Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 7
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Insurance
Curriculum Theme: Insurance
Previous Lesson: Insurance Renewal.
Topic: Insurance Claims
Subject Matter: Meaning of claims notification, duties of the insured in claims, duties of the underwriters insurer in claims

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define insurance claims notification.
State at least three duties of the insured when making a claim.
Mention at least two duties of the underwriter (insurer) in the claims process.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of following proper procedures when making an insurance claim.
Identify the need for honesty and cooperation between the insured and the insurer during a claim.

Psychomotor Domain:

Identify specimen documents used in the insurance claims process.
Demonstrate how to report a loss to an insurer.

Participate actively in discussions about insurance claims.
Collaborate with peers to understand the roles of different parties in a claim.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools.
State Unified Scheme of Work for Insurance SSS 1.
Ewuoso, S. O. (2018). Comprehensive Insurance for Senior Secondary Schools 1-3. University Press PLC.
https://www.naicom.gov.ng
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/270428-insurance-claims-in-nigeria-a-guide-to-making-claims.html

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Charts showing the claims process flow.
Specimen insurance claim forms.
Specimen police report forms (if applicable).
Whiteboard or chalkboard.
Markers or chalk.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the practical steps involved when a loss occurs and how to seek compensation from an insurance company. It teaches them the correct procedures and responsibilities of both the person insured and the insurance company, which is important for managing financial risks in daily life.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are assumed to have prior knowledge of what insurance is and some basic types of insurance from previous lessons.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Insurance Claims

Meaning of Claims Notification

Claims notification refers to the formal communication made by the insured to the insurance company (insurer) informing them of the occurrence of an event or loss covered by the insurance policy.

It is the first step an insured takes after a loss to initiate the process of receiving compensation.

Duties of the Insured in Claims

When a loss occurs, the insured has several duties to fulfill to ensure a smooth claims process. The following are duties of the insured:

Prompt Notification: The insured must notify the insurer of the loss as soon as reasonably possible, usually within a specified time frame mentioned in the policy.
Provide Accurate Information: The insured must provide all necessary and accurate details about the loss, including date, time, cause, and extent of damage.
Mitigate Loss: The insured must take reasonable steps to prevent further loss or damage after the incident.
Cooperate with Insurer: The insured must cooperate fully with the insurer and their representatives during the investigation of the claim.
Provide Proof of Loss: The insured must submit relevant documents such as police reports, medical reports, repair estimates, and photographs as proof of loss.
Avoid Admission of Liability: In third-party claims, the insured should not admit liability to any third party without the insurer’s consent.

Duties of the Underwriter (Insurer) in Claims

Upon receiving a claims notification, the underwriter (insurer) also has specific duties. The following are duties of the underwriter:

Acknowledge Receipt: The insurer must acknowledge receipt of the claims notification promptly.
Investigate the Claim: The insurer must conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the validity of the claim, the cause of loss, and the extent of damage.
Assess the Loss: The insurer must accurately assess the value of the loss based on policy terms and conditions.
Pay Valid Claims Promptly: If the claim is valid and covered by the policy, the insurer must pay the compensation due to the insured promptly.
Communicate Decisions: The insurer must communicate their decision on the claim to the insured, providing clear reasons for acceptance or rejection.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews the previous lesson on types of insurance. The teacher then asks pupils what they think happens after a person who has insurance experiences a loss (e.g., their car gets stolen, or their house burns down). This leads to the topic of insurance claims.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and share their ideas, linking previous knowledge to the new topic.
Learning Point: Pupils recall prior knowledge and are introduced to the concept of insurance claims.

Step 2: Meaning of Claims Notification

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of claims notification, emphasizing it as the formal step to inform the insurer about a loss. The teacher writes the definition on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, take notes, and ask questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand and define insurance claims notification.

Step 3: Discussion on Insured’s Duties

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the various duties of the insured when making a claim, using examples to illustrate each point. The teacher writes the key duties on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, contribute to the discussion, and copy notes from the board.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and state the duties of the insured in the claims process.

Step 4: Presentation of Insurer’s Duties

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents the duties of the underwriter (insurer) in the claims process, explaining what the insurance company is expected to do once a claim is made. The teacher writes these duties on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions, and take down notes.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and state the duties of the underwriter (insurer) in the claims process.

Step 5: Demonstration with Specimen Documents

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Visual Aids
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays charts and specimen claim forms, explaining how they are filled and their importance in the claims process. The teacher points out key sections of the forms.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the specimen documents and ask questions about their use.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and understand the purpose of specimen documents used in insurance claims.

Step 6: Class Activity/Group Work

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Collaborative Learning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides the pupils into small groups and gives them a scenario of a loss (e.g., a fire incident). Each group discusses and lists the immediate steps the insured should take and what they expect the insurer to do.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils work in groups to discuss the scenario and list relevant actions. A representative from each group briefly shares their findings.
Learning Point: Pupils apply their understanding of claims procedures to a practical scenario.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define insurance claims notification.
State three duties of the insured when making an insurance claim.
Mention two duties of the underwriter (insurer) in the claims process.
Identify one specimen document that can be used during a claim.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of prompt notification and cooperation in claims. The teacher assigns homework: “Research and write down the typical timeframe an insurer has to settle a claim in Nigeria.”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are given a task for further research.

Lesson Keywords

Claim – A formal request made by the insured to the insurer for payment of benefits based on the terms of an insurance policy.
Notification – The act of formally informing the insurance company about an event or loss.
Insured – The person or entity whose life, property, or liability is covered by an insurance policy.
Insurer – The insurance company that provides the insurance coverage.
Underwriter – An individual or company that assesses and accepts risks on behalf of an insurer.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, they will be encouraged to research specific types of claims (e.g., motor insurance claims, health insurance claims) and present their findings. For those who require more support, the teacher will provide additional examples and simplified explanations, possibly using visual aids more extensively and allowing peer-to-peer explanation.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure they have actual or mock specimen claim forms to show pupils for better understanding. Encourage pupils to share any personal or family experiences with insurance claims (without revealing sensitive information) to make the lesson more relatable. Emphasize the ethical aspects of claims, such as honesty and avoiding fraudulent claims.