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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014
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 Segment, which provides a broad range of insurance products and services to commercial, public entity, professional and individual customers; the National Programs Segment, acting as a managing general agent (“MGA”), provides professional liability and related package products for certain professionals, flood coverage, targeted products and services designated for specific industries, trade groups, governmental entities and market niches all of which are delivered through nationwide networks of independent agents, and markets; the Wholesale Brokerage Segment, which markets and sells excess and surplus commercial insurance, primarily through independent agents and brokers; and the Services Segment, which provides insurance-related services, including third-party claims administration and comprehensive medical utilization management services in both the workers’ compensation and all-lines liability arenas, as well as Medicare set-aside services, Social Security disability and Medicare benefits advocacy services, and catastrophe claims adjusting services. In addition, as the result of our acquisition of the stock of The Wright Insurance Group, LLC (“Wright”), in May 2014, we own a flood insurance carrier, Wright National Flood Insurance Company (“WNFIC”), that is a Wright subsidiary. This carrier’s business consists of policies written pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”), the program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) and several excess flood insurance policies which are fully reinsured. New Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08 “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” (“ASU 2014-08”) which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and enhances disclosures in this area. Under the new guidance, the disposal of a component or group of components of an entity should be reported as a discontinued operation if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Disposals of equity method investments, or those reported as held-for-sale, must be presented as a discontinued operation if they meet the new definition. The standard is effective prospectively for all disposals of components (or classification of components as held-for-sale) of an entity that occur within interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications of components as held-for-sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued. Brown & Brown has elected to early adopt this pronouncement and has reported a loss on disposal of $47.4 as a result of the sale of Axiom Re, effective December 31, 2014, in accordance with this pronouncement. In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under today’s guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2017 and, at that time the Company may adopt the new standard under the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the method and impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In August 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” (“ASU 2014-15”), which addresses management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect to early adopt this guidance and it believes the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. 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 processed into our systems, whichever is later. Commission revenues related to installment billings are recognized on the later of effective or invoiced, with the exception of our Arrowhead business which follows a policy of recognizing on the later of effective or processed into our systems regardless of the billing arrangement. Management determines the policy cancellation reserve based upon historical cancellation experience adjusted in accordance with known circumstances. Subsequent commission adjustments are recognized upon our receipt of notification from insurance companies concerning matters necessitating such adjustments. Profit-sharing contingent commissions are recognized when determinable, which is when such commissions are received from insurance companies, or when we receive formal notification of the amount of such payments. Fee revenues and commissions for workers’ compensation programs are 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, where allowed by state law, 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. During 2014 additional investments were included with the acquisition of Wright. These investments include U.S. Government, Municipal, domestic corporate and foreign corporate bonds as well as short-duration fixed income funds. Investments within the portfolio or funds are held as available for sale and are carried at their fair value. Any gain/loss applicable from the fair value change is recorded as other comprehensive income under the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet. Gains or losses recognized in earnings from the investments are included in investment income in the consolidated statements of income. 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 All of our business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 are accounted for using the purchase method. 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 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 the fair value of earn-out obligations are 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 contained 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 this estimate 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 estimates 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. 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 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, 2014 and determined that the fair value of goodwill exceeded the carrying value of such assets. In addition, as of December 31, 2014, there are no accumulated impairment losses. 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. There were no impairments recorded for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. 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 the 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) |  | 2014 |  |  | 2013 |  |  | 2012 |
