Open To Work
Nicole Breaux Bruening
Prairieville,USA
Summary
Over 25 years of experience in insurance and automotive collision industries with a focus on management and customer service. Expertise in assessing vehicle damage and delivering precise repair estimates. Demonstrated ability to enhance customer satisfaction and improve operational efficiency. Proficient in auto repair procedures, cost estimation, and insurance claim processing.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Collision Estimator
All Star Automotive Group
11.2023 - Current
- Created estimates and coordinated workflow in shop for insurance companies, customer pay repairs, and DRP contracts.
- Finalized billing for insurance companies and communicated claims progress to all stakeholders.
Manager
Rivertown Collision Center
09.2022 - 11.2023
- Oversee all aspects of collision center operations, including hiring, payroll, and DRP programs for insurance companies, ensuring efficient service delivery.
- Close tickets to verify profit margins and ensure accurate billing in accordance with insurance agreements, maintaining financial integrity.
- Receive and post payments to tickets while addressing employee and customer issues promptly to enhance service experience.
General Manager
Gerber Collision
03.2022 - 09.2022
- Oversaw operations of largest local branch shop, reporting to corporate headquarters.
- Managed branch operations, overseeing employees, handling DRPs, hiring, assisting estimators, closing tickets, and billing insurance companies for repairs.
Manager
AAA Body and Paint
06.2019 - 03.2022
- Oversaw daily operations in collision center, including writing estimates, dispatching, and managing jobs through repair process.
- Ordered parts and communicated updates to customers, insurance companies, and rental car agencies regarding repair status.
Estimator
Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center
04.2017 - 05.2019
- Audited customer tickets to verify accurate payments from insurance companies, ensuring timely closure of tickets and providing updates to rental car agencies, insurance adjusters, and customers on vehicle repair status.
- Oversaw repair process, managing technicians and parts orders to ensure efficient workflow in the business.
- Maintained relationships with customers, insurance personnel, and vendors to facilitate smooth communication and service delivery.
Auto Field Adjuster
Geico Insurance
09.2016 - 04.2017
- Inspected vehicle damage and oversaw claim processes including payment handling, total loss valuation, settlement, and rental car management.
- Served as primary contact for first and third-party claims, ensuring effective communication and resolution.
- Managed field responsibilities from a home-based office, facilitating efficient claim assessments and customer interactions.
Auto Field Re Inspector
Go Auto Insurance
03.2013 - 08.2016
- Conducted diminution of value evaluations and approved shop estimates for payment, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Maintained relationships and provided technical and claims guidance to provider shops, enhancing service quality and claims resolution.
- Oversaw direct repair shops within company network of collision repair providers, ensuring adherence to standards and fostering collaboration.
Auto Field Claims Specialist
Safeco/Liberty Mutual
10.2011 - 03.2013
- Provided customer service to insureds and claimants by writing estimates for repairable and total loss vehicle damages, ensuring clarity and accuracy in claims processing.
- Negotiated with repair shops to agree on repair costs, facilitating claim settlements in alignment with company guidelines.
Auto Field Appraiser
Safeway Insurance Company
08.2007 - 09.2011
- Wrote estimates for automotive and property damage claims, reinspected supplements with shops, and delivered customer service to insureds and claimants.
- Supported inside adjusters and attorneys with technical knowledge and guidance.
Estimator
Gerry Lane Chevrolet Collision Center
03.2007 - 08.2007
- Wrote estimates and supplements for customer pay and direct repair claims, ensuring accuracy and compliance with industry standards.
- Billed customers and insurance companies while overseeing workflow through the repair facility to maintain operational efficiency.
- Dispatched work and oversaw employees while assisting in payroll functions and other business operations to support team productivity.
A3IM Accounts Payable Corporate Office
AWC, Inc.
08.2006 - 03.2007
- Oversaw invoice entry into accounting system, confirmed customer orders, processed weekly check runs, coordinated communication with branch offices and vendors, tracked outstanding invoices, prepared sales tax documents for multiple states, and assisted branch offices in resolving sales order issues to ensure timely invoice payment.
Automotive Claims Re inspector
Direct Insurance
12.2004 - 08.2006
- Audited appraiser estimates and claims for quality, accuracy, and compliance with company policy, ensuring adherence to standards.
- Coordinated revisions with adjusters, appraisers, and claims supervisors to facilitate timely and accurate claims processing.
Estimator
Team Toyota/Honda Collision Center
05.2004 - 11.2004
- Wrote direct repair estimates for State Farm customers and collaborated with representatives to ensure contract compliance.
