How 45 paisa Travel Insurance can provide Relief Up to Rs. 10 lakh

In a recent train accident, a goods train collided with the Kanchanjungha Express near Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, and this highlighted the significance of having a travel insurance.

If you do not have personal travel insurance, you may be covered by IRCTC’s optional insurance policy on e-ticket purchases. This policy covers up to Rs.10 lakh for death, disability, and hospitalization in the case of a train accident. It is issued by one of three empanelled insurance companies: Liberty General Insurance, Royal Sundaram General Insurance, and United India Insurance.

In its travel insurance terms and conditions document, IRCTC said, “Optional Travel Insurance is only available for CNF/RAC/PartCNF tickets at the time of booking. The premium is 45 paise per passenger, inclusive of all taxes, effective February 17, 2024.”

What is the insured amount of IRCTC Travel Insurance?

As per the travel insurance terms and conditions documents accessible on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation’s (IRCTC) website as of June 22, 2024, this optional travel insurance policy provides the following benefits in the event of a train accident:

• Rs.10 Lakh in the event of Death.
• Rs.10 lakh in case of Permanent total disability.
• Rs.7.5 lakh when the victim is Permanently partially disabled.
• Rs.2 lakh for Hospitalisation expenses for injury.
• Rs.10,000 for Transportation of mortal remains.

IRCTC said in the terms and conditions document, “Hospitalization expenses for injuries are covered in addition to death, permanent total disability, or partial disability benefits.”

How to know the Travel Insurance Policy Number?

The insurance company sends you an SMS and email with the policy number and other details. The policy number can also be found in the ticket booking history on the IRCTC e-ticket website. Experts advise informing close family members about train travel information. Without the policy number, PNR number, and other important information, it may be difficult to confirm the claim’s authenticity.

What documents are needed to claim the benefits of the ITRCTC travel insurance?

The train traveller, his or her nominee, or legal heir must deliver the necessary documentation to the nearest insurance company office. This process must begin within four months of the accident.

Here are the documents that are required to be delivered to the insurance company’s office:

Death Claim Case

The claim form must be completed and signed by either the nominee or the legal heir, together with the NEFT mandate details and a cancelled cheque. The following documents are also needed:

• The Railway Authority’s report confirms the train accident or adverse incident.
• The Railway Authority’s report includes information about the passengers who were declared dead.
• Completed Personal Accident Claim Form signed by Nominee/Legal Heir, along with NEFT mandate details and a cancelled cheque.
• Photo proof of the nominee.

Death Claims will only be awarded to the nominee stated while purchasing insurance through the IRCTC portal. In the absence of a nominee, the claim will be paid only to the Legal Heir – as specified on the Legal Heir / Succession Certificate.

Claim in case of Disablement

• The Railway Authority’s report confirms the train accident or adverse incident.
• Report from attending doctor certifying the amount of disability.
  Medical bills correspond to doctor’s prescriptions.
• The personal accident claim form must be completed and signed by the insured, nominee, or legal heir.
• Attested copy of a disability certificate from the civil surgeon at the hospital where the treatment was provided, showing the percentage of disability.
• An attested copy of the FIR.
• All X-ray/investigation reports and films supporting disability.
• Photograph proof before and after disability.

Expenses for Hospitalization in Case of Injury

• The Railway Authority’s report confirms the train accident or adverse incident.
• Discharge summary.
• Original hospital expenses and medical bills based on a doctor’s prescription.
• Advance and final receipts (each receipt must be numbered, signed, and stamped).
• Medical prescriptions.
• Diagnostic test results, X-ray, scan, ECG, and others (including doctor’s orders for such tests).
• Cash memos/bills of medicines purchased from outside.

How do you make sure that the claim process will go smoothly?

Please remember to update the nominee information in your IRCTC travel insurance policy. According to the IRCTC website, you can locate the link to update your information in the email or SMS received by the insurance company.

However, if you have not updated the nominee information, the process gets slightly more complicated.

Clause 6 of the policy’s terms and conditions states that if a claim arises and nominee information is not provided after the ticket is bought, settlement with the legal heirs shall take place. According to experts, acquiring a succession certificate in India is a formal legal process that requires strict adherence to particular processes and documents.

What to do if your claim is denied by the IRCTC-empanelled insurance company?

It has been stated that optional travel insurance-related complaints, disputes, and grievances would be handled in accordance with two specific clauses.

• Clause 3 states that the Arbitration and Conciliation Act of 1996 would apply to any disputes caused by the agreement, including its legality, validity, and other related issues.
• Clause 5 of the policy stipulates that the courts in New Delhi have exclusive jurisdiction over all matters relating to the policy, including disputes.

As a consequence, these clauses collectively establish New Delhi as the appropriate forum for resolving any disagreements or complaints about the IRCTC insurance policy, providing a clear structure for dealing with legal concerns.

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