How to complain to IRDAI Bima Bharosa about an insurance claim

You can take a rejected claim to the regulator by filing a complaint on the official IRDAI Bima Bharosa portal. Complain to the insurer first and give it two weeks. The portal says a complaint registered there will be attended to within 14 days.

By Qrates research desk · 2026-11-01

You can take a rejected or delayed claim to the regulator by filing a complaint on the official IRDAI Bima Bharosa portal. IRDAI's steps say to complain to the insurer first and wait two weeks for a resolution. The portal says a complaint registered there will be attended to within 14 days.

Quick answer

You can complain to IRDAI against an insurance company using the official Bima Bharosa portal at bimabharosa.irdai.gov.in.
You can also call the IRDAI toll-free number for complaints at 155255 or 1800 4254 732.
First complain to your insurance company and give it two weeks before you approach IRDAI (IRDAI, checked Nov 2026). One Bima Bharosa FAQ says 15 days, so allow 15 days if you can.
Once you register on Bima Bharosa, the portal says your complaint will be attended to within 14 days.
IRDAI has warned about a fraudulent website that copies Bima Bharosa. News reports of its September 2026 notice name igmsirdai.online. Do not use that site.

What you need before you start

IRDAI's steps start with the insurance company, so give it a chance to fix the problem first. Gather these details before you open the portal:

A copy of your health insurance policy or life insurance claim document.
The claim settlement reference number given by your insurer.
Proof that you wrote to the designated Grievance Redressal Officer of your insurance company.
Proof that two weeks have passed since you complained to the insurer. IRDAI says to get a written acknowledgement with the date.
A clear warning: only use bimabharosa.irdai.gov.in. Do not use igmsirdai.online, the address named in news reports of IRDAI's notice. IRDAI recognises only its own portal.

Steps to file your complaint on the Bima Bharosa portal

Bima Bharosa was earlier known as the Integrated Grievance Management System (IGMS). Follow these steps to register your issue. Labels on the portal can change:

Open bimabharosa.irdai.gov.in and choose Register Complaint under New User.
Enter your name, mobile number and email, and confirm the OTP sent to your phone.
Select your insurer, policy type and complaint type, such as a health insurance claim rejected complaint or a delay in payment.
Type in your policy number and claim number, add the insurer's reply if the form allows, and explain the problem in plain words. IRDAI says only the insured or the claimant can file.
Submit and save the token number. IRDAI sends it by confirmation message and you use it to track the complaint.

How long it takes and what it costs

The Bima Bharosa portal says it does not ask for payments of any kind from complainants. You do not need to pay any fees to register your grievance.

The portal says your complaint will be attended to within 14 days. Replies from the insurer appear under your complainant login.

You can use your token number to track the complaint on the Bima Bharosa portal. The IRDAI grievance call centre operates from Monday to Saturday between 8 AM and 8 PM if you need help.

If it does not work: The Insurance Ombudsman

If the insurer does not reply within one month of your written complaint, you can go to the Insurance Ombudsman.

If you are unhappy with the final answer on the Bima Bharosa portal, your next step is the Insurance Ombudsman. You have one year to approach the Ombudsman after the insurer rejects your complaint or gives a decision you do not accept. If the insurer does not reply, the year starts after the one-month wait. You cannot use the Ombudsman if the same matter is pending or decided in a court, consumer forum or arbitration.

The Ombudsman handles complaints where the compensation does not exceed ₹50 lakh, including relevant expenses. This process operates under the Insurance Ombudsman Rules 2017 and is also free. The award is binding on the insurance company. If you are not satisfied, you can still go to court.

FAQs

Can I complain to IRDAI without contacting the insurance company first?

IRDAI's steps say to go to the insurer's grievance officer first and give it two weeks. Keep the dated acknowledgement. It shows you tried this step. Before escalating, you can also check if an insurance agent or company is IRDAI registered to ensure you are dealing with a legitimate entity.

What is the IRDAI toll free number for complaints?

The numbers are 155255 and 1800 4254 732. The call centre is open from Monday to Saturday between 8 AM and 8 PM.

What is the time limit to approach IRDAI?

We did not find a fixed time limit for IRDAI on its pages. You can approach IRDAI once the two weeks with the insurer end, or if you are unhappy with its reply. For the Insurance Ombudsman, you have one year. If you are also having trouble with other financial services, you might need to know how to complain to the RBI Ombudsman against a bank or loan app.

Insurance company claim reject kar de toh kya kare?

First write to their grievance officer. If they do not fix it in two weeks, escalate the insurance claim to IRDAI Bima Bharosa. You can also review how to complain to the RBI Ombudsman on cms.rbi.org.in if your grievance involves linked banking products.

The short version

You can complain to IRDAI at bimabharosa.irdai.gov.in or by calling 155255.
Complain to your insurer first and give it two weeks.
The portal says your complaint will be attended to within 14 days.
You can go to the Insurance Ombudsman if the insurer does not reply within one month. The limit there is ₹50 lakh.
Use only bimabharosa.irdai.gov.in. IRDAI has warned about a fraudulent site copying the portal. You can compare insurance apps to find reliable providers.

Sources

Disclaimer

Qrates is an information directory. It takes no commission from any company listed and does not recommend products. Figures are taken from the sources named and dated, and they change; check the company's own page before you decide. This is not investment, credit, insurance or tax advice for your situation. For a specific dispute, a lawyer or the regulator's ombudsman can advise you.