22 Years After Car Was Stolen, Insurance Payout Finally Ordered

A man from Ghaziabad has finally received an insurance payout for a car that was stolen over two decades ago. The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission passed the order on July 9, 2025, settling a case that had been pending since 2003, according to a report by The Economic Times.

The car was stolen in April 2003 while the owner was travelling to Haridwar with his family. The vehicle had been purchased just a few weeks earlier and was covered under a valid insurance policy. After the theft, the owner filed an FIR with the police. When the car could not be traced, the police issued a final report closing the case.

Insurance Company Rejected Claim 

After reviewing the claim, the insurance company rejected it in full. The company said the car did not have certain security features required under the policy.

The owner then approached the local consumer forum in Ghaziabad. That forum dismissed the case, saying it did not have jurisdiction. The case was taken to the State Commission in Lucknow. In 2011, the State Commission sent the case back to the Ghaziabad forum. After that, the matter remained inactive for several years.

Case Finally Revived In 2025 

The case was finally revived in 2025. The District Commission took up the matter again. It reviewed all the documents, including the FIR, the final police report, and the insurance policy details. After going through the case, the Commission decided that the theft had been properly documented and that the company should have settled the claim.

The Commission said that the company could not reject the claim completely just because a condition of the policy was not met. It ordered the insurer to pay Rs 1.4 lakh. This was 75 per cent of the insured value of the car. This kind of settlement is called a non-standard claim. It is used when a claim is genuine, but not all policy conditions are met. The Commission also awarded Rs 5,000 as compensation for delay and legal trouble.

The insurance company had not disputed the fact that the car was stolen. Its objection was only about the lack of certain security fittings. The Commission did not accept that as a reason to deny payment in full.

The case is one of the longest of its kind. It shows that old disputes can still be resolved. The order brings closure to a case that began 22 years ago and had seen multiple delays and transfers.

What It Means For Policyholders 

If your insurance claim is denied, it does not mean that it is a final verdict. If the incident took place and you have all the necessary documents- FIR, police report, and insurance documents, the claim can still be taken ahead.

Even if many years have passed, it’s possible to get the money. People should keep copies of all documents and not throw them away. Consumer courts are there to help. If the company says no for small reasons, the court can still allow the payment. The process takes time, and it can be frustrating, but not giving up is important. If the claim is real and everything is filed properly, it can still be settled.