Indian Railway’s Rs.10 Lakh Travel Insurance costs 92 paise-How to buy?

Recently Indian Railway started the facility of providing travel insurance to it’s passengers. Let us the features, benefits and how to buy the Indian Railway’s Rs.10 Lakh Travel Insurance online.

Accidents while travelling in the train is rare. However, it does not mean that it can’t happen. Hence, it is always best to get protected yourself by proper insurance. Considering all these aspects, Indian Railway offering you Rs.10 lakh travel insurance at the cost of just 92 paise for each individual.

The real test and importance travel insurance came to know during the recent Indore-Patna Express Rail Accident on 20th November, 2016. The rail had on board 695 passengers (including 2 infants) on reserved seats. Out of them, 128 had opted for the insurance, which was paid at the time of booking e-tickets. Of the 128 passengers, 78 were in the train at the time of the accident. The remaining were to board the train later.

This shows how apathetic we are towards the importance of insurance.

Features and benefits of Indian Railway’s Rs.10 Lakh Travel Insurance

# This facility is available only to Indian Citizens. Hence, citizens of foreign countries are not eligible.

# This travel insurance is not available for the kids aged below 5 years of age.

# This facility is available only when you book tickets online.

# This travel insurance is optional. Hence, you are free to opt it while booking tickets.

# However, if you opted this travel insurance, then it will be compulsory for all passengers booked under the single PNR.

# The Premium is Rs.0.92 (Means 92 paise) per passenger (inclusive of all taxes).

# Once you buy this travel insurance, then the passengers will receive the policy information through SMS and on their registered email IDs directly from Insurance Companies along with the link for filling nomination details. However, Policy number can be viewed from Ticket booked history at IRCTC Page.

# Once you book the ticket, the nomination details to be filled at respective Insurance Company site. If nomination details are not filled, then the settlement will be made with legal heirs, if the claim arises.

# The coverage for the policy will be for each passenger under the PNR in case of Death, Permanent Total Disability, Permanent Partial Disability, and Hospitalization Expenses for Injury and Transportation of mortal remains following Rail Accident or untoward incident. Hence, each individual case is treated as separately.

Untoward Incident-Terrorist Act, violent attack or the commission of robbery or dacoity, indulging in rioting, shoot-out or arson, by any person in or any train carrying passengers or, from the actual departure from originating station to actual arrival of train at destination station including ‘process of entraining’ and ‘process of detraining the train and Vikalp train, short termination and diverted route OR  accidental falling of any passenger from a train carrying passengers.

Accident– When in the course of working a railway , an accident occurs, being either a collision between trains of which one is a train, carrying passengers or the derailment of or other accident to a train or any part of a train carrying the passenger. When in the course of working a railway an untoward incident occurs, in the train carrying passengers (any part of the train) or at the actual departure from the originating station to actual arrival of train at the destination station

# Indian Railway is a just facilitator of this insurance facility. In no way Indian Railway or IRCTC responsible for any issues. It is purely the responsibility of passenger and insurance company. Hence, you can’t point or communicate anything related to this insurance with Indian Railway.

# In case of termination of trains due to any reason, if the passenger opts for the alternate mode of transportation arranged by railway up to the destination station, then this part of the journey of the passenger shall also be covered under the policy taken by the passenger.

# In case of diversion of the train due to any reason, the coverage shall be for the diverted route.

# Once the premium is paid, then no cancellations are allowed. Accordingly, no refund of premium will be made in all cases including waitlisted ticket.

# This accidental insurance coverage is same for all types of travel like a sleeper, AC Tier 1, AC Tier 2 or AC Tier 3.

#  The coverage for Hospitalization Expenses for Injury is over and above the death/permanent total disability/partial disability.

What are the benefits of Indian Railway’s Rs.10 Lakh Travel Insurance?

# Benefit 1-Death

If during the Trip, the Insured sustains an accidental bodily injury which directly and independently of all other causes results in death within 12 months from the date of an accident or untoward incident.

Then the nominee or legal heir will receive Rs.10 lakh Sum Insured Amount.

