-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BhygJ1/kuaLyiJO3pM9Chik5twWAFy0Y3DDcCT1qC22KgizUCkPwNxNkt1zi8m8m
 F5Uiylm/F6va5mWZu/whWw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000079282-11-000002.txt : 20110103
<SEC-HEADER>0000079282-11-000002.hdr.sgml : 20101231
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110103165213
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000079282-11-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20101229
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110103
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110103

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOWNS LINDA S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001206301

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13619
		FILM NUMBER:		11502328

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		509 FLORIDA ST
		CITY:			ORLANDO
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			32806

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>2010-12-29</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001206301</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOWNS LINDA S</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>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr. Executive VP</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5411</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18.48</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>404997</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $.10 par value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>43470</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.12</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>146650</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>15.78</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2013-03-23</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-03-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>108226</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>108226</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.48</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-12-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5411</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>18.48</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-11-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-02-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>22000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>16589</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Options</value>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>18.48</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2017-11-26</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-02-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>88000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>88000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Number of shares may reflect reinvested dividends.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares were withheld by the Company solely to cover the income tax withholding requirements associated with the vesting of 120,000 shares of restricted stock under the Company's Performance Stock Plan (the &quot;PSP&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These securities were granted pursuant to the Company's PSP.  Based on the satisfaction of conditions established pursuant to the PSP, the Reporting Person has voting rights and dividend entitlement with respect to a portion of these shares based on the satisfaction of certain performance-based criteria, but full ownership will not vest until the satisfaction of additional conditions.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Granted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors pursuant to the Company's 2000 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">These options vest and become exercisable on 11/26/17 unless accelerated based on satisfaction of conditions established pursuant to the Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>LAUREL L. GRAMMIG FOR LINDA S. DOWNS PER POWER OF ATTORNEY</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-01-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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