The Role of the Insurance Ombudsman in Enhancing Consumer Protection in India

Abstract

The Insurance Ombudsman, established by the Government of India, aims to streamline and organize the process of addressing grievances from insurance policyholders, facilitating out-of-court settlements. Its primary objective is to resolve issues arising during the settlement of insurance claims. By providing a fair and impartial system, the Ombudsman ensures that policyholders' grievances are addressed efficiently and justly. This paper examines the crucial role of the Insurance Ombudsman in India in strengthening consumer protection within the insurance sector. By assessing the historical development, operational procedures, and significant impacts using secondary sources, this study underscores the Ombudsman’s contributions to transparency, accountability, and fairness. Case studies and literature reviews demonstrate the Ombudsman’s effectiveness in empowering consumers and efficiently resolving disputes. The paper also discusses recommendations for enhancing this institution, including increasing transparency, improving accountability, ensuring fairness, empowering consumers, resolving disputes efficiently, and boosting consumer trust and satisfaction in the insurance industry.