Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
People classed as Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Interest ratings put Conventional on top at 5.4 out of 7 and Realistic second, so the code is CRE and the day leans toward orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. The preparation level is medium preparation, typically one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree. O*NET’s skill data points to writing, speaking, and reading comprehension as the ones to build. One core duty is to evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident. People who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.
What they 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.
Main tasks
- 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.
- Determine salvage value on total-loss vehicle.
Skills
- Writing
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
Who this career fits
May suit you if
- You like clear rules and getting the details right.
- You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
- You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
- You are comfortable relying on writing and speaking.
May not suit you if
- You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
- You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.2 out of 7 here.
- You need to start within a few months, with no training period.
Interest profile
O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CRE takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.
Preparation
Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.
Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Some College Courses. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Also called
- Appraiser
- Automobile Appraiser (Auto Appraiser)
- Automobile Damage Appraiser (Auto Damage Appraiser)
- Damage Appraiser
- Field Appraiser
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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.