Trackday help please !!

[mikeyh]

I am about to head off on my first French trackday to Ledenon in the South of France. The organiser is insisting on a medical insurance certificate that covers bike trackdays. Is an E111 enough? If not, any idea who would cover me for a couple of days?

Thanks, Mike

[s2rr Kitty]

I do a lot of French trackdays & over the years I've seen a couple of people carted off to hospital over there... but most of them seem to only use the E111 - this will cover you for your basic care - the private insurance covers a heap of other stuff - basically it's down to you though, but you won't be left at the side of the road - in my experience the medics and the marshalls are very good.

I think they've changed the E111 so it needs to be re-issued every year though??? or I might be making that up?? seem to recall having heard it somewhere.

Have fun in Ledenon - I'm off to val de vienne in August.

[s2ooz]

Yes, there is a new one this year, so get down the PO. dunno if its an annual renewal or not though.

[mikeyh]

Thanks - i have an up to date E111 so hopefully that will do the trick. Fingers crossed I wont need it...!

M

[JamieBeeston]

Remember E111 only gives you the same basic level of healthcare that a resident gets... whilst thats high in Blighty, over on EuropeLand it could be far far below par.

For the sake of a few beer tokens, I wouldnt think twice about cover. (check with your credit card company, Amex do a cheap and decent policy, so do a few others)

[mikeyh]

Unfortunately I think the Amex travel insurance has a carve out for dangerous sports and they seem to think track days qualify. I did have a policy with Columbus but they won't even cover motorcycle touring any more.

[z1000]

There is a new E111 that you must have for this year , it becomes obsolete this December , when they will issue , I believe , something more permanent like a plastic card.

[philblade]

After spending a week in a German hospital some years ago with a friend who preferred the armco at the ring to the tarmac I recommend :

1) Upto date E111.Can only talk about Germany where they were not accepting one over a year old due to problems reclaiming costs back from the UK government. This will only provide basic hospital care as per UK.

2) Medical cover to fly you back to the UK. My friend shattered his ankle and the only way he could get home (unless he wished to stay in the beloved fatherland for 2 months) was to fly back with a nurse. The airlines would not allow him to fly without one. The idea was if his leg swelled up in the cabin, she would cut his bandage off to relieve the pressure. So cost of ambulance to airport/nurse/ extra seats/ ambulance to UK hospital = mucho £££

3) Cover to get your beloved bike back if it breaksdown or goes smash.

[fergus]

try fourcounties insurance (google them). When riding with a company called Byrne-up (a good introduction to foreign t/days by the way), they have negotiated a special policy with 4Counties to cover 'non-competitive motorcycle track events'. 4Counties may not issue this to non-Byrne-up customers, but may be able to help.

The added cost to the trip of say £25 is nothing in the general scheme of things.

I had a massive high side at Croix several years ago, and ended up having to pay the french 'tressor publique' (inland revenue) after they refused to let me back into the country if I didn't, and I kind of like France. Cost about £700 for an MRI scan! They had the E111, but it didn't cover it... beware.

[R1_nur]

philblade said:

After spending a week in a German hospital some years ago with a friend ...

Met big Dave at the Ring last month. The experience has not slowed him down at all!

[mikeyh]

Thanks guys - just spoke to 4counties and they can cover me for £50 for the 3 days. Well worth the expense for the peace of mind...

Cheers, M