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Insurance Judgements
Judgements on Insurance Related Matters
Supreme Court of India
&
National Consumer Disputes Redressal commission
Reference: www.judis.nic.in/supremecourt/chejudis.asp
www.ncdrc.nic.in
For details please refer full judgement of honourable court/commission
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Motor Third Party Claim:Compensation for disability
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No.9676 of 2011
Date of Judgement:08-11-2011
Sri Laxman @ Laxman Mourya VS The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd
This is a motor third party claim where in the victim was of 24 years of age & working as a carpenter earning Rs. 5000 per month. He suffered 38 % disability of whole body.The MACT awarded compensation of Rs.45000 With 8 % interest from the the date of application. The High Court increased the compensation to Rs.76000 With 6 % interest from the the date of application.In this appeal against the judgement of Karnataka High Court honourable Supreme Court of India enhanced the compensation to Rs.837640 with 8 % interest from the date of filing the petition.
Motor Insurance:Theft of vehicle: Delay in intimation to Insurer
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.1362 of 2011
Date of Judgement:01-09-2011
Ranglal (Deceased)through his legal representatives VS United India Insurance Company
Delay in intimation of over two months of theft of tractor to insurance company. According to the conditions of the insurance policy, the theft had to be intimated to the insurance company immediately. Insurer repudiated the claim. District. forum admitted & directed insurance company to pay the claim, where as state commission set aside the order of district forum on the basis of National commission order in the case of New India Assurance Company Ltd., vs Trilochan Jane. Agreeing with the order of state commission, revision petition was dismissed by National Commission.
Motor Third Party Claim:Compensation for death of foetus
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No.7212 of 2011
Date of Judgement:23-08-2011
National Insurance company Ltd VS Kusuma & Anr
Honourable Supreme court dismissed the appeal of insurance company against the award of HC where in high court had enhanced the compensation to Rs. 180000 with 6 % interest for the death of a 30 weeks foetus due to a motor accident.
General Insurance:Limitation period
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.3118 to 3144 of 2010
Date of Judgement:05-08-2011
Lakshmi bai & ors, Chaya bai & ors, Tulsi bai ors VS ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company & Ors
This judgement pertains to limitation clause under section 24-A of the consumer protection act & deals 140 revision petitions of death cases, sum insured Rs. 50000 in each, of Vivekananda Insurance scheme of Govt. of M.P. The honourable national commission remanded the cases to district forums for consideration with the following observations:
The cases where such payment is not made, would fall in one of the following categories—
1). Where no claim is made either with nodal officer or the Insurance Company, within 2 years of date of death such claims shall be barred by limitation.
2). Cases where claim is made to nodal officer or nodal officer has forwarded the claim to Insurance Company or claim has been directly filed with Insurance Company within 2 years of the death and the claim has remained undecided. In such a case the cause of action will continue till the day the Respondent/insurance company pays or rejects the claim.
3). In a case where the claim is rejected by the Respondent/insurance company, the cause of action arises again from the date of such rejection.
In the above cases, the remedy under the Consumer Protection Act 1986, cannot be barred on the ground that the jurisdiction of the consumer fora was not invoked within two years from the date of death/incapacitation. Any contrary view in the matter, will result in the claimant/consumer being penalized for the delay caused by the Respondent/insurance company.The revision petitions are accordingly, disposed of in the above terms. The cases falling in the categories mentioned above stand remanded to the concerned District fora for consideration afresh, in the light of the above observations. The parties shall bear their own costs.
Motor Own damage claim:Renewal of fake driving licence
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.2002 of 2007
Date of Judgement:25-07-2011
National Insurance Company Ltd VS Rajesh Ohri
It is an own damage claim & petition filed by insurance company against the orders of state commission, quoting Supreme Court of India Judgement ( National Insurance Co. Vs. Laxminarayan Dhut Civil Appeal No.1140 of 2007 decided on 02.03.2007) that a fake original driving licence if renewed can not make it genuine & bonafide renewal.However to prove its contention insurance company failed to sumit convincing evidence of licencing authority that the original licence was fake except the affidavit of divisional manger which was not accepted by honourable national commission. Honourable commission stated in the judgement that in the instant case, the Petitioner/Insurance Company on whom the onus was placed to do so has not been able to produce credible evidence to conclusively prove that the original licence was fake.The only evidence submitted is an affidavit of the Divisional Manager of the Petitioner/Insurance Company which states that verifications made from the District Transport Office, Gurdaspur had indicated that the licence as purported had not been issued by that office to Sucha Singh. No affidavit or letter from the District Transport Office, Gurdaspur has been produced by the Petitioner to further support the contentions made in the affidavit of the Divisional Manager. Counsel for Petitioner also admitted before us during oral submissions that Petitioner had not produced either an affidavit or a letter from District Transport Office in this respect before the Fora below.Obviously, in the absence of this, the affidavit of the Divisional Manager of the Petitioner/Insurance Company has little evidentiary any value and we are, therefore, unable to accept the Petitioner’s contention that it was conclusively proved that the original licence of the driver Sucha Singh was fake.We, therefore, have no option but to dismiss the present revision petition and confirm the order of the State Commission.
Motor Own damage claim:Overloading of passengers
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.2636 of 2010
Date of Judgement:13-07-2011
National Insurance Company Ltd VS Ms.Usha devi
It is an own damage claim & petition filed by insurance company against the orders of state commission. In this case a minibus permitted to carry 13 passengers were carrying 26 passengers met with accident causing death to 7 & injury to 19 passengers. Honourable commission allowed the appeal of insurance company & set aside the orders of state commission, restoring the district forum order where in complaint was dismissed.
Life Insurance:Double accidental benefit in death due to accident
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.2433 of 2007
Date of Judgement:11-07-2011
LIC of India VS Smt. Ranjit Kaur
LIC paid sum insured but denied double accidental benefit as per policy condition, that when accidental death was caused insured was under influence of liquor. Distt. Forum & state commission allowed the double accidental benefit stating the detailed reasons in the orders. Agreeing with the lower fora, National Commission dismissed the appeal of LIC & upheld the order of state commission.
Motor Third Party Claim:Compensation in death
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No.4921 of 2011
Date of Judgement:04-07-2011
National Insurance company Ltd VS Shyam Singh & Others
In this case a young person bachelor of 19 years age died in motor accident on 01-11-2007.MACT awarded a total compensation of Rs.172000 finding that the deceased was earning Rs. 3000 per month, deducting 50 % towards personal expenses as he was bachelor, considering the age of parents 56 & 55 years, applied the multiplier of 9 with 6 % interest from date of petition. On appeal high court considering the income Rs.4500 & applied a higher multiplier & enhanced the compensation from Rs. 172000 to Rs. 339000.In this appeal by insurance company the supreme court restored the multiplier applied by MACT,considering the age of parents.
