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Highway Fire: BMW Owner Wins ₹70 Lakh After 14 Years
13 Oct
Summary
- BMW owner awarded over ₹70 lakh after car fire.
- Insurance company denied claim due to unattended vehicle.
- Consumer commission ruled in favor of policyholder.
A consumer commission has ordered United India Insurance Company to pay more than ₹70 lakh to a BMW owner whose car was destroyed by fire. The incident occurred after a tyre puncture left the vehicle stranded on a Maharashtra highway. The insurer had rejected the claim, arguing that leaving the car unattended overnight violated the policy's reasonable precautions clause.
The commission dismissed the insurer's argument, stating that the policy did not prohibit leaving a broken-down vehicle unattended. It emphasized that personal safety is paramount and cannot be sacrificed to protect a vehicle. The owner had secured the vehicle before arranging transport home, only to find it burnt out the next day.
In addition to the ₹70 lakh payout for the car, the insurer was also directed to pay ₹50,000 for mental agony and ₹25,000 for litigation costs. This decision highlights that insurance claims should be assessed based on policy terms, taken precautions, and evidence, not solely on whether a vehicle was left unattended.
