Kuldeep Singh, Senior Software Engineer at Atlassian, raised a complaint against HDFC ERGO for rejecting his parents’ health insurance proposal and delaying a ₹1.28 lakh refund for over 31 days. Read full case details and consumer remedies on Choice4Voice.com
Note: If this issue is resolved, the concerned brand or the complainant may contact us at support@choice4voice.com. After proper verification, we will either update this article as “Resolved” or delete it, ensuring fairness to both parties.
Customer Complaint Against HDFC ERGO
Complaint Summary Table
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Complainant Name | Kuldeep Singh |
| Company Involved | HDFC ERGO General Insurance |
| Product/Service | Health Insurance for Senior Citizens |
| Amount Paid | ₹1,28,000 |
| Date of Proposal Submission | 2nd August 2025 |
| Date of Rejection | 3rd August 2025 |
| Refund Delay | 31 days (received only after LinkedIn escalation) |
| Complaint Type | Insurance Proposal Rejection & Refund Delay |
| Issue Raised On | LinkedIn (publicly) |
| Resolution Received | Refund credited after 31 days |
| Original Post | [LinkedIn Post URL] |
About the Complainant
Kuldeep Singh, a Senior Software Engineer at Atlassian, attempted to purchase a health insurance policy for his senior citizen parents. Despite sharing full medical details in advance, his proposal was rejected and his refund was unreasonably delayed, leading him to raise the matter on LinkedIn.
Complaint Details
Kuldeep’s complaint reveals multiple issues with HDFC ERGO’s insurance sales and refund practices:
- Initial Assurance:
- An HDFC ERGO agent assured Kuldeep that the proposal for his parents would be approved if the health check-up went well.
- All health-related documents and history were disclosed upfront.
- Payment of Premium:
- On 2nd August 2025, Kuldeep submitted the proposal and paid ₹1.28 lakhs in full.
- Immediate Rejection:
- On 3rd August 2025, the proposal was rejected citing the same health conditions already disclosed earlier.
- No medical tests were conducted, despite earlier assurances.
- Refund Delay:
- From 3rd August to 3rd September, Kuldeep did not receive his refund.
- Every follow-up resulted in vague replies: “Refund is in process and will be credited in 7 working days.”
- Multiple escalations through official channels yielded no result.
- Resolution After Public Post:
- Kuldeep shared his experience on LinkedIn on 3rd September 2025.
- Within 1.5 hours of posting and tagging HDFC ERGO, the refund was processed.
- Kuldeep strongly believes the refund was expedited only because of the public post.
Consumer’s Stand
Kuldeep described the incident as fraudulent and unethical, highlighting:
- False assurances by the agent.
- Acceptance of full premium despite high likelihood of rejection.
- Unnecessary blocking of ₹1.28 lakhs for over a month.
- Repeated delays and lack of accountability in processing the refund.
He warned other consumers that if sales and refund support are this poor, claim support during emergencies could be far worse.
Brand Involved: HDFC ERGO
- Company Name: HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd.
- Industry: Health & General Insurance
- Allegations:
- Misleading sales practices
- Proposal rejection without fair assessment
- Unreasonable refund delay
- Lack of transparent communication
Legal Remedies for Consumers
Consumers facing similar issues with insurance companies can consider the following legal remedies:
- Escalate to IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India): File a grievance on the IGMS portal.
- Insurance Ombudsman: If unresolved within 30 days, approach the Ombudsman for free dispute resolution.
- Consumer Court: Seek refund, interest for delayed payments, and compensation under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- Send a Legal Notice: Through a lawyer, citing unfair trade practice and deficiency in service.
- Public Awareness: Share experiences on platforms like LinkedIn and Choice4Voice.com to create pressure.
How Choice4Voice.com Supports Consumers
At Choice4Voice.com, we support consumers like Kuldeep Singh by giving them a platform to:
- Publish genuine complaints against companies.
- Expose unfair trade practices publicly.
- Get faster resolutions through social and legal escalation.
👉 Submit your complaint here: https://choice4voice.com/submit-your-complaint/
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does HDFC ERGO take to process refunds after proposal rejection?
Normally within 7–14 working days, but many consumers report delays.
2. Can an insurance company reject a proposal after taking full premium?
Yes, but the refund must be issued immediately if the proposal is rejected.
3. Is it legal for HDFC ERGO to delay a refund for more than 30 days?
No, such delays can be challenged under IRDAI guidelines and consumer law.
4. What should I do if my insurance refund is delayed?
Escalate to IRDAI via the IGMS portal or file a complaint with the Insurance Ombudsman.
5. Can I take HDFC ERGO to Consumer Court?
Yes, you can file a case for refund, compensation, and harassment.
6. What documents are needed for filing a complaint against an insurance company?
Payment receipts, rejection letters, emails, and escalation history.
7. How do I escalate a complaint to IRDAI?
Register on the IGMS portal (igms.irda.gov.in) with complete case details.
8. What compensation can I claim for delayed refunds?
You can claim the refund amount, interest, and additional compensation for harassment.
9. Why do insurance companies delay refunds?
Delays may be due to internal processes, but often reflect negligence or unfair practices.
10. How effective is the Insurance Ombudsman?
It provides faster resolutions compared to court cases and is free of cost.
11. Can IRDAI penalize HDFC ERGO for misconduct?
Yes, IRDAI can impose penalties for regulatory violations.
12. Is HDFC ERGO trustworthy for senior citizen health insurance?
Consumers should review experiences carefully before choosing.
13. What are the risks of buying insurance through agents?
Agents may overpromise and mislead customers for sales commissions.
14. Can I buy health insurance directly from the company instead of agents?
Yes, always safer to buy directly from official company platforms.
15. How long does it take for the Ombudsman to resolve cases?
Typically 3–6 months, depending on case complexity.
16. Is Choice4Voice.com a replacement for IRDAI?
No, Choice4Voice.com amplifies complaints, while IRDAI provides regulatory redressal.
17. What if HDFC ERGO rejects my claim unfairly in future?
You can challenge it with IRDAI, Ombudsman, or Consumer Court.
18. Can insurance companies be forced to pay compensation for harassment?
Yes, Consumer Courts often award compensation in such cases.
19. Is a refund delay the same as service deficiency?
Yes, under consumer law, delayed refunds are considered service deficiency.
20. Why should I submit my insurance complaint on Choice4Voice.com?
Because we amplify your issue publicly, increasing pressure on companies for faster resolution.
Final Words
The case of Kuldeep Singh vs HDFC ERGO highlights how misleading sales tactics, proposal rejection without due process, and refund delays can cause severe financial and emotional stress to consumers.
Although Kuldeep eventually received his refund, it happened only after he escalated the issue publicly on LinkedIn. This reflects a serious gap in accountability and consumer service at HDFC ERGO.
At Choice4Voice.com, we stand with consumers like Kuldeep who demand fairness and transparency in financial services. If you are facing a similar issue with HDFC ERGO or any insurance company, submit your complaint today and let us help you amplify your voice.
👉 Team – Choice4Voice.com
