Insurance relief for bereaved kin of home guard

Consumer forum rejects alcohol-caused-accident argument, directs company to pay ₹5 lakh

The kin of a home guard who died in a road accident were in for relief after a consumer commission directed an insurance company to pay ₹5 lakh as accidental death coverage. The company had repudiated the insurance claim stating that the victim was under the influence of alcohol, which the commission did not accept. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission at Nalgonda was dealing with a complaint filed by Shakuntala Bai (35), wife and nominee of Venkoba Shary, with the Inspector General of Police and New India Assurance Company as the opposite parties. The victim was a member of Telangana Transport and Non-Transport Auto Drivers, Homeguards and Journalists Social Security Scheme, and was covered by a group insurance policy extended by the State government. In October 2017. he was riding a two-wheeler when he met with a road accident and succumbed to his injuries. In February 2018, his wife filed a claim. Four months later, the claim was repudiated on the grounds that the victim was under the influence of alcohol, a condition which is not covered under the policy.