scorecardresearchOdisha train accident: How Indian Railway’s 35 paise travel insurance works;

Odisha train accident: How Indian Railway’s 35 paise travel insurance works; process to make a claim up to 10 lakh

Updated: 07 Jun 2023, 11:42 AM IST
TL;DR.

Travel insurance is an optional feature offered at the time of booking tickets through IRCTC, enabling travelers to avail an insurance cover of Rs. 10 lakhs by paying just Re 0.35, to protect them in case of any untoward incident.

Balasore: A train runs past derailed coaches after train services resumed on the section where the accident happened on Friday, near Bahanga Bazar railway station in Balasore district, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Balasore: A train runs past derailed coaches after train services resumed on the section where the accident happened on Friday, near Bahanga Bazar railway station in Balasore district, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

The horrific train accident in Balasore district of Odisha has shaken everyone. 288 people have lost their lives in this train accident, and 1091 people have been injured. Relief and rescue operations have been completed. Now, the tracks are being repaired so that the train services can resume.

After this tragedy, the government has announced that relatives of the deceased will receive 10 lakhs ex-gratia, injured 2 lakhs and those with minor injuries will be given Rs. 50,000.

But did you know at the time of booking tickets through IRCTC, you are given travel insurance? This underscores the importance of insurance in such events. With train ticket booking comes the option of travel insurance. Passengers can avail a cover of 10 lakhs by paying just Re 0.35.

However, this is not provided by the Railways, but by insurance companies. This is available during online ticket booking and is an optional feature. That means you can opt for travel insurance only if you want.

How to avail travel insurance?

If you want to avail travel insurance when traveling by train, you have to apply for it at the time of purchasing the ticket. When booking railway tickets online from IRCTC, an option of travel insurance is also provided.

When you select this, you just have to pay Re 0.35. In lieu of that, you get a cover of 10 lakhs. Once you opt for it, an email with the details and a message is sent to your registered email id. You need to open the document and fill the form or the full name and DOB details for it to be valid.

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Travel insurance when traveling by train

How to get compensation?

This insurance provides compensation to passengers during a train journey for any loss or damage to their valuable goods and belongings. In case of death or permanent disability, the nominee of the insurer is given a compensation of 10 lakhs. For partial disability, 7.5 lakh is awarded and for serious injury, 2 lakhs and for minor injury, 10,000 are provided.

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Travel insurance provides compensation to passengers during a train journey

How to claim?

Claims can be made within 4 months from the date of the train accident. To make claims, one must visit the nearest office of the insurance company and submit their relevant documents. This facility of travel insurance is only applicable for confirmed or RAC tickets.

 

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First Published: 06 Jun 2023, 11:09 AM IST