Railways insurance scheme gets overwhelming response

The insurance scheme was launched on September 1 by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and it has garnered huge response in less than a months' time, as over one crore passengers opted for it.

IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director A.K. Manocha said "The optional insurance scheme has elicited an extremely favourable response from the rail passengers,

The facility was also announced in the Railway Budget 2016-17, and it allows a travelling passenger to get an insurance cover of up to Rs 10 lakh on booking a train ticket online by paying just 92 paise.

The scheme offers travellers, or their families, compensation of up to Rs 10 lakh in the event of death or permanent total disability, Rs 7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability, and up to Rs. 2 lakh for hospitalisation expenses.

There is also a provision to pay Rs 10,000 for transportation of mortal remains in the event of death or injury from a train accident or other "untoward incidents", including terrorist attacks, dacoity, rioting, shoot-out or arson, as well as for short termination, diverted route and Vikalp trains.

According to the IRCTC, the optional insurance scheme facility is available for all passengers who book e-tickets, excluding suburban trains, through its website, irrespective of the class of ticket.

Meanwhile, after the ticket is booked and payment of premium, a message is displayed to complete the nomination details, which are necessary to settle the claims on timely basis.

The scheme covers the passenger from the actual departure of train from the originating station to actual arrival of train at the destination station, including process of entraining and detraining.