Sr. Auto Appraiser - Field

About the role

At USAA, our mission is to empower our members to achieve financial security through highly competitive products, exceptional service and trusted advice. We seek to be the #1 choice for the military community and their families. Embrace a fulfilling career at USAA, where our core values – honesty, integrity, loyalty and service – define how we treat each other and our members.

As a Sr. Auto Appraiser – Field, within defined guidelines and framework, you will be responsible for the investigation, negotiation, evaluation and appraisal of vehicle damage claims for both repairable and total loss vehicles to ensure estimate accuracy in compliance with state laws and regulations. This is a field-based role in the Pennsylvania area.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates and appraises highly complex auto physical damage claims in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract, corporate guidelines and state laws and regulations.
• Investigates claim damages including communicating with the insured, internal claims adjusters, and third parties/vendors.
• Reviews facts of loss and vehicle damage to determine if subrogation opportunities exist and ensures all supporting physical damage documentation is in the claim.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of P&C insurance industry products, services, contracts, and internal processes/systems/procedures to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policy provisions.
• Reviews claims/suppliers for fraud indicators and refers to Special Investigations Unit for handling, if applicable.
• Maintains accurate and current claim file documentation throughout the claims process for complex claims.
• Maintains high standards of productivity through effective desk management, timely follow ups, and accurate mapping of repair plan and timeline for repair in support of fast and accurate claims adjudication.
• Responsible for reviewing additional damages received from repair facilities to either complete a supplement or triage to field provider method of inspection.
• May serve as a subject matter expert representative for disputed claims or trials.
• Partners with vendors and internal business partners to facilitate highest complexity claims resolution.
• Proactively provides policyholders with information regarding their coverage, repair estimate or total loss valuation, and claims/repair process while setting appropriate expectations.
• Supports workload surges and catastrophe (CAT) response operations as needed, including mandatory on-call dates and potential evening, weekend, and/or holiday work outside normal work hours.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma.
• 2 years of auto appraising experience.
• Proficient knowledge of P&C insurance policy contracts and coverages, auto parts distribution process and claim appraisal process and procedures.
• Advanced working knowledge of estimating losses using CCC or similar estimating platforms.
• Demonstrated written and verbal skills to communicate with members, claimants, repair facilities, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Acquisition and maintenance of insurance adjuster license within 90 days and 3 attempts.

Qualifications

• US military experience gained through military service or gained as a military spouse / domestic partner.
• I-CAR certification.

Physical Demand Requirements

May require the ability to operate a company vehicle within assigned territory. May require the ability to reach, handle, squat, bend, climb, and kneel as needed to complete inspections of damaged vehicles. May require the ability to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions; May be exposed to working in body shop and/or salvage yard environments up to 25% of the time.

Pay

The salary range for this position is: $63,590 - $121,530.

Benefits

At USAA our employees enjoy best-in-class benefits to support their physical, financial, and emotional wellness. These benefits include comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, 401(k), pension, life insurance, parental benefits, adoption assistance, paid time off program with paid holidays plus 16 paid volunteer hours, and various wellness programs. Additionally, our career path planning and continuing education assists employees with their professional goals.