Train Ticket Insurance: A Necessary Evil?

Travel insurance is an important consideration when planning a trip, and while it may not be the most exciting part of booking a holiday, it is necessary to ensure peace of mind. Train ticket insurance is an optional extra offered by some rail companies, such as the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which provides coverage for accidents, loot, robbery, death, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, and hospitalization expenses. The IRCTC insurance is available at a low cost, with some sources stating the price to be 49 paise, 68 paise, or 92 paise per passenger. This small price to pay can provide valuable financial protection in the event of an accident or unforeseen incident during your journey, so it is worth considering when purchasing your train ticket.

Is train ticket insurance necessary?

IRCTC travel insurance benefits

Train ticket insurance is not always necessary, but it is always beneficial. The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) offers travel insurance to its passengers at a very low cost. While it is not mandatory to opt for this insurance, it provides a safety net for unforeseen events during your journey.

IRCTC travel insurance offers a range of benefits to its policyholders. Firstly, it provides financial coverage in the event of a train accident, including death or permanent disability. The sum insured can be up to INR 10 lakh, a substantial amount that can provide financial assistance to the insured or their family in the event of a tragedy. This coverage extends to hospitalization expenses, providing up to INR 2 lakh for medical treatment due to injuries sustained during the trip.

The IRCTC travel insurance also covers permanent partial disability, with a coverage amount of INR 7.5 lakh. This can be extremely beneficial for those who suffer from long-term injuries that may impact their ability to work or incur ongoing medical costs. Additionally, the insurance covers transportation costs of up to INR 10,000 for the mortal remains of the insured in the unfortunate event of their death during the trip.

Another advantage of IRCTC travel insurance is its applicability in cases of loot or robbery. This provides peace of mind to passengers, especially those travelling with valuable possessions. The insurance is also valid for untoward incidents, as defined by the Railways Act, 1989, offering comprehensive protection for unforeseen events during the journey.

The process of obtaining IRCTC travel insurance is straightforward. Passengers can opt for it while booking their train tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile app. The premium is extremely affordable, ranging from 35 to 68 paise per passenger, and is uniform across all classes of travel. Once the premium is paid, passengers will receive policy information and relevant documents via SMS and email.

Eligibility for IRCTC insurance

The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) offers travel insurance with a maximum cover of up to ₹10 lakh at a premium of 49 paise. This insurance is available to any Indian citizen booking tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile app. The policy covers death, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, hospitalization expenses for injury, and transportation of mortal remains following a rail accident or untoward incident.

To be eligible for IRCTC insurance, there are a few requirements that must be met. Firstly, the passenger must be an Indian citizen as this insurance is not available to foreign nationals. Secondly, the passenger must be 5 years of age or older, as the insurance is not provided for children below this age. Additionally, the insurance can only be purchased at the time of booking the train ticket through the official channels—the IRCTC mobile application or website. It is not possible to add insurance to a booking after the ticket has been purchased.

When booking a train ticket through the IRCTC website or app, passengers have the option to select 'Travel Insurance'. This insurance is applicable for all passengers booked under one PNR (Passenger Name Record). Once the premium is paid, it cannot be cancelled or refunded, even in the case of a wait-listed ticket. After selecting the insurance option, passengers will receive policy information through SMS and email, along with a link to provide their nomination details.

The IRCTC travel insurance policy provides coverage for a range of scenarios. In the event of death or permanent total disability due to a rail accident or any untoward incident, the policy offers a cover of ₹10 lakh. For permanent partial disability, the coverage is ₹7.5 lakh. Additionally, there is a provision of ₹2 lakh for hospitalization expenses for injuries sustained during the trip. This includes room rent, boarding expenses, nursing care, and intensive care unit charges. Finally, the policy also includes ₹10,000 for the transportation of mortal remains.

