Indian Railways will extend its optional travel insurance facility to passengers booking reserved tickets at railway reservation counters from October 27. The facility was previously available only to passengers booking tickets online through IRCTC.
The Railway Board has asked all railway zones to make the facility available at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters by October 27, in compliance with Supreme Court directions. Reservation staff have also been directed to inform passengers about the scheme.
On X, Western Railway confirmed that the expanded Optional Travel Insurance Scheme (OTIS) would be available to eligible passengers purchasing reserved tickets at PRS counters across the railway network.
भारतीय रेल अपनी मौजूदा वैकल्पिक यात्रा बीमा योजना (ओटीआईएस) का विस्तार करते हुए 27 अक्टूबर, 2026 से अपने पूरे नेटवर्क में यात्री आरक्षण प्रणाली (पीआरएस) काउंटरों पर आरक्षित टिकट बुक कराने वाले यात्रियों को भी यह सुविधा प्रदान करेगी।
आईआरसीटीसी के माध्यम से ई-टिकट बुक कराने वाले यात्रियों के लिए उपलब्ध यह योजना अब रेलवे आरक्षण काउंटरों से आरक्षित टिकट खरीदने वाले पात्र यात्रियों के लिए भी उपलब्ध होगी।
#WRUpdates
— Western Railway (@WesternRly) October 26, 2026
The insurance facility is available only to Indian citizens booking confirmed, partially confirmed or Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) tickets. The premium will be 45 paise per counter ticket, the same as for online bookings. Payment must be made digitally, according to the Western Railway.
The Railway Board said passengers opting for insurance must provide their mobile numbers and other required details accurately during the reservation process. The information will be sent to the insurance company to issue the policy. Passengers will receive the policy details on their registered mobile numbers.
Why has the Railway Board extended the facility?
In an order on October 6, the Supreme Court directed the Railway Board to extend optional travel insurance to passengers booking tickets offline. While more than 87% of railway tickets are booked online, many passengers, particularly those from remote areas, continue to depend on reservation counters.
“Court has granted sufficient time to the authorities to devise a mechanism for extending such coverage to persons belonging to the lowest strata of society, who, in most cases, purchase their tickets at the railway reservation counters while undertaking journeys by train,” the apex court said.
Travel insurance provides financial protection in the event of railway accidents and other covered incidents resulting in death or injury.
What does the travel insurance scheme cover?
The scheme covers death, permanent total disability, partial disability, hospitalisation expenses arising from injuries, and transportation of mortal remains following railway accidents or other covered incidents.
The insured amount ranges from ₹2 lakh to ₹10 lakh, depending on the nature and severity of the loss. However, the facility does not cover passengers travelling in second-class or general-class coaches under the existing policy.
What does it cover
Under the scheme, passengers can receive insurance coverage of up to ₹10 lakh in case of death or permanent total disability caused by a covered railway accident or untoward incident. The coverage also includes up to ₹7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability, up to ₹2 lakh for hospitalisation expenses arising from injuries and ₹10,000 for transporting mortal remains. The benefits are subject to the applicable policy terms and conditions.
