On March 8, 2012, Patil’s BMW caught fire after he left it parked by a roadside dhaba on Maharashtra’s state highway near Dhulkhed. The vehicle had been secured and locked, yet United India Insurance Company refused to honour the claim, citing a policy clause that forbids leaving a vehicle unattended overnight.
Patil filed a complaint, sparking a 14‑year legal battle that saw him navigate multiple court filings and hearings, all while the insurer maintained its stance that the policy barred him from claiming.
The consumer commission, after a thorough review, determined that the policy did not impose an absolute prohibition on leaving a broken‑down vehicle unattended. It noted that Patil had parked safely off the road, locked the doors, and that no evidence linked the unattended status to the fire.
Consequently, the commission directed United India Insurance Company to pay ₹70 lakh, the insured declared value, plus ₹50,000 for mental agony and ₹25,000 for litigation costs, bringing the total compensation to ₹70.75 lakh, excluding interest.
The ruling reinforces that insurers must honour claims when policy terms are interpreted reasonably, setting a precedent that may influence future motor insurance disputes across India.