What exactly is an Auto Body Collision Estimator Career?
Collision repair
As long as you'll find cars traveling, there are gonna be auto body collisions. Even during a recession, our roads and highways are jammed. Which means there'll always be demand for properly trained Car Estimators. Moreover, there are almost always immediate openings for professionally trained auto body estimators.
Auto Body Collision Estimator programs teach students basic principles of collision damage repair and damage estimating. Using interactive media and industry standard software, students will build up the skill sets needed to properly develop a hand written or computerized damage report for auto body repair shops, insurance providers, and fleet and rental outlets.
Following is often a review of the entry-level collision estimating positions you can expect to hold after graduation where your career could lead on in just a few years. Collision Estimating Job opportunities include positions at:
New Car Dealers
Pre-owned car dealers
Retail automotive repair facilities
Automotive collision repair facilities
Insurance companies
Contract deliver and like the freedom of being your own boss
Entry-level collision estimating jobs include:
Collision Estimator
Insurance Company Estimator
Independent Estimator
Heavy Duty Estimator
Possible occupational advancements
Insurance Adjustor
Fleet Rental Specialist
Assistant Manager
Body Shop Manager or Owner
Fixed Operations Manager
Your day to day work of your Collision Estimator can be quite varied, determined by your location working as well as what your role entails. This is a typical job description for the Collision Estimator:
Inspects vehicles to determine the amount of structural, body, mechanical or interior damage using mechanical testing devices, questioning customers in regards to the vehicle or by visual inspection
Calculates tariff of labor and parts to repair or replace each affected item and estimate the salvage worth of the total vehicle loss
Analyzes repair cost estimates
Consults using the collision repair manager or foreman
Reviews affordability of repair versus replacing parts
Determines fees linked to repainting
Fills out insurance claim forms to point out repair or replacement cost estimates and suggestions
Determines feasibility of repair versus pre-accident market price
Prepares work orders