In Brief
United India Insurance Co. Ltd, an insurer, appealed against a National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission order that partly awarded Rs. 36,10,211 to a jewellery shop owner for stolen ornaments. The loss occurred during a night-time burglary when items were kept in a window display and outside the safe. The Supreme Court held that clauses 4 and 5 of the proposal form, read with clause 12 of the policy, plainly stated such items were not covered at night. Since the language was unambiguous, the contra proferentem rule did not apply. The Court allowed the insurance company's appeal, setting aside the commission's award, and held the insurer was not liable for loss of items kept in violation of policy exclusions.
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