AUTO APPRAISER JOB DESCRIPTION

Accurate vehicle damage valuation is a precise discipline. Auto Appraisers in P&C insurance determine repair cost estimates against state-regulated guidelines and company indemnity standards - two frameworks that frequently pull in different directions. Errors here flow directly into claim severity figures and reserve adequacy. This role owns the physical and virtual inspection process for automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and specialty equipment, operating within a DRP and independent appraiser network where the individual's judgment sets the standard others reference.

As the Auto Appraiser, you own the end-to-end damage assessment process for auto physical damage claims, translating inspection findings into defensible cost estimates that balance policyholder fairness with company guidelines. You work within a claims organization alongside Claims Advisors and field appraisers, with your output informing total loss determinations, salvage branding decisions, and indemnity reserves.

Career Impact: Experience handling high-complexity total loss evaluations and state-regulated appraisals builds the kind of technical credibility that supports advancement into senior appraiser or claims supervisory roles within P&C carriers.

Business Impact: The estimates and valuations produced in this role directly determine claim reserve accuracy and whether vehicles are restored to pre-loss condition at a cost that is fair to both the policyholder and the insurer.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to DRP oversight, independent appraiser review, and multi-vehicle-class assessments expands an appraiser's scope well beyond standard collision work, increasing market value across regional and national carriers.

• Conduct virtual and physical inspections of damaged vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and specialty equipment.
• Prepare written repair cost estimates applying state regulations and company indemnity guidelines with independent judgment.
• Negotiate repair figures with vendors and customers to reach cost-effective outcomes within company parameters.
• Process total loss evaluations, determine actual cash values, and complete government salvage branding documentation.
• Perform supplemental inspections to assess damage identified during active repair cycles.
• Review and audit estimates completed by DRP shops or independent appraisers for accuracy and compliance.
• Assist Claims Advisors with appraisal explanations and damage-related problem resolution for customers.
• Document all appraisal activity accurately in the claims management system to maintain a defensible claim record.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of auto appraisal or automotive-related experience, with demonstrated competency in damage assessment.
• Working knowledge of state insurance regulations and company guidelines governing repair cost appraisals.
• Ability to assess vehicle repairability, identify damage scope, and estimate time requirements for multi-vehicle classes.
• Proficiency with collision estimating methodology, including interpretation of parts, labor, and refinish calculations.
• Strong negotiation skills applicable to both internal claim teams and external repair vendors or customers.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for documenting estimates and explaining appraisal decisions.
• Organizational ability to manage concurrent assignments, meet deadlines, and adapt to shifting workload priorities.

• State appraiser license (such as MA Appraiser) or active pursuit of licensure in relevant jurisdictions.
• ICAR Platinum certification or equivalent recognized industry credential.
• Experience reviewing DRP shop estimates or auditing independent appraiser assignments for compliance and accuracy.
• Familiarity with salvage branding processes and government total loss documentation requirements.

• Estimate accuracy rate, measured against final settled claim amounts across appraised vehicles.
• Supplement cycle time, tracking how quickly additional damage is documented after discovery during repair.
• Total loss determination accuracy, reflecting correct actual cash value calculations relative to market benchmarks.
• Assignment completion rate within SLA windows, measured across concurrent virtual and field inspection queues.
• DRP audit pass rate, reflecting how often reviewed estimates meet company and regulatory standards without revision.
• Typical tools: collision estimating platforms (commonly CCC One, Mitchell, or Audatex); claims management systems.