Motor Insurance:Liability of Insurer after sale of vehicle
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.2012 of 2007
Date of Judgement:05-05-2011
Oriental Insurance Company VS M/S Kamal Tours & Travels
In the present case National Commission observed that respondent did have any insurable interest at the time of the accident, hence set aside the order of the State Commission and accepted the revision petition of insurance company.National Commission has already given a clear ruling that if a vehicle is sold by the insured to another person without intimation to the insurance company then in case of any claim covered under the insurance policy, the insured ceases to have an insurable interest. The present case is squarely covered by the decision in New India Assurance Co. Ltd. Vs. Divya Prashad – 1(2011) CPJ 22(NC).
Life Insurance:Liability of Insurer before issue of policy
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.2014 of 2007
Date of Judgement:05-05-2011
LIC of India VS Smt.Jamuna & Others
Proposer paid the premium & after payment of premium died due to road accident within 12 days of filing proposal form. LIC had not issued the policy till the death of proposer. Proposal was not accepted by LIC for want of certain requirements and hence policy was not issued. LIC contended that there was no concluded contract hence not liable for claim.Distt.forum & state commission accepted the complaint & decided in favour of respondents.National commission allowed the revision petition & the set aside the orders of lower fora ,quoting the supreme court order in Life Insurance Corporation of India vs. Raja Vasireddy Komalavalli Kamba & Ors. - 1984 (2) SCC 719,where in it is mentioned that “A contract under the Contract Act implies offer, acceptance and consideration. Without acceptance there is no concluded contract. If before the acceptance the offerer dies, the offer immediately lapses and hence there cannot be any acceptance after his death”.
Motor Third Party Claim:Compensation in disability case
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No.3784 of 2011
Date of Judgement:29-04-2011
Shri Kumaresh VS The National Insurance Company ltd & Anr.
On 1.11.2006, at about 7.15 p.m., the appellant , was proceeding on a motorcycle as a pillion rider when a lorry came from behind at a high speed and dashed against the motorcycle. The left wheel of the lorry ran over the right leg of the appellant, due to which he sustained grievous injuries. The right leg of the appellant had to be amputated as a result of the accident. The appellant filed a claim petition under section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 claiming Rs.15 lacs as compensation. At the time of the accident, the appellant was aged 20 years and claimed to be earning Rs.6000/- per month as salary as a building centering worker. MACT awarded Rs.281200 compensation with 6 % interest..High Court of Karnataka modified the compensation in various heads & enhanced to Rs.548000 with 6 % interest. Honourable Supreme Court of India revised the compensation in various heads & enhanced to Rs. 1000000 with 9 % interest payable jointly & severally by respondents.
Motor Insurance:Full & final settlement/discharge of claim
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.2911 of 2010
Date of Judgement:28-04-2011
Ajay Verma VS United India Insurance Company
Where claim has been accepted without any objection, full and final settlement of claim was made by insurer, claimant cannot be allowed any further relief. National Commission dismissed the revision petition with cost of Rs. 10000 placing reliance on observations made in case of United India Insurance Co. vs. Ajmer Singh Cotton & General Mills & Ors. Etc. 1992 (2) CPC 601 (S.C. In another case law cited in National Insurance Company Ltd. vs. Kuka Rice & General Mills, 2008 (1) CPC 28 (Haryana), Commission had held "that once final settlement of claim was accepted by the complainant without any protest it was not proper for the District Forum to enhance the claim and the order of the District Forum was set aside".
Motor Third Party Claim:Compensation in disability case
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No.3203 of 2011
Date of Judgement:11-04-2011
Shri Nagarajappa VS The Oriental Insurance Company ltd
On 13-08-2004 while crossing the road in a motor accident appellant working as a coolie suffered multiple injuries. As per doctor’s evidence appellant suffered gross deformity of the left forearm, wrist and hand,wasting and weakness of the muscles of the left upper limb and shortening of the left upper limb by 1 c.m.. As a result, the doctor stated that the appellant could not work as a coolie and could not also do any other manual work.The doctor assessed permanent residual physical disability of the upper limb at 68% and 22-23% of the whole body. The Tribunal awarded Rs. 170200 with 6 % interest from date of filing application which was increased to Rs.222600 by High Court which was further increased to Rs. 477000 by honourable supreme court in this appeal with the 6 % interest. Supreme Court mainly increased the compensation in future income from Rs.93600 to Rs 318240,loss of amenities from Rs. 30000 to Rs. 40000 & future medical expenses from Rs. 10000 to Rs. 30000.
Renewal of fake driving licence:Motor Own Damage Claim
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.98 of 2007
Date of Judgement:14-01-2011
The New India Assurance Company Ltd VS Krishan Singh rathore
In the present case, it was held that renewal of the fake license could not transform a fake license into a genuine license. Since the vehicle in question was being driven by a driver in violation of the terms of the policy as well as in violation of Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, Petitioner Insurance Company was entitled to repudiate the claim. For the reasons stated above, Revision Petition is allowed.
Life Insurance:Death due to suicide: Date of issue of policy
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.41 of 2007
Date of Judgement:10-01-2011
LIC of India VS Surat Mal Tak
Date of issue of policy 21-03-1996, date of death by suicide 08-03-1997. On a request made by the insured, the policy had been back dated to 8th January, 1996.Claim not payable since insured committed suicide within one year of commencement of policy. Clause 6 of policy applicable.
Life Insurance:Proposal & Acceptance of offer
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.3384 of 2006
Date of Judgement:09-12-2010
LIC of India VS Smt. Bhoomikaben M Modi
Premium Cheque dated 08-07-1996 given for insurance of Rs. 100000 with accidental benefit for contract of insurance w.e.f. 28-06-1996.Proposer died due to electric shock on 14-07-1996. Unaware of the death of the proposer on 14.7.1996, Petitioner accepted the proposal on 15th July, 1996.Policy No.832471906 was blocked by incorporating the same in the first premium receipt and the policy thereafter was to be prepared under the same number.Although the policy was subsequently prepared but owing to the demise of the proposer it was not issued. Complainants – Respondents (wife and children of the proposer) lodged claim with the Petitioner which was repudiated on the ground that no concluded contract had come into existence as the proposer had died prior to the acceptance of the proposal. The Petitioner had offered to pay a sum of Rs.1,00,000/- on ex gratia basis but the Respondents refused to accept the same and demanded the payment of Rs.2,00,000/-. As the claim was not settled, Respondents filed the complaint before the District Forum.District Forum allowed the complaint and directed the Petitioner to pay the insured amount as per terms and conditions of the policy along with 12% interest per annum and Rs.5,000/- by way of compensation and Rs.2000/- costs. Petitioner being aggrieved, filed appeal before the State Commission which has been dismissed by the impugned order.It is well settled law that a contract is complete only on its acceptance and if death intervenes between the proposal and its acceptance, then the proposal itself gets extinguished. No contract can either be entered into or concluded with a deceased person by acceptance of his offer after his demise.The Supreme Court in the case of Life Insurance Corporation of India vs. Raja Vasireddy Komalavalli Kamba and Ors. – AIR 1984 SC 1014 held that a contract of insurance is concluded only when the party to whom an offer is made accepts it unconditionally and communicates its acceptance to the person “making the offer”. Mere receipt and retention of premium until after the death of the applicant or even the mere preparation of the policy is not acceptance.Merely because the Petitioner had blocked Policy No.83241906 on acceptance of the proposal on 15.7.1996 and thereafter preparation of the policy under the number allotted in ignorance of death of the proposer does not result in a contract of insurance.Following the law laid down by the Supreme Court in Raja Vasireddy Komalavalli Kamba, Honourable commission accepted this Revision Petition, set aside the order passed by the Fora below and dismiss the complaint.However, since the Petitioner had made an offer to the Respondents to pay the sum of Rs.1,00,000/- on ex gratia basis, directed the Petitioner to pay the aforesaid sum of Rs.1,00,000/- to the Respondents by way of ex gratia payment.
