Let’s begin with a question: Why do people buy insurance policies?
Simple for peace of mind. Whether a person buys health, life, or vehicle insurance, it is supposed to protect him or her from financial or mental distress in times of need.
But what if that insurance turns into a battle instead of a relief?
Every other day, we hear about the issues policy makers are facing these days. It ranges from unjust claim rejection and endless delays to low settlement amounts.
But that is not the major problem, what’s the issue is rising scams in name of insurance.
Fraudsters impersonate themselves as legitimate insurance agents and sell fake policies by promising high returns or benefits.
Victims generally find such offers beneficial and fall the trap of such fake policies, which in reality never existed.
Whether you’re fighting against a wrongful rejection from a genuine insurer or have fallen victim to an insurance scam, knowing how to file a complaint against an insurance company can help you recover your hard-earned money.
Where to File a Complaint Against Insurance Company?
If you’re facing any of the above issues, here’s how you can escalate your complaint:
Step 1: Contact the Insurance Company First
- Every insurer has a Grievance Redressal Cell to handle complaints.
- Complain via email, phone, or written letter and keep all records.
- As per IRDAI guidelines, insurers must respond within 15 days.
Step 2: File a Complaint with IRDAI
If the insurer does not respond within the mentioned timeline, escalate it to IRDAI’s Grievance Redressal System (IGMS).
For this, you can follow one of the following steps:
- Visit the website, register, and file your complaint.
- Call them to register a complaint on 155255.
- You can also pendown the complaint and send it offline to the IRDAI Grievance Cell office.
Step 3: Approach the Insurance Ombudsman
If your issue is still unresolved, approach the Insurance Ombudsman, a free and independent body handling insurance disputes.
- Visit the website.
- Register by entering details.
- Now log in using username and password.
- Submit your complaint mentioning all details and the policy number.
You can register a complaint in the above portal to request the claim of ₹50 lakh. In case the claim amount is more, then you can reach out to Consumer Court to settle the same.
How to File a Complaint Against an Insurance Scam?
Now, the above platforms are useful if a genuine insurance company is involved. The challenge comes for those who got trapped in a fake insurance company scam.
The best part is that there are options for that, too.
So let’s dig deeper to learn how to report online frauds in India.
- Step 1: File a Complaint with IRDAI
- Step 2: Lodge a Cyber Crime Complaint
- Step 3: File an FIR with the Local Police
- Step 4: Report to the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW)
How to Avoid Insurance Scams?
Insurance scams are on the rise. No doubt there are provisions to register a complaint, but getting a refund or recovery of loss amount is time-taking & tedious task.
It is, therefore, important to protect yourself from falling into the trap of such scams. Here are some of the tips
- Verify the agent’s IRDAI license before purchasing any policy.
- Check the Insurance Company’s Official Website for policy details.
- Insurance is NOT an investment scheme. One must, therefore, avoid policies that promise high returns.
- Don’t share OTPs or personal details with unknown callers.
- Make payments only to official accounts after verifying other details.
- Read the policy document carefully before signing anything.
Conclusion
Insurance should be a safety net, not a financial trap.
If you’re facing delayed claims, unfair rejections, or have been scammed, don’t stay silent. Take action and file a complaint through the right channels to fight for your money.
In case you have been scammed in one or the other such scam, feel free to reach out to us. Fill in the detail below and our team will call you back and assist you in filing a complaint.
