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Material Damage Appraiser Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Material Damage Appraiser information

See Michigan salary details

$21.1K

$47.4K

$69.4K

How much do material damage appraiser jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for material damage appraiser in Michigan is $47,418.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,761.00 and $53,568.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a material damage appraiser?

Material Damage Appraisers are professionals who inspect vehicles, property, or other insured assets that have been damaged due to accidents, natural disasters, or other incidents. Their primary role is to assess the extent of the damage and estimate the cost of repairs or replacement. They work for insurance companies, independent firms, or as self-employed consultants, and their evaluations help determine the settlement amount for insurance claims. Material Damage Appraisers must have a good understanding of repair processes, costs, and relevant industry standards.

What does a material damage appraiser do?

A material damage appraiser evaluates and settles insurance claims by assigning appropriate value to items. As a material damage appraiser, you typically work for an insurance company or independent agency and may review cars, property, and other valuables. Your responsibilities include determining an item’s value based on the condition, ensuring claims are legitimate, providing an estimate on cost if repair is needed, deciding the final amount to be paid, and negotiating settlements. You also contact doctors, employers, and other individuals for additional information on potentially fraudulent claims that require investigation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a material damage appraiser?

To thrive as a Material Damage Appraiser, you need a solid understanding of automotive repair, estimating processes, and insurance claim procedures, usually supported by relevant experience or certifications such as I-CAR or ASE. Familiarity with estimating software like CCC One, Mitchell, or Audatex is typically required to assess and document damage accurately. Strong attention to detail, negotiation skills, and effective communication enable you to work efficiently with repair shops, clients, and insurance adjusters. These skills are crucial for providing accurate estimates, ensuring fair claim settlements, and maintaining customer satisfaction in a fast-paced environment.

How does a material damage appraiser typically collaborate with repair shops and insurance adjusters during the claims process?

Material Damage Appraisers work closely with both repair shops and insurance adjusters to ensure that vehicle damage assessments are accurate and fair. They frequently visit repair facilities to inspect damaged vehicles, discuss repair options, and review estimates with shop personnel. Effective communication and negotiation skills are essential, as appraisers must balance customer needs, repair shop recommendations, and insurance company guidelines. This collaborative approach helps streamline claim resolutions and ensures all parties are aligned on repair costs and timelines.

What is the difference between Material Damage Appraiser vs Insurance Adjuster?

AspectMaterial Damage AppraiserInsurance Adjuster
CredentialsCertifications in claims or appraisal, sometimes state licensingInsurance licenses, certifications in claims handling
Work EnvironmentAuto, property, or casualty claims assessment, often in repair shops or officesField and office work assessing insurance claims
Employer & IndustryInsurance companies, auto repair, or appraisal firmsInsurance companies, third-party claims organizations

While both roles involve evaluating damages, Material Damage Appraisers focus specifically on assessing physical damage to vehicles or property for claims processing. Insurance Adjusters handle broader claims, including liability and coverage issues. The roles often overlap in credentials and work environments, but Material Damage Appraisers specialize in damage valuation for repairs.

What are popular job titles related to Material Damage Appraiser jobs in Michigan?

For Material Damage Appraiser jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Material Damage Appraiser jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Material Damage Appraiser jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Material Damage Appraiser jobs in MI?

For Material Damage Appraiser jobs in MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Material Damage Appraiser job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,418 per year, or $22.8 per hour.

Paralegal (Legal Assistant)

Detroit, MI


City of Detroit
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

6.6

Company rating: 6.6 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

733rd of 849 rated public administrative organizations

People enjoy working here

Uninterrupted breaks


$64K - $97K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Description This is not a Civil Service Position. DWSD employees are subject to provisions of Court Orders entered in United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, Case No. 77-71100 with regard to certain terms and conditions of employment.

DWSD does not honor reversion rights for internal candidates. Applicants for open positions at the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time

General Summary The Paralegal /Legal Assistant isa professional who perform complex and technical administrative work in the Office of the General Counsel of DWSD and is responsible for performing technical tasks; researching relevant laws, regulations and legal articles (if certified as a paralegal); gathering and arranging legal documents; filing documents with courts; drafting reports to assist counsel; reviewing discovery for relevance; summarizing depositions; taking detailed notes and; drafting correspondence on behalf of counsel as well as following security and safety policies and procedures in carrying out work duties. Requirements Paralegal certification (desired) Bachelor's degree (desired) Notary Public (desired) Two to five years of experience in Paralegal or Legal Assistant role Experience in the presentation of legal information in a public setting Experience in drafting, editing and serving litigation related documents including, but not limited to, discovery, responsive pleadings and creating a TOC and TOA for litigation briefs Experience in reviewing and summarizing deposition and trial transcripts and medical records. Examples of Duties JobDuties (Illustrative only, may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all of the tasks that may be performed) Assist four attorneys in preparing for legal transactions, depositions, hearings, trials and conferences Complete administrative tasks, including individual cases or transactions Investigate the factual evidence of a transaction or case and preparing relevant exhibits, charts and diagrams to display or communicate information Draft basic legal court documents, such as pleadings, motions, discovery, affidavits and subpoenas without a specific example Obtain due diligence materials Organize and track files for important transactions or case documents, including pleadings and voluminous discovery documents Review Discovery responses/documents for relevance Create and maintain a case-management database Conduct case research (if certified Paralegal) Preparedetailedreportsand memoranda Knowledgeof: Laws, policies, and procedures that affect the department Litigation, organization and management MS-OfficeSuite(Word,Excel, PowerPoint) Quality management and process improvement principles Michigan Court Rules and Federal Court Rules related to Pleadings and Discovery SkillTo Maintain the calendars of counsel Coordinate and confirm court dates and appointments Perform electronic filing process PrepareFOIA responses Prepare Damage Claim responses Prepare litigation related documents without use of an example Highly organized when managing multiple tasks Work under tight deadlines Draft correspondence and basic pleadings Actively participate in organizational change initiatives Analyze information to make effective decisions AbilityTo Respond to work place dynamics in a timely, visionary and proactive manner Proficiently utilize standard office and pertinent specialized software (including Microsoft Office Suite products and Westlaw) Interpret and analyze data Manage multiple priorities Acquire additional training and knowledge of contemporary principles and best practices of function managed Work effectively with minimal supervision Complete specialized, technical assignments Develop effective working relationships with other business units as well as external vendors and customers Learn and effectively use new software programs (including Smartsheet and HighQ) Minimum Qualifications EvaluationProcess Oral appraisal 25% Writing Assignment 50% Training, Experience, and Personal Qualifications: 25% License, Certification and Other Special Requirements Valid Michigan Driver's License This is not a remote position.

In-office attendance is required Monday through Friday. Supplemental Information



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