What Is IRCTC Travel Insurance?
IRCTC offers optional travel accident insurance during ticket booking at just ₹0.45 per passenger (approximately half a paisa). This covers accidental injuries or death that occur during your rail journey — from the time you board the train to the time you deboard at your destination.
Given the coverage amount, this is arguably the best-value insurance product available in India. Most passengers skip it by habit, but it takes 2 seconds to opt in.
Coverage Amount — What You Get
| Coverage type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Accidental death | ₹10,00,000 (₹10 lakh) |
| Permanent total disability | ₹10,00,000 (₹10 lakh) |
| Permanent partial disability | ₹7,50,000 (₹7.5 lakh) |
| Hospitalisation expenses | Up to ₹2,00,000 |
| Transportation of mortal remains | ₹10,000 |
How to Opt In During Booking
- During the IRCTC ticket booking flow, after entering passenger details, a box appears: "Do you want to opt for travel insurance?"
- Select Yes
- Enter nominee name, relation, and mobile number (important — this is who receives the claim in case of death)
- ₹0.45 per passenger is added to the total fare
- Your ticket will show a Policy Number — save this for claim filing
When Coverage Applies
- Starts when you board the train at your boarding station
- Ends when you deboard at your destination station
- Covers train accidents, derailments, fire on board, and similar rail-related accidents
- Does not cover: illness on board, theft, personal accidents unrelated to the train
How to File an Insurance Claim
- Find the insurance company name and claim contact on your ticket/email (varies — Shriram General, Bajaj Allianz, or others)
- Call the insurer's helpline or visit their website
- File within 4 months of the incident
- Documents needed: Train ticket with policy number, FIR copy (for accidents), hospital discharge summary or death certificate, bank account details for nominee
- The claim is processed directly by the insurer — IRCTC is not involved in payouts
Is It Worth ₹0.45?
At ₹10 lakh coverage for ₹0.45, the risk-to-reward ratio is exceptional. A typical accidental death term policy for ₹10 lakh costs ₹1,000–₹2,000 per year. You get the same cover for a single journey for less than half a rupee. Always opt in.
The only reason to skip: if you have comprehensive travel or life insurance that already covers rail travel accidents — but even then, ₹0.45 is negligible.
Related: IRCTC cancellation charges | IRCTC refund time