Tata AIG Told To Pay Rs 2.19 Lakh After Rejecting Stolen Bike Claim Over FIR Delay

A delayed first information report (FIR) cannot automatically deprive a policyholder of compensation when the theft is genuine, and the delay was caused by the police, a consumer commission in Visakhapatnam has ruled.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-II directed Tata AIG General Insurance to pay Rs 2,19,600, apart from interest, after finding fault with its rejection of a claim relating to a stolen Yamaha MT-15 motorcycle.

How The Dispute Began

The motorcycle belonged to Simma Ravi and had been purchased on October 16, 2023. It was insured with Tata AIG for an insured declared value of Rs 1,59,600.

On December 19, 2023, Ravi’s cousin, Kondiboni Sivaganesh, left the motorcycle parked outside his friend’s home in Gidijala village, Visakhapatnam. The following morning, the vehicle was missing, according to a recent report by The Economic Times.

The complainants said they approached Anandapuram police station on December 20 and reported the theft. The FIR, however, was registered only on December 28, eight days later.

They subsequently filed the insurance claim and supplied the documents sought by Tata AIG. Tata AIG rejected the claim on August 1, 2024. The insurer said it had not been informed about the theft within the 48 hours mentioned in the policy.

Tata AIG also referred to a 10-day delay in intimating the insurer and argued that it affected the investigation and efforts to trace the vehicle.

Why The Commission Rejected The Insurer’s Argument

The Commission observed that registering an FIR is the responsibility of the police. A citizen who has approached the police cannot be penalised because the authorities did not immediately record the complaint.

It also noted that the insurer continued asking for documents, including the FIR and final police report, instead of rejecting the claim at the outset. The police later classified the motorcycle as undetectable.

There was no allegation that the theft had been fabricated or that the complainants had acted fraudulently. Tata AIG also failed to show how the delay had caused actual prejudice to its investigation, the commission found.

What Tata AIG Must Pay

The commission ordered Tata AIG to pay the insured declared value of Rs 1,59,600 with interest at 6 per cent a year from July 7, 2025, when the complaint was filed, until payment.

It also awarded Rs 50,000 for mental agony and financial hardship and Rs 10,000 as litigation costs. The insurer was given 45 days from receiving the order to comply.

The ruling also offers a practical lesson: policyholders should report theft to the police and insurer quickly and retain proof of every communication. Copies of the complaint and related communication can show that the policyholder acted on time, even if the police took longer to register the case.

FAQs

1. Can an insurer reject a theft claim because the FIR was registered late?

Not necessarily. If the policyholder reported the theft promptly and the delay was caused by the police, the claim cannot be rejected on that ground alone.

2. What did the consumer commission order Tata AIG to pay?

The commission awarded Rs 1,59,600 with 6 per cent interest, along with Rs 50,000 as compensation and Rs 10,000 towards legal costs.

3. What should policyholders do after a vehicle is stolen?

They should immediately inform the police and insurer and retain copies of complaints, emails, messages and other communication as proof of timely reporting.