(Passed on 11/10/2022)

Passed by Shri Atul D. Alsi, Hon’ble President 

1.         Complainants  filed  complaint case against the repudiation of vehicle insurance claim  of Rs. 2,70,257/- for the reason of  non  transfer of motor vehicle  policy  in the name of the  complainant  after  death of her husband and thereby claiming compensation  of Rs. 2,70,257/- and cost of litigation .

2.         The story in short is as under,

            The vehicle bearing No. MH-34/AM-1142, Huyndai, I-20 owned by complainant’s husband Vishwas Baburao Mutyalwar and vehicle was insured  with O.P. for the period  from 12/08/2020 to 11/08/2021 for Insured Declared Value (IDV) of Rs. 2,70,257/-. On 28/12/2020 the son of the complainant and Power of Attorney Holder of this case Mr. Piyush Mutyalwar was coming from Pusad to Chandrapur the vehicle met with an accident with the wild boar came before the vehicle,   the outcome of which the F.I.R.  is registered bearing No. 11/2020 dated 28/12/2020 at Police Station, Digras, District Yavatmal. The police machinery drawn panchanama on the spot. The intimation of accident was given to the Insurance Company on 02/01/2021 the vehicle was totally damaged of 100%.  The husband of complainant died on 20/03/2020 due to short illness.  Thereafter,  the complainant  filed  insurance claim with  the O.P. but the insurance claim was rejected by  issuing  letter dated 09/02/2021 for the  reason  of breach of condition No. 9 of the policy  for the reason  of non transfer of insurance policy  in favour  of the  complainant.  Due to Corona period the Government Offices were not working and working of Court has been stoped in Corona period therefore, the complainant could not get the Legal Heirs Certificate for transfer of policy. Therefore, in such circumstances the rejection of insurance claim does amount to deficiency of service. Therefore, petition is filed.

3.         The O.P. inspite of service of notice did not appear. Hence,  the case  proceeded  exparte as per  order dated 05/04/2022.

REASONING

4.         On 28/12/2020 the vehicle met with an accident and an offence has been registered at Police Station, Digras, District Yavatmal vide F.I.R.  No. 11/2020 dated 28/12/2020. Due to  suddenly while driving  of  vehicle  by  the son of deceased  the wild boar  came in front  of the vehicle  and vehicle  could not  control  and therefore gave dashed  to the  road side tree. The copy of F.I.R. is filed on record along with spot panchanama report at page Nos. 20 and 21. The intimation of the accident has been given to the O.P. on 02/01/2021. The Complainant  submitted  insurance claim for total damage  of vehicle  according to  IDV of Rs. 2,70,257/- but  the O.P. has repudiated  the insurance claim for  the breach of  policy condition  No. 9 that  in case of sole  insured  the policy  will not  immediately  lapse  but while  remaining  valid  for the period of  3 months for  the  death  of the insured or entitle  expiry  of policy  (which ever is  earlier) during  the said period  the legal  heirs of the  insured  whom  the custody  or  use of motor vehicle  passes may apply to  have this policy  transferred  in the name of   heirs or obtaining  new insurance  policy for motor vehicle.

5.         Due to Corona Pandemic  the Government  of India, Ministry  of Road  Transport  and Highway, (MVL) Section,  Dr. Piyush Jain, Director   issued a letter  to the Director Generals  of Police, Principal Secretaries, Department of Transport  and  the  Transport Commissioners  of all the States  and  Union Territories for the  extension  of validity  of documents  related to  Motor Vehicle  Act, 1988 that  the validity  of Driving  License, registration  or other  concerned  documents  whose  validity  is likely  to  expire since  01/02/2020  to  30/09/2021 may be treated  to be valid for the  further  period of 31/10/2021. Due to Corona Pandemic  the  government  offices  were  closed  and thereafter working  with very less strength and  therefore,  the complainant  could  not  get  transfer  the ownership of  vehicle and  insurance policy  in her name. The insurance policy is issued for the vehicle and not to the person.  Therefore,  non transfer  of name of policy  holder would not disentitle  the  claimant  to claim compensation  for the  valid insurance  period.  Therefore, rejection of insurance claim does amount to deficiency of service. Therefore, the complaint is partly allowed with direction to O.P.  to pay compensation  for own damaged  claim of the vehicle  bearing  registration No. MH-34/AM-1142 amounted  to Rs. 2,70,257/-  on non-standard  basis  of  insurance policy  without  awarding any  interest  or compensation  or  cost of litigation  as per following  order.

ORDER

i.          Complaint  No. CC/21/191 is partly allowed.

ii.          The O.P. is directed to pay to the complainant Rs.2,70,257/- for own damaged  claim of the vehicle  bearing  registration No. MH-34/AM-1142 on non-standard basis of insurance policy  without  awarding  any interest  or compensation or cost of  litigation.

iii.         Copy of order  be furnished to both the parties free of cost.