Jagveer Singh filed a complaint against the decision of BB Life Insurance Corporation of

India relating to rejection of death claim in respect of his wife on the ground of Suicide

clause. The complainant stated that his wife had taken the said policy from BB Life Insurance

Co. Aligarh Division. She died on 27-3-2016 due to burn injury during the treatment at J.N.

Medical College, Bulandshahr. The Complainant submitted the claim with all documents

before the Insurance Company but his claim was rejected by the Company on the ground of

suicide clause of the policy. The complainant stated that it was a case of accident and not of

suicide and his claim was genuine and should be paid by Company. The Insurance Company

stated that the deceased falls under category III female live as per underwriting norms of

Insurance Company. The insured expired due to 90% thermal burn during treatment at J.N.

Medical Hospital Aligarh on 27-3-2016 i.e. only after 8 months 28 days from the date of

proposal and the claim was under the category of very early claim. Hence the matter was

investigated by Insurance officer, during investigation the statements of two neighbors were

taken into consideration and in their written statement, ex-pradhan informed that the

deceased had committed suicide. Insurance company could not produce any other proofs as

the FIR was lodged but no action/ enquiry was made by the police as both the parties had

reconciled the matter between themselves. Police Report mentioned that death is due to

burn injuries, because of bursting of stove while cooking. The Reports of Postmortem also

endorsed the Police Report. But the insurance company repudiated the claim on the ground

of PP-ILP-December 2019 72 suicide clause under policy condition, which states "if the life

assured (whether sane or insane) commits suicide at any time within 12 months from the

date of commencement of risk, the corporation will not entertain any claim under this

policy except to the extent of 80% of the premium paid excluding any taxes, extra premium

and rider premiums, if any, provided the policy is."

Is the repudiation of the claim by the insurance company is justified in this case? (5