Repatriation

[Len Salisbury]

we are in Lier, Belgium visiting Sidecar Rally and went shopping Friday morning. Leaving a shop my partner slipped and fell fracturing her Hip. She was taken to hospital and had 2 screws inserted. We have Travel Ins with NatWest and the ball has been started to get her home. We had thought of me taking our MH and her lying on bed but it is a high one and she would have to get out of MH on ferry. It is also forbidden to travel in a vehicle without belts being used. I have also thought of the train/Tunnel, but it is still a long way from Antwerp to N Wales. So have decided to let the Insance handle it. She may be flown home and me the old codger will have to make my own way home. What would you do?

[Curtisden]

Len Salisbury - 2015-09-28 7:42 PM

 

we are in Lier, Belgium visiting Sidecar Rally and went shopping Friday morning. Leaving a shop my partner slipped and fell fracturing her Hip. She was taken to hospital and had 2 screws inserted. We have Travel Ins with NatWest and the ball has been started to get her home. We had thought of me taking our MH and her lying on bed but it is a high one and she would have to get out of MH on ferry. It is also forbidden to travel in a vehicle without belts being used. I have also thought of the train/Tunnel, but it is still a long way from Antwerp to N Wales. So have decided to let the Insance handle it. She may be flown home and me the old codger will have to make my own way home. What would you do?

 

I would have Taken out CC Red Pennant. You would be home by now with your Mh following you in a day or to. Seamless i have used it.

 

Peter

 

 

[Keithl]

Len,

 

I personally think you have done the right thing with letting your insurance handle things.

 

It may be worth asking if you can accompany your wife and them repatriate your MH (assuming that may be your wish) but do not hold out hope of this happening.

 

You may also find that the moment you start making your own arrangements the insurance then wash their hands of any dealings with the claim and you will be on your own. So, god forbid, that complications arise you will be well and truly 'On your own'.

 

And sorry Peter but that really is a bit below the belt, suggesting Len has gone with the wrong insurance company is the last thing he is likely to want to hear. And I doubt they would offer any different outcome than he has already been offered.

 

Keith.

[Mel B]

Curtisden - 2015-09-28 8:49 PM

 

I would have Taken out CC Red Pennant. You would be home by now with your Mh following you in a day or to. Seamless i have used it.

 

Peter

 

I doubt it! This apparently happened on Friday, it's only Monday and she's had major surgery in the meantime, no way would the hospital let her travel so quickly so that she'd be home already!

[Mel B]

Len, I do so hope your wife makes a quick recovery, it must be very distressing for her, and you too.

 

Best wishes.

[Curtisden]

Keithl - 2015-09-28 8:59 PM

 

Len,

 

I personally think you have done the right thing with letting your insurance handle things.

 

It may be worth asking if you can accompany your wife and them repatriate your MH (assuming that may be your wish) but do not hold out hope of this happening.

 

You may also find that the moment you start making your own arrangements the insurance then wash their hands of any dealings with the claim and you will be on your own. So, god forbid, that complications arise you will be well and truly 'On your own'.

 

And sorry Peter but that really is a bit below the belt, suggesting Len has gone with the wrong insurance company is the last thing he is likely to want to hear. And I doubt they would offer any different outcome than he has already been offered.

 

Keith.

 

Each to their own.

But he may find that the Nat West may not be set up to deal with the Camper if he is lucky enough to get cover in the first place.

The moment you contact them they contact your doctor and will go through your health history to see if you have disclosed correctly. You agree to that in taking out any travel insurance.

What I was trying to point out to forum members was that go to the people who are specialists rather than rely on free cover all insurance that covers little.

He seemed to be having to drive the camper back himself, but I may be wrong.

Either way I doubt that a free Bank perk covers either his camper or any pets.

I do hope all works out well for him and his wife and will follow the thread.

 

P

[Curtisden]

Mel B - 2015-09-28 9:13 PM

 

Curtisden - 2015-09-28 8:49 PM

 

I would have Taken out CC Red Pennant. You would be home by now with your Mh following you in a day or to. Seamless i have used it.

 

Peter

 

I doubt it! This apparently happened on Friday, it's only Monday and she's had major surgery in the meantime, no way would the hospital let her travel so quickly so that she'd be home already!

 

My tow car failed on a Sunday bank holiday near St Malo. Monday we were on the ferry home and taxi to home. Van came back that week and the land rover 2 weeks later repaired.

Sorry but have been there.

 

[Len Salisbury]

The person injured is not a vehicle and as you probably know that hospital admin staff more or less shut down on Fridays as do the doctors until Monday morning. She will have to under go physio which was started today and she is using the good old Zimmer frame today. Details have been sent of the Op to UK and pic of fracture and repair.

