New India Assurance: Riding a Harley is self-inflicted injury

According to a media report, New India Assurance, an insurance company, has claimed that riding a Harley Davidson amounts to self-inflicted intentional injury.

The Petitioner filed a complaint with the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) and moved the Delhi High Court seeking an early hearing.

The Petitioner’s husband met with a fatal accident in February 2017. She was named as the nominee in the deceased’s Personal Accident Insurance from New India Assurance. The Respondent appointed a surveyor who concluded that the death was the result of a road accident. However, the Respondent failed to honour the claims and said that the death was a result of self-inflicted intentional injury as the Petitioner’s husband was riding a Harley Davidson at the time of death.

The High Court observed that the Respondent's stand was unreasonable as the surveyor's report said that it was an accident. The court also observed that the reason was extremely insensitive and that insurance companies should treat family members of the policyholder with compassion and sensitivity.

Source