25 October,2026 10:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The premium is 45 paise per passenger, inclusive of all taxes. Representational Pic
Indian Railways will extend its Optional Travel Insurance Scheme (OTIS) to passengers booking reserved tickets at Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters across its network from October 27, 2026. The facility, currently available to passengers booking e-tickets through IRCTC, will now also cover eligible passengers purchasing reserved tickets at railway reservation counters.
According to a press release issued by Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek on Sunday, the insurance facility will remain optional. Passengers must opt for the scheme, provide a mobile number and pay the premium digitally to avail themselves of the cover. The insurance premium will be collected along with the ticket fare, with digital payment being mandatory.
The premium is 45 paise per passenger, inclusive of all taxes. The scheme is available only to Indian citizens booking tickets with confirmed, Reservation Against Cancellation (RAC) or partially confirmed status at the time of booking. If insurance is selected, the cover will apply to all eligible passengers booked under the same Passenger Name Record (PNR).
Children below five years of age who are booked without a berth or seat are not covered under the scheme. Children aged five to 11 years are eligible for insurance, whether or not they have been allotted a berth or seat.
Under the scheme, eligible passengers are entitled to insurance benefits in the event of a covered railway accident or untoward incident, subject to the policy's terms and conditions.
The cover includes Rs 10 lakh in the event of death or permanent total disability, up to Rs 7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability and up to Rs 2 lakh towards hospitalisation expenses for injuries. The policy also provides Rs 10,000 towards the transportation of mortal remains, subject to the applicable conditions.
To facilitate the rollout, the Reservation Requisition Form has been modified to allow passengers to indicate whether they wish to opt for travel insurance. The revised form will be made available at all PRS centres across Western Railway.
Announcements will also be made at the centres to inform passengers about the facility and the requirements of digital payment and a mobile number. Reservation staff will guide passengers through the insurance option and the prescribed procedure.
Details of the policy will be communicated to the passenger's registered mobile number. After booking, passengers must complete the nomination details on the respective insurance company's website using the link provided.
Death claims will be settled with the declared nominee. If no nominee has been recorded, the claim will be settled with the legal heirs on the basis of a Legal Heir or Succession Certificate.
The existing terms and conditions of the Optional Travel Insurance Scheme will apply to bookings made at PRS counters.
Policy issuance and claim settlement will be handled by the concerned insurance company.
Passengers who wish to avail themselves of the facility have been advised to clearly indicate their choice in the revised Reservation Requisition Form.
