentially be extended to October 15, 2014 if the only then-outstanding conditions are obtaining regulatory approvals), either party may terminate the agreement.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [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 Division, which provides a broad range of insurance products and services to commercial, public entity, professional and individual customers; the Wholesale Brokerage Division, which markets and sells excess and surplus commercial insurance and reinsurance, primarily through independent agents and brokers; the National Programs Division, which provides professional liability and related package products for certain professionals delivered through nationwide networks of independent agents, and markets targeted products and services designated for specific industries, trade groups, governmental entities and market niches; and the Services Division, 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.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Brown & Brown, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Commission revenues are recognized as of the effective date of the insurance policy or the date on which the policy premium is billed to the customer, whichever is later. Commission revenues related to installment billings at the Company’s subsidiary, Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Arrowhead”), are recorded on the later of the effective date of the policy or the first installment billing. At those dates, the earnings process has been completed, and Brown & Brown can reliably estimate the impact of policy cancellations for refunds and establish reserves accordingly. The reserve for policy cancellations is based upon historical cancellation experience adjusted for known circumstances. The policy cancellation reserve was $8,010,000 and $7,174,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and it is periodically evaluated and adjusted as necessary. Subsequent commission adjustments are recognized upon receipt of notification from the insurance companies. Commission revenues are reported net of commissions paid to sub-brokers or co-brokers. Profit-sharing contingent commissions from insurance companies are recognized when determinable, which is when such commissions, or official notification of the amount of such commissions is received. Fee income is recognized as services are rendered.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“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.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents principally consist of demand deposits with financial institutions and highly liquid investments with quoted market prices having maturities of three months or less when purchased.
Restricted Cash and Investments, and Premiums, Commissions and Fees Receivable	'
	Restricted Cash and Investments, and Premiums, Commissions and Fees Receivable
	In its capacity as an insurance agent or broker, Brown & Brown typically collects premiums from insureds and, after deducting its authorized commissions, remits the net premiums to the appropriate insurance company or companies. Accordingly, as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, “premiums” are receivable from insureds. Unremitted net insurance premiums are held in a fiduciary capacity until Brown & Brown disburses them. Brown & Brown invests these unremitted funds only in cash, money market accounts, tax-free variable-rate demand bonds and commercial paper held for a short term. In certain states in which Brown & Brown operates, the use and investment alternatives for these funds are regulated and restricted by various state laws and agencies. These restricted funds are reported as restricted cash and investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The interest income earned on these unremitted funds is reported as investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
	In other circumstances, the insurance companies collect the premiums directly from the insureds and remit the applicable commissions to Brown & Brown. Accordingly, as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, “commissions” are receivables from insurance companies. “Fees” are primarily receivables due from customers.
Investments	'
	Investments
	Certificates of deposit and other securities having maturities of more than three months when purchased are reported at cost and are adjusted for other-than-temporary market value declines.
Fixed Assets	'
	Fixed Assets
	Fixed assets, including leasehold improvements, are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Expenditures for improvements are capitalized, and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed to operations as incurred. Upon sale or retirement, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is reflected in other income. Depreciation has been determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, which range from three to 15 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the term of the related lease.
Goodwill and Amortizable Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Amortizable Intangible Assets
	The excess of the purchase price of an acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and amortizable intangible assets is assigned to goodwill. While goodwill is not amortizable, it is subject to assessment at least annually, and more frequently in the presence of certain circumstances, for impairment by application of a fair value-based test. The Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount to determine if there is potential impairment of goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the fair value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Fair value is estimated based on multiples of earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and change in estimated acquisition earn-out payables (“EBITDAC”), or on a discounted cash flow basis. Brown & Brown completed its most recent annual assessment as of November 30, 2013 and determined that the fair value of goodwill exceeded the carrying value of such assets. In addition, as of December 31, 2013, there are no accumulated impairment losses.
	Amortizable intangible assets are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization, and consist of purchased customer accounts and non-compete agreements. Purchased customer accounts and non-compete agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the related estimated lives and contract periods, which range from five to 15 years. Purchased customer accounts primarily consist of records and files that contain information about insurance policies and the related insured parties that are essential to policy renewals.
	The carrying value of amortizable intangible assets attributable to each business or asset group comprising Brown & Brown is periodically reviewed by management to determine if there are events or changes in circumstances that would indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Accordingly, if there are any such changes in circumstances during the year, Brown & Brown assesses the carrying value of its amortizable intangible assets by considering the estimated future undiscounted cash flows generated by the corresponding business or asset group. Any impairment identified through this assessment may require that the carrying value of related amortizable intangible assets be adjusted; however, no impairments were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Brown & Brown records income tax expense using the asset-and-liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying values and the income tax bases of Brown & Brown’s assets and liabilities.
	Brown & Brown files a consolidated federal income tax return and has elected to file consolidated returns in certain states. Deferred income taxes are provided for in the Consolidated Financial Statements and relate principally to expenses charged to income for financial reporting purposes in one period and deducted for income tax purposes in other periods.
Net Income Per Share	'
	Net Income Per Share
	Effective in 2009, the Company adopted new Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) authoritative guidance that states that unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are participating securities and, therefore, are included in computing earnings per share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends or dividend equivalents and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings. Performance stock shares granted to employees under the Company’s Performance Stock Plan and under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable dividend equivalents at the same rate as common stock.
	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 years ended December 31:
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2013			2012			2011
	Net income	$	217,112		$	184,045		$	163,995
	Net income attributable to unvested awarded performance stock		(5,446	)		(5,313	)		(5,099	)
	Net income attributable to common shares	$	211,666		$	178,732		$	158,896
	Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding		144,662			143,507			143,029
	Less unvested awarded performance stock included in weighted average basic share outstanding		(3,629	)		(4,143	)		(4,447	)
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share		141,033			139,364			138,582
	Dilutive effect of stock options		1,591			2,646			1,682
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding		142,624			142,010			140,264
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	1.5		$	1.28		$	1.15
	Diluted	$	1.48		$	1.26		$	1.13
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts of Brown & Brown’s financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and investments, investments, premiums, commissions and fees receivable, premiums payable to insurance companies, premium deposits and credits due customers and accounts payable, at December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of Brown & Brown’s long-term debt approximates fair value at December 31, 2013 and 2012 because the related coupon rate approximates the current market rate.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company grants stock options and non-vested stock awards to its employees, officers and directors. The Company uses the modified-prospective method to account for share-based payments. Under the modified-prospective method, compensation cost is recognized for all share-based payments granted on or after January 1, 2006 and for all awards granted to employees prior to January 1, 2006 that remained unvested on that date. The Company uses the alternative-transition method to account for the income tax effects of payments made related to stock-based compensation.
	The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for valuing all stock options and shares purchased under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). Compensation for non-vested stock awards is measured at fair value on the grant date based upon the number of shares expected to vest. Compensation cost for all awards is recognized in earnings, net of estimated forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [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 years ended December 31:
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2013			2012			2011
	Net income	$	217,112		$	184,045		$	163,995
	Net income attributable to unvested awarded performance stock		(5,446	)		(5,313	)		(5,099	)
	Net income attributable to common shares	$	211,666		$	178,732		$	158,896
	Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding		144,662			143,507			143,029
	Less unvested awarded performance stock included in weighted average basic share outstanding		(3,629	)		(4,143	)		(4,447	)
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share		141,033			139,364			138,582
	Dilutive effect of stock options		1,591			2,646			1,682
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding		142,624			142,010			140,264
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	1.5		$	1.28		$	1.15
	Diluted	$	1.48		$	1.26		$	1.13

