 Poster: A snowHead
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Good afternoon ! I was unlucky enough to take a tumble and get injured at the weekend. I needed the usual blood wagon, ambulance to Dr , diagnosis (fractured tibial plateau) and prescription. As is the usual way, this was all done by the mountain rescue and the private clinic they take people to at Bozel.
We paid as we went and are now trying to reclaim all this through the Austrian Mountain Club insurance (which is done by Knox ). Anyhow, having spent hours with a painful knee trying to upload all the documents they have come back to me and said I have to submit evidence that I have tried to claim reimbursement through the NHS. Really ? Why on earth would the NHS pay? HAs anyone had this requirement made of them, and if so, where do I go to ask? Does it take ages for the NHS to say no?
Has anyone else navigated this system and got any tips how to do so ?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Your GHIC covers basic drugs and medical care, I think. They probably want to avoid this overlap. Did you present your GHIC to the medical centre?
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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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No - nobody asked for it. It was a private clinic they took me to, not a hospital?
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@boulevardier, I suspect they are asking whether you showed them an EHIC or GHIC card to demonstrate that you were covered by a reciprocal scheme. See https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/
That site is also very clear:
| Quote: |
A UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) does not replace travel and medical insurance or cover services like:
- being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation)
- treatment in a private medical facility
- ski or mountain rescue |
When I had an accident in Austria they took my EHIC details and as a result the total charge to me was about €30 for dinner and breakfast.
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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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Thanks. I've just rung the clinic and they confirmed they don't take them. I think I'm going to have to make a ridiculous claim to the NHS and present their perfectly reasonable refusal to the insurers. Goodness knows how long that will take.....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@boulevardier, Note that the Alpine Club insurance is primarily rescue insurance, the medical part is only supplementary cover in addition to your normal health insurance (yes I know the UK is different) for example if you have to have emergency treatment in a private clinic. You should probably read the details of the insurance https://www.alpenverein.at/portal_wAssets/docs/service/versicherung/AWS-Folder_E_2023_ebook.pdf . As I read it you are only covered for costs ( up to €10,000) at a private clinic until the point where you could be transferred to a public hospital where a GHIC will be accepted otherwise you need to get the insurance company's agreement before they will pay for treatment.
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@boulevardier, call the helpline on 0191 218 1999 and they will advise if you can claim.
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Doing the admin on insurance claims (any claim, not just skiing injuries) is inevitably a bit of a challenge. Is there nobody who can help you with it?
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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 everyone. It is indeed rather trying!
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There is the 'rub' with insurance policies - you only know how good they are when you go to claim.... 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@boulevardier, You seem to have fallen into the two insurers abyss.Had you had a "decent " Uk travel Insurance with wintersports extension all this would have been covered although you may still needed to pay up front, especially the ambulance they are notorious for only accepting credit cards. If you had had to pay up front the UK insurer would have settled very quickly and many will forgo the excess if you give them your NHS details as they then reclaim what they can from the NHS on your behalf. As it is you have to reclaim a certain part from the NHS.
Carte Neige would probably covered everything simply as well.
The link to start any claim is here https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/claim-refund-treatment-costs. It would appear that the AMC won't do anything until you have gone down that route.
Claims are always a PIA but having to make 2 claims is horrible.
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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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Huge thanks - I'd just got to the same conclusion. I've made a claim on the NHS - you have to post it , would you believe! Hopefully they can then send me a refusal confirmation and then I can go back. I do agree that perhaps next time I should just go with a more conventional insurer!
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I had the same NHS question a year ago. I just pointed out that the NHS wouldn't refund for a private clinic bill and AAC accepted it.
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You know it makes sense.
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You were lucky ! Maybe I've just got a different operative but she's absolutely insistent . So I've sent off an application and just hope the NHS respond quickly . Frankly , I think they've got better things to do !
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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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All GP clinics in France are private. All will have charges to the patient for consultations, xrays, treatment and blood tests. What matters is their status in the French healthcare system, and they need to be 'conventionée'. Almost all are. I find it difficult to believe that none of the services offered at Bozel are covered by the state, so it is a question that should be being asked of the NHS. Patients should be given a 'feuille de soin' listing treament and charges made to reclaim costs.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thank you ! I think I may research alternatives for next season !
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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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| boulevardier wrote: |
| Huge thanks - I'd just got to the same conclusion. I've made a claim on the NHS - you have to post it , would you believe! |
Yep, at least you didn't have to FAX it !? Until recently the NHS were the biggest purchaser of fax machines globally...
| Quote: |
| Hopefully they can then send me a refusal confirmation and then I can go back. I do agree that perhaps next time I should just go with a more conventional insurer! |
But it's still bureaucracy all the way down!
| boulevardier wrote: |
| Thank you ! I think I may research alternatives for next season ! |
Good luck & maybe let us know what you find and/or reject?
