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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 HVLOHuJshkXGr4KfD6vpgQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000814585-04-000055.txt : 20040510
<SEC-HEADER>0000814585-04-000055.hdr.sgml : 20040510
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040510155118
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000814585-04-000055
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040506
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040510

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MBIA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000814585
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURETY INSURANCE [6351]
		IRS NUMBER:				061185706
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CT
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		113 KING ST
		CITY:			ARMONK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10504
		BUSINESS PHONE:		914-273-4545

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		113 KING ST
		CITY:			ARMONK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10504

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CLAPP DAVID C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001029596

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09583
		FILM NUMBER:		04793059

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		160 EAST 72ND ST
		STREET 2:		APT 9
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10021
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2127726899

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		160 EAST 72ND ST
		STREET 2:		APT 9
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10021
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-06</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000814585</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MBIA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MBI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001029596</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CLAPP DAVID C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O MBIA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>113 KING STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ARMONK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10504</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>873</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>57.3</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9633</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Restricted stock award granted May 6, 2004 at price of 57.30 per share subject to 10 year cliff vesting, no vesting until 10 year anniversary of grant, on May 6, 2014 entire grant of restricted stock vests.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>LEONARD I. CHUBINSKY AS ATTORNEY IN FACT</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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