Permit & Fitness Certificate: Motor Own Damage Claim
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.2976 of 2006
Date of Judgement:09-11-2010
United India Insurance Company Ltd VS Mr. Trilok Kaushik
Truck met with accident & on the date of accident 08-04-1987 it was not having valid permit & fitness certificate.Honourable commission held that In view of the above,we are of the opinion that there is a breach of fundamental conditions as well as breach of law on the part of the complainant at the time when the accident in question took place on account of which complainant is not entitled to any compensation claimed by him. Revision petition was allowed.
Unauthorised Passengers: Motor Own Damage Claim
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.3130 of 2006
Date of Judgement:09-11-2010
Divisional Manager National Insurance Company Ltd VS Mr.Pravinbhai D. Prajapati
It was held by the commission that allowing a few more persons to travel is hardly relevant to the cause of the accident and should not disentitled the complainant to receiving full compensation under the policy, if otherwise eligible. Accordingly,the revision petition of insurance company against concurrent findings of the District Forum and State Commission, was dismissed.
Compensation : Motor Third party Claim
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No.3660 of 2006
Date of Judgement : 09-11-2010
Shakti Devi VS New India Assurance Company & Other
In this appeal honourable court revised the compensation for the death of a 22 year old son B.Com (Honours) earning Rs. 1000 per month from general store run from house, in a motor accident from Rs.60000 to Rs.132000 in view of the future employment considered Rs. 2000 earning per month & multiplier was also raised to 11 from 8 with 10% simple interest from date of judgement of Tribunal.
Change of address of business premises in Policy :Loss by Flood
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
First Appeal No. 272 of 2010
Date of Judgement:13-10-2010
Shri Subhash Chand Jain VS United India Insurance Company & Bank of Maharashtra
In this case the insured had claimed Rs. 1478604 for the loss suffered to stocks of lubricants due to flood at business premises located at Durg where as in the policy the address of the business premises was at Raipur. Insured claimed that he had informed the change of address to bank . Insurance company had repudiated the claim that loss suffered was at a place which was not covered in the policy. State commission Raipur citing various previous judgements of NC & SC held that from the policy it is clear that there was no contract of insurance between the parties in respect of premises at Pulgaon Naka, Durg at the relevant time and when there was no contract of insurance then the insurance company cannot be blamed of committing any deficiency in service in not paying any compensation or in not settling the claim.Regarding liability of bank,state commission citing previous judgements of NC stated that bank is also not liable since obtaining insurance policy is the liability of insured.National Commission held that order passed by the State Commission is based on correct and proper appreciation of the respective pleas, evidence and material brought on record and is also in consonance with the law as laid down by the Supreme Court and this Commission in several cases & did not see any good ground to interfere with the well-reasoned order of the State Commission. The appeal was dismissed.
Breach of declaration clause:Marine Cargo Inland Transit Claim
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No.1375 of 2003
Date of Judgement:08-10-2010
M/S Surajlmal Ramniwas Oil Mills (P) Ltd VS United India Insurance Company Ltd & Anr
In this appeal honourable court decided that since there was breach of special condition on the cover note which says that each & every consignment must be declared before despatch of goods on the part of appellant,therefore the repudiation of the claim of the appellant by the respondents was justified.Appeal was dismissed.
Health Insurance: Exclusion clauses
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No. 2113 of 2006
Date of Judgement:01-10-2010
The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd VS Shri Rajiv Bhadani
Respondent took a medi-claim policy for the period 09.04.2002 to 08.04.2003.On 11.04.2002 he felt uneasiness coupled with chest pain. Respondent under went Coronary Angiography/ Angioplasty on 15.04.2002 and was under treatment in that Nursing Home till 25.04.2002. He filed a claim on 21.06.2002. The Petitioner repudiated the claim on the grounds that as per exclusion clause 4.2 and 4.3 of the Insurance Policy any medical treatment/ hospitalization claim made within 30 days of
the commencement of the policy is not maintainable. The Respondent filed a complaint before the District Forum which dismissed the complaint and concluded that the Respondent/ complainant’s case is hit by the exclusion clause and therefore, the claim was rightly repudiated. The Respondent thereafter filed an appeal before the State Commission. In the instant case, the State Commission on the basis of credible evidence produced by the Respondent has concluded that the Respondent
was in good health and had no prior knowledge of the existence of any disease.Also the onus of constituting a panel of medical practitioners was with the Petitioner, which they did not do. Therefore, the claim was wrongly repudiated. Honourable National Commission considered the contention made by both Counsel and gone through the evidence on record & concluded that there is no ambiguity in clause 4.2 and 4.3 as well as the saving clause which clearly indicates that though the exclusion clause pertains to the first 30 days from the date of commencement of the policy but this will not apply if a panel of medical practitioners constituted by the Petitioner company opine that the insured person did not know about the existence of the disease at the time of applying for the insurance. Unfortunately, the learned Counsel for the Petitioner could not explain why such a panel was not constituted. On the other hand, NC agreed that the Respondent has been able to provide credible evidence before the State Commission that he had no history of heart ailment and the recent ECG and medical examination proves this fact.In the light of the above facts NC did not see any reason to disagree with the order of the State Commission which has reached the conclusion on the basis of clear-cut and credible evidence in favour of the Respondent. Order of the State Commission was therefore upheld in toto, with no order as to cost.
Loss of future earninings for disablement:Third party claim
Supreme Court of India:Civil Appeal No.5510 of 2005
Date of Judgement:29-09-2010
Arvind Kumar Mishra VS New India Assurance Company Ltd
In this appeal honourable court assessed the loss of future earnings of a motor accident victim who suffered 70 % permanent disability & enhanced the compensation from Rs.350000 to Rs.906000 with 9 % simple interest.
