Motor Wreck Desktop Assessor

Santam; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Santam’s Motor Claims department in Parktown is hiring a Motor Wreck Desktop Assessor. The role involves precise, remote technical and financial valuation of motor vehicle damage using high-resolution digital media and claim documentation.

Your duties include auditing repair estimates, cross-checking evidence with accident descriptions, and collaborating with service providers to ensure quick turnarounds while safeguarding claim integrity.

Qualifications

• Grade 12 / Matric is essential.
• Trade certificate in panel beating, spray painting, or motor mechanic preferred.
• Registered member of the Vehicle Damage Quantifier Governing Body (VDQGBSA).
• 2+ years’ desktop/digital assessing in insurance, or 5+ years as a workshop estimator.
• Advanced proficiency in Abuntex/Audatex and claims workflows.

Responsibilities

• Review high-resolution photos, videos, and digital claim files.
• Analyse, negotiate, and adjust digital quotes in Abuntex/Audatex.
• Evaluate digital evidence against accident descriptions for accuracy.
• Check labour hours, paint costs, and parts; promote aftermarket parts when appropriate.
• Calculate market values remotely to identify repairs vs. total loss.
• Maintain quick turnaround times for digital authorizations and liaise with MBRs.

Skills

Digital assessments

Abuntex/Audatex proficiency

Vehicle valuation knowledge

Regulatory awareness (TCF/POPIA)

Education

Matric / Grade 12

Trade certificate (Panelbeater/Spray Painter/Motor Mechanic)

Registered with VDQGBSA

Tools

Abuntex

Audatex

Job description

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This career opportunity is available at Motor Claims: Wreck and Salvage Department and will be based in Parktown

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Santam’s Motor Claims division has a vacancy for a Motor Wreck Desktop Assessor, the main purpose of the role is to provide precise, remote technical and financial valuation of motor vehicle accident damage through high-resolution digital media and claim documentation. The primary objectives are to Safeguard Financial Outcomes such as Audit repair estimates via Abuntex to ensure cost accuracy and determine repair versus total loss outcomes. To Ensure Claim Integrity by Cross-validating visual damage against accident descriptions to mitigate fraud and Drive Service Efficiency to Maintain strict turnaround SLAs and collaborate telephonically with Service Providers and stakeholders.

WHAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL IN THE ROLE?

Key Responsibilities

• Digital Assessments: Review high-resolution photographs, video streams, and digital claim files submitted by repair workshops or clients
• Estimate Auditing: Analyse, negotiate, and adjust digital quotes using computerised estimating software like Abuntex or Audatex.
• Remote Consistency Checks: Evaluate digital evidence to verify if the visible vehicle damage matches the description of the accident.
• Parts & Rate Optimization: Check and adjust labour hours, paint costs, and parts choices, promoting the use of alternative or certified aftermarket parts where appropriate.
• Total Loss Evaluation: Calculate vehicle market values remotely against repair estimates to quickly identify and process structural write-offs.
• SLA Management: Maintain quick turnaround times for digital authorizations to minimize vehicle downtime and car rental expenses for the client.
• Digital Communication: Use digital portals, emails, and phone calls to resolve repair methodology disputes with Motor Body Repairers (MBRs).

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Digital Assessments
• Stakeholder Satisfaction
• SLA Management
• Query Resolution
• Training Delivery & Completion Rate
• Financial Decision Making
• Time Management

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Grade 12 / Matric certificate.
• Technical Trade: Qualified Panelbeater, Spray Painter, or Motor Mechanic (red seal trade test certificate preferred).
• Professional Registration: Registered Member of the Vehicle Damage Quantifier Governing Body (VDQGBSA).
• Experience: 2+ years of digital/desktop assessing experience within an insurance environment, or 5+ years as a workshop estimator.
• System Expertise: Advanced proficiency in Abuntex / Audatex and insurance claim management workflows.
• Vehicle valuation via live market test and Mead & McGrouther code
• Modern Desktop Capability: High comfort level navigating multiple digital platforms simultaneously, utilizing advanced imaging software to spot hidden vehicular defects remotely.

PREFERRED

• Experience working with insurance claims systems and salvage auction platforms
• Familiarity with TCF, POPIA, and insurance regulatory frameworks

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Skills

• Technical Accuracy: Intense attention to detail when spotting structural, electrical, or underlying mechanical faults.
• Negotiation Skills: The ability to firmly but fairly challenge repair methods and costs presented by panel beaters.
• Resilience: Highly capable of working under pressure, managing tight service level agreements (SLAs), and handling customer complaints calmly.
• Analytical Thinking: Evaluating financial formulas to swiftly decide if a vehicle is repairable or uneconomical to repair.

