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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,
 Vu93fPHOrErK75E5MWC1UXNlrrqlOj5SE7q5FCq4GVqfs7I29mRycefkQn5fE7LQ
 O2Wy8A6w7MxD6WPbtUWV7A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001129787-03-000151.txt : 20031114
<SEC-HEADER>0001129787-03-000151.hdr.sgml : 20031114
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031114171556
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001129787-03-000151
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031112
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031114

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BOURELL TODD F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001269126

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19594
		FILM NUMBER:		031005928

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE INTERNATIONAL PLACE
		STREET 2:		STE 2401
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110

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>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-11-12</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001269126</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BOURELL TODD F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE INTERNATIONAL PLACE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>STE 2401</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>

    <derivativeTable>

        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Director Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>14.11</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-11-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-12-31</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-11-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>10000</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 12/31/03, 3/31/04, 6/30/04 and 9/31/04.</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., Todd F. Bourell 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.  Todd F. Bourell is a director of Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc and Member of VA Partners, LLC.  Jeffrey W. Ubben, Peter H. Kamin 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: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: Todd F. Bourell
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: November 12, 2003

Name: ValueAct Capital Partners II, L.P.
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: Todd F. Bourell
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: November 12, 2003

Name: ValueAct Capital International, Ltd.
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: Todd F. Bourell
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: November 12, 2003

Name: VA Partners, L.L.C.
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: Todd F. Bourell
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: November 12, 2003

Name: George F. Hamel, Jr.
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: Todd F. Bourell
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: November 12, 2003

Name: Jeffrey W. Ubben
Address: One Maritime Plaza, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94111
Designated Filer: Todd F. Bourell
Issuer and Ticker Symbol: Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAAI)
Date of Event Requiring Statement: November 12, 2003</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Todd F. Bourell</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-14</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>2003-11-14</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>2003-11-14</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>2003-11-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>VA PARTNERS, L.L.C. By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr. Managing Member</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Ubben</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ George F. Hamel, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: /s/ Peter H. Kamin</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

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