J. Kalaivani And Ors. vs K. Sivashankar And Anr.

The Supreme Court held that the insurance policy issued on 8.2.1996 could not be considered a renewal of the previous policy that expired at midnight on 7.2.1996, as the new policy explicitly stated it commenced at 10 a.m. on the same day. The Court reaffirmed the principle that an insurance policy operates from the previous midnight unless a specific time is mentioned, as established in New Indian Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Ram Dayal and National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Jijubhai Nathuji Dabhi. Consequently, the insurance company was exonerated from liability for the accident that occurred shortly after the previous policy expired.