Indian Railways will extend its optional travel insurance scheme to eligible passengers booking reserved tickets at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters from 27 October 2026, offering coverage of up to ₹10 lakh for a premium of 45 paise per passenger. The facility was previously available only to passengers booking reserved e-tickets through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), according to a report by Gujarat Samachar – Ahmedabad.
The insurance will be available to eligible Indian citizens holding confirmed, Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) or partially confirmed tickets. Passengers booking tickets at PRS counters will have to select the insurance option on the revised reservation form, provide a mobile number and make both the ticket and insurance payments through a digital payment method.
Under the scheme, a passenger’s death or permanent total disability resulting from a railway accident or other incident covered by the policy will attract insurance cover of up to ₹10 lakh. Permanent partial disability will be covered up to ₹7.5 lakh, while hospitalisation expenses arising from injuries will be covered up to ₹2 lakh. The policy also provides assistance of ₹10,000 for transporting mortal remains, subject to its terms and conditions.
The premium, including all taxes, will be 45 paise per passenger and the insurance will remain entirely optional. If the option is selected for tickets booked under a single Passenger Name Record (PNR), all eligible passengers on that PNR will receive the cover. Children below five years who are travelling without a berth or seat will not be eligible. Children aged between five and 11 years will be eligible whether they have a berth or travel without one.
After the ticket is booked, policy details will be sent to the passenger’s registered mobile number. Passengers will then have to use the link provided in the message to enter required details, including nominee information, on the insurer’s website. In the event of death, the insurance amount will be paid to the declared nominee. If no nominee has been registered, settlement will be made according to the policy rules on the basis of a legal heir or succession certificate.
Revised forms will be made available at all PRS centres of Western Railway, where passengers will also be informed about the insurance option, the digital-payment requirement and the need to provide a mobile number. The insurance company concerned will be responsible for issuing policies and settling claims under the scheme.
