Claim rejected for 'wrong information' — but the agent filled your form? It depends on the facts.
Many policies are sold with the agent filling the proposal form while the customer just signs. When the insurer later rejects for 'non-disclosure', that history matters — but it is not a guaranteed defence. Here's the honest picture.
Reviewed by the BimaHaq Insurance Grievance Desk — BimaHaq's in-house insurance-grievance team — specialists in IRDAI grievance redressal, the Insurance Ombudsman process, and policyholder rights in India. · Last reviewed 2026-07-11
Where the insurer's own agent filled in your proposal form, or you signed a blank or pre-filled form, whether you can beat a non-disclosure rejection is genuinely fact-specific — and often an uphill argument. The Supreme Court has held that a proposer is generally bound by the answers in the signed proposal form and cannot escape a non-disclosure plea merely because an agent completed it (Reliance Life Insurance v. Rekhaben Nareshbhai Rathod, 2019). But there is a real path where you were illiterate or not fluent in the form's language and relied entirely on the agent, or where you gave the correct information and the agent recorded it wrongly. Build the case on those facts — do not assume the agent's involvement alone will defeat the rejection.
Why insurers reject on this ground
The insurer rejects for 'non-disclosure' or 'misrepresentation' because a detail in the proposal form is wrong or missing — even though the agent, not you, actually completed the form.
When you can challenge it
Two realities sit side by side. First, insurance is a contract of utmost good faith, so the insurer can repudiate for a material misstatement or non-disclosure even if it was innocent — within the first three years of a life policy, Section 45 of the Insurance Act allows repudiation for a non-fraud material misstatement (with a refund of premiums), and it need not prove you lied deliberately unless it alleges fraud. So 'the agent filled it' is not, by itself, a defence. Second, your genuine arguments are on the facts: that you are illiterate or could not read the form's language and depended wholly on the agent, that you gave the correct information and the agent wrote it down wrongly, or that the misstatement was not in fact material. Where those are made out, forums have protected honest policyholders — but the Supreme Court has equally held signers bound by what they signed, so this is an argument to build carefully with evidence, not a certain win.
How to fight this rejection
Get the proposal form and the rejection
Obtain a copy of the completed proposal form the insurer relies on, along with the written repudiation, so you can see exactly which entry it says is false or missing.
Establish how the form was completed
Show whether the agent filled it in their handwriting, whether you signed a blank, and — crucially — what you actually told the agent versus what was recorded. If you could not read the form's language, note that.
Test materiality and your own disclosure
Assemble any proof that you gave correct information (messages, notes, witnesses), and consider whether the misstatement was truly material to the risk — an immaterial error is not a valid ground to repudiate.
Raise a written grievance with the insurer's GRO
Send a dated grievance to the insurer's Grievance Redressal Officer setting out why the rejection is wrong. The insurer must acknowledge it immediately and resolve it within 14 days.
Escalate to IRDAI on Bima Bharosa
If it isn't resolved in time or the reply is unsatisfactory, register the complaint on IRDAI's Bima Bharosa portal.
Take it to the Insurance Ombudsman
Free, binding on the insurer, and open to claims up to ₹50 lakh — file within one year of the insurer's rejection or final reply.
Common questions
My agent filled the proposal form wrong — can the insurer still reject my claim?
Often, yes — it is an uphill fight. The Supreme Court has held a proposer is generally bound by the signed proposal form and cannot avoid a non-disclosure rejection just because an agent completed it. You have a genuine argument where you were illiterate or could not read the form and relied wholly on the agent, or where you gave correct information the agent recorded wrongly — but it must be built on the facts and the evidence.
Does the insurer have to prove I lied deliberately?
Only for a fraud allegation. Insurance is a contract of utmost good faith, so the insurer can repudiate for a material misstatement or non-disclosure even if it was innocent — within three years of a life policy, Section 45 allows this for a non-fraud misstatement, with a refund of premiums paid. Deliberate intent has to be proved only where fraud is alleged.
I signed a blank proposal form. Whose fault is an error?
It is fact-specific. Signing a blank or agent-completed form is common, and you may have a real argument if you are illiterate or were misled and gave the correct information — but courts also hold people responsible for what they sign, so do not assume the agent's involvement automatically saves the claim.
See the full escalation ladder for a rejected claim, or use a free complaint-letter template.
This guide is general information about the insurance-grievance process in India, not legal advice, and figures (timelines, monetary limits, jurisdiction) can change — verify against the official sources linked above before you rely on them.