Indian Railways is extending its travel insurance facility to passengers purchasing reserved train tickets at railway reservation counters from October 27, following a direction from the Supreme Court of India. The move aims to bring passengers booking tickets offline closer to the insurance facility available to eligible online ticket buyers.
The Supreme Court issued the direction on October 6, requiring all tickets sold over the counter at railway stations to be covered by insurance on the same terms as online bookings. The court also warned that the Railway Board would be held directly responsible for any failure to implement the order.
What Changes From October 27?
Until now, the optional travel insurance facility has primarily been available to eligible passengers booking train tickets online through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
Under the new arrangement, passengers purchasing reserved tickets through Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters will also be able to access the facility.
According to reports, the Railway Board has instructed zonal railways to make the necessary arrangements before the October 27 deadline. Reservation staff must inform passengers about the insurance option, record the required details and explain the payment process.
Is Railway Travel Insurance Mandatory?
The Supreme Court has made the extension of insurance coverage to counter tickets mandatory for the Railways. However, the insurance remains optional for individual passengers under the reported implementation arrangements.
Passengers who want the cover must provide their consent, submit the required details, including a mobile number, and pay the premium digitally along with the ticket fare. Those who do not opt in will not receive the optional policy benefits.
Policy details are expected to be sent to the passenger’s registered mobile number. Passengers should confirm the exact procedure and applicable terms with reservation staff when purchasing their tickets.
How Much Does the Insurance Cost?
Reports on the existing IRCTC optional travel insurance scheme state that the premium is 45 paise per passenger, inclusive of taxes. The same policy terms and conditions are reported to apply to the counter-ticket facility.
Passengers should confirm the applicable premium and enrolment process at the reservation counter, as the operational arrangements for offline bookings are being implemented ahead of the deadline.
What Does the Insurance Cover?
Under the existing optional travel insurance policy, benefits for covered railway accidents and specified untoward incidents include:
- Death: Up to ₹10 lakh.
- Permanent total disability: Up to ₹10 lakh.
- Permanent partial disability: Up to ₹7.5 lakh.
- Hospitalisation expenses for injuries: Up to ₹2 lakh.
- Transportation of mortal remains: Up to ₹10,000.
These amounts are subject to the applicable policy wording, eligibility requirements, exclusions and claim conditions. The maximum benefit is not an automatic payment to every passenger involved in an incident.
Why Did the Supreme Court Intervene?
The issue came before the Supreme Court during proceedings concerning railway passenger safety following the June 2023 Odisha train accident.
A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan examined several passenger safety issues, including the expansion of the Kavach train protection system, track fencing, foot overbridges and the absence of an equivalent insurance facility for passengers purchasing tickets at railway counters.
The court noted that passengers who buy tickets offline, including people with limited access to digital booking facilities, should not be left without the same opportunity to obtain insurance protection. It directed the Railways to implement the extension within two weeks, starting October 27.
What Should Passengers Do?
Passengers purchasing reserved tickets at railway counters should:
- Ask reservation staff about the optional travel insurance facility.
- Confirm the premium and the insurance terms before opting in.
- Provide the required mobile number and other details accurately.
- Complete the prescribed digital payment if choosing the cover.
- Keep the ticket and insurance policy details for future reference.
Passengers should read the policy conditions carefully and retain the information needed to submit a claim if a covered incident occurs.
A Step Towards Equal Access to Passenger Protection
The extension is intended to make travel insurance accessible to passengers who prefer or need to purchase tickets at railway counters rather than online. Its effectiveness will depend on clear communication, reliable enrolment procedures and consistent implementation across railway stations.
The Supreme Court's deadline puts the Railway Board and zonal railways under pressure to ensure the facility is available as directed from October 27.
DIT Media Network will continue to follow developments affecting Indian Railways and passenger safety.
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