#Claim Settlement

The Uttarakhand State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission set aside the District Commission’s rejection of a motor insurance claim based on delayed intimation, awarding ₹6,49,500 with 7% interest from 26 February 2021. The ruling clarifies that prompt intimation by the insured defeats an insurer’s attempt to repudiate a genuine claim, reinforcing consumer rights in insurance disputes.

The Gujarat CDC ruled that a sugar-cane harvester, classified as a special-purpose vehicle, is not required to obtain a periodical inspection certificate under the Gujarat Motor Vehicles Rules. Consequently, the insurer must settle 75 % of the Insured Declared Value with interest, clarifying claim-settlement obligations for owners of similar agricultural equipment.

The Chandigarh State Consumer Commission ruled that the suicide exclusion clause in life insurance policies is triggered from the date of policy revival, not the original issuance. This decision impacts claim settlements, as insurers may now deny full payouts if suicide occurs within one year of revival, even if the policy was active for years prior.