THIS STORY IS TRUE AND ITS HAPPENING TO MOST OF THE PEOPLE,PLEASE TAKE CARE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANIES CREDITABILITY AND INSURE UR LIFE.
Denied Rs 10- lakh benefit from husband’s policy, Geeta Parmar and her kids worked as maids.
Consumer forum told Max New York Life to pay for unfair trade practice.
When Geeta Parmar’s husband Manilal died suddenly in March 2007,
she was inconsolable. Even so, she gained strength from the fact that
her husband had secured the future of their four children by taking an
insurance policy of Rs 10 lakh. Imagine her shock when the firm, Max
New York Life Insurance Co Ltd, refused to pay the benefits claiming
Manilal had not revealed his true income.
Though poor, Manilal had worked hard for the money he paid as
premium without fail. Resolving to fulfil her husband’s wish, Geeta
approached the Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Ahmedabad
City, in November 2008. After a legal st ruggle that lasted for almost
three years, the forum ordered the firm to pay up for deficiency in
service and unfair trade practice.
The order states that the claim amount had to be paid with nine per
cent interest from April 30, 2008 t ill the date the payment is made.
The insurance company will have to shell Rs 3,000 for causing
harassment and mental shock to Geeta and another Rs 1,000 for legal
expenses.
Ray of hope
The news has brought back the smile on Geeta’s face. The money
means freedom from debt . More than that , it means freedom from
back-breaking work for her children — Chanda (17) , Tina (14) , Kamla
(12) and Mahesh (16) . They live in a shanty in Santosh Nagar in
Naroda. Geeta and her daughters work as housemaids in nearby
societies from morning to night . Mahesh works as a daily wager. They
collectively earn a meager income of Rs 3000 per month.
“My husband bought and sold wood for a commission. We did not earn
much, but he was set on giving our kids a bet ter future. On July 25,
2006, he enrolled for a 22-year life insurance policy with personal
accident benefit . He would work day and night to save money for the
premiums. He never missed a payment . But on March 11, 2007, my
husband slipped in the bathroom. He hit his head and simultaneously
suffered a heart at tack,” said Geeta.
She added, “Life became very tough for us after his death. The
insurance firm refused to pay the benefits on the grounds that my
husband had shown false income. To make ends meet , my young
children and I were forced to swab floors, wash utensils and lift heavy
objects.”
Fight back
Meanwhile, Manilal’s relatives abandoned the family. “ I t was an irony
to have lakhs in our name and yet struggle to buy food. I decided to
fight the firm and get what was right fully ours. Looking at my financial
condit ion, my lawyer decided against charging any fee. My neighbours
were helpful, too,” said the 35-year-old.
Her lawyer Arvind Thakur said, “Manilal paid a total premium of Rs
10,000 before he died. The insurance firm claimed it would not release
the benefit as Manilal had falsely declared an annual income of Rs 2.1
lakh. However, the firm never asked for an income proof while filing
the proposal form or issuing the policy. So, it had no stand to fight
on.”
When contacted, Max New York Life spokesperson said, “We cannot
comment on the forum’s order until we receive the order.”
Meanwhile, Geeta — who is yet to receive the money — has already
planned what to do with it . “I will first repay Rs 80,000 to my
creditors. I will give some money to my lawyer for his help. The rest I
will use to marry off my children and give them a better life.”
Source: Ahmedabad Mirror
DT: 12th August 2011
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