Estimator - Collision Repair

TAG Auto Group; Crown Point (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Tom & Ed's is seeking an experienced Estimator / Repair Planner to join our team. You will manage customer intake, write estimates, and develop comprehensive repair plans with the technicians while ensuring parts are ordered and schedules kept.

You will oversee disassembly, reference OEM procedures, ADAS calibration, and repair time guidance. The role involves insurance supplements, parts management, and clear communication with customers through to delivery.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of collision estimating or repair planning experience.
• Advanced working knowledge of collision repair processes including repair-vs-replace decisions and labor time guides.
• Experience writing complete repair plans in CCC One.
• Experience researching and applying OEM repair procedures.
• Working understanding of ADAS calibration requirements and post-repair scanning.
• Experience defending supplements to insurance carriers.
• Must have a valid driver's license and clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers, conduct walkarounds, and set repair timeline expectations.
• Write estimates and build repair plans alongside technicians.
• Order parts and manage availability, lead times and accuracy per the plan.
• Create production schedules aligning with parts delivery and shop capacity.
• Serve as primary contact with carriers; manage DRP requirements and supplements.
• Walk customers through repairs, warranty terms, and post-repair care.

Skills

Collision estimating

Repair planning

CCC One

ADAS calibration

Communication

Pipeline management

Lifting 50lbs+

Tools

CCC One

Job description

Our team is expanding, and we are looking for an experienced Estimator to join our team.

What does joining our team offer?

A unique blend of independence, excitement, growth opportunities, and a supportive work culture. We are an employee-centric team and we want you to join us!

What do our Estimators do?

As our Estimator / Repair Planner you will be responsible for the customer and vehicle from keys to keys. You will be responsible for writing the estimate, building the repair plan right next to the technicians and ensuring that all parts are ordered, and the schedule is being maintained.

Customer Intake & Assessment

• Greet customers, conduct thorough walkarounds, and set realistic repair timeline expectations
• Complete authorization paperwork and verify customer and insurance information
• Document damage to standard: VIN, odometer, damage points, and pre-existing conditions
• Identify visible and hidden damage, distinguish structural from cosmetic, and flag safety system components (airbags, sensors, cameras)

Repair Planning

• Oversee disassembly and ensure complete teardown before the plan is finalized
• Research and incorporate OEM repair procedures, including ADAS calibration requirements, aluminum and exotic material considerations, and EV safety protocols
• Build complete repair plans in CCC One — parts specifications, R&I and R&R operations, sublet, paint and refinish materials, and labor times
• Evaluate frame and unibody damage and update the assessment as teardown progresses

Parts & Production

• Order parts and verify availability, lead times, and accuracy against the repair plan
• Apply OEM/aftermarket/recycled guidelines and manage backorders and vendor communication
• Build production schedules that align with parts delivery and shop capacity
• Track repair milestones daily, identify bottlenecks early, and escalate parts and production conflicts to the GM

Insurance & Supplements

• Serve as primary point of contact with carriers; meet DRP requirements and documentation standards
• Write and justify supplements, submit them, and track approvals
• Manage deductibles, insurance checks, and EFT payments

Delivery

• Confirm post-repair diagnostic scans and complete quality inspection against the repair plan
• Walk the customer through completed repairs, warranty terms, and care instructions

What You Bring

Required:

• 3+ years of collision estimating or repair planning experience
• Advanced working knowledge of collision repair processes, including repair-vs-replace decisions, R&I/R&R operations, and labor time guides
• Demonstrated proficiency writing complete repair plans in CCC One — not just familiarity with the system
• Experience researching and applying OEM repair procedures
• Working understanding of ADAS calibration requirements and post-repair scanning
• Experience writing and defending supplements to insurance carriers
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record
• Strong written and verbal communication — you can explain a supplement to a customer and hold a line item with an adjuster
• Ability to manage a full pipeline of vehicles simultaneously in a high-volume shop
• Ability to do consistent physical activity reach below and above shoulder level, kneeling, bending, and squatting, and lift objects over 50lbs

We have positions open across all of the Tom & Ed's locations