Click 'Yes' here while booking a rail ticket and be safe!

A large population in our country frequently travels by train. And many of them book tickets online, through the IRCTC website or its application. But have you noticed that at the time of ticket booking, we get an option of adding travel insurance, which we often ignore? However, those who choose this insurance receive a message and email immediately after they are done booking their tickets

And those who do not opt for this insurance to save merely 45 paise actually put themselves at risk. That’s because by spending just 45 paise, you get a security cover of up to Rs 10 lakh, which will offer your family financial security, in case you fall victim to a train accident. So let’s understand what kind of cover this insurance policy provides for various things. And despite taking the policy, what are the mistakes that we often make, and how we can claim insurance in case of an unfortunate incident.

Many times, after opting for insurance while booking tickets, we are relieved. But remember that just taking this travel insurance is not enough. After taking insurance, you receive a message and email on your registered mobile number and email ID, which mentions the name of the insurance company, travel insurance certificate and policy number. The same email and message contains a link to update the nominee’s details. Updating the nominee makes the claim process easier. You can read the entire policy document by clicking on the link given below nominee updation.

The policy document and information given on the IRCTC website states that this insurance can be claimed in five situations. First, in case of accidental death during the journey, you are given a coverage of Rs 10 lakh. In case of permanent total disability, the coverage offered is also up to Rs 10 lakh. In case of permanent partial disability, the coverage offered is up to Rs 7.5 lakh, up to Rs 2 lakh for hospitalization expenses due to injury, and up to Rs 10,000 for transporting the body of the passenger in case of death. Now let’s know how to claim the same.

The insured person, their nominee or legal heir has to go to the nearby office of the insurance company by filling up the claim form. You have to do this within 4 months from the date of the accident. While claiming, you will have to provide all necessary information and proof. The victim or nominee will have to submit the policy details and related proof to the insurance company. .

In case of death claim, if the insured person has nominated someone in their policy, the nominee will get the money. If there is no nominee, then the legal heir can make a claim. The nominee or legal heir will have to submit the fully filled claim form, NEFT mandate to transfer money to their account and a canceled cheque. In addition, a railway authority report confirming the train accident, a railway authority report providing information about the deceased passengers, and a photo ID proof of the nominee also needs to be provided.

In case of disability, along with the claim form, a railway authority report confirming the train accident, a doctor’s report confirming the level of disability, disability certificate, X-ray report and investigation report, and photographs before and after the disability also need to be submitted.

Similarly, to claim hospitalization expenses due to an injury, a railway authority report, discharge summary, hospital and medical bills, X-ray, scan and ECG reports etc. have to be submitted.

While booking an e-ticket from IRCTC, opting for travel insurance is optional. But do not ignore it by thinking of it just this way. Along with taking insurance, fill in the nominee’s details and also inform a family member about it. Not updating a nominee or not giving all policy information to the family can cause a lot of difficulties during the claim process and much running around unnecessarily.