Owner left punctured BMW, later it caught fire. Court backs his Rs 70 lakh claim
Maharashtra state consumer commission ruled that United India Insurance must compensate a BMW owner after a claim rejection. The car was destroyed by fire following a late-night tyre puncture, leading to the owner seeking compensation. The commission determined that the owner's actions constituted reasonable precautions under the circumstances. The insurer's refusal was deemed a deficiency in…
A Maharashtra state consumer commission has ordered insurance company United India to pay Rs 70 lakh to BMW owner Ravikant S Patil. The order, passed on September 16, 2026, also grants 7 percent annual interest from the date the claim was rejected in 2012, Rs 50,000 for mental suffering, and Rs 25,000 for legal fees. Patil's BMW was involved in a tyre puncture incident on March 8, 2012, which led to the car catching fire the following day.
The insurer initially rejected the claim, citing that the car was left unattended without proper precautions. However, the commission found that Patil had taken reasonable steps to protect the vehicle, such as rolling up the windows and locking it after the puncture. They also ruled that the insured value of Rs 70 lakh had to be paid, despite the insurer's argument that the car's value had depreciated.
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