M.THANIKACHALAM, J. - (1.) The 1st opposite party is the appellant.
(2.) Facts leading to this appeal: The 1st opposite party bank have formulated insurance arrangement for their customers, with some arrangements understanding jointly, alongwith opposite parties 2 and 3, and the scheme is called "Group Medical Plan insurance", under which the customer of the Bank viz. account holder, is entitled to the extent of medical expenses of Rs.2 lakhs, on payment of Rs.7200/- as premium. The complainant who is having SB Account, as well as credit card account, with the 1st opposite party, attracted by the scheme, joined in the group medical plan insurance, which was accepted by the opposite parties also, for the period covering 1.7.2000 to 30.6.2001, for his 4 family members, including himself, separate card numbers were also given.
(3.) There was a proposed to increase the sum assured from Rs.2 lakhs to Rs.3 lakhs, making the total premium to Rs.9840/-, for which the 2nd opposite party requested the complainant, to send the postage pre-paid authorization form, and accordingly authorization form duly signed, with standing order, requesting the 3rd opposite party, through the 2nd opposite party, alongwith a letter given by the 1st opposite party for making necessary payments also, which was acknowledged, by the 2nd opposite party, assuring that his name will be sent to the bank on 15.8.2001, for debiting premium, further assuring policy will be issued w.e.f. 1.9.2011, undertaking to send the policy also. On the above basis of the assurance, as well as on the basis of the scheme, the complainant was under the impression, that there will be an automatic renewal of the policy, entitling the complainant and his family members to claim the medical expenses in case of incurring by the complainant, as well as his family members. The complainant had already given his consent, for automatic deduction from his account, for payment of premium, since he was having SB Account, as well as credit facility with a limit of Rs.60,000/-, with the 1st opposite party.;