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  • Moffey
    Moffey Posts: 7 Forumite
    Many thanks for the response regarding insurance, unfortunately the college my son is attending doesn't offer any insurance (i think this is a relatively new approach), so i am still looking for medical insurance to cover him should he become injured whilst playing soccer. i have looked at one website for students studying in amercia acsa.com which is about $750 per year. I will have a look at the travel insurance you have talked about.
    Thanks once again for taking the time to respond.
    Which college is you son attending, and does he enjoy it? How many years has he been there?
  • Moffey
    Moffey Posts: 7 Forumite
    Sorry Andygra - but the insurance you mention through the your son's college, do you have to pay for this?
  • Hi Moffey. The insurance was part of my deal with Soccer Icon and they use Coe Connections. However, my son did have a spell in hospital prior to his return home in May. I have just put a claim in for hospital bills but am worried because my son didn't read the letter from Coe Connections and therefore did not follow the correct procedure, ie contacting them before treatment! Axa are the underwriters for this company and I have had dealings with them in the past and like most insurance companies they only pay what they have too. However, as an underwriter they are very well known.
  • Moffey
    Moffey Posts: 7 Forumite
    Alwayscautious, thanks for taking the time to reply. Was your son's hospital stay as a result of a soccer injury or just general illness? Only that is what i am having trouble trying to establish.
    Where is your son studying, how long has he been there, and does he enjoy it? It's a big step for any youngster, and i just want what's best for my boy.
  • Johnny111
    Johnny111 Posts: 44 Forumite
    I know a number of English players at US colleges that don't have any type of medical insurance. They get by, by seeing there athletic trainer (physio) if needed. For example, if they pick up an injury that doesn't need surgery, the staff at the college will deal with it free of charge i.e rehab, physio etc. Some athletic departments even have full time doctors that will deal with most illnesses and flu etc.

    The main problem they face if if they get seriously injured i.e they break their legs and need surgery. This is when insurance is needed and I would advise you to take out some form of sports insurance that will cover serious injuries. For general illness I wouldn't be so worried about insurance..most of the time the doctors will just give out some sort of painkiller or antibiotics that you can pick up in stores or through your athletic department. It depends on the size of the school and the level of the soccer program. If the general illness is that bad that the kid will need hospital treatment and rack up a big hospital bill it would probably be a better idea to get them back to England!
  • Moffey
    Moffey Posts: 7 Forumite
    Many thanks for all the responses, i think the only answer is to take out sports insurance, at least for the piece of mind. My son has never suffered a serious injury in all the 13 years he has been playing but it would just be sods law that when he goes to the states something will happen and i don't want to run the risk. I appreciate the advise about the physio's etc. Perhaps if i cover him for the first year, and then when he has been over there he will be able to sus out what is required for the other 3.

    At least that's one think almost ticked off my list, just another load still to do - who thought going to America would be easy - oh my son!
  • Hi Moffey

    My son had to go to hospital with stomach pains, not a soccer related illness. He did need an MRI scan so had to give his insurance details to the hospital. I will have to do some research myself for his insurance this year but haven't started yet.

    In response to your questions he is attending a small college, Kansas way, and tends to get a bit bored and misses home quite a bit. He enjoys the soccer as the team are pretty good but as a consequence he doesn't always get a game as the standard is pretty high. Academically he is doing well, which is the main thing and he is committed to seeing the course through. I think he just wants to get his degree and come home. He has only just finished his first year so three more to go! I was concerned at one point as he didn't seem too happy there but he has admitted since arriving home that he tended to email me when he was on his own in his room and fed up; so things seemed worse than they were.

    On a plus note he has made an interesting mix of friends and had the opportunity to travel; New York and Panama City so far. Also the study year is short: mid August - May with a month at home for Christmas.
  • andygrae
    andygrae Posts: 12 Forumite
    Have you checked with the sports coach that he doesnt insure them for injury as my sons university offers a similar insurance but we dont take that out

    My son has been to an American hospital for an MRI scan which was paid for by the sports department we didnt make a claim under our own insurance - as somebody has said before the medics attached to the sports department can give painkillers etc out and university has its own doctor

    my son graduates at christmas and will have done 4 1/2 years

    he has had a great time but would have preferred to have gone to a university near Florida not Texas (flights would have been cheaper as well)

    overall he says if you get the chance to go then go
  • cuzzy
    cuzzy Posts: 48 Forumite
    Hi,

    I just thought I'd throw my two pennies in there as it seems people are a little confused.

    I personally went to America to play and study. I had the time of my life. I came out with a degree and played at a competitive level of 'soccer' the whole time I was there.

    I went knowing I would never make it as a professional. I'd say most people have that mind set, but it was more about the difference in lifestyle and playing soccer at a high level. When I left I was gutted to come back. So just so you know its not ALL about the sport, its a mixture of everything. If you do make it pro after, BONUS.

    I personally went with a company, well an individual who now runs a company helped me. I paid £1500 and it was easily the best money I spent. He put together a who profile of me, video, references, etc and got me offers at colleges out there and gave me a few options.

    Yes I could have done it myself, but I was a little clueless, and paying £1500 to then get my whole tuition paid for (I was lucky some people dont) it was a steal. I saw how many emails the coaches out there get from individuals trying to do it on their own. My coach didn't actually look at them because he was getting about 25 per day!!!! So he just dealt with the UK and USA scholarship companies to present him some players. He also did his own scouting in the US.

    So that showed me that their is worth in these scholarship agencies. They in theory 'assess' the players and put a student athlete forward to a suitable college.

    I've heard some absolute horror stories from a few companies from actual close friends, but here is my list of decent companies worth checking out and what they charge (from what I've heard so don't hold me accountable);

    Sports Recruiting USA £750-£1000
    College Sport USA Not sure
    Soccer Icon £2500

    I hope this helps.
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