 Poster: A snowHead
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what is the equivalent of Rega for Austria? I plan to be in the Arlberg if the location matters.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm not sure what Rega is, but we have just returned from Solden/Obergurgl and whilst we didn't notice it until mid way through our week, the lift pass kiosks did advertise a 3 euro per day per person 'Slope Insurance' add-on to the lift pass.
..Nick
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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?
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@mr. mike, the Arlberg lift company offer an add on rescue insurance for a few Euros a day. It is in combination with the local helicopter company. However it is not entirely clear what it covers, certainly anything on piste and on an official ski route anything outside of that is somewhat more vague. You might be better off taking out membership of the Alpenverein (Austrian Alpine Club in the UK) which includes rescue insurance in any mountain related accident and most non professional sporting situations. It will cover you to be helicoptered out and sent home if needed. Do note that it is not travel insurance and the medical cover is purely a top up in case the local clinic is private, you need to have proper medical cover in place possibly the UK health card.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I'm not sure UK healthcare and insurance will be much use to someone coming from the US...
If you take out a travel policy that covers off-piste skiing in Europe, then that should also include rescue/helicopter costs etc., but do check the policy details.
Be aware that any off-piste is not secured outside of marked routes.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| big_ben wrote: |
| I'm not sure what Rega is, |
It's a Swiss helicopter rescue service. It's used nationally except where there's a specific local heli rescue service (and even there if necessary) and is available to all. You can become a member which may give you some additional benefits but you don't need to, as it would be paid by your accident insurance anyway (and everyone living here has to have accident insurance). Some people are under the misaprehension that it's for members-only, but that is ceryainly not the case. I was even picked up by them when I had a motorbike accident in France - they would not have had any idea whether I was Swiss resident or a member, they're just the local heli rescue service to that area (near to Basel, but they let me choose whether to take me to a Swiss or French hospital).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@mr. mike, Plus one for the AAC Rescue package and cheaper if you add family members. But, as a 'Murican you'll definitely need your own medical insurance.
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I'm covered on medical insurance. My private insurance (which is the only option in the US if under 65) covers me worldwide, although with a lot more hassle than in country.
However, what I'm worried about is the payment for transport off the mountain to the healthcare, so I'll look into Austrian Alpine Club.
Thanks
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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.
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Becareful with Austrian alpine club cover. I was helicopter off end of December, presenting my OAV at time of accident.
We were sent a bill for over €6000. They said my accident wasn't life threatening, fractured femur with serious loss of blood.
Luckily my bank insurance covered us.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Teletart wrote: |
Becareful with Austrian alpine club cover. I was helicopter off end of December, presenting my OAV at time of accident.
We were sent a bill for over €6000. They said my accident wasn't life threatening, fractured femur with serious loss of blood.
Luckily my bank insurance covered us. |
Sorry to hear about your experience but the AAC insurance is for "Rescue" and some third party liability, not for medical treatment. It makes that clear in the T&C. The OP specifically asked for advice on Rescue Cover and I pointed out in an earlier post that they would need medical cover on top, which they acknowledged.
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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.
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The bill we were sent was for the Helicopter rescue, not for medical treatment.
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@Teletart, I believe you have to contact them prior to getting rescue, I read it on the website somewhere.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Teletart wrote: |
| The bill we were sent was for the Helicopter rescue, not for medical treatment. |
No reason to dispute your version of events, but if that is the case then please raise the issue with the AAC(UK) as that would appear to contradict the T&C set out in the Insurance document. If necessary the AAC(UK) may need to review their advice.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| swskier wrote: |
| @Teletart, I believe you have to contact them prior to getting rescue, I read it on the website somewhere. |
If that's the case, it's ridiculous! You might not even be conscious! Hang on a sec, critically injured person, while I just verify with the insurance company on this slightly dodgy mobile line, that they will be happy to pay up...
As well as ÖAV (AAC), I also have upgraded (Schutzbrief) cover with the ÖAMTC. I believe this covers the heli too, is that right?
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Teletart wrote: |
Becareful with Austrian alpine club cover. I was helicopter off end of December, presenting my OAV at time of accident.
We were sent a bill for over €6000. They said my accident wasn't life threatening, fractured femur with serious loss of blood.
Luckily my bank insurance covered us. |
Was the €6000 cover for medical costs or the actual rescue? Very disappointing either way, I hope they at least gave you an explanation? I don't see how you could get off the moutain with a broken femur without a helicopter!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@swskier, the policy document on the page linked above states (my bold):
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| Note: before repatriation, transport, in-patient medical treatment abroad or transport within the country of main place of residence (not in event of rescue), you must contact the 24h emergency service (or max. EUR 750 will be compensated) |
The same document also states:
| Quote: |
| Rescue costs are those costs incurred by local rescue organisations (including the costs of rescue organisations from the neighbouring country in the event of incidents near borders), which are necessary if the insured party has an emergency/accident or must be rescued from mountain or aquatic distress or from off-road terrain, either injured or uninjured (the same applies accordingly in the event of death). |
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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?
