Insurance for Paris-Roubaix Trip

ratsbeyfus

Can anyone recommend somewhere to get a decent health insurance policy that'll cover me for a 4 day trip to france riding the Paris-Roubaix sportive. Not worried about damage to bike (as I'm using my fairly cheap cyclo-x / winter bike), but possibility of breaking a bone and corresponding exorbitant cost of hospital stay / medi-vaccing my twitching corpse back to blighty.

Thanks

ugo.santalucia

As a EU citizen you have the right to free healthcare in France.
The only circumstance where you would have to pay, is if you need transportation to come back to the UK, i.e. an ambulance trip back home.
The risk is not huge, which is reflected by the incredibly low premium of these insuracne policies for EU travelling.

Garry H

You'll need to pay for a helicopter ride as well, as I found out

ugo.santalucia

As a EU citizen you have the same rights as if you were in your own country, so if air ambulance is free in the UK, then you don't have to pay for it in France. If they want to charge you for something you have not agreed for, don't pay.
An insurance will NOT cover you for things that you should get for free, so if they mess it up, the insurance will not cover it for you.
Anyway, Iamnotwiggins will be here any time to give a better view on the industry, hopefully

Garry H

ugo.santalucia wrote:

As a EU citizen you have the same rights as if you were in your own country, so if air ambulance is free in the UK, then you don't have to pay for it in France. If they want to charge you for something you have not agreed for, don't pay.
An insurance will NOT cover you for things that you should get for free, so if they mess it up, the insurance will not cover it for you.
Anyway, Iamnotwiggins will be here any time to give a better view on the industry, hopefully

I was just musing. Mountain Rescue helicopter rides aren't free in France, as they are here. You do not need Insurance for mountaineering in this country. Saying that, he's unlikely to be in need of the service of MR, I hope!!

ugo.santalucia

Garry H wrote:

I was just musing. Mountain Rescue helicopter rides aren't free in France, as they are here. You do not need Insurance for mountaineering in this country. Saying that, he's unlikely to be in need of the service of MR, I hope!!

Ah OK... yes, that is a different playfield. You normally get coverage by being part of some mountaneering organisation, I believe.. but you know these things better than me of course

You have to rear "Eiger dreams" by Jon Krakauer... exhilarating

Monty Dog

You need to carry an EU health card to ensure you 'qualify' for free treatment. As you are not taking part in a competitive racing event, then normal holiday insurance should provide suitable cover or try and find a short terms sports insurance package.

ratsbeyfus

Thank you. If I end up needing mountain rescue then something has gone terribly wrong. A former clubmate, who I am no longer in contact with, crashed and broke his leg badly doing the etape a few years ago. His insurance paid up for all sorts of things, like getting him back to the UK iirc. I'll just go for bog-standard insurance then and get an EU medical card. Thanks again

jumbosausage

I had the misfortune of needing/using holiday insurance last year for a ruptured quad tendon. I found 'Snowcard' to be prompt, efficient, helpful etc in repatriating me, my bike and (lots of) luggage door to door. I had a full cast (back slab) so was in a wheelchair unable to walk or carry and in need of a row of seats on the plane, ambulances at both ends and a nurse to travel with me to look after my welfare and cart myself and my luggage around!
I'm sure there are loads of good travel insurance companies around but I can personally vouch for Snowcard

ratsbeyfus

Thanks for the recommendation jumbosausage - I've just bought some insurance for them - £25... quite excited, as I've never been in a helicopter before, and like the sound of having a nurse escort!

jumbosausage

Ahhhh! I did gloss over the details a tad.
The 'nurse' was a great big strapping Welsh lad......but hey! That may flick your switch?

ratsbeyfus

Damn! I've been hoodwinked!

:-)