"Tim C." wrote in message
news:1rg18jvxcfuoo$.1ttuon8232s96$.dlg@40tude.net...
> On Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:49:37 +0100, Andy Pandy wrote:
>
> > Not particularly relevant to me, but I'm interested in this concept. Do they
get
> > you to agree the price before rescuing you?
>
> Nope, you get rescued one way or another whether you like it or not.
> It's the duty of the government to rescue you, they can't leave you there
> to die. If it's an accident you're covered anyway if stupidity then see
> below. They cannot know beforehand which it is and it'll be sorted out by
> the courts if need be.
So you're covered anyway if it wasn't stupidity? And if it was stupidity, most
insurance policies have exclusions for stupidity or negligence, see below
> >If not how can you be forced to pay
> > for a service you didn't agree on the price of beforehand?
>
> Pretty difficult to agree a price when you're under 200 tons of ice and
> snow. It's implicit in the role of society. You should have thought of that
> before you had an accident. Do people get left to die in the US for example
> if they say they can't pay for the rescue?
Dunno.
> >What if you say you
> > can't afford it, do they leave you there?
> >Do all Austrians who live in the
> > mountains have insurance for this sort of thing?
>
> All Austrians (and of course all others from the EU and other countries
> with reciprocal agreements etc) are covered by the social security in case
> of genuine accident. In the case of stupidity (ignoring danger signs etc)
> then you'll be forced to pay one way or another - at least officially.
Sounds fair enough - so no need for insurance unless you are stupid then! And if
you are stupid, then you need to make sure your policy doesn't have exclusions
like negligence, and ignoring against offical advice (eg warning signs etc).
Just checked a couple of random UK travel insurers (Direct Line and Tesco). I
guess these are fairly typical.
Tesco say:
you must not act in an irresponsible manner or expose yourself to needless
danger.
Exclusions
We will not pay for any event that is the result of.....your participation in
any Insured Pursuit against local warning or advice.
And Direct Line say under conditions...
You do all you can to reasonably can to avoid accidents, injury, loss or damage.
You must not take part in any dangerous activities.
--
Andy
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