If an insurance complaint of yours has been stuck for months, November 2026 may help. The insurance regulator, IRDAI, has named this month Grievance Resolution Month and asked insurers to clear pending complaints, starting with the oldest ones.
What Is Grievance Resolution Month?
IRDAI announced the drive on 29 October 2026 and formally launched it on 31 October. It runs through November. Insurers have been asked to go through their pending complaints and disputes, pick out the ones that can be settled fairly and early, and give priority to the cases that have waited longest.
They have also been told to settle court cases amicably where that is legally and factually sound, to follow Insurance Ombudsman awards promptly, and to find out why the same complaints keep coming back. The regulator says the aim is not just to close more files, but to reach fair and lasting solutions.
Why So Many Complaints Are Still Pending
On 31 March 2026, about 2.21 lakh cases were pending before consumer commissions and courts, and around 72.49% of them had been waiting for over a year. Around 11 lakh more cases were reportedly pending before Motor Accidents Claims Tribunals, the bodies that decide accident compensation claims.
Long waits are hard on policyholders, both in money and in peace of mind. That is why IRDAI wants insurers to look again at cases they might settle without a fight.
What This Means for You
If you have a delayed claim, a rejected claim you disagree with, or a refund or policy issue that has gone nowhere, this month gives your insurer a reason to take a fresh look. IRDAI has also said it will hold outreach programmes with the insurance councils and lead insurers in each state, with special focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities, where it is harder to reach the grievance system.
Nothing in the announcement promises that every complaint will be settled. Think of November as a good time to push your case, not as a guarantee.
How to Raise or Revive a Complaint
- Start with your insurer. Walk into any of its offices, or write to its Grievance Redressal Officer, with your supporting documents. Ask for a written acknowledgement showing the date.
- Give it two weeks. The insurer is expected to resolve your complaint within two weeks of receiving it.
- Escalate to IRDAI. If the complaint is not resolved, or you are not satisfied, register it on the Bima Bharosa portal (bimabharosa.irdai.gov.in), email complaints@irdai.gov.in, or call the toll-free number 155255 or 1800 4254 732. The helpline runs from 8 am to 8 pm, Monday to Saturday. Keep the token number you get so you can track the complaint.
- Consider the Insurance Ombudsman. This is a body set up to settle disputes outside court, at low cost. You can approach it if your insurer rejected your complaint, did not resolve it to your satisfaction, or did not reply. The policy must be one you hold as an individual, and the claim value, including expenses, must not be above ₹30 lakh. There are 17 Ombudsman offices across India, and you write to the one covering your insurer’s branch or your home.
Things to Watch Out For
- Only the policyholder or the claimant can complain to IRDAI’s grievance cell. Complaints sent on their behalf by advocates, agents or other third parties are not entertained.
- Fill in the complaint form completely. Without the required details, IRDAI cannot register it.
- The Bima Bharosa portal does not ask for any payment. Do not pay anyone who promises faster settlement, and do not scan a QR code or open a link that claims to send money to your account. Fake websites can look very similar to the real one.
Keep copies of every letter, email and acknowledgement. A clear paper trail makes it much easier to escalate if your insurer does not respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IRDAI’s Grievance Resolution Month?
It is a drive during November 2026 in which insurers have been asked to review pending policyholder complaints and disputes, give priority to long-pending cases and settle fairly wherever possible.
Will my pending complaint be settled automatically in November?
No. The drive asks insurers to give pending cases extra attention, but each case is judged on its facts. If your complaint is stuck, follow up with your insurer and escalate it if needed.
Who can file a complaint with IRDAI?
Only the insured person or the claimant. IRDAI’s grievance cell does not entertain complaints written on their behalf by advocates, agents or other third parties.
Does the Bima Bharosa portal charge any fee?
No. The portal does not ask for payment of any kind. Anyone who asks for money to speed up your complaint, or sends a link or QR code for a payout, should be avoided.
When can I go to the Insurance Ombudsman?
After you have first complained to your insurer and it rejected the complaint, did not resolve it to your satisfaction, or did not respond. The policy must be one you took as an individual, and the claim value must not be above ₹30 lakh.
How long should an insurer take to resolve my complaint?
The insurer is expected to resolve a complaint within two weeks of receiving it. If it does not, or you are unhappy with the answer, you can take it to IRDAI.
Related articles
Financial educationAuto-Debit and Subscription Payments: What RBI’s E-Mandate Rules Mean for You25 Oct 2026
Financial educationBank Deposits in One Statement: What RBI’s Account Aggregator Plan Means for You18 Oct 2026
Financial educationInsurance Websites and Dark Patterns: What IRDAI Proposes to Change17 Oct 2026
Financial educationATM Debited Money but No Cash? Refund Deadline, ₹100 a Day Compensation and What to Do17 Oct 2026