Driving Licence:Own damage claim
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.2394 of 2006
Date of Judgement:21-09-2010
New India Assurance Company Ltd VS Mr.B. Satyajit Reddy & Others A car was registered as taxi i.e.a transport vehicle met with accident & owner filed an own damage claim with insurance company.Driver was having driving licence to drive light motor vehicle only and not transport vehicle with PSV badge.Insured contended that since the vehicle was being used for personal purpose & not as taxi at the time of accident hence PSV badge was not required.The honourable National Commission decided that this contention is not acceptable in view of the fact that the vehicle continued to be registered as a transport vehicle i.e., a Taxi for which a specific authorized license was a statutory necessity. Occasionally using it for a personal purpose cannot change these facts and held that the Petitioner was right in repudiating the insurance claim of the Respondents.
Loss of future earnings for disablement :Motor Third party Claim
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No. No.7223 of 2010
Date of Judgement:31-08-2010
Yadava Kumar VS National Insurance Company & Others
In this appeal honourable court granted loss of future earnings also,in the compensation for disablement, and enhanced the compensation from Rs. 72000 to Rs.200000 with 8% interest.
Date & Time of commencement of Insurance:Motor Third Party Claim
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No. No.5204 of 2003
Date of Judgement:27-08-2010
Oriental Insurance Company Ltd VS Dharam Chand & Others
In this case, the premium cheque for the insurance policy was received by the insurance company, on May 7, 1998 at 4.00 pm and a cover note was issued at the same time. In the cover note, however, it was stated that the insurance would commence from May 8, 1998 and expire on May 7, 1999.The motor accident in regard to which the claim case was filed took place at 8:30 pm on May 7, 1998. The insurance company sought to disown its liability on the plea that the accident took place before the commencement of the insurance as indicated in the cover note. But, both the Tribunal and the High Court turned down the plea and held the insurance company liable to pay the compensation amount.When this appeal was taken up, counsel for the insurance company very fairly
stated that since the cheque for the premium amount was received by the company at 4:00 pm on May 7, 1998, the insurance must be deemed to have commenced from that time and four hours later when the vehicle met with the accident, the owner must be deemed to have been covered by the insurance policy. Honourable court appreciated the fairness shown by the counsel for the insurance company & dismissed the appeal.
Life Insurance Claim:Non-disclosure of material fact in proposal form
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
First Appeal No.242 of 2006
Date of Judgement:27-07-2010
Dineshbhai Chandarana VS LIC of India
Mr. Jigneshbhai had taken 16 life insurance policies and the last one was taken on 28-03-1997 for Rs 5 lakhs S.I.He at the age of 21 died in a motor accident on 29-09-1997.The LIC settled claim of first 15 policies but repudiated claim of last policy of Rs. 5 lakhs.It was held by the state commission that since the insured had not declared the previous policies taken within three years in the proposal form while taking policy for Rs. 5 lakhs hence repudiation was in order.NCDRC also held that the insured did not act with utmost goodfaith as there was non-disclosure of material fact, hence repudiation of claim of 16th policy of Rs 500000 by LIC was in order & appeal was dismissed.
Motor Third Party Claim:Compensation for death of housewife
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No.5843 of 2010
Date of Judgement:22-07-2010
Arun Kumar Agrawal and another VS National Insurance Company & Others
What should be the criteria for determination of the compensation payable to the dependents of a woman who dies in a road accident and who does not have regular source of income is the question which arises for determination in this appeal filed against the judgment of the Division Bench of Allahabad High Court which declined to enhance the compensation awarded to the appellants by Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Shahjahanpur. Honourable court also observed that in our view, it is highly unfair, unjust and inappropriate to compute the compensation payable to the dependents of a deceased wife/mother,who does not have regular income, by comparing her services with that of a housekeeper or a servant or an employee, who works for a fixed period. The gratuitous services
rendered by wife/mother to the husband and children cannot be equated with the services of an employee and no evidence or data can possibly be produced for estimating the value of such services. It is virtually impossible to measure in terms of money the loss of personal care and attention suffered by the husband and children on the demise of the housewife. In the judgement
honourable supreme court of India raised compensation from Rs. 250000 to Rs. 600000 for the death of house wife/mother aged 39 years.
Mediclaim Insurance:Pre-existing Disease
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.469 of 2006 Date of Judgement:19-05-2010
United India Insurance Company Ltd VS Subhsh Chandra
Mediclaim Insurance effective from 24-05-2002 to 23-05-2003. On 31-05-2002 insured sufferred heart attack & had a history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension which was not disclosed prior to insurance. NCDRC held that it is by now well settled that principle of insurance is fundamental to utmost good faith which must be observed by the contracting parties and good faith forbids either party from non-disclosure of the fact which the parties know and either of the parties have a duty to disclose all material facts in their knowledge. The revision petition was allowed & the order of state commission set aside.
Driving Licence:LMV (NT) driving Medium Transport Vehicle:Liability
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.1402 of 2006
Date of Judgement:27-04-2010
Oriental Insurance Company Ltd VS M.D. Srinivasa
Own damage claim .Vehicle a Medium Transport Vehicle met with accident.Driving having driving licence of LMV (NT) category.It was held that driver was not having valid driving licence.Order passed by state commission was set aside.
Liabilty of uninsured goods in an insured vehicle as Third party Liability
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.566 of 2006
Date of Judgement:01-04-2010
New India Assurance Company Ltd VS C P Verma & Others
It was held that it would be the joint liability of respondents no. 2 and 3 owner & driver of the truck to make good the loss. Both the fora below have been misled to believe that the petitioner/Insurance Company was also liable to indemnify the transported goods. Their findings being untenable, their orders were set aside and the revision petition was accepted.
Transfer of Insurance:Own Damage Claim
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition N0. 4387 of 2009
Date of Judgement:11.03.2010
New India Assurance Company Ltd VS Chandrakant Bhujangrao Jogdand
The Complainant is not entitled to the sum insured since on the date of accident,the insurance policy had not been transferred in favour of the Complainant and it is stood in the name of the previous owner. Accordingly, the Complainant had no insurable interest under the said policy. Consequently, the orders of fora below suffer from illegality which are required to be set aside.The result is that the revision is allowed and complaint stands dismissed.
