Google has become so deeply embedded in daily life that even insurance companies are now using its data to verify claims. But what if your hospital claim is rejected just because your Google location timeline doesn’t show you at the hospital?

This is exactly what happened with Vallabh Motka, raising questions about how far insurers can go in using personal digital data against policyholders.

The Case: Claim Rejected Over Google Timeline

According to an Economic Times report, Vallabh Motka had a ₹6.5 lakh health insurance policy from Go Digit General Insurance, valid till 21 February 2025.

• He was admitted to hospital on 11 September 2024 for viral pneumonia and discharged on 14 September.

• The hospital bill amounted to ₹48,251.

• However, Go Digit rejected his claim, arguing that his Google timeline did not show his presence at the hospital.

The company reasoned that if the location was missing, the patient might never have been admitted.

The Consumer Forum’s Verdict

Motka challenged the rejection in the consumer forum, which ruled in his favor. The forum directed Go Digit to settle the claim of ₹48,251, emphasizing that a doctor’s certificate and hospital records carry more weight than Google’s location data.

What the Insurance Company Says

Go Digit, in its defense, claimed that the Google Timeline data was accessed with the patient’s consent. The insurer argued that the discrepancy justified further investigation, but the forum ultimately dismissed this ground, siding with the medical evidence provided.

The Bigger Question: Can Insurers Use Your Digital Data?

This case sparks an important debate:

• Legality – Can insurers legally use data from Google Timeline or other apps to verify claims?

• Privacy – Even with consent, is it ethical for companies to rely on third-party tech data over certified medical records?

• Risk to Policyholders – If this becomes common practice, even a simple network glitch, GPS error, or phone setting could result in rejected claims.