 Poster: A snowHead
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We are not doing well this year!! In Arc 1950
Firstly I fell off a luge and cracked a rib. I don’t bother getting medical attention as I heard a crack, it’s painful but been able to manage with painkillers and can still ski a bit.
My husband however decided to push it alone yesterday, and fell on a black run smacking his shoulder. He is in a lot of pain and cannot ski. So today we went to the medical centre and it’s not broken but is in a sling. So €300 later for X-rays, slings and prescription and we have booked a taxi transfer to Bourg st Maurice rather than Navette/funicular as he can’t carry his case. Plus 2 non-ski days on his lift pass.
It looks like we are ‘double insured’ as I took out Carre Neige and we have annual travel insurance. So which might be better to claim from?
Any thoughts??
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Lucywuk, my guess is that whichever you claim from you'll need to tell them about the existence of the other insurance policy. I'd probably go down the travel insurance route myself.
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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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I think Carre Neige is only for claiming when the Pisteurs take you off the mountain....So I would make any claim from your holiday insurance.
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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| I think Carre Neige is only for claiming when the Pisteurs take you off the mountain.... |
I agree. If you'd called them at the time all those bills would have been settled direct. As you didn't call them it will be down to travel insurance.
Edit - I don't think you can claim anything for the luge incident because you don't have a medical receipt. Your husband can claim on Carre Neige if he has receipts and a statement from the doctor saying that he can't ski.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Thu 23-01-25 17:37; edited 1 time in total
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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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@Lucywuk, unfortunate and hope you untangle it.
Worthwhile asking at the ski pass office as I understand the pass, ski hire unused ? etc is covered specifically by that arrangement.
Agree with @sugarmoma666, though, in that some overlap of cover is likely to be confusing.
Speaking from recent experience with child #1 two weeks back, carted off slope, ambulance to medical centre, all covered by CN payment. Medical examination was separate cost, and taken by ehic card being produced .... except for €19 std admin charge in French health system.
The CN "system" is now going through closing out any extra cost to conclude by paying extras. There's, in this case, nothing but that €19 out of pocket expense as the rest of week was completed so hire cost and pass cancellation not appropriate.
This one was initiated by attention out on slope and that rescue, so may differ.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I would declare via Carre Neige, you have a time limit whichever you declare with.
Did you get medical certs and receipts for everything?
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We made a Carre Neige claim last year. No rescue. Resort doctor identified a torn muscle (after a collision) and advised against skiing for the rest of the week. Relatively straightforward to claim. Uploaded copies of medical certificate, ski pass etc while still in resort, and got the payment direct to bank account a week or so later.
Only claimed for the lost days on the lift pass in the end. I think there was/is a €50 excess on each element of a claim. Didn't bother claiming for the doctor's fee and meds, because they weren't much over that.
Not sure it covers equipment hire(?)
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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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Thanks all. I wasn’t going to claim anything for the luge incident. I skied the day after, Tuesday. But Wednesday first thing I had a bit of a panic and said I just wanted to faff on a few blue runs, but dear husband said he wanted to go from Glacier to Villeroger, so instead of insisting he stay with me, I went home and rested whilst he went off to break himself!!! 
I’ll ski easy tomorrow.
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I would advise against skiing if you think you have cracked a rib. For a start, it might be more serious than you imagine and you could suffer permanent injury that was entirely avoidable if you had consulted a medic. Second, if it is more serious or you had another accident that made things worse, your insurer may well reject the claim because you didn’t contact them in the first instance.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I would try CN probably quicker and simpler unless you need help with repatriation.
You are probably aware of this but if you have a cracked rib then there is an increased chance of puncturing your lung if you have another accident. But hey there are risks with everything so do what you are comfortable with.
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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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Agreed it may be daft to ski. But I did it Monday late afternoon. Skied all day Tuesday. A couple of runs Wednesday and Thursday. And this morning for the first time I got out of bed ok!! lol
Anyway thanks for all your help. Travel insurance is sorting the medical bills and the extra taxi needed to avoid long drags with cases, and CN for the lift pass and maybe skis. Or Intersport said we could try a refund. Tbh that’s about €15 so not worried there.
