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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 V6cMbpWjiTCHYfap4vn/xR2snZjSmtCuCguwJHFXlK4RilIq3lSiwZ9gIrLxEhf8
 LUhnL/3n8YZFUa5rJWrALw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000356130-06-000040.txt : 20060502
<SEC-HEADER>0000356130-06-000040.hdr.sgml : 20060502
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060502122934
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000356130-06-000040
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060501
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060502
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060502

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VANEKEREN PHILIP T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001199867

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10956
		FILM NUMBER:		06798279

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 241
		CITY:			MONROE
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50170
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5412592011

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000356130
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				426234555
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 MULBERRY ST
		CITY:			DES MOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50309
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5152802902

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 MULBERRY STREET
		CITY:			DES MOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50309
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-05-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000356130</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>EMCI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001199867</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VANEKEREN PHILIP T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>213 N. BUCHANAN</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 241</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MONROE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>50170</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Director,Emertius-parent co.</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>EMCI Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-05-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>30.38</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>EMCI Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1440</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>VanEkeren Irrevocable Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Philip T. VanEkeren</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-05-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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