Business_Combinations_Tables

Business Combinations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
2013 Acquisitions [Member]	'
Acquisitions Accounted for as Business Combinations	'
	The following table summarizes the aggregate purchase price allocation made as of the date of each acquisition for current year acquisitions and adjustment made during the measurement period for prior year acquisitions:
	(in thousands)
	Name	Business		2013	Cash			Other			Recorded			Net Assets			Maximum
		Segment		Date of	Paid			Payable			Earn-out			Acquired			Potential
				Acquisition							Payable						Earn-out
																	Payable
	The Rollins Agency, Inc.	Retail		1-Jun	$	13,792		$	50		$	2,321		$	16,163		$	4,300
	Beecher Carlson Holdings, Inc.	Retail; National Programs		1-Jul		364,256			—			—			364,256			—
	ICA, Inc.	Services		December 31		19,770			—			727			20,497			5,000
	Other	Various		Various		10,254			502			2,043			12,799			7,468
	Total				$	408,072		$	552		$	5,091		$	413,715		$	16,768
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)	Rollins			Beecher			ICA			Other			Total
	Cash	$	—		$	40,360		$	—		$	—		$	40,360
	Other current assets		393			57,632			—			1,573			59,598
	Fixed assets		30			1,786			75			24			1,915
	Goodwill		12,697			265,174			12,377			5,696			295,944
	Purchased customer accounts		3,878			101,565			7,917			5,623			118,983
	Non-compete agreements		31			2,758			21			76			2,886
	Other assets		—			—			107			1			108
	Total assets acquired		17,029			469,275			20,497			12,993			519,794
	Other current liabilities		(866	)		(80,090	)		—			(194	)		(81,150	)
	Deferred income taxes, net		—			(22,764	)		—			—			(22,764	)
	Other liabilities		—			(2,165	)		—			—			(2,165	)
	Total liabilities assumed		(866	)		(105,019	)		—			(194	)		(106,079	)
	Net assets acquired	$	16,163		$	364,256		$	20,497		$	12,799		$	413,715
Results of Operations	'
	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 Year Ended
		December 31,
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2013			2012
	Total revenues	$	1,439,918		$	1,329,262
	Income before income taxes	$	373,175		$	329,291
	Net income	$	226,562		$	198,826
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	1.57		$	1.39
	Diluted	$	1.55		$	1.36
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
	Basic		141,033			139,634
	Diluted		142,624			142,010
2012 Acquisitions [Member]	'
Acquisitions Accounted for as Business Combinations	'
	The acquisitions made in 2012 have been accounted for as business combinations and are as follows:
	(in thousands)
	Name	Business		2012	Cash			Note			Other			Recorded			Net Assets			Maximum
		Segment		Date of	Paid			Payable			Payable			Earn-out			Acquired			Potential
				Acquisition										Payable						Earn-out
																				Payable
	Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Superholding Corporation	National Programs; Services		January 9	$	396,952		$	—		$	22,061		$	3,290		$	422,303		$	5,000
	Insurcorp & GGM Investments LLC (d/b/a Maalouf Benefit Resources)	Retail		May 1		15,500			—			900			4,944			21,344			17,000
	Richard W. Endlar Insurance Agency, Inc.	Retail		1-May		10,825			—			—			2,598			13,423			5,500
	Texas Security General Insurance Agency, Inc.	Wholesale Brokerage		September 1		14,506			—			2,182			2,124			18,812			7,200
	Behnke & Associates, Inc.	Retail		1-Dec		9,213			—			—			1,126			10,339			3,321
	Rowlands & Barranca Agency, Inc.	Retail		1-Dec		8,745			—			—			2,401			11,146			4,000
	Other	Various		Various		28,192			59			296			4,996			33,543			14,149
	Total				$	483,933		$	59		$	25,439		$	21,479		$	530,910		$	56,170
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)	Arrowhead			Insurcorp			Endlar			Texas Security			Behnke			Rowlands			Other			Total
	Cash	$	61,786		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	61,786
	Other current assets		69,051			180			305			1,866			—			—			422			71,824
	Fixed assets		4,629			25			25			45			25			30			158			4,937
	Goodwill		321,128			14,745			8,044			10,845			6,430			8,363			21,085			390,640
	Purchased customer accounts		99,675			6,490			5,230			6,229			3,843			3,367			13,112			137,946
	Non-compete agreements		100			22			11			14			41			21			243			452
	Other assets		1			—			—			—			—			—			—			1
	Total assets acquired		556,370			21,462			13,615			18,999			10,339			11,781			35,020			667,586
	Other current liabilities		(107,579	)		(118	)		(192	)		(187	)		—			(635	)		(1,477	)		(110,188	)
	Deferred income taxes, net		(26,488	)		—			—			—			—			—			—			(26,488	)
	Total liabilities assumed		(134,067	)		(118	)		(192	)		(187	)		—			(635	)		(1,477	)		(136,676	)
	Net assets acquired	$	422,303		$	21,344		$	13,423		$	18,812		$	10,339		$	11,146		$	33,543		$	530,910
Results of Operations	'
	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 Year Ended
		December 31,
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2012			2011
	Total revenues	$	1,230,408		$	1,163,341
	Income before income taxes	$	315,051		$	313,706
	Net income	$	190,228		$	190,174
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	1.33		$	1.33
	Diluted	$	1.3		$	1.31
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
	Basic		139,364			138,582
	Diluted		142,010			140,264
2011 Acquisitions [Member]	'
Acquisitions Accounted for as Business Combinations	'
	The acquisitions made in 2011 have been accounted for as business combinations and are as follows:
	(in thousands)
	Name	Business		2011	Cash			Note			Recorded			Net Assets			Maximum
		Segment		Date of	Paid			Payable			Earn-out			Acquired			Potential
				Acquisition							Payable						Earn-out
																	Payable
	Balcos Insurance, Inc.	Retail		1-Jan	$	8,611		$	—		$	1,595		$	10,206		$	5,766
	Associated Insurance Service, Inc. et al.	Retail		1-Jan		12,000			—			1,575			13,575			6,000
	United Benefit Services Insurance Agency LLC et al.	Retail		February 1		14,283			—			2,590			16,873			8,442
	First Horizon Insurance Group, Inc. et al.	Retail		30-Apr		25,060			—			—			25,060			—
	Fitzharris Agency, Inc. et al.	Retail		1-May		6,159			—			888			7,047			3,832
	Corporate Benefit Consultants, LLC	Retail		1-Jun		9,000			—			2,038			11,038			4,520
	Sitzmann, Morris & Lavis Insurance Agency, Inc. et al.	Retail		November 1		40,460			—			6,228			46,688			19,000
	Snapper Shuler Kenner, Inc. et al.	Retail		1-Nov		7,493			—			1,318			8,811			3,988
	Industry Consulting Group, Inc.	National Programs		1-Nov		9,133			—			3,877			13,010			5,794
	Colonial Claims Corporation et al.	Services		December 23		9,950			—			4,248			14,198			8,000
	Other	Various		Various		25,295			1,194			6,168			32,657			12,865
	Total				$	167,444		$	1,194		$	30,525		$	199,163		$	78,207
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)	Balcos			AIS			United			FHI			FA			CBC
	Cash	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	5,170		$	—		$	—
	Other current assets		187			252			438			1,640			77			227
	Fixed assets		20			100			20			134			60			6
	Goodwill		6,486			9,055			10,049			15,254			7,244			6,738
	Purchased customer accounts		3,530			4,086			7,045			8,088			3,351			4,046
	Non-compete agreements		42			92			45			10			21			21
	Other assets		—			—			4			9			—			—
	Total assets acquired		10,265			13,585			17,601			30,305			10,753			11,038
	Other current liabilities		(59	)		(10	)		(728	)		(3,790	)		(3,706	)		—
	Deferred income taxes, net		—			—			—			(1,455	)		—			—
	Other liabilities		—			—			—			—			—			—
	Total liabilities assumed		(59	)		(10	)		(728	)		(5,245	)		(3,706	)		—
	Net assets acquired	$	10,206		$	13,575		$	16,873		$	25,060		$	7,047		$	11,038
	(in thousands)	SML			SSK			ICG			CC			Other			Total
	Cash	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	5,170
	Other current assets		1,372			247			336			—			1,059			5,835
	Fixed assets		465			45			100			60			65			1,075
	Goodwill		31,601			5,818			9,564			8,070			18,465			128,344
	Purchased customer accounts		13,995			2,726			7,161			6,094			13,746			73,868
	Non-compete agreements		42			12			11			23			187			506
	Other assets		4			—			5			—			2			24
	Total assets acquired		47,479			8,848			17,177			14,247			33,524			214,822
	Other current liabilities		(791	)		(37	)		(1,096	)		(49	)		(867	)		(11,133	)
	Deferred income taxes, net		—			—			—			—			—			(1,455	)
	Other liabilities		—			—			(3,071	)		—			—			(3,071	)
	Total liabilities assumed		(791	)		(37	)		(4,167	)		(49	)		(867	)		(15,659	)
	Net assets acquired	$	46,688		$	8,811		$	13,010		$	14,198		$	32,657		$	199,163
Results of Operations	'
	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 Year Ended
		December 31,
	(in thousands, except per share data)	2011			2010
	Total revenues	$	1,058,142		$	1,059,857
	Income before income taxes	$	283,404		$	291,944
	Net income	$	171,805		$	177,464
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	1.2		$	1.25
	Diluted	$	1.19		$	1.23
	Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
	Basic		138,582			137,924
	Diluted		140,264			139,318
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 years ended December 31, were as follows:
		For the Year Ended December 31,
	(in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Balance as of the beginning of the period	$	52,987		$	47,715		$	29,608
	Additions to estimated acquisition earn-out payables		5,816			21,479			30,525
	Payments for estimated acquisition earn-out payables		(18,278	)		(17,625	)		(10,212	)
	Subtotal		40,525			51,569			49,921
	Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables:
	Change in fair value on estimated acquisition earn-out payables		570			(1,051	)		(4,043	)
	Interest expense accretion		1,963			2,469			1,837
	Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables		2,533			1,418			(2,206	)
	Balance as of December 31	$	43,058		$	52,987		$	47,715

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill by Reportable Segment	'
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, are as follows:
	(in thousands)	Retail			National		Wholesale			Service		Total
					Programs		Brokerage
	Balance as of January 1, 2012	$	823,573		$	149,802	$	273,783		$	76,311	$	1,323,469
	Goodwill of acquired businesses		58,148			289,378		14,271			31,750		393,547
	Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses		(5,502	)		—		—			—		(5,502	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		876,219			439,180		288,054			108,061		1,711,514
	Goodwill of acquired businesses		257,196			27,964		(812	)		12,469		296,817
	Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses		(2,158	)		—		—			—		(2,158	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	1,131,257		$	467,144	$	287,242		$	120,530	$	2,006,173

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets_

Amortizable Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Amortizable Intangible Assets	'
	Amortizable intangible assets at December 31 consisted of the following:
		2013									2012
	(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)									(years)
	Purchased customer accounts	$	1,120,719	$	(505,137	)	$	615,582		14.9	$	1,005,031	$	(439,623	)	$	565,408		14.9
	Non-compete agreements		28,115		(24,809	)		3,306		7		25,320		(24,190	)		1,130		7.2
	Total	$	1,148,834	$	(529,946	)	$	618,888			$	1,030,351	$	(463,813	)	$	566,538

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Summary of Investments	'
	Investments at December 31 consisted of the following:
		2013				2012
		Carrying Value				Carrying Value
	(in thousands)	Current		Non-		Current		Non-
				Current				Current
	Certificates of deposit and other securities	$	10,624	$	16	$	8,183	$	16
Summary of Proceeds and Realized Gains/(Losses) on Equity Securities and Certificates of Deposit	'
	The following table summarizes the proceeds and realized gains/(losses) on equity securities and certificates of deposit for the years ended December 31:
	(in thousands)	Proceeds		Gross		Gross
				Realized		Realized
				Gains		Losses
	2013	$	15,662	$	—	$	—
	2012	$	10,654	$	13	$	—
	2011	$	12,950	$	124	$	—

