Synopsis: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has designated November 2026 as a Grievance Resolution Month, asking life, general and health insurers to clear long-pending policyholder disputes. More than 13 lakh insurance cases are stuck across consumer commissions, courts and Motor Accident Claims Tribunals.
India's insurance regulator has launched a month-long drive to cut the backlog of policyholder disputes. Under the initiative, insurers are expected to review pending cases on merit, settle those that can be settled, and comply promptly with Insurance Ombudsman awards through November 2026. The drive was formally launched in Hyderabad on 31 October 2026.
How big is the insurance grievance backlog?
According to IRDAI data cited in reports on the drive, about 2.21 lakh insurance cases were pending before consumer commissions and courts as of 31 March 2026. Roughly 72.5% of these had been pending for more than a year. A further 11 lakh cases or so are pending before Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACT), taking the total backlog to over 13 lakh disputes.
The regulator has said the number of unresolved grievances "remains a concern".
What IRDAI has asked insurers to do
During the Grievance Resolution Month, insurers are expected to:
- Prioritise long-pending cases, especially those older than a year.
- Review pending litigation on merit and settle amicably wherever it is legally and factually sustainable.
- Comply promptly with awards passed by the Insurance Ombudsman.
- Expedite grievances pending at any other forum or platform.
- Strengthen litigation management to avoid unnecessary delays.
- Identify recurring causes of complaints and take corrective and preventive action.
The Life Insurance Council, the General Insurance Council and the Council for Insurance Ombudsmen have been asked to sensitise member companies, while insurers and councils are to publicise the drive at branch level and on digital channels. Outreach by IRDAI, the councils and State-wise Lead Insurers will focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
"Fairness, not just numbers": IRDAI's message
Speaking at the launch, IRDAI Chairman Ajay Seth said success should not be measured only by the number of cases closed, but by the fairness, quality and sustainability of the resolutions. The aim, he said, is to build a culture of addressing policyholder grievances proactively. The event was chaired by Deepak Sood, Member (Non-Life), IRDAI, and attended by Debasish Prusty, Additional Secretary in the Department of Financial Services.
What it means for insurers
For insurance companies, the drive is both an operational and a financial exercise. Faster settlement of old disputes may lead to higher claim outflows in the short term, but it can also reduce legal costs, free up provisions and improve customer-satisfaction metrics that the regulator increasingly tracks. Analysts will watch management commentary on legal provisions, the pace of claim settlements, and whether litigation costs fall over the next financial year.
The push also fits IRDAI's wider focus on policyholder protection. Alongside the drive, the regulator has upgraded its Business Analytics Platform (BAP) with a dedicated health module for health regulatory returns and the generation of Unique Identification Numbers (UINs) for new health products.
What policyholders with a pending complaint can do
If you have an unresolved complaint with an insurer, November is a good time to follow up:
- Write to your insurer's grievance redressal officer, quoting your policy and complaint numbers.
- If the insurer does not resolve it, approach the Insurance Ombudsman, a free, out-of-court forum.
- If you already have an Ombudsman award in your favour, ask the insurer to confirm compliance.
- For cases pending in a consumer commission or MACT, ask your lawyer or the insurer whether the case can be settled during the drive.
Frequently asked questions
What is IRDAI's Grievance Resolution Month?
It is a month-long initiative in November 2026 in which insurers are asked to resolve long-pending policyholder grievances and litigation, settle cases amicably where possible, and comply with Insurance Ombudsman awards.
How many insurance cases are pending in India?
Over 13 lakh: about 2.21 lakh before consumer commissions and courts (as of 31 March 2026) and around 11 lakh before Motor Accident Claims Tribunals.
Does the drive apply to health insurance?
Yes. It covers life, general and health insurers.
Related: What is IRDAI? · Insurance explained · BFSI Glossary
Sources: Elets BFSI (2 Nov 2026); Whalesbook (30 Oct 2026), citing IRDAI data. This article is for information only and is not legal advice.
