Collateral Appraiser jobs in Akron, OH

The Auto Physical Damage Appraiser reports directly to the AVP of Auto & Property Claims. Responsible for creating an estimate of damages to 1st and 3rd party material damage of automobiles within an assigned territory. 

Candidate must reside in Ohio or Indiana.

Salary Grade (11)  61,661 - 78,617 - 95,574

This includes focusing on the needs of loss participants, identifying customer needs, working to meet those needs using appropriate customer service skills and communicating with internal (telephone claims adjusters) and external (policyholders and claimants) customers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
 Following is a summary of the essential functions for this job. Other duties may be performed, both major and minor, which are not mentioned below. Specific activities may change sometimes.

• Create appraisal from physical inspections and review of photos
• Handle routine material damage claims with little or no supervision
• Handle complex material damage claims with supervision
• Receive claim assignments and document all appropriate information
• Review photos thoroughly and determine ability to repair; complete assessment and/ or total loss evaluation as necessary
• Identify subrogation or fraud potential based upon physical evidence and refer to the appropriate claims representative when potential exists
• Stay informed of changes in the collision repair industry including statutory and regulatory changes as they relate to material damage
• When appropriate, make contact to discuss a settlement; extend an offer to appropriate party; document all file activity and payment/settlement information in file notes clearly outlining basis for settlement
• Take ownership of any issue, problem or error that could potentially impact the policyholder and /or loss participant
• Handle accurately any type of material damage claim within limit of authority demonstrating labor judgment skills, ability to identify total loss and soundly produce estimates
• May assist with training of other Specialty Material Damage staff upon request
• Evaluate settlement alternatives by reviewing regulatory compliance and fair claims practices; make decisions on best option
• Ability to develop skills in the handling of other specialty vehicles (motorcycles, boats, heavy equipment)
• Support workload surges and/or Catastrophe Operations as needed which may involve extended hours. This also includes the handling of Property Claims during CAT events.
• May serve as a subject matter expert or representative for disputed claims at trials. Serve as a resource to team members on escalated issues of a routine nature.
• Negotiate with repair facilities on revisions to physical damage documents.
• This position may be required to perform the duties of an Outside Field Appraiser within an assigned outside territory. This includes driving to perform physical vehicle inspections.

Minimum Skills and Competencies
 The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s Degree or in-lieu of degree equivalent education, training and work-related experience.
• Obtain and maintain appropriate license and/or educational requirements.
• Ability to develop a basic understanding of the claim policies & procedures written by the company.
• Ability to develop a basic understanding of the insurance industry and the company's organizational relationships.
• Basic knowledge of claims process.
• Possess effective organization and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure and adhere to project deadlines.
• Ability to recognize and identify all body parts of a vehicle.
• Ability to understand other potential property damage exposures.
• Ability to interpret and apply written coverage accurately.
• Possess effective verbal and written communication skills.
• High degree of initiative, mature judgment and discretion.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and empathize with customers.
• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong technical background including extensive knowledge of auto repair and repair techniques, including thorough understanding of auto terminology and construction
• Strong teamwork skills
• Possess estimating experience with an automated estimating system.

Desired Skills

• Obtain and maintain appropriate license and/or educational requirements (i.e. Adjuster license in home state or state that requires examination and CE)
• Successful completion of one or more professional designations/ training programs: Estimating and Repairing Recreational Vehicles and Commercial Vehicles; I-Car Certification; Material Damage Training specific to Specialty Vehicles in a Repair Facility and/or Training Center
• Ability to develop a basic understanding of other departments' functions, such as Policy Operations and Marketing.
• Possess a general understanding of insurance law as it relates to claims.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

AINS, AIC, CIC, CRM or CPCU considered, but not required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees are required to sit at a workstation to perform various PC functions.  Also, the employee must devote substantial time to telephone communication.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.

Employees may be required to travel sometimes.  This may require extended periods of time sitting in a vehicle.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Claim Representative Trainee is responsible for the proper handling of claims.  Each Claim Representative Trainee will be assigned a specific work cubicle station and/or other individual work areas.  The workstation will be adjacent to other similar workstations.  The workstation has the necessary equipment to perform the position duties including personal computer, telephone, file space, and needed worktable space.

The environment is quiet with needed interaction between other team members, Manager, and other company staff.  A moderate noise level from telephone calls is expected.