auto damage appraiser

[hammrman31]

I am looking to get into this field. Because of a workplace injury (in manufacturing),I am looking to return to the line of work I held between 1975 to 1987, as a bodyshop owner/refinisher. I have my grade 12, a collision repairers, and auto refinishing license, (Canada). I am currently taking Microsoft courses and will be done Oct 31. Yes I am over 50. Please no slams. btw there seems to be lots of jobs i the U.S. that i would be qualified for. Just looking for opinions. thanks.

[Jeff@SpectacleSolutions]

I did it for nearly 14 years. It was a good job depending on what company I worked for. I worked for Travelers Insurance (good company) Nationwide Insurance (horrible company) and Safeco Insurance (GREAT company)

I met adjusters for nearly every company you can think of and most of them suck.

Do you have any ICAR or ASE certifications? Have you used ADP or CCC ?

[hammrman31]

Originally Posted by Jeff@SpectacleSolutions

I did it for nearly 14 years. It was a good job depending on what company I worked for. I worked for Travelers Insurance (good company) Nationwide Insurance (horrible company) and Safeco Insurance (GREAT company)

I met adjusters for nearly every company you can think of and most of them suck.

Do you have any ICAR or ASE certifications? Have you used ADP or CCC ?

I have very minimal ICAR training. the other 2 I would liked to be trained on. I know what you mean about the different attitudes you can come across. As a bodyshop owner I dealt with adjusters from many different companies over the phone. Funny thing was I noticed they toned down the arrogance if you should happen to meet them in person. Most of them couldn't change a turn signal bulb.Of the appraisers of that time, the best where true car guys, you couldn't put one over on them. They realized the obligation they had to the vehicle owner, their employer, and to give a fair re numeration to the repair shop, and the mech. doing the work. That's what that job should be about.

[Jeff@SpectacleSolutions]

oh yeah. I know what you are talking about. I knew many adjusters from several companies that were just complete assholes. They thought they knew everything but actually knew very little.

ICAR isnt really that important anyway as far as im concerned. Though Im sure insurance companies value its training anyway. When I took the classes, there were idiots that slept the entire time that got the same certification I got and I didnt like that at all.


ASE is different though. You actually have to study and know the material to get the certification.

Good luck.

[HellaciousA]

Im a field adjuster right now (technically my title is property damage specialist). I write estimates on high end cars at shops that are difficult to negotiate with. Now is a bad time to get into the industry, most insurance companies aren't hiring. Claims volume are down as most people can't afford deductibles and are just cashing out on the estimates instead of fixing at a shop.

[Frosty]

I'm an appraiser. Getting out of it though, I didn't renew my PA license because I was getting laid off(stupid move, it's a bitch to reapply for).

It's a good field to get in to if you're with the right company.

oh and since we're on the subject CCC>ADP. Always Does Profit. After messing with it I now know why a lot of shops like using it...some of the times are way out there.

[HellaciousA]

Originally Posted by Frosty

oh and since we're on the subject CCC>ADP. Always Does Profit. After messing with it I now know why a lot of shops like using it...some of the times are way out there.

I use Mitchell Ultramate, but CCC and Mitchell are merging so who knows what will happen next.

[$O$OE]

Originally Posted by HellaciousA

I use Mitchell Ultramate,

Very easy program to understand and use