Occupation

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Human Advantage 68%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.1 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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.

Also Known As: Appraisal Specialist, Appraiser, Auto Body Appraiser, Auto Body Repair Estimator, Auto Collision Estimator, Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser, Automobile Appraiser (Auto Appraiser), Automobile Body Estimator (Auto Body Estimator) +31 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident.
  2. Review repair cost estimates with automobile repair shop to secure agreement on cost of repairs.
  3. Examine damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, or interior damage.
  4. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations.
  5. Estimate parts and labor to repair damage, using standard automotive labor and parts cost manuals and knowledge of automotive repair.
  6. Determine salvage value on total-loss vehicle.
  7. Arrange to have damage appraised by another appraiser to resolve disagreement with shop on repair cost.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Contact vendors to locate replacement parts for vehicles.
  • Discuss insurance claims with customers or damage claimants.
  • Review repair cost estimates and negotiate with automobile repair shops to secure agreement on cost of repairs.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Some College Courses
31%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
29%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
24%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
15%
Bachelor's Degree
1%
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Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word

Software (21)

  • A-T Solutions Easy Street Draw
  • App Software Associations AppTrak.net
  • Cost estimating software
  • Disassembler software
  • Email software
  • Information Services Inc. CCC Pathways Appraisal Solution
  • Meridian Technologies SurePoint
  • Mitchell International Mitchell WorkCenter
  • NCH Software Express Invoice
  • Solera Audatex Estimating
  • Swan River Software Estimiser Pro
  • Vertafore ImageRight
  • Web browser software
  • Web-Est estimating software

Tools & Equipment (11)

  • Compact digital cameras
  • Computer laser printers
  • Desktop computers
  • Electronic digital theodolites
  • Hand calculators
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser facsimile machines"
  • Measure markers
  • Measuring tapes
  • Tablet computers
  • Tire tread depth gauges

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Insurance Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks 94% match
Zone 3
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage You are here
Zone 4
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators 92% match
Zone 5
Mathematicians 74% match

Resume Builder

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Related Occupations

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Real Talk

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