Chandigarh, June 27 -- Holding that technicalities cannot defeat a genuine insurance claim, the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (SCDRC), Chandigarh, has dismissed an appeal filed by New India Assurance Company Ltd and upheld an order directing it to compensate a Chandigarh resident whose insured car was declared a total loss after being submerged during the 2023 Punjab floods.

The firm has been directed to pay Rs.5.48 lakh, along with 9% annual interest from March 28, 2024, the date on which the claim was repudiated. It also upheld the award of Rs.20,000 as compensation for mental harassment and Rs.10,000 towards litigation expenses.

The commission, comprising justice Raj Shekhar Attri (president) and member Preetinder Sing...