-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 0tncbwp0kxXNcYEjw6ZcrA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000356130-09-000017.txt : 20090305
<SEC-HEADER>0000356130-09-000017.hdr.sgml : 20090305
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090305095733
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000356130-09-000017
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090303
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090305
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090305

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:		5153452902

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		717 MULBERRY STREET
		CITY:			DES MOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50309

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PRATHER CARLA A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001220777

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10956
		FILM NUMBER:		09657512

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7190 N.E. BERWICK DR
		CITY:			ANKENY
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			50221
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5152802789

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7190 N.E. BERWICK DR
		CITY:			ANKENY
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50221
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-03-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001220777</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PRATHER CARLA A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7190 N.E. BERWICK DR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ANKENY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>50221</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Asst. Vice Pres. &amp; Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option/Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.865</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-03-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-03-03</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2019-03-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The employee stock options (right to buy) were granted in tandem with stock appreciation rights up to 50% of the employee stock options (right to buy).  Exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights must be in conjunction with the exercise of the employee stock options (right to buy).  Accordingly, the exercise of one results in the expiration of the other.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Options vest in five equal annual installments beginning one year after date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Carla A. Prather</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-03-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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