-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Lh/AoExwRWwUW48rW+bMCfxnzybx/GQ0Q0QKAlXe3i9uHgc9jPlB4SPmapbUQwas
 5qmfLXErwiAuizwzXgu1TQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001227272-03-000001.txt : 20030723
<SEC-HEADER>0001227272-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20030723
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030723163455
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001227272-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030721
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030723

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FINE J ALLEN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000939790

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11774
		FILM NUMBER:		03798670

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		121 NORTH COLUMBIA STREET
		CITY:			CHAPEL HILL
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27514
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9199682200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		121 NORTH COLUMBIA ST
		STREET 2:		INVESTORS TITLE CO
		CITY:			CHAPEL HILL
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			97514

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INVESTORS TITLE CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000720858
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TITLE INSURANCE [6361]
		IRS NUMBER:				561110199
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		121 N COLUMBIA ST
		STREET 2:		P O DRAWER 2687
		CITY:			CHAPEL HILL
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27514
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9199682200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		121 NORTH COLUMBIA STREET
		CITY:			CHAPEL HILL
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27514
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-07-21</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000720858</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INVESTORS TITLE CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ITIC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000939790</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FINE J ALLEN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-21</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>3000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>11</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>A</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>16459</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>11</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-07-21</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>3000</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>11</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2001-05-09</value>
            <footnoteId id="F2"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2005-05-09</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>3000</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>6000</value>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person also indirectly owns 151,099 shares of Investors Title Company common stock through an LLP and 95,000 shares of Investors Title Company common stock through a FLP and disclaims beneficial ownership in these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Grant to reporting person of option to buy 15,000 shares of common stock exercisable in annual increments of 3,000 shares beginning May 9, 2001, the first anniversary date of the grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>J. Allen Fine</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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