| What is an estimator? | | | | Therefore, the more estimate sales that the estimator |
| An estimator is a person that writes auto repair | | | | produce, the more income he or she can earn if on |
| estimates on vehicles that have been involved in an | | | | one of these types bonus incentives. |
| accident. The estimator must understand the basic car | | | | What is the first step to becoming an auto estimator? |
| design and know the nomenclature of a vehicle. The | | | | The first thing you will need is to learn is the basics. |
| estimator must also have good communication skills as | | | | You can do this by enrolling in a collision repair |
| they deal with customers on a daily basis. Not only | | | | program. Many local community and junior colleges |
| does the estimator have to communicate with | | | | offer these programs. This will allow you to learn the |
| customers, but they will also be the contact person for | | | | basics about the entire industry. Everything from the |
| the insurance companies, shop managers, and the | | | | body repair, structural or frame repair to painting. Most |
| shop foreman or technicians. Therefore, | | | | programs incorporate a basic estimating course within |
| communications is a must for an auto estimator. This | | | | the auto program. This will give you a taste of the |
| career pathway is definitely for a people person. In | | | | industry and determine where you fit in best at. You |
| fact, I would even say that a person that writes auto | | | | may decide to become a collision or paint technician |
| repair estimates for a auto body repair center needs | | | | instead of a person that writes auto repair estimates |
| to be part salesman. It is their job to sell them self, the | | | | Whatever you decide, this training is the first step to |
| company, the technicians, and the service that the | | | | securing a job in the auto collision repair or estimating |
| shop provides. Not all technicians make good | | | | careers. Some insurance companies require that you |
| estimators, but it is a good idea for the estimator to | | | | have a bachelor degree, but many do not. Experience |
| have experience as a technician. Although, there have | | | | hold a lot of weight with insurance companies as well. |
| been people hired without experience and trained by | | | | The training is your foundation and how you build the |
| the shop to write estimates. | | | | building is up to you. What I mean is, once you have |
| Who Hires Estimators? | | | | your basics down, you have many opportunities and |
| There are two different industries that hire auto | | | | directions to explore. |
| estimators. One is auto body repair shops and the | | | | Where do I find a facility to gain the training? |
| other is insurance companies. This can also split into | | | | The best training for your money is going to be at a |
| other categories in each industry. Collision shops can | | | | junior or community college. Community colleges |
| be dealerships, franchise shops, or independent shops. | | | | normally focus on smaller groups, which offers lower |
| Some insurance companies hire their own auto | | | | student per instructor ratio. This leads to a deeper level |
| estimators, while other insurance companies hire | | | | of learning. They also receive state and federal |
| independent auto estimators. When you write | | | | funding, which allows them to offer quality programs at |
| estimates for the insurance company your title may be | | | | a much lower cost to the student. Other training |
| an auto appraiser instead of an auto estimator. | | | | facilities include technical schools and private owned |
| What Can An Auto Repair Estimator expect to earn? | | | | schools. Check with your local community college to |
| This can vary on your experience and if you work for | | | | see if they offer collision repair. If not, ask them if there |
| a small body shop or a insurance company. However, | | | | is a nearby tech school that does. Chances are that |
| according to O*Net the national median for an Auto | | | | they will know where to point you in the right direction. |
| Damage Appraiser is $53,440 and had a growth rate | | | | Once enrolled in a collision repair program, you will be |
| of 7% to 10% in a ten year period. (2006 - 2016) Some | | | | on your way to a career as a person that writes auto |
| collision repair centers will pay their estimators a salary | | | | repair estimates or many other career pathways that |
| and a percentage of every job that they sell. | | | | collision repair has to offer. |