Fixed_Assets_Tables

Fixed Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Fixed Assets	'
	Fixed assets at December 31 consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	$	149,170		$	141,844
	Leasehold improvements		21,231			18,889
	Land, buildings and improvements		3,815			3,902
	Total cost		174,216			164,635
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(99,483	)		(90,298	)
	Total	$	74,733		$	74,337

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia1

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities	'
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities at December 31 consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	2013		2012
	Accrued bonuses	$	70,272	$	12,668
	Accrued compensation and benefits		35,145		19,943
	Accrued rent and vendor expenses		19,235		16,972
	Reserve for policy cancellations		8,010		7,174
	Accrued interest		3,324		3,295
	Other		21,414		19,541
	Total	$	157,400	$	79,593

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt Instrument	'
	Long-term debt at December 31 consisted of the following:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012
	Unsecured Senior Notes	$	480,000		$	450,000
	Acquisition notes payable		—			93
	Revolving credit facility		—			—
	Total debt		480,000			450,093
	Less current portion		(100,000	)		(93	)
	Long-term debt	$	380,000		$	450,000

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Significant Components of Provision for Income Taxes	'
	Significant components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	94,007		$	75,522		$	65,461
	State		13,438			11,852			10,084
	Foreign		805			669			638
	Total current provision		108,250			88,043			76,183
	Deferred:
	Federal		28,469			27,348			27,212
	State		3,723			5,375			3,131
	Foreign		55			—			—
	Total deferred provision		32,247			32,723			30,343
	Total tax provision	$	140,497		$	120,766		$	106,526
Reconciliation of Differences Between Effective Tax Rate and Federal Statutory Tax Rate	'
	A reconciliation of the differences between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
		2013			2012			2011
	Federal statutory tax rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		3.5			4.3			3.5
	Non-deductible employee stock purchase plan expense		0.3			0.3			0.3
	Non-deductible meals and entertainment		0.3			0.3			0.3
	Other, net		0.2			(0.3	)		0.3
	Effective tax rate		39.3	%		39.6	%		39.4	%
Significant Components of Current Deferred Tax Assets	'
	Significant components of Brown & Brown’s current deferred tax assets as of December 31 are as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012
	Current deferred tax assets:
	Deferred profit-sharing contingent commissions	$	9,713		$	9,490
	Net operating loss carryforwards		8,408			5,786
	Accruals and reserves		11,155			9,132
	Total current deferred tax assets	$	29,276		$	24,408
Significant Components of Non-Current Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets	'
	Significant components of Brown & Brown’s non-current deferred tax liabilities and assets as of December 31 are as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities:
	Fixed assets	$	11,651		$	12,427
	Intangible assets		306,009			245,020
	Total non-current deferred tax liabilities		317,660			257,447
	Non-current deferred tax assets:
	Deferred compensation		22,598			13,576
	Net operating loss carryforwards		3,843			6,658
	Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(485	)		(417	)
	Total non-current deferred tax assets		25,956			19,817
	Net non-current deferred tax liability	$	291,704		$	237,630
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Unrecognized tax benefits balance at January 1	$	294		$	806		$	656
	Gross increases for tax positions of prior years		232			222			257
	Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years		—			(409	)		—
	Settlements		(135	)		(325	)		(107	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31	$	391		$	294		$	806

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Stock Option Outstanding	'
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2013:
	Options Outstanding										Options Exercisable
	Exercise Price	Number			Weighted			Weighted			Number			Weighted
		Outstanding			Average			Average			Exercisable			Average
					Remaining			Exercise						Exercise
					Contractual			Price						Price
					Life (years)
	$22.06		12,000			1		$	22.06			—		$	22.06
	$18.48		610,945			4.2		$	18.48			422,945		$	18.48
	Totals		622,945			4.1		$	18.55			422,945		$	18.48
Stock Option [Member]	'
Summary of Stock Based Compensation Plan Activity	'
	A summary of stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
	Stock Options	Shares			Weighted-			Weighted-			Aggregate
		Under			Average			Average			Intrinsic
		Option			Exercise			Remaining			Value
					Price			Contractual			(in thousands)
								Term
								(in years)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2011		1,875,170		$	17.53			5.4		$	17,147
	Granted		—		$	—
	Exercised		(52,589	)	$	18.48
	Forfeited		(438,044	)	$	17.28
	Expired		—		$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011		1,384,537		$	17.58			4.4		$	14,587
	Granted		—		$	—
	Exercised		(645,745	)	$	16.64
	Forfeited		—		$	—
	Expired		—		$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		738,792		$	18.39			4.9		$	8,891
	Granted		—		$	—
	Exercised		(115,847	)	$	17.56
	Forfeited		—		$	—
	Expired		—		$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		622,945		$	18.55			4.1		$	7,289
	Ending vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2013		622,945		$	18.55			4.1		$	7,289
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013		422,945		$	18.48			4.2		$	5,460
	Exercisable at December 31, 2012		162,792		$	17.82			4		$	1,243
	Exercisable at December 31, 2011		396,985		$	18.16			5.4		$	1,774
Performance Stock Plan [Member]	'
Summary of Stock Based Compensation Plan Activity	'
	A summary of PSP activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
		Weighted-			Granted			Awarded			Shares Not
		Average			Shares			Shares			Yet
		Grant									Awarded
		Date Fair
		Value
	Outstanding at January 1, 2011	$	7.32			5,791,854			3,391,519			2,400,335
	Granted	$	—			—			—			—
	Awarded	$	9.56			—			447,154			(447,154	)
	Vested	$	6.01			(106,490	)		(106,490	)		—
	Forfeited	$	9.48			(753,552	)		(386,914	)		(366,638	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	$	8.08			4,931,812			3,345,269			1,586,543
	Granted	$	—			—			—			—
	Awarded	$	8.09			—			7,743			(7,743	)
	Vested	$	3.29			(877,224	)		(877,224	)		—
	Forfeited	$	13.06			(363,566	)		(81,283	)		(282,283	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	$	8.72			3,691,022			2,394,505			1,296,517
	Granted	$	—			—			—			—
	Awarded	$	10.25			—			122,021			(122,021	)
	Vested	$	4.01			(119,364	)		(119,364	)		—
	Forfeited	$	8.73			(1,200,371	)		(101,310	)		(1,099,061	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	$	8.62			2,371,287			2,295,852			75,435
Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	'
Summary of Stock Based Compensation Plan Activity	'
	A summary of SIP activity for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
		Weighted-			Granted			Awarded			Shares Not
		Average			Shares			Shares			Yet
		Grant									Awarded
		Date Fair
		Value
	Outstanding at January 1, 2011	$	12.62			192,245			38,449			153,796
	Granted	$	23.94			2,375,892			—			2,375,892
	Awarded	$	11.41			—			(1,041	)		1,041
	Vested	$	—			—			—			—
	Forfeited	$	23.94			(90,080	)		—			(90,080	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	$	23.06			2,478,057			37,408			2,440,649
	Granted	$	22.59			814,545			—			814,545
	Awarded	$	—			—			—			—
	Vested	$	—			—			—			—
	Forfeited	$	23.62			(135,291	)		—			(135,291	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	$	22.91			3,157,311			37,408			3,119,903
	Granted	$	31.95			3,719,974			—			3,719,974
	Awarded	$	30.71			—			966,215			(966,215	)
	Vested	$	—			—			—			—
	Forfeited	$	23.88			(271,184	)		(7,906	)		(263,278	)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	$	27.96			6,606,101			995,717			5,610,384
Non Cash [Member]	'
Non-Cash Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The non-cash stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31 is as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Stock Incentive Plan	$	15,934		$	9,288		$	5,320
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan		3,538			2,856			2,126
	Performance Stock Plan		2,310			2,612			2,661
	Incentive Stock Option Plan		821			1,109			1,087
	Total	$	22,603		$	15,865		$	11,194

Supplemental_Disclosures_of_Ca1

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Significant Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities	'
	Brown & Brown’s significant non-cash investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:
	(in thousands)	2013		2012		2011
	Other payable issued for purchased customer accounts	$	1,425	$	25,439	$	—
	Notes payable issued or assumed for purchased customer accounts	$	—	$	59	$	1,603
	Estimated acquisition earn-out payables and related charges	$	5,091	$	21,479	$	30,525
	Notes received on the sale of fixed assets and customer accounts	$	1,108	$	967	$	8,166

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Aggregate Future Minimum Lease Payments under all Non-cancelable Lease Agreements	'
	At December 31, 2013, the aggregate future minimum lease payments under all non-cancelable lease agreements were as follows:
	(in thousands)
	2014	$	34,972
	2015		31,386
	2016		27,830
	2017		22,209
	2018		16,015
	Thereafter		42,074
	Total minimum future lease payments	$	174,486

Quarterly_Operating_Results_Un1

Quarterly Operating Results (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Operating Results	'
	Quarterly operating results for 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
	(in thousands, except per share data)	First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	2013
	Total revenues	$	335,012	$	325,792	$	359,310	$	343,165
	Total expenses	$	235,521	$	239,571	$	263,855	$	266,723
	Income before income taxes	$	99,491	$	86,221	$	95,455	$	76,442
	Net income	$	60,131	$	52,007	$	57,749	$	47,225
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.42	$	0.36	$	0.4	$	0.32
	Diluted	$	0.41	$	0.36	$	0.39	$	0.32
	2012
	Total revenues	$	302,486	$	290,916	$	303,800	$	302,830
	Total expenses	$	219,696	$	219,771	$	222,151	$	233,603
	Income before income taxes	$	82,790	$	71,145	$	81,649	$	69,227
	Net income	$	49,433	$	42,471	$	49,504	$	42,637
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.34	$	0.3	$	0.34	$	0.3
	Diluted	$	0.34	$	0.29	$	0.34	$	0.29

