You've just had an accident with that brand new car of yours. Fortunately, if you're following New York state law, you have auto insurance and the claims adjuster at your insurance company will see things in your favor.

More information Insurance Information Institute 110 William St. New York, N.Y. 10038 (212) 669-9200

According to Heather Thomson of State Farm Insurance, claims adjusters or representatives take a customer's claim, review it for accuracy and determine whether a policy covers the damage or loss and, if so, how much is covered.

Many adjusters handle claims from their office. They get in touch with policyholders by phone or mail to get information about repair costs, medical expenses, etc. Thomson says State Farm handles many auto claims through a "drive-in" center where repair costs are determined on the spot. After these costs are figured, many firms will give the customer a check for the claim immediately.

More complex cases are handled by independent adjusters who investigate the claim by checking police or hospital records, interviewing witnesses and taking written statements and photographs at the site.

If a claim is determined to be valid, the adjuster also negotiates a settlement with the claimant. When necessary, they confer with legal counsel if a claim is disputed and litigation is forthcoming. If needed, they are even called to testify in court.

As for education, Thomson says "a degree is not required but is definitely encouraged to remain competitive" for State Farm claims representatives. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, "no specific college major is recommended" although courses in insurance, economics and other business subjects are helpful.

Many large firms provide on-the-job training for entry-level adjusters in areas such as repair cost estimation and automobile body construction. Customer service and communication skills are stressed as well because so much time is spent in contact with customers.

The individual's educational background helps determine the specialty in which he or she works. For example, an adjuster with a legal background may specialize in handling claims for workers' compensation or product liability.

People have insurance policies on everything from their cars, boats and homes to their businesses. With the number of these policies growing, the number of jobs in this field is expected to grow by more than 20 percent in the next eight years, according to The Handbook.

The median annual salary for claims adjusters, as listed in the Net Dictionary of Occupational Titles, is $23,764.