NEW DELHI: Railway passengers can now get an insurance of Rs 10 lakh at a premium of Rs 1 per journey with the railways launching voluntary travel insurance service from September.
IRCTC is set to introduce the new facility for all passengers of Indian Railways who book the e-ticket, excluding sub-urban trains, through its official website, irrespective of the class of the ticket, on a trial basis.
The scheme offers travelers or their families compensation of up to Rs 10 lakh in the event of death or permanent total disability, Rs 7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability, up to Rs 2 lakh for hospitalization expenses and Rs 10,000 for transportation of mortal remains in the event of death.
Hospitalization expenses can also be claimed in case of injury from a train accident or other ‘untoward incident’ including terrorist attacks, dacoity, rioting, shoot-out or arson, as well as for short termination, diverted route and Vikalp trains.
The insurance cover is uniform for all classes and the option available through a checkbox at the time of e-ticket booking. The premium amount will be automatically added to the ticket fare if the passenger opts for insurance.
After the ticket booking and payment of premium, a message shall be displayed to complete the nomination details, which are necessary to settle the claims on timely basis.
Checking the option will make the coverage mandatory for all passengers booked under that PNR number and the premium charged accordingly. Users wanting coverage for children below five years of age will need to furnish details of the child at the time of booking and accordingly travel insurance premium will be added to the total amount payable.
The passenger will have to provide his/her email id which is mandatory for receipt of e-copy of the insurance policy. They will also receive confirmation as a text message from the insurance company, on real time basis.
The coverage will be valid from the actual departure of train from the originating station to actual arrival of train at the destination station including process of entraining and detraining.
Post accidental medical treatment covers as well as transportation of mortal remains is also provisioned for all insured under the purview of the scheme. In case of diversion of a train, it will be applicable to the diverted route.
In case of cancellation of tickets, IRCTC will make an automatic refund of the premium amount after deduction of administrative charges to the passenger on the same account that was used to book the ticket.
The scheme is being implemented by IRCTC in partnership with ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Royal Sundaram and Shriram General.