[PJay]

Len sorry this has happened , but I agree you are doing the right thing, There will always be some one on here who thinks he/she knows better. At least you have "followed" the book

PJay

[nowtelse2do]

terry1956 - 2015-09-29 3:15 PM

 

.... as to the cost of hospital fees, this will be taken care of by the NHS.

 

If the OP is claiming the costs through his Travel Insurance, the NHS will not cover any of the costs. You can't claim twice.

There is usually an excess to pay on the Travel insurance of about £100.

With the NHS you would get around 90% of the cost and maybe more, but that's not written in stone.

 

How the vehicle would be repatriated if the claim went through the NHS I've no idea unless you could claim on your breakdown cover. Only problem with that is the vehicle is not broken down, so that might cause an issue.

 

Don't forget to keep all receipts and all hospital notes about what they did. The insurance will want to see those.

 

Dave

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Curtisden]

nowtelse2do - 2015-09-29 4:41 PM

 

terry1956 - 2015-09-29 3:15 PM

 

.... as to the cost of hospital fees, this will be taken care of by the NHS.

 

If the OP is claiming the costs through his Travel Insurance, the NHS will not cover any of the costs. You can't claim twice.

There is usually an excess to pay on the Travel insurance of about £100.

With the NHS you would get around 90% of the cost and maybe more, but that's not written in stone.

 

How the vehicle would be repatriated if the claim went through the NHS I've no idea unless you could claim on your breakdown cover. Only problem with that is the vehicle is not broken down, so that might cause an issue.

 

Don't forget to keep all receipts and all hospital notes about what they did. The insurance will want to see those.

 

Dave

 

 

Well said Dave.

 

I doubt that this type of cover allows for the repatriation of the camper or any cost involved with that such as storage, ferries and the like. It is a personal cover not an all encompassing policy for travel in general in a camper.

Say he travels home with his wife it will not cover his return and extra Ferry costs back to collect the camper.

I have seen expats being asked for their credit card prior to treatment.

 

With a Red Pennant cover all these cost and more are fully covered.

 

Finally if there was a case of duty of care re the cause of the accident he will be on his own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[terry1956]

when I ended up in a French hospital bed a few years back. The hospital took my NHS number, and billed me for the each day I was in the bed. On returning to the UK, the NHS paid for my treatment in full, however I had to pay for the bed. the cost to me was way under 10%. my point being, that there should be NO cost re treatment.

as to help, well I will not take the high ground and come up with rubbish, about being in this insurance company and not that one. But what looks like the problem is getting both people back to the UK. I don't think this is a major worry, In my case the French laid on an ambulance and nurse to get me back to the UK. But the poor chap wants to remain with his wife during the trip. I think this can be done by allowing the insurance to collect and return the van to the UK by transporter and the chap can travel with his wife in which ever transport would suit. But if they would move her with a broken hip is another matter.

michael

[nowtelse2do]

Yes indeed, credit card and passport is the first thing they want and sometimes you won't get them back until everything is paid for, including all the medicines, which are all itemised.

 

Maybe our own NHS should take note and do the same for all foreigners using our NHS.

 

Dave

[Brian Kirby]

Keithl - 2015-09-28 8:59 PM

 

Len,

 

I personally think you have done the right thing with letting your insurance handle things.

 

It may be worth asking if you can accompany your wife and them repatriate your MH (assuming that may be your wish) but do not hold out hope of this happening.

 

You may also find that the moment you start making your own arrangements the insurance then wash their hands of any dealings with the claim and you will be on your own. So, god forbid, that complications arise you will be well and truly 'On your own'.............................................Keith.

I fully endorse the above, including not adopting alternative strategies - at least not doing so without consulting the insurer and gaining their agreement. Under the circumstances, professional staff will probably be supplied to accompany her, and she may be flown in a private jet as commercial carriers may refuse carriage so soon after her op. The best people to sort this out will be the insurer.

 

Trying to drive her home seems a bad idea to me in any case. Long periods sitting in the same position would be liable to become quite painful, and it is surprising how much vehicles vibrate and move around while under way, even if being driven gently. Trying to shift her in the bed seems a very bad idea as should you need to stop abruptly, or swerve to avoid another vehicle, you just might shoot het onto the floor, which would be bad enough even without a newly pinned hip!

 

I understand your reasons for wanting to do so, but I think this is definitely one for the professionals. All the best to you both.

[Curtisden]

Extract from the terms and conditions from the NatWest Travel Insurance Policy

 

4. Uninsured Costs

We will not cover any claim for:

• any loss not specifically covered by this policy (for example loss of earnings because you are not able to return

to work after an injury or illness that happened on a trip or costs associated with returning your vehicle to your

home area); or

• any payment that you would normally have to make during your trip.