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Summarized Financial Information Reportable Segments	'
	Summarized financial information concerning Brown & Brown’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.
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
	(in thousands)	Retail		National		Wholesale		Services		Other			Total
				Programs		Brokerage
	Total revenues	$	728,324	$	292,130	$	209,907	$	131,489	$	1,429		$	1,363,279
	Investment income	$	82	$	19	$	22	$	1	$	514		$	638
	Amortization	$	38,052	$	14,593	$	11,550	$	3,698	$	39		$	67,932
	Depreciation	$	5,847	$	5,399	$	2,794	$	1,623	$	1,822		$	17,485
	Interest expense	$	34,407	$	24,014	$	2,565	$	7,321	$	(51,867	)	$	16,440
	Income before income taxes	$	166,316	$	58,379	$	53,822	$	24,518	$	54,574		$	357,609
	Total assets	$	2,992,087	$	1,335,911	$	927,825	$	277,652	$	(1,883,967	)	$	3,649,508
	Capital expenditures	$	6,847	$	4,743	$	1,931	$	1,811	$	1,034		$	16,366
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
	(in thousands)	Retail		National		Wholesale		Services		Other			Total
				Programs		Brokerage
	Total revenues	$	644,429	$	252,943	$	183,565	$	116,736	$	2,359		$	1,200,032
	Investment income	$	108	$	20	$	22	$	1	$	646		$	797
	Amortization	$	34,639	$	13,936	$	11,280	$	3,680	$	38		$	63,573
	Depreciation	$	5,181	$	4,600	$	2,718	$	1,278	$	1,596		$	15,373
	Interest expense	$	26,641	$	25,674	$	3,974	$	8,602	$	(48,794	)	$	16,097
	Income before income taxes	$	145,214	$	51,491	$	43,355	$	16,770	$	47,981		$	304,811
	Total assets	$	2,420,759	$	1,183,191	$	837,364	$	238,430	$	(1,551,686	)	$	3,128,058
	Capital expenditures	$	5,732	$	9,633	$	3,383	$	2,519	$	2,761		$	24,028
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
	(in thousands)	Retail		National		Wholesale		Services		Other			Total
				Programs		Brokerage
	Total revenues	$	607,199	$	164,427	$	174,158	$	65,972	$	1,786		$	1,013,542
	Investment income	$	102	$	—	$	34	$	128	$	1,003		$	1,267
	Amortization	$	33,373	$	7,770	$	11,032	$	2,541	$	39		$	54,755
	Depreciation	$	5,046	$	2,937	$	2,594	$	590	$	1,225		$	12,392
	Interest expense	$	27,688	$	1,381	$	7,495	$	5,746	$	(28,178	)	$	14,132
	Income before income taxes	$	137,807	$	60,465	$	36,511	$	7,729	$	28,009		$	270,521
	Total assets	$	2,155,413	$	680,251	$	712,212	$	166,060	$	(1,106,925	)	$	2,607,011
	Capital expenditures	$	6,102	$	1,968	$	2,658	$	689	$	2,191		$	13,608

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Number of reportable segments	4	'
Reserve for policy cancellations	8,010,000	7,174,000
Non-compete agreements [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated lives of amortizable intangible assets	'7 years	'7 years 2 months 12 days
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful lives of the related assets	'3 years	'
Minimum [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated lives of amortizable intangible assets	'5 years	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful lives of the related assets	'15 years	'
Maximum [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]	'	'
Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated lives of amortizable intangible assets	'15 years	'

Reconciliation_Between_Basic_a

Reconciliation Between Basic and Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	$47,225	$57,749	$52,007	$60,131	$42,637	$49,504	$42,471	$49,433	$217,112	$184,045	$163,995
Net income attributable to unvested awarded performance stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-5,446	-5,313	-5,099
Net income attributable to common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$211,666	$178,732	$158,896
Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	144,662	143,507	143,029
Less unvested awarded performance stock included in weighted average basic share outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,629	-4,143	-4,447
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	141,033	139,364	138,582
Dilutive effect of stock options	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,591	2,646	1,682
Weighted average number of shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	142,624	142,010	140,264
Basic	$0.32	$0.40	$0.36	$0.42	$0.30	$0.34	$0.30	$0.34	$1.50	$1.28	$1.15
Diluted	$0.32	$0.39	$0.36	$0.41	$0.29	$0.34	$0.29	$0.34	$1.48	$1.26	$1.13

Business_Combinations_Addition

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Aggregate purchase price of acquisitions	$519,794,000	$667,586,000	$214,822,000	'
Cash payment for acquisition	408,072,000	483,933,000	167,444,000	'
Other payables for acquisition	552,000	25,439,000	'	'
Assumption of liabilities	106,079,000	136,676,000	15,659,000	'
Recorded earn-out payables	5,091,000	'	'	'
Average annual operating profit earned period, minimum (years)	'1 year	'1 year	'1 year	'
Average annual operating profit earned period, maximum (years)	'3 years	'3 years	'3 years	'
Aggregate purchase price of acquisitions	504,000	'	'	'
Cash payments for acquisitions	18,000	'	'	'
Net consideration paid as other note payable	117,000	'	'	'
Assumption of liabilities	82,000	'	'	'
Recorded earn-out payable	721,000	'	'	'
Total goodwill	295,944,000	390,640,000	128,344,000	'
Goodwill currently deductible for income tax purposes	41,663,000	52,730,000	84,105,000	'
Goodwill currently non-deductible for income tax purposes	249,190,000	316,431,000	13,714,000	'
Goodwill related to the recorded earn-out payables	5,091,000	21,479,000	30,525,000	'
Total revenues related to acquisitions	63,797,000	129,472,000	40,291,000	'
Income (loss) before income taxes related to acquisitions	872,000	898,000	'	'
Net additional consideration paid as note payable	'	59,000	1,194,000	'
Recorded earn-out payable	5,091,000	21,479,000	30,525,000	'
Income before income taxes related to acquisitions	'	'	7,223,000	'
Maximum future contingency payments related to acquisitions	130,584,000	'	'	'
Percentage recognition by acquirer of fair value of acquired assets	100.00%	'	'	'
Future earnings of acquired entities, term basis of potential earn-out obligations, minimum (years)	'1 year	'	'	'
Future earnings of acquired entities, term basis of potential earn-out obligations, maximum (years)	'3 years	'	'	'
Estimated acquisition earn-out payables	43,058,000	52,987,000	47,715,000	29,608,000
Accounts Payable [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Estimated acquisition earn-out payables	6,312,000	10,164,000	'	'
Purchased customer accounts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average life (years)	'15 years	'15 years	'15 years	'
Non-compete agreements [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average life (years)	'5 years	'5 years	'5 years	'
Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Superholding Corporation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other payables for acquisition	'	22,061,000	'	'
Total goodwill	'	321,128,000	'	'
Other Non-Current Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Estimated acquisition earn-out payables	36,746,000	42,823,000	'	'
Prior to January 1, 2009 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash payment for acquisition	873,000	2,907,000	'	'
Net additional consideration paid as note payable	873,000	'	'	'
Additional net consideration paid allocated to goodwill	873,000	2,907,000	'	'
Retail [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill assigned	257,196,000	57,856,000	'	'
Goodwill assigned	'	'	108,420,000	'
National Programs Divisions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill assigned	27,091,000	289,378,000	'	'
Goodwill assigned	'	'	11,853,000	'
Wholesale Brokerage Divisions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill assigned	-812,000	11,656,000	'	'
Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill assigned	12,469,000	31,750,000	'	'
Goodwill assigned	'	'	$8,071,000	'
Asset Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	10	19	1	'
Stock Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of acquisitions	1	1	37	'

