Insurance firm told to pay Rs 4.5 lakh

CHANDIGARH: The district consumer forum has ordered a bank and insurance company to pay Rs 4.50 lakh to a Sector 37 resident for refusing to accept his accident claim and deficiency in
service.
In his complaint, Jasbir Kumar said he had approached HDFC Bank Limited for an auto loan and after completing the formalities, he took a comprehensive insurance cover from HDFC Ergo General Insurance Ltd.The policy of the vehicle was renewed and Jasbir claimed he made regular payments of the loan installments.
In November 2010, the car was gutted in an accident. Jasbir sought an insurance claim worth Rs 3.70 lakh, but was asked to pay one to two installments more. But his claim was not settled. The bank officials asked him to pay the remaining amount of loan and kept sending him letters. But according to the insurance policy, it should have been settled. Jasbir sent a notice to HDFC Bank and HDFC Ergo Insurance Company, but no positive result yielded. Finally, he approached the forum. The insurance company claimed Jasbir approached the company for the claim almost a week after the accident. The company alleged that Jasbir neither submitted an estimate of the repairs and nor did he produce the vehicle for final survey. They further contended that Jasbir did not show them the spot of accident and failed to provide assistance for the purposes of conducting a survey and also did not provide any documents necessary in assessing the claim. The forum stated, "We are of the opinion that the contentions of the opposite party are totally bereft of any merit and hence not sustainable."