Easter Seals Jobs

Appraiser/Total Loss Adjuster - 70422

DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES: Penn National Insurance has a great opportunity for an Appraiser to join our team!  * Must be Pennsylvania licensed appraiser.  * Must have current adjuster license or be willing to obtain it.  * This is a remote position. Only candidates from the following states will be considered: Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin.

This position is responsible for investigating, evaluating, and resolving automobile-Inland Marine damage claims in a timely manner in order to achieve a fair settlement within legal statutes, policy provisions and Company guidelines while restoring the vehicles to their pre-damaged condition.

COMPETENCIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE APPRAISER

Business Acumen * Performs basic claims handling duties on assigned Total Loss and automobile damage claims in a timely manner to include: * verifying coverage concerning the insured vehicle involved in the claim and policy provisions in order to identify the claim's insurability. * making appropriate contacts and negotiating with policyholders inclusive of issuing physical damage payment to appropriate parties. * taking responsibility for handling and resolving policy holder problems or requests pertaining to auto or inland marine claims. * Prepares and documents accurate vehicle/equipment damage appraisals, actual cash, and replacement values according to insurance department regulations, best practices, and technical resource guide information. * May be required to assist Material Damage Specialist or CSO as required in catastrophe situations.

Negotiation * Achieves a fair settlement in disposition of claims in order to pay the appropriate amount of legal liability while satisfying the demands of insureds and legal professionals. * Uses appropriate, tactful, and complete communications in order to ease negotiations, project a positive corporate and personal image, and develop rapport.

Results Oriented * Reviews appraisal reports and communicates with policyholders and repair shops. * Properly identifies and pursues salvage and subrogation opportunities when available to recover the amount of payment.

Time & Priority Management * Prepares claim file documentation accurately and completely to justify all actions taken and provide a good audit trail. * Completes actions in a timely basis to satisfy the company, insureds, and claimants that effective effort is being made toward claim settlement.

Decision Making * Completes appraisals of damaged vehicles, to include at the vehicle inspections. * Establishes the physical damage claim value of assigned losses. * Utilizes technical expertise and information gathering to accurately determine physical claim value of claims using company recognized resources, estimating, and evaluation software. * Provides claims personnel with expert advice on vehicle repair, parts costs, garage expertise, and opinion on whether specific damage is related to a particular accident. * Performs various projects requested or assigned by the Material Damage Specialist.

CORPORATE CORE COMPETENCIES OF THE APPRAISER

Effectively Communicates and Connects * Communicates and negotiates effectively with peers regarding work outcomes. * Influences by making a strong case, bringing other people on the team to understand the presented viewpoint. * Provides feedback and is clear when disagreeing with an approach; offers suggestions for improvement. * Attentively listens and asks clarifying questions and paraphrases to enhance understanding. * Builds and nurtures positive relationships within the workplace.

Customer Focused * Identifies explicit and implied customer needs. * Asks probing questions to fully understand business requirements. * Develops positive relationships with customers by meeting their needs as well as incorporating t eir feedback. * Responds quickly and acts with high quality solutions that address needs and improve overall customer experience. * Owns resolution of customer experience outcome.

Talent Development Mindset * Discusses technical and professional development with peers to gain suggestions for further development. * Actively seeks and acts on opportunities to recognize peers for high performance. * Stays alert to identify learning opportunities for self.

Demonstrates Adaptability * Contributes to progressive thinking within the team by posing questions that challenge traditional methods or processes. * Proposes ideas and suggests new approaches to tackling own work tasks and issues in a better way to drive organization success. * Participates in and actively support change initiatives, and provide ideas to promote their success. * Recognizes and manages an ambiguous work environment. * Demonstrates flexibility in generating alternative solutions and recommendations.

Demonstrates Accountability * Applies judgment in making decisions about own work and takes responsibility for actions. * Demonstrates reliability by producing steady work results and delivering on commitments to team members on time. * Takes responsibility for regularly seeking and applying feedback and actively learning from errors and setbacks. * Understands the mission of the organization.

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS FOR THE APPRAISER * The Auto Appraiser reports to the Material Damage Specialist * The Auto Appraiser has direct contact and interacts with all levels of personnel within the Claims Service Office * Occasionally interacts with underwriting personnel regarding claim issues * May occasionally interact with agents * Has direct contact with policyholders/claimants, third parties, and vendors

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE APPRAISER Education/Credentials * High School diploma, or equivalent, required * Must possess a valid Appraiser's license * Ability to obtain an Adjusters license in multiple states * I-CAR professional designation and/or course work preferred * IIA Certificate in General Insurance and Associate in Claims courses desired

Experience * Minimum of 2-years of automobile appraisal estimating experience, preferably with an insurance carrier

OR  * Minimum of 2-years of property claims handling experience or experience working in a body shop 

Technical/Professional Knowledge * Effective communication skills, both oral and written * Effective inter-personal skills * Effective organization skills, with the ability to work independently * Strong negotiation skills and the ability to deal with conflict and resolve issues promptly and fairly * Must be detail oriented, as assigned work requires significant attention to detail * Personal Computer skills, with an emphasis on Microsoft products * Must be knowledgeable of auto estimating technology/systems * Requires knowledge of collision repair techniques, as well as knowledge of automotive mechanics, paint, body, and frames * Ability to work within a team-oriented, fast-paced, customer-focused environment * Must have excellent skills in estimating material damage * Must possess basic math skills * Must remain current on jurisdictional laws and regulations; communicate compliance requirements to other claim staff as appropriate. * Commitment to continuous education pertinen