Breaking my Back in Ethiopia (and my ankle too…)
Mar 31st, 2008, 07:54 AM
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Breaking my Back in Ethiopia (and my ankle too…)
Hello everyone. It’s been over a month and a half since I have been home from my missionary trip to Ethiopia. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from this trip is that ANYTHING can happen when you’re traveling abroad so make sure you’re prepared for it.
I went to Ethiopia, Africa to help the Fistula Foundation and while I was there I was in a serious van crash (no seatbelts or airbags) and broke my left ankle and a vertebrae in my spine. After the crash, some kind strangers took me to a nearby hospital. When I got to the hospital I found out that I needed surgery (which wasn’t possible in Ethiopia). I had to be transported to the nearest hospital where they could do the surgery, which was in Tel Aviv, Israel. To make matters worse, sometime during the accident I lost my insurance card. Thankfully, my friend called my parents and they were able to get a hold of Seven Corners (my travel medical imnsurance company).
Seriously, I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have travel insurance—my mom says it was the best $368 she’s ever spent. They paid for my healthcare in Ethiopia and transported me to Tel Aviv for my surgery on my back and ankle. They even paid for my mom to fly from the United States to Tel Aviv to be with me. The insurance company also had a medical person fly home with me to Minnesota, and they are still paying for my follow-up medical care.
I don’t know too much about other travel insurance companies, but I really recommend Seven Corners if you are traveling internationally. I could not have afforded and received the care I did without them.
Safe and happy travels to all!
I went to Ethiopia, Africa to help the Fistula Foundation and while I was there I was in a serious van crash (no seatbelts or airbags) and broke my left ankle and a vertebrae in my spine. After the crash, some kind strangers took me to a nearby hospital. When I got to the hospital I found out that I needed surgery (which wasn’t possible in Ethiopia). I had to be transported to the nearest hospital where they could do the surgery, which was in Tel Aviv, Israel. To make matters worse, sometime during the accident I lost my insurance card. Thankfully, my friend called my parents and they were able to get a hold of Seven Corners (my travel medical imnsurance company).
Seriously, I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have travel insurance—my mom says it was the best $368 she’s ever spent. They paid for my healthcare in Ethiopia and transported me to Tel Aviv for my surgery on my back and ankle. They even paid for my mom to fly from the United States to Tel Aviv to be with me. The insurance company also had a medical person fly home with me to Minnesota, and they are still paying for my follow-up medical care.
I don’t know too much about other travel insurance companies, but I really recommend Seven Corners if you are traveling internationally. I could not have afforded and received the care I did without them.
Safe and happy travels to all!
Mar 31st, 2008, 08:30 AM
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You can read more about Lauren's inspirational story at: http://www.sevencorners.com/companyi...ornersnews.cfm. Anyway, this does seem to be an actual news-article (although I'm not going to pay $2.95 to the Duluth News Tribune to be sure), so it looks like there's some corroboration.
Mar 31st, 2008, 12:41 PM
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tom -
Not at all unusual for such an emergency. If it's for surgery, heart attacks, broken body parts, other serious accidents requiring hospitalization overseas, the insurers (Access America, CSA, Amex, Travel Guard, etc.) almost all will arrange for a family member to join the patient. Even having some medical professional travel homebound if necessary and qualified family person not available.
Though in this case care was provided in Israel (it does make sense as the best medical care anywhere in that region) once patient is clear for travel, will get that back home; continuing care if necessary.
A friend's dad visiting NYC from England, had heart problems, spent 10/days in hospital, was sent a registered nurse to travel back to England with him and his wife. Another women (actually a p/t TA) in Monte Carlo where husband had heart attack; he in hospital for over 2/months and she was put up at a very nice hotel for the duration; an escort provided for their homebound trip and continuing care once home. Another friend's mother fell getting off Bateau Mouche in Paris, broken leg; insurance paid for hospital care and first class airline seats to accommodate the leg in cast.
So not at all unusual.
You never know what can happen anywhere, regardless one's own physical health or even agen; for me insurance is a must - never leave home without and hope never to have to use it.
Not at all unusual for such an emergency. If it's for surgery, heart attacks, broken body parts, other serious accidents requiring hospitalization overseas, the insurers (Access America, CSA, Amex, Travel Guard, etc.) almost all will arrange for a family member to join the patient. Even having some medical professional travel homebound if necessary and qualified family person not available.
Though in this case care was provided in Israel (it does make sense as the best medical care anywhere in that region) once patient is clear for travel, will get that back home; continuing care if necessary.
A friend's dad visiting NYC from England, had heart problems, spent 10/days in hospital, was sent a registered nurse to travel back to England with him and his wife. Another women (actually a p/t TA) in Monte Carlo where husband had heart attack; he in hospital for over 2/months and she was put up at a very nice hotel for the duration; an escort provided for their homebound trip and continuing care once home. Another friend's mother fell getting off Bateau Mouche in Paris, broken leg; insurance paid for hospital care and first class airline seats to accommodate the leg in cast.
So not at all unusual.
You never know what can happen anywhere, regardless one's own physical health or even agen; for me insurance is a must - never leave home without and hope never to have to use it.
