Travel Insurance Success Story!

[Smitheroo]

On 11/2/2023 at 7:25 AM, sabreline said:

Just FYI.....I ysed 2 different translation apps on my phone....they do not always translate correctly, especially for complex discussions like medical issues. Secondly, I have had MedJet for many years. My husband has Global Rescue. Because the hospital in Paris couldn't come up with a diagnosis, Global Rescue would NOT provide evacuation, although they said I could "send a written request for an appeal"!!! We had been in a Paris hospital for 8 dats at that point so had no time for written appeals! So, as your post illustrates, you need several layers if protection just to be sure.

I know that google translate isnt always correct with their translation.  I used it to communicate with people in Mexico .  One of the topics we were discussing was a man named "Jesus". Common name in Mexico. Every.Single.Time I referred to this man named Jesus ,Google translated it as "Jesus on the Cross"  I am not kidding.   As in "I think I will have to meet Jesus at the train station at 3 pm" was translated as Jesus on the Cross at the train station.   And someone is expected to use this for serious medical conversations?    Another time I was discussing a woman named "Blanca"  Another common name in Mexico.  Google translate insisted on translating her name as "White".   I guess google translate has a problem with proper nouns

[Jazzbo]

@sabreline

Thank you for posting your experience; you have provided a wealth of valuable information. We started purchasing travel insurance many years ago after my Dad had unexpected triple bypass surgery and my husband had a (fortunately minor) heart attack less than three months later. One thing I had not thought about was having access to $100,000+. It makes me think it would be a good idea to contact Vanguard (where we have most of our retirement accounts) in advance of travel to find out how we could access those funds in an emergency.  As others have said, ignore the rudeness of the "Ugly American" comments. I am glad your husband was okay after that traumatic experience for both of you.

[sabreline]

Thanks for the kind words! We just happened to have the $100k in our money market account at our bank because we had sold our house and kept some of the profit in the bank. I think if I was going to travel out of the country again, I would add a trusted relative to one of our bank accounts so that they could do a wire transfer if needed.

[Coral]

I am late this thread. I wonder how common it is to have to pay for air evacuation out of your own pocket (and get reimbursed after)? I recently broke my wrist (so small injury) but my travel insurance (Allianz) paid for my flight home (commercially) and a medical escort. I got the impression when dealing with the company that if I needed to fly privately - they would cover that cost up front. They asked a bunch of questions and determined I could fly commercially. I had to pay for hotel and food on my own. I had plenty of time to speak to the paramedic who flew with me and I got the impression that most people's insurance company contacts his company and arranges for the flight home (and pays for it). Not sure if it is different because it wasn't an annual policy??? Just curious.

 

I am glad everyone is fine and you had access to that money. I agree - it is best to seek healthcare at home.

[Denversail]

On 10/25/2023 at 10:26 AM, klfrodo said:

I might have left that part out of my story. It kind of screams ENTITLED UGLY AMERICAN HERE!

 

I'm just thinking that you are blessed to be able to take multiple European vacations, tragedy strikes and your husband's life is saved by the medical professionals in Paris. After 11 days the bill is only $17K, and what do I hear? The professionals who saved my husband's life don't speak English.

I'd have been google translating the crap out of things plus doing my Babble and Duo-Lingo and becoming fluent in French for 11 days. It's not on them to speak English to you. Would have been more comfortable though. I would bet a lot of money that some of them do speak some English, but maybe there was some attitude from both parties on expectations.

 

You had a GREAT story to tell, and at the end, this is what I'll remember.  Very glad to hear your husband survived his medical scare.

I’m about to purchase insurance and found the story helpful. I thought the language translation information was informative.