Sr. Auto Appraiser

Why USAA?

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. Be part of what truly makes us special and impactful.

The Opportunity

We are hiring a Sr. Auto Appraiser in the Ventura County, CA area. You will within defined guidelines and framework responsible to investigate, evaluate and appraise vehicle damage claims for both repairable and total loss vehicles to ensure estimate accuracy in compliance with state laws and regulations. Accountable for delivering exceptional member service through setting appropriate expectations, proactive communications, advice, and emotional intelligence.

What you'll do:

• With the use of digital tools, 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.

• Investigate claim damages including communicating with the insured, internal claims adjusters, and third parties/vendors. May require face-to-face interactions with members and third parties.

• Review facts of loss and vehicle damage to determine if subrogation opportunities exist and ensures all supporting physical damage documentation is in the claim.

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of P&C insurance industry products, services, contracts, and internal processes/systems/procedures to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and policy provisions. 

• Review claims/suppliers for fraud indicators and refers to Special Investigations Unit for handling, if applicable.

• Maintain accurate and current claim file documentation throughout the claims process for complex claims.

• Maintain 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. Serves as a resource to team members on escalated issues of a routine nature.

• Partners with vendors and internal business partners to facilitate highest complexity claims resolution. May also involve external regulatory coordination to ensure appropriate documentation and compliance.

• Proactively provide policyholders with information regarding their coverage, repair estimate or total loss valuation, and claims/repair process while setting appropriate expectations.

• Support 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.

• May be assigned CAT deployment travel with minimal notice during designated CATs.

• Work various types of claims, including ones of higher complexity, and may be assigned additional work outside normal duties as needed.

• Ensure risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured, monitored, and controlled in accordance with risk and compliance policies and procedures.

What you have:

• 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.

What sets you apart:

• Current I-Car® Platinum Certification

• 5+ years of APD experience writing estimates and appraising vehicles

• Working knowledge of repair methods for Exotic, Luxury, Hybrid and all Electric vehicles.

• Collision Body Shop experience writing estimates

• Comfortable working in a fast paced, high productivity virtual estimating environment

• Current Global or FL adjuster’s license

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