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@sah,
The Bill was for the helicopter rescue which had been called by the piste rescue.
The reason for OAV not covering the cost was my accident was not deemed life threatening.
It was very alarming to get back from a week in hospital to such a large bill. I've been an Austrian alpine club member for over 20 yrs.
It appears they are sending out lots of bills and then you really have to fight. Nationwide insurance took it up with them and the bill was sorted, but not sure by who. It was very stressful and not what you need when injured and away from home.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Teletart wrote: |
@sah,
The Bill was for the helicopter rescue which had been called by the piste rescue.
The reason for OAV not covering the cost was my accident was not deemed life threatening.
It was very alarming to get back from a week in hospital to such a large bill. I've been an Austrian alpine club member for over 20 yrs.
It appears they are sending out lots of bills and then you really have to fight. Nationwide insurance took it up with them and the bill was sorted, but not sure by who. It was very stressful and not what you need when injured and away from home. |
What a dreadful experience.
I know AAC cover is fairly basic, e.g. I was aware it doesn't cover being treated in a private clinic for example (which are fairly common in ski resorts), but to refuse helicopter rescue in a case like this seems to make the it worthless.
I hope you went on to make full recovery after that, it sounds nasty.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@sah,
I'm back in UK after 4 weeks in Austria.
Progressing slowly on the crutches.
We will see next winter if I can ski again.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Teletart, on a more positive note it seems Nationwide were good? A friend of mine had a bad accident last year and Nationwide were excellent. As he was injured I called them up on his behalf, they obviously didn't want to discuss details with me as I wasn't the account holder but they were very helpful. They told me to not worry about which hospital he was taken to, they'd cover any private clinic or state hospital, no question at all.
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| Teletart wrote: |
Becareful with Austrian alpine club cover. I was helicopter off end of December, presenting my OAV at time of accident.
We were sent a bill for over €6000. They said my accident wasn't life threatening, fractured femur with serious loss of blood.
Luckily my bank insurance covered us. |
That doesn't sound good - our son was helicoptered off a mountain in Switzerland last summer after a very painful but non life threatening mountain biking accident - I informed AAC that evening (Allianz help line) and they said thanks for letting us know and just forward the helicopter bill (about CHF 7000) when you receive it - all handled a month later without fuss.
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@Gämsbock, I misread that then, in my defence I wasn't looking for that info, just skimmed it while looking through the website.
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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.
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Wish I'd read this thread before renewing my AAC membership half an hour ago... I have to say it's extremely difficult from the documentation provided to see just what cover they do give. The suggestion that one might have to contact them before getting rescued off the mountain is ridiculous.
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I'm currently searching for suitable ski-touring/mountaineering insurance, and have found the UK section of the OAV very helpful (as a native English-speaker with just-about-get-away-with-it German language skills).
The English version of the Alpenverein Weltweit Service booklet, with all the insurance details needed is here: https://www.alpenverein.at/britannia/membership/Member-Benefits/Alpenverein-Weltweit-Service-AWS.php and you can download it in a pdf. I hope this helps.
Only just joined Snowheads (why didn't I hear about this years ago?) so I hope I haven't mucked up this first post, or transgressed any rules!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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.
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Most standard UK travel insurance packages with ski cover included, do not include piste rescue and recovery.
In France, many skiers obtain this vital cover from Carre Neige Liberte, bought daily with the lift pass at 3 to 4 €/day [or annually, if you also use the Ski a la Carte regional lift pass, e.g. for an oldie at 17 €/year]. No one should ski in France without it, because for 3 € you can get the scary sledge down the piste and an ambulance to hospital [saving 900€] or even a helicopter [saving 2.5 – 5 K€]. Once in hospital, your UK GHIC card plus travel insurance [both necessary] give you complete medical cover. Holiday companies never mention Carre Neige when they sell you a lift pass, but I hear that is because they are not allowed to sell insurance.
What happens in Austria? I believe costs are lower than in France, but still worth avoiding with insurance. In my experience, holiday reps seem ignorant of the options. Unlike France, there is no national system, but two areas do have a very similar local system.
The ski areas Solden and Gurgl [previously Obergurgl] have a Slope Rescue Card: for 4 € / day.
Ski Arlberg region [which includes St. Anton, Lech, and Zürs] have the Arlberg Safety Card (ASC): 2 to 4 €/day or 35 € for the whole season.
