Denial of widow's claim costs insurer an extra Rs two lakh

MUMBAI: In an ex parte order, a district consumer forum has ordered Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company to pay insurance of Rs 3.75 lakh and compensation of around Rs 1.85 lakh to the widow of a Thane man who died of a heart attack in 2009. The insurance company had rejected the claim on the grounds that the man had concealed the fact that he was suffering from diabetes."Since it was proved that the policy holder died after suffering a heart attack, the complainant was entitled to seek the claim amount," the consumer forum said.Snehalata Tiwari had filed the complaint before the Additional Mumbai District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum on December 23, 2010. In the complaint she said her husband Laltaprasad Tiwari had procured the policy from the insurance company and paid the first annual premium of Rs 75,000 in July 2009. The policy was valid from July 2009 until July 2019. At that time Laltaprasad was 64 years old. He underwent various medical tests, the results of which were kept by the insurance company.Snehalata said that on December 20, 2009, her husband suffered a heart attack and died. She filed the insurance claim, submitting all the relevant documents.Alleging deficiency in service by the insurance company, Snehalata said that the company had taken the premium amount after conducting its own medical tests.As the insurance company did not file its reply before the forum to the notices issued, the forum decided to pass an ex parte order.Snehalata submitted various documents before the forum, including evidence to show that her husband had paid Rs 75,000. The forum observed that in the absence of the defence, the complainant's version remain unchallenged.