Car accidents happen all the time, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to be responsible for handling the aftermath of an accident? Collision estimators have an important and engaging job, inspecting damaged vehicles and coordinating with many different parties to ensure that the repair process is handled accurately. These professionals assess vehicle damage, estimate the cost of repairs, calculate the customer payment, collect insurance estimates, and file work orders for repairs.
If you’re considering a career as a collision estimator, you’ll be a valuable liaison for a number of different parties throughout the repair process. Read on to discover some key skills that will help you to succeed in this exciting career!
1. Are You Great at Record Keeping? Auto Body Estimator Training Could Be Right for You
Collision estimators must keep track of everything they do, making documentation an essential component of their job. Everyone involved in the repair process relies on the documents a collision estimator draws up, including repair shops, vehicle owners, insurance companies and parts providers. As a collision estimator, you’ll be recording each detail, from your meetings with customers to the collection of insurance estimates. Recording details accurately is important in order to ensure that costs are correctly estimated and that each party is informed of the details behind the repair process. If you’re both attentive to detail and a skilled record keeper, a career in auto body estimation could be right for you.
2. Communication Skills Are Essential for Any Collision Estimator
Communication is one of the most important skills for a collision estimator to have, as these professionals are responsible for coordinating between a number of different parties. Not only are collision estimators often the primary point of contact for a customer who has experienced an accident, but they also maintain communication between insurance companies, repair technicians, and parts providers. As a collision estimator, you’ll succeed by having skills in customer service, as creating a beneficial relationship with customers will be important in earning their trust and ensuring a smooth repair process.
3. Collision Estimators Benefit from Critical Thinking Skills
After auto body estimator training, you’ll be inspecting vehicles closely to determine the extent of the damage. During the inspection process, you’ll be combining your own visual assessment and tests with the customer’s recount of the accident in order to arrive at a conclusion of how the repair costs should be calculated. This complex assessment process requires strong critical thinking skills, as every accident will be unique, and different challenges can arise at any moment. A good estimator will be able to evaluate the situation at hand and come to a reasonable solution—and with critical thinking skills, your success in this role will be enhanced.
4. Time Management is an Important Skill for those in Auto Body Estimator Training
Collision estimators have plenty of different responsibilities to juggle on any given day. These professionals handle many different repairs at a time, each with their own set of challenges and deliverables. As a collision estimator, having good time management skills will help you to keep track of the multiple repair processes you’re managing, while making time to speak with customers and act as a resource for the additional parties involved. When you learn how to prioritize tasks and stay organized, you’ll be able to keep up with the diverse range of demands on your plate as a collision estimator.
These are just some of the skills that will help you to succeed during your collision estimator training. Focus on building them to ensure your success throughout your future career!
Think you have what it takes to become a collision estimator?
Explore programs for auto careers with ATC Surrey today!
