What happens if you are involved in an accident?

[raindropsalways]

I originally posted this on the Disabled Cruise Travel since I am disabled. Someone suggested that I also post it on the Travel Insurance Forum.

 

“Unfortunately, I cannot answer even a portion of the questions, only inform you of the events and what happened to me after my accident. First of all, we were in Grenada at the time of my accident. Not the best place to be. I did a little flip on a rather steep down-hill not realizing the top layer was loose gravel. When I realized I was in trouble, I immediately released the throttle and turned to avoid going all the way to the bottom. Result, I ended up on the side of the road underneath the scooter.

 

Suddenly, on this rather lonely street, there was a traffic jam. My first contact was with a rather aggressive taxi/tour van guy that was looking to get rich. He was telling everyone I hit my head and did not know what I was doing. Regardless, there was another taxi/tour van that offered to take us to the ship at a reasonable price. Meantime, Ruth found a couple that got the scooter off me and was assisting. To that couple, I would like to express my thanks, Thank you! As far as the traffic jam, I also delayed two of the ship's tour buses.

 

On the way back to the ship, we picked up a representative from Grenada (no idea of her capacity) and the vehicle was allowed to take me all the way to the ship. On board they took x-rays and immediately determined I would be transferred to the local hospital because I had a fractured hip, broken clavicle and abrasions from my little left toe all the way to the top of my head (all left side).

 

Fortunately, I had my insurance info with me and just handed it to the ship. Meantime, there was an accident involving a ship's tour and those injured were sent to the private hospital, thus I end up in Grenada General Hospital. The ship did send an escort with me.

 

In addition to my insurance info, I travel with fairly complete medical records. I maintain a complete list of all my prescriptions, dosage and what they are for. This immediately alerted the doctors that I was a “high risk” patient. The doctor at the General Hospital told the insurance company that they, and the other nearby hospital, did not have the necessary facilities to take care of me. Result, after two days in Grenada General, I was Air Evac to Broward Health in Fort Lauderdale where I underwent surgery immediately after I was admitted.

 

After a reasonable (?) stay in Broward Health, I was transferred to a Rehab (?)/Nursing facility near my home. Commercial flight with escort. Oh, my scooter got to ride in an ambulance from the airport to the facility all by itself. All the way throughout, I insisted that the scooter stay with me. It was even squeezed on the Air Evac along with my luggage.

 

I was very fortunate to be traveling with a couple wonderful friends, Ruth and Nancy. They were able to contact my son and keep him up to date as best as possible. The also called me in the hospital from the ship. Both ladies pitched in and assisted with packing my luggage. The ship had assigned crew members to pack my things.

 

Fortunately, since I was aware of Air Evac cost, I always get travel insurance. Even before this, it has paid for itself a number times. I doubt that I will every find out the exact cost. I was told that the Air Evac alone cost in the upper $20,000 range cash in advance. So please, when you book that next cruise, also get the insurance for your own peace of mind.

 

Between January 31 (accident) and February 27 (arrived home), there are some blurred areas. If you have any specific questions, I will attempt to answer best I can.

 

As far as future plans, I will be on the Serenade OTS when she sails away on April 29, 2016 Transatlantic. Actually, we have the Jungle Queen booked on the afternoon of April 28... we have seen about everything else in Fort Lauderdale.

 

Betty”

 

In reading through some of the posts on this thread, I noticed discussion regarding cost of Air Evac. The Medics on my flight suggested that it could run close to $100,000 from Europe to the US.

 

Also, a helicopter is rather pricy. For an individual with a medical emergency, it is not our tax dollars paying, you will receive a bill from the Coast Guard or similar authority.

 

I have been on over 50 cruises and have used my travel insurance five times with this one being the biggest expenditures. When I had my by-pass, instead of canceling, I used the “interruption” clause and caught up with my companions on the second leg of the cruise. The others were just minor things, regardless, the insurance did save me money.

[klfrodo]

Is there a question here? The title implies a question.

 

I'm sure that a small portion of this is incorrect.

IF it is the U. S. Coast Guard evacuating you for a medical emergency from the ship, you will not receive a bill.