IRDAI has declared November 2026 as Grievance Resolution Month to speed up pending policyholder complaints and strengthen trust in insurance companies.
Have you been waiting for your insurance company to resolve a complaint or settle a dispute? November may bring an opportunity to seek a resolution.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has announced a month-long Grievance Resolution Month, asking insurance companies to prioritise pending policyholder complaints, particularly long-pending cases.
According to IRDAI, approximately 2.21 lakh cases were pending before Consumer Commissions and Judicial Courts as of March 31, 2026. Around 72.49% had remained unresolved for over a year. Additionally, approximately 11 lakh cases were pending before Motor Accidents Claims Tribunals (MACT).
Insurance companies asked to speed up complaint resolution
During November, insurance companies have been asked to review pending complaints, prioritise older cases and explore amicable settlements in ongoing litigation wherever legally and factually appropriate.
They have also been advised to:
- Ensure prompt compliance with Insurance Ombudsman Awards.
- Expedite complaints pending before different grievance redressal forums.
- Improve litigation management to avoid unnecessary delays.
- Identify recurring reasons for complaints and take corrective measures.
IRDAI has clarified that the objective is not simply to close more cases but to ensure fair and meaningful resolution.
Outreach programmes to improve your awareness
The Life Insurance Council, General Insurance Council and Council for Insurance Ombudsmen will support the initiative by sensitising their member insurance companies.
IRDAI will also organise outreach programmes with industry councils and State-wise Lead Insurers, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, to improve awareness and access to grievance redressal.
What does this mean for you?
If you have a pending complaint with your insurance company, this initiative puts additional focus on resolving such grievances. However, it does not guarantee that every complaint will be settled during November. Each case will be considered on its merits.
For you as a policyholder, the initiative is a reminder that understanding your policy, knowing the claims process and being aware of available grievance redressal channels are all important parts of insurance protection.
