Zero Dep claim of ₹98,000 rejected as "wear and tear" after vandalism
My Kia Sonet (HR48E2446) was insured with Bajaj Allianz (now Bajaj General) under policy OG-26-1021-1870-00036455, with Zero Depreciation and Consumables cover. On the night of 23-24 November 2025, an unknown person scratched the car on all sides while it was parked in my village. I filed a police complaint at PS Tosham on 24 November 2025 and registered claim OC-26-1102-1870-00004056 immediately.
The authorised Kia workshop estimate was ₹98,015.98. Bajaj rejected the claim on 1 and 9 December 2025, saying the surveyor found "old and overlapping scratches" and calling it wear and tear. Fresh vandalism damage, backed by a police complaint, was simply brushed aside.
I escalated through the IRDAI grievance system and filed a complaint with the Insurance Ombudsman, Chandigarh (CHD-G-005-2627-0284) in December 2025. Almost a year later, I am still waiting for a hearing, and Bajaj has paid nothing.
I paid extra for Zero Dep so that I would be covered in exactly this situation. Think carefully before trusting Bajaj with a motor claim.