Auto Damage Appraiser Job Description & Career Information

Have you ever wondered how an insurance company determines how much money you get when you’ve been in a car accident? The process is pretty involved, and it may require the work of an auto damage appraiser to confirm what type of work is required to fix a vehicle.

Auto damage appraisers get to check out a variety of vehicles that have been in unique situations. They collaborate with insurance companies, auto repairers and law enforcement.

If you have a passion for cars, enjoy investigating problems and like collaborating with others, a career as an auto damage appraiser may be for you. Read on to learn what an auto damage appraiser does, what the career outlook is like, and how to become an auto damage appraiser.

Key Points:

- Auto damage appraisers play a crucial role in the insurance claim process by inspecting vehicles after an accident, determining the extent of the damage and ensuring that insurance companies pay a fair amount for repairs. They work closely with insurance companies, auto repairers and law enforcement.

- The job involves investigating claims, assessing whether damage is covered by insurance, determining repair costs, identifying fraud and negotiating settlements. Appraisers need to have a deep understanding of auto repair and the costs associated with it.

- To become an auto damage appraiser, individuals should be detail-oriented, have excellent communication skills, and possess a thorough and accurate approach to their work. A postsecondary nondegree award, experience in an auto repair shop or previous experience in estimating auto repair costs is often required. Some states also have specific licensing requirements.

- The Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CRRT) program offered by Universal Technical Institute (UTI) can prepare aspiring auto damage appraisers for an entry-level role in the field.¹ The program, available at UTI campuses in Houston, Texas, and Long Beach, California, provides hands-on training with industry-standard tools and technology, and graduates earn certificates that can aid in pursuing careers as auto damage appraisers.

What Is an Auto Damage Appraiser?

An auto damage appraiser is a specialist part of the insurance claims process who assesses vehicle damages after an accident. They inspect cars to evaluate the extent of damage, determine repair costs and ensure that insurance payouts are fair and accurate.

These professionals collaborate closely with insurance companies, repair technicians and sometimes law enforcement to ensure comprehensive reporting and accurate settlements. Their work involves identifying potential fraud, estimating salvage values and authorizing payments. Essential skills for an auto damage appraiser include a detailed understanding of auto repair, strong analytical abilities and excellent communication skills.

What Does an Auto Damage Appraiser Do?

After an accident, the person who owns the vehicle affected by the accident will contact their insurance company to file a claim. That way, they’ll receive money to help get their car repaired without having to worry about paying the full amount.

Sometimes, people try to scam insurance companies. They claim there’s more damage than there really is to a vehicle, or they misconstrue what happened during the accident. Part of the auto damage appraiser’s job is to travel to the vehicle in question and inspect its condition. They then report to the insurance company to ensure the company pays what’s fair.

An auto damage appraiser’s job might include duties such as:

• Investigating, analyzing and settling insurance claims.
• Determining whether the damage that has been done is covered by the insurance policy.
• Deciding on the extent of the damage and the amount the insurance company should pay.
• Determining the salvage value of vehicles that are beyond repair.
• Identifying fraud.
• Communicating with repair technicians, law enforcement and legal counsel when needed.
• Negotiating settlements and authorizing payments.

Because auto damage appraisers are working with vehicles, they need expert knowledge about auto repair and how much it could cost. Having a background as a collision repair technician can help when someone wants to move from working in a garage to working in the field as an auto damage appraiser.

Auto Damage Appraiser Salary & Job Outlook

Auto damage appraisers with backgrounds as collision repair technicians have good income potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for automotive body and related repairers in the United States was $48,740 in May 2023.²⁸ This means half of collision repair technicians earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary varies based on a variety of factors, including experience, employer, industry and demand in the area.

As long as there are cars on the road, there will be accidents — which means there will be a need for professionals who can assess and repair damage to vehicles. Auto damage appraisers can work for insurance carriers, agencies or brokerages. Some work for professional, scientific and technical services; in automotive repair and maintenance; and for automobile dealers.

How To Become a Vehicle Appraiser

To be successful, auto damage appraisers need to be detail-oriented and have excellent interpersonal communication skills, since they work with many different parties to get the job done. They also need to be thorough and accurate in their work.

Auto damage appraisers often have a postsecondary nondegree award, have experience working in an auto repair shop, or have previous work experience in identifying and estimating auto repair costs. Some states have certain licensing requirements as well.

Auto damage appraiser training at UTI

UTI offers training for aspiring auto damage appraisers through its Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology (CRRT) program.¹ The program emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing students to train with state-of-the-industry tools and equipment.

Through the Structural Damage Analysis course offered in the CRRT program, students can gain essential skills through topics such as:

• Introduction to damage-analysis-interpreting body-dimension specification sheets, various measuring systems, steel unitized structures and advanced high-strength steels.
• How to diagnose damage using computerized measuring systems.
• How to analyze and interpret vehicle structural damage and measure vehicles using various tools.
• How to interpret printouts to determine damage location in vehicle structures.
• How to secure a vehicle for pulling, use squeeze-type resistance welding equipment, and fabricate a rail section.
• How to secure a vehicle for pulling, use squeeze-type resistance welding equipment, and fabricate a rail section.

Collision Repair Program at UTI

Studying in a program like the Collision Repair & Refinish Technology program offered at UTI can help prepare aspiring auto damage appraisers for pursuing work in the field.¹ The program takes 51 to 54 weeks from start to finish and is available at UTI campuses in Houston, Texas, and Long Beach, California.

During the program, students train with tools, technology and equipment from leading industry brands to learn how to repair vehicles. Students earn I-CAR Academy progress badges in several areas, including Estimating. This training prepares students for estimating damage, which can help in an auto damage appraiser career.

If you’re interested in working as an auto damage appraiser, UTI training can help. Programs start frequently, so you can get started quickly to work toward a career you love.

Contact us online or call 1-800-834-7308 for more information.