IRCTC insurance costs

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) offers travel insurance to passengers booking e-tickets through its website or mobile app. This insurance is optional and is available at a near-zero premium of between 35 and 49 paise per passenger. The cost of the premium depends on the ticket price, with a starting price of Rs 0.49.

The IRCTC insurance policy provides financial protection of up to ₹10 lakh against rail accidents and other untoward incidents, including robbery. The policy covers death, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, and hospitalization expenses for injuries. There is also a provision for the transportation of mortal remains, with a coverage of ₹10,000.

For permanent partial disability, the coverage is ₹7.5 lakh, and for hospitalization expenses due to injury, there is an additional coverage of ₹2 lakh over and above the death or disability coverage.

It is important to note that IRCTC travel insurance is not provided for children below 5 years of age, and the scheme is currently only available to Indian citizens booking tickets online. The insurance policy is uniform across all classes, and the premium is inclusive of all taxes.

How to claim IRCTC insurance

IRCTC travel insurance is an option for Indian citizens booking train tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile app. This insurance covers death, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, and hospitalization expenses for injury and transportation of mortal remains following a rail accident or untoward incident. The coverage is up to ₹10 lakh, with a premium of 49 paise.

Now, here is a step-by-step guide on how to claim IRCTC insurance:

Step 1: Understanding the Policy and Eligibility

Firstly, it is essential to understand the coverage provided by IRCTC insurance. As mentioned earlier, the policy includes death, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, and hospitalization expenses due to accidents or untoward incidents during train travel. The coverage is up to ₹10 lakh, with specific amounts allocated for each aspect, such as ₹7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability and ₹2 lakh for hospitalization expenses.

Step 2: Gathering Required Documents

In the unfortunate event of a claim, the insured or their nominee/legal heir will need to gather the necessary documents. These may include:

• A duly completed Personal Accident Claim Form signed by the insured/nominee
• Medical bills corresponding to doctor's prescriptions
• An attested copy of the disability certificate from the Civil Surgeon of the treating hospital, stating the percentage of disability
• X-Ray/investigation reports and films supporting the disability
• Cash memos/bills for medicines purchased outside
• A report from the Railway Authority confirming the train accident or untoward incident
• A photograph before and after the disability

Step 3: Submitting the Claim

The claim documents should be submitted to the Claims department of the nearest office of the Insurance Company. The insured/nominee/legal heir must deliver a detailed written statement as per the claim form and any other relevant material within four months from the date of the incident. The address of the nearest office can be obtained from the website of the Insurance Company.

Step 4: Receiving the Settlement

Once the claim is approved, the settlement amount will be paid within 15 days of receiving the last necessary document. The policyholder can choose to receive the settlement in their bank account by providing NEFT details. The insurance company shall be liable to pay interest at 2% above the bank rate if there is a delay in payment beyond seven days upon acceptance of the settlement.

It is important to note that IRCTC insurance claims are settled only to the nominee declared at the time of buying insurance. In the absence of a nominee, the claim will be paid to the legal heir as per the Legal Heir/Succession Certificate.

IRCTC insurance coverage

The Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) offers passengers the option of purchasing travel insurance when booking train tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile app. This insurance is provided by three companies: Bharti Axa General Insurance, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, and Shriram General Insurance.

The IRCTC insurance policy covers death, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, and hospitalization expenses for injuries and the transportation of mortal remains following a rail accident or untoward incident. The maximum cover is up to ₹10 lakh, with a coverage of ₹7.5 lakh available for permanent partial disability and an additional ₹2 lakh for hospitalization expenses. The policy also includes ₹10,000 for the transportation of mortal remains.

The cost of the insurance is a near-zero premium of 49 paise, although some sources state 50 paise or 68 paise. It is important to note that once the premium is paid, it cannot be cancelled or refunded, even in the case of a wait-listed ticket. Additionally, children below 5 years of age are not eligible for this travel insurance, and only Indian citizens booking tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile app are eligible to purchase the cover.

Frequently asked questions