Net income |  | $ | 206,896 |  |  | $ | 217,112 |  |  | $ | 184,045 |
Net income attributable to unvested awarded performance stock |  |  | (5,186 | ) |  |  | (5,446 | ) |  |  | (5,313 | )
Net income attributable to common shares |  | $ | 201,710 |  |  | $ | 211,666 |  |  | $ | 178,732 |
Weighted average basic number of common shares outstanding |  |  | 144,568 |  |  |  | 144,662 |  |  |  | 143,507 |
Less unvested awarded performance stock included in weighted average basic share outstanding |  |  | (3,624 | ) |  |  | (3,629 | ) |  |  | (4,143 | )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for basic earnings per common share |  |  | 140,944 |  |  |  | 141,033 |  |  |  | 139,364 |
Dilutive effect of stock options |  |  | 1,947 |  |  |  | 1,591 |  |  |  | 2,646 |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding |  |  | 142,891 |  |  |  | 142,624 |  |  |  | 142,010 |
Net income per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 1.43 |  |  | $ | 1.50 |  |  | $ | 1.28 |
Diluted |  | $ | 1.41 |  |  | $ | 1.48 |  |  | $ | 1.26 |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of Brown & Brown’s financial assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents; restricted cash and short-term investments; investments; premiums, commissions and fees receivable; reinsurance recoverable; prepaid reinsurance premiums; premiums payable to insurance companies; losses and loss adjustment reserve; unearned premium; premium deposits and credits due customers and accounts payable, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, 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, 2014 and 2013 as our fixed-rate borrowings of $650.0 million approximate their values using market quotes of notes with the similar terms as ours, which we deem a close approximation of current market rates. Of the $650.0 million, $25.0 million is related to short-term notes which approximates its carrying value due to its proximity to maturity. The estimated fair value of the $550.0 million term loan under our J.P. Morgan Credit Facility approximates the carrying value due to the variable interest rate based on adjusted LIBOR. See note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for the fair values related to the establishment of intangible assets and the establishment and adjustment of earn-out payables. See note 5 for information on the fair value of investments and note 8 for information on the fair value of long-term debt. Stock-Based Compensation The Company granted stock options and grants 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. Financial Reporting Related to Insurance Company Operations Reinsurance The Company protects itself from claims related losses by reinsuring all claims related risk exposure. The only line of insurance the Company underwrites is flood insurance associated with Wright. However, all exposure is reinsured with FEMA for basic admitted policies conforming to the National Flood Insurance Program. For excess flood insurance policies, all exposure is reinsured with a reinsurance carrier with an AM Best Company rating of “A” or better. Reinsurance does not legally discharge the ceding insurer from the primary liability for the full amount due under the reinsured policies. Reinsurance premiums, commissions, expense reimbursement and related reserves related to ceded business are accounted for on a basis consistent with the accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of reinsurance contracts. Premiums earned and losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred are reported net of reinsurance amounts. Other underwriting expenses are shown net of earned ceding commission income. The liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums are reported gross of ceded reinsurance recoverable. Balances due from reinsurers on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, including an estimate of such recoverables related to reserves for incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) losses, are reported as assets and are included in reinsurance recoverable even though amounts due on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense are not recoverable from the reinsurer until such losses are paid. The Company does not believe it is exposed to any material credit risk through its reinsurance as the reinsurer is FEMA for basic admitted flood policies and a national reinsurance carrier for excess flood policies, which has an AM Best Company rating of “A” or better. Historically, no amounts due from reinsurance carriers have been written off as uncollectible. Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Reserve Unpaid losses and loss adjustment reserve include amounts determined on individual claims and other estimates based on the past experience of WNFIC and the policyholders for IBNR claims, less anticipated salvage and subrogation recoverable. The methods of making such estimates and for establishing the resulting reserves are continually reviewed and updated, and any adjustments resulting therefrom are reflected in operations currently. WNFIC engages the services of outside actuarial consulting firms (the “Actuaries”) to assist on an annual basis to render an opinion on the sufficiency of the Company’s estimates for unpaid losses and related loss adjustment reserve. The Actuaries utilize both industry experience and the Company’s own experience to develop estimates of those amounts as of year-end. These estimated liabilities are subject to the impact of future changes in claim severity, frequency and other factors. In spite of the variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and related loss adjustment reserve is adequate. Premiums Premiums are recognized as income over the coverage period of the related policies. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written that relate to the unexpired terms of the policies in force and are determined on a daily pro rata basis. The income is recorded to the commissions and fees line of the income statement.

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