What elements must exist for an adjuster to issue a claim payment?

For an adjuster to issue a claim payment, the confirmation of coverage is essential. This confirmation serves as a foundation for the entire claims process. When coverage is confirmed, it verifies that the policyholder is entitled to benefits as per the terms of their insurance policy. Only after this is established can an adjuster proceed with payment.

In the claims process, acknowledging the claim and conducting an investigation are important steps, but they do not by themselves guarantee a payout. An acknowledgment signifies that the claim has been received, while the investigation assesses the validity of the claim. Approval after investigation signifies that the adjuster has completed these evaluations, but it hinges upon the earlier step of confirming that the coverage applies to the situation at hand.

Payment processing involves technical aspects of how the payment is made but does not address the fundamental requirement of verifying that coverage exists before a claim payment can be approved. Therefore, the correct answer centers around the confirmation of coverage, which is critical to ensuring that payments align with the policy terms.