Indian Railways: New Travel Insurance for Counter Bookings
Indian Railways extends optional travel insurance to reservation counter bookings from October 27, 2026, providing coverage up to ₹10 lakh.
Indian Railways is set to bridge the gap between online and offline travelers by extending its optional travel insurance facility to reservation counter bookings. Starting October 27, 2026, passengers purchasing tickets at physical counters will have the opportunity to secure insurance coverage, a move prompted by a Supreme Court directive to ensure equality between different booking channels.
Following the court's orders issued on October 6, 2026, the Railway Board instructed all Principal Chief Commercial Managers (PCCM) across various zones to implement this system. This update ensures that offline passengers are no longer at a disadvantage compared to those booking via digital platforms.
Digital Payments and Premium Details
To avail of this insurance, passengers must follow a specific digital process. While booking at the counter, travelers are required to provide a valid mobile number to receive their policy details. The premium for this insurance is remarkably low, set at just 45 paise per passenger.
It is important to note that cash payments are not eligible for this insurance facility. Passengers must complete the premium payment using digital methods, such as:
- UPI
- Debit Cards
- Credit Cards
- QR Codes
Extensive Accident Coverage
The insurance scheme offers significant financial protection in the event of unfortunate accidents during travel. The coverage limits are as follows:
- Death or Permanent Total Disability: Up to ₹10 lakh.
- Permanent Partial Disability: Up to ₹7.50 lakh.
- Hospitalization Expenses: Up to ₹2 lakh.
- Transportation of Mortal Remains: ₹10,000.
Eligibility and Exclusions
The optional facility is available for passengers holding confirmed, RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation), and partially confirmed tickets. However, there is a specific exclusion: children under the age of five, for whom no separate berth is reserved, are not covered under this scheme.
The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and IRCTC have worked together to integrate these updates into the existing reservation infrastructure. Anurag Tripathi, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Jodhpur under the North Western Railway, confirmed that reservation forms have already been updated to include the opt-in feature for this insurance.