 Poster: A snowHead
|
We've all looked at them with fear and loathing. Here's someone who wasn't too fussed about plunging into a crevasse - to find a lost ski!
The report is from 'tom@cham', one of the best contributors to Epicski.com. Here's his report, with photos, straight from the Vallee Blanche.
Mind you, this story is a piece of cake compared to the phenomenal escape documented in 'Touching the Void'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Well I guess that's another insurance claim then 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
....and the insurance co. can wait for the ski to pop out of the glacier in a couple of hundred years, though the edges might have rusted away.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
I'll lay odds that the insurance co. will spend more money than the ski's worth in denying the claim!
cynical . . . moi 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
I hope he was covered for where he was skiing 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
I've never seen an insurance cover that includes crevasses 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are some companies that cover this terain, but they specialise in extreme sports and the premiums are nut wrenching! My life policy used to be suspended every time I went climbing and you lot should take a look at your mortgage protection policies. More than one person I know lost their home after an accident because of under or uninsurance liabilities and or long term accident and recovery issues! 
Last edited by Then you can post your own questions or snow reports... on Sun 21-03-04 17:42; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Masque, that ought to get a few peoples attention
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
My co-owner of the mobile home in Chamonix told me that the French rescue people do not want to know the victims in the crevasses, both insured or uninured.
The Vallee Blanche is expected to attempt with a guide and without him it will take a lot of pursuasion to get the Insurance company to pay out.
With suitable training and equipment one can have a go at the crevasses to retrieve a ski but I don't think it is done for the material worth of it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
| saikee wrote: |
| My co-owner of the mobile home in Chamonix told me that the French rescue people do not want to know the victims in the crevasses, both insured or uninured. |
Are you saying they won't turn out? This is definitely wrong. The rescue services will always turn out and take you off the mountain whether you are insured or not. If you are rescued by the Fire Brigade or PGHM (Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne) you don't need to be insured (at present - the Prefet Marcel Peres is currently investigating this very issue and his report is due soon) as the bill is picked up by the French tax payer (like me :-( )
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
I have been careful not to get myself too deep into this.
My experience with the personal injury in Chamonix area is limited but it has involved nothing but insurance.
Took a seasoned biker friend to Chamonix once a few years ago. He ran into an armco barrier (possibly from a blackout) after coming off the Swiss motorway when we were due to have dinner at Martigny after clocking up 600 miles from Amsterdam. The guy didn’t hurt himself but his 1100 Honda Pan European was a write off. He was detained overnight in hospital for observation in theory but for money in practice.
His stay in the hospital was covered by his travelling insurance. The cost of removing the bike from the Swiss highway and storage was paid by his motoring insurance. The repatriation of the vehicle and himself were paid by the break down recovery cover. Lastly he had to pay about £200 worth of the Swiss Franc to the Swiss police, apparently for their trouble. Nothing was done until money lubricated the system and he spent the next two days just directing claims to various insurance companies. He was discharged after every insurance claims was in order.
Accidents from irresponsible skiers can add huge cost to the rescue agencies and I do not believe a person without adequate insurance will receive the full attention of the French rescue team. Personally I find the need to investigate whether insurance is needed to be rescued by PGHM is interesting.
I am still of the opinion that a skier able to afford the full wrack of the offpiste insurance cover should not lose sleep for the value of a lose ski, especially if he managed to ski down the rest of the 20km slope on one ski and returned back the next day to get the other one out. Surly this cannot to do with just money.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| saikee wrote: |
I do not believe a person without adequate insurance will receive the full attention of the French rescue team.
|
There is a law in France : non-assistance to a person in danger. Anyone not going to aid someone in trouble, paid rescue workers or a member of the public can face a stiff prison sentence. You will be treated no differently whether insured or not. If ou are, sue their back bottoms off, I know a good lawyer ;-).
| Quote: |
Personally I find the need to investigate whether insurance is needed to be rescued by PGHM is interesting.
|
The PGHM and fire services are paid for by the state through taxes not via insurance.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't take out insurance because someone other than the PGHM may rescue you and may then make a claim against you. This is certainly the case within ski domains were the PGHM do not intervene (it is under the jursidication of the local mayor and not the Préfet) and is sometimes the case outside of ski domains for logistical reasons.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