Behavioural Competencies

• Attention to detail and high accuracy
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Customer centric attitude
• Problem solving ability
• Professionalism, integrity, and sound judgement
• Ability to work under pressure and manage workload
• Driving Strategy
• Enabling Innovation
• Talent Enablement
• Change Leadership

WHO WE ARE:

Santam is the market leader in the general insurance industry in Southern Africa. As a large, diversified, and expanding company, we are committed to transformation and growth. While our headquarters are in South Africa, we are rapidly extending our presence into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.

With a client base of over 1 million policyholders, Santam serves individuals, commercial enterprises, specialist business owners, and institutions—including 80 of the Top 100 companies listed on the JSE. Our commitment to Insurance, Good and Proper goes beyond just providing cover—we offer peace of mind, ensuring our clients can focus on living in the moment, not worrying about the unexpected. Because at Santam, we believe the freedom to seize every day is worth protecting.
People drive our business, and we are committed to attracting the best talent, whether for permanent roles or short-term opportunities.
Santam is committed to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to neuro-inclusivity and fostering a workplace where everyone can thrive.
This is Freedom!

Our recruitment process

Onboarding

You made it. Here we ensure we receive all your documents to get you onto our payroll system.

Our recruitment process

Advertise

Step 1

Our vacancies are advertised between 3-5 days depending on the market availability of the skills required.

Our recruitment process

Step 2

Could take a couple of days depending on the volume and the screening process, which various according to the complexity of the role.

Our recruitment process

Step 3

Long listed candidates are sent to the hiring manager to review and consider for the next stage of the selection process.

Our recruitment process

Telephonic screening

Step 4

Candidates may be contacted for a short screening interview to get to know them better and to ask any clarity seeking questions.

Our recruitment process

Your interview

Step 5

We use a competency interview model. Interview dates will be confirmed via e‑mail. During the interview you will be introduced to the panel and the process will be explained. Remain calm and sell yourself. This is our opportunity to match your skills to the job. You only get one shot!

Our recruitment process

Assessment

Step 6

Should we like what you bring to the table, depending on the job you are being considered for, you may be invited to complete a psychometric assessment. Further employment checks are conducted the ensure the validity of your credentials.

Our recruitment process

Step 7

Prior to an offer being made, there may be a second interview to meet with the Head of Department.Should there be a need for any further interviews, be sure to bring the same charm that got you through your first interview.

Our recruitment process

Onboarding

Step 8

You made it. Here we ensure we receive all your documents to get you onto our payroll system.

Our recruitment process

Advertise

Step 1

Our vacancies are advertised between 3-5 days depending on the market availability of the skills required.

Our recruitment process

Step 2

Could take a couple of days depending on the volume and the screening process, which various according to the complexity of the role.

Our recruitment process

Step 3

Long listed candidates are sent to the hiring manager to review and consider for the next stage of the selection process.

Our recruitment process

Telephonic screening

Step 4

Candidates may be contacted for a short screening interview to get to know them better and to ask any clarity seeking questions.

Our recruitment process

Your interview

Step 5

We use a competency interview model. Interview dates will be confirmed via e‑mail. During the interview you will be introduced to the panel and the process will be explained. Remain calm and sell yourself. This is our opportunity to match your skills to the job. You only get one shot!

Our recruitment process

Assessment

Step 6

Should we like what you bring to the table, depending on the job you are being considered for, you may be invited to complete a psychometric assessment. Further employment checks are conducted the ensure the validity of your credentials.

Our recruitment process

Step 7

Prior to an offer being made, there may be a second interview to meet with the Head of Department.Should there be a need for any further interviews, be sure to bring the same charm that got you through your first interview.

Our recruitment process

Onboarding

Step 8

You made it. Here we ensure we receive all your documents to get you onto our payroll system.

TIPS & TRICKS

Getting ready for your interview

There is not just one way to be successful at Santam, nor is there one way to interview with us. Interviewing is a two-way process - it helps us learn about you, and it helps you learn about us, our people, and what you could do here.

Santam has been officially recognised by the Top Employers Institute as a Top Employer 2025 for excellence in people practices. This is the ninth consecutive year that we have achieved this accolade.