CFChooseField
Business and Finance

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
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Median pay

$76,650
Median annual pay for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-8.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

9,200
Estimated U.S. employment for Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-800
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Writing
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Computers and Electronics
  4. 4Mechanical
  5. 5Administrative
  6. 6Education and Training

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Written Comprehension
  5. 5Written Expression
  6. 6Speech Clarity

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Integrity
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Self-Confidence
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Working with Computers
  2. 2Documenting/Recording Information
  3. 3Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  4. 4Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
  5. 5Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  5. 5Frequency of Decision Making
  6. 6Time Pressure

Representative 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.
  • Arrange to have damage appraised by another appraiser to resolve disagreement with shop on repair cost.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandDisassembler software · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technologyVertafore ImageRightSwan River Software Estimiser ProSolera Audatex EstimatingNCH Software Express Invoice

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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