Indian Railways will extend its optional travel insurance scheme to passengers booking reserved tickets at Passenger Reservation System counters from October 27, allowing eligible travellers to obtain cover of up to Rs 10 lakh for a premium of 45 paise per passenger.
The facility, currently available to passengers booking e-tickets through IRCTC, will be introduced at reservation counters across the railway network. Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek announced the expansion in a press release issued on Sunday.
The insurance will remain optional. Passengers who want the cover must select it while booking, provide a mobile number and pay the premium digitally along with the ticket fare. The scheme will apply to Indian citizens booking reserved tickets with confirmed, Reservation Against Cancellation or partially confirmed status at the time of booking.
If insurance is selected, all eligible passengers booked under the same Passenger Name Record will be covered. Children below five years who are booked without a berth or seat are excluded. Children between five and 11 years will be eligible whether or not they have been allotted a berth or seat.
Under the policy, passengers can receive up to Rs 10 lakh in the event of death or permanent total disability caused by a covered railway accident or untoward incident, subject to the policy’s terms and conditions. The cover provides up to Rs 7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability and up to Rs 2 lakh towards hospitalisation expenses for injuries. It also includes Rs 10,000 for transportation of mortal remains, subject to applicable conditions.
The rollout will require changes at reservation counters. The Reservation Requisition Form has been modified to allow passengers to indicate whether they want to opt for travel insurance. The revised form will be available at Passenger Reservation System centres across Western Railway.
Announcements will be made at the centres to inform passengers that digital payment and a mobile number are required for the facility. Reservation staff will guide passengers through the insurance option and the prescribed procedure, according to the railway announcement.
After a booking is completed, policy details will be sent to the passenger’s registered mobile number. Passengers must then complete nomination details on the website of the insurance company concerned using the link provided. This nomination is relevant to the settlement of death claims.
Claims will be settled with the declared nominee. If no nominee has been recorded, the claim will be settled with the passenger’s legal heirs on the basis of a Legal Heir Certificate or Succession Certificate. Policy issuance and claim settlement will be handled by the concerned insurance company, while the existing terms and conditions of the Optional Travel Insurance Scheme will continue to apply.
Passengers seeking the cover have been advised to clearly indicate their choice on the revised Reservation Requisition Form and complete the required digital and nomination procedures after booking.
