In legal terms, an adjuster is the person who investigates claims.

Who is referred to as an 'adjuster' in legal contexts?

• A. A person who writes affidavits
• B. A person who investigates claims
• C. An expert in acoustics
• D. A judge in a court case

Answer: (B)

In legal contexts, an 'adjuster' refers specifically to a person who investigates claims. This typically involves evaluating insurance claims, assessing damages, and determining the extent of the insurer's liability. Adjusters play a critical role in the claims process, serving as intermediaries between the claimant and the insurance company. They gather facts, interview witnesses, inspect property, and analyze policy coverage to adequately resolve claims and ensure fair settlements. In contrast, the other choices do not accurately define the role of an adjuster. Writing affidavits involves creating written statements that are confirmed by oath, which relates to legal documentation rather than claim investigation. An expert in acoustics focuses on sound and its behavior, which is unrelated to claim assessment. A judge oversees court proceedings and rules on legal matters, but does not engage in the investigation of claims, as that is outside their judicial responsibilities.

A quick reality check, especially for anyone navigating legal transcripts: when someone says “adjuster” in a legal context, they’re not talking about a judge, an acoustics expert, or someone who writes affidavits. They’re talking about a claims investigator. Let me explain what that means and why it matters for you as a reader who’s dipping into the world of legal reporting.

Who is an adjuster, really?

Here’s the thing: in legal circles, an adjuster is typically the person who investigates insurance claims. They arrive at the scene of a loss, or review documents later, to determine how much the insurer should pay and what policy coverage applies. It’s a role built on gathering facts, assessing damages, and calculating liability. Think of them as the bridge between the claimant’s story and the insurer’s ledger.

To be precise, here are a few everyday duties an adjuster might juggle:

• Collecting evidence: photos, receipts, repair estimates, medical bills, and witness statements.

• Checking policy details: confirming what’s covered, what limits apply, and what endorsements might change things.

• Interviewing people: claimants, witnesses, contractors, and sometimes healthcare providers.

• Assessing damages: evaluating property loss, repairs, or total losses, and sometimes projecting future costs if a claim is ongoing.

• Making a liability call: deciding how much the insurer owes and what factors might reduce that amount.

Notice what’s not part of the job? Writing affidavits, which are sworn statements used as legal documents. That activity belongs to a different lane—more about documentation and testimony, not the day-to-day work of settling a claim. And not every legal professional who asks hard questions is an adjuster. An acoustics expert, for instance, studies sound—totally unrelated to claim investigation. A judge oversees court proceedings and makes rulings, but they don’t typically dig into the facts of a single claim the way an adjuster does. The label fits one purpose: the claims investigation role.

A quick contrast to keep things clear

• Affidavits: legal statements sworn under oath, often used to support a claim or an argument in court. They’re documents, not investigators.

• Acoustics expert: a technical specialist who analyzes sound, noise, or vibration. Their reports help litigants with technical questions, not insurance liability per se.

• Judge: the decision-maker in a case, applying law to the facts presented. Their job isn’t to audit a claim’s details on an insurer’s desk.

Why this distinction matters for reporters and students of law

If you’re studying for the RPR path, you’ll hear a lot about how evidence is gathered, documented, and presented. The adjuster’s role sits at a critical intersection: they can influence what facts come into play and what the narrative of a claim ends up being. For a court reporter, understanding the ecosystem helps you capture testimony with accuracy and context.

• Clarity in deposition: When an adjuster testifies or is cross-examined, you’ll want your transcripts to mirror how their role shapes the facts. A claim’s chain of custody, the policy language cited, and the damages calculations all matter. If you’re the one recording, you’ll be listening for dates, numbers, policy references, and the exact wording of answers.

• Evidentiary relevance: Adjusters often bring business records, estimates, letters from the insurer, and repair bids into a case. Recognizing these as part of the evidentiary fabric helps you flag potential exhibits, understand why a certain item is admitted, and preserve the integrity of the record.