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@Lucywuk, Carre Neige gets you off the hill, the rest is down to you.
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You know it makes sense.
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Similar issue last year for us (broken wrist). Used CN to reclaim cost of ski pass in Val Thorens. Its an online form where you upload documents such as Dr's letter. It was quite simple, money returned within a week or so. It didn't cover ski hire refund I think. Used travel insurance to reclaim hospital fees when returned home
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Yes, as noted you'd need to read the insurance statement -from them- to appreciate what is covered.
We had a thread recently (I can't immediately find it) that quoted directly from their, CN, statement as to the coverage extent.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@ski3, it's amazing how many people pay money for something without checking what it actually is  The view that Carre Neige just covers initial rescue appears to be a widely held misconception.
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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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@sugarmoma666, Correct, it does cover a lot more. My wife injured her knee on day 1 last year. Didn't need rescuing, but Carre Neige paid for the unused ski pass and for medical / pharmacy expenses not covered by our travel insurance or by the Global Health Insurance Card. You just have to demonstrate that whatever expenses were incurred aren't already covered elsewhere. (Getting the refund from the UK end of the GHIC system was very slow - c.6 months - but Carre Neige still happy to pay out once we had proof from GHIC on what they had and had not covered).
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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: |
| @ski3, it's amazing how many people pay money for something without checking what it actually is The view that Carre Neige just covers initial rescue appears to be a widely held misconception. |
I think people are happy to pay the fee to get hassle free evacuation from the mountain and treatment....and if the worst happens, I would then expect them to (probably) look up the full policy and decide what else could be claimed.
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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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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
| @ski3, it's amazing how many people pay money for something without checking what it actually is The view that Carre Neige just covers initial rescue appears to be a widely held misconception. |
I think people are happy to pay the fee to get hassle free evacuation from the mountain and treatment....and if the worst happens, I would then expect them to (probably) look up the full policy and decide what else could be claimed. |
I think that's probably true. But I'm still waiting for someone to get caught out when making a claim by not telling their insurance company that they have another policy in place that may cover part of the costs.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
| Old Fartbag wrote: |
| sugarmoma666 wrote: |
| @ski3, it's amazing how many people pay money for something without checking what it actually is The view that Carre Neige just covers initial rescue appears to be a widely held misconception. |
I think people are happy to pay the fee to get hassle free evacuation from the mountain and treatment....and if the worst happens, I would then expect them to (probably) look up the full policy and decide what else could be claimed. |
I think that's probably true. But I'm still waiting for someone to get caught out when making a claim by not telling their insurance company that they have another policy in place that may cover part of the costs. |
Yup.
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So i never pay for carre neige as i (like i assume everyone else) have travel insurance anyway - so what am I missing?
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| Pejoli wrote: |
| So i never pay for carre neige as i (like i assume everyone else) have travel insurance anyway - so what am I missing? |
The one and only time I was evacuated off a mountain we did not have CN and we had to pay out quite a lot. It was 2010 so can’t recall how much. And claim back from our insurance. They were great, but I seem to recall around £700+ upfront. But if you choose to go into the medical centre yourself I am not sure if CN kicks in. We were asked to pay yesterday, and claim back.
The CN as I understand it, means you don’t pay and claim back for your evacuation and medical costs if you are brought down on the mountain. Also you can claim back your unused ski pass.
My holiday insurance asked if we had private health insurance what covered overseas. But they did not ask about CN. So we are claiming medical, taxis for ‘repatriation’ we can’t carry cases and take public transport easily (we are on the train so that’s ok but will need help with bags). We may use CN to claim the unused ski pass if the travel insurance won’t.
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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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@Lucywuk, out of interest, what insurance company are you with?
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With our bank. First Direct. It’s an annual
Policy had it forever and they have always been great it’s well worth it.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Pejoli wrote: |
| So i never pay for carre neige as i (like i assume everyone else) have travel insurance anyway - so what am I missing? |
Not much I think.
I do pay it because I'd prefer no one in my family to be faffing with a credit card as they are being stretchered off and I also, rightly or wrongly, think of it as a contribution to the piste patrol. Am I even right about the latter point or does it just go to a Swiss reinsurance co?
