Frederik Van der Merwe

Senior Motor Vehicle Assessor and owner of Veritas Motor Assessors Group, bringing more than 21 years of motor insurance assessing experience and 17 years of practical experience as a qualified A-Grade Panel Beater. My career combines hands-on vehicle repair knowledge, workshop leadership and extensive insurance claims experience. I began my automotive career as a Panel Beater Apprentice in 1988 and qualified as an A-Grade Artisan in 1991.

I progressed through senior workshop responsibilities to Business Foreman before moving into motor insurance assessing with Telisure Holdings in 2005. In 2009, I established my own independent assessing business and continue to provide professional motor vehicle assessing services through Veritas Motor Assessors Group. I have strong experience in both physical and digital vehicle assessments.

Digital assessment work includes reviewing supplied vehicle photographs and claim information, evaluating visible damage, identifying where further information or photographs are required, preparing electronic assessment documentation and providing clear technical findings. My service capability includes digital assessments across South Africa, alongside physical inspections in the East London area and surrounds. I aim to deliver independent, accurate and commercially realistic assessments that assist insurers and claims stakeholders with sound decisions, effective repair-cost control and technically supported recommendations.

OWNER & SENIOR MOTOR VEHICLE ASSESSOR at VERITAS MOTOR ASSESSORS GROUP (2009 – Present)

Established and operate an independent motor vehicle assessing business, providing physical and digital assessment services and technical claims support.

• Conduct accident damage assessments on passenger vehicles, SUVs, 4x4s, bakkies, light commercial vehicles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, caravans, motorhomes and fleet vehicles.
• Perform digital assessments using supplied photographs and claim documentation, assess visible damage and request additional information where required.
• Prepare electronic assessment reports and technically motivated findings for insurers and claims stakeholders.
• Determine damage extent, cause and repair requirements; distinguish accident-related damage from pre-existing or unrelated damage.
• Evaluate repair methods, repair-versus-replace requirements, structural and mechanical damage, and economic repairability.
• Review repairer quotations and verify parts, labour and repair costs; identify unsupported or unrelated costs.
• Consider vehicle values, salvage implications, betterment and potential write-off decisions.
• Conduct supplementary assessments and post-repair quality-control inspections.
• Liaise professionally with insurers, repairers, insured clients and other stakeholders.

MOTOR VEHICLE ASSESSOR at TELISURE HOLDINGS (2005 – 2009)

Moved into the motor insurance industry after a practical career in vehicle repair and workshop management.

• Inspected accident-damaged vehicles and completed comprehensive damage assessments.
• Determined repair methodology and repair-versus-replacement requirements.
• Evaluated repair quotations, parts and labour, and identified pre-existing damage.
• Assessed structural and mechanical damage and considered economic repairability.
• Prepared insurance claims reports and provided technical recommendations.
• Liaised with repairers and insurance stakeholders.

BUSINESS FOREMAN / SENIOR PANEL BEATER at MOTOR BODY REPAIR INDUSTRY (1991 – 2004)

Following qualification as an A-Grade Artisan, progressed into senior workshop responsibilities and the position of Business Foreman.

• Carried out and oversaw accident damage repairs, panel replacement, structural repairs and body alignment.
• Planned repairs, allocated work, supervised staff and monitored workshop production.
• Managed repair quality, progress inspections and final repair checks.
• Developed practical knowledge of repair procedures, labour requirements and realistic repair costs.

PANEL BEATER APPRENTICE (1988)

Commenced automotive career through a panel beating apprenticeship, developing practical skills in vehicle body repair, accident damage repair, panel replacement, body alignment and workshop procedures.

N3, aUDATEX,

Education, Qualifications & Professional Training

N3 Technical Qualification

Qualified A-Grade Panel Beater / Artisan – 1991

Panel Beater Apprenticeship – 1988

Audatex Training – Motor vehicle damage estimating and repair-cost assessment.

VDQGBSA Registered Motor Assessor – Membership No. VDQ1703152.

Covenant Body of South Africa – Registered Assessor.

Additional Technical Skills & Systems

Audatex

GT Motive

V-Claims

Codeplex

Structural damage assessment

Vehicle repair costing and estimating

Insurance claims assessment