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Long-Term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Long-Term Debt [Abstract]

NOTE 8· Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt at September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, consisted of the following:


(in thousands)		2011				2010
Unsecured senior notes		$	250,000			$	250,000
Acquisition notes payable			1,745				1,729

Total debt			251,745				251,729
Less current portion			(1,142	)			(1,662	)

Long-term debt		$	250,603			$	250,067

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 bearing 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. Brown & Brown 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 September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, there was an outstanding balance on the Notes of $100.0 million and $200.0 million, respectively.

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 September 30, 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, $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 to retire the Series A Senior Notes. As of September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, there was an outstanding balance under the Master Agreement of $150.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively.

As a result of the Company entering into a Confirmation of Acceptance on January 21, 2011 (the "Confirmation") in connection with the Master Agreement, the Company issued to the Purchaser and certain of the Purchaser's affiliates on September 15, 2011 an aggregate of $100.0 million principal amount of unsecured Series E Senior Notes due September 15, 2018, with a fixed interest rate of 4.5% per year. In accordance with ASC Topic 470 – Debt, the Company classified the related principal balance of the Series A Senior Notes as long-term debt as of December 31, 2010, as the Company had both the intent and ability to refinance the obligation on a long-term basis, as evidenced by the Confirmation.

On June 12, 2008, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement dated as of June 3, 2008 (the "Loan Agreement"), with a national banking institution, amending and restating the existing Revolving Loan Agreement dated September 29, 2003, as amended (the "Revolving Agreement"), to 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 calculation of interest and fees is generally based on the Company's quarterly ratio of funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and non-cash stock-based compensation. Interest is charged at a rate equal to 0.50% to 1.00% above the London Interbank Offering Rate ("LIBOR") or 1.00% below the base rate, each as more fully defined in the Loan Agreement. Fees include an upfront fee, an availability fee of 0.10% to 0.20%, and a letter of credit usage fee of 0.50% to 1.00%. The Loan Agreement contains various covenants, limitations, and events of default customary for similar facilities for similar borrowers. The 90-day LIBOR was 0.374% and 0.300% as of September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, respectively. There were no borrowings against this facility at September 30, 2011, or December 31, 2010.

All of these credit agreements require Brown & Brown to maintain certain financial ratios and comply with certain other covenants. Brown & Brown was in compliance with all such covenants as of September 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010.

Acquisition notes payable represent debt incurred to sellers of certain insurance operations acquired by the Company. These notes and future contingent payments are payable in monthly, quarterly and annual installments through July 2013, including interest at stated rates ranging from 0.0% to 4.0%.