Winter holidays in Austria in the beginning of this year ended rather unsuccessfully for a 29-year-old skier from Latvia, who fell on the ski trail and got a knee injury. Medics who arrived at the scene, provided first aid, but the investigation of the victim-patient, doctors concluded that the situation is so serious that this patient needs to take urgent surgery before returning home to Latvian.
– This was one of those cases where everything went very smoothly, because the man was insured prior to the travel; he had purchased a special policy intended for skiers and snowboarders. Before surgery, he contacted us, explaining the situation, while we, for our part, confirmed that the expenses of the emergency surgical operation, and postoperative hospital stay, and other expenditures related to return home and subsequent rehabilitation would be covered. In total, we paid EUR 8000 in compensation to this man, - says Mr. Aigars Umbraško, an expert of the Claims Department of the JSIC Seesam Latvia.
– It should be noted that such complicated situations are relatively rare, and surgery abroad is not considered an everyday experience. The experience of "Seesam Latvia" shows that every year there are about four cases when travel insurance costs exceed 4000 EUR. Usually the reason for such occasions is a serious acute health problem that had required surgery abroad. If doctors abroad assess the patient's condition as a borderline case, when the surgeon's intervention is not so urgent and it is not necessary to do it immediately, we usually discuss the possibility of the person to return home and carry out operations in Latvia, and we undertake to compensate the incurring costs as well as the further treatment costs. It is no secret that the treatment abroad is associated not only with increased costs, but also with additional stress, because the person is in an unaccustomed situation - explains Mr. A. Umbraško.
During the previous three ski seasons, from 2008 till 2010, "Seesam Latvia" paid almost 74 thousand euros, or nearly 52 thousand lats for incidents that occurred when skiing or snowboarding abroad.
During the skiing season 2010 (from November 1, 2009 till March 1, 2010) "Seesam Latvia” received 29 insurance claims relating to injuries sustained during skiing. In total, the compensation that was paid for medical services related thereto amounted to 6700 LVL (around 9,500 euros); 787 LVL (more than 1100 euros) were paid for medical transportation costs, and 1690 LVL (2400 EUR) were paid for repatriation costs.
In this ski season (from November 1, 2010), we have already received eight insurance claims for injuries sustained during skiing or snowboarding abroad. Almost all these cases, except the above- mentioned one, are associated with relatively easier injuries, such as bruises, dislocations, abrasions, minor head concussion. Serious accidents resulting in, for example, complex fractures occur less frequently than before. From the beginning of this year, the insurance company "Seesam Latvia" already has paid more than 9,000 euros or 6,500 lats to its customers, who have got injuries during skiing or snowboarding abroad. And in the near future we will pay about 3500 Euros or 2500 LVL under insurance claims received recently.
– When travelling abroad, entering into an insurance contract is not a mandatory requirement. However, no one is protected against the risk of accidents. On skiing and snowboarding trails the likelihood of injury is higher than in a normal tour, so Seesam Latvia invites the active winter sports enthusiasts to enter into specific insurance contracts. As practice shows, also experienced skiers get injuries. Protective helmet has protected a lot of sportsmen against heavy head injuries after a fall; therefore, we try to remind to each skier or snowboarder that it is very useful to use a protective helmet. If a person being in mountains has broken leg and needs evacuation, the transportation by sleigh can cost up to 300 euros, and the cost of helicopter services can be up to 5,000 euros. When seeking medical advice, the injured person should bear in mind that the bill is unlikely to be less than 100 euros. It is quite a lot, and a person who has sustained a relatively mild injury, might think whether he can afford these costs. If you have concluded an appropriate insurance contract for certain risks with "Seesam Latvia", then a visit to a doctor abroad does not need to be postponed. In cases where the policy holder has not sufficient money to pay for medical services, he/she must contact "Seesam Latvia” to inform of what had happened and get a guarantee of payment of the costs. If someone has spent his/her own money to pay the costs of medical services, his/her spending is compensated upon the return home, provided that he/she can submit the cash receipts. In difficult cases our assistance service is involved, which coordinates the client's treatment and return to his/her home country - explains Mr. A. Umbraško.
When travelling abroad, certain safety is provided by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The holder of this card can receive emergency aid in case of injury, if he/she turns to a hospital, which has a contract with the governmental social services; however, this card does not relieve the holder thereof from payment of the patient's contribution. This card does not cover the costs of transport which is required to get to the hospital, and does not cover repatriation costs.
The insurance program for skiers and snowboarders offered by the JSIC “Seesam Latvia" covers sudden illness or accident risk, and guarantees compensation, if equipment is stolen or damaged. Similarly, the civil liability of the policyholder is insured if he/she intentionally causes damage to health, life or property of a third party.
Additional information:
Vienības gatve 87H, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia
Tel. No. +371 67 06 10 29
Fax No. +371 67 06 10 22
dace.gertnere(a)seesam.lv
http://www.seesam.lv