Auto Appraiser (Photo)

USAA•Los Angeles, CA

7d•$68,730 - $115,980•Remote

About The Position

USAA is hiring a dedicated Auto Appraiser to investigate, negotiate, evaluate, and appraise vehicle damage claims involving repairable and total-loss vehicles. The role operates within defined guidelines and frameworks, ensuring estimate accuracy and compliance with state laws and regulations while providing exceptional member service through clear expectations, proactive communication, advice, and empathy. This is a remote position for candidates able to work in Washington, Arizona, or preferably California. Relocation assistance is not available. The position may support workload surges and catastrophe response operations, including mandatory on-call dates, evening, weekend, or holiday work, and possible deployment travel with minimal notice during designated catastrophes. The role may also involve claims of higher complexity and additional work outside normal duties. The salary range is $68,730–$115,980, with actual pay varying by location, experience, and market data. Employees may be eligible for performance-based incentives. USAA does not provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma.
At least 1 year of auto appraising experience.
Progressive knowledge of P&C insurance policy contracts and coverages, auto parts distribution, and claim appraisal processes and procedures.
Working knowledge of estimating losses using CCC or similar estimating platforms.
Acquire and maintain an insurance adjuster license within 90 days and within 3 attempts.
Meet USAA safe-driving requirements when applicable, including verification of driving record through MVR and possession of a valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Virtual Auto Appraiser with a P&C insurance carrier and/or body shop in California.
Experience and ability to prepare estimates and evaluations using the CCC estimating platform.
Experience and ability to balance accurate collision repair estimates in virtual and field environments.
Experience completing estimates on exotic and electric vehicles.
Completed designations such as I-CAR Platinum or ASE.
Active Texas All-Lines Adjusters License.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and appraise simple and moderately complex auto physical-damage claims using digital tools and in accordance with contracts, corporate guidelines, and applicable laws and regulations.
Investigate claim damages by communicating with insureds, internal claims adjusters, and third parties or vendors; some interactions may be face-to-face.
Review loss facts and vehicle damage for potential subrogation opportunities and ensure supporting physical-damage documentation is included in the claim.
Apply knowledge of P&C insurance products, services, contracts, and internal processes, systems, and procedures to support compliance with laws, regulations, and policy provisions.
Review claims and suppliers for fraud indicators and refer applicable matters to the Special Investigations Unit.
Maintain accurate and current claim-file documentation throughout the claims process, including for moderate to complex claims.
Manage desk workload, follow up promptly, and accurately map repair plans and timelines to support timely and accurate claim adjudication.
Review additional damage reported by repair facilities, completing a supplement or triaging the claim to a field-provider inspection method.
Provide policyholders with information about coverage, repair estimates or total-loss valuations, and the claims and repair process, while setting appropriate expectations.
Support workload surges and catastrophe response operations, including on-call work and potential evening, weekend, holiday, or deployment work as needed.
Handle various claim types, including higher-complexity claims, and perform additional work outside normal duties when assigned.
Identify, measure, monitor, and control risks associated with business activities in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.