- Oversaw shop work and audited insurance claims against billing to ensure accurate payment.
- Communicated with customers about their claims in the repair facility to provide updates and support.
Body Shop Assistant Manager
Brian Harris AutoPlex
09.2002 - 04.2004
- Billed customers and insurance companies while overseeing workflow in repair facility, ensuring timely service delivery.
- Dispatched work, oversaw employees, and assisted with payroll, contributing to smooth operations across business functions.
- Wrote estimates and supplements for customer pay and direct repair claims, facilitating accurate billing and customer satisfaction.
Body Shop Manager
Hwy 44 Paint and Body
11.2001 - 09.2002
- Oversaw business operations, providing regular updates to the owner.
- Provided estimates and maintained direct communication with customers and staff.
Body Shop Assistant Manager
All Star Automotive Group
05.2001 - 11.2001
- Wrote estimates and supplements for customer pay and direct repair claims, oversaw shop employees, and processed payroll to ensure timely payment.
- Billed customers and insurance companies daily, facilitating accurate and prompt financial transactions.
Auto Reinspected
Direct Insurance
01.2001 - 05.2001
- Reviewed appraiser's estimates prior to payment, checked damage against claim information, validated use of alternate parts, and documented estimate accuracy with photos.
Body Shop Estimator
Don McGill Toyota/Porsche/Audi
01.1999 - 11.2000
- Developed accurate estimates for customer pay and direct repair claims while managing team operations.
- Executed weekly payroll for commissioned employees while maintaining daily customer interactions.
Office manager, Estimator, Manager
Foreign Auto Body Shop
01.1994 - 12.1998
- Completed training for administrative role, enhancing operational support.
- Provided precise repair estimates and coordinated with customers and insurance companies, leading to promotion to shop manager and direct collaboration with owner.
Education
Troy University
01.2006
Communications
West Wood College
01.2004
Communications
Loyola University New Orleans
01.1993
Skills
- Vehicle estimating
- Claims management
- Damage assessment
- Parts procurement
- Customer relationship management
- Quality assurance
- Operational oversight
- Workflow coordination
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Attention to detail
- Team building
- Employee training
- Mechanical aptitude
- Time management
- Damage documentation
- Cost estimation
- Labor costing
- Claims processing
- Vehicle inspection
- Frame straightening
- Auto body repair
- Repair planning
- Insurance procedures
- Communication skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Schedule oversight
- Continuous improvement
- Self motivation
- Process improvement
- Schedule coordination
- Teamwork skills
- Cost management
- Time management abilities
- Financial analysis
Computer Programs
- Microsoft Word
- Outlook
- Audatex
- CCC One
- Mitchell estimating
- ADP Dealer Management program
- Stellix Management
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workWork Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
RemoteOn-SiteSalary Range
$1/yr - $130000/yrTimeline
Collision Estimator
All Star Automotive Group
11.2023 - Current
Manager
Rivertown Collision Center
09.2022 - 11.2023
General Manager
Gerber Collision
03.2022 - 09.2022
Manager
AAA Body and Paint
06.2019 - 03.2022
Estimator
Hollingsworth Richards Collision Center
04.2017 - 05.2019
Auto Field Adjuster
Geico Insurance
09.2016 - 04.2017
Auto Field Re Inspector
Go Auto Insurance
03.2013 - 08.2016
Auto Field Claims Specialist
Safeco/Liberty Mutual
10.2011 - 03.2013
Auto Field Appraiser
Safeway Insurance Company
08.2007 - 09.2011
Estimator
Gerry Lane Chevrolet Collision Center
03.2007 - 08.2007
A3IM Accounts Payable Corporate Office
AWC, Inc.
08.2006 - 03.2007
Automotive Claims Re inspector
Direct Insurance
12.2004 - 08.2006
Estimator
Team Toyota/Honda Collision Center
05.2004 - 11.2004
Body Shop Assistant Manager
Brian Harris AutoPlex
09.2002 - 04.2004
Body Shop Manager
Hwy 44 Paint and Body
11.2001 - 09.2002
Body Shop Assistant Manager
All Star Automotive Group
05.2001 - 11.2001
Auto Reinspected
Direct Insurance
01.2001 - 05.2001
Body Shop Estimator
Don McGill Toyota/Porsche/Audi
01.1999 - 11.2000
Office manager, Estimator, Manager
Foreign Auto Body Shop
01.1994 - 12.1998
Troy University
Communications
West Wood College
Communications
Loyola University New Orleans