SURAT: In an important judgment with regard to the group medical insurance policy, the Valsad District Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission observed that individual policy holder’s risk cover in such group policies cannot start only after the insurance company receives the premium. The commission said there may be a delay in the process of collecting all employees’ premium and depositing the bulk amount by the company or department in the bank.
Going by its observation, the consumer court ordered Oriental Insurance Company Ltd to reimburse Valsad-based head constable (Armed), Haresh Desai, his mediclaim amount of Rs 1.5 lakh with seven percent interest effective from September 2017. It also awarded compensation of Rs 2,500 Desai.