 

4. Evidence Of Claims

• you or your legal representatives must provide at your own expense all certificates, information and evidence

that we need in order to consider your claim;

• if your claim is for injury or illness we may ask for your permission that we may contact your doctor to get

access to your medical records. If you refuse permission we may not be able to deal with your claim;

 

 

5. Duty Of Care

You must take all reasonable steps to prevent any loss, damage or accident involving you or your baggage.

 

 

[tonyg3nwl]

Hi, very sorry to hear about your problem and hope that the patient makes a speedy recovery, and gets back home safely.

 

regarding the vehicle, I asked my insurer what was the situation in the hypothetical situation where i became incapacitated or worse whilst abroad...would my wife as second driver be expected to bring the vehicle home by herself..

 

the response was yes, that is the case,

 

repatriation of myself would be covered, provided there were no incorrect medical declaration before taking out the policy.

 

this was when I was insured via Safeguard..presumably other insurers behave in similar manner

 

it makes me wonder about the wisdom of having second driver on the policy, when a disaster strikes, would the survivor be in a fit state to drive in event of bereavement for example

 

in the current case, I wonder to what extent the original author has managed to resolve the problems, and might he ultimately be able to post about a successful outcome ..

 

it is also perhaps a timely warning to all to make certain that insurance is in place and suitable.

 

tonyg3nwl

 

[Len Salisbury]

NatWest are in the process of arranging flights with me as escort to Wales. I can leave MH on friends drive and have extended insurance with Churchill until 14 Oct. Thursday is day that has been suggested to fly.

As has been mentioned we are not broken down and the driver (me) is not incapacitated he has to be the escorting person to UK.

DFDS have already been informed about the incident and want me to phone the progress of this, so that when I return to pick up MH I may not have to pay.

[PJay]

tonyg3nwl - 2015-09-29 7:34 PM

 

Hi, very sorry to hear about your problem and hope that the patient makes a speedy recovery, and gets back home safely.

 

regarding the vehicle, I asked my insurer what was the situation in the hypothetical situation where i became incapacitated or worse whilst abroad...would my wife as second driver be expected to bring the vehicle home by herself..

 

the response was yes, that is the case,

 

repatriation of myself would be covered, provided there were no incorrect medical declaration before taking out the policy.

 

this was when I was insured via Safeguard..presumably other insurers behave in similar manner

 

it makes me wonder about the wisdom of having second driver on the policy, when a disaster strikes, would the survivor be in a fit state to drive in event of bereavement for example

 

in the current case, I wonder to what extent the original author has managed to resolve the problems, and might he ultimately be able to post about a successful outcome ..

 

it is also perhaps a timely warning to all to make certain that insurance is in place and suitable.

 

tonyg3nwl

 

Tony

Have to agree with you on second driver. The policy for our van is in my name, but am thinking of changing it to husband (who is named driver) as he is the one who drives the van. I don't feel I could drive the van back from Spain, should the occasion occur.I suppose one of our sons could fly out and drive it back, but as they both work , not really practical. This subject came up while away this month, and another wife said she had removed her name from policy, for this reason. I could technically drive it on my car insurance as an emergency

Food for thought

PJay

[peterjl]

Hi

I have already a plan in place should this happen as I take out a non motor home specific insurance (because we also fly long distance for other trips). Also I am only named driver as my wife cannot drive any distance because of a knee problem plus her height makes it difficult to reach pedals comfortably.

 

I will find a temp home for motor home whilst I travel home, perhaps a campsite? Then, if insurance cannot repatriate vehicle because I am ok I will pay for one of my sons to fly out and drive it home.

 

I do this in the knowledge that:-

1) my motor home may not be properly insured whilst it is left on a campsite or other location

2) I will have to pay extra insurance for my son to drive home

3) there will be other costs

 

Whilst this is not ideal I view it as a practical plan for a situation that I hope will never occur.

 

This is similar to the posters final solution and I think he made the correct response.

 

Just a thought on the suggestion that Red Pennant is the answer. Well it would be if the policy covers all your needs but whenever I have considered it I find it often does not cover automatically the activities I may engage in although they have expanded the cover in the last few years and it is much better.

 

Peter

 

 

[Curtisden]

peterjl - 2015-09-30 9:55 AM

 

Just a thought on the suggestion that Red Pennant is the answer. Well it would be if the policy covers all your needs but whenever I have considered it I find it often does not cover automatically the activities I may engage in although they have expanded the cover in the last few years and it is much better.

 

Peter

 

 

Having draw the forums attention to the pitfall of cheap cover and taking the flack for doing so this has developed into a helpful and inforative thread.

 

We all hope that the OP is sorted quickly.

 

So to finalise my contribution I have today spoken to the CC re my cover and it is as follows.

 

1. I have CC Camper iIsurance, Green Flag Mayday and Red Pennant Multi trip cover. All through one supplier IE the Caravan Club. Two drivers, myself and my whife who can but prefers not to drive our 6m camper.

