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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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 B5xk8XL5+A2H93W0i2Th3A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001276248-04-000001.txt : 20040121
<SEC-HEADER>0001276248-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040121162454
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001276248-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040120
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LAVEY RICHARD W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001275977

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13754
		FILM NUMBER:		04535399

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORP
		STREET 2:		440 LINCOLN STREET
		CITY:			WORCESTER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01563

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000944695
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE [6331]
		IRS NUMBER:				043263626
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		440 LINCOLN ST
		CITY:			WORCESTER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01653
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5088551000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		440 LINCOLN ST
		CITY:			WORCESTER
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01653
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-01-20</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000944695</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AFC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001275977</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LAVEY RICHARD W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>440 LINCOLN STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WORCESTER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01653</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President of subsidiary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>34.85</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-01-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-01-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>

    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Option to purchase granted under Issuer's Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, which option becomes exercisable at rate of 25% on January 20, 2005, 25% on January 20, 2006 and 50% on January 20, 2007.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Not applicable.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Richard W. Lavey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-01-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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