In the context of insurance claims, a delay refers to the failure of an insurance company to process or settle a claim within a reasonable and expected timeframe. For instance, according to IRDA regulations, a health insurance claim should be processed within 30 days from the final submission of all required documents. However, there are instances where insurers either fail to respond promptly to a client’s payment request or do not initiate a timely investigation, causing unnecessary delays in the settlement process. These prolonged delays can create additional stress and financial strain for policyholders, who are left waiting without clarity or resolution.