CLX-IN-MOTOR-1996-000018

National Insurance Company Versus Jikubhai Nathuji Dabhi

Supreme Court of India · 20 November 1996

Allowed

Core ratio / Key holding

Where an insurance policy specifies a particular time for its renewal to become operative, and an accident occurs before that specified time on the renewal date, the insurance coverage will not extend to that accident, overriding the general rule of operation from midnight.

Headnote

Motor Vehicles Act — Insurance Policy — Renewal — Operative Time

Issues for determination

  • Whether the accident had occurred during the operation of the insurance policy in controversy?

Ratio decidendi

  • Where an insurance policy specifies a particular time for its renewal to become operative, and an accident occurs before that specified time on the renewal date, the insurance coverage will not extend to that accident, overriding the general rule of operation from midnight.

Important points

  • Held, the accident occurred before the insurance policy renewal took effect, thus the appellant-Company is not liable for the claim.

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