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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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I think it’s important to do some background research if you are considering cover from anyone other than a regular, mainstream UK Travel Insurer and their Winter Sports option. Just a quick search for the AAC threw up this piece of feedback:
‘ We’ve had the basic AAC insurance for many years and always regarded it as very good value for the basic essentials – rescue and medical cover. No cover for gear, or accommodation for another person accompanying the injured climber etc etc, but that’s OK for the price. However, the proof of the pudding is kin that claim you hope you never have to make. Recently we did have to claim, and it fell down very badly, leaving us currently nearly 12 thousand euros out of pocket.’
It always worries me when family and acquaintances say “Oh, we have full cover from {obscure insurer} / our bank account. Much cheaper than {mainstream UK insurer}” Yes sometimes this turns out to fine when they make their claim, but sometimes, as you’ve found, you discover why they aren’t so well-known. Which is not to say that the outsourced claims management partners of a well-known UK insurer can’t be difficult to deal with. They certainly can. Just that researching the detailed Ts&Cs and searches for actual claims feedback can be worth the tedium.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Thu 5-02-26 20:51; 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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@LaForet, the limits of AAC are very clear when you take out the policy.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| LaForet wrote: |
It always worries me when family and acquaintances say “Oh, we have full cover from {obscure insurer} / our bank account. Much cheaper than {mainstream UK insurer} |
It's a bit patronising to assume that people who take insurance other than your approved list haven't done the research to make sure they are fully covered. Bank Insurance provides a very useful source for older people who only ski on piste.
Can't complain at a world wide annual policy for £174 which covers 2 70+ year olds for up to 31 winter sports days. Accepted that there are limitations which don't suit many, off-piste not covered, and obvious loading for pre-existing health conditions but a useful product that my wife and I have had cause to claim on which was dealt with quickly and fairly.
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| Quote: |
Can't complain at a world wide annual policy for £174 which covers 2 70+ year olds for up to 31 winter sports days.
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what company is that with?
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@LaForet, >leaving us currently nearly 12 thousand euros out of pocket.’
It would be interesting to know why??
What country? Did the claimant have all/too much treatment in a private clinic and not move/transfer to GHIC covered public hospital??
Scanty feedback is really no use at all.
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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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| Timc wrote: |
| LaForet wrote: |
It always worries me when family and acquaintances say “Oh, we have full cover from {obscure insurer} / our bank account. Much cheaper than {mainstream UK insurer} |
It's a bit patronising to assume that people who take insurance other than your approved list haven't done the research to make sure they are fully covered. Bank Insurance provides a very useful source for older people who only ski on piste.
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I haven't seen a "free" bank insurance which covers that.
And there will be quite a few people who don't properly check, just know their bank account provides insurance.
Most don't cover winter sports without paying a premium that is often more than a separate policy would be. They often also don't cover over age 70.
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| alex_heney wrote: |
Most don't cover winter sports without paying a premium that is often more than a separate policy would be. |
Mine does. And always has. With no extra premium. Including all dependents.
I am curious which ones don't. And how you arrived at the conclusion that "most" don't.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| colinstone wrote: |
@LaForet, >leaving us currently nearly 12 thousand euros out of pocket.’
It would be interesting to know why??
What country? Did the claimant have all/too much treatment in a private clinic and not move/transfer to GHIC covered public hospital??
Scanty feedback is really no use at all. |
I think this is the post being referred to, the incident happened in Madagascar. If you read the comments to the end of the thread, the claim was actually paid out in the end.
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Fri 6-02-26 8:58; edited 1 time in total
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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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@Hells Bells, thanks. Going to any non GHIC country, Madagascar, with only €10k for medical expenses is pretty risky. It is all very clear in the AAC small print.
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| zikomo wrote: |
| alex_heney wrote: |
Most don't cover winter sports without paying a premium that is often more than a separate policy would be. |
Mine does. And always has. With no extra premium. Including all dependents.
I am curious which ones don't. And how you arrived at the conclusion that "most" don't. |
Actually, I think I was wrong. I was thinking of the situation a few years ago, where quite a few were including things like travel insurance on free accounts. Now all the ones which do are paid, it looks like more of them include winter sports cover.
Though most of them DO have an age limit where you have to pay extra for cover if you are over a certain age (which varies by provider from 65 to 80).
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
I haven't seen a "free" bank insurance which covers that.
And there will be quite a few people who don't properly check, just know their bank account provides insurance.
Most don't cover winter sports without paying a premium that is often more than a separate policy would be. They often also don't cover over age 70.
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OK it is not "free" you have to pay a premium for the bank account but the Nationwide Flex Plus bank account costs about £18 a month for my wife and I inclusive and offers travel insurance no matter what your age and unlimited number of days of winter sport cover. My sister pays over £100 a year for AA breakdown cover and that doesn't even cover international travel. That is also included in the Flex Plus account.
Getting any sort of cover once you are over 75 gets hard which is why many of my friends (and me now) have AAC membership. It gets you off the mountain and into a EHIC hospital if needed and TBH that is all most of us are looking for in travel insurance.
