New Railway Rule Effective Today: Get ₹10 Lakh Insurance for Just 45 Paise on Counter-Booked Tickets.
A new railway rule has come into effect today, October 27. Passengers purchasing tickets at railway counters can now also opt for travel insurance of up to ₹10 lakh. Read on to learn about the new insurance rules and the conditions set by the Railways.
If you purchase train tickets at a railway station reservation counter, there is important news for you: you can now avail of travel insurance of up to ₹10 lakh even when booking at a counter. Previously, this facility was available only for online ticket bookings; there was no such insurance provision for offline (counter) tickets.
Following a directive from the Supreme Court, the Railway Board has decided to extend this facility to counter-booked tickets. The new rule takes effect today, October 27. Certain conditions apply to avail of this insurance.
What is the cost of the insurance?
Under the Railways' travel insurance scheme, passengers are required to pay a premium of just 45 paise per person. In exchange for this nominal amount, insurance coverage is provided in the event of an accident or other specified circumstances.
| Reason |
Insurance Coverage Amount |
|---|---|
| Death or Permanent Total Disability |
₹10 Lakh |
| Permanent Partial Disability |
₹7.5 Lakh |
| Hospitalization Expenses Due to Injury |
₹2 Lakh |
| Transportation Expenses for Mortal Remains |
₹10,000 |
Is this conversation helpful so far?
What are the conditions?
If you are purchasing a ticket at a railway station reservation counter and wish to opt for travel insurance, you must adhere to certain conditions. For instance, you must make the payment digitally at the time of booking, and you are required to provide your correct mobile number and other necessary details. Please note that insurance cannot be availed if payment is made in cash.
If you cancel your ticket after opting for travel insurance, the full premium amount will not be refunded; 9 paise will be deducted from the 45-paise premium.
Who is eligible for this facility?
This facility is available to passengers with reserved tickets. At the time of booking, the ticket must be either 'confirmed' or under the 'RAC' (Reservation Against Cancellation) category.
If multiple passengers are traveling under a single PNR—where some have confirmed tickets while others are on the waiting list—all passengers are eligible for the insurance coverage. However, this insurance does not apply to children under 5 years of age for whom a ticket is purchased without a seat.
Why did the Supreme Court issue this directive?
On October 6, 2026, the Supreme Court directed that passengers purchasing tickets at railway station counters should also be provided with travel insurance, just like those who book their tickets online. The court noted that a large number of passengers still purchase tickets at station counters; therefore, they should also be entitled to this facility.