Payment of claim vis-à-vis Recovery of payable premium
Utmost good faith equally applicable to Insurer
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Original Petition N0. 316 of 1999
Date of Judgement:09.02.2010
M/s Chandigarh Distillers & Bottlers Ltd. Vs New India Assurance Company Ltd
The Insurance Company cannot recover the amount payable under the policy after the validity of the policy as elapsed with short premium. Apex Court deprecated this practice of recovery of short premium after the policy is lapsed. Law Commission in its 199th Report gave clear guidelines for the purposes of determining procedural unfairness in the contract in Consumer Fora. The complainant who diligently paid premium from 1989 to 1998, in tte hope that the Insurance Co. would indemnify the loss in a reasonable time, instead of getting some relief from the opposite party at the time of dire need he was shocked to receive the letter from the Insurance Co. that the insured in turn needs to pay Rs.43,82,384/- which is more than the double as the settled amount was only Rs.28 lakhs.Taking clue from the same,we impose cost of Rs. 50,000/- on the Insurance Co. who withheld relevant
information regarding premium to be paid to the insured at the time of concluding the contract. In our view, the principle of ‘Uberrima Fides’ i.e. ‘utmost good faith’ is equally applicable to Insurance Co. which has flouted this principle themselves and in our view, it is clearly deficiency in service.Their endless delay tactics of nine years caused endless financial loss and agony to the helpless complaint who is on the receiving end. In view of the aforesaid discussions, we allow the complaint and direct the opposite parties to pay Rs.28,58,777/- from 12.07.1999 till the date of payment with interest at the rate of 10 per cent and Rs. 50,000/- as cost and the order be complied within six weeks from the date of pronouncement of the order.
Full & Final Discharge of claim by bank
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
First Appeal N0. 216 of 2005
Date of Judgement:02.02.2010
New India Assurance Company Ltd VS Sushil Sharma
This appeal challenges the order dated 04.04.2005 of the Madhya Pradesh State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Bhopal (in short ‘the State Commission) in Complaint Case no. 37/2002. By the said order, the State Commission partly allowed the complaint of the complainant and directed the appellant-opposite party, New India Assurance Company Limited (hereafter referred to as ‘the Insurance Company’) to pay to the complainant the sum of Rs. 4,89,352/ (through opposite party no. 2,State Bank of India, Govindpura Branch) with interest @ 9% per annum w.e.f.01.02.2002 and cost of Rs. 2,000/-. The said sum of Rs. 4,89,352/- represented the difference between Rs. 12,88,106/- (the total amount held by the State Commission to be payable by the Insurance Company on account of the loss suffered by the complainant due to damage to the insured stocks and machinery in his business premises) and the amount of Rs. 7,98,754/- (which the Insurance Company had already paid to the bank account of the complainant towards settlement of his insurance claim). Aggrieved by this order,the appellant-opposite party, Insurance Company has preferred this appeal. National Commission concluded that it is evident from the documents on record that the so-called acceptance of the payment of Rs. 7,98,754/- in full and final settlement of the complainant’s insurance claim was not that of the complainant. In fact, it was one of the officials of the SBI who gave this discharge, without any evidence of his having taken the complainant into confidence and obtaining his prior acceptance/consent. Therefore, we are not persuaded that it would lie with the Insurance Company to contend in this appeal that the complainant had forfeited his right to agitate deficiency in service on the part of the Insurance Company, by way of
this consumer complaint before the State Commission, after having accepted the aforesaid payment towards full discharge of his insurance claim. In conclusion, the impugned order was justified and does not suffer from any error that could call for our interference. Consequently, the appeal fails and is accordingly, dismissed. The Insurance Company was directed to comply with the order of the State Commission within four weeks from the date of this order and also pay a sum of Rs.5,000/- to the complainant by way of cost of these proceedings.
Carrying of passangers in truck:Insurer not liable for OD claim
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
First Appeal N0. 288 of 2005
Date of Judgement:29.01.2010
New India Assurance Company Ltd VS Pawan Kumar Takkar
Truck met with accident on 22-08-1989 & suffered extensive damage.17 persons were traveling in the vehicle at the time of accident. NCDRC held that the breach of the policy conditions in this case where 17 unauthorized persons were carried cannot be termed as minor and if such instances are ignored it will result in people losing respect for laws and rules. The appeal was allowed and the order of the State Commission being not sustainable was set aside.
Driving Licence:Renewal after grace period
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition No.916 of 2006
Date of Judgement:29-01-2010
Chhimae Dolma VS National Insurance Company Ltd
In this case the driver’s license was in force only upto 20th of August, 2003 but was subsequently renewed w.e.f. 24th of September, 2003 and the accident having occurred on 18th of September, 2003, i.e. during the period between the expiry of the license and its renewal, it cannot but be held that on the date of the accident, the driver did not have a driving license as it had already expired on 20th of August, 2003 and he did not get it renewed until 23rd of September, 2003. It was held that where the driving license is renewed beyond period of 30 days after expiry, it will only be effective from the date of its renewal, and not to an anterior date. No doubt, proviso to Section 14(2)(b) states that notwithstanding its expiry, a driving license will continue to be effective for a period of 30 days from such expiry but when read in conjunction with the proviso to Section 15 above, the situation that emerges is that the grace period of 30 days under Section 14 is not independent of Section 15, which clearly states that in the absence of any application for the renewal of a license within the period of 30 days,any renewal will take effect only from the date of its actual renewal and not from the date of expiry.The revision petition was dismissed.
Compensation in Death: Motor Third Party Claim
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 7736 OF 2009
Date of judgement: 24-11-2009
Baby Radhika Gupta & others VS Oriental Assurance company Ltd
This appeal is against the judgment of the Delhi High Court delivered in Motor Accident Claims Appeal No.239 of 2004 on 9th July, 2007. On 19th May, 1995,Pankaj Gupta, aged 32 years, died in vehicular accident.The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal gave compensation of Rupees forty five lakhs. The Oriental Insurance Company filed an appeal before the High Court.The High Court reduced the compensation to Rs.5,82,132/-. According to the appellants, the High Court has erred in applying the
multiplier of 14, when, according to the second schedule to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the correct multiplier ought to be 17, because at the time of death, the deceased was 32 years' of age. The learned counsel appearing for the appellants also submitted that, out of the total income, the High Court deducted two-third of the amount as personal expenditure of the deceased; whereas, according to the settled legal position it should be one-third.Honorable Supreme Court deducted one-third as personal expenditure from the annual income of Rs.1,18,314/-& remaining multiplied by 17 & thus the amount worked-out to be Rs.13,40,892/-.The deceased was 32 years' of age when the accident took place & also granted Rupees two lakhs on account of future prospects. The appellants were also entitled to the amount of Rupees five thousand, towards funeral expenses and Rupees twenty five thousand towards loss of love and affection.
