Faremax: Travel Forums

A friend of mine had eher luggage stolen and had to use her insurance. You ever have to use yours?

I've never had to use it, but there's a story on the local news the past couple days about a young guy from Canada who went to Mexico, got drunk, fell off a 6th floor balcony and broke both his legs and his pelvis. The doctors and hospital in Mexico won't set his legs or his pelvis until his family forks over $40,000 for treatment up front. They're giving him painkillers and antibiotics, and that's all. It's been a week since he fell, and it's going to be a nightmare for him if the bones aren't set soon. A little travel insurance would have saved his bacon big time.

what about the government? I mean, shouldn't they be getting involved?

Which government? Canada has no say about what goes on in Mexico, and Mexico doesn't seem interested. The provincial health plan does NOT cover you outside Canada. I don't think it covers you outside the province except in special circumstances. A lot of people don't realize that.

That is absolutely crazy!  I had no idea that Canadian insurance didn't basically just travel with the person that it was insured with.  Good incentive not to travel abroad, if you're a Canuck, I guess.  That's just wild.

I've never had to use my travel insurance before but shoot.  It's a good thing to have!

That's because we don't have "insurance", per se. We're all covered under our provincial health care plans which is paid for out of our taxes. It covers everything major, but not certain extras (like a private room, or plastic surgery...unnecessary stuff). For instance, my ex is waiting for a liver transplant, which will cost him nothing when a liver becomes available.

Canadian provincial health coverage does cover you out of province - I think you can stay elsewhere in Canada for up to three months before you have to apply for a new health card. But you're absolutely right that it doesn't cover you out of the country.

Even when we go state-side to go shopping, we take out a day's worth of health insurance. It only costs about $12, but when you think of the cost if something happens - definitely worth the investment!

Yes, my partner became ill in Turkey - as a result of being dunked in a river by an over-enthusiastic tourguide after a mud-bath! We phoned our Thomas Cook representative, who asked the hotel to call a doctor. The doctor arrived within half an hour, and then called an ambulance, which arrived shortly after. My partner was admitted to hospital where there was an English-speaking liaison-person who explained everything. He was in hosptial overnight, and I was allowed to stay too. We were both fed. My partner had his own room with satellite TV, and the sofa opened out into a bed for me, which was made up with fresh sheets.

All in all, we paid a standard amount of seventy-five pounds, and the rest was covered by the insurance.

Wow, that sounds like a glowing report for the Turkish health care system! Sorry you and your partner had to go through that, telegraph.hill, but you must have been so grateful for the extra attention and care you received at the hospital. All countries should model themselves as such!

WOW, these posts are pretty eye opening too.  I guess I've been pretty lucky so far when traveling.

QuietLunatic:

Which government? Canada has no say about what goes on in Mexico, and Mexico doesn't seem interested. The provincial health plan does NOT cover you outside Canada. I don't think it covers you outside the province except in special circumstances. A lot of people don't realize that.

So does the fact that the guy was drunk and fell which broke his legs negate the "specialist cirumstances"?

Sounds like there are all kinds of circumstances where travel insurance comes in handy, which is exactly why I'm glad I get it when I leave the country!

Thanks, Carrie. It was a great relief to receive such good care.

Yes, sadly I have. I was visiting Canada with my boyfrien-now my ex and I had my camera stolen. I was really angry since it's a pretty nice camera. Now I'm cautious about using my camera. I comteplated getting the ones you can use and throw away but those don't take very nice pictures.

My tour group had a really nice camera stolen in the subway in Madrid too.  That really stinks.

seeemilywrite:

A friend of mine had eher luggage stolen and had to use her insurance. You ever have to use yours?

I'm lucky i didn't have to loose any baggage just to use my insurance,,, here in my country, it very rare for such travel insurance claims today....