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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Part of Finance, in the Insurance pathway.

Job zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 13-1032.00

What the work is

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

On a typical day

  • Estimate parts and labor to repair damage, using standard automotive labor and parts cost manuals and knowledge of automotive repair.
  • Review repair cost estimates with automobile repair shop to secure agreement on cost of repairs.
  • Examine damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, or interior damage.
  • Evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident.
  • Determine salvage value on total-loss vehicle.
  • Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations.

What it pays

$79,200
Median pay per year, Texas (no San Antonio figure published)
New workers start near $49,340
Experienced workers reach $101,500
  1. $49k10th
  2. $57k25th
  3. $79kMedian
  4. $100k75th
  5. $102k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $49,340, 25th $56,680, Median $79,200, 75th $100,220, 90th $101,500

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

-8%

U.S. employment change

500

openings a year nationwide, from growth and people leaving

9,200

employed nationwide in 2024

Typical entry education: Postsecondary nondegree award · Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Speaking3.8
  2. Writing3.3
  3. Active Listening3.9
  4. Reading Comprehension3.6
  5. Critical Thinking3.8
  6. Time Management3.0
  7. Judgment and Decision Making3.1
  8. Social Perceptiveness3.0

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less24%
  2. Certificate29%
  3. Some college31%
  4. Associate degree15%
  5. Bachelor's degree1%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • St. Philip's
  1. Collision/Refinishing Technician

    Degree · Certificate · Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics

Apply to Alamo Colleges

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