For a mere ₹0.45, passengers booking train tickets through IRCTC can avail accident insurance coverage up to ₹10 lakh.
If you travel by Indian Railways and book tickets online through the IRCTC website or app, you've likely seen the option for personal accident insurance. This facility provides passengers with insurance coverage up to ₹10 lakh for just ₹0.45. However, it's surprising to learn that many passengers, even after purchasing this insurance, miss out on its benefits. The reason? A simple oversight – failure to update nominee information.
A Safety Net for ₹0.45
Under this IRCTC insurance scheme, if a passenger is involved in a train accident, they or their family may receive the insurance amount. The benefits included in this insurance are:
- ₹10 lakh in case of death in an accident
- ₹10 lakh for total permanent disability
- ₹5 lakh for partial disability
- ₹2 lakh for hospitalization
- ₹10,000 for transportation of the body
Insurance Taken, but Nominee Not Added
After booking tickets, passengers receive information about the insurance policy via email or message. A link is also sent by the insurance company to update nominee information. However, most people ignore this. As a result, in the event of an accident, the insurance claim gets stuck because the insurance company is unclear about who should receive the money.
Why Updating Nominee Information is Crucial
A nominee is the person who receives the claim amount after the death of the policyholder. If you haven't updated nominee information, your legal heir will have to prove their claim as your successor. This process can be lengthy, complex, and fraught with legal complexities. Therefore, the simplest solution is to add nominee information immediately after booking the ticket.
How to Update Nominee Information
Updating nominee information is easy through both the IRCTC website and app. The methods are given below:
1. Through the IRCTC App
- Go to ticket details in the app.
- Scroll down to find the "Update Nominee Details" option.
- Click on it and enter the PNR, mobile number, and captcha.
- In the next window, click on "Add Nominee".
- Fill in the nominee's name, relationship, age, and mobile number.
- The update will be completed upon submission.
2. Through the Website
The insurance company can be identified from the message or email received at the time of ticket booking. IRCTC has partnered with three companies:
- United India Insurance Company Limited
- Royal Sundaram General Insurance Company Limited
- Liberty General Insurance Limited
For United India Insurance:
- Visit their website.
- Enter the PNR number, mobile number, and captcha.
- Fill in the nominee's name, age, address, and relationship.
For Royal Sundaram Insurance:
- Visit the royalsundaram.in website.
- Select "Nominee Update" in the IRCTC section.
- Enter the PNR, transaction ID, or policy number.
- Enter the mobile number and captcha.
- Fill in the nominee details and save.
For Liberty Insurance:
- Go to libertyinsurance.in.
- Go to the IRCTC section at the top.
- Select the "Nominee Update" option.
- Enter one of the following: PNR, transaction ID, or policy certificate.
- Fill in the mobile number and captcha.
- Fill in the nominee information and submit.
Claim Process
In case of an accident, the insured person or their nominee/legal heir must apply within four months with the claim form and necessary documents. The claim process and forms are available on all company websites.
Necessary Documents in Case of Death
- Confirmation letter of the accident from the railway authority
- Name in the list of deceased
- Completed claim form
- Nominee's identity proof
- Bank details and cancelled cheque
Documents in Case of Disability
- Confirmation of the accident
- Disability report issued by a doctor
- Treatment bills, medical reports
- X-ray, MRI, and other test reports
- Photos before and after disability
Necessary Documents in Case of Hospitalization
- Hospital discharge summary
- Medical bills, receipts
- Prescriptions and reports
- Claim payment and rejection
If all documents are correct, the insurance amount should be paid within 15 days as per the rules. If any fraud or deficiency is found in the documents, the insurance company may reject the claim.
Some Important Terms and Conditions
- This insurance is only for Indian citizens.
- This insurance does not apply to children under five years of age.
- If the train is diverted, the insurance will remain applicable on the new route.
- Insurance is applicable only on confirmed, RAC, and partially confirmed tickets.
