A Landmark Directive for Passenger Parity
Following a directive from the Supreme Court of India, Indian Railways will make its travel insurance scheme available to all passengers, including those who purchase their tickets from physical counters. This change, effective from October 27, 2026,
aims to provide uniform access to financial protection for all travellers, regardless of how they book their journey. Previously, the optional insurance was a feature primarily available to those booking e-tickets through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website or mobile app. The court's decision, which came during proceedings related to railway safety, emphasizes that all passengers face identical risks and should therefore have identical access to safety nets. This move is a major step towards equitable treatment for the millions of people in semi-urban and rural areas who rely on counter bookings for their travel needs.
What the Insurance Scheme Covers
The low-cost insurance policy provides significant financial coverage in the event of a train accident or other 'untoward incidents' as defined under the Railways Act, 1989. The coverage is uniform across all travel classes. According to the existing scheme for online tickets, passengers are covered for up to ₹10 lakh in the case of death or permanent total disability. For permanent partial disability, the coverage is up to ₹7.5 lakh. Additionally, the policy includes provisions for medical treatment, offering up to ₹2 lakh for hospitalisation expenses due to injury. The scheme also provides up to ₹10,000 for the transportation of mortal remains in the unfortunate event of a passenger's death during the journey.
Cost and How to Opt-In
The primary appeal of this insurance has always been its affordability. For online bookings, the premium is a nominal amount, often less than one rupee per passenger. Recent reports cite the cost at just 35 to 49 paise. While the final premium for counter tickets is yet to be formally announced by the Railway Board, it is expected to be similarly priced to ensure widespread adoption. Passengers booking tickets online are given a simple checkbox to opt into the scheme. Indian Railways is now tasked with creating a seamless mechanism for counter staff to offer this option to passengers purchasing tickets in person. This will likely involve a verbal confirmation at the booking window, with the small premium added to the total ticket cost upon the passenger's consent.
Eligibility and Exclusions
The insurance scheme is available to all Indian citizens who have a confirmed or Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) ticket. Foreign nationals are not eligible for this particular policy. An important point to note concerns children. Children under the age of five, who typically travel for free without a designated berth, are not covered under this scheme. However, children above the age of five for whom a ticket is purchased are eligible for the insurance coverage. The coverage is valid for the duration of the journey, from the scheduled departure until the actual arrival at the destination station, including the process of boarding and de-boarding the train. The policy is tied to the Passenger Name Record (PNR), and the benefits apply to each passenger listed under it who has opted in.
The Claim Process
In the event of an incident, the claim process is handled by the partnered insurance companies. IRCTC has previously partnered with firms like ICICI Lombard, Royal Sundaram, and Shriram General Insurance. For the scheme to be effective, it is crucial for passengers or their nominees to be aware of the process. After a ticket is booked and insurance is taken, passengers who book online typically receive policy documents via email and SMS, which include a link to update nominee details. This step is vital for a smooth claim settlement. The nominee or the legal heir must file the claim with the respective insurance company by providing necessary documents, such as the ticket details, claim form, and official reports related to the incident. With the extension to counter tickets, Railways will need to ensure information on the claim process is clearly communicated at the time of booking.
