The North Goa consumer disputes redressal forum has directed United India Insurance Co Ltd to refund mediclaim insurance policy premium and pay compensation and costs of Rs 10,000 to a consumer claiming deficiency in service.

The forum ordered the insurance company to refund the premium amount of Rs 11,712 paid by Kapish Kakodkar on December 8, 2007 together with interest at the rate of 12% per annum till the date of actual refund.

Kakodkar had approached the forum stating that in 2004, he had purchased a mediclaim policy for himself and three other family members following an offer made by a company agent.

Kakodkar pointed out that he had renewed the policy every year without any break in paying the premium amount. However, in December 2008 after collecting premium for three years, the company refused to send the renewal notice citing a computer software problem.

Though the company finally renewed the policy, it unilaterally changed terms of and issued 2 policies instead of the single family policy, the complainant alleged.

In their order, forum president Sanjay Chodankar and member Dhanajay Jog observed that the complainant suffered due to the unilateral changing of policy and held that the complainant deserves relief.