Indian Railways Travel Insurance Now Available at PRS Counters
Starting Oct 27, 2026, passengers can opt for travel insurance at PRS counters for just 45 paise per person.
In a major update for passenger security, Indian Railways has officially extended its optional travel insurance scheme to passengers booking reserved tickets at railway reservation counters (PRS). This new facility is set to roll out starting October 27, 2026.
The extension follows a Supreme Court ruling in the case of 'Union of India vs Radha Yadav' on October 6, 2026, and subsequent directives issued by the Railway Board on October 24, 2026. To facilitate this, the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) has already implemented the required software updates.
Premium and Digital Payment Requirements
Passengers can now secure comprehensive insurance coverage for a minimal premium of just 45 paise per person, inclusive of all taxes. However, there are specific protocols for those booking at physical counters:
- Digital Payments Only: When opting for insurance at PRS counters, the premium must be paid via digital modes. Cash payments for this specific insurance charge will not be accepted.
- Mobile Connectivity: Passengers must provide a valid mobile number during the booking process, as all policy details will be transmitted via SMS.
Comprehensive Coverage Breakdown
The 45-paise premium provides significant financial protection against various unfortunate incidents during travel. The coverage includes:
- Death or Permanent Total Disability: Up to ₹10 lakh.
- Permanent Partial Disability: Up to ₹7.5 lakh.
- Hospitalization Expenses: Up to ₹2 lakh for injuries.
- Transportation of Mortal Remains: Up to ₹10,000.
Please note that if a ticket is cancelled, 9 paise of the insurance premium will be forfeited.
Eligibility and Exclusions
The insurance scheme is strictly optional and is available only to certain categories of passengers. It is important to check your ticket type before opting in.
Who Can Opt for Insurance?
The scheme is available for passengers holding the following types of reserved tickets:
- Confirmed tickets
- RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets
- Partially confirmed reserved tickets
Who is Ineligible?
The following passengers are not covered under this scheme:
- General and unreserved ticket holders
- Children under five years of age who do not occupy a separate seat or berth
The issuance of insurance policies and the settlement of any claims will be managed directly by the respective insurance companies.