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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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| Quote: |
So we are claiming medical, taxis for ‘repatriation’ we can’t carry cases and take public transport easily (we are on the train so that’s ok but will need help with bags). We may use CN to claim the unused ski pass if the travel insurance won’t.
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Now this is where things get tricky. Our travel insurance with the BMC says it will not cover anything covered by another insurance policy. Since CN covers repatriation I think it would have nothing to do with repatriation if you've taken out a policy with them. For that reason and TBH I think I'd be simply wasting my money I never take out CN or similar policies.
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| johnE wrote: |
| Quote: |
So we are claiming medical, taxis for ‘repatriation’ we can’t carry cases and take public transport easily (we are on the train so that’s ok but will need help with bags). We may use CN to claim the unused ski pass if the travel insurance won’t.
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Now this is where things get tricky. Our travel insurance with the BMC says it will not cover anything covered by another insurance policy. Since CN covers repatriation I think it would have nothing to do with repatriation if you've taken out a policy with them. For that reason and TBH I think I'd be simply wasting my money I never take out CN or similar policies. |
I don't think it means that. If it did, you could possibly buy two policies from two different companies with similar exclusions, and then if you did have to claim you could find yourself without any cover at all despite having two policies. That's obviously daft.
What I think they mean is that if you make a claim and are paid out on one policy, you can't then make a claim on a second/third/fourth policy and get a second/third/fourth pay-out, in effect getting paid several times for the same event. AIUI what actually happens is you get paid once by whoever you initially claim from, and then all the insurance companies share the cost. That's why they want to know what other cover you may have.
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You know it makes sense.
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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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@Pejoli The value of the local skipass cover is that it obviates your having to pay out and then reclaim. In our case, if we’d had it we wouldn’t have had to pay out ourselves for the piste closure cost, the heli-medic cost, the pisteurs cost, and the helicopter cost. We got it all back in the end, but it just simplifies things.
Remember that in a bad accident, especially one requiring heli-evac, your first concern is rarely the Ts&Cs of your insurance cover. It’s the person themselves or yourself. The evacuee gets to A&E before anyone else, often (as you would hope) quite some time before. So they’re alone. They may be morphined-up so not at their best anyway, over and above their injury. So anything that streamlines the whole thing is welcome.
These various bills come in for some time afterwards. In our case over three months. So again, not having to handle any of these bills is welcome. So for me, an extra £4 a day or whatever is worth it, even if it does overlap with GHIC and travel insurance.
And on that point, always have your GHIC on you. And/or take a photo of the card (it’s not a smart card - the important thing is the info on it). Given it’s free to acquire, it is a no-brainier to get and carry, and something that you can just hand over on admission and can save a lot of time providing details.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Sun 26-01-25 10:59; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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@LaForet, exactly my view, to the letter.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| jedster wrote: |
| Pejoli wrote: |
| So i never pay for carre neige as i (like i assume everyone else) have travel insurance anyway - so what am I missing? |
Not much I think.
I do pay it because I'd prefer no one in my family to be faffing with a credit card as they are being stretchered off and I also, rightly or wrongly, think of it as a contribution to the piste patrol. Am I even right about the latter point or does it just go to a Swiss reinsurance co? |
I've heard the suggestion before that Carre Neige is in some way a contribution to piste patrol but haven't been able to verify one way or the other. I wonder if it's something Idris could answer.
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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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I'd be extremely surprised if it's a contribution to piste patrol! Never heard that theory.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Whether you have CN insurance or just ordinary travel insurance, I think it's always best to call piste patrol for assistance getting off the mountain. And if you have travel insurance, informing them ASAP. Apart from the possibility that you might injure yourself further, getting off the mountain yourself, insurance companies don't always take kindly to people running up lots of bills without consulting them, and then claiming back later. Once you have been "piste patrolled" off the mountain the process is set in motion.