Acquisitions_Accounted_for_Bus

Acquisitions Accounted for Business Combinations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash Paid	$408,072	$483,933	$167,444
Note Payable	'	59	1,194
Other Payable	'	'	30,525
Net Assets Acquired	413,715	530,910	199,163
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	78,207
Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Superholding Corporation [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	422,303	'
Insurcorp & GGM Investments LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	21,344	'
Richard W. Endlar Insurance Agency, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	13,423	'
Texas Security General Insurance Agency, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	18,812	'
The Rollins Agency, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	16,163	'	'
Beecher Carlson Holdings, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	364,256	'	'
Other Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	12,799	33,543	32,657
Other Acquisitions [Member] | Various [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash Paid	'	'	25,295
Note Payable	'	'	1,194
Other Payable	'	'	6,168
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	32,657
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	12,865
Behnke & Associates, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	10,339	'
Rowlands & Barranca Agency, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	11,146	'
ICA, Inc.[Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	20,497	'	'
Balcos Insurance, Inc., Et Al [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	10,206
Balcos Insurance, Inc., Et Al [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash Paid	'	'	8,611
Other Payable	'	'	1,595
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	10,206
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	5,766
Associated Insurance Service, Inc. et al. [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	'	1-Jan-11
Cash Paid	'	'	12,000
Other Payable	'	'	1,575
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	13,575
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	6,000
United Benefit Services Insurance Agency LLC et al. [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	'	1-Feb-11
Cash Paid	'	'	14,283
Other Payable	'	'	2,590
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	16,873
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	8,442
First Horizon Insurance Group, Inc. et al. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	25,060
First Horizon Insurance Group, Inc. et al. [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	'	30-Apr-11
Cash Paid	'	'	25,060
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	25,060
Fitzharris Agency, Inc. et al. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	7,047
Fitzharris Agency, Inc. et al. [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	'	1-May-11
Cash Paid	'	'	6,159
Other Payable	'	'	888
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	7,047
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	3,832
Corporate Benefit Consultants, LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	11,038
Corporate Benefit Consultants, LLC [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	'	1-Jun-11
Cash Paid	'	'	9,000
Other Payable	'	'	2,038
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	11,038
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	4,520
Sitzmann, Morris & Lavis Insurance Agency, Inc. et al. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	46,688
Sitzmann, Morris & Lavis Insurance Agency, Inc. et al. [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	'	1-Nov-11
Cash Paid	'	'	40,460
Other Payable	'	'	6,228
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	46,688
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	19,000
Snapper Shuler Kenner, Inc. et al. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	8,811
Snapper Shuler Kenner, Inc. et al. [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	'	1-Nov-11
Cash Paid	'	'	7,493
Other Payable	'	'	1,318
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	8,811
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	3,988
Industry Consulting Group, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	13,010
Industry Consulting Group, Inc. [Member] | National Programs & Services [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash Paid	'	'	9,133
Other Payable	'	'	3,877
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	13,010
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	5,794
Colonial Claims Corporation et al. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	14,198
Colonial Claims Corporation et al. [Member] | Services [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	'	23-Dec-11
Cash Paid	'	'	9,950
Other Payable	'	'	4,248
Net Assets Acquired	'	'	14,198
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	8,000
2013 Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash Paid	408,072	'	'
Other Payable	552	'	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	5,091	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	413,715	'	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	16,768	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | The Rollins Agency, Inc. [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	1-Jun-13	'	'
Cash Paid	13,792	'	'
Other Payable	50	'	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	2,321	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	16,163	'	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	4,300	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Beecher Carlson Holdings, Inc. [Member] | Retail And National Programs [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	1-Jul-13	'	'
Cash Paid	364,256	'	'
Other Payable	'	'	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	'	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	364,256	'	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | Other Acquisitions [Member] | Various [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash Paid	10,254	'	'
Other Payable	502	'	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	2,043	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	12,799	'	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	7,468	'	'
2013 Acquisitions [Member] | ICA, Inc.[Member] | Services [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	31-Dec-13	'	'
Cash Paid	19,770	'	'
Other Payable	'	'	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	727	'	'
Net Assets Acquired	20,497	'	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	5,000	'	'
2012 Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash Paid	'	483,933	'
Note Payable	'	59	'
Other Payable	'	25,439	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	'	21,479	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	530,910	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	56,170	'
2012 Acquisitions [Member] | Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Superholding Corporation [Member] | National Programs & Services [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	9-Jan-12	'
Cash Paid	'	396,952	'
Other Payable	'	22,061	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	'	3,290	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	422,303	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	5,000	'
2012 Acquisitions [Member] | Insurcorp & GGM Investments LLC [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	1-May-12	'
Cash Paid	'	15,500	'
Other Payable	'	900	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	'	4,944	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	21,344	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	17,000	'
2012 Acquisitions [Member] | Richard W. Endlar Insurance Agency, Inc. [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	1-May-12	'
Cash Paid	'	10,825	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	'	2,598	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	13,423	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	5,500	'
2012 Acquisitions [Member] | Texas Security General Insurance Agency, Inc. [Member] | Wholesale Brokerage [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	1-Sep-12	'
Cash Paid	'	14,506	'
Other Payable	'	2,182	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	'	2,124	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	18,812	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	7,200	'
2012 Acquisitions [Member] | Other Acquisitions [Member] | Various [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash Paid	'	28,192	'
Note Payable	'	59	'
Other Payable	'	296	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	'	4,996	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	33,543	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	14,149	'
2012 Acquisitions [Member] | Behnke & Associates, Inc. [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	1-Dec-12	'
Cash Paid	'	9,213	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	'	1,126	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	10,339	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	3,321	'
2012 Acquisitions [Member] | Rowlands & Barranca Agency, Inc. [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
2013 Date of Acquisition	'	1-Dec-12	'
Cash Paid	'	8,745	'
Recorded Earn-out Payable	'	2,401	'
Net Assets Acquired	'	11,146	'
Maximum Potential Earn-out Payable	'	$4,000	'

Estimated_Fair_Values_of_Aggre

Estimated Fair Values of Aggregate Assets and Liabilities Acquired (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash	$40,360	$61,786	$5,170
Other current assets	59,598	71,824	5,835
Fixed assets	1,915	4,937	1,075
Goodwill	295,944	390,640	128,344
Purchased customer accounts	118,983	137,946	73,868
Non-compete agreements	2,886	452	506
Other assets	108	1	24
Total assets acquired	519,794	667,586	214,822
Other current liabilities	-81,150	-110,188	-11,133
Deferred income taxes, net	-22,764	-26,488	-1,455
Other liabilities	-2,165	'	-3,071
Total liabilities assumed	-106,079	-136,676	-15,659
Net assets acquired	413,715	530,910	199,163
Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Superholding Corporation [Member]	'	'	'
Cash	'	61,786	'
Other current assets	'	69,051	'
Fixed assets	'	4,629	'
Goodwill	'	321,128	'
Purchased customer accounts	'	99,675	'
Non-compete agreements	'	100	'
Other assets	'	1	'
Total assets acquired	'	556,370	'
Other current liabilities	'	-107,579	'
Deferred income taxes, net	'	-26,488	'
Total liabilities assumed	'	-134,067	'
Net assets acquired	'	422,303	'
Insurcorp & GGM Investments LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	180	'
Fixed assets	'	25	'
Goodwill	'	14,745	'
Purchased customer accounts	'	6,490	'
Non-compete agreements	'	22	'
Total assets acquired	'	21,462	'
Other current liabilities	'	-118	'
Total liabilities assumed	'	-118	'
Net assets acquired	'	21,344	'
Richard W. Endlar Insurance Agency, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	305	'
Fixed assets	'	25	'
Goodwill	'	8,044	'
Purchased customer accounts	'	5,230	'
Non-compete agreements	'	11	'
Total assets acquired	'	13,615	'
Other current liabilities	'	-192	'
Total liabilities assumed	'	-192	'
Net assets acquired	'	13,423	'
Texas Security General Insurance Agency, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	1,866	'
Fixed assets	'	45	'
Goodwill	'	10,845	'
Purchased customer accounts	'	6,229	'
Non-compete agreements	'	14	'
Total assets acquired	'	18,999	'
Other current liabilities	'	-187	'
Total liabilities assumed	'	-187	'
Net assets acquired	'	18,812	'
Behnke & Associates, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Fixed assets	'	25	'
Goodwill	'	6,430	'
Purchased customer accounts	'	3,843	'
Non-compete agreements	'	41	'
Total assets acquired	'	10,339	'
Net assets acquired	'	10,339	'
Rowlands & Barranca Agency, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Fixed assets	'	30	'
Goodwill	'	8,363	'
Purchased customer accounts	'	3,367	'
Non-compete agreements	'	21	'
Total assets acquired	'	11,781	'
Other current liabilities	'	-635	'
Total liabilities assumed	'	-635	'
Net assets acquired	'	11,146	'
Other Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Cash	'	'	'
Other current assets	1,573	422	1,059
Fixed assets	24	158	65
Goodwill	5,696	21,085	18,465
Purchased customer accounts	5,623	13,112	13,746
Non-compete agreements	76	243	187
Other assets	1	'	2
Total assets acquired	12,993	35,020	33,524
Other current liabilities	-194	-1,477	-867
Deferred income taxes, net	'	'	'
Other liabilities	'	'	'
Total liabilities assumed	-194	-1,477	-867
Net assets acquired	12,799	33,543	32,657
The Rollins Agency, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Cash	'	'	'
Other current assets	393	'	'
Fixed assets	30	'	'
Goodwill	12,697	'	'
Purchased customer accounts	3,878	'	'
Non-compete agreements	31	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'
Total assets acquired	17,029	'	'
Other current liabilities	-866	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	'	'	'
Other liabilities	'	'	'
Total liabilities assumed	-866	'	'
Net assets acquired	16,163	'	'
Beecher Carlson Holdings, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Cash	40,360	'	'
Other current assets	57,632	'	'
Fixed assets	1,786	'	'
Goodwill	265,174	'	'
Purchased customer accounts	101,565	'	'
Non-compete agreements	2,758	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'
Total assets acquired	469,275	'	'
Other current liabilities	-80,090	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	-22,764	'	'
Other liabilities	-2,165	'	'
Total liabilities assumed	-105,019	'	'
Net assets acquired	364,256	'	'
ICA, Inc.[Member]	'	'	'
Cash	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	'	'
Fixed assets	75	'	'
Goodwill	12,377	'	'
Purchased customer accounts	7,917	'	'
Non-compete agreements	21	'	'
Other assets	107	'	'
Total assets acquired	20,497	'	'
Other current liabilities	'	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	'	'	'
Other liabilities	'	'	'
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	'
Net assets acquired	20,497	'	'
Balcos Insurance, Inc., Et Al [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	'	187
Fixed assets	'	'	20
Goodwill	'	'	6,486
Purchased customer accounts	'	'	3,530
Non-compete agreements	'	'	42
Total assets acquired	'	'	10,265
Other current liabilities	'	'	-59
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	-59
Net assets acquired	'	'	10,206
Associated Insurance Service, Inc., Et Al [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	'	252
Fixed assets	'	'	100
Goodwill	'	'	9,055
Purchased customer accounts	'	'	4,086
Non-compete agreements	'	'	92
Total assets acquired	'	'	13,585
Other current liabilities	'	'	-10
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	-10
Net assets acquired	'	'	13,575
United Benefit Services Insurance Agency, Et Al [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	'	438
Fixed assets	'	'	20
Goodwill	'	'	10,049
Purchased customer accounts	'	'	7,045
Non-compete agreements	'	'	45
Other assets	'	'	4
Total assets acquired	'	'	17,601
Other current liabilities	'	'	-728
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	-728
Net assets acquired	'	'	16,873
First Horizon Insurance Group, Inc. et al. [Member]	'	'	'
Cash	'	'	5,170
Other current assets	'	'	1,640
Fixed assets	'	'	134
Goodwill	'	'	15,254
Purchased customer accounts	'	'	8,088
Non-compete agreements	'	'	10
Other assets	'	'	9
Total assets acquired	'	'	30,305
Other current liabilities	'	'	-3,790
Deferred income taxes, net	'	'	-1,455
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	-5,245
Net assets acquired	'	'	25,060
Fitzharris Agency, Inc. et al. [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	'	77
Fixed assets	'	'	60
Goodwill	'	'	7,244
Purchased customer accounts	'	'	3,351
Non-compete agreements	'	'	21
Total assets acquired	'	'	10,753
Other current liabilities	'	'	-3,706
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	-3,706
Net assets acquired	'	'	7,047
Corporate Benefit Consultants, LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	'	227
Fixed assets	'	'	6
Goodwill	'	'	6,738
Purchased customer accounts	'	'	4,046
Non-compete agreements	'	'	21
Total assets acquired	'	'	11,038
Net assets acquired	'	'	11,038
Sitzmann, Morris & Lavis Insurance Agency, Inc. et al. [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	'	1,372
Fixed assets	'	'	465
Goodwill	'	'	31,601
Purchased customer accounts	'	'	13,995
Non-compete agreements	'	'	42
Other assets	'	'	4
Total assets acquired	'	'	47,479
Other current liabilities	'	'	-791
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	-791
Net assets acquired	'	'	46,688
Snapper Shuler Kenner, Inc. et al. [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	'	247
Fixed assets	'	'	45
Goodwill	'	'	5,818
Purchased customer accounts	'	'	2,726
Non-compete agreements	'	'	12
Total assets acquired	'	'	8,848
Other current liabilities	'	'	-37
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	-37
Net assets acquired	'	'	8,811
Industry Consulting Group, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	'	336
Fixed assets	'	'	100
Goodwill	'	'	9,564
Purchased customer accounts	'	'	7,161
Non-compete agreements	'	'	11
Other assets	'	'	5
Total assets acquired	'	'	17,177
Other current liabilities	'	'	-1,096
Other liabilities	'	'	-3,071
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	-4,167
Net assets acquired	'	'	13,010
Colonial Claims Corporation et al. [Member]	'	'	'
Fixed assets	'	'	60
Goodwill	'	'	8,070
Purchased customer accounts	'	'	6,094
Non-compete agreements	'	'	23
Total assets acquired	'	'	14,247
Other current liabilities	'	'	-49
Total liabilities assumed	'	'	-49
Net assets acquired	'	'	$14,198