 

Should a similar problem occur God Forbid.

 

The Camper is covered against all risks in secure storage as are the storage fees for a short period via Both the CC Camper insurance as well as via CC Red Pennant.

 

Should one of us chose to come home with the other and the camper is left, at the discretion of the CC they would either. While taking into consideration our preferred option.

 

Pay for all costs to return and collect the camper. Or. Arrange for one of their own CC recovery approved drivers to go out and return the camper to the UK.

 

It would be normal for the second driver to bring the camper back but it is an option to opt for CC recovery if the second party was unhappy of say, "Drive on the continent" and the CC Camper insurance would in the case of an accident have to pay out any claim.

 

IE One insurer talking to each other.

 

Yes there is wiggle words here and there. There has to be to deal with fraudulent claims.

But when we used it some years ago it was "What do you want" Not "No your not covered".

 

 

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/17560575/red_pennant_motoring___personal_package_2015.pdf

 

I have always tested the market re the Camper Insurance and return the the CC who either meet or get close to the lower quote, but always take Red Pennant as it's the best.

 

Worth every penny when you need it. Penney pinching on matters like this will only bring disappointment when you are really in trouble and far far more expense in the long run.

[peterjl]

It still comes down to the question "does the policy cover the risks to which you may be exposed".

 

We change companies regularly cos they all have different levels of cover for different risks. The most usual reason to change is destination eg this year visited Iceland and Faroes and there is a limited number of companies coving both countries and providing breakdown insurance. We have changed in the past to visit Turkey and will change again next year cos we have decided to revisit Turkey.

 

There is also the activities. Some companies only cover hill walking below 2500m which is useless is you are visiting the mountains.

 

I usually have to scrutinise a wide variety of companies each year to ensure we have appropriate vehicle cover. With medical insurance we take a multi trip world wide with winter sports cover. Now we don't always use the winter sports but the decision to go is often last minute - hey they snow is great, lets load the motor home and go.

 

Peter

[Bulletguy]

peterjl - 2015-09-30 2:41 PM

 

We change companies regularly cos they all have different levels of cover for different risks. The most usual reason to change is destination eg this year visited Iceland and Faroes and there is a limited number of companies covering both countries and providing breakdown insurance. We have changed in the past to visit Turkey and will change again next year cos we have decided to revisit Turkey.

 

This is true. Motorhome insurance companies in this country are very poor when it comes to cover for non-EU countries (with the exception of Switzerland). I went with Scenic purely because they openly gave me Green Card cover for Albania, Serbia and Bosnia where i was met with a point blank refusal from other companies. By comparison you will find Dutch touring every country in Europe and beyond with ease. UK m/h insurance is quite restrictive.

[tonyg3nwl]

One further point regarding insurance and second driver.

 

if a situation were to arise, whereby the policy holder ie primary driver who were to become deceased duringthe lifetime of the policy, then my question is, does the policy die at the same time..

 

if so, then surely second driver becomes uninsured, and I beleive would have then to start a new policy in their own name..

 

can any legal eagle confirm mysuspicion.

 

tonyg3nwl.

 

ps glad to see original thread originator appears to have had a successful outcome..hope the patient is well on way to recovery.

 

tony

 

[Keithl]

Hi Tony,

 

I can confirm 100% that your suspicions are correct.

 

My father passed away late last year and my Mother was a named driver on his policy. She phoned the insurance company to ask if the policy could be transferred to her name but was told emphatically NO, she would have to take out a new policy in her own name. They did give her a few days grace on the old policy to arrange a new policy under the circumstances.

 

So the policy dies with the deceased!

 

Keith.

[Curtisden]

Bulletguy - 2015-09-30 4:43 PM

 

peterjl - 2015-09-30 2:41 PM

 

We change companies regularly cos they all have different levels of cover for different risks. The most usual reason to change is destination eg this year visited Iceland and Faroes and there is a limited number of companies covering both countries and providing breakdown insurance. We have changed in the past to visit Turkey and will change again next year cos we have decided to revisit Turkey.

 

This is true. Motorhome insurance companies in this country are very poor when it comes to cover for non-EU countries (with the exception of Switzerland). I went with Scenic purely because they openly gave me Green Card cover for Albania, Serbia and Bosnia where i was met with a point blank refusal from other companies. By comparison you will find Dutch touring every country in Europe and beyond with ease. UK m/h insurance is quite restrictive.

 

 

Red Pennant Geographical Cover.

The Continent of Europe, including the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Mediterranean Islands but excluding Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova.

PLEASE NOTE Red Pennant Motoring & Personal Cover is only applicable to journeys to the Continent of Europe and that start and finish from a United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland home address.

 

I wonder if that includes Istanbul being in Europe while the rest is in Asia?