Aggregate proceeds received by the entity during the annual period from exercises of stock or unit options and conversion of similar instruments granted under equity-based payment arrangements.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total recognized tax benefit related to compensation cost for equity-based payment arrangements recognized in income during the period.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Disclosure of the aggregate tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options and the conversion of similar instruments during the annual period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationTaxBenefitRealizedFromExerciseOfStockOptions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The discount rate from market value on purchase date that participants pay for shares.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardDiscountFromMarketPricePurchaseDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(2)(i)-(ii)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(2)(b)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph b(2)(a)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The total fair value of equity-based awards for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The highest percentage of annual salary that an employee is permitted to utilize with respect to the plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 65

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMaximumEmployeeSubscriptionRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net number of share options (or share units) granted during the period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of exercisable share options (fully vested and expected to vest) that may be converted as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of share instruments newly issued under a share-based compensation plan.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardSharesIssuedInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of the estimated period of time over which an employee may exercise the vested nonqualified stock option granted. This period may be explicit or implicit based on the terms of the award, and may be presented in a variety of ways (for example, year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter of a year).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrsk_NonqualifiedStockOptionContractualTerm
Namespace Prefix:	vrsk_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the total grant date fair value of employee stock options vested for the respective period. Employee stock options carry the right, but not the obligation, to buy a certain amount of shares in an entity at a predetermined price. An employee stock option is slightly different from a regular exchange-traded option because it is not generally traded on an exchange, and there is no put component. Furthermore, employees typically must wait a specified vesting period before being allowed to exercise the option.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrsk_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageAggregateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	vrsk_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, including stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrsk_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionVestedAndExpectedToVestOutstandingNumber
Namespace Prefix:	vrsk_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the maximum amount of payroll deduction from an employee's salary which could be authorized under an entity's employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrsk_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPayrollDeductionsAmountMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	vrsk_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the maximum percentage of payroll deduction from short-term incentive compensation which could be authorized under an entity's employee stock purchase plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrsk_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPercentageOfShortTermIncentiveCompensationAvailableForPayrollDeductionsMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	vrsk_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

As of the balance-sheet date, the aggregate unrecognized cost of share-based awards made to employees and non-employees under share-based compensation plans that have yet to vest.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	vrsk_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the discount price per share offered to employees who participate in the ESPP Plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	vrsk_ValueOfCommonStockIssuedToEmployeesPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	vrsk_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Equity Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Restricted Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Restricted Stock [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Deferred stock units [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Stock Options [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Employee stock purchase plan [Member]	Apr. 01, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member] Key Employee [Member]	Apr. 01, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member] Restricted Stock [Member]	Apr. 01, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member] Deferred stock units [Member] Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Cash received from stock option exercised	$ 12,455	$ 14,589
Common stock reserved	5,733,463
Nonqualified stock options granted								804,726		20,445
Restricted stock granted									208,881
Nonqualified stock options contractual term	10 years
Nonqualified stock options, service vesting period			4 years		1 year	4 years
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised	16,706	29,705
Realized tax benefit from stock options exercised	36,128	0
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements	31,495
Unrecognized compensation cost weighted average period	2 years 3 months 15 days
Nonvested stock option	3,329,389
Nonvested stock option			276,931	331,013
Stock option expected to vest	2,824,338		208,371
Total fair value of options vested	4,530	4,989
Grant date fair value restricted stock vested	961	305
Authorized payroll deductions on base salary	20.00%
Maximum payroll deductions on short-term incentive compensation	50.00%
Maximum amount of payroll deductions	$ 25
Purchase discount	5.00%
Common stock, shares issued							7,032
Common stock issued, discounted price	$ 58.54