How long does an entity get to redress a complaint filed on SCORES?

21 days, after which two levels of review are open to you

There is no time limit on the entity

What is the time limit for taking a rejected insurance claim to the Insurance Ombudsman?

One year from the insurer's rejection or decision

Two years, the same as a consumer commission

Lesson 2 of 3 · 8 min

Three ombudsmen, three sectors

Which free forum hears you depends on who you are complaining about — a bank, an insurer, or somebody in the securities market — and each has its own clock.

Which free forum, and what it asks for

Three sets of rules, one shared shape: the company first, then a forum that costs nothing.
Complaint against	Where it goes	What has to have happened first	What it can award
A bank, most NBFCs, a prepaid payment instrument issuer, a credit information company	The RBI Ombudsman, under the Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2026	A complaint to the firm, then 30 days of silence — or a reply that does not satisfy you	Up to ₹30 lakh for the loss, plus up to ₹3 lakh for time, expense and harassment
An insurer	The Insurance Ombudsman, under the Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017	A written complaint to the insurer, then a rejection, a month of silence, or a reply that does not satisfy you	Up to ₹30 lakh, taking in relevant expenses
A listed company, a broker or another intermediary registered with SEBI	SEBI's SCORES portal	A complaint to the entity itself; SCORES then gives it 21 days to redress the matter	SCORES reviews and pushes the complaint; money disputes can move to the online dispute resolution route

The insurance route, in four numbers

Ask the insurer first: In writing
Time limit to complain: One year
Fee, and lawyers: None needed
Award ceiling: ₹30 lakh

Quick check

Your health insurer rejected a claim, and the grievance officer's reply was a form letter that answered nothing. Where does it go next?

Sort it

1 / 4

You want to go up a rung. Ready, or too early?

You complained to the bank 35 days ago in writing and have heard nothing since.

Match them up

Who hears what

Pick a forum, then pick what it deals with.

Pick a term on the left.

Check yourself

1 / 3

Kabir asks

Your insurer rejected a claim and its grievance officer will not budge. The free forum is —

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