Fake Driving Licence:Motor Own Damage Claim
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 6248 of 2009
Date of judgement: 14-09-09
National Insurance Company Ltd VS Omprakash Jain
Honourable court held that the orders passed by the State Commission and National Commission are liable to be set aside because the findings recorded by them on the issue of validity of driving licence are legally untenable.In National Insurance Company Limited vs. Laxmi Narain Dhut [2007 (3) S.C.C. 700],it has been clearly laid down that the decision in the case of National Insurance Company Limited vs. Swaran Singh & Anr. [2004 (3) S.C.C. 297] has no application to the cases other than third-party risks and where originally licence was a fake, renewal there of can not validate the same. In the present case, the complaint was filed for damage of the vehicle of the insured and not the third party risk.The District Forum and State Commission have concurrently held that the original licence of the driver was fake. This being the position, the District Forum was justified in dismissing the complaint and the State Commission committed an error by awarding compensation to the respondent. The orders of The State Commission & National Commission were set aside and order of The District Forum was restored.
Total Disablement under Workmen’s Compensation Act 1923
Motor third Party Claim:
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 7641 of 2009
Date of judgement: 14-09-09
S.Suresh VS oriental Insurance Company Ltd & ANR
In this appeal the judgment and order dated 23rd July,2007 rendered by a Division Bench of the Karnataka High Court has been challenged whereby the principal amount of compensation of Rs.5,20,584/-, awarded by the Commissioner for Workmen's Compensation (for short, "the Commissioner") has been reduced to Rs.2,60,292/-.The claimant was a lorry driver of 25 years of age.On 26th September, 2002, while driving the vehicle, he met with an accident near Ganesh Garage on Bangalore Mangalore Road. As a result of the accident his right leg had to be completely amputed just below the knee.Being dissatisfied with the award, the Insurance Company preferred appeal to the High Court. As stated above, the High Court accepted the plea of the Insurance Company that as per Schedule to the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923 (for short, "the Act"),loss of a leg on amputation amounted to a 50% reduction in the earning capacity.The High Court held that being an injury, specified in Schedule I, medical opinion could not be relied upon in terms of Section 4(1)(c)(ii) of the Act. Accordingly, applying the percentage of loss of earning capacity, as specified in Part II of Schedule I, the High Court reduced the compensation by 50%. However, award of interest thereon @ 12% per annum from one month after the date of accident till the date of payment was maintained.Hence the present appeal by the claimant. In support of the plea, reliance is placed on a four-Judge Bench decision of this Court in Pratap Narain Singh Deo vs.Srinivas Sabata & Anr.The Honourable court gave the judgement that on account of amputation of his right leg below knee, he is rendered unfit for the work of a driver,which he was performing at the time of the accident resulting in the said disablement. Therefore, he has lost 100% of his earning capacity as a lorry driver, more so, when he is disqualified from even getting a driving licence under the Motor Vehicles Act. In the result, the appeal is allowed;the judgment of the High Court is set aside and the compensation awarded by the Commissioner is restored.
Fire Claim:Fire & Proximate Cause
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4436 of 2004
Date of judgement: 01-09-09
New India Assurance Company Ltd VS M/s. Zuari Industries Ltd. & Ors.
Respondent-complainant took insurance policies including a fire policy from the appellant-insurance company in respect of its factory. There was a short circuit in the main switch board receiving electricity. It resulted in a flashover producing over currents. The entire electric supply to the plant stopped and the boiler was damaged. Respondent- complainant filed a claim before the insurance company.The claimant-respondent made two claims (I) Rs.1,35,17,709/- for material loss due to the damage to the boiler and other equipments and (ii) Rs.19,11,10,000/- in respect of loss of profit for the period the plant remained closed.Surveyors submitted the report but the appellant rejected the claim.The National Commission allowed the claim.hence the present appeal Dismissing the appeal, The Court held that It is admitted that the short circuit in the main switch board caused a flashover. The duration of the fire is not relevant.As long as there is a fire which caused the damage the claim is maintainable,even if the fire is for a fraction of a second. The term `fire' in clause (1) of the
Fire Policy `C' is not qualified by the word `sustained'. Hence repudiation of the policy on the ground that there was no `sustained fire' is not justified.The word used in the fire policy is `fire' and not `sustained fire'.The proximate cause is not the cause which is nearest in time or place but the active and efficient cause that sets in motion a train or chain of events which brings about the ultimate result without the intervention of any other force working from an independent source.In the instant case, it is evident from the chain of events that the fire was the efficient and active cause of the damage. Had the fire not occurred, the damage also would not have occurred and there was no intervening agency which was an independent source of the damage. Hence, the conclusion of the surveyors that the fire was not the cause of the damage to the machinery of the claimant cannot be accepted.
Dishonoured Cheque:Motor Third Party claim
Supreme Court of India
Special Leave petition No….2009,(CC No.10993/2009)
Date of Judgement 31-08-2009
National Insurance Company Ltd Vs Parvathneni & another
There was no valid contract on the date of accident since the premium cheque had been dishonoured.Despite this the High Court directed insurance company to pay compensation amount to claimants with liberty to insurance company to recover the same from owner of vehicle.Honourable Supreme Court stayed the operation of order of High court and directed that case may be placed before Honourable Chief Justice of India for constituting a larger bench for decision.
Rate of Interest & Appointment of more than one Surveyor
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4487 OF 2004
Date of judgement 24-08-2009
Sri Venkateswara Syndicate VS Oriental Insurance company Ltd
In this fire claim in the judgement, the insurance company was directed to pay the claim Rs. 10500817 with interest at the rate of 9 % as compensation from the date of assessment done by the Chartered Accountant, as against the 6 % rate of interest awarded by National Consumer Commission.This judgement also makes observations regarding appointment of more than one surveyor for assessment of loss.
Limitation u/s 24 A of Consumer Protection Act
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 4962 OF 2002
Date of judgement 10-07-2009
Kandimalla Raghavaiha & Co. VS National Insurance company Ltd
In the judgement appeal was dismissed and it was held that the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission was justified in dismissing the complaints alleging deficiency in service against two different insurance companies on account of non-settlement of insurance claims made by the appellant, on the
ground that both the complaints were barred by limitation under Section 24 A of the consumer protection Act.
Suppression of Material Facts: Health Insurance
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2776 OF 2002
Date of judgement 10-07-2009
Satwant Kaur Sandhu VS New India Assurance company Ltd
The case pertains to a mediclaim policy. Honourable court held that There was clear suppression of material facts in regard to the health of the insured and, therefore, the respondent – insurer was fully justified in repudiating the insurance contract.
Fake Driving Licence
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 1303 OF 2002
Date of judgement 30-04-2009
Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. VS Jyotsna Sarkar & others
The license of the driver of the vehicle not issued by DTO. License produced by driver was fake. It was open to the insurance company to recover the compensation money from owner of the vehicle.
Suppression of Material Facts regarding health: Life Insurance
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition N0. 1332 of 2004
Date of Judgement:03.03.2009
BHAGWATI PRASAD BORASI VS DIVISIONAL MANAGER, LIFE INSURANCE CORPORATION OF INDIA
NCDRC held that the deceased had deliberately concealed the fact that she had not been treated by a Doctor prior to and at the time of the taking of the policies as also at the time of their revival and is guilty of fraudulent suppression of facts regarding her health and that the respondent was justified in repudiating the claim of the petitioner as the deceased had suppressed the material facts while taking the policies as well as at the time when the policies were got revived.
