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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
0 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 09, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Segment
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Number of reportable segments   4us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments    
Loss on sale of Axiom Re   $ 47,425,000us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1    
Average annual operating profit earned period, minimum (years)   1 year 1 year 1 year
Average annual operating profit earned period, maximum (years)   3 years 3 years 3 years
Fair value of long term debt   650,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue 650,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue  
Short-term notes carrying value   25,000,000us-gaap_ShortTermBorrowings    
Revolving and term loan 50,000,000bro_DebtInstrumentRevolvingAndTermLoan      
Non-compete agreements [Member]        
Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated lives of amortizable intangible assets   6 years 9 months 18 days 7 years  
Minimum [Member]        
Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated useful lives of the related assets   3 years    
Minimum [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]        
Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated lives of amortizable intangible assets   5 years    
Maximum [Member]        
Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated useful lives of the related assets   15 years    
Maximum [Member] | Non-compete agreements [Member]        
Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Estimated lives of amortizable intangible assets   15 years    
J P Morgan Credit Facility [Member]        
Accounting Policies [Line Items]        
Revolving and term loan   $ 550,000,000bro_DebtInstrumentRevolvingAndTermLoan
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= bro_JpmCreditFacilityMember