Royal Sundaram, a private general insurer, is celebrating its 25-year milestone in the Indian insurance industry. Since its inception in 2000, the company has consistently demonstrated its commitment to simplifying insurance and making it more accessible to millions of customers across the country. With a strong foundation built on trust, transparency, and long-term relationships, Royal Sundaram has protected over 2 crore customers across various insurance segments, including motor, health, travel, home, and commercial insurance.

The company’s journey has been marked by several industry-first initiatives, pioneering bancassurance partnerships, and a focus on digital transformation. Royal Sundaram has introduced various digital-first platforms to make customer interactions seamless, while also ensuring that customers receive a human touch when they need it the most. The company’s products are designed to be simple, transparent, and easy to understand, with a focus on safeguarding what matters most to customers.

The leadership team at Royal Sundaram has expressed their pride and commitment to the company’s mission of delivering protection and peace of mind to customers. Mr. Harsha Viji, Vice Chairman of Sundaram Finance, highlighted the company’s values of trust, transparency, and long-term relationships, which have been instrumental in building a strong foundation for Royal Sundaram. Mr. Filip Coremans, Managing Director (Asia) of Ageas Group, praised the company’s innovative approach and adaptability to customer needs, while Mr. Vedanarayanan Seshadri, Managing Director of Royal Sundaram, acknowledged the trust placed in the company by customers, partners, and employees.

As Royal Sundaram looks ahead to its next chapter, the company plans to focus on deepening its presence in retail and commercial segments, creating more phygital experiences that blend personal trust with digital convenience, and leveraging AI and advanced analytics for personalized protection. The company also aims to strengthen its ESG initiatives, delivering lasting impact for the communities it serves and the environment. With a strong foundation and a clear vision for the future, Royal Sundaram is well-positioned to continue its journey as a trusted name in the Indian insurance industry.

The Chennai Bench of the Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) has allowed an appeal by M/s. Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance Company Limited, ruling that credit cannot be denied on grounds not raised in the Show Cause Notice. The dispute arose over the denial of CENVAT credit on service tax paid for vehicle repair claims for the period April 2011 to September 2011. The department had denied credit, citing an amendment to the definition of “input services” in the CENVAT Credit Rules, 2004, which excluded services related to motor vehicles.

The Appellant argued that the amendment was prospective and did not apply to services received before April 2011. The Counsel for the Appellant, R. Charulatha, contended that the amendment was curative and retrospective in nature, making authorized service stations credit always available. The Appellant relied on favourable Tribunal decisions in similar cases, stating that vehicle repair services constitute input services as they enable the company to fulfill its insurance obligations.

The Counsel for the Respondent, Rajini Menon, argued that the invoices were issued to individual vehicle owners and not to the insurer, and therefore, the Appellant cannot claim CENVAT credit. The Respondent also argued that after the amendment to the definition of “input service” dated 01.04.2011, authorized station services were specifically excluded, rendering the Appellant ineligible for CENVAT credit on such services for the relevant period.

The Tribunal, consisting of Technical Member, Vasa Seshagiri Rao, heard and reviewed the matter challenged by the Appellant. The Tribunal held that the amendment to the “input services” definition was prospective in nature and agreed with the appellant. The Tribunal stated that the adjudicating authorities had exceeded the scope of the Show Cause Notice by introducing new allegations, violating principles of natural justice.

The Tribunal also found that the services in question were delivered to the appellant on or before 31.03.2011, and therefore, the amended definition of “input service” did not apply to these transactions. The Tribunal acknowledged that the issue of invoices being in the name of insured individuals was settled in favour of the appellant by earlier decisions.

Ultimately, the Appeal was allowed with consequential reliefs, and the impugned Order in-Appeal dated 01.06.2015, along with the demand for CENVAT credit, interest, and penalties, was set aside. The Order was pronounced in open court on 11.11.2025. The decision is a significant victory for the Appellant, as it clarifies that credit cannot be denied on grounds not raised in the Show Cause Notice and that the amendment to the “input services” definition is prospective in nature.

As the monsoon season approaches, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle is protected from the potential risks associated with heavy rainfall and flooding. Royal Sundaram, a leading insurance provider, offers a range of motor insurance add-ons that can provide comprehensive coverage for your vehicle. Here are some essential add-ons to consider:

1. Engine Protector Add-on: This add-on covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle’s engine in case of damage due to water ingress or flooding. It’s a crucial coverage, especially during monsoons, when waterlogging and flooding are common.
2. Zero Depreciation Add-on: This add-on waives off the depreciation on your vehicle’s parts, ensuring you receive the full claim amount without any deduction. It’s beneficial in case of accidents or damage to your vehicle during the monsoon season.
3. Roadside Assistance Add-on: This add-on provides 24/7 roadside assistance, including towing, fuel delivery, and battery jump-start, in case your vehicle breaks down or is stranded due to heavy rainfall or flooding.
4. Hydrostatic Lock Add-on: This add-on covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle’s engine and other components in case of hydrostatic lock, which occurs when water enters the engine’s cylinders.
5. Consumable Expenses Add-on: This add-on covers the cost of consumables, such as engine oil, fuel filter, and brake pads, which may be damaged or lost due to accidents or flooding.

