The Supreme Court has stayed an order by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) that directed an insurance company to pay Rs 82.80 lakh to a company that had contracted players for the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals. The claim was made due to a knee injury suffered by cricketer S Sreesanth during a practice match in 2012, which made him unfit to play in the tournament. The insurance company, United India Insurance Co. Ltd, had repudiated the claim citing a pre-existing toe injury that was not disclosed by the company.

The NCDRC had passed an order in April directing the insurance company to pay the claim, stating that the repudiation was a deficiency in service. The commission noted that the policy covered loss of fees and remuneration due to non-appearance in the tournament, and that the injury was sustained during the policy period. The commission also stated that the surveyor’s report had concluded that the injury was a sudden and unforeseen event, and that the claim was within the purview of the policy terms and conditions.

However, the Supreme Court has now stayed the NCDRC’s order, observing that Sreesanth did not play for a single day in the 2012 IPL tournament. The court has fixed the matter for hearing and stayed the effect and operation of the impugned order until further orders. The insurance company had filed a plea against the NCDRC’s order, arguing that the claim was wrongly allowed.

The case highlights the complexities of insurance claims and the need for careful consideration of policy terms and conditions. The NCDRC’s order had noted that the repudiation of the claim was based on a pre-existing toe injury that was not established to have occurred or recurred during the period of insurance cover. The Supreme Court’s stay order suggests that the court may take a closer look at the circumstances surrounding the injury and the insurance claim. The matter is expected to be heard further, and the final outcome will depend on the court’s interpretation of the policy terms and conditions, as well as the evidence presented by the parties involved.

The Ernakulam District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered United India Insurance Company to pay a compensation of Rs 35,000 to a policyholder, Jabeen L Zacharias, due to a delay in settling her claims and deficiency in service. The compensation includes payment for deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.

Zacharias had insured her office building, furniture, and electronic equipment under a compact policy issued by United India Insurance Company, which was valid from April 26, 2009, to April 25, 2010. In February 2010, an electrical fault damaged several electronic items in the office, prompting Zacharias to intimate the insurance agency and follow their directives for inspection and repair estimates.

However, due to the delay in inspection, the office was closed, and upon reopening, a break-in and theft were discovered. Zacharias lodged a police complaint and four claims with the insurance company. Despite her repeated reminders, the insurance company failed to decide on three of the claims, citing “delay” as the reason. The only response from the insurance company was a denial of the theft claim after months of silence.

The consumer commission found the insurance company liable for the delay and ordered them to pay the compensation within 30 days. The commission’s decision highlights the importance of timely settlement of claims and fair treatment of policyholders by insurance companies. The ruling emphasizes that insurance companies must fulfill their obligations and provide adequate service to their customers, failure to do which can result in penalties and compensation for deficiency in service and unfair trade practices.

The case serves as a reminder to insurance companies to prioritize their customers’ needs and settle claims in a timely and efficient manner. It also underscores the role of consumer commissions in protecting the rights of policyholders and ensuring that insurance companies adhere to fair trade practices. By ordering the insurance company to pay compensation, the commission has sent a strong message that deficiency in service and unfair trade practices will not be tolerated.

The Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) in India’s Tamil Nadu state has provided health insurance benefits to over 1.45 crore families. The state government has paid an annual premium of ₹1,237.80 crore to the United India Insurance Company, which includes ₹1,173.66 crore for the coverage period from January 11, 2026, to January 10, 2027, and ₹64.13 crore as the remaining 5% premium from the previous year. The CMCHIS was launched in 2009 by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and has since expanded to cover more families and provide additional benefits.

According to Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, the scheme has been steadily growing, with the annual premium increasing over the years. In the last three years, the premium paid was ₹1,200 crore in 2023, ₹1,228.27 crore in 2024, and ₹1,262.91 crore in 2025. The minister also mentioned that the government has included new categories of persons under the scheme, such as orphans, persons with disabilities, and construction workers, which has resulted in 7,56,873 people being brought under CMCHIS coverage.

The scheme has also seen an increase in the number of treatments covered, from 1,090 to 2,053, and the number of government and private empanelled hospitals has increased from 970 to 2,157. Additionally, the number of high-end procedures covered under the scheme has increased from two to eight. The government has also increased the premium per family from ₹699 to ₹849 and the annual income limit from ₹72,000 to ₹1.20 lakh.

In recent months, the government has implemented initiatives such as Ungaludan Stalin and Nalam Kaakkum Stalin, which have resulted in the enrolment of 2,77,735 new beneficiaries under CMCHIS. The minister acknowledged the efforts of hospitals and doctors who have performed well in the scheme and presented awards to them. The CMCHIS has been a significant step towards providing health insurance benefits to the people of Tamil Nadu, and the government’s efforts to expand and improve the scheme are commendable. With its increasing coverage and benefits, the scheme is expected to continue making a positive impact on the lives of the people in the state.

The Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme in Tamil Nadu has reported that treatment for kidney and heart diseases are the most common claims under the scheme. According to data from the Tamil Nadu State Health Systems Project, dialysis is the most opted procedure, followed by angiography-stenting and cardiac bypass surgery. This information was revealed as the health minister, Ma Subramanian, handed over a cheque of ₹1,237.80 crore to United India Insurance Corporation Ltd as the annual premium for 2026-27.

The scheme, which was initiated by late chief minister M Karunanidhi, provides health cover of up to ₹5 lakh for over 1.45 crore families across the state. The scheme has undergone significant expansions since its inception, with the premium contribution per family increasing from ₹691 to ₹849. The annual family income eligibility has also been enhanced from ₹72,000 to ₹1.2 lakh, and the sum insured has increased from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh per family.

The treatment coverage under the scheme has expanded from 1,090 to 2,053 procedures, and the number of hospitals participating in the scheme has increased from 970 to 2,157. High-end treatments, including liver, kidney, bone marrow, and stem cell surgeries, have also been added to the scheme, with renal and cochlear transplant being among the most opted high-end procedures.

The scheme has grown into one of Tamil Nadu’s largest welfare initiatives, providing much-needed financial support to families in need of medical treatment. The expansion of the scheme’s coverage and the increase in the number of participating hospitals have made it possible for more people to access quality healthcare services. The scheme’s focus on providing coverage for high-end treatments, such as organ transplants, has also been a significant development, making it possible for people to access life-saving treatments that were previously out of reach. Overall, the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme has been a vital initiative in improving access to healthcare in Tamil Nadu.