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Endless opportunities await a vehicle assessor

TECHNICAL ORIENTATION: Paul Els is an assessing manager. Pic. Marianne Schwankhart. 02/10/2009. © The Times. Paul Els, assesor. pic MARIANNE SCHWANKHART 02.10.09
TECHNICAL ORIENTATION: Paul Els is an assessing manager. Pic. Marianne Schwankhart. 02/10/2009. © The Times. Paul Els, assesor. pic MARIANNE SCHWANKHART 02.10.09

What career opportunities exist for an assessor?

What career opportunities exist for an assessor?

The opportunities are endless. Your career can develop from being an assessor, assessing manager, assessing business manager, general manager, internal assessing auditor, estimator or workshop manager at an autobody repairer. You can also specialise in motor assessing or non-motor assessing.

Give us a rundown of a day in the life of an assessor.

You plan and structure your day around the assessment bookings for that particular day.

Your appointments are scheduled through or by the claims department. You then go out to the clients and repairers premises, where you assess the damages to vehicles, bikes, trailers, caravans and boats caused by accidents, fire, flood, storm, theft or vandalism.

The quote or report is then sent to the claims department where it will get processed.

Why did you decide on

this career?

My passion for cars and repair work combined with my technical orientation and knowledge gained in the insurance industry has made assessing an ideal career for me.

How did you get into this career?

I qualified as an examiner of vehicles through the AA. I was then given employment in a leading insurance company. Due to my keen interest in assessing, I responded to an internal advertisement. After undergoing formal and on-the-job training, I qualified as an assessor and worked my way up from there.

What's challenging about the job?

Every incident and client is different, so you're never sure what to expect. No two days are the same and each day presents a new challenge.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

The interaction with various people, client liaison and continuous learning.

What type of person will make a success of this position?

A positive attitude is key . the skills can be trained. Good negotiation skills are also of vital importance.

What subjects do you need to pass in high school?

Mathematics in Grade 12 with Woodwork and, or Metal Work.

What does one study at tertiary level to get into this career?

A trade in panelbeating or spray painting.

What is the starting salary?

About R21000.

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