Specialty & Ag Equipment Estimator/Appraiser

About Us

At Farm Bureau Financial Services, our client/members trust us to help protect their families, homes, vehicles, and livelihoods. For more than 80 years, we've built a reputation grounded in integrity, teamwork, passion, service, leadership, and accountability. We're equally committed to creating an environment where employees can learn, grow, and thrive.

About the Role

As an Ag & Specialty Equipment Appraiser, you'll serve as a technical estimating expert responsible for evaluating damage and preparing accurate repair estimates on a wide variety of agricultural and specialty equipment. This position is part of our in-house team located in either West Des Moines, Iowa, or Lincoln, Nebraska.

Responsibilities

• Independently evaluate damage and prepare detailed repair estimates for agricultural equipment, construction and heavy equipment, heavy trucks, semi tractors, trailers, and specialty equipment
• Analyze repair methods, labor operations, parts replacement, and repair-versus-replace decisions to ensure accurate and consistent estimates
• Review estimates for quality, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with company guidelines
• Serve as a subject matter expert on equipment construction, repairability, damage analysis, and valuation
• Provide technical guidance and support on complex, high-severity, or unusual equipment losses
• Collaborate with claim professionals, leadership, vendors, repair facilities, and equipment experts to support accurate claim outcomes
• Grant appropriate payment authority within designated limits
• Deliver training and ongoing support to team members on estimating best practices, repair procedures, and damage assessment techniques
• Communicate professionally and effectively with policyholders, agents, repair facilities, management, regulatory agencies, and the public

Requirements

Successful candidates often come from:

• Agricultural equipment dealerships
• Equipment manufacturers and service centers
• Heavy equipment and construction equipment dealerships
• Truck and trailer repair facilities
• Commercial truck collision centers
• Fleet maintenance organizations
• Independent appraisal firms
• Insurance appraisal and claims organizations

Qualifications

• Five or more years of hands-on estimating experience involving agricultural equipment, heavy equipment, construction equipment, heavy trucks, semi tractors, trailers, or specialty equipment
• Demonstrated ability to write accurate repair estimates and evaluate repair-versus-replace decisions
• Strong understanding of equipment construction, repair methods, damage analysis, labor operations, and parts sourcing
• Proven problem-solving, communication, customer service, and collaboration skills
• Ability to independently manage complex or high-value estimating assignments
• Willingness to travel as needed and work in varying weather conditions

Preferred Qualifications

• Insurance claims, appraisal, adjusting, or damage evaluation experience
• Experience using industry estimating platforms and appraisal tools
• Senior Appraiser or similar advanced technical appraisal experience
• Experience providing training, mentoring, or technical leadership
• Knowledge of agricultural and heavy equipment manufacturers, repair practices, and equipment valuation methods

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Career development and continuing education opportunities
• Enhanced 401(k) with company match
• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid time off, including holidays and volunteer time
• A supportive, collaborative, and team-oriented culture
• Onsite wellness facilities, fitness programs, daycare, and cafeteria services
• Hybrid work arrangements for many positions

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Farm Bureau Financial Services does not provide visa sponsorship now or in the future, nor assume or extend sponsorship for employment authorization (including OPT).