On a recent holiday, you lost a valuable item. Fortunately, you have travel insurance to cover the cost of anything lost. Write a letter to the manager of your insurance company. In your letter: describe the item you lost explain how you lost it tell the insurance company what you would like them to do
Sample Response
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to formally claim compensation for an item that I lost during my recent holiday, as covered under my travel insurance policy. I am hoping that you will help me get my insurance coverage.
The lost item is a Rolex Submariner wristwatch with a stainless steel bracelet and a black dial, valued at approximately £7,500. It was a gift from my father and holds immense sentimental value.
In relation to the circumstances of the loss, I misplaced the watch while staying at the Grand Horizon Hotel in Barcelona on 12th February. I distinctly remember placing it on the bedside table before leaving for dinner. Upon my return, however, it was nowhere to be found. Despite reporting the matter to the hotel management and the local authorities, my efforts to recover it were unsuccessful.
Given that my policy covers lost or stolen valuables, I would appreciate it if you could process my claim at the earliest opportunity. I have attached a copy of my insurance policy, the original purchase receipt, and the police report for your reference. Please inform me if any additional documentation is required.
I look forward to your prompt response.
Yours faithfully,
Joseph Linwood
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Add policy number Original: my travel insurance policy Suggested revision: policy number 123456 Why it matters: A policy number would make the insurance claim easier to process.
- 2. Insurance phrase Original: help me get my insurance coverage Suggested revision: process my claim Why it matters: This is the natural phrase for an insurance company request.
- 3. Formal date Original: 12th February Suggested revision: 12 February Why it matters: This is a cleaner formal date style.
- 4. Formal phrasing Original: nowhere to be found Suggested revision: missing Why it matters: The shorter word is more direct in a formal claim.
- 5. Concise transition Original: In relation to the circumstances of the loss Suggested revision: Regarding the circumstances of the loss Why it matters: This transition is formal but less wordy.
- 6. List evidence Original: I have attached a copy Suggested revision: and photographs of the watch Why it matters: Including photographs would further support a high-value claim.
- 7. Plain request Original: at the earliest opportunity Suggested revision: as soon as possible Why it matters: The simpler phrase is still formal and more direct.
- 8. Polite close Original: Please inform me Suggested revision: Please let me know Why it matters: This keeps the tone polite and natural.
- 9. Support detail Original: valued at approximately £7,500 Suggested revision: valued at approximately £7,500 according to the attached receipt Why it matters: This connects the value to evidence and strengthens the claim.
- 10. Slightly restrained tone Original: holds immense sentimental value Suggested revision: has great sentimental value Why it matters: This sounds formal and natural without exaggeration.
- 11. Sentence rewrite Original: I am hoping that you will help me get my insurance coverage. Suggested revision: I would be grateful if you could process my claim under this policy. Why it matters: This uses the correct insurance collocation and a formal request structure.
- 12. Sentence rewrite Original: In relation to the circumstances of the loss, I misplaced the watch while staying at the Grand Horizon Hotel in Barcelona on 12th February. Suggested revision: Regarding the circumstances of the loss, I misplaced the watch while staying at the Grand Horizon Hotel in Barcelona on 12 February. Why it matters: The rewrite is more concise and uses a cleaner date style.
Suggested Rewrites
- my travel insurance policy policy number 123456
- help me get my insurance coverage process my claim
- 12th February 12 February
- nowhere to be found missing
- In relation to the circumstances of the loss Regarding the circumstances of the loss
- I have attached a copy and photographs of the watch
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Detailed feedback by IELTS writing criterion after the annotated essay.
Task Achievement
The letter fully covers the lost item, the circumstances of the loss, and the requested insurance action. It is formal, detailed, and includes useful supporting documentation.
Add the policy number or claim reference near the opening to make the request more administratively complete.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response is clearly paragraphed and progresses from claim purpose to item description, loss details, requested processing, and closing. Cohesion is smooth and controlled.
Tighten the opening by combining the broad claim statement with the policy details.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is precise and appropriate for an insurance claim, including “compensation”, “policy”, “valued at”, and “additional documentation”. Minor phrases such as “help me get my insurance coverage” are less natural.
Replace generic wording with exact insurance terms such as “process my claim”.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
The grammar is accurate with a good range of complex and formal structures. Minor date-style and phrasing refinements would make it more polished.
Use a consistent formal date style and avoid slightly awkward support-verb phrases.