Page 55 - The Insurance Times October 2025

IRDAI Corner

IRDAI Order No. 99-Final Decision in compliance respectively before the Hon’ble Madras High Court
with Madras HC order in WPs 6484 and 6492 seeking directions to IRDAI to formulate a viable policy
exempting buses of educational institutions from
of 2021 payment of insurance premium for the closure period
August 26, 2025 of the educational institutions, or alternatively, to
proportionately reduce the premium amount for the
Order of the Insurance Regulatory and Development
closure period. In both petitions, IRDAI was arrayed as
Authority of India issued in compliance with the direction First Respondent.
of the Hon’ble Madras High Court Order in WP Nos. 6484
& 6492 of 2021 with regard to representation dated 4. The Hon’ble Court, in the case of WP No. 6484 of 2021,
04.12.2020 to formulate a viable policy to exempt buses of has passed an order dated 12.11.2024 directing IRDAI
educational institutions from payment of insurance as follows,
premium or proportionately reduce the premium amounts, “In view of the objection raised by the first respondent
for the closure period on account of Covid-19 pandemic. in WP No. 6484 of 2021, without going into the merits
1. The Govt. of India imposed complete lock-down in the of the claim made by the petitioner in WP No. 6484 of
country from 25th March, 2020 to 14th April, 2020 and 2021, this court is inclined to issue a direction to the
extended till 31st May, 2020 to curtail the spread of first respondent to consider the representation of the
the Covid-19 pandemic. During the lockdown period petitioner dated 04.12.2020 and pass final orders, after
the movement of vehicles was restricted and the issuing notice to all interested parties, within a period
educational institutions remained closed. Some of the of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of
states extended the closure of educational institutions this order.
for a longer duration. In view of the order passed by this Court in WP No. 6484
2. In view of the restricted movement of vehicles during of 2021, directing the first respondent to consider the
the lock down period, M/s Om Sri Vivekananda representation of the petitioner dated 04.12.2020, no
separate orders need to be passed in WP No. 6492 of
Educational Trust represented to the Insurance
Regulatory and Development Authority of India 2021. Therefore Writ Petition No. 6492 of 2021 is
closed. No Costs.”
(hereinafter referred to as IRDAI or the Authority) vide
letter dated 04.12.2020 to formulate a viable policy 5. Pursuant to the Order of the Hon’ble High Court,
exempting the buses of educational institutions from notices dated 06.02.2025 were sent to the petitioners
payment of insurance premium for the closure period - The Association of Management of Coimbatore Anna
of the educational institution or alternatively, to University Affiliated Colleges, Coimbatore and Om Sri
proportionately reduce the premium amount for the Vivekananda Educational Trust, Salem, and to General
closure period. Insurance Council, which represents the General
3. Subsequently, the Association of Management of Insurance companies.
Coimbatore Anna University Affiliated Colleges and M/ 6. The notice issued to Association of Management of
s Om Sri Vivekananda Educational Trust filed Writ Coimbatore Anna University Affiliated Colleges,
Petitions nos. 6484 of 2021 and 6492 of 2021 Coimbatore, was returned unclaimed, and no reply was

50 October 2025 The Insurance Times