Results_of_Operations_Detail

Results of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
				2011 Acquisitions [Member]	2011 Acquisitions [Member]	2013 Acquisitions [Member]	2013 Acquisitions [Member]	2012 Acquisitions [Member]	2012 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	'	'	'	$1,058,142	$1,059,857	$1,439,918	$1,329,262	$1,230,408	$1,163,341
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	283,404	291,944	373,175	329,291	315,051	313,706
Net income	'	'	'	$171,805	$177,464	$226,562	$198,826	$190,228	$190,174
Net income per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	'	'	'	$1.20	$1.25	$1.57	$1.39	$1.33	$1.33
Diluted	'	'	'	$1.19	$1.23	$1.55	$1.36	$1.30	$1.31
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	141,033	139,364	138,582	138,582	137,924	141,033	139,634	139,364	138,582
Diluted	142,624	142,010	140,264	140,264	139,318	142,624	142,010	142,010	140,264

Additions_Payments_and_Net_Cha

Additions, Payments, and Net Changes, as well as Interest Expense Accretion on Estimated Acquisition Earn-Out Payables (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$52,987	$47,715	$29,608
Additions to estimated acquisition earn-out payables	5,816	21,479	30,525
Payments for estimated acquisition earn-out payables	-18,278	-17,625	-10,212
Subtotal	40,525	51,569	49,921
Change in fair value on estimated acquisition earn-out payables	570	-1,051	-4,043
Interest expense accretion	1,963	2,469	1,837
Net change in earnings from estimated acquisition earn-out payables	2,533	1,418	-2,206
Ending balance	$43,058	$52,987	$47,715

Changes_in_Carrying_Value_of_G

Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	$1,711,514	$1,323,469
Goodwill of acquired businesses	296,817	393,547
Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	-2,158	-5,502
Ending balance	2,006,173	1,711,514
Retail [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	876,219	823,573
Goodwill of acquired businesses	257,196	58,148
Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	-2,158	-5,502
Ending balance	1,131,257	876,219
National Programs [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	439,180	149,802
Goodwill of acquired businesses	27,964	289,378
Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	'	'
Ending balance	467,144	439,180
Wholesale Brokerage [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	288,054	273,783
Goodwill of acquired businesses	-812	14,271
Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	'	'
Ending balance	287,242	288,054
Services [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	108,061	76,311
Goodwill of acquired businesses	12,469	31,750
Goodwill disposed of relating to sales of businesses	'	'
Ending balance	$120,530	$108,061

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets_1

Amortizable Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	$1,148,834	$1,030,351
Accumulated Amortization	-529,946	-463,813
Net Carrying Value	618,888	566,538
Purchased customer accounts [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	1,120,719	1,005,031
Accumulated Amortization	-505,137	-439,623
Net Carrying Value	615,582	565,408
Weighted Average Life (years)	'14 years 10 months 24 days	'14 years 10 months 24 days
Non-compete agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	28,115	25,320
Accumulated Amortization	-24,809	-24,190
Net Carrying Value	$3,306	$1,130
Weighted Average Life (years)	'7 years	'7 years 2 months 12 days

Amortizable_Intangible_Assets_2

Amortizable Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets	$67,932,000	$63,573,000	$54,755,000
Amortization expense estimated, year one (2014)	71,306,000	'	'
Amortization expense estimated, year two (2015)	70,017,000	'	'
Amortization expense estimated, year three (2016)	65,479,000	'	'
Amortization expense estimated, year four (2017)	62,767,000	'	'
Amortization expense estimated, year five (2018)	$57,442,000	'	'

Summary_of_Investments_Detail

Summary of Investments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Certificates of deposit and other securities, Current	$10,624	$8,183
Certificates of deposit and other securities, Non-Current	$16	$16

Summary_of_Proceeds_and_Realiz

Summary of Proceeds and Realized Gains/(Losses) on Equity Securities and Certificates of Deposit (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Proceeds	$15,662	$10,654	$12,950
Gross Realized Gains	'	13	124
Gross Realized Losses	'	'	'

Fixed_Assets_Detail

Fixed Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	$149,170	$141,844
Leasehold improvements	21,231	18,889
Land, buildings and improvements	3,815	3,902
Total cost	174,216	164,635
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-99,483	-90,298
Total	$74,733	$74,337

Fixed_Assets_Additional_Inform

Fixed Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization expense for fixed assets	$17,485	$15,373	$12,392

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Lia2

Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued bonuses	$70,272,000	$12,668,000
Accrued compensation and benefits	35,145,000	19,943,000
Accrued rent and vendor expenses	19,235,000	16,972,000
Reserve for policy cancellations	8,010,000	7,174,000
Accrued interest	3,324,000	3,295,000
Other	21,414,000	19,541,000
Total	$157,400,000	$79,593,000

LongTerm_Debt_Instrument_Detai

Long-Term Debt Instrument (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Unsecured Senior Notes	$480,000	$450,000
Acquisition notes payable	'	93
Revolving credit facility	'	'
Total debt	480,000	450,093
Less current portion	-100,000	-93
Long-term debt	$380,000	$450,000

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 12, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 09, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 09, 2012

Jan. 09, 2012

Jan. 09, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 12, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Oct. 12, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

JPM Term Loan [Member]

Sun Trust Term Loan [Member]

Sun Trust Term Loan [Member]

JPM Bridge Facility [Member]

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. [Member]

Sun Trust Revolver [Member]

Sun Trust Revolver [Member]

Wells Fargo Revolver [Member]

Wells Fargo Revolver [Member]

Bank Of America Loan Term Loan [Member]

Bank Of America Loan Term Loan [Member]

Private Placement [Member]

Private Placement [Member]

Private Placement [Member]

Private Placement [Member]

Private Placement [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Master Agreement [Member]

Master Agreement [Member]

Master Agreement [Member]

Master Agreement [Member]

Master Agreement [Member]

New Master Agreement [Member]

New Master Agreement [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Beecher Acquisition [Member]

Beecher Acquisition [Member]

Series A [Member]

Series B [Member]

Senior Notes[Member]

Sun Trust Revolver [Member]

Wells Fargo Revolver [Member]

Bank Of America Loan Term Loan [Member]

Series C [Member]

Series D [Member]

Series E [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unsecured senior notes outstanding

'

$480,000,000

$450,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000,000

$100,000,000

$100,000,000

$100,000,000

$200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$150,000,000

$150,000,000

$25,000,000

$25,000,000

$100,000,000

'

$0

'

'

Debt instrument, issuance date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Sep-04

15-Jul-04

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22-Dec-06

1-Feb-08

15-Sep-11

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.57%

6.08%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.66%

5.37%

4.50%

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Dec-16

'

31-Dec-16

'

'

'

