Do You Need IRCTC Travel Insurance? Benefits and Coverage Explained

Do You Need IRCTC Travel Insurance? Benefits and Coverage Explained

What is IRCTC Travel Insurance?

For those making rail ticket bookings via its website or app, IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) provides an optional travel insurance program. It's a practical approach to getting coverage for unplanned circumstances during Indian rail rides. Partner insurance providers include Shriram General Insurance, ICICI Lombard, and Royal Sundaram, which satisfy this insurance need. IRCTC acts as a middleman.

Who is Eligible?

Only Indians can purchase this insurance. Foreign nationals and children under five flying without a reserved berth or seat are not eligible.

How Much Does it Cost?

The premium is shockingly low—it is currently fixed at ₹0.45 (about US $0.005) per person, including all taxes.

What Does it Cover?

Coverage for various events is offered under the policy, mainly with an eye toward train mishaps and related occurrences such as robbery, rioting, or terrorism. The following are covers:

Ten lakhs (around US $10,800) for death or permanent total disability

Permanent Partial Disability: ₹7.5 Lakhs (around US $8,101)

Hospitality Expenses Result from Injury: ₹2 Lakhs (around US $2,160)

Travel of Mortal Remains: ₹10,000 (about US $108)

The policy does not cover missing bags, train delays, or other travel hassles. Should unanticipated events cause your train to be short-terminated, the coverage also covers substitute transportation set by Indian Railways.

Claim Process

You or your nominee must contact the assigned partner insurance provider four months after the incident to make a claim. Usually, necessary records include a completed claim form, a railway authority report verifying the accident, medical records (if relevant), and identity confirmation. Accurate nominee data taken during booking helps to prevent problems during the claim process. Should a nominee not be chosen, the claim will be resolved via the legal heirs.

How to Purchase

The online ticket purchase process on the IRCTC website or app presents the travel insurance choice. Just mark the checkbox to include insurance in your reservation. Though your ticket is waitlisted or canceled, remember that the premium is non-refundable.

National Crime Records Bureau Data on Railway Accidents (India)

NCRB statistics from 2020 show that over 13,000 train accidents claimed over 12,000 deaths. This information highlights the underlying dangers of train travel even though it shows a period with lowered train operations due to the COVID-19 epidemic.