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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 H2Gl0D0lofJq0pXEfCtddgVW+hs+/TMoj55A7r4/jrHpK1dDQ2kRLggJtvNBEs23
 4i0hjqSnCaQN1g6Wmwu+6A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001189738-04-000035.txt : 20041008
<SEC-HEADER>0001189738-04-000035.hdr.sgml : 20041008
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041008151500
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001189738-04-000035
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041006
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041008
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041008

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KERLEY SIDNEY L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001197835

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19594
		FILM NUMBER:		041072110

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

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-06</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001197835</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KERLEY SIDNEY L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>TWO WESTBROOK CORPORATE CENTER,STE 500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WESTCHESTER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60154</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>V.P. &amp; General Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.50</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>17.50</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-10-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>30000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Options granted under 2003 Stock Incentive Plan.  The option to buy shares of Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. will become exercisable in 25% increments annually over four (4) years.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sidney L. Kerley</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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