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.

Dennis@SpectacleSolutions

iTrader: (16)

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

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.

Dennis@SpectacleSolutions

iTrader: (16)

oh yeah. I know what you are talking about. I knew many adjusters from several companies that were just complete ********. 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

iTrader: (17)

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

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

$O$OE

iTrader: (14)

Very easy program to understand and use

$O$OE

iTrader: (14)

Can any if u guys give me some advice on how to become a appraiser? I was going to school for it in California but since i moved out to Texas I cant find any classes that offer these courses, so I decided to study on my own with my MOTOR Crash estimating Training Guide book, and also another estimating book which is called "Estimating for collison repair" by Michael Crandell. I also have the Mitchell program on my computer at home, I usually ge on it and mess around and write some practice estimates. My dad plans to open up his own shop since he has been doing Frame Work/Auto body rapair for 25+years in Cali. So I need to learn the whol nine yards, any1 have any advice? I been on the I-Car site and noticed they offer classes but didnt get in to dept on the site an dfound otu exactly what they tought.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

I'm also interested in some information about this career. I notice the big insurance companies are always looking for new appraisers and they have their own training programs. Just something that seems like it may be fun. I don't have any body experience, but I do have almost six years in parts (retail and dealer).

How much interaction do you actually have with the public?

$O$OE

iTrader: (14)

The experience you have in the parts department im guessing is a thumbs up because you know what parts are what, so you will have no problem identifying parts. You will interact with the public somewhat a lot, that's if your a field adjuster. swoop up some books and read them, you will gain a lot of knowledge from just reading them. Well that's if you do decide to go into this field of work.
here are some books that I have. and been reading here and there.
The book int he picture is called "Estimating for Collision Repair" by, Michael Crandell. and the other book that i own i can find a pic online but you can email motor, the company of the book and ask them for the book called "MOTOR Crash Estimating Training Guide"
product# 45003
Or you can call the guy who i got my book from which is a seller for motor out where i use to live in Cali and ask him if he will ship you a book, the book ran me around $25-30. not sure on the exact price since it was a couple years ago.
JOE GORDAN(Distributor) 1-800-300-7854

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for the info. What would you say an entry level salary would be as a field person?

$O$OE

iTrader: (14)

I have no idea.

tiznodd

iTrader: (4)

It varies considerably from location to location, but in CA, $40k is pretty typical for starting pay.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Are these 40 hour M-F, 9-5ish work weeks?

$O$OE

iTrader: (14)

depends if its for an insurance company or a shop. at my old job i seen some writers work from 8-5 and sometimes a lil longer

Frosty

iTrader: (17)

Usually, some some around here are open Saturdays until like noon or 1...some have a "late" night during the week(usually dealerships)

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

I'm just trying to compare it to my current career to see if it's worth checking out. I am very confident I could do it very well.

Thanks for all the info.