Claims Appraiser - Property

Wawanesa Insurance; Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company is seeking a Claims Appraiser to inspect, estimate and manage property damage claims for homeowners, farm and commercial losses. Daily travel is required, with a hybrid work model supporting in-office and remote work.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in property field adjusting and strong knowledge of estimating software. English communication is essential; bilingual proficiency is a plus. Competitive compensation and benefits accompany the role.

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in property field adjusting.
• Experience creating/analysing property repair estimates.
• Knowledge of Xactware estimating software.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, evaluate and write homeowner, farm or commercial loss estimates.
• Communicate with insureds, contractors and adjusters to ensure complete estimates.
• Estimate value of salvage and liaise with repair vendors.
• Schedule and manage inspection appointments at multiple locations.
• Maintain accurate records in the claims system.
• Assist in complex claims and provide guidance on property damage losses.

Skills

Effective communication

Negotiation

Tools

Xactware Estimating Software

Job description

Employment Type: Existing Role

Work Environment: We offer a hybrid work environment that offers flexibility to our employees in balancing in-office (2 days per week OR 15 hours per week in a Wawanesa office) and remote work. You may work from any of the following locations: Winnipeg, MB; Wawanesa, MB; Vancouver, BC; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB; Lethbridge, AB; Toronto (North York), ON; Kitchener, ON; Ottawa, ON; Montreal, QC; Moncton, NB; Dartmouth; NS.

Working Business Language: English. This role requires regular interaction with customers in Quebec region where the primary business language utilized is English. As such, the successful candidate must be fully proficient in English.

Salary: At Wawanesa, salary is only one component of a holistic, comprehensive and competitive offering that we provide to our employees. In addition to salary, full-time and part-time permanent employees are eligible for an annual bonus plan, leave of absence top-up programs and provided with generous vacation time, personal days, premium free benefits and pension plan.

The salary offered for this role is determined with consideration to various factors, including but not limited to: your work location, local labour market conditions, external market salary data, internal pay equity and the knowledge, skills, experience and anticipated proficiency in the role. The salary offered is estimated to be within the following range: $65,000 - $80,000. Candidates with salary expectations outside of the range are still encouraged to apply.

About The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company Founded in 1896, The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company is one of Canada’s largest mutual insurers, fully owned by its more than 1.8 million members. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Wawanesa is the parent company of WSI™, a specialty insurer delivering tailored solutions built around unique needs; Wawanesa Life, a provider of life insurance products; and Western Financial Group, a leading national distributor of personal and commercial insurance. Wawanesa is committed to helping communities thrive in a changing world. The company invests more than $4 million annually in charitable initiatives, including $2.5 million each year to support people and communities on the front lines of climate change. Learn more at wawanesa.com.

We are currently seeking dedicated, driven, and enthusiastic individuals who thrive in a dynamic environment, embrace change, and are eager to gain diverse experience while advancing their careers as part of a growing team.

Job Overview

The Claims Appraiser contributes to Wawanesa’s goal of delivering an exceptional and consistent claims service experience through the inspection and estimation of property damage and/or property damage claims including market value calculations. Daily travel is required.

Job Responsibilities

• Inspect, evaluate and write appraisal estimates pertaining to the physical damage of homeowner, farm or commercial losses using estimating software.
• Communicate with insureds, contractors and adjusters as required to ensure accurate and complete estimates.
• Estimate the value of homeowner, farm or commercial salvage.
• Establish and maintain business relationship with independent repair contractors/vendor.
• Assist adjusting personnel when necessary by providing expert advice on property damage losses.
• Assist in resolving issues that arise in regards to estimates.
• Manage timely and efficient inspection appointments at various locations.
• Perform re‑inspections as assigned.
• Maintain accurate records based on company standards and policies within the claims system.
• Supplement the National Catastrophe Team as required for Corporate Catastrophe Response in any region.
• Remain up‑to‑date with legislative changes, trends in the insurance industry, estimating practices and developments in property repair procedures and materials.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Homeowners, Farm & Commercial:

• 3+ years’ experience property field adjusting, with knowledge and experience in the creation/analysis of property repair estimates, or 2+ years’ experience as a building restoration estimator, or similar and related experience..
• Strong knowledge of and ability to use Xactware Estimating Software.

All:

• Effective communication skills both oral and written.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, changing environment.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Position requires the ability to lift up to 15 lbs. on a daily basis.
• Position requires medium mobility at appraisal locations to include frequent bending and crouching to ground level, inside tight spaces, climbing ladders and periods of upward viewing and stretching to perform.
• comprehensive estimates with photographs.
• A valid driver license is required, along with maintaining a clean driving record. Position requires frequent extended periods of sitting behind the wheel of a company vehicle.

Diversity Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

At Wawanesa, we are committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) and believe that our strength lies in the diversity of our people – this is supported by having a representative workforce.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, including racialized persons, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, gender-diverse and neurodiverse individuals, and anyone who can contribute to the further diversification of thought and ideas.

We aim to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all candidates. If you require accommodations during any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out in confidence to [e-mail].

All Wawanesa job applicants are subject to Wawanesa's Privacy Policy https://www.wawanesa.com/canada/pip/employee-privacy-policy.

Please note that the recruitment process for this position may involve the use of AI tools to screen, assess, or select applicants. All final decisions are taken or reviewed by human recruiters and human hiring leaders in compliance with all applicable legislation.