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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179762-04-000001.txt : 20040123
<SEC-HEADER>0001179762-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040123
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040123132255
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179762-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040123

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BROWN & BROWN INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000079282
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411]
		IRS NUMBER:				590864469
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			FL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		220 S RIDGEWOOD AVE
		CITY:			DAYTONA BEACH
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			32114
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9042529601

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		220 S RIDGEWOOD AVENUE
		CITY:			DAYTONA BEACH
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			32114

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	POE & BROWN INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930827

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	POE & ASSOCIATES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DONEGAN THOMAS M JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001179762

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13619
		FILM NUMBER:		04539957

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10716 MOSS ISLAND DR
		CITY:			RIVERVIEW
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33569
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8132224123

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10716 MOSS ISLAND DR
		CITY:			RIVERVIEW
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33569
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000079282</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BROWN &amp; BROWN INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>bro</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001179762</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DONEGAN THOMAS M JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>401 E. JACKSON ST., STE. 1700</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TAMPA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33602</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President and</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-08-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>175</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>25.2705</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>466</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2135</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Stock Performance Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>193</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Acquired through the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan and jointly owned with Reporting Person's Spouse.  Number of shares may reflect reinvested dividends.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These securities were granted pursuant to the Company's Stock Performance Plan based upon the satisfaction of conditions contained in that Plan.  The recipient has voting rights and dividend entitlement with respect to these shares, but full ownership will not vest until the satisfaction of additional conditions.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Based upon information supplied as of 12/31/03 by the Plan's recordkeeper.  Number of shares varies periodically based on contributions to the plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>THOMAS M. DONEGAN, JR.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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