# Benefit 2-In case of Permanent total disability of nature specified below 

If during the Trip, the Insured sustains an accidental bodily injury which directly and independently of all other causes results in permanent total disability within 12 months from the date of an accident or untoward incident.

Then insured will be eligible to receive Rs.10 lakh sum insured amount.

Permanent Total disability means-Permanent Total Disablement, Permanent and incurable insanity, Permanent Total Loss of two Limbs, Permanent Total Loss of Sight in both eyes, Permanent Total Loss of Sight in one eye and one Limb, Permanent Total Loss of Speech, Complete removal of the lower jaw, Permanent Total Loss of Mastication, Permanent Total Loss of the central nervous system or the thorax and all abdominal organs resulting in the complete inability to engage in any job and the inability to carry out Daily Activities essential to life without full time assistance and Permanent total disablement not otherwise provided for under above Items inclusive up to a maximum of Sum Insured.

# Benefit 3-In case of Permanent partial disability of nature specified below

If during the Trip, the Insured sustains an accidental bodily injury which directly and independently of all other causes results in permanent partial disability within 12 months from the date of an accident or untoward incident.

Then insured will be eligible to receive Rs.7.5 lakh.

Permanent partial disability of nature in terms of %-Permanent Total Loss of Hearing in both ears (100%), Permanent Total Loss of one Limb (67%), Permanent Total Loss of Sight of one eye (67%), Permanent Total Loss of Hearing in one ear (20%), Permanent Total Loss of the lens in one eye (33%), Permanent Total Loss of use of four fingers and thumb of either hand (53%), Permanent Total Loss of use of four fingers of either hand (27%), Permanent Total Loss of use of one thumb of either hand (27%), Permanent Total Loss of one finger of either hand (7%), Permanent Total Loss of use of toes (20%), Established non-union of fractured leg or kneecap (13%),  Shortening of leg by at least 5 cms. (10%), Any loss is of the elbow, hip or knee (27%), Any other Permanent Partial not included in above items (% as assessed by Doctor).

#  Benefit 4-Hospitalisation Expenses for Injury

The Insurance Company will pay the insured for the expenses up to Rs.2 lakh incurred by the insured for Hospitalization and medical treatment, taken due to injury sustained by insured during the trip period of the insurance.

The Medical Expenses incurred for Hospitalization Treatment:

• Room rent, boarding expenses,(Room Rent to be capped at 2% of the sum insured and ICU/CCU to be capped at 4% of the sum insured)
• Nursing,
• Intensive care unit,
• Medical Practitioner,
• Anesthesia, blood, oxygen, operation theatre charges, surgical Appliances,
• Medicines, drugs and consumables,
• Diagnostic procedures,
• The cost of prosthetic and other devices or equipment if implanted internally during a Surgical Procedure.
• No OPD charges to be covered. However, procedures followed under day care shall also be covered.
• A Hospital means any institution established for inpatient Care and Day Care treatment for illness and/or injuries and which has been registered as a Hospital with the local authorities
• In case happening of an accident, initial treatment be taken from nearest hospital of accident site and upon written referral of this hospital, treatment be taken from any specialized hospital.

# Benefit 5- Transportation of mortal remains

If the Insured dies during the Trip, then the Insurance Company will reimburse Rs.10,000/- as the cost of either transporting his mortal remains to his usual place of residence or to a cremation or burial ground. No documentary evidence is required to be produced.

How to buy Indian Railways Rs.10 lakh Travel Insurance while booking the ticket online?

# Visit the IRCTC Homepage and login to your account.

# Plan your travel.

# Check the availability as per your travel date and click on link Book Now.

# Fill the passenger details.

# Below the same page, you will find an option to select the option of Travel Insurance.

# After that click on next and you will be re-directed to payment option selection. Here you will find the break up of travel charges. You notice that Rs.0.92 (92 paisa) also added to your travel amount. Next is to select the payment option and book your tickets.

Once tickets confirmed, then you will receive policy information through SMS and on their registered email IDs directly from Insurance Companies along with the link for filling nomination details. However, Policy number can be viewed from Ticket booked history at IRCTC Page.

After the booking of ticket, the nomination details is to be filled at respective Insurance Company site. If nomination details are not filled then the settlement will be made with legal heirs, if the claim arises.

