Travel Insurance Claim Problem

gettingtheresometime

Manxman_in_exile wrote: »

I've just remembered one of the reasons why I don't go on cruises!!!


EDIT: I think if you are paying them ££££ it should be their job to do so!!


Check T&Cs before embarking!!!

I would bet the issue is that whilst there are medical facilities on board, they aren't geared for anything major.

On our cruise last year, there was a call for the pilot to report to the bridge followed by a call for any blood donors of a certain group. Next thing we knew there was a helicopter hovering only for it to return. Turns out the first time it came was to drop off a doctor to help stabilise the patient before taking him to the mainland for hospital treatment. Goodness knows what that cost

Manxman_in_exile

What I meant was that the cruise company ought to at be making an attempt to liaise with the passenger's insurance company. I don't expect them to have full medical facilities on board.

sheramber

Right Path appear to be a claims handling company only dealing with the claims for several companies.

Your father's travel insurance company should have details of the Emergency Assistance service that you should contact when you need treatment abroad. That service liaise with the hospital about treatment required.

Check the travel insurance company documents for who to contact abroad and contact hem to see if they can help

jackyann

I think this sometimes arises because some insurance companies keep costs down by saying you must use EHIC / reciprocal arrangements first, but the holiday companies like you to use their tame doctors.

I think OP had to make a fuss so that the hospital have to be bothered. I would begin with the cruise company, who I assume were involved at some point. They have a vested interest in ensuring the wellbeing of their customers.

Good luck

FBaby

What I meant was that the cruise company ought to at be making an attempt to liaise with the passenger's insurance company. I don't expect them to have full medical facilities on board.

My mother fell when she was on taking a day trip with the cruise company. They arranged for everything but that's because she was on an outing organised by them. When you are off the cruise and visiting the place on your own accord, then you are responsible for yourself. How would they even know something happened until being made aware of the accident?

In any case, the issue here is the detailed invoice and from experience, I would guess that the reason why they are not responding is because this has already been provided. It would be highly unusual for a private Spanish clinic not to give this at time of payment, so could it be that your father lost it?

The other reason why they might not be responding is that they might not be able to discuss this with you and would only respond to your father liaising with them. I would get him to call/write.

At the moment, there is no indication that the insurance will not pay, so cross fingers that this will be sorted once you get the invoice, however, be prepared for them to indeed question his being treated in a private clinic. Your father should have been asked to be transported to the state one. The insurance might be sympathetic to his situation/age or might not.

Finally, 1,500 euros is not a rip off at all, actually quite cheap for private care. It would likely have cost the tax payer more with the NHS.

hollydays

Ganga wrote: »

I watched a program on tv a while ago about a hospital in Majorca and they had an english speaking member of staff who was employed to contact peoples insurance companies and get the ball rolling for treatment or not in one case ( a young lad who had basic cover and had to pay for treatment received and be transported to a state clinic/hospital )
I am sure other hospitals abroad in main tourist areas do the same.

Spain perhaps, but a friend of my mine was in France and there were no English speaking staff at a casualty type dept that he dealt with so don’t rely on it.He spoke French but not medical French so he was a little in the dark.
You do realise europe gets lots of other nationalities visiting.
I was in Europe a few days ago and there were lots of Scandinavians, Brazilians, Nepalese , Syrians - you can’t expect them to provide staff to cater for every language
People travel to lots of different places where many tourists go but don’t expect anything other than a basic service.

Katiehound

Right Path is a claims agency- they handled my claim from ATOL when Voyages of Discovery went to the wall in January.

I am amazed that the cruise line didn't assist here as clearly they were involved

elsien

beancounter1968 wrote: »

It was the Clinica Parque San Antonio and once we got over the language barrier, they would not disclose anything. I also emailed them but have had nothing back

Could that be because they have no authority to discuss the bill or treatment with you, as you are not their patient?
Perhaps if dad contacted them with your support, he may get more of a response. Has he tried writing to them?

Manxman_in_exile

FBaby wrote: »

My mother fell when she was on taking a day trip with the cruise company. They arranged for everything but that's because she was on an outing organised by them. When you are off the cruise and visiting the place on your own accord, then you are responsible for yourself. How would they even know something happened until being made aware of the accident?

In any case, the issue here is the detailed invoice and from experience, I would guess that the reason why they are not responding is because this has already been provided. It would be highly unusual for a private Spanish clinic not to give this at time of payment, so could it be that your father lost it?

The other reason why they might not be responding is that they might not be able to discuss this with you and would only respond to your father liaising with them. I would get him to call/write.

At the moment, there is no indication that the insurance will not pay, so cross fingers that this will be sorted once you get the invoice, however, be prepared for them to indeed question his being treated in a private clinic. Your father should have been asked to be transported to the state one. The insurance might be sympathetic to his situation/age or might not.

Finally, 1,500 euros is not a rip off at all, actually quite cheap for private care. It would likely have cost the tax payer more with the NHS.

All very good points. I had forgotten that he was not on the ship at the time, and may have been unaccompanied.


I think if you are an 80 yr old (possibly on your own) and suddenly have a severe allergic reaction, it might be very difficult to tell them "take me to a state hospital" though!


As I said earlier, when we went to Italy last month, I checked everything on the EHIC website beforehand, but I think I still would have been unsure how to get treatment there in an emergency, apart from contacting our insurers on their emergency number. Difficult if you are on your own though.


I agree, 1500 euros doesn't sound too bad.


EDIT: Just changed part of my reply to bold. I think if you off the ship, and there are others with you, it may be prudent to share insurance contacts, or at least tell the others you have details on you.