Me and my girlfriend are on a holiday in France (Marseille) and onfortunately we got an car accident and she isn't able to just fly back to the uk. Now I found some companies that provide services to get her back, but I don't really know which to trust. I hope someone could help me out. I thought that AMBU-TRANS would be a good company. I wouild like to hear some feedback fromy you.

Sorry if I posted this in de wrong topic.

Thank you very much.

I cannot advise but your travel insurance company should have. Give them a call.

We don't have a travel insurance...

<i>We don't have a travel insurance...</i>

Yikes.

Good luck.

Why does she need to get back to the UK?
Can she not have medical treatment in France?
Are you from the UK?
Do you have your EHIC card?
What type of injury has she got and why do you need a medical escort?
Why can't she fly on a regular airline with the correct medical clearance?
Was the car accident with a rental car that you rented or was it your private car or was your GF hit by a car as a pedestrian?
If a rental car, did you purchase personal accident insurance?
If yes, does the PAI cover you for repatriation?

How can anyone advise you when you provide so little information?

I think the topic is fine, but it is going to be unlikely that anyone has experience with that particular transport company, unfortunately.

If she is very hurt and home is the UK, whcih isn't that far away, I can understand wanting to go home for treatment due to lots of issues, insurance and support, etc.

If she can't fly, she must be pretty bad off, but you can drive the entire distance and air ambulances cost a fortune, anyway.

I doubt if you'll find anyone who knows that company, but can you ask the hospital iof they have experience with them? They should perhaps be able to help you with recommendations of such companies they have worked with. I think that may be your best bet.

I've thought through the day, Christina is right the local hospital is a good idea, or ring your UK GP for a recommendation, or do you know any UK medical staff, or the local consulate might have a kind momement for you.

Here is the link to the British consulate in Marseille:
https://www.gov.uk/government/world/...late-marseille

There is also an emergency number to call outside of the consular hours.

The only travel insurance I buy is medical evacuation. It is inexpensive, but it takes care of circumstances like this. The company will arrange transport and provide a medical escort. I know it doesn't help you with this situation, but I do highly recommend it for your next trip. We buy it by the year.

For now, I agree that getting her treated where you are is your best course of action.

If a UK national, her normal medical insurance should be good in France. The UK reimburses any EU country. At least that's the case for a friend who lives in France (altho that may change soon as we know).

Christina is right, a call to your UK doctor will be helpful (especially as no language barrier.) Emphasize that you have no insurance.

AFTER talking with the doctor, you could try talking with SNCF (French railways) or better yet, have the local hospital do it. It may be possible for them to organize seating on a regular train to accommodate a stretcher if that is what is required. (I know this is possible on a plane, using an aircraft with four seats across, as we have done it.) I mention this mainly because without insurance, specialized transportation may be prohibitively expensive. What kind of medical escort is necessary - is the hospital suggesting a trained nurse is necessary, or could you perform the role if you are given instructions?

Good luck.

If they have insurance in the UK, they most likely have insurance in France. Whether that includes an expensive evacuation is another issue. But treatment in France may very well be covered.

<i>If they have insurance in the UK, they most likely have insurance in France.</i>.

They might have their EHIC card which takes care of medical needs in the EEA. And it is untrue that the UK reimburses ANY EU country.

"...untrue that the UK reimburses ANY EU country."

I believe you. But it does France apparently, unless it's limited to UK nationals resident in France. Maybe you can clarify that point, Odin.

France requires the EHIC card, just as other EU countries do, to be sure they will be reimbursed. They may or may not continue to treat her under the French healthcare system if she doesn't have a card, or proof of qualifying for NHS treatment at home.
Whilst I can understand it will be difficult for her if she is in hospital in France, away from family and friends and with a possible language problem she really is in the best place right now if she is too ill to travel.
Contact the consulate and see if they can offer advice or help. As her parents or other family members to look into things such as transport in the UK. It will be expensive whether flying or by land. If she can stay in France until well enough to travel over land maybe a family member will be able to collect her?

I hope she will soon be able to travel home.

<i>But it does France apparently, unless it's limited to UK nationals resident in France. Maybe you can clarify that point, Odin</I>

France is ok as you said, but a UK national could not get free treatment in Sweden for instance. It is greatly reduced, but not free, as I found out earlier this year when I had to go to Swedish A&E.

"...reduced, but not free, as I found out earlier this year when I had to go to Swedish A&E."

A rude awakening. But if it had been in the US the shock may have killed you, despite living through the event. It's a shameful state of affairs (forgive my off-topic comment).

Assume op has resolved the situation but if she is in such a shape to require special evacuation the hospital will call the shots and make sure she is stable enough to travel. Until she is they will keep her there..probably have to go with whatever they can organize..I always thought uk citizens had to have insurance to travel but maybe that is not for independent travel. Good lick.

".I always thought uk citizens had to have insurance to travel "

no, we are a free people, allowed to make our own mistakes. The EHIC gives us certain rights within EU and EFTA for medical support, (probably does not include re-patriation). Travel Insurance is extremely cheap in the UK, for instance it is a free give-away to me from my free bank. Package holidays are normally sold subject to travel insurance being in place to avoid picking up the tab.

Re-pat insurance (normally included in travel insurance) is also cheap for Europe visit.

The holder of an EHIC card is entitled to the same treatment at the same rate as the local residents are, not automatically to free treatment. So in the UK treatment is free for everyone. In the Netherlands you would have to pay the first €385 of treatment yourself (or any travel insurance you have has to) except at a GP which is free.
Anything they prescribe falls under the €385 rule though.
It doesn't cover treatment in expensive private hospitals in Spain, only the basic costs a Spanish hospital would charge. It is common for tourists to be taken to a private hospital though.
EHIC doesn't cover special transport home.

Travel insurance is compulsory for some package trips but not otherwise, though is always a good idea. It can be an expensive lesson to learn.