-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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>0001129787-04-000069.txt : 20040702
<SEC-HEADER>0001129787-04-000069.hdr.sgml : 20040702
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040702144015
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001129787-04-000069
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040630
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040702

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:			KAMIN PETER H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000937541
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19594
		FILM NUMBER:		04899343

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		40 BRIARCLIFF RD
		CITY:			LONGMEADOW
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01106
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6179605570

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO INTERNATIONAL PLACE, 25TH FLOOR
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110

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:		04899342

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		435 PACIFIC AVENUE
		STREET 2:		FOURTH FLOOR
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94133
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4153623700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		435 PACIFIC AVENUE
		STREET 2:		FOURTH FLOOR
		CITY:			SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94133
</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>2004-06-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000937541</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KAMIN PETER H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TWO INTERNATIONAL PLACE, 25TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02110</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001129787</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VA PARTNERS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>435 PACIFIC AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>FOURTH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Director Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-06-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-09-30</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-06-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>24000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options granted under 2003 Stock Incentive Plan.  The options to buy shares of Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. will become exercisable in 25% increments on 09/30/04, 12/31/04, 03/31/05 and 06/30/05.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Column 8 is not a required reportable field.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Under an agreement with ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P., Peter H. Kamin is deemed to hold the options for the benefit of ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P., ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P. and ValueAct Capital International, Ltd. and indirectly for VA Partners, LLC as general partner of ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P. and ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P. as the investment adviser of ValueAct Capital International, Ltd.  Peter H. Kamin is a chairman of the board of Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc and Managing Member of VA Partners, LLC.  Jeffrey W. Ubben and George F. Hamel are Managing Members of VA Partners, LLC, the General Partner of ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P. and ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P. and investment adviser of ValueAct Capital International, Ltd. The reporting persons disclaim beneficial ownership of the reported options except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>Joint Filer Information

Name: ValueAct Capital Partners, L.P.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: Peter H. Kamin
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.
Date of Event Requiring Statement: June 30, 2004

Name: ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: Peter H. Kamin
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.
Date of Event Requiring Statement: June 30, 2004

Name: ValueAct Capital International, Ltd.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: Peter H. Kamin
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.
Date of Event Requiring Statement: June 30, 2004

Name: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: Peter H. Kamin
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.
Date of Event Requiring Statement: June 30, 2004

Name: George F. Hamel, Jr.
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: Peter H. Kamin
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.
Date of Event Requiring Statement: June 30, 2004

Name: Jeffrey W. Ubben
Address: 435 Pacific Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA  94133
Designated Filer: Peter H. Kamin
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.
Date of Event Requiring Statement: June 30, 2004</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Peter H. Kamin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <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>2004-07-02</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>2004-07-02</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>2004-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VA PARTNERS, L.L.C. By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Ubben</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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