Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Other qualifications
Generic

Trevor Hinz

Pardeeville,WI

Summary

Dynamic and detail-oriented professional specializing in precise claims processing across diverse sectors, including auto, specialty, and heavy equipment. Expertise includes a wide range of vehicles and machinery, such as campers, semi-trucks, trailers, farm machinery, and construction equipment, supported by I-CAR and ASE certifications. Currently pursuing AIC certification and a Texas license while conducting estimates for significant property losses in both commercial and residential contexts. Proven track record in property management demonstrates a commitment to maintaining high standards, ensuring tenant satisfaction, and fostering effective team collaboration to meet evolving market demands.

Overview

29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Property specialist

Erie Insurance
01.2023 - Current
  • I am responsible for contacting the insureds. Reading thru the policy and identifying coverage on the loss. As a specialist I handle large to small Property complex claims commercial and residential. I am also in charge of sending files to liability or subrogation. My job title is for handling the file, start to finish with investigation and denials.
  • Establishes immediate contact with Policyholders and claimants.
  • Conducts extensive investigations into causes and origins of all major property claims. Interviews insureds, claimants and others as required. Inspects property damage, reviews information to prepare estimates, evaluates and makes recommendations regarding coverage of claims, determines liability and total value of claims and negotiates settlements. Sets and maintains adequate reserves.
  • Exercises discretion and independent judgment in evaluating property damage in order to determine the extent of damage. Determines liability and total value of claim, develops estimate and obtains an agreed scope of work and cost of repair with contractor and/or Policyholder.
  • Determines value as they apply to the coverage.
  • Determines steps necessary to initiate investigation of a property loss. Uses outside experts and attorneys as required.
  • Documents claim files and submits final report to file for closure.
  • Assigns and supervises the handling of property losses by independent adjusters when necessary. Advises claims adjusters regarding handling of claims.
  • Conducts related training of field office claims personnel in the branch and at the Home Office.
  • Attends industry-related training programs to stay current on legal developments and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations impacting the operation of the department.
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with local, state and regional organizations and agencies which are involved in related activities.
  • Acts as coordinator of the Catastrophe Team activities at catastrophe site.

Independent adjuster

Property Damage Appraisers
01.2012 - 01.2023
  • As an independent adjuster I am responsible for marketing to insurance companies and other adjusters. I am also responsible for billing and scheduling for the other appraisers as an overflow. I am responsible on day-to-day adjusting for Auto Property and Heavy Equipment. I handle over 150 insurance companies with their policies and procedures meeting with the customers or drivers inspecting vehicles and property. After inspecting I write the estimates and making sure all the facts of loss add up if not report back to the file handler. I also take care of the supplements and work with shops to make sure the insurance companies are getting the best rates in the area along with checking invoices to make sure all parts on the estimate are getting used and that aftermarket and used parts are used where available. At this time, we are doing estimates in Mitchell and Adjust rite for heavy equipment also I am trained in Xactimate for property as I am the main adjuster for property and heavy equipment in all four of the offices. Property damage appraisers offer a property program they Xactimate and a heavy equipment and camper program which I have taken and passed.

Manager

Russ Darrow
01.2009 - 01.2012
  • As the manager, I oversaw employee relations including interviewing, Hiring and terminations. I was accountable for meeting or surpassing my monthly forecast with sales, estimates and labor costs. I also needed to establish customer relations and handle corp. accounts to produce revenue. I was also responsible for dealing with and dissolving any issues before they escalated. I was responsible for knowing and working by all Kia and Chrysler guidelines also working with any and all insurance companies and meeting their criteria.

Owner-Manager

Sharpshooters Bar and Grill
01.2003 - 01.2010
  • I was responsible for Managing the bar and the employees. I performed inventory duties and was responsible for ordering supplies. I took care of the banking and all transactions. I was responsible for scheduling special events and parties along with weekend entertainment.

Collision Damage Consultant/Estimator

Gates auto Body
01.2006 - 01.2009
  • I was responsible for assessing and estimating vehicle damage. I scheduled the repairs and kept the customer and insurance company informed throughout the process. I was responsible for knowing different insurance companies’ profiles. I billed the customer for repairs and delivered the vehicles. I provided exceptional customer service.

Estimator

Zimbrick auto Body
01.2003 - 01.2005
  • I was responsible for writing estimates, scheduled the repairs and ordering the parts needed. I worked with customers and employees with all concerns and information regarding the repairs.

Estimator/ body and Paint technician

Abra Auto Body
01.2001 - 01.2003
  • I was responsible for writing estimates, scheduling the repairs and ordering parts. I worked my way from a technician to the front office. I worked with the customers and employees with all concerns and information regarding the repairs. I started as a body paint technician repairing vehicles to the estimate.

Body technician and painter

Pacific Auto Body
01.1997 - 01.2003
  • I was a technician working on cars and semi-trucks. Repairs were everything from rust to collision repair on all makes and models also painting and restoration of buses and semi-trailers and trucks

Education

AIC300 -

The Institutes insurance learning
09.2025

Auto Body and Paint Associate Degree - Auto collision repair, refinish and estimating

Madison Area Technical School
Madison, WI
01.2002

General studies, Building trades, Teck Classes and work study

Portage High School
Portage, WI
01.2000

Skills

  • Property inspections
  • Real estate transactions
  • Property management
  • Property valuation
  • Estimating repair costs
  • Claim investigation
  • Vehicle inspection
  • Damage assessment
  • Policy interpretation
  • Technical aptitude
  • Auto repair estimation
  • Fraud detection
  • Claims handling
  • Damage mitigation
  • Critical thinking
  • Training and mentoring
  • Goal oriented
  • Staff management
  • Customer service
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem-solving

Certification

I-car certifies

ASE certified

In school for texas adjuster license

Taking AIC test in October

Timeline

Property specialist

Erie Insurance
01.2023 - Current

Independent adjuster

Property Damage Appraisers
01.2012 - 01.2023

Manager

Russ Darrow
01.2009 - 01.2012

Collision Damage Consultant/Estimator

Gates auto Body
01.2006 - 01.2009

Owner-Manager

Sharpshooters Bar and Grill
01.2003 - 01.2010

Estimator

Zimbrick auto Body
01.2003 - 01.2005

Estimator/ body and Paint technician

Abra Auto Body
01.2001 - 01.2003

Body technician and painter

Pacific Auto Body
01.1997 - 01.2003

Auto Body and Paint Associate Degree - Auto collision repair, refinish and estimating

Madison Area Technical School

General studies, Building trades, Teck Classes and work study

Portage High School

AIC300 -

The Institutes insurance learning

Other qualifications

I have strong organizational and communication skills. I am detailed and solution oriented and thinking outside the box. I possess great social skills and I work well alone and with others. I am skilled in building client relations. Proficient with computers and many estimating systems such as ADP, CCC Mitchell Xactimate, Adjust Rite and Estimate (Symbility). I also have property experience in commercial and residential in both the insurance side and the contractor side.

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Trevor Hinz