Sr. Auto Appraiser - Field (Maryland)

About the role

The Opportunity at USAA involves evaluating and appraising vehicle damage claims for repairable and total loss vehicles. This role requires adherence to state laws and regulations, and involves setting appropriate expectations, proactive communications, and empathy towards members.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates and appraises highly complex auto physical damage claims using digital tools.
• Investigates claim damages, communicates with insureds, internal claims adjusters, and third parties/vendors.
• Reviews facts of loss and vehicle damage to identify subrogation opportunities and ensures all supporting documentation is present.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of P&C insurance industry products, services, contracts, and internal processes/systems/procedures to ensure compliance.
• Reviews claims/suppliers for fraud indicators and refers to Special Investigations Unit if necessary.
• Maintains accurate and current claim file documentation throughout the claims process for complex cases.
• Maintains high standards of productivity through effective desk management, timely follow-ups, and accurate mapping of repair plans and timelines.
• Reviews additional damages received from repair facilities to either complete supplements or triage to field provider methods of inspection.
• Serves as a subject matter expert representative for disputed claims or trials.
• Partners with vendors and internal business partners to facilitate the highest complexity claims resolution.
• May involve external regulatory coordination to ensure appropriate documentation and compliance.
• Proactively provides policyholders with information regarding their coverage, repair estimates, or total loss valuations, and claims/repair processes while setting appropriate expectations.
• Supports workload surges and catastrophe (CAT) response operations as needed, including required on-call dates and potential evening, weekend, and/or holiday work outside normal work hours.
• May be assigned CAT deployment travel with minimal notice during designated CATs.
• Works various types of claims, including those of higher complexity, and may be assigned additional work outside normal duties as needed.
• Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma.
• 4 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 as a military spouse/domestic partner.
• I-CAR certification.

Physical Demands

• May require the ability to operate a company vehicle within assigned territory.
• May require the ability to reach, handle, squat, bend, climb, and are keen 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.
• May be required to meet all USAA safe driving requirements including verification of driving record through MVR & possession of valid driver’s license.

Pay

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