
According to information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, as many as 10,46,163 motor accident claims worth Rs 80,455 crore are pending across India. These numbers have been steadily increasing between the financial years 2018-19 and 2022-23.
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) provided these details in response to a query filed by Supreme Court advocate K C Jain in April. Jain had sought information on the total number of motor accident claims pending in the country, as well as state- and district-wise details.
Breakdown of Pending Claims
According to the information provided by the IRDAI, the number of motor accident claims pending at the end of each financial year from 2018-19 to 2022-23 are as follows:
- 2018-19: 9,09,166 claims pending, with a claim amount of Rs 52,713 crore
- 2019-20: 9,39,160 claims pending, with a claim amount of Rs 61,051 crore
- 2020-21: 10,08,332 claims pending, with a claim amount of Rs 70,722 crore
- 2021-22: 10,39,323 claims pending, with a claim amount of Rs 74,718 crore
- 2022-23: 10,46,163 claims pending, with a claim amount of Rs 80,455 crore
Concerns and Proposed Solutions
The increasing number of pending claims and the slow pace of claim settlements have raised concerns among road safety activists. It is estimated that it takes an average of four years for a victim to receive financial relief.
In response to these concerns, Supreme Court advocate K C Jain has filed an interlocutory application in the Supreme Court, requesting the formulation of an interim payment scheme by the central government under Section 164A of the Motor Vehicles Act. Jain suggests that the scheme should provide at least Rs 5,00,000 for fatal cases and Rs 2,50,000 for injury cases, based on the no-fault liability under Section 164 of the MV Act.
Conclusion
As per the information obtained through the RTI Act, there are over 10 lakh motor accident claims worth Rs 80,455 crore pending nationwide. The numbers have been consistently increasing between 2018-19 and 2022-23. Efforts are being made to address the delays in claim settlements, including the proposal for an interim payment scheme to provide relief to victims in a timely manner.