🏠 Insurance English: First Notification of Loss – B1

Section 1 – Vocabulary

The letter below was drafted by a trainee claims handler as an acknowledgement of a first notification of loss. It contains six errors — casual language, wrong terminology, missing professional phrases, or a legally risky statement. Read the letter carefully. For each numbered box below, type the incorrect word or phrase exactly as it appears in the letter. If you identify it correctly, a correction option will appear.

Section 2 – Reading in Context

Read the email from the claims department. Then answer the questions below.

Dear Mrs Ahmed,

Re: Claim Reference CL-2026-4471 — Acknowledgement of First Notification of Loss

Thank you for contacting us to notify us of the incident at your property. I am writing to confirm that we have registered your claim and that the claims process is now underway.

We understand that your property suffered damage following an escape of water from a faulty washing machine on the fourteenth of June. We also note that a third party — your neighbour in the flat below — has reported water damage to their ceiling as a result of the same incident.

In order to progress your claim, we ask that you take the following steps as soon as possible. Please photograph all affected areas before moving or cleaning anything, as this will provide important evidence to support your claim. Please also retain any receipts or invoices for items that have been damaged.

Please be aware that your policy is subject to an excess of two hundred and fifty pounds, which will be deducted from any settlement we make.

An assessor will be in contact with you within three working days to arrange a convenient time to visit the property and assess the damage. Your claim reference number is CL-2026-4471. Please quote this number in all future correspondence with us.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact your claims handler directly.

Yours sincerely,
Claims Registration Team

Section 3 – Language Focus

The email uses formal professional language. For each informal phrase below, select its formal equivalent from the email.

The informal version is shown in italics. Choose the correct formal version from the dropdown.

Section 4 – Conversation Practice

Complete the conversation between the claims handler and Mrs Ahmed. Choose the correct word or phrase for each gap.

Section 5 – Error Correction

The email below was written by a trainee claims handler. It contains six errors — wrong vocabulary, wrong register, or unprofessional phrasing. Read the email carefully. For each of the six numbered boxes below, type the incorrect word or phrase exactly as it appears in the email. If you identify it correctly, a correction option will appear.

Dear Mrs Ahmed,

Thanks for letting us know about the flood at your house. We have opened up a case for you.

We understand that your washing machine leaked and caused damage to your kitchen. We also know that your downstairs neighbour has been affected.

Please take some photos of the damage and keep your receipts. Also, we confirm that the flood was caused by your faulty washing machine, so the claim will definitely be paid.

Your policy has an excess of two hundred and fifty pounds, which will be knocked off your payment.

Someone will be in touch within three working days to arrange a visit. Your case number is CL-2026-4471.

Give us a ring if you need anything.

Best,
Claims Team

Find the errors

There are 6 errors. For each one, type the incorrect word or phrase exactly as it appears in the email above, then click Check. If correct, a correction option will appear.

Section 6 – Listening

Listen to the assessor calling Mrs Ahmed to arrange the visit. Then answer the questions below.

🎧 Listen to the conversation

Press Play to listen.
Claims Handler: Good morning, Mrs Ahmed. This is the claims team calling regarding your claim reference CL-2026-4471.

Customer: Oh yes, hello.

Claims Handler: I am calling to confirm that an assessor has been appointed to visit your property. The assessor will visit on Thursday morning — they will contact you directly to confirm the exact time.

Customer: That is good to know. Thank you.

Claims Handler: I also wanted to follow up on the third party situation. Could you let me know whether you have spoken to your neighbour about the damage to their ceiling?

Customer: Yes, I spoke to them yesterday. They have some water staining and a small crack in their ceiling.

Claims Handler: Thank you for that information. Please share your claim reference number with your neighbour so they can contact us directly.

Customer: Of course. I will do that today.

Claims Handler: Finally, please make sure you do not move or clean any of the damaged areas before the assessor arrives.

Customer: Understood. I have not touched anything.

Claims Handler: Perfect. The assessor will be in touch shortly. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Part A – Comprehension Questions

Part B – Listen and Fill the Gap

Each sentence is from the conversation. One word or phrase is missing. Listen and type it.

🏆 Your Scores

SectionScoreOut of
1 – Vocabulary Matching10
2 – Reading Comprehension5
3 – Language Focus8
4 – Conversation Practice10
5 – Error Correction6
6a – Listening: Comprehension5
6b – Listening: Gap Fill5
Total49

Complete all sections to see your total score.