Employee Savings Plan (Details) - USD ($)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Employee Savings Plan [Abstract]

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

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 4.0% of each participant’s annual compensation. Prior to 2014, the Company’s matching contribution was up to 2.5% of each participant’s annual compensation with a discretionary profit-sharing contribution each year, which equaled 1.5% of each eligible employee’s compensation. The Company’s contributions to the plan totaled $19.3 million in 2016, $17.8 million in 2015, and $15.8 million in 2014.

Service Period Eligible to Participate for Employee Savings Plan

$ 30

Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match

4.00%

2.50%

Discretionary Profit Sharing Contribution Percentage of Employees Salary

1.50%

Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer

$ 19,300,000

$ 17,800,000

$ 15,800,000