How to become an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser

Official title: Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Also called: Appraiser, Automobile Appraiser (Auto Appraiser), Automobile Damage Appraiser (Auto Damage Appraiser), Damage Appraiser, Field Appraiser, Field Inspector, Insurance Appraiser, Material Damage Appraiser, Outside Physical Damage Appraiser, Physical Damage Appraiser

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.

Main tasks

• Evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident.
• 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.
• Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost estimates and recommendations.
• Estimate parts and labor to repair damage, using standard automotive labor and parts cost manuals and knowledge of automotive repair.
• Determine salvage value on total-loss vehicle.
• Arrange to have damage appraised by another appraiser to resolve disagreement with shop on repair cost.

How to become one

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for a person to work as an entry-level claims adjuster, examiner, or investigator, although some positions need a bachelor's degree or insurance-related work experience. Auto damage appraisers typically have either a postsecondary nondegree award or work experience in identifying and estimating the cost of automotive repair.

Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Certificate or associate's degree: Postsecondary nondegree award. Programs such as Autobody/Collision and Repair Technology/Technician; Insurance
• Licence: A licence is required in 39 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $78,240 a year The middle half earn $65,050 to $91,880.
• About 13,500 people work in this job now, and about 12,400 are projected by 2035. (-8.7%)
• People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Related jobs

• Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
• Human Resources Specialists
• Farm Labor Contractors
• Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
• Business Continuity Planners
• Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser?

A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for a person to work as an entry-level claims adjuster, examiner, or investigator, although some positions need a bachelor's degree or insurance-related work experience. Auto damage appraisers typically have either a postsecondary nondegree award or work experience in identifying and estimating the cost of automotive repair.

How much does an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $78,240 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $65,050 to $91,880.

Is an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser a growing career in the US?

Employment is projected to fall 9% by 2035, from about 13,500 to about 12,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser?

Not always. 49% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Postsecondary nondegree award.

Will AI change the work of an Auto Damage Insurance Appraiser?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.