Sr. Auto Field Appraiser (Providence, RI)

USAA•Providence Metro, RI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

As a dedicated Field Sr. 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 clear expectations, proactive communication, advice, and empathy. This is a field-based role in the Providence, Rhode Island metro area. The role handles highly complex auto physical-damage claims using digital tools and works with insureds, internal claims adjusters, third parties, vendors, repair facilities, and other business partners. It involves maintaining accurate claim documentation, managing repair estimates and timelines, reviewing supplemental damages, identifying potential subrogation and fraud concerns, and facilitating complex claim resolutions. The appraiser may act as a subject matter expert for disputed claims or trials and support team members with escalated routine issues. The position may support catastrophe response and workload surges, including mandatory on-call dates, evening, weekend, or holiday work, and travel on short notice during designated catastrophe events. Physical work may include inspecting damaged vehicles in outdoor, body shop, or salvage yard environments. A company vehicle may be operated within the assigned territory, subject to applicable safe-driving requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma.
Two years of auto appraising experience.
Proficient knowledge of property and casualty insurance policy contracts and coverages, auto parts distribution, and claim appraisal processes and procedures.
Advanced working knowledge of estimating losses using CCC or a similar estimating platform.
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 three attempts.
Ability to work in the Providence, Rhode Island metro area.
May need to operate a company vehicle within the assigned territory and meet USAA safe-driving requirements, including motor vehicle record verification and possession of a valid driver's license.
May need to reach, handle, squat, bend, climb, and kneel to inspect damaged vehicles.
May need to work outdoors in inclement weather and in body shop or salvage yard environments.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a Field Auto Appraiser with a property and casualty insurance carrier and/or body shop estimator experience.
Experience preparing estimates and evaluations using the CCC estimating platform.
Experience balancing accurate collision repair estimates in a field environment.
Experience completing estimates on exotic and electric vehicles.
Completed designations such as I-CAR Platinum or ASE.
Strong customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

Evaluate and appraise highly complex auto physical-damage claims using digital tools and in accordance with contracts, corporate guidelines, and applicable state 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 to identify potential subrogation opportunities and ensure supporting physical-damage documentation is included in the claim.
Apply advanced knowledge of property and casualty insurance products, services, contracts, and internal processes, systems, and procedures to ensure compliance.
Review claims and suppliers for fraud indicators and refer cases to the Special Investigations Unit when appropriate.
Maintain accurate and current claim file documentation throughout the handling of complex claims.
Manage desk workload and follow-ups, and accurately map repair plans and timelines to support timely, accurate claim adjudication.
Review additional damages reported by repair facilities and 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 when needed.
Serve as a resource to team members on routine escalated issues.
Partner with vendors and internal business partners to resolve the highest-complexity claims, and coordinate with external regulators when necessary to support documentation and compliance.
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 required on-call dates and possible evening, weekend, holiday, and short-notice travel requirements.
Handle various claim types, 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.