As some of you may already know, unfortunately, two Swans players were injured in their last game against the Thailand Tigers for Anzac day. It appears that some confusion still remains as to when and where you are covered.
What happened?
I received a call on the afternoon of the ANZAC day informing me of that one player was injured, but unfortunately he could only check in a hospital the following day. As his insurance was only for one day, we wanted to confirm his cover with IHI-BUPA and promptly liaised with them to ensure he was covered fully for his Thailand expenses. Luckily, the injury was less serious than expected and the player did not need surgery.
A few days later, we received another request for a claim from a second player who was also injured on the field, but preferred to wait until back in Thailand to get treatment. Unfortunately, as his bill was from a doctor in the country he resides, IHI-BUPA could not cover him.
The IHI-BUPA policy was adapted and customised from a Travel Insurance policy to cover you guys on and off the field when you travel overseas. This does mean that it can only cover you outside your country of normal residence. Hence, once you return back home, your regular insurer shall take over and provide coverage for you thereon.
Where we suspect the current confusion has come from was from a claim made by a player at the Bangkok Champs two years ago. The player concerned submitted his claim from Australia almost 2 weeks after the Champs. The reason that the claim was paid fully was that the player did (and could prove) seek medical treatment in Bangkok on the day of that Champs.
So, the moral of the story here is that you are covered by the policy:
- Whilst on tour or traveling outside your country of residence
- Only for the period stated on your cover-note, commencing 0001 hours and finishing 2400 of each day stated
- If you are injured whilst under coverage, you should seek medical attention in that country during the cover period or as soon as physically able.
- Make sure you get evidence (medical certificate) at that hospital for attendance and treatment; this is to facilitate your claim processing with IHI-BUPA. * updated on 20-05-2009 – see here under.
- If you choose to delay the seeking of medical treatment or advice until you return to your country of residence, there is a good chance that a claim will not be accepted by IHI-BUPA. So please do take note of this.
Hopefully this clarifies this little misunderstanding; of course we invite your feed-backs and questions in the comment section here under.
The fine print for your AAFC sport coverage can be found here.
* Updated on 20-05-2009 – IHI informed us recently they never cover when the policy holder has returned to his or her home country – even if mis-diagnosed.
