Career-PathGPS
← All education and training
Career

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipModerate pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $78,240 Median per year · $37.61/hr Most earn $58,360–$101,590

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • 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.
  • Examine damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, or interior damage.
  • Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations.
  • Arrange to have damage appraised by another appraiser to resolve disagreement with shop on repair cost.

Job outlook

United States
9% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 700 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Direct insurance (except life, health, and medical) carriers53.8%
  • Insurance agencies and brokerages24.6%
  • Other insurance related activities15.7%
  • Self-employed (their own business)2.0%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 2 to 4 years

Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage is not usually a first job. Most people spend about 2 to 4 years working in auto repair or a related field before they start appraising damage, and they get a certificate or apprenticeship along the way.

  1. High school diploma with auto or shop classes

    4 years

    Taking auto shop, drafting, or math classes builds the hands-on and measuring skills you will use later.

  2. Automotive Body and Related Repairer

    2-4 years

    Working in a body shop teaches you how vehicles are built, how damage happens, and what repairs really cost, which is the knowledge appraisers need.

  3. Insurance Appraiser, Auto Damage

    Varies after experience

    With repair experience and often a certificate or apprenticeship, you inspect damaged vehicles, estimate repair costs, and fill out insurance claim forms.

Where it can lead

  1. Claims Adjuster

    2-4 years of experience first

    Adjusters handle claims more broadly, not just vehicle damage, and usually need more schooling or training and wider claim-handling experience.

  2. Senior Insurance Appraiser

    2-4 years of experience first

    Senior appraisers handle more complex or high-value claims and may review or train other appraisers, which takes a strong record of accurate estimates.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take auto shop or automotive technology classesHands-on vehicle work gives you a real feel for how cars are built and repaired.
  • Take math and computer classesEstimating costs and filling out digital forms both rely on strong math and computer skills.
  • Get a part-time job at a car wash, tire shop, or auto parts storeStarter jobs in the car world help you learn vehicles and get comfortable talking with customers.
  • Volunteer or help with car projects at home or in a community garageWorking on real vehicles, even simple repairs, builds practical knowledge you can point to later.

In college

  • Take courses in automotive technology or collision repairA certificate or coursework in collision repair directly covers the repair knowledge this career relies on.
  • Take business, insurance, or basic accounting classesUnderstanding claims, costs, and paperwork helps you work well with insurance companies and repair shops.
  • Get a part-time job or internship at a body shop or insurance officeReal experience counts toward the 2 to 4 years of prior work that employers commonly look for.
  • Join an automotive or skills clubClubs such as a SkillsUSA-style chapter, if your school has one, build hands-on skills and professional habits.

Tips for getting started

  • Get a job in an auto body shop or dealership service area early, even as a helper, so you learn how repairs are done and priced.
  • Practice writing clear, detailed notes and photos of damage, since appraisers document everything on insurance forms.
  • Ask local body shops or insurance offices whether they offer apprenticeships or training programs.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

Related careers