Train Tickets Bought At Station Counters To Get Travel Insurance From October 27; Check Cover, Eligibility

Passengers purchasing train tickets directly from station reservation counters across India will soon receive travel insurance coverage. The move will bring offline ticket buyers under the same framework that currently covers online railway bookings.

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Supreme Court Mandates Insurance From October 27

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan has directed Indian Railways to extend travel insurance to all counter-issued tickets from 27 October 2026.

The court held the Railway Board directly accountable for ensuring complete implementation within the stipulated timeline.

Existing Insurance Framework And Benefits

Under the existing system, passengers booking e-tickets through IRCTC can opt for travel insurance at the time of booking. The premium is Rs 0.45 per passenger (inclusive of taxes) since February 17, 2024.

Under the existing IRCTC policy, the cover includes:

• Accidental Death: Rs 10 lakh
• Permanent Total Disability: Rs 10 lakh
• Permanent Partial Disability: Up to Rs 7.5 lakh
• Hospitalisation Expenses for Injury: Rs 2 lakh
• Transportation of Mortal Remains: Rs 10,000

While these benefits are available under the existing online scheme, Indian Railways is expected to issue an official notification detailing the exact terms, limits and implementation mechanism for counter tickets soon.

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Eligibility For Existing Insurance

Indian citizens holding confirmed, Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC), or partially confirmed e-tickets can opt for insurance coverage. Children under five years travelling without a seat or berth are excluded, whereas children aged 5 to 11 are covered subject to policy conditions.

While online buyers currently receive policy details via SMS, email, and their online IRCTC booking history, the exact process for counter-ticket buyers will be detailed once the new setup is finalised.