Millions of people travel by Indian Railways every day, but did you know that a small train ticket in your pocket can provide you with security worth lakhs of rupees? Passengers often inadvertently skip the option of ‘Travel Insurance’ when booking tickets online, even though the premium is less than Rs. 1 (around 45 paise).
Recently, the Supreme Court raised a significant and crucial question: if this security is available on online tickets, why are ordinary passengers who purchase tickets at the counter (Windows) being deprived of it? This news holds special significance for those who travel frequently by train, as the scope of this security system is now set to expand.
What is Railway Travel Insurance
When you book your ticket through the IRCTC website or app, you are given the option to choose whether you want to take out travel insurance before making the payment. This is a completely optional feature, but it is a very important step from a security perspective. Its premium is so low that you can get coverage worth lakhs for less than the price of a toffee. This insurance provides the passenger and their family with strong financial security in the event of any unfortunate train accident during the journey.
How much insurance cover is available
This insurance acts as a shield for your family in the event of a train accident. If the passenger dies or suffers permanent disability in the accident, they are provided with a strong insurance cover of up to 10 lakh rupees. Additionally, in the event of partial disability, a strong sum of 7.5 lakh rupees and up to 2 lakh rupees for hospitalization expenses is provided. An additional assistance of 10,000 rupees is provided for the transportation of the body. Such a large cover at such a low premium makes this insurance one of the most affordable and strong protection models in the world.
Why is insurance not available at counter tickets
Currently, this robust feature is limited to those booking tickets online. The main reason for this is that online data is directly linked to insurance companies’ digital systems. On the other hand, tickets purchased at railway counters require manual passenger information, making insurance linking technically challenging.
The Supreme Court has questioned this system, stating that accidents do not happen without prior notice. Whether a passenger purchased the ticket at the counter or online, everyone has an equal right to safety. Following this intervention, there is now hope that the Railways will soon develop a robust digital solution for counter tickets as well.
Keep these things in mind when purchasing online insurance
Simply choosing insurance is not enough; several steps are essential to ensure its true effectiveness. As soon as you book a ticket, you receive a link from the insurance company on your registered mobile number and email. Clicking on that link and entering the nominee’s information is mandatory. If you do not update the nominee details, in case of any untoward incident, your family may have to go through a long and complex legal process to get the claim.