A truck owner in Chhattisgarh just won a big case! The State Consumer Commission ordered Oriental Insurance to pay Rs 29 lakh. This is for a truck that burned down. The ruling happened on Monday, June 17, 2024.
This means a long wait is over for the truck owner. He will get his insurance money. The company must also pay extra interest and court costs. This ruling sends a clear message to all insurance firms.
Insurance Battle: Years of Waiting Pay Off
Om Prakash Yadav bought his Eicher truck in April 2019. He insured it for Rs 29 lakh. Just a month later, in May 2019, the truck caught fire. It was near Korba, Chhattisgarh.
Oriental Insurance Company denied his claim. They said they would not pay. So, Yadav took them to court. He filed a complaint in 2021.
The District Consumer Commission in Korba heard the case. They ruled in Yadav’s favor in 2022. But the insurance company did not give up. They appealed this decision to the State Commission.
Now, the State Commission has upheld the first ruling. This means Yadav finally gets his money. This case shows how important consumer rights are in India.
Why the Commission Ruled for the Truck Owner
The State Consumer Commission looked at all the facts. They found the insurance company made a mistake. Oriental Insurance failed to provide important evidence. They did not give an investigation report.
The company could not prove the fire was due to mechanical problems. They also could not show the truck was overloaded. These were their reasons for denying the claim. But they had no proof.
Yadav, the truck owner, gave strong evidence. He submitted a police report. He also gave a local official report (panchnama). A report from the fire service supported his side.
The commission decided Oriental Insurance showed a “deficiency in service.” This means they did not do their job properly. They denied a valid claim without good cause. So, they must pay up.
The total payment is Rs 29 lakh. It also includes 7% interest from 2021. Plus, the company must pay Rs 10,000 for Yadav’s legal costs. This ruling is a win for consumers everywhere. It shows companies must stand by their insurance policies.
