Crores of people travel by Indian Railways every day. Whenever you book an e-ticket for long distance travel through the IRCTC website or app, a small checkbox appears just before payment—'Travel Insurance (₹0.45 per person)'. Often passengers ignore it without thinking or click on 'No' and move ahead. But if a passenger gets injured in an unfortunate train accident, derailment, collision or terrorist incident, this optional insurance of less than 50 paise proves to be a security cover worth lakhs of rupees for the family. IRCTC Travel Insurance: How much amount is available in which situation? This Optional Travel Insurance Scheme of IRCTC is applicable only to Indian citizens and holders of confirmed, RAC or valid e-tickets. In case of a train accident or untoward incident during the journey, the compensation slab prescribed by the insurance companies is as follows: Condition of the accident Insurance cover amount Compensation Amount Death of the passenger ₹ 10,00,000 (Rs 10 lakh) Permanent Total Disability ₹ 10,00,000 (Rs 10 lakh) Partial Permanent Disability ₹7,50,000 (7.5 lakh rupees) Hospitalization Expenses ₹2,00,000 (up to 2 lakh rupees) Transportation of Mortal Remains ₹10,000 (ten thousand rupees) Why is it most important to add a nominee immediately after booking the ticket? Most of the passengers tick the insurance option while booking tickets, but the biggest mistake they make is that they do not update the nominee information. As soon as the ticket is booked, an SMS and link is sent to your registered mobile number and email from the partner insurance company of IRCTC (like SBI General, Liberty General etc.). By clicking on that link, immediately enter the name, age and relationship of your parents, spouse or child as a nominee on the insurance company portal. If unfortunately the name of the nominee is not registered at the time of the accident, then the legal heirs have to get a 'Succession Certificate' made from the court, which takes months and causes unnecessary delay in getting the claim. Step-by-step procedure to file a claim After a train accident, it is mandatory for the injured passenger or his dependents to file a claim within 4 months (120 days) from the date of the accident to receive the insurance amount: Inform the insurance company immediately: Inform the accident and PNR on the toll-free number or official email of the concerned insurance company mentioned on the ticket. Fill the claim form: Download 'Railway Claim Form' from the company's website and fill it with complete details of passenger, bank account and incident. Attach required documents: Duly signed claim form and canceled cheque/passbook copy. Copy of Railway Ticket (e-Ticket) and Boarding Pass. Accident Confirmation Report issued by the Railway Administration or GRP. In case of death: Death Certificate, Post Mortem Report and Police Panchnama/FIR. In case of disability or treatment: Disability certificate, discharge summary and original medical bill issued by a government hospital. Submit Documents: Send all attested documents to the claim office of the insurance company by post/courier or upload them on the online portal. After verification, the amount is directly transferred to the nominee's bank account through NEFT. Railway Tribunal (RCT) compensation is available separately. It is important to know here that this travel insurance of ₹ 10 lakh of IRCTC is completely separate and independent from the government compensation given by the Railway Administration. In addition to this insurance, there is a mandatory statutory compensation (usually up to ₹ 8 lakh) given to the dependents of those killed in train accidents by the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) under the Railways Act, 1989. That is, this insurance of 45 paise, taken at the right time, can ensure double financial security of the family up to ₹ 18 lakh in total.
