Sr. Auto Field Appraiser - San Diego

USAA•San Diego, CA

10d•$73,420 - $132,150•Onsite

About The Position

USAA is hiring a Sr. Auto Field Appraiser for a field-based role in the San Diego, California metro area. The appraiser investigates, negotiates, evaluates, and appraises vehicle damage claims, including repairable and total-loss vehicles, within defined guidelines and frameworks. The role ensures estimate accuracy and compliance with state laws and regulations while delivering exceptional member service through clear expectations, proactive communication, advice, and empathy. Relocation assistance is not available. The position handles highly complex claims using digital tools and works with members, internal claims adjusters, repair facilities, vendors, and other third parties. It involves maintaining accurate claim documentation, identifying potential subrogation and fraud indicators, facilitating complex claim resolution, and helping policyholders understand coverage, estimates, valuations, and the repair process. The appraiser may also serve as a subject matter expert on disputed claims and support team members with escalated issues. The role may support catastrophe response operations, including mandatory on-call dates, evening, weekend, or holiday work outside normal hours, and deployment travel with minimal notice during designated catastrophes. Physical duties may include inspecting damaged vehicles and working outdoors or in body shop and salvage yard environments.

Requirements

High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma.
Two 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 other internal and external stakeholders.
Acquire and maintain an insurance adjuster license within 90 days and within three attempts.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Evaluate and appraise highly complex auto physical damage claims using digital tools and in accordance with contracts, corporate guidelines, and state 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 to identify possible subrogation opportunities and ensure supporting documentation is included in the claim.
Apply advanced knowledge of P&C insurance products, services, contracts, processes, systems, and procedures to support compliance.
Review claims and suppliers for fraud indicators and refer matters to the Special Investigations Unit when appropriate.
Maintain accurate and current claim-file documentation throughout the claims process.
Manage workload and follow-ups effectively, and accurately map repair plans and timelines to support timely claims adjudication.
Review additional damage reported by repair facilities, completing a supplement or triaging the claim to a field-provider inspection method.
Represent the company as a subject matter expert in disputed claims or trials, and advise team members on routine escalated issues.
Partner with vendors and internal business partners to resolve the highest-complexity claims; coordinate with external regulators when needed to ensure 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, 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 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.