UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 17, 2004 --------------- EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Iowa 0-10956 42-623455 - ------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 717 Mulberry Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309 - --------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code) (515) 280-2902 ---------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure On August 17, 2004 EMC Insurance Group Inc. issued the following press release: EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. DECLARES 91st CONSECUTIVE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND DES MOINES, Iowa (August 17, 2004) - The Board of Directors of EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Nasdaq/NM:EMCI) has declared a quarterly dividend of fifteen (15) cents per share of common stock payable September 3, 2004 to shareholders of record as of August 27, 2004. This is the ninety-first consecutive quarterly dividend paid since EMC Insurance Group Inc. became a publicly held company in February 1982. EMC Insurance Group Inc., the publicly-held insurance holding company of EMC Insurance Companies, owns subsidiaries with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. EMC Insurance Companies is one of the largest property and casualty entities in Iowa and among the top 60 insurance entities nationwide. For more information, visit our website www.emcinsurance.com. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides issuers the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any forward-looking statement contained in this report is based on management's current expectations and actual results of the Company may differ materially from such expectations. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include but are not limited to the following: catastrophic events and the occurrence of significant severe weather conditions; state and federal legislation and regulations; rate competition; changes in interest rates and the performance of financial markets; the adequacy of loss and settlement expense reserves, including asbestos and environmental claims; rate agency actions and other risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company's business. When we use the words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate" or similar expressions, we intend to identify forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. Registrant /s/ Bruce G. Kelley ------------------------- Bruce G. Kelley President & Chief Executive Officer /s/ Mark E. Reese ------------------------- Mark E. Reese, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer August 17, 2004