Field Claims Adjuster - Auto Damage

Progressive; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match up to 6%

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Wellness & mental health programs

Health care flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Progressive is seeking a capable auto damage claims adjuster to serve as the main contact with customers and manage the repair process from start to finish. You will independently handle your own inventory, collaborate with body shops, and assess liability while maintaining quality customer service.

The role covers a defined Santa Cruz area with occasional office visits and field assignments across nearby regions. A driving role in the field is a core aspect of this position.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years in relevant work with one year in appraisal/estimatics or insurance experience.
• Alternate qualification: Associate's degree with three years relevant experience and one year appraisal/estimatics or insurance experience.
• Alternate qualification: Bachelor's degree with one year appraisal/estimatics or insurance experience.
• Valid driver's license and auto insurance, in line with Progressive's policies.

Responsibilities

• Complete vehicle inspections, write estimates, determine total loss evaluations and set timelines.
• Negotiate repair process with body shops.
• Document claim information and make decisions per standards and local laws.
• Evaluate and handle claim payments and resolution of claims without payments.
• Review and determine validity of any supplement requests.

Skills

Leadership

Conflict management

Attention to detail

Customer service

Education

Associate's degree or higher

Bachelor's degree option

Job description

Progressive is dedicated to helping employees move forward and live fully in their careers. Your journey has already begun.

As an auto damage claims adjuster, you’ll serve as Progressive’s point of contact with customers - directing and making decisions regarding the repair process from beginning to end. Managing your own inventory while working independently, you’ll work closely with body shops and others to negotiate repair pricing and assess liability. Ideal candidates will possess leadership and conflict management skills, along with strong attention to detail and a passion for providing excellent customer service.

This is a field position with access to a company car and frequent driving within your assigned geographical area. We assess our workload collectively, which means you may cover assignments outside your geographical area. You may also be required to report into an office occasionally.

Territory: Santa Cruz, CA - Seeking candidates from the Santat Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley, Salinas and Monterey, CA area.

Duties and responsibilities

• Complete vehicle inspections, write estimates, determine total loss evaluations, and set clear expectations and timelines
• Negotiate repair process with body shops
• Document information related to the claim and make decisions consistent with claims standards and local laws
• Evaluate and handle claim payments and resolution of claims without payments
• Review and determine validity of any supplement requests

Minimum qualifications

• A minimum of four years of relevant work experience with one year appraisal/estimatics or insurance experience
• {OR} Associate's degree and a minimum of three years relevant work experience with one year appraisal/estimatics or insurance experience
• {OR} Bachelor's degree and a minimum of one year appraisal/estimatics or insurance experience
• Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and compliance with Progressive’s driving standards and/or policies

Compensation

• You'll be paid $35.29 - $43.17/hour depending on experience
• Gainshare annual cash incentive payment up to 16% of your eligible earnings based on company performance

Benefits

• 401(k) with dollar-for-dollar company match up to 6%
• Medical, dental & vision, including free preventative care
• Wellness & mental health programs
• Health care flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, & life insurance
• Paid time off, including volunteer time off
• Paid & unpaid sick leave where applicable, as well as short & long-term disability
• Parental & family leave; military leave & pay
• Diverse, inclusive & welcoming culture with Employee Resource Groups
• Career development & tuition assistance

Physical requirements and working conditions

The physical requirements and working conditions listed below are representative of those required on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

• Individual will work in the field, office, body shop, network shop, or service center environment and at time be expected to lift, bend stretch, walk, crouch, twist and/or lay on floor.
• Exposure to fumes, dust and odors from chemicals/solvents typically found in body shops.
• May require prolonged repetitive use of the upper extremities.
• Must be able to move and/or lift 20 lbs.
• Involves standing and walking around the room to monitor work (e.g., training).
• Requires long periods of standing (e.g., mailroom).
• Involves frequent driving.
• Required to climb, balance, stoop, crouch and crawl.
• May require long periods of sitting.

Energage recognizes Progressive as a 2026 Top Workplace for: Innovation, Purposes & Values, Work-Life Flexibility, Compensation & Benefits, and Leadership.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’ll consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Note that federal law may prohibit individuals with certain felony convictions from working in the insurance industry unless they have obtained the required regulatory authorization.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. without the need or potential need, of current or future sponsorship for employment. Progressive does not hire candidates with (e.g., F-1 CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT, H-1B, O-1, E-3, TN) statuses for this role.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.