Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Auto Fundamentals 8 An assembly technician receives a vehicle or subassem- bly as it moves down an auto assembly line and adds parts or makes adjustments that help to complete the assembly pro- cess, Figure 1-9. This usually involves tools that are dedicated to the technician’s particular job. The technician then passes the product to the next person or machine on the assembly line to perform the next part of the process. Manufacturing also calls for many other types of jobs, such as casting and machin- ing major vehicle parts. A major part of the manufacturing process is inspecting and testing finished parts and vehicles. No matter how well designed and built, some units will have defects, and the job of the assembly inspector is to catch these defects before they reach the consumer. The two kinds of testing performed by an assembly inspector are destructive testing, in which a part is placed under a stress until it fails and is destroyed by the testing method, and nondestructive testing, in which a part’s operation is tested under various parameters but the part remains functional. Automotive Insurance Another employment possibility for a person interested in the automotive industry is to work in the auto insurance business. Nearly every state in the United States requires vehicle drivers to carry a policy with minimum car insurance coverage. Although much of insurance work appears to be paperwork or computer work, communicating and interact- ing with customers is an important aspect of the industry. Insurance Agent The job of an automotive insurance agent is to offer and sell a variety of vehicle insurance policies to protect a wide range of customers from financial loss due to auto accidents, theft, or damage. Auto insurance companies determine the risk potential of individuals and families, the value of insured vehicles, and the amount of coverage needed. An insur- ance agent must be aware of state insurance laws and obtain a license in each state in which he or she operates. In addition to selling products and services, the agent may be the person contacted by a client after an accident. Although automotive insurance work is mostly office work, an agent may have to travel to visit clients. Insurance Adjuster Automotive insurance adjusters inspect vehicles damaged in accidents or other circumstances and appraise the costs of the repairs, Figure 1-10. A career as an auto insurance adjuster requires a basic formal education, although some employer- administered classes and on-the-job training are necessary. Insurance adjusters may work with repair shop estimators, or they may do the damage estimates themselves. Traveling to estimate damages in the field is often necessary. After repairs are completed, the adjuster may meet with the client to make sure that he or she is satisfied with the repairs. Automotive Instructor Some automotive service technicians decide to become full- or part-time automotive instructors. In addition to traditional teaching positions at local high schools, colleges, and trade schools, many people work as instructors for vehicle Andrei Kholmov/Shutterstock.com Figure 1-9. Assembly technicians use the necessary tools and parts installed in their workstations to efficiently complete their step in the assembly process. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com Figure 1-10. An insurance adjuster’s inspections and repair cost appraisals of damaged vehicles are crucial aspects of the automotive insurance business.