Indian Railways has extended its ultra-low-cost travel insurance to passengers buying reserved tickets at counters, a facility previously exclusive to online bookings. For just 45 paise, this move makes a significant safety net accessible to all.
A Digital Safety Net For Everyone
In a
significant move towards passenger inclusivity, Indian Railways has made its optional travel insurance scheme available for reserved tickets purchased at physical Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters. This welcome development, effective from October 27, 2026, extends a valuable financial safety net that was, until now, only available to those booking their tickets online via the IRCTC website or app. The decision follows a Supreme Court directive to ensure the facility is accessible to all passengers, regardless of their booking method. This bridges a critical gap, as a large number of travellers in India still rely on station counters for their ticketing needs.
What You Get For 45 Paise
For a nominal, non-refundable premium of just 45 paise per person, the insurance scheme offers substantial coverage in the event of a train accident or other specified 'untoward incidents'. The policy provides financial compensation up to ₹10 lakh for death or permanent total disability. In the case of permanent partial disability, the coverage is up to ₹7.5 lakh. Additionally, the policy includes provisions for up to ₹2 lakh for hospitalisation expenses due to injury and ₹10,000 for the transportation of mortal remains. This optional cover applies to passengers with confirmed, RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation), and even partially confirmed tickets.
How To Opt-In At The Counter
To avail this facility at a ticket counter, passengers must explicitly choose the insurance option while filling out the reservation form. Crucially, two things are mandatory: providing a valid mobile number and paying for the entire transaction digitally. The policy details and confirmation will be sent to the registered mobile number. Cash payment is not accepted for tickets where the insurance option is chosen. The Railway Board has stated this is because the 45-paise premium cannot be practically collected in cash, as coins of such low denominations are no longer in circulation. Therefore, passengers must be prepared to pay the total fare (ticket cost plus the 45-paise premium) using UPI, debit/credit cards, or other digital methods available at the counter.
Who Is Covered and Key Exclusions
The insurance is available to all passengers of reserved classes, including Indian citizens and foreign nationals, who have a valid ticket. Children below the age of five are not covered under this scheme. The coverage is valid for the duration of the journey, from the actual departure of the train until its arrival at the destination, including the process of boarding and deboarding. It is important to note that the policy has standard exclusions. It does not cover incidents arising from suicide or attempted suicide, selfinflicted injury, or acts committed under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Making A Claim and Filling Nominee Details
After booking the ticket and opting for the insurance, passengers receive a message containing a link to the insurance provider's portal. It is highly advisable to use this link to fill in the nominee details. According to IRCTC's terms, if a nominee is not declared, the claim in case of death will only be paid to the legal heir after they produce a succession certificate, which can be a lengthy legal process. In the unfortunate event of an incident, the claim must be filed with the respective insurance company. Indian Railways has empanelled three providers for this scheme: Shriram General Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, and Royal Sundaram General Insurance.
