Son of deceased patient receives Rs 6.26 lakh compensation after insurance company delay

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd. has finally paid over Rs 6.26 lakhs to Abhijit Bairagi, son of deceased policyholder Jeevandas Bairagi, after initially refusing to reimburse Covid-19 treatment expenses despite an active health insurance policy and failing to comply with a consumer commission order.

Jeevandas Bairagi, who had purchased a family health insurance policy covering four members, tested Covid-positive on May 10, 2021, and underwent treatment at a Covid centre in Shrirampur, a private hospital in Garkheda, and later at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where he died. The insurance company denied cashless treatment citing technical reasons. Abhijit Bairagi, through adv Payal Bairagi, filed a complaint before the district consumer dispute redressal commission. On August 25, 2025, the commission directed the company to pay over Rs 4.33 lakhs with 9 percent interest for medical expenses and Rs 20,000 compensation for mental and physical harassment. However, the company did not comply. After Abhijit filed an execution petition to enforce the order, the insurance company finally issued the cheque on January 30, 2026. The total amount included the claim, interest, and compensation.