Step-by-step claim guides for health, life and motor insurance, document checklists, and what to do if a claim is rejected.
Claim guides
- How to make a health insurance claimCashless or reimbursement: which route to take and what happens at each step.
- Cashless health claimsHow cashless treatment is approved at a network hospital, and the time limits.
- Reimbursement health claimsPaying the hospital first and claiming the money back: documents and time limits.
- How to make a life insurance claimDeath claims by the nominee: documents, steps and the time the insurer has to decide.
- How to make a motor insurance claimOwn-damage, theft and third-party claims: reporting, survey and settlement.
- Claim rejected? Complaints and the Insurance OmbudsmanHow to challenge a rejection or short payment: insurer, IRDAI's Bima Bharosa and the Ombudsman.
If a claim is rejected or delayed
- Write to the insurer's grievance team with the reason you disagree and your documents.
- If it is not resolved within two weeks, or you disagree with the reply, escalate to IRDAI through Bima Bharosa.
- If the insurer has not replied within 30 days or you are not satisfied, complain to the Insurance Ombudsman, free of charge, within one year of the rejection (claims up to ₹50 lakh).
Document checklists
- Health insurance claim: document checklistDocuments commonly asked for in a health claim. For cashless claims the hospital and the insurer or TPA exchange most of them.
- Motor insurance claim: document checklistDocuments commonly asked for in own-damage, theft and third-party motor claims.
- Life insurance death claim: document checklistDocuments a nominee or legal heir is commonly asked for. A missing document alone is not a reason to reject a life claim.
- Policy renewal checklistWhat to have ready and to check before you renew a policy.
- Policy details review checklistWhat to check in a new policy, ideally within the free-look period.
- Claim rejection follow-up checklistPapers to collect before you complain to the insurer, IRDAI or the Insurance Ombudsman.
Official resources
- How to make a complaint (IRDAI) (opens in a new tab)Complain to the insurance company first. If it does not resolve the complaint within two weeks, or you are not satisfied, escalate to IRDAI.
- Bima Bharosa – IRDAI grievance portal (opens in a new tab)Register and track a complaint against an insurer after you have complained to the insurer.Toll-free 155255 or 1800 4254 732; email complaints@irdai.gov.in. IRDAI accepts complaints from the policyholder or claimant, not from agents or other people writing for them.
- Council for Insurance Ombudsmen (opens in a new tab)A free complaint to the Insurance Ombudsman when the insurer has not resolved your complaint. Claims up to ₹50 lakh.
- How to complain to the Insurance Ombudsman (opens in a new tab)Who can complain, time limits, documents to attach and how to file online, by email or by post.
Addresses checked on 19 October 2026.