Mechanical Claims Adjuster

Job Summary

The Mechanical Claims Adjuster is responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and adjudicating vehicle service contract (VSC) and mechanical claims. This role works within a high-volume claims environment and serves as a key liaison between customers, repair facilities, dealerships, inspectors, and internal stakeholders.

The ideal candidate brings a strong automotive background combined with claims or warranty experience and demonstrates excellent analytical, negotiation, and customer communication skills. This position plays a critical role in ensuring accurate claim decisions, cost control, and a positive customer and dealer experience.

Primary Responsibilities

• Investigate, evaluate, and adjudicate mechanical and VSC claims in accordance with contract terms, coverage guidelines, and company procedures

• Review shop diagnostics, repair estimates, inspections, labor times, and parts pricing to determine coverage and repair eligibility

• Authorize or deny repairs within settlement authority; escalate claims exceeding authority with recommendations

• Communicate professionally with customers, repair facilities, dealerships, agents, and inspectors throughout the claims lifecycle

• Negotiate scope of repairs, labor times, and pricing with repair facilities when necessary

• Ensure repair costs align with industry standards and service contract limitations

• Document claim decisions accurately and thoroughly across multiple claims and estimating systems

• Review and approve third-party administrator (TPA) submitted claims that exceed authority limits

• Identify and escalate gray-area or complex coverage issues to leadership

• Follow established claims handling policies, procedures, and service-level expectations

Periodic / Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in quality audits, peer reviews, and calibration sessions

• Provide feedback on claim trends, cost drivers, system issues, and process improvements

• Assist with onboarding, training, and mentoring of new or junior adjusters

• Support volume spikes, new program launches, or system migrations

• Collaborate with underwriting, compliance, product, and leadership teams on escalated claims

• Attend ongoing training to stay aligned with contract updates, procedures, and best practices

• Complete special projects or reporting tasks as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred

• 2–4+ years of experience in automotive claims, VSC claims, warranty administration, or insurance adjusting

• Strong automotive background with hands-on experience in:

  • Automotive repair or diagnostics

  • Dealership service department roles (Service Advisor, Technician, Warranty Administrator)

  • Fleet maintenance, parts management, or service writing

• Working knowledge of automotive diagnostics, repair procedures, labor times, and parts pricing

• Experience working in a high-volume, call-based or claims assistance environment preferred

• Comfortable navigating multiple claims systems and estimating platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• ASE Certification(s), factory training, or other automotive industry certifications

• Previous experience with:

  • Vehicle Service Contracts (VSC) or extended warranties

  • Third-Party Administrators (TPA)

  • Insurance or mechanical claims environments

• Spanish / bilingual skills a plus

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and decision-making skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication

• Professional negotiation and conflict-resolution abilities

• High attention to detail and documentation accuracy

• Ability to interpret contract language and technical repair information

• Strong time management and ability to work within a structured schedule

• Customer-focused mindset with sound judgment

Ascendo is a certified minority owned staffing firm, and we welcome and celebrate diversity. Ascendo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, military service or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Contact information

Katie Wright