Banking\, insurance\, RERA: How to complain to financial ombudsmen

If you are not satisfied with the grievance redressal mechanism of your insurer or bank, you can lodge a complaint with the relevant ombudsman. And for property related issues, you can approach the Real Estate Regulatory Authority that comes under the purview of the real estate Act.

ET Wealth lists the step by step process of how you can file a complaint with a banking ombudsman, insurance ombudsman, and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

1. Banking Ombudsman

• Approach bank first and allow them a period of 30 days to respond
• If the bank does not respond or fails to meet your expectations, approach the banking ombudsman (BO) office under whose ambit your case falls. Now you can do so through cms.rbi.org.in.
• Do not delay escalation beyond a year of having received the bank's response or a year and a month of having fi led the complaint
• You can file a written complaint after downloading the form available on the Banking Ombudsman portal (https://bankingombudsman.rbi.org.in), along with relevant documents
• You can also take the online route to register your grievance (https://secweb. rbi.org.in/BO/precompltindex.htm)
• The BO will either facilitate a settlement through conciliation or pass an award
• If ombudsman fails to meet expectations, approach the appellate authority ƒÞƒnƒnIf all else fails, move the consumer courts

2. Insurance Ombudsman

• Insurer should be first port of call; do not approach ombudsman offices directly. The complaint should be in writing with supporting documents.
• If insurer fails to respond or response is unsatisfactory, escalate the complaint through Irdai¡¦s integrated grievance management system (igms.irda.gov.in)
• You can also approach ombudsman under whose jurisdiction your case falls
• If you feel let down by ombudsman too, approach consumer courts

You may also read: How to fight for your financial rights

3. Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA)

• Log on to the RERA authority's website and register as a complainant
• You will need to provide details like email ID and mobile number
• Go to Accounts >> My Profile and enter the details asked for
• Click on 'Complaint Details' tab and choose 'Add New Complaints'
• Provide details asked for, including project's registration numbers, and the respondent's antecedents
• Upload the relevant project-related documents and share the facts of your case
• Specify the nature of relief you are seeking, explaining the grounds and the relevant legal provisions
• Make a declaration of having provided accurate information and pay the requisite fees online
• RERA adjudicating officer will hear the case and issue an order
• If you are dissatisfied, you can approach the appellate tribunal within 60 days from receipt of the order; next stop is the High Court