The tragic/miraculous Camino attempt of Annette london, one which skudded to a halt and included the ambulance-helicopter-medical flight home hopefully was covered by their health insurance. Her narrative was amazing and caused me to think back. My only medical incident concerned a bout with bronchitis which struck me down with 40 degree fever and I could hardly talk for a week. My medical insurance covered the visit to a doctor and the antibiotics and I was soon on my way again. To the point, I have met more than a few pilgrims with no insurance citing something perceived as an unnecessary expense, trusting to providence, I suppose, that all will be well. Not such a splendid idea. Most travel insurance policies allow you to carry it on your phone – now should one be laid up with 40 degree fever and speechless or perhaps flattened by a runaway garbage truck, this is not a great idea either. Take both, by all means one on the phone but also a printout kept next to your passport which the medics will need to see in any case. A policy locked into your phone or tucked away with the laundry in the bottom of your backpack is like traveling with no insurance in a real emergency. Trusting you will never need to use it so Buen Camino.
Hi scruffy,
You are so right about having insurance
And yes our safe return was indeed a miracle....am sweating even now at how we managed it
Although we did have full coverage for trips abroad ......we didn't use it...
"Himself" was being stubborn and wanted to come home.
Our daughter booked us an ordinary flight and back we came
U.K. Ambulance and hospital from our house...
After the "I'll have a cup of tea first" nonsense.....and.the "are you serious"?
And yes we took a chance and I fed him aspirin and carried both rucksacks on the way home
Right or wrong...I don't know
But here we are thank god
I don't even want to think about it.
As we live in the European Union,we could have gone to Pamplona hospital ....and received free care .....as....
All EU countries have reciprocal agreements with each other ....as have Australia and New Zealand....I believe
However I have heard recently that some European countries are not adhering to this principle including parts of Spain......due to the economic situation there,and although not legal......do insist on payment up front.
Our private insurance would have covered this anyway.
The problem is that although European health care will cover illness in a hospital or clinic....for Europeans.....it will not cover repatriation to ones country ...eg...broken leg where 2or more airline seats may be required ...and also if a dead person needs to be taken to their home overseas.....
And this is where insurance would be necessary to have ....for everyone!!
It's not worth the risk ...not having insurance
Scruffy......I have beaten myself up ...over and over again re how this episode of ours was dealt with
As I said ....he could be in a box right now
What can I say?
Best wishes
Annette