This paper is designed to show how different audiences require the writer to use different voices and vocabulary. When persuading people in a personal versus a business or professional context, the writer adjusts the formality of his or her tone accordingly. The assignment involves creating three contrasting letters: one to an insurance company, the other to a friend, the final to a boss.
¶ … Insurance Company:
My name is Mr. X and my Stateside insurance policy number is 123123. I have been a loyal policyholder for five years. This letter addresses rejected claim xyz, regarding the damage done to my Chevy Impala on December 18, 2011.
I contacted Stateside immediately upon the night of the accident to file a claim, and there is a record of my claim in your database. I issued a sworn, recorded statement over the phone to a Stateside insurance representative identified as Lisa, one of your claims handlers. However, I recently received a letter from your organization, informing me that my claim was rejected. I am writing this letter to appeal the decision.
As I informed Stateside at the time, I was driving home from the movie theater that night when the accident occurred. The night was very cold, and the roads had not been adequately salted. My car skidded on some black ice and I was unable to control the car as a result. The car crashed into a nearby lamp post. I was not injured, but my car sustained major damage to the front of the vehicle in excess of $2,500, which I have had to pay out-of-pocket since my claim was rejected.
Under the circumstances, it was impossible for me to control the vehicle. The reason that black ice is so dangerous is that it is virtually undetectable from the driver's point-of-view. I was driving with my lights on, wearing my seatbelt, and was not talking on my cellphone or otherwise distracted. No one else was in the car and I was not driving in excess of the speed limit. I have a clean driving record and no history of any reckless driving. Despite the black ice, the road was not blocked off or otherwise prohibiting drivers from entering.
Given the unavoidable nature of the accident, I respectfully ask that you reconsider my claim. I have faithfully paid my premiums to your company for the past five years with the expectation that, if necessary, you would fulfill your obligations to me, if I were in an accident. Indeed, at the time of the accident although I was shaken, I felt firm and unshakable in my conviction that my claim would be fulfilled given the circumstances.
If my claim is refused I am sad to say that I will be looking elsewhere for a company to meet my insurance needs. According to Stateside's promotional literature, it will always 'be there' for me when I am in need but I am sad to say that this has not been the case, based upon this experience. I admit that I was crushed when I heard of your decision, emotionally as well as financially.
Please contact me if you need further information on this matter. I have trusted in your company for many years to provide me with comprehensive coverage and tried to maintain my record as a good driver. Your company owes me the same consideration in return. There is no evidence that I acted in bad faith regarding my driving, and $2,500 is a considerable sum for me to pay out-of-pocket.
Please reconsider your decision, and I will continue to be a faithful Stateside driver.
Yours truly,
Mr. X
Dear Friend:
Can you believe it? I paid my premiums to Statewide for five years but the one time I do get in an accident -- which was not my fault -- the insurance company denies my claim! You know how bad the black ice has been recently? Well, my car skidded on the ice and crashed into a lamp post. I felt lucky to get out of the accident alive. I never thought that the insurance company would refuse to pay for major damage under such circumstances.
It makes me so angry how insurance companies to do everything in their power to avoid paying what they owe. Did they expect me to salt the roads myself? I was not speeding or talking on my cellphone, and I was driving with my lights on. There was nothing else I could have done. That is why is so frustrating about this experience. I did everything 'right' and everything I was supposed to do, but I will still have to pay $2,500 in damages.
It makes me so angry that I wasted so much money, paying premiums to a company for so many years when I could have found a better insurance agency that would have been there for me when I really needed them. I am sure you understand how I feel. I remember how your insurance company denied a legitimate claim on your behalf several years ago.
I hate to ask, but I need your help. Could you write a letter to the insurance company, explaining to them what a good driver I am? I have never had a ticket, except a parking ticket, during my entire career as a driver. I want them to see me as credible when I dispute this claim.
I know you are busy, but I would really appreciate it, and the car cost more money than I can afford right now to fix.
Yours truly
X
Dear Mr. Boss:
Next Monday (January 2), I will need to take a personal day because I am disputing a claim my automotive insurance agency has refused to pay.
Just before the Christmas holidays, I was coming home from a movie theater. My car skidded on black ice and crashed into a lamppost. I was unhurt, but the car sustained major damage. Despite the fact that I was not at fault, the insurance company has denied my claim and given the significance of the crash, I am contesting their refusal to pay in court. The sum of money I had to pay to restore my car to working condition was considerable, so it is necessary that I appear to ensure that I receive appropriate restitution.
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