-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HChhhgWGo++R6qRTWXu4axi2hEjr2AWz82RSCwMEblC7N7uy6buSELvK3pnVelyg
 ouEutP7uCVQ10FnF04NTgw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000356130-09-000021.txt : 20090305
<SEC-HEADER>0000356130-09-000021.hdr.sgml : 20090305
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090305105228
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000356130-09-000021
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090303
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090305
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090305

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PECK STEVEN C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001281336

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-10956
		FILM NUMBER:		09657685

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2106 PRAIRIE VIEW EAST
		CITY:			AMES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50010

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
</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>0001281336</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PECK STEVEN C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2106 PRAIRIE VIEW EAST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AMES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>50010</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. Vice Pres. - Actuary</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>6000</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>6000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6000</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>Steven C. Peck</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-03-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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