Estimator

SUMMARY: Appraises vehicle damage to determine cost of repair for insurance claim settlement. Examines damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, or interior damage. Estimates cost of labor and parts to repair or replace each damaged item. Reviews repair cost estimates with body shop manager or foreman. In the event of a disagreement with manager or foreman on repair cost, arrange to have damage appraised by another appraiser to resolve the situation. Determines feasibility of repair versus replacement of parts, such as bumpers, fenders, and doors. Evaluates practicality of repair as opposed to payment of vehicle market value before accident. Determines salvage value on total vehicle loss. Prepares insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations. Estimates cost of repainting, converting to special purposes, or customizing undamaged vehicles. Review final bill to ensure accuracy. Maintain good working relationships with insurance personnel.

MARGINAL DUTIES: Assists with related special projects as required. Maintains a professional appearance and neat work area. Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below 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.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Skills and Abilities:  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employees is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee occasionally required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Must possess and maintain acceptable MVR insurability standards. Must pass applicable background and drug screenings.