Royal Sundaram’s motor insurance add-ons offer several benefits, including:

• Comprehensive coverage: The add-ons provide extensive coverage for your vehicle, ensuring you’re protected against various risks associated with the monsoon season.
• Financial protection: The add-ons help you avoid significant out-of-pocket expenses in case of accidents or damage to your vehicle.
• Convenience: The add-ons offer a range of services, including roadside assistance and towing, which can be a lifesaver during emergencies.
• Peace of mind: With Royal Sundaram’s motor insurance add-ons, you can drive with confidence, knowing your vehicle is protected against the uncertainties of the monsoon season.

In conclusion, Royal Sundaram’s motor insurance add-ons are essential for safeguarding your vehicle during the monsoon season. By opting for these add-ons, you can ensure comprehensive coverage, financial protection, and convenience, giving you peace of mind while driving. It’s crucial to review your existing policy and consider adding these essential coverages to protect your vehicle from the risks associated with heavy rainfall and flooding.

Royal Sundaram General Insurance (RSGI) has completed a major core systems upgrade as part of its digital transformation agenda. The 11-month program involved the deployment of FirstGen v7 and the NextGen Integration Platform (NIP v3) from FirstApex Insurance Systems. This upgrade introduces low-code/no-code configurability, automated deployment pipelines, secure integrations, and private cloud-based scalability across underwriting and claims.

The project successfully migrated nearly 48 million records with minimal disruption, demonstrating the maturity of large-scale system upgrades in the insurance sector. The new platform currently supports over 40 million policies, 8 million transactions, and 6 million claims across 140 branches and 1,800 users.

According to Dheepak Rajoo, CIO of Royal Sundaram Insurance, the program was designed to align business growth with digital-first capabilities. The new platform provides a resilient, scalable, and modular foundation for delivering next-gen digital experiences to customers and partners.

The integration of underwriting and claims processing with automation reflects an industry-wide push toward operational efficiency and reducing time-to-service for customers. The RSGI-FirstApex collaboration highlights the deepening role of long-term technology partnerships in the insurance space, with their 25-year association illustrating the importance of continuity and innovation from technology partners.

This upgrade positions RSGI to navigate the challenges of rising digital adoption, regulatory changes, and competitive pressures from insurtech entrants. The shift from incremental modernization to holistic platform-led transformation is evident in this initiative, which lays the groundwork for next-generation insurance services in India.

The successful deployment of FirstGen v7 and NIP v3 demonstrates the potential for insurers to re-architect their technology foundations to achieve scalability, automation, and faster go-to-market capabilities. As the insurance sector prepares for the future, initiatives like this will be crucial in driving digital transformation and delivering seamless omnichannel experiences to customers.

The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Mumbai bench, has ruled against Royal Sundaram General Insurance Co. Ltd. for wrongfully rejecting a claim related to a vehicle. The complainant, the registered owner of a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, had filed the claim.

The vehicle was insured with Royal Sundaram under a comprehensive insurance policy, which covered various risks, including accidents and natural disasters. However, when the complainant filed a claim for damages, the insurance company repudiated it, citing reasons that the commission deemed unjustified.

The commission, consisting of Presiding Member Mukesh Sharma and Member Poonam Maharshi, heard the case and found that Royal Sundaram had failed to provide sufficient grounds for repudiating the claim. The commission held that the insurance company’s actions were a clear violation of the terms and conditions of the policy, as well as the principles of consumer protection.

In its judgment, the commission stated that the insurance company had a duty to act in good faith and settle legitimate claims. By wrongfully repudiating the claim, Royal Sundaram had caused undue financial hardship and distress to the complainant. The commission, therefore, directed the insurance company to pay the complainant the claimed amount, along with interest and costs.

This decision emphasizes the importance of insurance companies acting in good faith and honoring their commitments to policyholders. It also highlights the role of consumer protection bodies in safeguarding the rights of consumers and ensuring that businesses operate fairly and transparently.

The commission’s ruling serves as a reminder that insurance companies must provide clear and valid reasons for rejecting claims, and that policyholders have the right to seek redress if they believe their claims have been wrongfully repudiated. The case sets a precedent for similar disputes and underscores the need for insurance companies to act with integrity and fairness in their dealings with customers.