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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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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001129787-04-000043.txt : 20040512
<SEC-HEADER>0001129787-04-000043.hdr.sgml : 20040512
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040512161110
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001129787-04-000043
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040510
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040512

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS INC /CA
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000880026
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-MOTOR VEHICLES & MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS & SUPPLIES [5010]
		IRS NUMBER:				953790111
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		850 E ALGONQUIN RD
		STREET 2:		STE 100
		CITY:			SCHAUMGURG
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60173
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8478393939

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		850 E ALGONQUIN RD
		STREET 2:		STE 100
		CITY:			SCHAUMGURG
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60173

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VA PARTNERS LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001129787
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19594
		FILM NUMBER:		04799574

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MARITIME PLAZA
		STREET 2:		STE 1400
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94111
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4153623700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MARITIME PLAZA
		STREET 2:		STE 1400
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94111
</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>2004-05-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000880026</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS INC /CA</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IAAI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001129787</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VA PARTNERS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE MARITIME PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE 1400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94111</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>21700</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>14.89</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2486457</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>59400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>14.94</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2545857</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">As General Partner and Investment Manager of ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P.,
ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P., and ValueAct Capital International, Ltd.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Peter H. Kamin and Todd F. Bourell are directors of Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. These securities are beneficially owned by Jeffrey W. Ubben, George F. Hamel, Jr., and Peter H. Kamin as Managing Members, Principal Owners and Controlling Persons of VA Partners, LLC.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Includes 58,457 shares owned directly by Peter H. Kamin.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Joint Filer Information

Name: ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P.
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: May 10, 2004

Name: ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P.
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: May 10, 2004

Name: ValueAct Capital International, Ltd.
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: May 10, 2004

Name: Jeffrey W. Ubben
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: May 10, 2004

Name: George F. Hamel, Jr.
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: May 10, 2004

Name: Peter H. Kamin
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: May 10, 2004</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P., BY VA PARTNERS, L.L.C., ITS GENERAL PARTNER By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P., BY VA PARTNERS, L.L.C., ITS GENERAL PARTNER By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VALUEACT CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL, LTD., BY VA PARTNERS, L.L.C., ITS INVESTMENT MANAGER By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VA PARTNERS, L.L.C. By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Ubben</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Peter H. Kamin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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