When booking a train ticket, it’s easy to overlook the small checkbox for travel insurance. But for a premium of just 45 paise, this optional feature provides a significant financial safety net for your journey. Here’s what it means for you.
What Exactly Is This Insurance?
Indian Railways,
in partnership with IRCTC and several insurance companies, offers an Optional Travel Insurance Scheme to its passengers. For a nominal premium of just 45 paise per person, you get coverage for unforeseen events like accidents during your journey. This scheme, previously available only for online e-ticket bookings, has been extended to tickets bought at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters as of October 27, 2026. The goal is to make this financial protection accessible to a wider section of travellers across the country. The low cost makes it a highly affordable way to ensure peace of mind while travelling by train, irrespective of the class of travel.
A Breakdown of the Coverage
Despite the minuscule cost, the coverage offered is substantial. The policy provides financial compensation in case of a train accident or other 'untoward incidents' as defined by the Railways Act. The benefits include: up to ₹10 lakh for death or permanent total disability; up to ₹7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability; and up to ₹2 lakh for hospitalisation expenses due to injury. Additionally, the policy covers up to ₹10,000 for the transportation of mortal remains. These benefits apply uniformly across all reserved travel classes. The coverage is valid from the actual departure to the actual arrival of the train, including the process of boarding and de-boarding.
Who Is an Eligible Passenger?
The scheme is available to all Indian citizens who book a reserved ticket. Foreign nationals are not eligible for this insurance. It covers passengers with Confirmed, RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation), and partially confirmed tickets. If you opt-in, the insurance applies to all passengers listed under a single PNR. However, children below the age of five are not covered under this policy unless a ticket is specifically purchased for them. It is important to note that the scheme does not apply to passengers travelling on unreserved or general class tickets.
How to Opt-In and Is It Mandatory?
This insurance is entirely optional. When booking a ticket online via the IRCTC website or app, you simply need to tick the checkbox for travel insurance before payment. Since October 2026, those booking at physical counters can also opt-in by indicating their preference on the reservation form. A key requirement for counter bookings is that the payment for the ticket and the 45ndise premium must be made digitally (e.g., UPI, debit/credit card). Once you opt_in, you will receive the policy details via SMS and on your registered email ID or mobile number.
The All-'Important'' Nominee Details
After purchasing the ticket and opting for insurance, you will receive a link from the insurance company to fill in the nominee details. This is a critical step. While the policy remains valid even if you forget, failing to name a nominee can create significant legal hurdles for your family if they need to make a claim. Without a designated nominee, your legal heirs would have to produce a Succession Certificate from a court, which is a time consuming and difficult process. Taking a few moments to fill in the nominee information ensures that any potential claim can be processed smoothly and without delay.
How to Make a Claim
In the unfortunate event of an incident, the claim must be filed directly with the assigned insurance company, not with IRCTC or Indian Railways. The name of the insurer (such as Liberty General Insurance, Royal Sundaram, or United India Insurance) will be on your policy document. You or your nominee must notify the insurer within four months of the incident. The process is typically digital, requiring you to submit the claim form along with necessary documents like the ticket details, a report from railway authorities confirming the accident, medical reports, and identity proof.