Exclusions of Indian Railway’s Rs.10 Lakh Travel Insurance

• Intentional self-injury, suicide or attempted suicide, whilst under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, arising or resulting from the Insured committing any breach of law with criminal intent, while crossing the railway tracks, due to mental disorders or disturbance of conscious, strokes, fits or convulsions which affect the entire body and pathological disturbances caused by the mental reaction to the same and damage of health caused by curative measures, radiations, infection, poisoning except where arise from accident, Whilst engaging in any sort or form of adventurous sport or Directly or indirectly caused or contributed by congenital anomaly, venereal disease, sexually transmitted disease, AIDS or insanity.
• Any congenital internal or external diseases, defects or anomalies.
• Any costs relating to the Insured’s pregnancy, childbirth or the consequences of either.
• Any costs in any way related to psychiatric or mental disorders.
• Dental treatment or surgery of any kind, unless to sound natural teeth and necessitated by an Accident or untoward incident.
• Plastic or cosmetic surgery unless this is certified by the attending Medical Practitioner to be medically necessary for reconstruction following an Accident or untoward incident.
• Any medical treatment which was not medically necessary.
• Claim in instances wherein ticket was booked by the Insured; however, the ticket was not confirmed but still the passenger boarded the train.
• Claim in instances wherein ticket was booked by the Insured; however, the train was not boarded.  This is irrespective of whether the train ticket was cancelled or not.

The above-listed exclusion are not exhaustive. I listed the major points.

How to claim the Indian Railway’s Rs.10 Lakh Travel Insurance?

• Insured person, nominee or legal heir must visit nearest branch office of Insurance Company within the 4 months from the date of accident.
• You have to submit the claim form along with necessary documents.
• Proof of insurance policy details also must be submitted.
• Benefits will be payable by Insurance Company within 15 days of such documents received.
• Claim will be settled in Indian Currency.
• If there is a delay, then Insurance companies have to pay more than 2% of rate of interest of bank rate.
• Claim will not be acceptable beyond 365 days from the date of expiry of policy.
• Claim will be rejected if found to be fraudulent or supported by fraudulent.
• KYC of  insure/nominee/legal heir as per the relevant AML guidelines in force is mandatory at the time of claim settlement.

Documents required for claiming the Indian Railway’s Rs.10 Lakh Travel Insurance

Death Claim–

• Report of the Railway Authority confirming the accident of the train or untoward incident.
• Report of the Railway Authority carrying the details of the passengers declared dead.
• Duly Completed Personal Accident Claim Form signed by Nominee / Legal Heir along with the NEFT mandate details & cancelled cheque.
• Photo identity proof of nominee or legal heir.
• Claim will be settled only to nominee declared at the time of buying insurance through IRCTC portal.
• If nomination not opted, then  claim will be paid to Legal Heir only – as per Legal Heir / Succession Certificate.

Disablement Claim-

• Report of the Railway Authority confirming the accident of the train or untoward incident.
• Report of attending doctor confirming the extent of disability.
• Medical bills corresponding to doctor’s prescription.
• Duly Completed Personal Accident Claim Form signed by insured / Nominee.
• Attested copy of disability certificate from Civil Surgeon of that Hospital in which the treatment has undergone stating % of disability.
• Attested copy of FIR.
• All X-Ray / Investigation reports and films supporting to disablement.
• Claim form with NEFT details & cancelled cheque of the beneficiary.
• Photograph before & after disability.

Hospitalization Expenses for Injury-

• Report of the Railway Authority confirming the accident of the train or untoward incident.
• Discharge summary.
• Original Hospital Bills and medical bills corresponding to doctor’s prescription.
• Advance and final receipts (All receipts shall be numbered, signed and stamped).
• Prescriptions for medicines.
• Diagnostic Test Reports, X Ray, Scan, ECG and others including doctor’s advice demanding such tests).
• Cash memos/bills for medicines purchased from outside.

My view-92 paisa a not big deal. Hence, I suggest all of Indian Railway travellers to chose this option and get the benfit of Indian Railway’s Rs.10 Lakh travel insurance.