15-Sep-11

15-Jul-14

'

'

'

31-Dec-16

'

'

'

'

22-Dec-16

15-Jan-15

15-Sep-18

'

'

'

'

Notes redeemed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum shelf facility capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

125,000,000

'

'

'

Length of the issuance period of long-term debt (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

Long-term debt maturity, period length, maximum (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Maturity dates, not to exceed ten years

'

'

'

'

'

'Maturity dates, not to exceed ten years

'

'

Lending commitment amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Potential maximum increase in lending commitment amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving credit facility in the maximum principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000,000

'

'

'

100,000,000

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reduction in maximum principal amount

'

31,863,000

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving credit facility, extended maturity date

3-Jun-13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving and term loan

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

100,000,000

'

50,000,000

50,000,000

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in revolving credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letter of credit usage fee, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

1.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Letter of credit usage fee, maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.40%

'

1.40%

1.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LIBOR below base rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Availability fees, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.18%

'

0.18%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Availability fees, maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate, maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.40%

'

1.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjusted LIBOR Rate

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving line of credit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving and term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000,000

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revolving credit facility remaining amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest margin

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30-day LIBOR Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.16%

0.16%

30-day Adjusted LIBOR Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.19%

0.19%

Interest paid

'

16,501,000

16,090,000

15,571,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long term debt 2014

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long term debt 2015

'

25,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long term debt 2016

'

255,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long term debt 2017

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturities of long term debt 2018 and beyond

'

$100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Significant_Components_of_Prov

Significant Components of Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current, Federal	$94,007	$75,522	$65,461
Current, State	13,438	11,852	10,084
Current, Foreign	805	669	638
Total current provision	108,250	88,043	76,183
Deferred, Federal	28,469	27,348	27,212
Deferred, State	3,723	5,375	3,131
Deferred, Foreign	55	'	'
Total deferred provision	32,247	32,723	30,343
Total tax provision	$140,497	$120,766	$106,526

Reconciliation_of_Differences_

Reconciliation of Differences Between Effective Tax Rate and Federal Statutory Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Federal statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	3.50%	4.30%	3.50%
Non-deductible employee stock purchase plan expense	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%
Non-deductible meals and entertainment	0.30%	0.30%	0.30%
Other, net	0.20%	-0.30%	0.30%
Effective tax rate	39.30%	39.60%	39.40%

Significant_Components_of_Curr

Significant Components of Current Deferred Tax Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred profit-sharing contingent commissions	$9,713	$9,490
Net operating loss carryforwards	8,408	5,786
Accruals and reserves	11,155	9,132
Total current deferred tax assets	$29,276	$24,408

Significant_Components_of_NonC

Significant Components of Non-Current Deferred Tax Liabilities and Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Fixed assets	$11,651	$12,427
Intangible assets	306,009	245,020
Total non-current deferred tax liabilities	317,660	257,447
Deferred compensation	22,598	13,576
Net operating loss carryforwards	3,843	6,658
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	-485	-417
Total non-current deferred tax assets	25,956	19,817
Net non-current deferred tax liability	$291,704	$237,630

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Income taxes paid	$110,191,000	$80,622,000	$75,403,000	'
Range of expiration dates for portions of net operating loss carryforwards	'2014 through 2033	'	'	'
Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	121,000	79,000	'	'
Total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect effective tax rate	391,000	294,000	806,000	656,000
Beginning of Range [Member] | Colorado [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2008	'	'	'
Beginning of Range [Member] | OREGON [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2009	'	'	'
Beginning of Range [Member] | MICHIGAN [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2009	'	'	'
End of Range [Member] | Colorado [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2011	'	'	'
End of Range [Member] | OREGON [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2012	'	'	'
End of Range [Member] | MICHIGAN [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2011	'	'	'
Federal Income Tax [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	22,135,000	'	'	'
Federal Income Tax [Member] | Beginning of Range [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2011	'	'	'
Federal Income Tax [Member] | End of Range [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2013	'	'	'
State Income Tax [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	$94,561,000	'	'	'
State Income Tax [Member] | Beginning of Range [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2008	'	'	'
State Income Tax [Member] | End of Range [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2013	'	'	'
United Kingdom [Member] | Beginning of Range [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2012	'	'	'
United Kingdom [Member] | End of Range [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fiscal years open for audit	'2013	'	'	'

Reconciliation_of_Beginning_an

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits beginning balance	$294	$806	$656
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years	232	222	257
Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years	'	-409	'
Settlements	-135	-325	-107
Unrecognized tax benefits ending balance	$391	$294	$806

Employee_Savings_Plan_Addition

Employee Savings Plan - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of days of service required for employee to participate	'30 days	'	'
Employer contributions to plan, maximum percentage	2.50%	'	'
Discretionary profit-sharing contribution percentage for each past three years based on employee's compensation	1.50%	'	'
Employer contributions to the plan	$14,819,000	$14,266,000	$11,866,000

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Aug. 31, 2012

Jul. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2011

Jul. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2010

Jul. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Apr. 28, 2010

Apr. 28, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 28, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 21, 2000

Dec. 31, 2013

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Performance Stock Plan [Member]

Performance Stock Plan [Member]

Performance Stock Plan [Member]

Performance Stock Plan [Member]

Performance Stock Plan [Member]

Performance Stock Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Stock Incentive Plan [Member]

Incentive Stock Option Plan [Member]

Incentive Stock Option Plan [Member]

Incentive Stock Option Plan [Member]

Incentive Stock Option Plan [Member]

H

Powell Brown [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Decus [Member]

Decus [Member]

Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Superholding Corporation [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum number of shares available to be granted under PSP

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Incremental increases in 20-trading-day average stock price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of years of continuous employment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'20 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Attainment age

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Attainment of age 64

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Grant of shares made under plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,549,882

'

'

187,040

'

'

'

'

'

3,719,974

'

'

187,040

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

814,545

'

'

'

'

Initial stock prices, minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Initial stock prices, maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$25.68

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares not meeting first condition for vesting

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,435

1,296,517

1,586,543

'

2,400,335

'

3,119,903

'

'

5,610,384

3,119,903

2,440,649

153,796

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares met the first condition for vesting and awarded

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,295,852

2,394,505

3,345,269

'

3,391,519

'

37,408

'

'

995,717

37,408

37,408

38,449

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares distributed to the participants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,178,595

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair market value of PSP grants

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,729,000

$23,034,000

$2,384,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares available for issuance under the SIP

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,046,768

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vesting period, (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'1 year

Expected term of options granted (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Grants made to Decus employees under the SIP sub-plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,375,892

'

'

'

'

'

'

24,670

5,205

'

'

'

'

'

Shares issued to Board of Directors as part of their annual compensation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,610

12,627

11,682

0

36,919

36,919

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares granted to Board of Directors as part of their annual compensation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of granted shares vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

891,399

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares available for future grants or for future subscription

'

'

'

1,246,838

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,207,098

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares reserved for grants with PSP-type vesting conditions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

318,134

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares available for issuance or authorized shares

'

'

'

12,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of hours worked per week by employees

'

'

'

20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum percentage of allotment through payroll deductions

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Allotted value, maximum, to purchase Company stock

'

'

'

25,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subscription Period, beginning

'

'

'

'August 1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subscription Period, ending

'

'

'

'July 31

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock price, percentage

'

'

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quoted market price of Company's stock

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Value of a one-year stock option, percentage

'

'

'

85.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of an ESPP share option

'

'

'

'

$8.36

'

'

$5.84

'

'

$4.27

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issued shares of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

487,672

'

'

562,748

'

'

488,052

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate purchase price of issued common stock

'

'

'

10,456,000

'

'

9,302,000

'

'

8,048,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate purchase price per share of issued common stock

'

'

'

$21.44

'

'

$16.53

'

'

$16.49

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares of common stock subscribed

'

'

'

222,526

'

'

246,164

'

'

230,481

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,800,000

'

Proceeds by participants

'

'

'

5,937,000

'

'

5,278,000

'

'

3,810,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pre-tax income annual percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

ISOP expiry date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Dec-08

'

'

'

Accelerated vesting period (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 years

'

'3 years

Options expire period (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

1,558,000

5,780,000

333,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation expense

$133,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation expense, weighted-average period (in years)

'6 years 10 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Summary_of_Performance_Stock_P

Summary of Performance Stock Plan Activity (Detail) (Performance Stock Plan [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Performance Stock Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding beginning balance	$8.72	$8.08	$7.32
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Awarded	$10.25	$8.09	$9.56
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	$4.01	$3.29	$6.01
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$8.73	$13.06	$9.48
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding ending balance	$8.62	$8.72	$8.08
Granted Shares	'	'	'
Granted Shares, Outstanding beginning balance	3,691,022	4,931,812	5,791,854
Granted Shares, Granted	'	'	'
Granted Shares, Awarded	'	'	'
Granted Shares, Vested	-119,364	-877,224	-106,490
Granted Shares, Forfeited	-1,200,371	-363,566	-753,552
Granted Shares, Outstanding ending balance	2,371,287	3,691,022	4,931,812
Awarded Shares	'	'	'
Awarded Shares, Outstanding beginning balance	2,394,505	3,345,269	3,391,519
Awarded Shares, Granted	'	'	'
Awarded Shares, Awarded	122,021	7,743	447,154
Awarded Shares, Vested	-119,364	-877,224	-106,490
Awarded Shares, Forfeited	-101,310	-81,283	-386,914
Awarded Shares, Outstanding ending balance	2,295,852	2,394,505	3,345,269
Shares Not Yet Awarded	'	'	'
Shares Not Yet Awarded, Outstanding beginning balance	1,296,517	1,586,543	2,400,335
Shares Not Yet Awarded, Granted	'	'	'
Shares Not Yet Awarded, Awarded	-122,021	-7,743	-447,154
Shares Not Yet Awarded, Forfeited	-1,099,061	-282,283	-366,638
Shares Not Yet Awarded, Outstanding ending balance	75,435	1,296,517	1,586,543

