Hello rajee46,
At this point, suggest FIRST defocus your stress on the new job--looks like the present company is out to hook you [for whatever reasons]. Unless you de-focus the new job, your thought process on the subsequent steps would get effected. Worst-case scenario is: you will miss this chance--right? If that's what's to happen, so be it. Just remember that everything happens for our good--even though while we are going thru the situation(s), it's tough to believe this.
Did you talk to the new company's HR guys for extension of Joining? If not, pl talk to them ASAP.
Also, pl confirm if anyone [even colleagues] in the present company knows the name of the new company? If yes, pl be mentally prepared to face some anxious time with the new company when you ask for extension [there is a possibility that your present HR COULD have passed adverse remarks to them]. Since you would also need to indicate the timeframe of the extension, maybe you can ask for a couple of weeks.
Coming to your interaction with the Insurance company, pl confirm if you have the Processed Claim copy with you? If not, suggest ask for at least an informal copy--use it to handle the HR of your present company & for any later legal use.
And, AT LEAST NOW, take steps to go legal. Pl note that this doesn't & needn't mean that you will go the whole hog in this direction--frankly, it's tough to go the whole way, knowing our court process timeframes. But once you indicate to the present company that you are prepared to go legal, their responses should change. Also, like I indicated earlier too, tell your lawyer to get Court Orders/notice rather than a lawyer notice. And also drop enough hints to your colleagues [NOT HR] that maybe the media needs to be told of how things happen here--the news is sure to reach HR.
And, pl mail your resume to me on: [Login to view]
All the Best.
Rgds,
TS