Staff Appraiser

SUMMARY

The Staff Appraiser is primarily responsible for the timely and accurate writing of estimates from reviewing photos submitted by a customer or body shop. The incumbent may also need to speak with customers or shops to review, explain, or negotiate damage estimates to ensure accuracy and observance of our company guidelines. The position is responsible for documenting claim files, tracking activity and reporting any pertinent information related to the claim. There may also be opportunities with minimal fieldwork for vehicle inspections.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluates and assesses damage through the submission of photos provided by vehicle owners, body shop and external appraisers.
• Travels a designated territory inspecting, photographing, and writing estimates when needed.
• Evaluates options, ratings and conditions of vehicles to determine if a vehicle is repairable or a total loss.
• Documents estimates and claim files with the necessary detail explaining the appraisal such as parts choices, damage relation to facts of loss, unrelated prior damage, etc.
• Works with repair facilities on supplements to complete the repairs timely.
• Tracks and makes decisions regarding the duration of rental car for claimant while vehicle is being repaired.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 5-7 years of experience within the insurance industry preferred. 3 years of writing computerized automobile repair estimates.
• Prior experience working remotely a plus.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills are a must.
• Interpersonal skills that include effective negotiation of fair and equitable settlements that meet all recognized industry and company standards.
• Strong working knowledge of collision and comprehensive related auto repairs and estimating.
• Extensive experience creating auto damage appraisals with an emphasis on auto body parts repair, replacement and refinishing is required.
• Additional experience related to the repair or replacement of mechanical, frame, suspension and other related automotive components is necessary.
• ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) and/or ICAR (Interindustry Conference on Automotive Industry Repair) certifications a plus.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills and ability to work successfully from a home office.
• Must be able to provide transparent, detailed work products that are easily comprehended by both internal and external customers.
• Commitment to First Acceptance’s company values Ability to travel to perform essential functions of the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to do manual tasks, which may include the use of hands to finger and handle controls. Tasks may also require the ability to talk or hear. The employee will frequently sit, bend, and reach with hands and arms and is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Other abilities include possessing the capacity to learn, concentrate, think, and read. Oftentimes the employee will be communicating and interacting with others while working.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by anyone authorized to give instructions or assignments.

#LI-REMOTE

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.