Full-Time

Senior Auto Damage Appraiser

Updated on 8/1/2026

Arbella

Arbella

1,001-5,000 employees

Regional insurer with community foundation philanthropy

Compensation Overview

$75k - $80k/yr

Company Does Not Provide H1B Sponsorship

Farmington, CT, USA

In Person

Regional assignments, adjacent workgroups, Saturday work, and catastrophic-event support may be required.

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)
Required Skills
Market Research
Customer Service

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Requirements
  • Education equivalent to an associate degree, or a high school diploma supplemented by educational coursework in auto or engine repair, or equivalent related work experience.
  • Have at least five years of on-the-job or technical physical damage estimating experience with demonstrated industry and repair knowledge.
  • Demonstrate strong technical knowledge and skills consistent with the requirements of the Auto Damage Appraiser position.
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral interpersonal communication skills.
  • Proactively seek opportunities to assist teams and team members outside the assigned region or territory to meet business needs.
  • Maintain positive and professional working relationships with coworkers, peers, and others within the organization, collaborate effectively, and work with others to achieve department goals.
  • Exhibit customer service, collaboration, and time management skills.
  • Maintain a customer focus and flexibility to meet customer needs and expectations while leveraging technology and communication.
  • Demonstrate working knowledge of personal auto policy language and the workflows and processes of auto physical damage claims.
  • Successfully complete required in-house, on-site repair-shop, industry training, and certifications.
  • Maintain a valid driver’s license in good standing and a current appraiser license.
Responsibilities
  • Independently inspect and prepare repair estimates for first- and third-party auto physical damage claims in the field and at drive-in locations.
  • Prepare appraisals for moderate- to high-complexity assignments, including non-drivable, non-repairable vehicles and heavy equipment.
  • Prepare total-loss evaluations by considering vehicle condition and researching market values.
  • Collaborate with the team to provide coverage and facilitate timely completion of appraisals in line with customer experience and department expectations.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for the claim team on repair disputes, repair facility charges, and potential fraud.
  • Mentor new appraisers, provide branch claim office guidance to claim staff, and assist with onboarding new claim employees.
  • Complete thorough inspections of first- and third-party vehicles for collision and comprehensive damage in accordance with company guidelines.
  • Negotiate completed appraisals with repair facilities to obtain agreed repair costs, and inspect and authorize supplement repairs as necessary.
  • Complete re-inspections of repaired vehicles for compliance with paid repair estimates.
  • Prepare accurate and timely vehicle-damage estimates with photographic or video documentation of subject and prior damage.
  • Manage work assignments, including scheduling customer and repair-facility appointments, and prepare estimates promptly after inspections.
  • Identify potential fraud and inconsistencies between loss descriptions and physical damage, and alert the primary claim owner.
  • Provide customer service by flexibly scheduling appointments and responding to telephone, email, and text inquiries promptly and professionally.
  • Participate in self-education by observing repair work and staying current with repair techniques and procedures.
  • Maintain strong intradepartmental working relationships and professional, timely communication and responsiveness.
  • Act as a subject matter expert for claim professionals on repair timeframes, delays, and reasonable repair-facility charges, and spend time within branch claim offices to build relationships.
  • Work with repair and towing facilities to secure advance charges for non-repairable vehicles, complete vehicle pickup requests, and notify relevant parties of vehicle status.
  • Demonstrate flexibility in regional assignments, assist with overflow and volume fluctuations in adjacent workgroups, work Saturdays, and support catastrophic events.
  • Mentor less-experienced appraisers by providing guidance, resources, support, and learning facilitation.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Arbella Insurance Group serves as a regional property and casualty insurer in New England, selling auto and homeowners insurance through a network of independent agents. Its products are standard P&C policies underwritten for individuals and communities in the region, funded by premiums and managed through a local, community-focused model. The company strengthens its market position by committing a portion of its success to philanthropic efforts via the Arbella Insurance Foundation, established in 2005, which has donated more than $45 million to hundreds of nonprofits in the same communities Arbella serves. This foundation-backed approach differentiates Arbella from larger national carriers by emphasizing steady, local stewardship and community reinvestment rather than rapid, nationwide expansion. Arbella’s overarching goal is to support non-profit organizations making a tangible impact in New England communities, sustaining a quiet, long-term commitment to the people it serves.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Early VC

Total Funding

$80K

Headquarters

Quincy, Massachusetts

Founded

1988

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • The foundation has donated more than $47 million since 2005.
  • 2025 grants targeted food insecurity, housing, health, and immigration reform.
  • Broad support for 500 charities expands brand reach across New England.

What critics are saying

  • Massachusetts auto pricing pressure compresses margins in Arbella's core market.
  • Regional catastrophe losses can quickly worsen combined ratios.
  • Independent-agent distribution faces pressure from direct-to-consumer insurers and pricing wars.

What makes Arbella unique

  • Local New England underwriting is paired with a large philanthropic foundation.
  • Independent agents and employees directly shape community grantmaking.
  • Sixteen straight Boston Business Journal charitable-contributor recognitions reinforce credibility.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Flexible Work Hours

Hybrid Work Options

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Wellness Program

Gym Membership

Tuition Reimbursement

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

4%

1 year growth

4%

2 year growth

4%
Arbella Insurance
Jun 12th, 2026
Arbella Insurance Group named to Boston Business Journal's "Best Places to Work" for 18th consecutive year.

