Railway Travel Insurance Now Covers Counter Tickets: Supreme Court Order Explained
Last updated: 26 October 2026
Quick answer: The Supreme Court has ordered that railway travel insurance, so far optional and available only on online e-tickets, must also cover tickets bought at station counters from 27 October 2026. The existing online scheme costs 45 paise per passenger and pays up to ₹10 lakh for death or permanent total disability. The Railway Board is yet to announce the premium, who pays it and the claim process for counter tickets.
Last updated: 26 October 2026 Quick answer: The Supreme Court has ordered that railway travel insurance, so far optional and available only on online e-tickets, must also cover tickets bought at station counters from 27 October 2026. The existing online scheme costs 45 paise per passenger and pays up to ₹10 lakh for death or permanent total disability. The Railway Board is yet to announce the premium, who pays it and the claim process for counter tickets. Key takeaways Effective: 27 October 2026, under a Supreme Court order of 6 October 2026. Scope: all counter tickets, in the same manner as online tickets. Cover (online scheme): up to ₹10 lakh for death or permanent total disability. Not a substitute: it covers only rail journeys; keep personal accident and term cover. What the Supreme Court ordered on railway travel insurance On 6 October 2026, a bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan directed the Railways to extend travel insurance to all tickets sold at station counters, "in the same manner as" online tickets, from 27 October 2026. The case arose from the June 2023 Odisha train accident, where many victims had counter tickets and no insurance. The Railway Board is responsible for compliance, and the court will hear the matter again on 16 November 2026. What the existing online cover offers The optional insurance offered on IRCTC e-tickets costs 45 paise per passenger including taxes. Its benefits include: Up to ₹10 lakh for death or permanent total disability in a train accident or untoward incident Up to ₹7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability Up to ₹2 lakh for hospitalisation expenses after an injury ₹10,000 for transporting mortal remains For counter tickets, the premium, whether passengers or the Railways will pay it, how policy certificates will be issued and how nominees will be recorded have not yet been announced. Keep your ticket safe and check the Railways' announcements before you travel. What it means for your own insurance Railway travel insurance is welcome but narrow: it pays only for incidents during a rail journey. It does not replace a term plan, which covers death from any cause, or a personal accident policy, which covers accidents anywhere and can pay a monthly benefit for temporary disability. Use this change as a reminder to check that your family's term cover is about 10 to 15 times annual income and that you have adequate health and accident cover. Is your family's accident and life cover adequate? Talk to Money n Wealth (/contact) to review term, health and personal accident cover together. This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Figures and examples are illustrative. Please consult a qualified financial adviser for guidance specific to your situation. Money n Wealth (Predics Fintech Services Pvt Ltd) is an AMFI-registered Mutual Fund Distributor (ARN-121995) and APMI-registered PMS Distributor (APRN07444); it is not a SEBI-registered investment adviser and may earn distribution commission on investments made through it. Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
From when does railway travel insurance apply to counter tickets?
From 27 October 2026, under a Supreme Court order passed on 6 October 2026 directing that counter tickets be insured in the same manner as online tickets.
How much does railway travel insurance cover?
The existing online scheme pays up to ₹10 lakh for death or permanent total disability, up to ₹7.5 lakh for permanent partial disability, up to ₹2 lakh for hospitalisation and ₹10,000 for transporting mortal remains.
Who pays the premium for counter tickets?
This had not been announced as of late October 2026. The online scheme costs 45 paise per passenger; check Indian Railways announcements for counter-ticket details.
Does railway travel insurance replace personal accident insurance?
No. It covers only incidents during rail journeys. A personal accident policy covers accidents anywhere, and a term plan covers death from any cause.