Missed insurance claim submission deadline? You are still eligible for reimbursement

A Bombay High Court ruling on April 20, 2026, favoured policyholders, stating insurers cannot reject claims solely for delayed document submission beyond the 90-day deadline. The court invoked Section 28 of the Contract Act, deeming such clauses void. This judgment emphasises that genuine claims should be assessed on merits, not technical procedural delays, aligning with IRDAI’s fair claims philosophy. After your loved one’s hospitalisation, you are occupied with follow-ups, medicines and diagnostic tests. In the process of completing the long list of errands, you end up filing the claim a few days past the insurance company’s stipulated 90-day deadline for document submission. The insurer rejects your claim, citing the policy’s terms.