Vehicle Image Engineer in Wilmslow

The Department provides expert desktop engineering assessments and technical reviews for vehicles involved in insurance claims. Operating within a fast-paced claims environment, the team delivers accurate damage appraisals, repair validation, and cost control solutions through the analysis of digital images, repair estimates, and supporting documentation.

The department plays a critical role in ensuring repairs are completed safely, economically, and in accordance with insurer guidelines, industry standards, and customer expectations.

Role Purpose

The Motor Vehicle Image Engineer is responsible for assessing vehicle damage remotely using digital images, repair estimates, and supporting claim information. The role helps to control claim costs, validating repair methods, negotiating with repairers, and ensuring repairs are completed in line with insurer requirements and industry best practice.

The successful candidate will provide technical expertise throughout the claims lifecycle while delivering excellent customer service and supporting the achievement of departmental performance targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Review vehicle damage images and supporting documentation to determine repair viability and appropriate repair methods.
• Audit repair estimates for accuracy, compliance, and cost effectiveness.
• Negotiate repair costs, labour rates, and repair methods with repair networks and Bodyshop’s.
• Identify opportunities to reduce indemnity spend while maintaining repair quality and safety standards.
• Audit / Leakage reduction
• Provide clear and accurate engineering reports to support claim decisions.
• Ensure all authorised repairs comply with insurer guidelines, manufacturer recommendations, and industry standards.
• Liaise with key stakeholders such as repairers, claim handlers, and customers to resolve technical queries and disputes.
• Escalate concerns relating to repair quality, compliance, or potential fraud where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records and update claims management systems in a timely manner.
• Meet agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs), quality standards, and departmental KPI targets.
• Provide technical guidance and support to colleagues across claims and engineering functions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiencies.
• Proven experience in motor vehicle engineering, estimating, Valuation & repair auditing.
• Strong understanding of vehicle construction and repair methodologies.
• Experience using automotive estimating platforms such as Audatex.
• Knowledge of insurance claims processes and repair cost management.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Experience working with repair networks, bodyshops, and insurance stakeholders.
• Ability to assess repair estimates and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple workloads effectively.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong IT and systems proficiency.
• Minimum 5 years' experience within the motor engineering sector.
• Previous experience within an insurance or claims environment.
• Commercial vehicle engineering experience.
• Experience handling total loss and economic repair assessments.
• Knowledge of fraud indicators and claim validation processes.
• Experience using Proclaim or other claims management systems.
• Glasses and CAP valuation systems
• Manufacturer & Thatcham repair methods platforms
• Digital image-based vehicle assessments
• Vehicle damage analysis
• Repair methodology validation
• Cost negotiation and repair auditing
• Microsoft Office Suite

Personal Attributes

• Customer-focused and professional.
• Strong analytical and investigative mindset.
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities.
• Confident decision maker with sound technical judgement.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Adaptable and resilient in a high-volume claims’ environment.
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Committed to delivering quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction.

Key Performance Indicators

• SLA adherence and turnaround times.
• Accuracy and quality of engineering reports.
• Compliance with insurer and industry standards.
• Customer and client satisfaction measures.
• Productivity and case handling performance.
• Quality audit results and technical accuracy scores.