The Insurance Ombudsman in India has reported a 58% increase in outstanding cases, with numbers rising from 7,202 at the end of 2023-24 to 11,406 by the end of 2024-25. This surge comes despite a relatively stable number of new cases filed, as complaints through the Bima Bharosa grievance portal increased by nearly 20%. To tackle the growing backlog, four significant reforms are proposed. These include allowing insurance brokers to represent policyholders in hearings, which could enhance the quality of submissions and reduce delays. Additionally, making ombudsman decisions publicly accessible would help policyholders build stronger cases and deter insurers from unjust rejections. Improved reporting on recurring case types and resolution timelines would also enable better regulatory action. The recent increase in the compensation cap to ₹50 lakh has made the Ombudsman relevant for more disputes, but structural gaps must be addressed to enhance its efficiency and accessibility for policyholders.