Udupi district consumer court orders ICICI Lombard to settle personal accident claim

Udupi district consumer court, through an order, directed ICICI Lombard Insurance Company to disburse a sum of Rs. 3,35,251 to retired police sub-inspector, Teekappa Gowda, who currently resides in Thirthahalli.

Teekappa had bought a car. He was travelling by his car from Thirthahalli to Mangaluru for personal work in his car with his granddaughter, and car driver, on September 17, 2018. A street dog crossed their path all of a sudden near Katapady Junction. The car driver, in an attempt to save the dog, dashed the vehicle against an electric pole. A major portion of the car was mangled in the accident. The rider and other passengers in the car had a providential escape.

When the claim application was moved for repairs, the insurance company rejected the claim without proper reasons. The car owner held a valid insurance policy. He approached the district consumer court. The court, after perusing the documents and hearing arguments, ordered the company to pay Rs. 3,35,251 along with interest at the rate of 10% per year and also a compensation amount of Rs. 25,000 and court cost of Rs. 10,000 within 30 days of the order.