09/12/2024
HDFC Ergo General Insurance β Urgent: Violation of IRDAI Regulations and Policy Terms Regarding Claim No. C230024372672 HDFC Bank HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited
Address: HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited. IRDAI Reg No.146 CIN : U66030MH2007PLC177117. Registered & Corporate Office: 1st Floor, HDFC House,
Website: www.hdfcergo.com
Claim No - C230024372672
I purchased an HDFC Ergo insurance policy through Insurance Dekho on September 27, 2024, which became effective from October 1, 2024. Since it was a second-hand car, I was unaware of the correct NCB percentage. Ownership was also being transferred on the policy. I opted for a 50% NCB as I was unsure about it. On Insurance Dekho, only two options were availableβwhether a claim had been made in the previous year or not. If "Yes, " NCB was zero, and if "No, " the user could select the percentage themselves. However, there was no option to specify that ownership was being transferred.
On October 20, my car met with an accident. I used HDFCβs towing service to send the car to the service center and intimated the claim on October 21. After the claim survey, on October 11, I called the claim manager, Mr. Prashant Solanki, who informed me that the claim was approved and I would receive the total loss amount of my car. When I requested that the claim not be processed as a total loss, he insisted it would be. Later, on October 13, I called the surveyor, who confirmed that I would receive Rs. 416, 822 (my IDV was Rs. 417, 822).
However, on November 18, when I contacted the claim manager again, he changed his statement, saying only 50% of the IDV amount would be paid. When I reached out to the Insurance Dekho team, they initially stated that 80% would be paid but later also changed their statement. I then filed a grievance via email on November 19, pointing out that the policy terms mentioned that HDFC would inform me via mail or letter if there were any discrepancies related to NCB. On November 23, the team responded, claiming they had sent a letter on October 19 and provided a tracking ID: AWB/POD No: RM971040308IN. Upon checking, I found the letter was booked on October 22βafter my claim had already been filed.
Following this, I escalated the matter to the Head Grievance Team and IRDAI. During this period, HDFC team members repeatedly asked for more time. Meanwhile, I received a call from the claim manager who mocked my claim and later sent a rejection letter. When contacted again, they cited a "break" in my policy as the reason for rejection, but after three days, they admitted there was no policy break. Eventually, the Head Grievance Team also approved only 50% of the claim.
I argued that the letter was sent late and was never received. Despite this, I was willing to pay the NCB recovery amount, but the team refused. HDFC Ergo violated IRDAI rules and failed to adhere to their own terms and conditions. They continuously changed statements, causing mental harassment and pressuring me to accept the 50% settlement by stating that the claim would be canceled if not accepted within seven days.
A threat is being made that if not accepted within 7 days, it will be canceled.