Career Overview
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
- Appraiser
- Automobile Appraiser (Auto Appraiser)
- Automobile Damage Appraiser (Auto Damage Appraiser)
- Material Damage Appraiser
Alternate Job Titles
- 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)
- Automobile Damage Appraiser (Auto Damage Appraiser)
- Automobile Damage Estimator (Auto Damage Estimator)
- Automobile Damage Field Appraiser (Auto Damage Field Appraiser)
- Automotive Body Shop Estimator (Auto Body Shop Estimator)
- Automotive Claims Adjuster (Auto Claims Adjuster)
- Automotive Estimatics Inspector (Auto Estimatics Inspector)
- Automotive Estimator (Auto Estimator)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities 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.
- Determine salvage value on total-loss vehicle.
- Arrange to have damage appraised by another appraiser to resolve disagreement with shop on repair cost.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Writing
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Inductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Self-Confidence
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Some College Courses
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: 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.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- 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
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Frequency of Decision Making
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $56,690 |
| Median | $76,650 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $101,800 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 7,790
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $85,750
Automotive Body and Related Repairers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $51,680
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Education: 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)
Median Salary: $49,670
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Automotive Engineering Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $68,730
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.