How to File Complaint against Insurance Company in India
At each stage, the relevant documents must be attached and the complaint acknowledged. This is how to file complaint against an insurance company in India.
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It is frustrating to deal with unresolved insurance claims or poor customer service. Your claim may be denied, and your concerns ignored, leaving you wondering what to do next. The right thing to do is to file a complaint against your insurance company. However, many people are unaware of the proper process to follow. Knowing how to file complaint against an insurance company in India can make all the difference. In this post, let us see the steps to file a complaint against your insurance company in India:
1. Raise the complaint with the insurance company.
Approach the insurance company directly. If you are not satisfied with the handling of your claim or if you are facing issues such as bad customer service, you should bring it to their notice.
Who can file
Policyholders or claimants can file complaints with the insurance company.
How to file
Contact the customer care number, e-mail, or visit the nearest branch.
Present your complaint in writing along with the necessary documents related to your claim.
Ask for a written acknowledgment of your complaint. It should contain all the details about your complaint, a reference number, and contact details of the grievance redressal officer.
The insurance company would try to sort out your grievance within 15 days from the date it receives your complaint.
2. Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO) of the Insurance Company
If your complaint is not resolved appropriately or there is no response within the said period, you can bring this on the radar of the Grievance Redressal Officer (GRO) of the insurance company.
Who can file
Policyholders or claimants can file complaints with the GRO.
How to file
Look for the GRO's contact details on the company's website or in the policy document.
Send your complaint via email or post, along with the relevant documentation.
Ensure that a formal response to your complaint has been issued.
The insurance companies are expected to respond to the grievances raised to the GRO within 15 days. If you are still not satisfied, you can further escalate your complaint.
3. IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) Grievance Redressal Cell
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India, IRDAI, has a grievance redressal cell that can help the policyholder in solving problems that have not been solved by the insurance company. If you are unsure how to file complaint against an insurance company in India, this cell provides a platform to ensure your concerns are heard and properly handled.
Who can file
Only the insured person or claimant can file a complaint. Advocates or third parties are not permitted to do so on behalf of the policyholder.
How to file
You can register your complaint on the official IRDAI website or through their Bima Bharosa Portal.
Alternatively, complaints can be sent via email to the dedicated complaints address or to their toll-free numbers.
There are no charges involved for filing a complaint with IRDAI, and they aim to resolve issues within a reasonable time.
4. Insurance Ombudsman
In case the grievance still remains unsolved, one needs to seek redress at the Insurance Ombudsman. The government initiated the Ombudsman scheme to provide an easily accessible and unbiased forum for resolving disputes related to insurance.
Who can file
The policyholder or the legal heirs, nominees, or assignees can approach the Insurance Ombudsman. The complaint must meet the following conditions:
The policyholder has already approached the insurance company.
The insurance company either rejected the claim, did not respond within 30 days, or did not resolve the issue satisfactorily.
The value of the claim shall not exceed Rs. 50 Lakhs.
How to file
Visit the website of the insurance ombudsman and fill up the complaint form online.
Alternatively, you can send your complaint by email or post, including supporting documents such as the policy, previous communication with the insurer, and the claim rejection letter.
There are no charges for filing a complaint with the Insurance Ombudsman.
5. Consumer Court
If all other options have been exhausted, the final step is to approach the consumer court. Consumer courts are available for policyholders who seek redressal for disputes involving insurance policies.
Who can file
You, your legal heirs, or any individual authorized by you can file a complaint in the consumer court.
How to file
The process of filing depends on the value of the claim:
District Consumer Court: Claims worth less than Rs. 20 Lakhs.
State Consumer Court: Claims worth between twenty Lakh INR and Rs. 1 Crore.
National Consumer Court: Claims above Rs. 1 Crore.
You can file the complaint either online or offline, attaching the necessary documents, including an affidavit stating that the facts provided are true.
Consumer courts recover charges that usually vary with regard to the matter's value that is being lodged. The recovery usually ranges within Rs.100 to Rs 5000 with regard to its place of complaint.
In a Nutshell
In India, filing a complaint for any breach of an insurance company is done in a stepwise manner. First, approach the company and file a written complaint. In case the matter is not settled, take it to the Grievance Redressal Officer or the IRDAI. If required, approach the Insurance Ombudsman or consumer court.
At each stage, the relevant documents must be attached and the complaint acknowledged. This is how to file complaint against an insurance company in India. Knowing how to effectively resolve an issue helps protect one's rights as well. Following the correct process at each stage can lead to a quicker and more successful resolution.