Auto Appraiser (Photo)

USAA•Los Angeles, CA

6d•Remote

About The Position

As a dedicated Auto Appraiser, you will investigate, negotiate, evaluate, and appraise vehicle damage claims for repairable and total-loss vehicles within defined guidelines and frameworks. You will ensure estimate accuracy and compliance with state laws and regulations while delivering exceptional member service through proactive communication, advice, empathy, and clear expectations. This is a remote role for candidates able to work in Washington, Arizona, or preferably California. Relocation assistance is not available. The role includes appraising simple and moderately complex auto physical damage claims using digital tools, maintaining accurate claim documentation, managing repairs and supplements, and communicating with policyholders, internal claims adjusters, and third parties. You may support catastrophe response operations, including on-call dates, evening, weekend, or holiday work, and travel with minimal notice during designated catastrophes. You may also handle higher-complexity claims or work outside normal duties as needed.

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, with up to 3 attempts.
Ability to work in Washington, Arizona, or California.
May need to meet USAA safe-driving requirements, including driving-record verification 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 preparing estimates and evaluations using the CCC estimating platform.
Experience balancing accurate collision repair estimates in virtual and field environments.
Experience completing estimates on exotic and electric vehicles.
I-CAR Platinum or ASE designation.
Active Texas All-Lines Adjusters License.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and appraise simple and moderately complex auto physical damage claims using digital tools, in accordance with policy terms, corporate guidelines, and applicable laws and regulations.
Investigate claim damages by communicating with insureds, internal claims adjusters, and third parties or vendors; face-to-face interactions may be required.
Review facts of loss and vehicle damage for subrogation opportunities and ensure required physical-damage documentation is in the claim file.
Apply knowledge of P&C products, services, contracts, and internal processes to support compliance with laws, regulations, and policy provisions.
Review claims and suppliers for fraud indicators and refer applicable cases to the Special Investigations Unit.
Maintain accurate, current claim file documentation throughout the claims process.
Manage desk workload, follow up promptly, and accurately map repair plans and timelines to support timely claim adjudication.
Review additional damages reported by repair facilities, completing a supplement or triaging the claim to a field provider for inspection.
Provide policyholders 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 mandatory on-call dates and potential evening, weekend, or holiday work outside normal hours.
Travel for catastrophe deployments with minimal notice when assigned.
Handle claims of varying types and complexity and perform additional work outside normal duties as needed.
Identify, measure, monitor, and control risks associated with business activities in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.