Life Insurance: Ex-gratia Payment
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition NO. 2273 of 2004
Date of Judgement:02-03-2009
L.I.C. OF INDIA vs Ram Narayan Yadav
In this case the life assured had a policy of Rs.5,00,000/-. He paid premium for two years. For the third year, the life assured had issued a cheque, which stood dishonoured and returned with the remark “signing partner reported dead”. Policy was in lapsed condition due to non-payment of third premium.The LIC allowed the claim of 50% of the sum assured in terms of Clause 4.2 (b) of the Policy Servicing Manual No.11. The payment of 50% of the assured amount was an ex-gratia payment, although under the policy, the petitioner was not obliged to make any payment as the policy had lapsed. In the judgement, the order passed by Foras below for payment of full sum insured were set aside and the claim was limited to half of the sum assured, i.e., Rs.2,50,000/-
Motor Third Party Claim: Validity of Driving Licence
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 1102 OF 2008
Date of judgement 18-02-2009
Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. VS Angad Kol & others
In this case the appeal is against the judgement of Highcourt of M.P.A motor third party claim where in a woman of 45 years died due to an accident on 31-10-2004 caused by a goods carriage vehicle.SCI held that the respondent did not hold a valid and effective driving licence for driving a goods vehicle. Breach of conditions of the insurance. The insurance company had been already directed to deposit 50% of the awarded amount. SCI further directed the insurance company to deposit the balance
amount before the Tribunal with liberty to the claimants to withdraw the same and gave right to the appellant to recover the said amount from the owner and the driver of the vehicle.SC allowed the appeal.
Salary Saving Scheme: Life insurance
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition N0. 504 of 2005
Date of Judgement:14.01.2009
Branch Manager LIC of India vs Smt.Gousabi
The deceased, husband of the respondent was employed with the West Coast Paper Mills Ltd., Dandeli as Truck Boy and he took four life insurance policies under the Salary Savings Scheme of the LIC.The deceased- Shri Imamsab Husensab Handur died on 25.06.2000.The respondent being a nominee under the policies claimed the amount. Employer had committed default in payment of premium. In view of the default committed by the employer,the petitioner Insurance Company repudiated the claim of the complainant.NCDRC held that in view the purposive interpretation of SCI the point involved in the present case is concluded.SCI in Delhi Electricity Supply Undertaking v. Basanti Devi and Anr.reported in 1999 VIII AD (S.C.) 454 held that Salary Savings Scheme was floated by the LIC for the benefit of an average employee. The duty was caste on employer to deduct the premium and pay the same to the LIC and it was the employer who was keeping all the accounts. It was duty of the employer to remit the premium after deducting it from the salary of an employee and the employee was, at no stage, involved in the remittance of the premium to the employer. NCDRC further held that LIC is liable to pay the sum assured under the four policies to the respondent wife. Revision Petition was dismissed.
Suppression of Pre-existing Disease: Life Insurance
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition N0. 649 of 2005
Date of Judgement:14.01.2009
LIC of India vs Smt.M.Bhavani
It was held by NCDRC in the judgement that Declaration given while getting the policy revived was false. Deceased was clearly guilty of suppressing the pre-existing fatal disease from which he was suffering at the time of getting the policy revived.Suppression of pre-existing disease disentitles the claimant to the amount insured under the policy.
No authority of Agent to accept the premium: Life insurance
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
Revision Petition N0. 900 of 2007
Date of Judgement:14.01.2009
LIC of India vs Girdharilal P.Kesarwani & Anr
In this case the respondent’s son Shailesh G. Kesarwani had obtained life insurance policy with profit and accidental benefit in the sum of Rs.25,000/-on 28.03.1996. The premium of installment was Rs.324/- per quarter.Deceased-Shailesh paid the premium as agreed to in the policy. The first, second
and third installments of the premium were paid in March, June and September, 1996, respectively. Complainant’s son-Shailesh paid the fourth installment to Smt. Kamal Sharma who was the agent of the LIC. Shailesh died on 08.03.1997. Smt. Kamal Sharma deposited the premium after the death of Shailesh on 18.03.1997. NCDRC held that in view of the Judgment of the Supreme Court of India, i.e., Harshad J. Shah & Anr. v. L.I.C. of India & Ors. reported in AIR 1997 Supreme Court 2459 wherein it was held that an agent has no authority to accept the premium on behalf of LIC and that the deposit made by the agent after the death of the deceased would not entitle the claimant to get the amount insured under the policy and further accepted the Revision Petition filed
by LIC and set aside the Orders of the State Commission and of the District Forum.
Motor Third party Claim: Amount of compensation in PTD
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No: 106 of 2009
Date of Judgement:13-01-2009
The Oriental Insurance company Ltd vs Ramprasad Verma & others
As reported, an Assistant Executive Engineer, was employed with ONGC. On 9.9.1998, he was hit by a lorry which ran over his both legs, which were amputated. He was aged 55 years and his annual income was Rs.2,27,471.00.The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunalawarded a sum of Rs.19,63,000/- with interest at the rate of 12% per annum from the date of filing of the petition till realization.The High Court on appeal by insurance company considering the prevailing rate of interest reduced the rate of interest from 12% per annum to 9% per annum.The Supreme Court of India in the judgement dismissed the appeal subject to the modification that from the gross income of the respondent, the amount of income tax as was applicable at the relevant time should be deducted.
The Tribunal was directed to redetermine the amount of compensation in the light of judgment.
Motor Third Party Claim:Death of insured’s son
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No: 7402 of 2008
Date of Judgement:18-12-2008
New India Assurance company Ltd vs Sadanand Mukhi & others
Insurance company is not liable for the compensation under Motor Vehicles Act 1988
to insured for the death of his son in a accident involving motor cycle which was being
driven by son of insured.
Motor Third Party Claim:Transfer of Registration
Supreme Court of India
Civil Appeal No: 7009 of 2008
Date of Judgement:02-12-2008
United India Insurance company Ltd vs Santrodevi & others
The registered owner/Insured having died in 1991 & the policy of truck being renewed regularly by the bank in the original name of insured where the truck was hypothecated without the transfer of registration of the truck to legal heirs.The accident took place on 15-09-94 in which driver died and the insurance policy was in force on the date of accident.The legal heirs filed an application for compensation under Workmen Compensation Act 1923.The Honourable supreme court of India finally decided that the insurance company is liable for compensation under the contract of insurance.
Motor Third Party Claim:Driving by Minor
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 5876 OF 2008
Date of judgement:24-09-2008
UNITED INDIA INSURANCE CO.LTD vs RAKESH KUMAR ARORA & ORS
It was held in the judgement that the owner of the vehicle and not the insurance company is liable for the death of a person in an accident caused by a person of 15 years of age driving a car without having driving license.
