I come in every day with a plan of what needs to be done, which I do the night before I leave. I greet the customer and find out what they need. I will do an estimate on the damage on their vehicle and even go as far as calling the insurance company about their claim if they need me to. I order the parts and make sure the technicians get what they need to do the repair the correct way. I also close the paperwork and collect the money from the customer.
CAREER
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$62,680
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-5.3% (decline)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage Do
Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.
Other Job Titles Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage May Have
Appraiser, Automobile Appraiser (Auto Appraiser), Automobile Damage Appraiser (Auto Damage Appraiser), Material Damage Appraiser
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident.
- Review repair cost estimates with automobile repair shop to secure agreement on cost of repairs.
- Examine damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, or interior damage.
- Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations.
- Estimate parts and labor to repair damage, using standard automotive labor and parts cost manuals and knowledge of automotive repair.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Some college, no degree (31%)
Some college, no degree
Post-secondary certificate
High school diploma or equivalent
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Associates
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
In this business we have a couple of different companies that offer training that are available through my work. I have many certifications from trainings since 1992. I also have certifications from companies I worked for including Chevrolet, Freightliner and Ford.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
I would suggest to stick to your schooling and not drop out, as that piece of paper is important. I would also suggest to at least go to College to get an Associates Degree. At each step you take you will be eligible to make more money. Business classes which include typing, accounting and computers are extremely helpful no matter what type of job you get. Remember it is important to start from the bottom to move up, as it is easier that way than to start at the top and to fall down.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
