EHIC - Do we need one?
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Started by Knapdog in Beginning Skiing 15-Mar-2010 - 34 Replies
Verbier_ski_bum
reply to 'EHIC - Do we need one?' posted Mar-2010
Hi, in case you need to see a doctor you'll need EHIC (or a private insurance which would be valid internationally) or a travel insurance which would cover it. Cost of rescue and potential liability in case of accidents can be covered by insurance that you can buy with your lift passes at the resort.
Live_Ade
reply to 'EHIC - Do we need one?' posted Apr-2010
oh and.... the EHIC only lasts 5 years. If you got yours when it changed from E111 then it's out of date !!
Brimster
reply to 'EHIC - Do we need one?' posted Apr-2010
Cheers for that reminder Live-ade as I haven't got a clue how old mine is..... best dig it out later and have a check! :shock:
Live_Ade
reply to 'EHIC - Do we need one?' posted Apr-2010
No problem Brimster... I discovered mine was > 1yr out of date at the beginning of the year. whether it would be an issue, i've no idea... I guess we all hope to never find out..
Brimster
reply to 'EHIC - Do we need one?' posted Apr-2010
Its definitley better to be safe than sorry!
I always have an annual holiday insurance but am never sure who or what kicks in and where or when but I would rather have too much than too little as you never know....
I've only ever had to claim on travel insurance once and that was last year when I needed hospital treatment when I was backpacking around Chile and to be fair I thought I was in for a battle but I sent the claim and documents off but I had a cheque for the full amount without a quibble within 14 days!
I always have an annual holiday insurance but am never sure who or what kicks in and where or when but I would rather have too much than too little as you never know....
I've only ever had to claim on travel insurance once and that was last year when I needed hospital treatment when I was backpacking around Chile and to be fair I thought I was in for a battle but I sent the claim and documents off but I had a cheque for the full amount without a quibble within 14 days!
Edited 1 time. Last update at 16-Apr-2010
Live_Ade
reply to 'EHIC - Do we need one?' posted Apr-2010
yes, I agree. It seems a waste of money..but SH*t can happen. In all my years of skiing I've never made a claim (hope that saying this isn't bad luck !). People in our group have found their insurance to pay out. One for a burnt jacket (flaming torch) and one for a mountain rescue following a fall (fortunately was less severe than initially thought).
Thought I might have to use the rescue service at Easter when my youngest fell..fortunately a passing Austrian Doctor was able to give her the all clear.... [note to all :- check that the hire shop have adjusted the ski binding to the boot correctly before skiing]
Thought I might have to use the rescue service at Easter when my youngest fell..fortunately a passing Austrian Doctor was able to give her the all clear.... [note to all :- check that the hire shop have adjusted the ski binding to the boot correctly before skiing]
Bandit
reply to 'EHIC - Do we need one?' posted Apr-2010
Some friends out here in Switzerland skiing with their sons on Sunday. 1 son takes a tumble on piste and breaks a leg. Gets airlifted to Sion. The mother flew with the son on the evac. She was asked for EHIC at Sion hospital and the protocol here seems to be produce the card or pay 200 Sfr up front. They were unable to produce the card upfront but her husband was able to produce it later so no charge was levied.
They were not asked to pay for the heli evac at the time.
They have Direct Travel Insurance for the whole family. The mother was a bit shocked to hear that the insurer was going to "consider" the merits of their claim.
Their son is back with them in their apt, okay and in plaster. All they now have to achieve is the flight home Sunday/Monday!!
They were not asked to pay for the heli evac at the time.
They have Direct Travel Insurance for the whole family. The mother was a bit shocked to hear that the insurer was going to "consider" the merits of their claim.
Their son is back with them in their apt, okay and in plaster. All they now have to achieve is the flight home Sunday/Monday!!
Brooksy
reply to 'EHIC - Do we need one?' posted Apr-2010
I skied in Engelberg in March & have damaged my knee ligaments after a fall,I was brought down the mountain in the blood wagon into the Titlis gondola then into an adapted taxi to the clinic.
I produced my TSE card the Spanish equivalent to your EHIC & was told that Switzerland is not in the EU.I told them that although Switzerland is not in the EU there is an agreement between the states regarding emergency healthcare,they insisted that they have no knowledge of this condition & refused the card.
I had no alternative but to pay by visa & am now in the process of reclaiming what I can through the health system here.
These EU health cards are for getting emergency health treatment in member states on a short term of visit, including pre existing health conditions at no charge to yourself if using the state system,excluding private treatment.
The problem with Switzerland is the health system is not run by the state,but insists that the population is insured by private health insurers of their own choice,if this point is not completely accurate I apologise as its a complex subject,to me anyway.
Travel insurance covers these & other things as well, ie lost baggage ect,but some insurers want you to have the card as well as it can save them money on health claims & as an incentive if you use it for an injury claim they will waive the excess if one exists.
So if you have normal travel insurance it is still worth having the EU card, its free & easy to obtain.
Oh & no I don't work for them. :)
I produced my TSE card the Spanish equivalent to your EHIC & was told that Switzerland is not in the EU.I told them that although Switzerland is not in the EU there is an agreement between the states regarding emergency healthcare,they insisted that they have no knowledge of this condition & refused the card.
I had no alternative but to pay by visa & am now in the process of reclaiming what I can through the health system here.
These EU health cards are for getting emergency health treatment in member states on a short term of visit, including pre existing health conditions at no charge to yourself if using the state system,excluding private treatment.
The problem with Switzerland is the health system is not run by the state,but insists that the population is insured by private health insurers of their own choice,if this point is not completely accurate I apologise as its a complex subject,to me anyway.
Travel insurance covers these & other things as well, ie lost baggage ect,but some insurers want you to have the card as well as it can save them money on health claims & as an incentive if you use it for an injury claim they will waive the excess if one exists.
So if you have normal travel insurance it is still worth having the EU card, its free & easy to obtain.
Oh & no I don't work for them. :)
Topic last updated on 17-April-2010 at 16:15