-----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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 aXgX0ETe03jPe2wfzoHbTQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000079282-09-000023.txt : 20090423
<SEC-HEADER>0000079282-09-000023.hdr.sgml : 20090423
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090423165005
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000079282-09-000023
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090423
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090423
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090423

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BROWN HYATT J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001168820

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13619
		FILM NUMBER:		09767087

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		213 RIVERSIDE DRIVE
		CITY:			ORMOND BEACH
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			32176

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:		PO BOX 1348
		CITY:			TAMPA
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33601
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8132224182

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 1348
		CITY:			TAMPA
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33601

	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
</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>2009-04-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001168820</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BROWN HYATT J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>220 S RIDGEWOOD AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DAYTONA BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>32114</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-04-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>54000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18.2984</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>54000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>IRA</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>34369</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>21436328</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Limited Partnership</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Owned jointly with spouse.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>LAUREL L GRAMMIG FOR J HYATT BROWN PER POWER OF ATTORNEY</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-04-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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