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The recent Odisha train tragedy has stirred a fresh debate on the need to secure your lives while travelling, even if it is domestic. However, the road to getting your rightful claims, even if you have all your insurance papers and documents in place, is a long, arduous one. Read on to solve all your queries about filing for claims in case you or your loved ones unfortunately find yourselves to be victims of such a wretched event.

How much compensation does the railways offer in case a train meets an accident?

The Indian railways offers ex-gratia and interim payments, meant to cover for immediate medical expenses for such occurrences, which are classified as untoward incidents.

While interim payments are adjusted against the final payout, ex-gratia payments are made to provide some financial comfort to the victims and kins of dead, outside the legal purview.

In case you have chosen the optional insurance offered for 35 paise during booking your tickets via the IRCTC app or website, you will be entitled to the following compensation:

What are the caveats that one  needs to remember while filing claims under the optional insurance?

Only three insurers, namely Liberty, SBI General insurance and LIC offer policies protecting domestic travel via train. IRCTC merely provides a link between the individual and these companies. So, in case your claims are rejected and not serviced, Indian railways will assume no responsibility.

This optional insurance is not available for infants aged 5 years or less, or foreigners.

In case you booked a ticket while it was not confirmed (RAC/Waiting), your claims will not be taken into consideration. Also, post booking a ticket, if you did not board the train, you will not be liable to any compensation.

The claims will also not cover treatment costs for any traumatic, psychiatric or mental disorders, even if they emerge as a result of such an accident.

Similarly, if you are pregnant, the financial impact of this accident on childbirth and neonatal health of this unborn child will also not be undertaken by the insurers.

What is the time-limit statute for filing such claims?

Claims can be filed in front of the railway claims tribunal within 1 year since the incident took place. In case of hospitalization, the time-limit is 365 days/1 year beyond the expiry of insurance.

So, suppose you booked a ticket on 17th January, 2023 for a 2-day journey, which ends on 19th January, 2023. If you were involved in a train accident during this period, you have to file claims for your hospitalization expenses before 19th January, 2024.