• Professional neutrality: The adjuster’s statements can be pivotal, but as a reporter, you maintain neutrality. Your job is to document precisely what’s said, not to weigh it in your own voice. That restraint matters—especially when a deposition could influence settlements or trial outcomes.

What a typical interaction might look like in transcripts

Let’s sketch a small scene that helps you picture the flow. A claimant reports a damaged roof after a storm. An adjuster arrives with a notebook, a clipboard, and a calculator. Questions fly:

• What happened, and when?

• Where is the damage located, and can we see photos or receipts?

• What did the contractor estimate, and how did you arrive at the repair cost?

• What parts of the policy apply to this claim, and are there any exclusions?

• Have you spoken with any other experts, like a structural engineer?

As the reporter, you’re listening for precise language—dates, dollar amounts, policy section numbers, the names of contractors, and any qualifiers like “likely,” “possible,” or “unknown.” Your note-taking should capture not just the facts, but the tone and the way the witness phrases things. In the end, your transcript helps both sides rely on a clear, verifiable record.

Tips for reporters when adjusters show up in a session

• Confirm key details at the start: claim number, policy number, insured name, and the adjuster’s name and employer. A quick recap helps prevent later confusion.

• Track exhibits with care: if the adjuster mentions a repair estimate or a written letter, note the exhibit number and ensure it’s properly marked in the transcript.

• Watch for policy language: when an adjuster cites coverage, riders, or exclusions, capture the exact wording. It matters.

• Clarify ambiguous phrases: if a number isn’t clear, or a term is mispronounced, you can request a slow recitation or a repeat. Precision saves everyone a headache later.

• Maintain objectivity: you’re the observer—the recorder of facts. Let the attorneys argue the interpretation; your role is to record what’s said, how it’s said, and in what sequence.

A light glossary you can skim

• Adjuster: a person who investigates insurance claims, assesses damages, and determines liability.

• Affidavit: a sworn written statement used as evidence.

• Policy language: the specific terms and conditions of an insurance contract.

• Exhibit: any document or item introduced as evidence.

• Deposition: sworn out-of-court testimony recorded for later use in court.

Why the term matters beyond a single question

This isn’t just trivia for a test or a mental jog. The way we label roles in the legal ecosystem shapes how cases are understood, argued, and documented. If you’re part of the NCRA community or planning to join, you’ll encounter a variety of professionals who each bring a piece of the puzzle to a transcript. A reporter’s ability to distinguish a claims investigator from a judge, or from a technical expert, helps create a record that’s accessible and credible.

A few reflective notes

• It’s natural to mix up roles when you’re new to the field. We all start somewhere, and the way people describe their work evolves as you see more cases.

• Real-world sessions often slip into a rhythm: the adjuster lays out the facts, the claimant signs a document, the attorney asks pointed questions, and you, the reporter, capture the cadence of the moment.

• Even in a world that leans on technology, the human element remains central. Clear communication, careful listening, and precise transcription—these stay the bedrock of reliable records.

A final takeaway you can carry with you

If you walk away with one idea, let it be this: in legal contexts, an adjuster is the investigator who digs into insurance claims. They’re not the person who writes sworn statements, they’re not the expert on sound, and they’re not the judge who rules on a case. Their work is about facts, coverage, and liability—areas that inevitably intersect with how a case unfolds and how it’s documented.

For students and professionals connected to the field of court reporting, that clarity matters. It sharpens your listening, informs your note-taking, and strengthens the integrity of your transcripts. And that, in turn, makes the whole legal process a little more transparent for everyone involved.

If you’re curious to learn more about how different roles interact in the legal system, you’ll find plenty of real-world examples in case transcripts, deposition transcripts, and the occasional behind-the-scenes chatter about how claims get resolved. It’s a world where every detail counts, and every statement—whether from a claimant, an adjuster, or a lawyer—adds texture to the story you help tell with your notes.

So next time you hear the word adjuster, you’ll know exactly what it means, why it matters, and how to approach it with the precision and poise that a court reporter brings to every session. After all, the truth in a transcript often rides on the clarity of one careful, well-placed question—and the calm, exacting answer that follows.