Answer Book question
Yes, and it is almost free. Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) gives ₹10 lakh to the family on accidental death or permanent disability of an Indian emigrant worker abroad, for a premium of about ₹275 for two years or ₹375 for three. It is compulsory for ECR-passport workers who emigrate through the e-Migrate system, and available to others. It also covers medical treatment abroad up to ₹1 lakh for injuries, repatriation of mortal remains, return airfare for a medically unfit worker, and legal and maternity benefits. Kerala adds its own layer through the Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board pension and NORKA's Santhwana assistance.
Yes, and it is almost free. Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) gives ₹10 lakh to the family on accidental death or permanent disability of an Indian emigrant worker abroad, for a premium of about ₹275 for two years or ₹375 for three. It is compulsory for ECR-passport workers who emigrate through the e-Migrate system, and available to others. It also covers medical treatment abroad up to ₹1 lakh for injuries, repatriation of mortal remains, return airfare for a medically unfit worker, and legal and maternity benefits. Kerala adds its own layer through the Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board pension and NORKA's Santhwana assistance.
A construction worker from Ranni dies in a site accident in Saudi Arabia. The employer's compensation is contested; the consulate arranges repatriation. His PBBY policy, bought at the recruiting agent's desk for ₹275 three years earlier, pays ₹10 lakh to his wife within weeks, through the insurer's Indian office, on production of the death certificate and passport.
PBBY is a Ministry of External Affairs scheme administered through designated general insurers.
Cover: ₹10 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability anywhere, including while in India on leave; hospitalisation abroad for accident or illness up to ₹1 lakh; repatriation of remains and one-way fare for an attendant; return fare if the worker is medically unfit or if the employer terminates prematurely; ₹50,000 maternity benefit for women workers in some versions; legal expenses up to ₹45,000 for employment disputes.
Premium has been ₹275 for two years and ₹375 for three years, inclusive of GST at the time of writing; verify the current figures. The policy is issued online and linked to the passport number; ECR workers cannot get emigration clearance without it.
Separately, the Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board (Kerala Non-Resident Keralites' Welfare Fund) offers a contributory pension from age 60 after five years of membership and lump-sum death and disability benefits to members; NORKA's Santhwana scheme gives one-time assistance to returnees in distress, and its Pravasi Legal Aid Cell helps with wage and compensation claims abroad.
Whether you or your family member holds a live PBBY policy; search by passport number on the insurer's PBBY portal The policy period: two or three years from issue; renewal is online Nominee on the policy: the family claims, so the nominee should be the right person Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board membership and contribution status For a death abroad: death certificate (attested), passport copy, FIR or employer's accident report, nominee's bank details
Letting the policy lapse after the first contract. Renewal is a few minutes online. Also: treating the employer's compensation and PBBY as either/or. PBBY pays regardless of what the employer does.
Kerala has the largest ECR-worker population in the country and the lowest awareness of PBBY among non-ECR professionals, who can also buy it. The Welfare Board pension is small but contributory and lifetime; joining early costs little. NORKA's 24-hour helpline and the district NORKA cells in Pathanamthitta are the first call after a death or injury abroad.
Premium ₹375 for three years against ₹10 lakh cover is a rate of roughly ₹125 a year. A comparable private personal-accident policy for a construction worker abroad would cost several thousand rupees a year if a private insurer would write it at all.
PBBY covers accidents, not natural death (except as to repatriation and some hospitalisation). For natural death, term life insurance bought in India before emigration is the answer (Vol 1, Protection). It also does not replace the employer's legal liability under the host country's labour law; pursue both.
Buy or renew PBBY online before travel; save the policy PDF to the family Join the Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board if you have not Family: on death or disability abroad, call NORKA, file the PBBY claim, and pursue employer compensation in parallel
I worked twelve years in the Gulf. What end-of-service money am I owed? Does life insurance really pay if death happens overseas? (Vol 1)
NRI return & welfare
Ministry of External Affairs, Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana scheme document (2017 revision) and insurer PBBY portals · Kerala Non-Resident Keralites' Welfare Act, 2008 and Board scheme rules · NORKA Roots scheme pages (Santhwana, legal aid) Last checked: 22 August 2026. Rates, limits and whether you may qualify change. Confirm with the official source before you act. Ask Kerala Rising: Use only general, non-identifying facts.
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This page is general orientation, not personal insurance, investment, medical, legal, lending, tax, employment, or professional advice. Rules, rates, deadlines, and decisions can change. Confirm the current position with the named official source and use a licensed or qualified professional where your situation requires one. Kerala Rising does not decide whether you may qualify, approve claims, or promise an outcome.