-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 NuLwwc5c/QOC8smbtBIA0d54iMS5F+lX5c8CIW5BAyXFhLNm1GfOKPDQ3e3RR2xK
 NMetnwsz+gKc9inIgqjkIA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000793547-09-000010.txt : 20090310
<SEC-HEADER>0000793547-09-000010.hdr.sgml : 20090310
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090310185528
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000793547-09-000010
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090306
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090310
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090310

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Keller Jane E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001297060

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-15886
		FILM NUMBER:		09670888

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		914-933-6076

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC.
		STREET 2:		ONE PENN PLAZA
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10119

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NAVIGATORS GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000793547
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				133138397
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE PENN PLAZA
		STREET 2:		55TH FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10119
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2122442333

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE PENN PLAZA 55TH FL
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10119
</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>2009-03-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000793547</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NAVIGATORS GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NAVG</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001297060</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Keller Jane E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>THE NAVIGATORS GROUP, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE PENN PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10119</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>SVP &amp; Chief Claims Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-03-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>8000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>52.08</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11872</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-03-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1537</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>52.08</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11872</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares vest in three equal installments on February 25, 2012, February 25, 2013 and February 25, 2014, subject to the Reporting Person's continued employment and the Issuer's performance over time.  The number of shares that vest on such dates may increase or decrease based on such performance.  Until such installments vest, the Reporting Person does not have voting or dispositive control over these shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted stock vesting 25% per year beginning 2/25/2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Excludes nonvested shares of restricted stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jane E. Keller</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-03-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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