The Railway Administration has taken a historic and much awaited welfare step for crores of common passengers traveling daily by Indian Railways. Till now, only passengers booking e-tickets online through the official website or mobile app of IRCTC could get the option of Optional Travel Insurance up to ₹ 10 lakh at a nominal premium of just 45 paise (Rs 0.45) during ticket booking. Passengers purchasing paper tickets from railway station reservation counters (PRS Counters) were deprived of this important social security cover. Putting an end to this discrimination, Railways has officially implemented this 45 paise Optional Travel Insurance on reserved tickets purchased from Computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters across the country from today. What all do you get for just 45 paise premium? Complete details of coverage: The scheme, being operated by Indian Railways in collaboration with authorized insurance companies, aims to provide immediate financial support to the passenger and his family in the event of any unexpected train accident or untoward incident (terrorist attack, robbery, riot or derailment). The coverage available at this nominal amount of 45 paise is as follows: Accidental Death: In case of unfortunate death in a train accident, a lump sum insurance claim of ₹ 10,00,000 (Rs 10 lakh) is given to the nominee or legal heir of the deceased passenger. Permanent Total Disability: In case the passenger loses both hands, both legs, both eyes or becomes completely disabled due to an accident, the entire sum insured of ₹ 10,00,000 (Rs 10 lakh) is paid. Permanent Partial Disability: In case of partial permanent disability like loss of vision in one eye, severe damage to one hand or one leg, compensation up to ₹ 7,50,000 (Rs 7.5 lakh) is available. Hospitalization Expenses: Cashless or reimbursed medical coverage up to ₹ 2,00,000 (Rs 2 lakh) is provided for hospitalization and treatment in case of serious injury. Transportation of Mortal Remains: Additional financial assistance of up to ₹ 10,000 is also included in this policy to transport the mortal remains of the deceased from the accident site to his home town. How to get this insurance on counter ticket? Understand the booking process. Avail of this facility has been made very easy and transparent while booking tickets from the railway station counter: Tick in the reservation form: The reservation form available at the counter now has 'Do you want to opt for travel insurance? Explicit column '(Do you want to opt for Travel Insurance?)' has been added. The passenger will have to tick 'Yes' there. Mobile Number Mandatory: It is mandatory to enter your correct and current mobile number in the form while booking the ticket, as the direct link of the insurance policy and the unique policy number will be sent to the same mobile through SMS. Fee will be mentioned on the ticket: As soon as the ticket is printed, an additional fee of only 45 paise per passenger will be added and 'Travel Insurance Opted' will be clearly printed on the ticket. It is most important to enter the details of the nominee: Update it like this. As important as it is to take insurance, it is equally important to fill the details of the nominee. If the name of the nominee is not registered, then the family members have to face huge difficulties in getting the legal succession certificate made at the time of claim in future. Within a few minutes of the ticket being collected from the counter, an SMS will be received on the passenger's registered mobile number from the respective insurance company (e.g. SBI General, Liberty General or ICICI Lombard). A secure web link (URL) and policy number will be given in that SMS. By clicking on the link, the passenger will have to go to the portal of the insurance company and login there through his/her PNR and mobile number, enter the name, relation and age of his/her nominee and submit. This process can be completed at any time before the journey begins. Under what circumstances will the claim be valid and when will the benefit not be available? The rules of Railway Travel Insurance are very clear: Limit on journey period: This insurance is effective from the time the passenger boards the train at his boarding station till he disembarks at the destination station (or till the scheduled time of disembarkation from the train). Applicable accidents: This applies only to bodily injury caused by railway accidents, train collision, derailment, terrorist incidents or violent disturbance within the train as defined under Section 123 and 124 of the Railways Act, 1989. When will not be claimed: Traveling on the roof or footboard of a moving train, traveling without a ticket, suicide or self-inflicted injury, falling from the train while intoxicated or accidents occurring while crossing railway tracks are not covered under this policy. Apart from this, children below 5 years of age who have not purchased a separate ticket are not covered under this insurance. Claim process: What do family members have to do? Instructions have been given to keep the claim settlement extremely fast and paper formality-free in the event of an accident: On receipt of information about a railway accident, an accident certificate (Railway Accident Certificate) issued by the concerned railway division, original hospital discharge/treatment bill or death certificate is required. The claimant (nominee) has to register the claim with the PNR number by visiting the toll-free number or website of the concerned insurance company. The insurance company is required to transfer the claim amount directly to the nominee's verified bank account through NEFT within 15 working days of submission of all required documents. For passengers buying tickets from the station counter, this investment of 45 paise will prove to be a boon for the financial security of their families.
