Indian Railways: IRCTC to stop free travel insurance in trains from September 1

IRCTC will scrap the policy of giving free travel insurance to passengers which it has been providing them since December 2017.

The Indian Railways will not provide free travel insurance to its passengers starting September 1. (PTI)

New Delhi: The Indian Railways will not provide free travel insurance to its passengers starting September 1. A senior Railway Ministry official said that the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has decided to stop free travel insurance starting September 1. However, the option of free insurance will be optional for the travellers. The passengers will have to choose from two options: to opt-in or opt-out of travel insurance while booking tickets through its website or mobile application. IRCTC will scrap the policy of giving free travel insurance to passengers which it has been providing them since December 2017. According to the official, the decision has been taken in a bid to promote digital transaction among the people. The railways had earlier also waived off ticket booking charge for users who make payments via debit cards. The insurance provided by the IRCTC had a maximum cover of Rs 10 lakh in case of a person's death during a train journey, Rs 7.5 lakh if a person is disabled due to an accident, Rs 2 lakh if injured and Rs 10,000 for transportation of mortal remains. The order to charge for the travel insurance will be generated in a few days. However, the amount has not been disclosed yet. (With inputs from IANS)