What is an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser?
Job Description: Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.
What Do Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident.
- Arrange to have damage appraised by another appraiser to resolve disagreement with shop on repair cost.
- Examine damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, or interior damage.
- Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations.
- Review repair cost estimates with automobile repair shop to secure agreement on cost of repairs.
- Determine salvage value on total-loss vehicle.
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Skills Needed to be an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser
When polled, Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Types of Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser
- Automobile Damage Field Appraiser (Auto Damage Field Appraiser)
- Damage Appraiser
- Auto Body Estimator
- Commercial Field Inspector
- Appraisal Specialist
Is There Going to be Demand for Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers?
In the United States, there were 17,600 jobs for Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.1% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 900 new jobs for Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser by 2026. There will be an estimated 1,500 positions for Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser per year.

The states with the most job growth for Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Minnesota, Washington, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser Average Salary
The average yearly salary of an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser ranges between $43,170 and $94,060.

Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers who work in Missouri, Oregon, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $61,130 |
Arizona | $59,530 |
California | $66,100 |
Colorado | $65,260 |
Connecticut | $67,040 |
Florida | $62,340 |
Georgia | $69,010 |
Illinois | $68,820 |
Indiana | $65,710 |
Iowa | $63,290 |
Kansas | $63,680 |
Louisiana | $60,620 |
Maryland | $68,170 |
Massachusetts | $69,260 |
Michigan | $61,120 |
Minnesota | $65,190 |
Mississippi | $69,890 |
Missouri | $91,720 |
Nebraska | $59,300 |
Nevada | $63,260 |
New Jersey | $67,610 |
New Mexico | $68,560 |
New York | $69,460 |
North Carolina | $64,000 |
Ohio | $63,650 |
Oklahoma | $62,450 |
Oregon | $73,170 |
Pennsylvania | $67,780 |
Rhode Island | $73,010 |
South Carolina | $34,890 |
South Dakota | $53,470 |
Tennessee | $57,480 |
Texas | $63,780 |
Virginia | $70,530 |
Washington | $69,200 |
West Virginia | $63,020 |
Wisconsin | $68,050 |
What Tools do Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Cost estimating software
- Vertafore ImageRight
How to Become an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser
What kind of Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser?

Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers Sector

Auto Damage Insurance Appraisers work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Nigel Sandridge via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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