Railway Ticket Insurance : A significant change concerning railway passengers has emerged ahead of Diwali. Until now, passengers booking train tickets online could opt for travel insurance, but this facility was not available to those purchasing tickets directly from railway reservation counters. Steps are now being taken to bridge this gap. According to the report, the new provision is expected to extend travel insurance to counter tickets from October 27, 2026.

Insurance for Offline Tickets Too
The change could benefit passengers who purchase tickets at railway reservation counters instead of booking online. Until now, the travel insurance option was primarily available to passengers booking tickets through the IRCTC website and mobile application. The objective of the new arrangement is to bring offline ticket holders within the scope of insurance protection and reduce differences in benefits based on the method of booking.

Supreme Court Directs Changes
The questions surrounding passenger safety following the devastating railway accident in Odisha in June 2023 are also relevant to this development. According to the report, a Supreme Court bench issued directions on October 6 asking the Railways to extend insurance facilities to tickets issued through reservation counters. The Railways is expected to take steps to implement the arrangement. The court also emphasised the Railway Board's accountability in ensuring compliance with its directions.

Accountability for Non-Compliance
The purpose of extending insurance to counter tickets is to protect passengers who do not use digital platforms or have limited access to online services. The move could reduce the gap between the facilities available to online and offline ticket holders. The Railway Board will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the directions so that passengers purchasing tickets at counters can also access the insurance option under the prescribed procedure.

Insurance Cover Up to Rs 10 Lakh
Under the existing optional online railway travel insurance scheme, passengers may receive insurance coverage of up to Rs 10 lakh in the event of death or permanent total disability, subject to the policy's terms and conditions. The premium for online bookings has been reported at 45 paise per passenger, including taxes. However, the premium applicable to counter tickets, the process for selecting insurance, the required documents and the claim procedure have not yet been fully clarified.

Why This Matters to Passengers
The change could particularly benefit people who prefer purchasing tickets directly at railway stations. Extending insurance to counter bookings may provide more passengers with financial protection against potential railway accidents. However, passengers should confirm the availability of insurance, the policy terms and the extent of coverage while purchasing their tickets. This will help them understand the circumstances under which the insurance would apply.