Pay Rs 15 lakh in death claim, consumer forum tells insurance company

A consumer forum situated in Narmada district, Gujarat, has directed an insurance company to compensate the family of a man who passed away in a road accident with a sum of Rs 15 lakh. The firm’s contention regarding the expiration of the victim’s vehicle registration was dismissed by the forum., as reported by Times of India.

In March of last year, Dinesh Baria, a resident of Narmada district, succumbed to severe injuries sustained when a truck collided with his motorcycle.

Last year, when Baria’s family submitted a claim for his personal accidental insurance cover of Rs 15 lakh to Go Digit General Insurance Company, the firm declined the claim, citing the expiration of Baria’s bike registration in August 2021, stated the Times of India news report. In August 2023, Baria’s family lodged a complaint with the Narmada District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

Also read: Widows of accident victim & vehicle owner get relief from Supreme Court, motor insurer to pay Rs 13.7 lakh

During the trial, the insurance firm argued at the forum that the victim had failed to renew the mandatory registration under the Motor Vehicles Act, thereby violating the rules of the insurance policy. However, upon reviewing all the documents, the consumer forum noted that according to the FIR filed in the case, the accident seemed to have been caused by the error of the truck driver, indicating no negligence on the part of the victim.

The forum further observed that the insurance company had issued the policy to Baria covering the period from April 2022 to April 2023, despite the expiration of his vehicle’s registration in August 2021. Therefore, the forum concluded that the insurer could not contend that the victim’s vehicle registration had expired. Consequently, the forum directed the firm to compensate the complainant with Rs 15 lakh along with 7% interest. Additionally, the firm was instructed to pay Rs 3,000 for mental harassment and legal expenses incurred by the complainant.Also read: After death of home loan borrower, husband fights for 13 years for life insurance claim against SBI Life Insurance and wins