Railway Insurance: Does Railways provide insurance of Rs 10 lakh to passengers? Do you know?

Railway Insurance: Does Railways provide insurance of Rs 10 lakh to passengers? Do you know?

It would not be wrong to say that there is a crowd of passengers in all the railway stations of India round the clock. Usually, a train of any route can be found, with very few chances of encountering the train empty. While the number of rail passengers in India is increasing yearly, the other side of the screen is filled with news of some train accident or mishap.

Yes, on 19 May 2024, 3 passengers got injured in the iron pole falling on Shalimar Express. The usual thing about injuries is that it falls under the insurance of Indian Railways.

You know that with Indian Railways, Railway Travel Insurance is available for every passenger. The facility is available for a select group of passengers who choose it when booking tickets for railway travel. Most people are not aware of this insurance.

What is Travel Insurance with Railways

This travel insurance facility is given to those passengers who book their tickets online. If a passenger books his ticket offline—meaning, at the counter—he does not get this benefit. This insurance is all about the willingness of a passenger. If a passenger wishes to, he can deny this insurance.

The premium for rail insurance is 45 paise. Passengers moving around in general coaches or any particular compartment do not have the benefit of insurance.

How much would the insurance cost?

This insurance of Indian Railways covers Rs. 10 lakh. The insurance company reimburses the loss in a railway accident. If a passenger dies, the sum assured of insurance for Rs 10 lakh is paid to the nominee. If a passenger gets disabled, the company gives Rs 10 lakh to the passenger.

Rs 7.5 lakh is compensated if a passenger is permanently incapacitated, and Rs 2 lakh is paid out for treating an injured passenger of gravity.

How can I get the insurance?

If you too want to avail the benefit of railway travel insurance, then you have to select the option of travel insurance while booking the ticket online. The insurance premium will be added to the fare amount when booking, and the ticket booked will serve as proof.

Since you select the insurance, you receive a link to your email ID and mobile numbers. Through this link, you will be required to put in information regarding your nominee. After punching the nominee’s name, you can readily receive the insurance claim.

The following are five benefits mentioned of taking the insurance from here according to the IRCTC terms and conditions page 

Benefit 1 – On Death

DEATH If, during the Trip, the Insured sustains bodily injury caused by an accident directly and independently of all other causes, the effect of which is to shorten his life by 12 calendar months or more, the Sum Insured shown in the schedule shall be paid.

Benefit 2 – Permanent total disability of nature specified below total disability

If the Insured sustains accidental bodily injury during the Trip that results in permanent total disability within 12 months from the date of the accident or untoward incident, 100% of the Sum Insured mentioned in the Schedule applicable to such Insured is payable. For this insurance only, permanent total disability will be deemed to mean any of the following, and compensation payable shall be in the amounts.

Benefit 3 – Permanent partial disability Of the following nature case – 

In case the Insured, during the Trip, would suffer from any accidental bodily injury that causes permanent partial disability within 12 months from the date of such accident or untoward incident, 75% of the Sum Insured is payable. Permanent partial disability is to be construed and understood for the purpose of this Insurance, and compensation paid.

Benefit-4 Hospitalisation Expenses for Injury 

The Company will pay the Insured compensation for the costs, up to Rs.2 lac, incurred by the Insured for Hospitalisation and medical treatment, resorted to on account of any Injury sustained by the Insured while on a Trip during the Period of Insurance.

 Benefit -5 Carriage of dead bodies :

Irctc page says that “If the Insured dies as specified in the Table of Benefits described hereunder, solely and directly due to train accident and untoward incidents as defined under section 123 read with sections 124 and 124A of the Railways Act, 1989, occurring during the Trip, then the Insurance Company will reimburse Rs.10,000/- as the cost of either conveying his mortal remains to his usual place of residence or a cremation or burial ground. No documentary evidence is required to be produced.