For the rest of Austria, excluding very specialist providers, such as the Kitzbuhel Ski Club, or the Austrian Alpine Club, which is a good buy if you also plan a summer Alpine trip, there is provision, which is not well advertised, or documented.
Bergrettung Tyrol is the voluntary organisation for mountain rescue all-year round in the Austrian Tyrol. You can get the equivalent of Carre Neige cover, by becoming a Supporting Member, which gives insurance cover for the whole family for 36 €/year.
First, you have to apply for an account for the Online Shop. They give you a password for the shop, wherein you can buy a Suppoting Membership. If you have problems, I was hugely helped by their staff [with excllent English].
[Tel. +43 5262 64140, Mon – Fri, 08:00 – 12:00] https://bergrettung.tirol/en/supporters/
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@Alan Espie, Eh? most travel insurance with ski cover does include piste rescue and recovery. Why do you think it doesn't?
If you mean tour operators insurance: Crystal: "If you have an accident on the mountain, your policy will cover the costs of your rescue, medical treatment and transport where necessary".
Inghams also cover rescue
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You know it makes sense.
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@holidayloverxx, new member, resurected 2 yr old thread, AI sounding text and a link... spam perhap?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Wrong ends of the stick all round.
I should have started with "In my experience" most standard UK travel insurance......... I thought it was not generally available because of the large and uncertain risk for the insurer. I admit to never looking into Crystal or Inghams. I used to get piste cover in an annual EU policy with Columbus, but when taken over they stopped this feature. Now I use Staysure, who do not cover piste rescue, but are good for the rest, e.g. premiums, health history and claims.
WRT to my authenticity; I am not new, but only posted once a few years ago. I just posted topical and I thought helpful info for Austria. I did not add it to an old thread, that must be the system. I am human, not AI and I thought it would be helpful to include the link. So, not spam and I question the level of suspicion?
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Alan Espie, what makes you think Stay sure doesn't include piste rescue? I'm yet to find a UK travel insurance policy with winter sports add-on that doesn't.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Alan Espie, @sugarmoma666, it pays to read the details of the policy wording for all insurance policies.
In the case of Stay Sure, they're at https://www.staysure.co.uk/policy-documents/travel-insurance/
They include these humdingers:
- "You're not covered in areas classified as avalanche rating 3 or above" - what? Even if the resort remains open but the off-piste is closed? Level 3 is not unusual after a heavy snowfall and if the resort deems it safe to open pistes, why would you not be covered?
- "What is not covered: claims for winter sports equipment left unattended in a public place. This doesn't include claims for skis, ski poles, or snowboards, stored in a ski rack between 10am and 8pm." - so kit that is out in a rack at 8am while you buy breakfast and a day pass is not covered?
- "General Exclusions - applying to all sections
There is no cover under any section of this policy for:
23. Any search and rescue costs."
Wow - you may be able to insure against this locally via schemes linked to your ticket purchase, but if not then this is a major gap.
In short, I'd not touch it with someone else's bargepole...
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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?
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@ousekjarr, I didn't say I'd go near them. Far from it. I've read the small print 
I've exchanged messages with Staysure today. They don't really seem to understand skiing and or what piste rescue is and don't appear very clear on whether they cover it. I might post some "highlights" of my discussion with them later.
I've also queried the Avi level 3 wording before and concluded they've not got a clue. I asked them:
"My question relates to winter sports cover. Could you confirm if you are covered on piste if the resort authorities state the avalanche risk as 3. It's not clear to me if the avalanche risk applies on piste or just off piste."
Their response was:
"I can confirm you will not be covered for an avalanche risk 3 or above either on or off piste."
Based on the above, if I'd been with Staysure I'd have not been insured for any skiing in the Les Sybelles area when I was there from 10-17th January and the same likely applied to everywhere in the French alps that week.
Like you, I wouldn't touch them with any bargepole.
Overall, I don't think they've got a clue.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
I've also queried the Avi level 3 wording before and concluded they've not got a clue. I asked them:
"My question relates to winter sports cover. Could you confirm if you are covered on piste if the resort authorities state the avalanche risk as 3. It's not clear to me if the avalanche risk applies on piste or just off piste."
Their response was:
"I can confirm you will not be covered for an avalanche risk 3 or above either on or off piste."
Based on the above, if I'd been with Staysure I'd have not been insured for any skiing in the Les Sybelles area when I was there from 10-17th January and the same likely applied to everywhere in the French alps that week.
Like you, I wouldn't touch them with any bargepole.
Overall, I don't think they've got a clue. |
Sounds like a fair assesment. Basically their winter sports cover is useless.
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