12 replies to this topic

[Viper350]

I had my usual trip to Germany this year, in fact it was to be my last, having been around 25 times , mostly alone. Unfortunately, I had an off while slowing down for some traffic lights. Must have been diesel, I went down so fast after touching the front brake I can,t actually remember falling! An ambulance was called and I was checked out and given the all clear. Later that night I started shaking badly and the campsite owners called an ambulance which took me to a hospital. I spent the night in hospital. Next morning I discovered that the EU health card doesn,t mean a thing in Germany. Apparently, Germany doesn,t have a national health service - all hospitals and the ambulance services are privately owned. And the card does not cover private treatment. That cost me £650 for the hospital and over  

£1000 for the ambulance. Luckily, my bike was still rideable. More luck. When paying the money transfer at the Nationwide I discovered I had automatic health insurance with my account. It,s taken a while but i should be getting the final payment any day. So, when travelling to Germany, take out travel insurance.

[dapleb]

Glad yar ok. 

 

I remember reading the disclaimers that the card only entitles you to the same treatment as a local...so if they pay....you do.

 

Got that Nationwide cover too.  It even covered me for a Euro treader tour which surprised me.  Glad it worked fur ewe.

[muddy]

That's useful information to know. Thanks. I've got ADAC plus cover and Nationwide, so I think I'd be alright.

[harvey krumpet]

Last time I was up over my insurance covered me for full medical, repatriation for me & the bike, breakdown, accommodation costs etc. Can't remember the name but it was all done online, payed monthly for my cover by credit card, 20 quid IIRC. Had to use their break down service in the darkest, furthest reaches of the Scottish West coast. Despite barely any cell phone coverage they were patient enough to get details of my whereabouts before we lost the connection. Thought nothing would happen but an hour later a happy chappy turned up & got me rolling again. The bike had been sat beside a wharf with no blanky for 3 weeks & the battery was in the huff.

Well worth reading the small print for all the countries you want to visit.

 

Glad your ok.

[TeDeum]

Thanks for the heads-up on this. For years I have happily travelled in Europe thinking I was covered. It is possible to get a refund according to this page from the Irish Government but they don't make it easy for you.

[Favs]

_{If you think you're covered by your bank etc. CHECK, cos most of em DON'T cover for riding bikes over 125.}

 

_{I specifically checked with HSBC.}

[ChrisG]

A lot of travel insurance policies don't cover riding a bike over 125cc either so you need to check that one.

[dandywarhol]

Glad things are now ok Viper. I had a different experience in Germany (Rhineland) during an RTT and couldn't fault the medical service and my E111 covered the treatment and strapping to a badly sprained ankle. Maybe things get shitty when the bill starts adding up 

[Limbo]

We have a good health care system in Germany, and everyone is rescued after an accident and medical care.
Only if your life is secured, the question arises on payment of costs.

Before each trip to a foreign country, one should inquire about which foreign services paid for their own health insurance, and whether you have additional insurance on his automobile club or should complete a special international insurance.

This is not a typical problem-for Germany, but a problem that every traveler in a foreign country can have.

It should also give countries where the ambulance a foreigner can not deliver in a hospital, if the foreigner no health insurance can confirm.
That was never the case in Germany.

Limbo

[TYREDNGRUMPEE]

I've got £14.20 in my Nationwide account. 

Edited by TYREDNGRUMPEE, 06 December 2013 - 10:47 pm.

[Viper350]

I have to say, the treatment in the hospital was superb. ( as only the Germans could give ) X-rays took just a few minutes and the same with the blood tests. Then an en-suite room shared with an old guy . But ,in the morning, I discovered , with the help of an American Forces liason officer, that I had to pay before leaving. On getting home I contacted the NHS helpline. They said that because the hospital was private, I wasn,t covered and that I MUST pay the ambulance bill, or else !! I contacted the German Red Cross and they confirmed that. It was only when I asked the Nationwide to arrange a money transfer that I found out about the travel insurance. You must have at least £750 a month going into your account though. This was the first accident in 50 years ( excluding those when racing at snetterton and cadwell ). A record of which I am proud. I,m fed up with going abroad all alone so I guess i,ll have to start touring Britain. I,m really looking forward to those terrible roads, speed cameras, lousy drivers , and being ripped off.     

[muddy]

You must have at least £750 a month going into your account though.

I've not got that amount going through my account, nowhere near, and I'm insured through the Nationwide. I'm not sure if that will be renewed after this year though.

I,m fed up with going abroad all alone so I guess i,ll have to start touring Britain. I,m really looking forward to those terrible roads, speed cameras, lousy drivers , and being ripped off.  

Loads of tours are organised here on Carpe to Germany and other places. No need to tour alone. I prefer lone touring, but plenty of members here arrange meetups and tours.

[dapleb]

Got that Nationwide cover too.  It even covered me for a Euro treader tour which surprised me.  Glad it worked fur ewe.

 

Just got letter from Nationwide that has "changes to travel insurance" waffle blah blah......one of the changes was "hazardous activities" waffle blah section F.  This may or may not mean that treader and any boatermike cover might have been altered....they handily didnt include section F in the "changes" document....so no idea without digging out the original crapola.