THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kozhikode District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has rejected a plea by a person who claimed money from the insurer saying that his house at Feroke had suffered damage due to earthquake, thunder and lightning. The man, Ummar Koya of Karuvanthuruthi, had taken the insurance after he was asked by the bank which granted him a loan of Rs 15 lakh for building the house.
As per his claims, in May 17, 2009, heavy rain with thunder and lightning followed by earthquake caused cracks on the front walls and other parts of his house. He had to spend Rs 5 lakh for the repair. The house was insured under 'Standard fire and special perils policy.' He demanded the amount on the basis of the estimate prepared by the building supervisor, but his claim was rejected.
With this, he moved the forum. The insurance company contested that its surveyor had conducted a detailed scientific study and downloaded the 'Earthquake data of CESS' (Centre of Earth Science Study) from the internet. This date showed that there was no earthquake in the area of the building or in and around Kozhikode on the day. It was further contended that rain by itself was not an insured peril. However, flood, inundations, landslides, rock slides were among the 'perils' covered under this policy.
The petitioner had not submitted any evidence of damage to electrical appliances. Also he had not made any complaint regarding the incident to the village officer or KSEB authorities or Fire Force. The surveyor said that cracks had developed due to the soil-related influences like expansion and contraction of soil etc. He computed a loss of around Rs 27,000. The forum could not attribute any unfair trade practice or deficiency in service and rejected the claim by the petitioner.
