The optional travel insurance scheme, introduced by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) from September 1 this year, has received an enthusiastic response with one crore passengers opting for the facility till September 29.
One crore rail travellers opt for the scheme as on Sept. 29
“The optional insurance scheme has elicited an extremely favourable response from the rail passengers. In less than a month, the passenger-friendly measure has been opted for by one crore passengers till Thursday (Sept 29),” IRCTC Chairman and Managing Director Dr A K Manocha informed.
The pioneering facility, which was announced in the Railway Budget 2016-17, 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, up to Rs 2 lakh for hospitalisation expenses and 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.
The facility is available for all passengers of Indian Railways who book the e-ticket, excluding sub-urban trains, through the IRCTC’s website, irrespective of the class of the ticket.
The insurance cover is uniform for all classes and the option available through a checkbox at the time of e-ticket booking. The premium amount is automatically added to the ticket fare if the passenger opts for insurance. After the ticket booking and payment of premium, a message shall be displayed to complete the nomination details, which are necessary to settle the claims on timely basis.
Users wanting coverage for children below five years of age have to furnish details of the child at the time of booking and accordingly travel insurance premium ise added to the total amount payable.
The coverage is valid 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. Post- accidental medical treatment and transportation of mortal remains are also provisioned for all insured under the scheme.
The scheme is being implemented by IRCTC in partnership with ICICI Lombard General Insurance, Royal Sundaram and Shriram General.
In case of passenger opting for insurance, the claim/liability is between passenger and the insurance company. In case of death due to accident, 100% of the sum insured will be paid by the company.
The claims intimation should be immediate but not later than four months after the event. The insurance company is required to process the claim and send the cheque to the customer/legal heir within 15 days of the receipt of document. It is also required to discuss with the IRCTC Nodal Officer before rejecting any claim.