Arbella Insurance Group named to Boston Business Journal's "Best Places to Work" for 18th consecutive year. QUINCY, Mass., June 12, 2026 - Arbella Insurance Group ("Arbella"), has been named to Boston Business Journal's prestigious 2026 Best Places to Work list, marking its 18th consecutive year of recognition. Arbella ranked #3 in the extra-large business category and was the only Property and Casualty company honored during the awards ceremony held on June 11, 2026. The annual Best Places to Work award recognizes Greater Boston employers of all sizes for high employee satisfaction and positive workplace culture. Arbella has appeared on the list every year since 2009. "It's our mission at Arbella to put people first in everything we do, from how we work with our customers to how we support our employees," said Ellen Mann, Head of Human Resources at Arbella. "Our employees are the reason we've earned this recognition year after year, and I'm proud of the workplace we've built where employees feel genuinely valued, supported, and connected to something bigger than themselves. Being named a Best Place to Work for the 18th consecutive year is a reflection of their dedication, and we're honored to carry this award for another year." That sense of connection extends well beyond the walls of Arbella's offices. Through the Arbella Insurance Foundation ("Foundation"), Arbella employees have many opportunities to give back to the communities they call home. Whether it's supporting food insecurity programs, local health initiatives, or community organizations that matter most to Arbella employees, the Foundation provides the support to enhance employee giving. Arbella's strength lies in the people who power it. With over 1,000 employees across Massachusetts and Connecticut, the company is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, engaging workplace centered on employee wellbeing, continuous learning, and professional development. Businesses are ranked based on confidential employee feedback in the form of a survey. The survey questions highlight excellence in areas such as collaboration, leadership trust, communication, and overall employee satisfaction. About the Arbella Insurance Group Established in 1988, the Arbella Insurance Group (www.arbella.com) has an AM Best Financial strength rating of A "excellent" and more than $1 billion in revenue and over $2 billion in assets. Headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, Arbella is a customer-focused, regional property and casualty insurance company, providing commercial insurance products in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, and personal insurance products in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Recognized as one of the Boston Business Journal's "Best Places to Work" for 17 consecutive years, Arbella is deeply committed to maintaining high levels of employee satisfaction and supporting a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Arbella attributes its success to their dedicated employees, strong agent partnerships, and community focus. Christine Williamson Greenough Communications 617-275-6528 Insurance for New englanders. Arbella sells insurance through local independent agents and Arbella Insurance Group work with some of the best in the area. They live and work where you do, and their expert advice given with a personal touch can make all the difference in getting you the insurance you really need.

Arbella Insurance
Apr 17th, 2026
Arbella Insurance Group wins ICMI "Best Customer Service Innovation" Award for Contact Center excellence.

Arbella Insurance Group wins ICMI "Best Customer Service Innovation" Award for Contact Center excellence. Recognition reinforces Arbella's commitment to providing outstanding customer service to communities throughout New England. QUINCY, Mass., April 17, 2026 - Arbella Insurance Group (Arbella) has been recognized with the "Best Customer Service Innovation" award at the 2025 International Customer Management Institute (ICMI) Global Contact Center Awards. The honor recognizes the Arbella contact center's use of advanced technology, streamlined processes, and employee development initiatives to strengthen the customer experience. "I'm proud of our team's focus on improving the service we provide, and grateful to ICMI for recognizing our progress," said Karin Martin, Assistant Vice President, Operations at Arbella Insurance Group. "ICMI has empowered us to optimize operations and elevate the quality of service we deliver to our customers." As Arbella continues to grow across New England, the company has expanded its service capabilities to keep pace with customers' changing expectations. In partnership with ICMI, Arbella has strengthened its contact center platforms, programs, and training, further reinforcing its customer-first values and award-winning company culture. Michelle Dipietro, Director of Contact Center Operations at Arbella, added: "Our contact center team is central to the experience we deliver, so it's essential they have the tools and support to do their best work. The right technology, combined with leaders trained to guide and support the front line, has increased our operational efficiency and positioned us well for the future." In a news release announcing the winners, ICMI Portfolio Director Abbie Caracostas said, "Congratulations to this year's winners of the ICMI Global Contact Center Awards. The program recognizes and celebrates the exceptional leaders in the contact center community - individuals and teams who embody the very best of our industry. Through their dedication to innovation, new technologies and best practices, they are setting the standard for excellence across the industry." About the Arbella Insurance Group Established in 1988, the Arbella Insurance Group (www.arbella.com) has an AM Best Financial strength rating of A "excellent" and more than $1 billion in revenue and over $2 billion in assets. Headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, Arbella is a customer-focused, regional property and casualty insurance company, providing commercial insurance products in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire, and personal insurance products in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Recognized as one of the Boston Business Journal's "Best Places to Work" for 18 consecutive years, Arbella is deeply committed to maintaining high levels of employee satisfaction and supporting a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Arbella attributes its success to their dedicated employees, strong agent partnerships, and community focus. Insurance for new englanders. Arbella sells insurance through local independent agents and Arbella Insurance Group work with some of the best in the area. They live and work where you do, and their expert advice given with a personal touch can make all the difference in getting you the insurance you really need.

Carrier Management
Mar 6th, 2025
CEOs on the Move at Insurify and Arbella

Arbella Insurance Group announced that CEO and Founder John Donohue will be retiring after 24 years as the company's CEO.

Insurance Journal
Mar 6th, 2025
People Moves: Arbella Insurance Group Appoints Brady as Next CEO as Donohue Retires

Arbella Insurance Group, headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts, named Executive Vice President and Head of Claim Paul Brady as CEO, effective June 1.

Insurance Journal
Feb 23rd, 2024
Arbella Insurance Teams Up With Soccer's New England Revolution

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