We made the mistake of leaving the UK before we got cover for our long tour. We thought we would get it once we left Europe but all of the companies we investigated basically stated you had to have cover before you left on the tour and they could prove we were not in the UK quite easily. The result is that we only had the emergency cover we left home with and following a recent dog attack (the same dog bit both my husband and my self) we were assisted by the locals who rang for an ambulance. Our emergency device was never activated, so we could not use its cover - ahh small print!
We now have to return to the UK for a period of rehab (90-100 stitches to a leg wound) and when we set out again, I will be taking out medical cover. We have paid for all our care, but everyone here has been so devastated by what has happened, that even 2 hours of a plastic surgeons time, and materials, 4 ambulance transfers, 3L of Iodine, 4L of IV saline, 5L of sterile saline to wash wounds, 6m of suture material, X-rays, tetanus shots and a morphine jab cost less than £50. The booster rabies shots were free on the state as well as some of our wound dressings. Since then we have seen another surgeon twice and go back again tomorrow. Total cost so far £10 for his time. We were exceptionally lucky. We were expecting it to wipe out our savings and have to cancel the tour, instead everyone we have come into contact with has been exceptionally generous and we have been charged very little. Our hotel room and buying bike boxes to get the bikes home will have cost us the most money.
When we get back on the road, we will be taking out medical insurance - though what use it will be in some of the countries we will be visiting I have no idea, but we will be taking it out. CTC/BMC are main contenders but there are also a couple of Australian companies I am looking at as well though you have to be careful that they do not exclude 'intercontinetal touring' - we have found some companies do.
Emma
