NCDRC dismisses Tata AIG appeal filed 340 days late, rejects internal-delay excuse

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) on 13 October 2026 dismissed a second appeal filed by Tata AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd because it was filed 340 days late. The commission held that the insurer's reasons, mainly internal administrative delays, were not convincing. As a result, the order of the Karnataka State Commission dated 3 September 2025, which the insurer had challenged, was not disturbed.

What Happened

According to the order, the insurer filed the second appeal on 24 September 2026 against the State Commission's order in First Appeal No. 2071 of 2024. The respondents were the complainant and LIC HFL Financial Services Ltd. The insurer had received a certified copy of the State Commission's order on 18 September 2025. With a permitted period of 30 days, the commission's registry calculated the delay at 340 days.

The insurer asked the commission to condone, or excuse, the delay. Per the order, it said the pleadings were sent to its office, circulated internally, a decision to appeal was taken later, new counsel were engaged, and preparing, printing and compiling documents took further time. It also argued that the lower fora's findings were wrong.

The commission referred to several Supreme Court rulings holding that delay can be excused only for "sufficient cause", that negligence or a lack of diligence does not qualify, and that the merits of a case do not by themselves justify ignoring a delay. It found the receipt date of the certified copy was not in dispute and that the reasons given were mainly internal administrative delays. It rejected the application to condone the delay and dismissed the appeal on the ground of limitation.

What It Means

For policyholders and their families, the order shows that the NCDRC did not accept an insurer's internal paperwork and approval process as a good reason for filing an appeal almost a year late. The order does not set out the details of the original claim or the amount involved.

The NCDRC's order is the commission's finding and may be appealed. Consumers with a dispute against an insurer can seek help through the National Consumer Helpline (1915) or file a complaint on e-Daakhil.

Source: Consumer commission order