• Base Salary Range: $55,000–$80,000 annually, depending on seniority and state licensure.
• Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus, typically 5–10% of base salary.
• Equity: Generally not offered at this level in P&C insurance operations.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution varies by carrier size.
• PTO: 15–20 days annually, plus standard holidays.
• Common Perks: Mileage reimbursement for field inspections; continuing education support for licensure maintenance.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should notify the hiring team. A background check is required as a condition of employment. All candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Inside Auto Appraiser owns the full appraisal process for damaged vehicles ranging from automobiles and motorcycles to motor homes and specialty equipment, conducting virtual inspections and preparing cost estimates in accordance with Company guidelines and State regulations. Working alongside DRP shops and independent appraisers, the Inside Auto Appraiser delivers timely, documented damage assessments that support accurate claim resolution and cost-effective repair outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform virtual inspections of vehicle damage as part of claim adjusting process, including high complex claims with minimal oversight.
• Prepare written repair cost estimates, applying Company guidelines and State regulations and exercising independent judgement when warranted.
• Negotiate cost-effective repair figures according to Company guidelines and State regulations.
• Perform timely supplemental virtual inspections of additional damage discovered in the course of repair.
• Process total loss estimates and evaluations through virtual inspections and determine actual case values for total loss vehicles.
• Compare loss description to estimate of damages.
• Perform physical inspections at a drive-in location or in the field occasionally as required.
• Assist with reviews on assignments completed by DRP or IAs as required.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree preferred.
• MA Appraiser license is a bonus.
• Have 1–3 years of automotive-related and/or appraisal experience.
• Possess familiarity with one or more collision estimating systems such as CCC, Mitchell, or Audatex.
• Demonstrate strong customer service skills and the ability to negotiate skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups.
• Show willingness to adapt to new or changing situations, requirements, or priorities, and flexibility with work scheduling as business needs demand.

Embedded within the claims organization, the Claims Auto Appraiser produces vehicle damage appraisals, manages indemnity and severity, and negotiates repair estimates with vendors to restore vehicles to pre-loss condition. Working closely with Claims Advisors and external repair partners, the Claims Auto Appraiser ensures that evaluations are reasonable, fair, and compliant with total loss and salvage branding requirements.

Core Functions

• Review estimates from vendors, recommend opportunities, and negotiate changes.
• Inspect vehicles, prepare estimates, and complete damage appraisals.
• Complete government salvage branding forms and total loss evaluations.
• Assist Claims Advisors with estimate explanations, appraisal problem solving, and other damage and repair appraisals with customers.
• Manage indemnity and severity, ensuring estimates are reasonable and fair to restore vehicles to pre-loss condition.
• Perform field work on an as-needed basis.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience as an auto appraiser required.
• ICAR Platinum certification preferred.
• Possess comprehensive knowledge of automobile repair procedures and the ability to identify damages, judge repairability, and assess time requirements.
• Have strong technical understanding of Audatex estimating, car design, and systems.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service, organizational, and time management skills, and the ability to work well under pressure with minimal supervision.

Reporting to local claims leadership, the Auto Appraiser Coordinator shapes assignment distribution for Auto Physical Damage claims across field appraisers and independent contractors, balancing workloads and ensuring compliance with claim strategies across dedicated territories. Partnering with internal staff and external appraisers throughout the day, the Auto Appraiser Coordinator enables optimal productivity by coordinating scheduling, tracking pending appraisals, and directing information accurately into the claims management system.

Primary Duties

• Assign Auto Physical Damage claims to appropriate field appraisers and independents, including Mendota and Legacy St. Paul claims.
• Proactively follow up on pending appraisals for assignment, upload, and status, maintaining contact with and tracking appraisers throughout the day.
• Coordinate scheduling, alert and assign appraisers to new assignments in given territories, and balance daily workloads to achieve optimal productivity.
• Manage assignments within dedicated territories, including Independent Appraisers, ensuring compliance with claim strategies.
• Accurately input information into claim system and direct information in real-time to appropriate system or staff.
• Provide superior customer service to internal and external customers consistently.
• Identify opportunities to remap or realign territories and communicate proposals to local leadership.
• Document changes to assignments in file notes and perform other duties as assigned.

Skills & Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED with one year of work or customer service experience, or Bachelor's Degree required; Associate's or Bachelor's Degree with 2 years of related experience preferred.
• Some claims experience preferred.
• Demonstrate ability to determine geographic locations, including map reading.
• Possess strong keyboard skills and PC experience in Windows environments, including Microsoft Word, Excel, email, web-enabled applications, and database software.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing, with strong telephone skills and customer focus.
• Prioritize, problem solve, manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work both independently and as part of a team, with strong detail orientation and sense of urgency.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; negotiate and manage conflict effectively, and adapt flexibly to rotating shifts including evenings and weekends.