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Automobile insurance companies use appraisers as their field representatives to estimate the cost of repairs or replacements of insured items, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Most appraisers are employed as auto damage appraisers for automobile insurance companies. They inspect accident-damaged vehicles, estimate repair costs and then forward that information to their company's insurance adjuster to negotiate settlements with the insured. Insurance appraisers offer unbiased repair estimates to insurance companies who would otherwise have to rely on the estimates provided by automobile mechanics who could be tempted to charge excessively high repair costs.

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Instructions
1. Get a formal education. Although a college degree is not necessary for becoming an insurance appraiser, most insurance companies prefer appraisers with technical skills who have formally studied auto body repair and cost estimation in a technical school or a vocational college with a two-year degree, according to the BLS.

2.Gain experience as a repair estimator or as a manager in an auto body repair shop. Since insurance companies depend extensively on their appraisers' ability to correctly estimate repair costs, they prefer them to have previous experience in body shop or maintenance facility estimation or management. Knowing what repairs have to be made and what products and procedures have to be used is an invaluable skill in insurance appraising.

3.Work as an apprentice under the supervision of an experienced insurance appraiser and receive several months of on-the-job training. Under the watchful eye of a supervisor, trainee appraisers initially work on small claims until competency is established, according to the BLS. Thereafter more complex and bigger-valued projects with additional responsibilities are assigned to them.

4.Get continuing education. Since many claims are adjudicated in state and federal courts, evidentiary testimony by appraisers must be technically and legally correct. Automobile appraisers must continue to educate themselves about the latest automobiles and repair methods.

5.Get licensed. Depending on the state where you want to work as an appraiser, state licensure may be required. Along with the license, prelicensing education may need to be completed prior to sitting for a state licensing exam. In some instances a performance surety bond may also need to be filed.

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