What is the New Scheme?
For years, passengers booking train tickets through the IRCTC website have had the choice to add travel insurance to their journey for a nominal fee. This new scheme simply extends that same benefit to the millions of people who still purchase their tickets in person
at railway station counters across the country. The goal is to provide a financial safety net to all passengers, regardless of how they buy their ticket. This optional insurance covers death, disability, and medical expenses resulting from train accidents or other specified 'untoward incidents' during the journey. This includes events like terrorist acts, dacoity, rioting, or arson on a train. The rollout marks a major step in standardizing safety provisions for all railway travellers.
How to Get Insured at the Counter
The process at the ticket counter has been designed to be straightforward. When you book a reserved ticket, the booking clerk will ask if you wish to opt for travel insurance. If you agree, you will need to provide a valid mobile number. This is a crucial step. The premium will be added to your ticket cost, and once the transaction is complete, the policy details will be sent via SMS to the mobile number you provided. This message will also contain a link where you can update the nominee details for the policy. It is essential to ensure the mobile number is entered correctly to receive the policy information.
Premium Cost and Coverage Details
The most attractive feature of this scheme is its affordability. The premium is just 35 paise per passenger. For this minimal cost, the coverage provided is substantial. In the unfortunate event of death or permanent total disability arising from an incident during the journey, the insurance offers a cover of ₹10 lakh. For permanent partial disability, the coverage is ₹7.5 lakh. The policy also includes a provision for hospitalization expenses up to ₹2 lakh. This financial protection can be a critical support for passengers and their families in times of crisis. The scheme is managed by a consortium of insurance companies in partnership with Indian Railways.
Who is Eligible for This Insurance?
The travel insurance scheme is available to all passengers with a valid reserved ticket, irrespective of the class of travel. However, it is important to note that it does not apply to passengers travelling on unreserved tickets, such as those for local or suburban trains. Furthermore, children under the age of 5 are not covered under this policy, as they are not issued a ticket for travel on Indian Railways. The insurance is applicable only for the journey specified on the ticket and covers the passenger from the actual departure of the train until its arrival.
How to File a Claim
In the case of an unfortunate event, the claim process is handled directly by the designated insurance company, not by Indian Railways. The contact details and procedure will be mentioned in the policy document sent to your mobile number. Generally, the passenger or their family/nominee will need to contact the insurer and submit the required documents. This typically includes the claim form, a copy of the ticket, the FIR or official railway report on the incident, and relevant medical records or a death certificate. The insurance companies have dedicated teams to handle these claims to ensure a smooth process for the affected passengers or their kin.
