Train passengers booking their tickets online are being offered travel insurance for trips lasting as little as three minutes, reports The Guardian.
Advance online tickets for the £2.80 journey from Liverpool Street to Bethnal Green operated by One Railway come with an optional £1 insurance policy. Passengers staying on for Hackney Downs, a few miles down the line, can claim for up to £75 should their seven minute jaunt be delayed by 12 hours and they are forced to book accommodation.
Columbus, who provides the travel insurance for One Railway offers the same £1 policy on the £3.80 journey from Birmingham to Coventry . The policy, which is available through online booking site trainline.com, is automatically included in the cost of the fare and the customer must opt out should they wish to travel uninsured.
Despite concern from rail consumer watchdog, Passenger Focus, Trainline.com is adamant that short haul travel insurance is a necessary precautionary measure.
"Losing baggage or an assault could happen anywhere, it doesn't have to be a long journey" said a spokeswoman.
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