Latest posts for the topic "200,000 Brits ski without insurance"

200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Sun, 2 Dec 2012 20:37:07 GMT

Really?

have you read this....do not understand some people....

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/holidays/article-2241449/Id-face-day-intense-pain-years-paying-One-skier-big-rescue-limps-mountain.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Sun, 2 Dec 2012 21:58:58 GMT

Top post SS. You might also post it on Snowheads?

The article gives some good practical examples of what it might cost, but had it included an American example, the costs would have been sky high.

I was surprised at the helicopter price of GBP2500.
Sound advice about keeping the insurance company phone number on your mobile, or at least in your wallet, should you need to borrow a mobile.

I would add that everyone should also keep the phone number of the local lift company on their mobile ~ they can call out the mountain rescue.

Also, keep the phome number of your accomodation on your mobile/wallet. If there is an accident, and all else fails, the hotel owner can do the necessary.

Ski safely.

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Sun, 2 Dec 2012 22:11:23 GMT

It is unbelievable the way some people will ski without insurance :shock:

DaveMac,
If you're in Europe I think it may be better to phone the universal emergency number of 112, because it will find you a network and fix your position for the emergency services. And I think they pass it on to the local service then, in any case. Somewhere like the 3 Valleys can be very awkward otherwise because they have different emergency numbers for each valley.

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Sun, 2 Dec 2012 22:25:47 GMT

Yes, Ali, I have used 112 several times. On two occasions, there were difficulties in explaining our exact location. (Both on unnamed off-piste runs.) Hence, my first preference for a local number,and then the accomodation, or at least a village phone number.

I have come across late afternoon accidents, twice when the lifts were closed/about to close. The ski patrol had been and gone. The guy in the pub phoned the lift owners house.

It is about keeping a number of options. Good reminder of 112, though.

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 08:45:37 GMT

I've also been in groups where some people didn't carry their wallets! They assumed that they'd never get separated from their group/partner. Didn't think what would happen if they did, and then how they could be identified if they were unconscious.
After being self-righteous, I realised that I wasn't carrying anything that (a) identified my blood group and medicine allergies or (b) showed where I was staying and who to contact in an emergency.
After talking about this to my sons, it also struck them that on their Lads Trip, no one had details of who to contact back home, insurance etc. - so if any of them were unconscious and/or hospitalised, they wouldn't know who to call.
All this is fairly easy to get together before you go, and I now print out a small form for everyone to complete ahead of the trip. Then give them a small form for their wallets with the accommodation details, contact, and blank for name, blood group, allergies etc.

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 09:00:00 GMT

I think we must be so desensitised to dangers & risks because of the artificial world of theme-parks and the H&S culture we live in.

We then put on a 'holiday head' mentality and forget that we really are in a mountain with all that nature can throw at us.

Good calls on the telephone numbers and pocket information we should be carrying. :thumbup:

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 11:20:28 GMT

A friend of mine had a big accident in Obergurgl a few years ago, I can't remember the final costs of her treatment and repatriation, but I do remember it being eye watering.

Why oh why do people not get the insurance?? It's a fraction of the costs that could be incurred if you were in a serious, or even not-so-serious accident!!

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 12:27:48 GMT

Plus 1 to carrying EHIC, Insurance policy number and phone number, contact no of fellow traveller/partner and a list of medications currently taken etc.
I cannot understand the mentality of people who ski without insurance. Touch wood I have never had to make a claim for myself but I dread to think what it would have cost us in treatment without EHIC/insurance last year when my other half broke his T6 vertebrate snowboarding.

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:26:34 GMT

We always put insurance details, phone numbers etc on a credit card sized piece of paper, laminate it and then keep it in ski jacket pocket with ski pass!

Webcams are looking great this morning!!! :mrgreen:

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 13:46:51 GMT

caltonhat wrote:We always put insurance details, phone numbers etc on a credit card sized piece of paper, laminate it and then keep it in ski jacket pocket with ski pass!

Webcams are looking great this morning!!! :mrgreen:

Here is some one who is organised 8)

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 14:26:08 GMT

Cannot understand anyone not having insurance for holidays.
ANY holiday but a skiing holiday is just mental not to have insurance.
My issue is buying insurance that is a good value and will tick all the boxes.
Can anyone recommend a good deal or a broker.

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 15:04:54 GMT

I don't recommend The AA (see my post on 'Insurance Woes and Tips') more because of their claims handling than their specific cover. My experience also made me realise - cheap insurance is cheap because the cover is limited. For example, Passport Loss: most policies are GBP250, some GBP500. When I lost my passport in February it cost about GBP750 all-in to get my replacement and get home. And this was with BA rescheduling my return flight for free. The AA small print discounts the cover on replacing ski equipment loss/damage at 20%/year - if your equipment is more than 4 years old, it isn't covered. etc. etc.

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 15:16:48 GMT

As with all insurance you only find out how good the cover is and how effective the company is when things go wrong. I agree you get what you pay for but at from a different perspective you can be paying for cover that you may never need, also the cheaper quotes that I have seen have very high excesses, so if things do go wrong there is still big money to spend potentially.
Its too late when things go wrong and you don't have the cover or the company not prepared to treat as if you where there only customer in your time of need.
Insurance = headache
:-(

Re:200,000 Brits ski without insurance

Mon, 3 Dec 2012 18:18:00 GMT

Insurance is a must! I would never go without it on a snowboarding holiday!