Alleged Delays By Surveyor/Insurer Not Grounds To Reject Repudiation: NCDRC

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, presided over by Mr. Subhash Chandra and Dr. Sadhna Shanker, ruled that insurance claims cannot be dismissed solely due to delays by the surveyor or insurer. In a case involving a factory fire, despite reports from various authorities indicating a short circuit, the insurer repudiated the claim, citing self-combustion of stock. \r

The Commission noted the mandatory requirement of a surveyor's report but emphasized it isn't infallible. It found no evidence contradicting the cause of the fire as spontaneous combustion, as suggested by the surveyor. \r

Delays in processing the claim were deemed irrelevant to its merits. Upholding the State Commission's decision, the appeal was dismissed, affirming the insurer's repudiation based on the evidence provided.