Mar 31st, 2008, 03:50 PM
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Thanks, good to hear that sandi. I like it when insurance companies do the right thing. I agree about medical insurance, must have. OTOH, I don't bother with general trip coverage insurance.
regards - tom
regards - tom
Mar 31st, 2008, 07:46 PM
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I would like to hear more abut her experience with the Fistual Foundation.
Last night I was reading about it and a movie called A WALK TO BEAUTIFUL dealing with what the Foundation supports.
So enough on the insurance
Last night I was reading about it and a movie called A WALK TO BEAUTIFUL dealing with what the Foundation supports.
So enough on the insurance
Apr 1st, 2008, 08:52 AM
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What a timely post, as I am currently shopping for trip insurance for my trip later this month.
The price that the OP quoted ($368) seems very high to me. The policies I've purchased (which don't include trip cancellation protection) typically around around $50 for my wife and I (2 33 year-olds). These quotes come from insuremytrip.com.
So--either this higher price includes trip cancellation, or I'm buying really bad emergency evac insurance!
I'm curious to hear what you more seasoned travellers think.
The price that the OP quoted ($368) seems very high to me. The policies I've purchased (which don't include trip cancellation protection) typically around around $50 for my wife and I (2 33 year-olds). These quotes come from insuremytrip.com.
So--either this higher price includes trip cancellation, or I'm buying really bad emergency evac insurance!
I'm curious to hear what you more seasoned travellers think.
Apr 1st, 2008, 10:42 AM
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Gritty -
For safari at minimum you need medical and evacuation coverage. Without this, a reputabe safari operator won't even let you get into the safari vehicle. Trip cancellation/interruption for all your prepaid costs (int'l air, safari and/or beach costs) then is at your option.
A $50/premium sounds very very very low for 2/paxs.
For safari at minimum you need medical and evacuation coverage. Without this, a reputabe safari operator won't even let you get into the safari vehicle. Trip cancellation/interruption for all your prepaid costs (int'l air, safari and/or beach costs) then is at your option.
A $50/premium sounds very very very low for 2/paxs.
Apr 1st, 2008, 10:59 AM
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Sandi--
Thank you very much for your input.
I'm doing a Kruger self-drive (and a Wilderness Trail) and a few days in Maputo, Mozambique. So, I haven't been working with a tour operator.
We paid a few hundred dollars to upgrade to business class for one leg of the international flight--the rest is paid using FF miles. So, I'm choosing not to purchase any trip cancellation insurance due to the relatively cheap price of our trip.
I just went into insuremytrip and got some quotes for $500,000 of medical/emergency evac coverage for 2 people. Travelex has a policy for $72 policy for 2 travelers (which incidentally has a $50K rental car collision/loss piece). I was thinking of getting this.
I got a number of quotes ranging from $35 to $145.
Thank you very much for your input.
I'm doing a Kruger self-drive (and a Wilderness Trail) and a few days in Maputo, Mozambique. So, I haven't been working with a tour operator.
We paid a few hundred dollars to upgrade to business class for one leg of the international flight--the rest is paid using FF miles. So, I'm choosing not to purchase any trip cancellation insurance due to the relatively cheap price of our trip.
I just went into insuremytrip and got some quotes for $500,000 of medical/emergency evac coverage for 2 people. Travelex has a policy for $72 policy for 2 travelers (which incidentally has a $50K rental car collision/loss piece). I was thinking of getting this.
I got a number of quotes ranging from $35 to $145.
Apr 1st, 2008, 11:26 AM
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Gritty -
Thanks for the details. If you don't have a large outlay for air or land, and if only need the med/evac then those amounts make sense. As long as the value is sufficient to cover the costs should you need to put in a claim. More than likely you won't.
Yes, some of the insurers who provide the cancel/interrup and med/evac, do have car insurance, and for a small supplement, if renting a vehicle, I always purchase... especially since I don't own a vehicle, so don't have personal insurance.
Happy travels.
Thanks for the details. If you don't have a large outlay for air or land, and if only need the med/evac then those amounts make sense. As long as the value is sufficient to cover the costs should you need to put in a claim. More than likely you won't.
Yes, some of the insurers who provide the cancel/interrup and med/evac, do have car insurance, and for a small supplement, if renting a vehicle, I always purchase... especially since I don't own a vehicle, so don't have personal insurance.
Happy travels.
Apr 1st, 2008, 10:19 PM
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Gritty: I am curious what airline you used that only charged you "a few hundred dollars" to upgrade to business class. I am all over that deal. How much did you pay for your actual tickets and where did you fly from?
Apr 2nd, 2008, 05:39 AM
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Sandi--thanks again for your input. It is much appreciated.
Spiegel--we're flying Delta from Atlanta to Johannesburg. We had almost enough FF miles for my wife and I to fly free. We bought some miles and paid extra to upgrade to business class for the ATL-JHB leg of the flight. I think it helps that my wife has Delta Gold Medallion status.
The fact that we leave on a Monday may have helped with the lower price as well.
I think we spent a total of around $700 for our international flights.
Spiegel--we're flying Delta from Atlanta to Johannesburg. We had almost enough FF miles for my wife and I to fly free. We bought some miles and paid extra to upgrade to business class for the ATL-JHB leg of the flight. I think it helps that my wife has Delta Gold Medallion status.
The fact that we leave on a Monday may have helped with the lower price as well.
I think we spent a total of around $700 for our international flights.