Motor Third Party Claim:Premium received in cash after dishonour of cheque
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 5305 OF 2008
National Insurance Co. Ltd Vs Abhaysing Pratapsing Waghela & Ors
Date of Judgement:29-08-2008
In short the question involved before the court was what would the effect ofdishonour of a cheque when subsequently the amount of premium has been accepted in cash by the Insurer.Respondent was driving a moped on 27.1.1995 which was hit by a truck.The said truck first dashed against an Ambassador car and then hit the moped which was being driven by the respondent as a result whereof he suffered severe injuries.For insurance of truck,a cheque was tendered to the officers of the appellant company on 23.1.1995.The accident took place on 27.1.1995. The cheque when presented to the bank for clearance was allegedly dishonoured. On 30.1.1995,the amount of premium was paid in cash and received.The Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Tribunal as also the High Court, however, opined that having regard to the fact that a cover note had been issued by the appellant,it was legally obligated to reimburse the claim of a third party.The honourable Supreme Court of India dismissed the appeal of insurer mentioning that the judgement does not warrant any interference.
Renewal of Mediclaim Policy
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 4113-4115 OF 2008
United India Insurance Company Limited Vs Manubhai Dharmasinhbhai Gajera & Ors With
CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 4116 OF 2008
New India Assurance Company Limited
Vs Consumer Education and Research Society & Ors And
CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 3633 OF 2008
United India Insurance Company Limited
Vs Mukat Lal Duggal & Anr
Date of judgement:16-05-2008
The question involved before the honourable court was whether renewal ofa mediclaim policy on payment of the amount of premium would be automatic.The honourable court in the end gave the judgement in the following paras:64. Each of the aforementioned cases clearly shows that the action on the part of the authorities of the appellant was highly arbitrary.Respondents though werenot entitled to automatic renewal, but indisputably, they were entitled to be treated fairly.We have noticed hereinbefore some of the clauses contained in the prospectus as also the insurance policy. When a policy is cancelled, the conditions precedents therefor must be fulfilled. Some reasons therefor must be assigned.When an exclusion clause is resorted to, the terms thereof must be given effect to. What was necessary is a pre-existing disease when the cover was inspected for the first time. Only because the insured had started suffering from a disease, the same would not mean that the said disease shall be excluded. If the insured had made some claim in each year, the insurance company should not refuse to renew insurance policies only for that reason.The words ‘incepts for the first time’ as contained in clause 4.1 as also the words ‘continuous and without break’ if the renewal premium is paid in time, must be kept in mind as also the reasons for cancellation as contained in clause 7(1)(n) thereof.65. Renewal of a medi-claim policy subject to just exceptions should ordinarily be made.But the same does not mean that the renewal is automatic. Keeping in view the terms and conditions of the rospectus and the insurance policy, the parties are not required to go into all the formalities. The very fact that the policy contemplates terms for renewal,subject of course to payment of requisite premium, the same cannot be placed at parwith a case of first contract.
66. Having regard to the fact situation obtaining in each case, we are not inclined to exercise our discretionary jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution of India.Before parting with this case, however, we would like to observe that keeping in view the role played by the insurance companies, it is essential that the Regulatory Authority must lay down clear guidelines by way of regulations or otherwise. No doubt,the regulations would be applicable to all the players in the field. The duties and
functions of the Regulatory Authority, however, are to see that the service provider must render their services keeping in view the nature thereof. It will be appropriate if the Central Government or the General Insurance Companies also issue requisite circulars.67. Appellants before us being subsidiaries to General Insurance Corporation cannot ignore the statutory provisions. They are bound by the directions issued by the Central Government.68. We would request the IRDA to consider the matter in depth and undertake a scrutiny of such claims so that in the event it is found that the insurance companies are taking recourse to arbitrary methodologies in the matter of entering into contracts
of insurance or renewal thereof,appropriate steps in that behalf may be taken.69. These appeals are dismissed with costs. Counsel’s fee assessed at Rs.25,000/-(Rupees twenty five thousand only) in each case.
Motor Third Party Claim:Liability of death of pillion rider
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 3634 OF 2008
Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd.Vs Sudhakaran K.V. & Ors.
Date of Judgement:16-05-2008
A pillion rider on a scooter fell down from the scooter and succumbed to the injuries sustained. The court allowed the appeal and held that the (i) the liability of the insurance company in a case of this nature is not extended to a pillion rider of the motor vehicle unless the requisite amount of premium is paid for covering his/her risk (ii) the legal obligation arising under Section 147 of the Act cannot be extended to an injury or death of the owner of vehicle or the pillion rider; (iii) the pillion rider in a two wheeler was not to be treated as a third party when the accident has taken place owing to rash and negligent riding of the scooter and not on the part of the driver of another vehicle.
Motor Third Party Claim:Driving Licence: Transport Vehicle
Supreme Court of India
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 3496 OF 2008
New Indian Assurance Co. Ltd Vs Roshanben Rahemansha Fakir & Anr
Date of Judgement:12-05-2008
Insurance policy covered an autorikshaw delivery van,a commercial vehicle whereas driver was holding a licence of three wheeler which was not meant to be used to drive a transport vehicle.In the judgement court held that the owner of vehicle is liable for third party claim & not the insurance company.However in exercise of jurisdiction under article 142 of constitution court directed insurance company to satisfy the award in favour of claimants and to recover the same from owner.
Motor Third Party Claim:Driver Driving Scooter with HMV only Licence
Supreme Court of India
Appeal (civil) 3055 of 2008
Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd vs Zaharulnisha & Ors
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 29-04-2008
The honourable court held that insurance company cannot be held liable to pay the amount of compensation to the claimants for the cause of death of Shukurullah in road accident which had occurred due to rash and negligent driving of scooter by Ram Surat who admittedly had no valid and effective licence to drive the vehicle on the day of accident. The scooterist was possessing driving licence of driving HMV and he was driving totally different class of vehicle which act of his is in violation of Section 10(2) of the MV Act.The appeal is allowed to the limited extent and it is directed that the appellant insurance company though not liable to pay the amount of compensation,but in the nature of this case it shall satisfy the award and shall have the right to recover the amount deposited by it along with interest from the owner of the vehicle,viz. respondent No. 8,particularly in view of the fact that no appeal was preferred by him nor has he chosen to appear before this Court to contest this appeal. This direction is given in the light of the judgments of this Court in National Insurance Co. Ltd. v.Baljit Kaur and Others [(2004) 2 SCC 1] and Deddappa and Others v. Branch Manager,National Insurance Co.Ltd. [(2008) 2 SCC 595].The court allowed the appeal, in the aforesaid terms with no order as to costs.
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