Mr. Justice V.K. Agrawal, President—Both these appeals, under Section 15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 are directed against the order dated 3.2.1999 in Complaint No. 289/1997 by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Bilaspur (hereinafter called the ‘District Forum’ for short); hence they are being disposed of by this common order.

2. The complainant (appellant in appeal No. 52/2003) is a registered Co-op. Society and is the owner of Tata truck bearing registration No. MP26C-2944. It was comprehensively insured with the O.P./appellant of appeal No. 58/2003. It is not in dispute that the truck met with an accident on 27.12.1996 and was damaged during the subsistence of the policy. The complainant reported the matter to the Police on 27.12.1996 and also intimated the Insurance Company about it on 28.12.1996.

3. According to the complainant, the insurer appointed Surveyor Gambhir who visited the spot on 28.12.1996. Thereafter Surveyor Anil Verma was appointed by the Insurance Company who also assessed the damage on 14.1.1997. Further averments in the complaint were that the Insurer failed to settle the claim, and after long correspondence by the complainant he was u