No other form of travel can beat the stunning visuals, rhythmic sound and family time that a train journey offers. Even food tastes better against the rocking motion and green backdrop. The Indian Railways operates the largest railway network in the world, covering a whopping 66,687 km and transporting 22.21 million passengers daily and 8.107 billion annually!
With such huge numbers, mishaps are inevitable. Even here, the numbers have been improving in recent years, falling from one accident every 0.12 million train kilometres recorded in 2012 to 0.03 in 2022. But why leave anything to chance when the IRCTC offers the cheapest travel insurance in the world at ₹0.35 per passenger without compromising on the insurance benefits.
IRCTC insurance for train passengers offers:
100% of the insured amount up to ₹10,00,000 to the claimant, if death occurs within 12 months of the train accident.
Plus, ₹10,000 for transporting the mortal remains in case of demise due to the accident.
A passenger is entitled to ₹7,50,000 in case of partial disability as a result of the accident.
A passenger is entitled to ₹2,00,000 for minor injuries due to the accident.
Terms & Conditions of IRCTC Travel Insurance
Keep yourself and your loved ones protected against untoward incidents by opting for travel insurance when you book your train tickets online on the IRCTC site. This insurance is only available for Indian citizens and covers every passenger under the same PNR in case of permanent partial disability, permanent total disability, hospitalisation or death. The insurance claim can be filed by the individual(s) named as nominee(s) in the policy.
The IRCTC insurance for train passengers cannot be claimed if the accident has occurred before or after the date and time of the journey mentioned in the policy. However, any delay in the departure or arrival of the train for the journey will be considered.
The insurance company will not be liable for losses that took place due to nuclear, biological or chemical hazards.
Insurance claims will not be entertained if the passenger boarded the train without a confirmed ticket, even if they paid the insurance premium.The insurance company is also not liable to offer insurance benefits for any medical facilities or treatments that were not necessary.
Mental illnesses, internal illnesses, self-injury, pregnancy and childbirth are not covered by this travel insurance.
Be Careful with the Claim Process
A detailed statement regarding the claim must be sent to your nearest insurance office within 4 months of the accident. Make sure you provide all the required information and proofs to access the insurance benefits. These include:
A report by the railway authority confirming the accident.
A copy of the ticket.
Death certificate and post-mortem report, in case of the passenger’s demise.
Permanent total or partial disability certificates from the government.
Medical and pharmacy bills, operation theatre notes, consultation papers, investigation reports and photographs before and after the disability.
You will also need to provide your bank account details, including:
Branch
IFSC Code
Account Number
Account Type
A cancelled cheque or the 1st page of your bank passbook.
Although over 2 crore people travel by trains in India daily, only about 50% of them have travel insurance. The June 2023 Odisha train tragedy has highlighted the significance of financial protection. The IRCTC website is incredibly easy to navigate, and its insurance premium is so low that it is highly advisable to opt for it.
