Senior Auto Appraiser – Field for Charleston, SC

USAA•Charleston, SC

6d•$61,620 - $110,920•Onsite

About The Position

This is a field-based role in the Charleston, South Carolina area. Within defined guidelines and frameworks, the Senior Auto Appraiser investigates, negotiates, evaluates, and appraises vehicle damage claims for repairable and total-loss vehicles, ensuring estimate accuracy and compliance with state laws, regulations, policy terms, and corporate guidelines. The role delivers member service through clear expectations, proactive communication, advice, and empathy. The appraiser evaluates complex auto physical-damage claims using digital tools; investigates losses with insureds, internal adjusters, and third parties; documents claims; identifies potential subrogation and fraud indicators; and coordinates claim resolution with vendors and internal business partners. The role may include face-to-face interactions, disputed-claim or trial support, and serving as a resource for teammates on routine escalations. The appraiser also informs policyholders about coverage, estimates or total-loss valuations, and the repair and claims process. The position may support workload surges and catastrophe response, including mandatory on-call dates, evening, weekend, or holiday work outside normal hours, and travel on short notice for designated catastrophe deployments. Physical work may include vehicle inspections and exposure to outdoor weather, body shops, and salvage yards. The posted salary range is $61,620–$110,920; actual pay may vary 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 2 years of auto appraising experience.
Proficient knowledge of P&C insurance policy contracts and coverages, auto-parts distribution, and claim appraisal processes and procedures.
Advanced working knowledge of estimating losses using CCC or similar estimating platforms.
Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills for working with members, claimants, repair facilities, and internal and external stakeholders.
Acquire and maintain an insurance adjuster license within 90 days, with up to 3 attempts.
May need to operate a company vehicle within the assigned territory.
May need to reach, handle, squat, bend, climb, and kneel to inspect damaged vehicles.
May need to work outdoors in inclement weather and may be exposed to body-shop or salvage-yard environments up to 25% of the time.
May need to meet USAA safe-driving requirements, including motor-vehicle-record verification and possession of a valid driver's license.
Available to support mandatory on-call dates and possible evening, weekend, or holiday work during catastrophe response; assigned catastrophe travel may be required on short notice.

Nice To Haves

Active Texas or Florida All-Lines Adjusters License.
I-CAR ProLevel 3 (Platinum) certification or actively pursuing ProLevel 3.
Experience as a field auto appraiser with a P&C insurance carrier.
Experience preparing estimates and evaluations using the CCC estimating platform.
Ability to balance accurate collision-repair estimates in virtual and field environments.
Ability to deploy for catastrophe response when needed.
US military experience through military service or as a military spouse or domestic partner.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and appraise complex auto physical-damage claims using digital tools, in accordance with contract terms, corporate guidelines, and applicable laws and regulations.
Investigate claim damages by communicating with insureds, internal claims adjusters, and third parties or vendors; conduct face-to-face interactions when needed.
Review facts of loss and vehicle damage for potential subrogation and ensure supporting physical-damage documentation is included in the claim.
Apply knowledge of P&C insurance 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 matters to the Special Investigations Unit.
Maintain accurate and current claim-file documentation throughout the complex-claims process.
Manage desk work, follow up promptly, and accurately map repair plans and timelines to support timely claims adjudication.
Review additional damage submitted by repair facilities, complete supplements, or triage the claim to a field-provider inspection method.
Represent the organization as a subject matter expert for disputed claims or trials and assist team members with routine escalated issues.
Partner with vendors and internal business partners to resolve high-complexity claims, and coordinate with external regulators when necessary to ensure appropriate documentation and compliance.
Proactively explain coverage, repair estimates or total-loss valuations, and the claims and repair process to policyholders while setting expectations.
Support workload surges and catastrophe response, including mandatory on-call dates and possible evening, weekend, or holiday work.
Travel for assigned catastrophe deployments, potentially with minimal notice.
Work a range of claims, including higher-complexity claims, and perform additional work outside normal duties as needed.
Ensure business risks are identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.