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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

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. At that date, 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 $6,396,000 and $5,559,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, 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 are received, or when officially notified of the amount of such commissions. 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 ("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

Equity securities held by Brown & Brown have been classified as "available-for-sale" and are reported at estimated fair value, with the accumulated other comprehensive income (unrealized gains and losses), net of related income tax effect, reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in value below cost that are judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are reflected in investment income. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Equity securities and certificates of deposit 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 at least an annual assessment, and more frequently in the presence of certain circumstances, for impairment by applying a fair value-based test. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives and are subject to an impairment review based on an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset. 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 and amortization ("EBITDA"). Brown & Brown completed its most recent annual assessment as of November 30, 2011 and determined that the fair value of goodwill and amortizable intangible assets substantially exceed the carrying value of such assets. In addition, as of December 31, 2011, 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 intangibles attributable to each business or asset group comprising Brown & Brown is periodically reviewed by management to determine if the facts and circumstances suggest they may be impaired. In the insurance agency and wholesale brokerage industry, it is common for agencies or customer accounts to be acquired at a price determined as a multiple of either their corresponding revenues or EBITDA. Accordingly, Brown & Brown assesses the carrying value of its 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 intangible assets be adjusted; however, no impairments have been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.

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 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 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. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the impact of outstanding options to purchase 12,000 shares of common stock, in each period, was anti-dilutive; these shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share. 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)	2011			2010			2009
Net income	$	163,995		$	161,752		$	153,294
Net income attributable to unvested awarded performance stock		(5,099	)		(5,097	)		(4,937	)

Net income attributable to common shares	$	158,896		$	156,655		$	148,357

Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding		143,029			142,412			141,738
Less unvested awarded performance stock included in weighted average basic share outstanding		(4,447	)		(4,488	)		(4,565	)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share		138,582			137,924			137,173
Dilutive effect of stock options		1,682			1,394			334

Weighted average number of shares outstanding		140,264			139,318			137,507

Net income per share:
Basic	$	1.15		$	1.14		$	1.08

Diluted	$	1.13		$	1.12		$	1.08

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, 2011 and 2010, 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, 2011 and 2010 since 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 determine the accounting of 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.