Auto Physical Damage Appraiser - Field

AAA Auto Club Enterprises; Culver City (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) + Pension

Tuition assistance

Floating holidays & PTO

Paid parental leave

Wellness programs

Employee discounts

Job summary

AAA Auto Club Enterprises seeks a skilled claims professional to support Auto Physical Damage operations by handling material damage claims for insured policies. You will analyze vehicle damage, help prepare estimates, review costs, and communicate with members, body shops, and claimants about processes and coverage.

The role requires discretion and independent judgment to resolve claims within authority. Catastrophe duties may be required; strong collaboration with internal teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Associates-equivalent education plus experience preferred.
• Vocational-equivalent education plus experience preferred.
• Bachelors-equivalent education plus experience preferred.
• 4–6 years of claims experience preferred.
• 4–6 years estimating experience preferred.
• Advanced understanding of automotive repair and damage assessment.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and CCC Estimating Platform.
• Excellent organization and planning required.
• Excellent oral and written communication required.
• Interpersonal and customer service skills required.
• Judgment/decision making to resolve complex issues.
• Commitment to continuous education.
• Flexibility for catastrophe duty.
• Valid driver’s license and DMV record.
• I-CAR Platinum or ASE certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Utilize inspections to complete accurate estimates compliant with guidelines and laws.
• Communicate with insureds, claimants, repair facilities and staff about processes and coverage.
• Provide documentation to support estimates with photos and descriptions.
• Negotiate within settlement authority to resolve claims.
• Coordinate with internal departments.
• Respond quickly to customer needs and inquiries.
• Assist with catastrophe duties as required.
• Assess damage components to determine policy obligations.
• Investigate facts to distinguish allegations from facts in losses.
• Resolve claim exposures within authority.

Education

Associates-equivalent education/experience

Vocational-equivalent education/experience

Bachelors-equivalent education/experience

Claims experience 4-6 years

Estimating experience 4-6 years

Automotive repair knowledge

Microsoft Office / CCC Estimating Platform

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Judgment/decision making

Continuous education

Catastrophe duty flexibility

Valid driver’s license/DMV

I-CAR/ASE certifications

Tools

CCC Estimating Platform

Job description

Job Summary

This position supports the Auto Physical Damage Operation by providing material damage claims handling for insurance policies written by the Interinsurance Exchange in compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements. The primary functions include analyzing and evaluating vehicle damage to assist in writing estimates, reviewing estimates, validating compliance and determining repair costs. Communication with members, vehicle owners, body shops and others will be required pertaining to repair process and costs. Works within specific limits and authority to resolve claims with well-defined procedures. Work typically includes repairs and total loss estimation of moderate to significant complexity.

Job Summary

This position supports the Auto Physical Damage Operation by providing material damage claims handling for insurance policies written by the Interinsurance Exchange in compliance with all regulatory and statutory requirements. The primary functions include analyzing and evaluating vehicle damage to assist in writing estimates, reviewing estimates, validating compliance and determining repair costs. Communication with members, vehicle owners, body shops and others will be required pertaining to repair process and costs. Works within specific limits and authority to resolve claims with well-defined procedures. Work typically includes repairs and total loss estimation of moderate to significant complexity.

Job Duties

• Utilize physical inspections to complete accurate and thorough estimates for vehicle repair that are compliant with company guidelines, industry standards and applicable laws and regulations. Evaluation will include determining accident related damages and vehicle repairability.
• As part of the estimating process, communicate and interact with a variety of individuals including insureds, claimants, repair facilities, internal claims staff and others. Explain the claim process, repair process, coverage or policy language as applicable. This could be through verbal conversations or in writing, all while in compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Providing clear and concise documentation to support estimated damage via photos and detailed descriptions in claim files on company systems.
• Negotiate within settlement authority to resolve claims. Including dispute resolution regarding repair costs and/or coverage.
• Coordinate with internal departments
• Respond quickly to customer needs and inquiries
• Must be able to assist with Catastrophe duties as required
• This position requires a higher degree of discretion and independent judgment in analysis and problem solving to effectively manage losses. Determine policy obligations by assessing damage components of the loss. Investigate and differentiate between allegations and facts in each loss. Respond quickly and effectively to customer needs and problems.
• Determine policy obligations by assessing the damage from the loss and comparing it to the facts of loss.
• Independently resolve claim exposures within level of authority.

Qualifications

• Associates Equivalent combination of education and experience Preferred
• Vocational Equivalent combination of education and experience Preferred
• Bachelors Equivalent combination of education and experience Preferred
• 4-6 years Claims experience Preferred
• 4-6 years Estimating experience Preferred
• Advanced understanding of automotive repair processes, vehicle systems and damage assessment. Ability to accurately estimate repair costs and a detailed understanding of estimating software platforms.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, general computer software and advanced line of business technical software skills required. (CCC Estimating Platform)
• Excellent organization and planning recognition skills required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required
• Interpersonal skills required
• Customer service experience required
• Judgment/Decision making. Ability to identify and resolve complex issues related to damage assessment and repair cost.
• Commitment to continuous education
• Must be flexible to assist on Catastrophe duty within the extended organization.
• Valid Driver's License, acceptable Department of Motor Vehicles record and minimum liability insurance - Issued by State Required
• Collision Repair & Refinish Certification Tests (B Series) - Automotive Service Excellence Industry certifications such as I-CAR Platinum or ASE Preferred

Remuneration

The starting pay range for this position is: $35.94 - $47.87

Additionally, for full time positions, you will be eligible to participate in our incentive program based upon the achievement of organization, team and personal performance.

Remarkable benefits

• Health coverage for medical, dental, vision
• 401(K) saving plans with company match AND Pension
• Tuition assistance
• Floating holidays and PTO for community volunteer programs
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness programs
• Employee discounts (membership, insurance,

travel, entertainment, services and more!)

Company information

Auto Club Enterprises is the largest club within the national AAA federation. We have nearly 17,000 employees in 24 states helping more than 18 million members. The strength of our organization is our employees. Bringing together and supporting different cultures, backgrounds, personalities, and strengths creates a team capable of delivering legendary, lifetime service to our members. When we embrace our diversity – we win. All of Us! With our national brand recognition, long-standing reputation since 1900, and constantly growing membership, we are seeking career-minded, service-driven professionals to join our team.

“Through dedicated employees we proudly deliver legendary service and beneficial products that provide members peace of mind and value.”

AAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our organization participates in E-Verify

The Automobile Club of Southern California will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), the Unincorporated Los Angeles County (ULAC) regulation, and the California Fair Chance Act (CFCA).