Last edited by You know it makes sense. on Fri 6-02-26 10:03; edited 1 time in total
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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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The terms of the policy which Barclays offered were so far away from being suitable for me that I'd still need a separate policy. Same applies for breakdown cover, once I'd read the terms I realised it was completely unsuitable
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Poster: A snowHead
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If you are a skier who does the odd trip only on piste the AAC cover is unlikely to be right for you. Much better off with standard travel insurance that covers "winter sports". On the other hand if you are someone who (occasionally) skis off piste (even if only a bit of side piste) or ski routes/itineraries in places like Verbier or St Anton then AAC membership (to cover rescue costs) along with some medical cover in case of a serious injury not covered by a GHIC makes sense.
A couple of points to bear in mind, insurance included in a club membership, which only costs around £60 / year, is clearly going to have limitations. For example BMC insurance is a few hundred pounds a year on top of the membership fee. The AAC insurance is also primarily designed for those resident in Austria where there is compulsory medical insurance which would cover you for any sort of sporting injury. Those resident in the UK need to be aware of making sure they have a GHIC and also what limitations that might cause.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@alex_heney,
| alex_heney wrote: |
Though most of them DO have an age limit where you have to pay extra for cover if you are over a certain age (which varies by provider from 65 to 80). |
Barclays age limit is 79 with a 31 day per year winter sports cover, Nationwide don't have an age limit with a 31 day trip limit with as many trips as you like winter sports. Both are underwritten by Aviva.
@johnE, Barclays
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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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| Quote: |
For example BMC insurance is a few hundred pounds a year on top of the membership fee.
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I used to have BMC insurance but the premiums are now very high without even looking at the medical conditions. Just for Europe for my wife and I it is over £1000.
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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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| Timc wrote: |
@alex_heney,
| alex_heney wrote: |
Though most of them DO have an age limit where you have to pay extra for cover if you are over a certain age (which varies by provider from 65 to 80). |
Barclays age limit is 79 with a 31 day per year winter sports cover, Nationwide don't have an age limit with a 31 day trip limit with as many trips as you like winter sports. Both are underwritten by Aviva.
@johnE, Barclays |
I have the barclays insurance/breakdown pack too, it's excellent. I've claimed successfully on the travel insurance a few times with no hassle whatsoever including minor ski injuries (admittedly nothing really big though). The RAC breakdown cover is good too, I've used that a few times as well.
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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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| Timc wrote: |
| .... Bank Insurance provides a very useful source for older people who only ski on piste. ... |
But many have restrctions on medical conditions, eg call us before booking if in the past year you have been prescribed medication / received treatment / been admitted to hospital, or are awaiting treatment, tests or to see a consultant.
This will catch many older people, and they might not realise until they try to make a claim.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@JohnS4, RAC cover with Barclays doesn't include business mileage, which is probably 90% of my journeys. In practice I'm not sure they'd check, but it's not a risk I want to take.
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| SnoodyMcFlude wrote: |
| @JohnS4, RAC cover with Barclays doesn't include business mileage, which is probably 90% of my journeys. In practice I'm not sure they'd check, but it's not a risk I want to take. |
Surely it would not be the "risk" that would stop you?!!
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@zikomo, the risk of them checking whether I'm using the car for business or not is exactly what stops me. If I knew they weren't going to check then the rest of the coverage is exactly what I'd need (and no different to the coverage I have elsewhere for more money, other than the business thing).
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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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| SnoodyMcFlude wrote: |
| @JohnS4, RAC cover with Barclays doesn't include business mileage, which is probably 90% of my journeys. In practice I'm not sure they'd check, but it's not a risk I want to take. |
I'm not surprised at that, most insurance companies don't cover business use either (except for commuting purposes) unless you pay extra, so it's not unexpected that their breakdown cover would not either. I don't use any of my cars for business purposes so that's not a limitation for me.
They do cover all the cars you own though, and no vehicle age limit for either UK or European cover (it only used to cover cars up to 11yrs in Europe - but you could call up and pay a bit extra for cover) but now that restriction has been removed.
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| ecureuil wrote: |
| Timc wrote: |
| .... Bank Insurance provides a very useful source for older people who only ski on piste. ... |
But many have restrctions on medical conditions, eg call us before booking if in the past year you have been prescribed medication / received treatment / been admitted to hospital, or are awaiting treatment, tests or to see a consultant.
This will catch many older people, and they might not realise until they try to make a claim. |
Not just older people! I went to A and E for an accident where I hit my head last year and they discovered I had tachycardia while I was there. Not connected to the accident at all. Now my insurance wants to know if I’ve ever had a hospital visit due to the tachycardia. Tricky because I went to A and E for the injury but they made me stay until the tachycardia had been checked out. Turns out I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia, High heart rate for no obvious reason. Even so, despite the fact it’s pretty harmless it still jacks my travel insurance rate up because it’s technically a cardiac condition.
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FAQ