Summary_of_Stock_Incentive_Pla

Summary of Stock Incentive Plan Activity (Detail) (Stock Incentive Plan [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding beginning balance	$22.91	$23.06	$12.62
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted	$31.95	$22.59	$23.94
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Awarded	$30.71	'	$11.41
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited	$23.88	$23.62	$23.94
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value, Outstanding ending balance	$27.96	$22.91	$23.06
Granted Shares	'	'	'
Granted Shares, Outstanding beginning balance	3,157,311	2,478,057	192,245
Granted Shares, Granted	3,719,974	814,545	2,375,892
Granted Shares, Awarded	'	'	'
Granted Shares, Vested	'	'	'
Granted Shares, Forfeited	-271,184	-135,291	-90,080
Granted Shares, Outstanding ending balance	6,606,101	3,157,311	2,478,057
Awarded Shares	'	'	'
Awarded Shares, Outstanding beginning balance	37,408	37,408	38,449
Awarded Shares, Granted	'	'	'
Awarded Shares, Awarded	966,215	'	-1,041
Awarded Shares, Vested	'	'	'
Awarded Shares, Forfeited	-7,906	'	'
Awarded Shares, Outstanding ending balance	995,717	37,408	37,408
Shares Not Yet Awarded	'	'	'
Shares Not Yet Awarded, Outstanding beginning balance	3,119,903	2,440,649	153,796
Shares Not Yet Awarded, Granted	3,719,974	814,545	2,375,892
Shares Not Yet Awarded, Awarded	-966,215	'	1,041
Shares Not Yet Awarded, Forfeited	-263,278	-135,291	-90,080
Shares Not Yet Awarded, Outstanding ending balance	5,610,384	3,119,903	2,440,649

Summary_of_Stock_Option_Activi

Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Shares Under Option	'	'	'	'
Shares Under Option, Outstanding Beginning Balance	738,792	1,384,537	1,875,170	'
Shares Under Option, Granted	'	'	'	'
Shares Under Option, Exercised	-115,847	-645,745	-52,589	'
Shares Under Option, Forfeited	'	'	-438,044	'
Shares Under Option, Expired	'	'	'	'
Shares Under Option, Outstanding Ending Balance	622,945	738,792	1,384,537	1,875,170
Shares Under Option, Ending vested and expected to vest	622,945	'	'	'
Shares Under Option, Exercisable	422,945	162,792	396,985	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Beginning Balance	$18.39	$17.58	$17.53	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted	'	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised	$17.56	$16.64	$18.48	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Forfeited	'	'	$17.28	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Expired	'	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Ending Balance	$18.55	$18.39	$17.58	$17.53
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Ending vested and expected to vest	$18.55	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercisable	$18.48	$17.82	$18.16	'
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term	'	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding	'4 years 1 month 6 days	'4 years 10 months 24 days	'4 years 4 months 24 days	'5 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Ending vested and expected to vest	'4 years 1 month 6 days	'	'	'
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	'4 years 2 months 12 days	'4 years	'5 years 4 months 24 days	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding Beginning Balance	$8,891	$14,587	$17,147	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding Ending balance	7,289	8,891	14,587	17,147
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending vested and expected to vest	7,289	'	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$5,460	$1,243	$1,774	'

Summary_of_Stock_Option_Outsta

Summary of Stock Option Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number Outstanding	622,945	738,792	1,384,537	1,875,170
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'4 years 1 month 6 days	'4 years 10 months 24 days	'4 years 4 months 24 days	'5 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$18.55	$18.39	$17.58	$17.53
Number Exercisable	422,945	162,792	396,985	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$18.48	$17.82	$18.16	'
22.06 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exercise Price	$22.06	'	'	'
Number Outstanding	12,000	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'1 year	'	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.06	'	'	'
Number Exercisable	'	'	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.06	'	'	'
18.48 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Exercise Price	$18.48	'	'	'
Number Outstanding	610,945	'	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	'4 years 2 months 12 days	'	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$18.48	'	'	'
Number Exercisable	422,945	'	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price	$18.48	'	'	'

NonCash_StockBased_Compensatio

Non-Cash Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	$22,603	$15,865	$11,194
Stock Incentive Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	15,934	9,288	5,320
Performance Stock Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	2,310	2,612	2,661
Incentive Stock Option Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	821	1,109	1,087
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Non-cash stock-based compensation expense	$3,538	$2,856	$2,126

Significant_NonCash_Investing_

Significant Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Other payable issued for purchased customer accounts	$1,425	$25,439	'
Notes payable issued or assumed for purchased customer accounts	'	59	1,603
Estimated acquisition earn-out payables and related charges	5,091	21,479	30,525
Notes received on the sale of fixed assets and customer accounts	$1,108	$967	$8,166

Aggregate_Future_Minimum_Lease

Aggregate Future Minimum Lease Payments under all Non-cancelable Lease Agreements (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$34,972
2015	31,386
2016	27,830
2017	22,209
2018	16,015
Thereafter	42,074
Total minimum future lease payments	$174,486

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Rental expense	$42,992,000	$39,810,000	$34,951,000

Quarterly_Operating_Results_De

Quarterly Operating Results (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$343,165	$359,310	$325,792	$335,012	$302,830	$303,800	$290,916	$302,486	$1,363,279	$1,200,032	$1,013,542
Total expenses	266,723	263,855	239,571	235,521	233,603	222,151	219,771	219,696	1,005,670	895,221	743,021
Income before income taxes	76,442	95,455	86,221	99,491	69,227	81,649	71,145	82,790	357,609	304,811	270,521
Net income	$47,225	$57,749	$52,007	$60,131	$42,637	$49,504	$42,471	$49,433	$217,112	$184,045	$163,995
Net income per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.32	$0.40	$0.36	$0.42	$0.30	$0.34	$0.30	$0.34	$1.50	$1.28	$1.15
Diluted	$0.32	$0.39	$0.36	$0.41	$0.29	$0.34	$0.29	$0.34	$1.48	$1.26	$1.13

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
									Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4	'	'
Total revenues	$343,165	$359,310	$325,792	$335,012	$302,830	$303,800	$290,916	$302,486	$1,363,279	$1,200,032	$1,013,542
London Operation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$12,200	$9,700	$9,100

Summarized_Financial_Informati

Summarized Financial Information Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$343,165	$359,310	$325,792	$335,012	$302,830	$303,800	$290,916	$302,486	$1,363,279	$1,200,032	$1,013,542
Investment income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	638	797	1,267
Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	67,932	63,573	54,755
Depreciation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	17,485	15,373	12,392
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,440	16,097	14,132
Income before income taxes	76,442	95,455	86,221	99,491	69,227	81,649	71,145	82,790	357,609	304,811	270,521
Total assets	3,649,508	'	'	'	3,128,058	'	'	'	3,649,508	3,128,058	2,607,011
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,366	24,028	13,608
Operating Segments [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	728,324	644,429	607,199
Investment income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	82	108	102
Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	38,052	34,639	33,373
Depreciation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,847	5,181	5,046
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	34,407	26,641	27,688
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	166,316	145,214	137,807
Total assets	2,992,087	'	'	'	2,420,759	'	'	'	2,992,087	2,420,759	2,155,413
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,847	5,732	6,102
Operating Segments [Member] | National Programs [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	292,130	252,943	164,427
Investment income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	19	20	'
Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14,593	13,936	7,770
Depreciation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,399	4,600	2,937
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	24,014	25,674	1,381
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	58,379	51,491	60,465
Total assets	1,335,911	'	'	'	1,183,191	'	'	'	1,335,911	1,183,191	680,251
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,743	9,633	1,968
Operating Segments [Member] | Wholesale Brokerage [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	209,907	183,565	174,158
Investment income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22	22	34
Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,550	11,280	11,032
Depreciation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,794	2,718	2,594
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,565	3,974	7,495
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	53,822	43,355	36,511
Total assets	927,825	'	'	'	837,364	'	'	'	927,825	837,364	712,212
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,931	3,383	2,658
Operating Segments [Member] | Services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	131,489	116,736	65,972
Investment income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1	1	128
Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,698	3,680	2,541
Depreciation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,623	1,278	590
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,321	8,602	5,746
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	24,518	16,770	7,729
Total assets	277,652	'	'	'	238,430	'	'	'	277,652	238,430	166,060
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,811	2,519	689
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,429	2,359	1,786
Investment income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	514	646	1,003
Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	39	38	39
Depreciation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,822	1,596	1,225
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-51,867	-48,794	-28,178
Income before income taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	54,574	47,981	28,009
Total assets	-1,883,967	'	'	'	-1,551,686	'	'	'	-1,883,967	-1,551,686	-1,106,925
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,034	$2,761	$2,191

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 15, 2014	Jan. 15, 2014	Jan. 15, 2014	Jan. 15, 2014
				Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
				Wright Insurance Group, LLC [Member]	Wright Insurance Group, LLC [Member]	Wright Insurance Group, LLC [Member]	Wright Insurance Group, LLC [Member]
					Programs Business [Member]	Wright National Flood Insurance Company [Member]	WNFIC Statutory Surplus [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Aggregate purchase price of acquisitions	$519,794,000	$667,586,000	$214,822,000	$602,500,000	'	'	'
Cash payment for acquisition	408,072,000	483,933,000	167,444,000	'	587,500,000	7,500,000	7,500,000
Additional consideration in cash	'	'	'	$37,500,000	'	'	'