Railway travel insurance for ₹10 lakh is now being extended to passengers who purchase reserved train tickets at railway reservation counters.
From October 27, 2026, eligible passengers can opt for the facility under the expanded insurance scheme, following a Supreme Court directive.
The move brings offline ticket bookings under the same insurance framework that was previously available to eligible passengers booking tickets online.
The facility is designed to make financial protection more accessible, regardless of whether passengers book their reserved tickets online or at a railway station counter.
Railway Travel Insurance for ₹10 Lakh: What Is Covered?
Under the existing scheme, the insurance premium is just 45 paise per passenger, including taxes.
The policy provides compensation for specified incidents during train travel, subject to its terms and conditions.
The maximum coverage includes ₹10 lakh in the event of death or permanent total disability.
Passengers may also be eligible for up to ₹7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability, up to ₹2 lakh for hospitalisation expenses following injuries, and ₹10,000 towards the transportation of mortal remains.
These are the maximum amounts available under specific categories, not guaranteed payments for every accident. Insurance claims are assessed according to the applicable policy conditions.
Who Can Get Railway Travel Insurance?
The expanded facility will allow passengers buying eligible reserved tickets at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters to opt for travel insurance.
The Railway Board has directed zonal railways to make the necessary arrangements for implementation from October 27.
The insurance remains optional. Passengers who wish to obtain coverage must provide their mobile number and complete the prescribed process at the reservation counter.
Under the announced arrangements, the premium and ticket fare must be paid digitally.
Passengers should confirm that they have opted for the insurance and that their details have been recorded correctly. Policy information is expected to be communicated to the registered mobile number.
Why Has Indian Railways Expanded the Insurance Scheme?
Previously, the optional travel insurance facility was available to eligible passengers booking tickets online through IRCTC.
Passengers purchasing reserved tickets at railway counters did not have access to the same facility.
The Supreme Court directed Indian Railways to extend insurance access to counter-booked tickets by October 27, 2026.
The direction came during proceedings concerning railway safety following the June 2023 Balasore train accident in Odisha.
The extension aims to reduce the difference in access to insurance between online and offline ticket buyers.
However, passengers should check the eligibility requirements and policy terms before relying on the coverage.
What Should Passengers Check Before Opting for Insurance?
Passengers booking tickets at railway counters should ask staff about the insurance option, confirm the premium and ensure that their mobile number and other required details are entered correctly.
They should also retain their ticket and policy information for future reference.
Railway travel insurance provides financial protection only for specified events covered by the policy.
It does not mean that every passenger will automatically receive ₹10 lakh after an accident, and claims remain subject to the insurer’s terms and conditions.
Passengers should check the applicable policy details and claim procedure when purchasing their tickets to understand the coverage available for their journey.
