Most people who book tickets via IRCTC know about the optional travel insurance offered by IRCTC. This travel insurance costs almost nil and should be selected by all the people booking railway tickets on IRCTC. This travel insurance provides cover in case of any injury or death during a train journey.
Many individuals do not consider opting for travel insurance during domestic travels, but the recent train accident at Balasore district in Orissa has forced us to rethink safety during travel insurance. Accidents can happen, so it is important to have travel insurance. When Indian Railways is offering travel insurance at almost nil, you must select it while booking the train ticket.
While booking a train ticket, it asks to select the insurance policy for the journey. This is optional, so you need to manually select the check box while booking the ticket. The Tavel insurance costs just Rs. 0.35 per passenger. Currently, it is being offered at no additional cost.
After you book the ticket, you will receive the policy information through SMS and email with a link to file the nominee details. In case someone didn’t file the nomination details, the settlement will be made with legal heirs, if the claim arises.
What Is Covered Under Indian Railway’s Travel Insurance?
This travel insurance covers five types of incidents which are uniform for all classes:
- Death
- Permanent Total Disability
- Permanent Partial Disability
- Hospitalisation expenses
- Transportation of mortal remains
| Death | Permanent total Disability | Permanent partial Disability | Hospitalization expenses for injury | Transportation of mortal remains |
| Rs. 10,00,000 | Rs. 10,00,000 | Rs. 7,50,000 | Rs. 2,00,000 | Rs. 10,000 |
You can download and read the detailed document to understand the insurance details.
Eligibility for IRCTC train travel insurance
- Any Indian citizen who books the train E-ticket through IRCTC official website can opt for train travel insurance.
- Children below 5 are not eligible
- Foreigners cannot apply for the same.
The claim procedure & documentation
The Insured person, his nominee, or a legal heir can submit the documents at the nearest office of the Insurance Company within 4 months from the date of the train accident.
Documents needed in case of death claim
- Report of the Railway Authority confirming the accident of the train or untoward incident
- Report of the Railway Authority carrying the details of the passengers declared dead.
- Duly Completed Personal Accident Claim Form signed by Nominee / Legal Heir along with the NEFT mandate details & canceled cheque
- Photo identity proof of the nominee
- For Death Claims, the claim will be settled only to the nominee declared at the time of buying insurance through the IRCTC portal
- In the absence of a nominee, the claim will be paid to Legal Heir only – as per the Legal Heir / Succession Certificate.
Documents needed in case of Disablement Claim:
- Report of the Railway Authority confirming the accident of the train or untoward incident
- Report of attending doctor confirming the extent of disability.
- Medical bills corresponding to doctor’s prescription.
- Duly Completed Personal Accident Claim Form signed by insured / Nominee
- Attested copy of disability certificate from Civil Surgeon of that Hospital in which the treatment has undergone stating the percentage of disability.
- Attested copy of FIR.
- All X-Ray / Investigation reports and films supporting disablement.
- Claim form with NEFT details & canceled cheque of the beneficiary
- Photograph before & after disability.
In case of Hospitalization Expenses for Injury
- Report of the Railway Authority confirming the accident of the train or untoward incident
- Discharge summary
- Original Hospital Bills and medical bills corresponding to the doctor’s prescription
- Advance and final receipts (All receipts shall be numbered, signed, and stamped)
- Prescriptions for medicines
- Diagnostic Test Reports, X-Ray, Scans, ECGs, and others including doctor’s advice demanding such tests)
- Cash memos/bills for medicines purchased from outside.