-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 HoQyvFhNyBbrZNYKxIopK60QqcPWH6RDyHGUEafqr1AV73RMPNNSYyORC6HDfv75
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001006427-05-000001.txt : 20050517
<SEC-HEADER>0001006427-05-000001.hdr.sgml : 20050517
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050517142126
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001006427-05-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050517
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050517
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050517

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHIFRIN KENNETH S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001006427
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31434
		FILM NUMBER:		05838227

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5123280888

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15801 CHATEAU
		CITY:			AUSTIN
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78734

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN PHYSICIANS SERVICE GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000724024
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MANAGEMENT SERVICES [8741]
		IRS NUMBER:				751458323
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1301 CAPITAL OF TEXAS HWY
		STREET 2:		C-300
		CITY:			AUSTIN
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78746
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5123280888

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1301 CAPITAL OF TEXAS HIGHWAY
		CITY:			AUTIN
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			78746
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-05-17</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000724024</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AMERICAN PHYSICIANS SERVICE GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>amph</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001006427</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHIFRIN KENNETH S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>15801 CHATEAU</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AUSTIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>78734</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman of the Board</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-03-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>508</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.47</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>517649</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Credited pursuant to annual allocations under terms of the APSG, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan.  Information reported herein is based on the latest available participant statement as prepared by the Plan Trustee.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kenneth S. Shifrin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-05-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----