Following concerns about railway passenger safety, the Supreme Court directed Indian Railways to implement train travel insurance for counter tickets. This move is a major step for passenger safety during train journeys.
The direction mandates implementation from 27th October, 2026. The decision makes the Indian Railway Board directly responsible for any failure to implement this order.
People should know that current travel insurance is available as an option when booked online. However, there is no provision to get travel insurance for Indian passengers when booking an offline ticket through the railway counter.
Latest Update on Travel Insurance in India for Train Passengers?
Recently, the Supreme Court made an interim judgment to provide travel insurance on each ticket booking from 27 October. The decision arises from the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) after the tragic Odisha train accident in June 2023.
The aftermath of the Odisha train accident includes an independent accident investigation and implementation of the Kavach system. Supreme Court Justice R. Mahadevan and Ahsanuddin Amanullah directed Indian Railways to implement travel insurance to India on each train ticket booking, whether it is online or offline.
How Train Travel Insurance Will Benefit Passengers?
The decision is part of providing financial compensation to railway passengers against derailments, train accidents, or incidents like fire, terrorist attacks, or robbery. So, let’s explore how this decision benefits railway passengers.
- Affordable Premium: The passenger needs to pay only 45 paise per passenger, which includes GST. It increases affordability and allows passengers to seek train travel insurance.
- Mandatory Inclusion: The recent decision to implement travel insurance in India will automatically safeguard passengers with either online or offline tickets.
- Board Protection: Now, passengers will get protected following the train schedule from boarding to deboarding, including throughout the journey with travel insurance India.
- Support for Families: Mandatory travel insurance will support families financially in case of permanent disability, severe injuries, and unfortunate loss of family members.
What Will Change Post Implementation?
Currently, Indian Railways provides travel insurance online as an option for e-tickets. However, passengers may observe that each reservation ticket booked online doesn’t offer an option for travel insurance.
Similarly, passengers don’t find any option to seek travel insurance for the offline counter tickets. Therefore, the Supreme Court made an interim judgment to make regular train travel insurance mandatory for both e-tickets and counter tickets.
Moreover, the decision includes the extension of passenger safety measures, including track fencing, railway foot-over bridges, and others. Travel insurance is valid with confirmed train tickets. So, check PNR status before boarding to understand whether insurance protects your travel or not.
Railway Travel Insurance Coverage
Train travel insurance offers uniform coverage across all travel classes at similar insurance premiums. Railway travel insurance can provide financial compensation up to 10 lakh per passenger, depending on the type of loss.
| Type of Loss | Maximum Compensation Amount (in Rs.) |
| Transportation of Mortal Remains | 10,000 |
| Hospitalisation Expense for Injury | 2,00,000 |
| Permanent Partial Disability | 7,50,000 |
| Permanent Total Disability | 10,00,000 |
| Accidental Death | 10,00,000 |
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