In my experience piste patrol are very good at what they do. And horror stories of moribund people being stretchered past a cash point to get out lots of dosh seem to be rubbish.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yes, my commerce teacher at school got fiesty about not being able to "insure" health / life, as that was intended to reinstate your position prior to event and not being possible in fatality scenario, obviously. As "Assurance" best looked after the outcome from the event, that ultimately could lead to fatality 
Direct experience, two weeks ago with my eldest in SC on first self organised trip with friends. The CN thread on here prompting discussion prior to travel, about what it does etc. Took advice to pay it, and had cause to use it 1st day
All very sermless and very well looked after by those attending. Ultimately nothing serious and able to complete the week from then onward. The ease and professionalism delivered was sincerely appreciated.
The groups directly working on piste etc are of course the most experienced in handling these events.
Skied for many years, with own /family policy etc, not always used CN (or similar) but more recently, and with reading understanding their approach in ski village, think it's a good deal. We've never, ever previously claimed. It's good to find when needed, that it worked absolutely seamlessly.
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I've always taken CN at €49 for a season pass, for the number of days skied, the rate works out at a couple of Euros per day and so to me seems a no-brainer.
This year I happened to have an awkward fall on my shoulder. I thought it was just bruised but was painful enough and I didn't have a easy route down. Therefore, I decided to call in for recovery from the piste. Part of my mindset was that I had paid for cover and so why not use it. Just as well I did as I had multiple fractures.
I signed a document to confirm that I had been recovered which was chargeable and given a leaflet on where to pay for my recovery. On speaking to them they just said to make a claim with CN online and they are paid direct. Easy as that.
With regards my travel insurance, they have paid out all the subsequent medical bills but have taken note of the CN as they might try and recover/share some of the medical costs with CN but that will all be done by them in the background.
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Interesting to hear everyone’s perspectives, but generally I *think* I’m still happy with my approach. I’ve always balanced the ‘cup of coffee’ (well, maybe in an Italian resort) position against the likelihood of actually utilising it over a reasonable period of time. It’s the self insurance argument, but of course, we are all insuring ourselves anyway.
My experience has been for our family-of-five-holidays, plus my various trips with friends, in the last fifteen years we’ve only had two visits to the medical centre (by coincidence the same one, in VT). Mine was slipping on some ice like a doofus, coming back from the pub. My wife’s though was a bit more dramatic, being blood-waggoned off Boismint sans ACL.
In both cases (ok, so mine was just an x-ray and a wrist brace) it proved very straightforward getting insurance to cover everything, picking up all the medical costs, recouping for unused lift tickets and equipment , and booking extra transport and an extra seat on the flight for Hilary’s leg (that’s actually what they put as the ticket name!)They even reimbursed us for a following week’s apartment in VT. And there was no questioning/talk about CN during the process of getting her off the mountain and up to the medical centre - they were just totally focused on looking after her. My recollection as well is that the insurers will ask if you have any other relevant insurance, so presumably there’d have been more form filling there as well (I’m guessing you’d have to cross-file a claim with CN as well so the two could argue how they’d split it?). Yes it did have to all go on my credit card, but actually I think the insurers paid up even before the balance was due.
Now perhaps we’ve been lucky with our experiences, but from my perspective just relying on the insurance I’d already paid for has been relatively stress-free,and we’ve saved probably the best part of £1,000 in that time by passing on the CN. Of course that big number is on a spend of c50k+of holiday cost (yikes), so perhaps not quite so impressive, and I do get the peace of mind aspect. But for me, I think I’m happy carrying on with this approach.
Anyway, off to the Dolomites in a couple of weeks, so hope I haven’t jinxed myself (though at least no CN dilemma there) …
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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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| Quote: |
at least no CN dilemma there
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There is something - they require you to have public liability cover, and you can buy that locally, along with other cover. I did check that my normal travel insurance includes third party liability so didn't look into it in any detail.
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So, I've not long had a rather innocuous fall on a piste in Switzerland and reckon I've bruised / cracked / broken a rib.
On bus back to AirBnB now having spoken to piste patrol at bottom of run, but not used their services.
What would the good folk of this parish advise I do next?
I've got travel insurance with winter sports cover, the optional insurance you can get with a Magic Pass and GHIC card :~
Oh and I'm due to fly home tomorrow!
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FAQ
