The Role
Investigates, evaluates, negotiates, and resolves first-party automobile physical damage claims. Reviews coverage, appraises vehicle damage using virtual and photo-based methods, evaluates repair estimates, coordinates inspections and salvage, identifies fraud indicators, maintains claim documentation, ensures regulatory compliance, and communicates with policyholders, vendors, and repair shops. Manages claim inventory while meeting service, quality, and productivity standards.
Summary Generated by Built In
Job Summary:
The Physical Damage Specialist is responsible for investigating, evaluating, negotiating, and resolving first-party automobile physical damage claims. This role requires expertise in vehicle damage assessment, repair estimation, and claim settlement practices while delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining compliance with company guidelines and regulatory requirements.
This is a remote position with occasional visits to our New York office as needed.
Salary range: $65,000 - $75,000
What you will do:
The Physical Damage Specialist is responsible for investigating, evaluating, negotiating, and resolving first-party automobile physical damage claims. This role requires expertise in vehicle damage assessment, repair estimation, and claim settlement practices while delivering exceptional customer service and maintaining compliance with company guidelines and regulatory requirements.
This is a remote position with occasional visits to our New York office as needed.
Salary range: $65,000 - $75,000
What you will do:
- Investigate and manage first-party auto physical damage claims from initial report through final resolution.
- Review coverage, determine liability as applicable, and evaluate damages in accordance with policy provisions.
- Review damaged vehicles through virtual, and/or photo-based appraisal methods.
- Review repair estimates using industry-standard estimating platforms.
- Negotiate repair costs and claim settlements with body shops, policyholders, claimants, and vendors.
- Identify potential fraud indicators and escalate concerns as appropriate.
- Coordinate inspections, salvage disposition, and total loss evaluations.
- Maintain timely and accurate claim documentation in the claim management system.
- Ensure compliance with state regulations including New York’s Regulation 64, company policies, and claims handling standards.
- Provide clear, professional communication to policyholders and business partners throughout the claim process.
- Manage claim inventory to ensure service, quality, and productivity expectations are met.
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
- Minimum of 3 years of property damage and/or first-party auto claims adjusting experience.
- Demonstrated experience in vehicle damage appraisal and repair estimating.
- Knowledge of automobile construction, repair techniques, and collision damage assessment.
- Experience utilizing industry-standard estimating software (CCC One, Mitchell, Audatex, or similar).
- Strong investigative, negotiation, and customer service skills.
- Ability to manage a high-volume claim workload while meeting established deadlines.
- Auto Damage Appraiser License a plus.
- I-CAR, ASE, or other industry-related certifications.
- Prior experience handling total loss evaluations and salvage processes.
- Multi-state claims handling experience.
- New York Adjuster License
- Comprehensive health benefits
- Life and disability insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid parental leave
- Paid vacation, sick time, holidays, and birthday
- Peer recognition program
- We roll up our sleeves
- We take ownership for Kingstone's success
- We are nimble and move fast
- You are not a number
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
- Minimum of 3 years of property damage and/or first-party auto claims adjusting experience
- Experience in vehicle damage appraisal and repair estimating
- Knowledge of automobile construction, repair techniques, and collision damage assessment
- Experience using industry-standard estimating software such as CCC One, Mitchell, or Audatex
- Strong investigative, negotiation, and customer service skills
- Ability to manage a high-volume claim workload while meeting established deadlines
- Auto Damage Appraiser License
- I-CAR, ASE, or other industry-related certifications
- Experience handling total loss evaluations and salvage processes
- Multi-state claims handling experience
- New York Adjuster License
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The Company
What We Do
Kingstone Insurance Company is a New York State-based property and casualty insurer serving NY for over 138 years. At Kingstone, we believe that personal professional service is the proper way to provide the insurance professional and consumer with the right products at fair prices with best-in-class service. We offer multiple lines of property and casualty insurance only through our Select Producers. Kingstone Insurance Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kingstone Companies, Inc., a public company (Nasdaq:KINS).
