Indian Railways' decision to extend optional travel insurance to counter tickets is a welcome move for passenger safety. However, a common misconception is that this protection now applies to every ticket sold. This is not the case.
Understanding the Optional Insurance Scheme
For just 45 paise per
person, passengers booking tickets on Indian Railways can opt for a travel insurance policy. This scheme, previously available only for e-tickets booked via the IRCTC portal, provides significant financial coverage in the unfortunate event of a train accident or other 'untoward incidents' as defined by the Railways Act. The coverage includes compensation for death or permanent total disability up to ₹10 lakh, permanent partial disability up to ₹7.5 lakh, and hospitalisation expenses up to ₹2 lakh. Following a Supreme Court directive, this optional insurance was extended to reserved tickets purchased at physical counters starting October 27, 2026.
The Key Requirement: A Reserved Ticket
The core of the insurance scheme is tied to the Passenger Name Record (PNR). The policy is only applicable to passengers holding a valid reserved ticket, which includes Confirmed (CNF), Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC), and partially confirmed tickets. This is because the insurance is mapped to the specific passenger details captured at the time of booking. The recent extension simply means that those who book their reserved tickets at a Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counter can now access the same optional insurance as those who book online.
Major Exclusion: Unreserved and General Tickets
The most significant exclusion from this insurance scheme is unreserved or general class tickets. These tickets are typically bought for short-distance or last-minute travel and do not have a PNR with assigned passenger details. Since the insurance policy must be linked to a specific individual, the anonymous nature of general tickets makes them ineligible for this scheme. This means that a large number of daily commuters and travellers in general compartments are not covered by this particular insurance product, a point that remains a gap in the system.
Other Tickets Not Covered By The Scheme
Beyond unreserved general tickets, several other types of railway travel are also not covered under the optional insurance scheme. The policy does not apply to passengers travelling on suburban or local trains. Similarly, season tickets and monthly passes, which allow for multiple journeys over a period, are excluded. The insurance also does not apply to children under the age of five who are travelling without a booked berth or seat. Foreign citizens are also ineligible for this specific insurance plan offered via IRCTC.
How to Opt-In at the Counter
For those purchasing eligible reserved tickets at a station counter, opting for the insurance is a straightforward process but requires two key things. First, you must provide a valid mobile number to the booking clerk, as the policy details will be sent via SMS. Second, the payment for the ticket and the 45 paise premium must be made digitally. Passengers making cash payments will not be able to avail the insurance facility. The terms and conditions for counter-booked insurance are identical to those for e-tickets.
