Consumer court directs service centre to pay 31L for flood-damaged luxury car | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: In a ruling that strengthens consumer rights, the Rangareddy District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission directed a car service centre, to pay 31 lakh as compensation for damages to a high-end luxury car caused by flooding during the October 2020 Hyderabad rains.
The case was filed by the complainant after their vehicle, purchased in 2015 for 51 lakh, was severely damaged while at the service centre. The vehicle was brought in for repairs in September 2020 with an initial repair estimate of 2.7 lakh. However, due to delays in procuring spare parts, the car remained at the service centre when unprecedented rains hit Hyderabad in October 2020.
Following the floods, the repair estimate escalated dramatically to 50.4 lakh, approximately equivalent to the car’s original purchase price. The service centre initially attempted to deflect responsibility, suggesting the owner claim insurance coverage, where the car’s Insured Declared Value (IDV) was 21.8 lakh.
The commission found merit in the complainant’s argument that the service centre was negligent in safeguarding the vehicle during the floods. The ruling stated that service providers cannot use natural calamities as an excuse to escape liability when vehicles are under their custody. The order noted that the service centre’s failure to take adequate precautions to protect the vehicle, despite weather warnings, constituted a clear deficiency in service.
While the commission dismissed claims against the car manufacturer and dealership, it directed the car service centre to pay 31 lakh compensation. The order also allows the service centre to claim the IDV amount from the insurance company, with the complainant’s cooperation required for necessary documentation.
The case was filed by the complainant after their vehicle, purchased in 2015 for 51 lakh, was severely damaged while at the service centre. The vehicle was brought in for repairs in September 2020 with an initial repair estimate of 2.7 lakh. However, due to delays in procuring spare parts, the car remained at the service centre when unprecedented rains hit Hyderabad in October 2020.
Following the floods, the repair estimate escalated dramatically to 50.4 lakh, approximately equivalent to the car’s original purchase price. The service centre initially attempted to deflect responsibility, suggesting the owner claim insurance coverage, where the car’s Insured Declared Value (IDV) was 21.8 lakh.
The commission found merit in the complainant’s argument that the service centre was negligent in safeguarding the vehicle during the floods. The ruling stated that service providers cannot use natural calamities as an excuse to escape liability when vehicles are under their custody. The order noted that the service centre’s failure to take adequate precautions to protect the vehicle, despite weather warnings, constituted a clear deficiency in service.
While the commission dismissed claims against the car manufacturer and dealership, it directed the car service centre to pay 31 lakh compensation. The order also allows the service centre to claim the IDV amount from the insurance company, with the complainant’s cooperation required for necessary documentation.
