About The Ombudsman Scheme
The objective of the Sri Lanka Insurance Ombudsman scheme is the satisfactory settlement of complaints/disputes that policyholders of insurance companies (the insured) may have against the company that sold them the insurance policy (the insurer).
Each participating Insurance Institution/company has established and nominated in each of their Institutions a senior and experienced officer designated as the “Complaints Settlement Officer” or “Complaints Resolution Officer” (or similar name).
This is the officer with whom the Insurance Ombudsman liaises with to mediate/settle any disputes/complaints submitted to him by dissatisfied policyholders.
The method by which complaints can be made to the Ombudsman, and the procedure for settlement of disputes etc. is very simple. The procedure has also been publicised and is available on this website.
However, while the Insurance Ombudsman scheme has been set up to ensure its success-we must remember the well-known saying that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. This means that the success of the scheme will only be evidenced by its record of settling/mediating the complaints and disputes submitted to the Ombudsman by policyholders. To this end, there are two main ingredients or conditions.
Firstly, policyholders must have confidence in the independence and integrity of the person who is appointed and functions as the Insurance Ombudsman.
Secondly, the insurance companies that voluntarily set up this scheme and participate in it as members, must show a commitment to ensure the success of the scheme by assisting the Ombudsman in his work and by honouring any Awards/Decisions made by him.
Establishment of Ombudsman
As earlier stated the Insurance Ombudsman Sri Lanka was set-up as a voluntary scheme by the Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL) with the approval and concurrence of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL). The IRCSL is the state regulatory body for insurance business similar to the Central Bank for banks and banking business.
The Ombudsman will be a person appointed by the IASL whose members will consist of the insurance companies participating in this scheme – who are also all members of IASL and regulated by IRCSL.
Dr Ranjith Ranaraja succeeded, the first Insurance Ombudsman Dr Wickrema Weerasooria following his sudden demise in December 2018, as the Insurance Ombudsman with effect from February 2019.
Scope of Ombudsman’s Powers
How to apply
Initially, any customer or policyholder of any participating insurance institution can complain to the Ombudsman on any of the following grounds.
1. A complaint on any one of the following grounds alleging deficiency in respect of General Insurance or Long-term Insurance service, may be filed with the Ombudsman
a) Non-settlement or delay in the settlement of a claim
b) Inequitable or unjust interpretation or application of the terms and conditions of the insurance policy with regard to the following:
(i) Claims including maturities of long-term insurance policies
(ii) Premium payable and Premium refunds
(iii) Other benefits payable in terms of the insurance policy
c) Any other relevant matters that may be specified or referred to the Ombudsman by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL) or the Consumer Affairs Authority of Sri Lanka (CAA).
d) Complaints in respect of charges/fees levied.
e) Complaints by registered/licensed Insurance Brokers against Insurance Companies and vice versa.
f) Complaints relating to the violation of directives of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka in relation to insurance services. Complaints directed to the Ombudsman for investigation, settlement and/or report by the Consumer Affairs Authority under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003.
As stated earlier, before a policyholder submits his/her complaint to the Insurance Ombudsman, he/she is expected to have contacted the insurance company (insurer) and attempted to settle the dispute with the insurance company. Only after such an attempt or any failure by the insurer to settle the dispute, should a policyholder apply to the Ombudsman for relief. However, the Ombudsman’s office will not reject a complaint only on the ground that the complainant has not attempted to settle the claim with the insurer before coming to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s office is able to inquire into claims below the value of LKR 2,500,000.
Ombudsman Scheme and Lawyers
You do not need the help of lawyers to come before the Ombudsman. All you need do is to set out your complaint in writing as explained earlier.
You are not prohibited from getting a lawyer to draft your complaint but no lawyers are permitted to appear before the Ombudsman. Nor is the Ombudsman bound by legal rules and procedure.
Ombudsman’s Awards and their Effect:
While the Ombudsman may inquire into any insurance matter or dispute as set out earlier, there is a monetary limit on the amount that the Ombudsman can award to a complainant (policyholder). This amount is subject to the nature of the complaint.
In the case certain circumstances, where the Ombudsman makes no award but gives his opinion or view – the insurance company (insurer) or the insured can submit the matter in dispute to Arbitration and/or to Litigation. the Ombudsman is entitled to make available to any such Arbitration or to the relevant Court (Judge), a certified copy of his Award or his Written Opinion and his views on the matter. In such a case, the insurance company (the insurer) and/or the insured shall not be entitled to object to such evidence being led at such Arbitration and/or Litigation. By coming before the Ombudsman, the insured and the insurer agree to the admission of such evidence.
Qualifications of Ombudsman
It is of the utmost importance for the success of this scheme that the Ombudsman’s independence is maintained at all times. The Insurance Association of Sri Lanka (IASL) which is the appointing authority has guaranteed this independence and also provides the Ombudsman with his own budget with full plenary powers to administer his office and his budget without any interference
