Motorcycle Racing Forum

Racing Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: Lowe119 on March 17, 2004, 06:07:13 PM

Title: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Lowe119 on March 17, 2004, 06:07:13 PM
My company has some sort of 'self-insurance' and they implimented a policy where if anyone gets hurt doing anything they deam as wreckless - they are NOT covered.  They specifically list riding motorcycles and atv's without helmets and follow it with 'any activity deamed wreckless.
So is this common? Do y'all's health insurance cover you if you get hurt racing? I'm thinking about dropping it. I don't see why they couldn't just make anything up they wanted to 'deam it wreckless." That just seems to subjective to risk my health over.
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Bernie on March 17, 2004, 06:28:10 PM
That policy sounds like it sucks the fat dog's ass.  Who do you work for?
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: collision_pro on March 17, 2004, 07:39:59 PM
Sounds to me like you fell walking down the street! ;) But that does suck! What do you pay???
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: spyderchick on March 17, 2004, 07:58:28 PM
Quote...They specifically list riding motorcycles and atv's without helmets and follow it with 'any activity deamed wreckless.

You race without a helmet?  :o Dude, they let you do that? (just kidding) ;)

Yeah, many policies specifically have motorsports clauses. It might be difficult for you to find insurance on your own that would be affordable.

What "self-insurance" means is that they are putting aside the money in some sort of investment, banking that no one will get seriously ill while employed. There's usually a third party that manages the fund, and it could be a group of several businesses.  
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: cstem on March 17, 2004, 08:53:27 PM
These policies are real common, even with major carriers like Aetna.  Riding a street bike and being in an accident no fault of your own is usually okay.  Most policies have a statement about racing, competition or speed trials.  Everyone should look into their respective policies.  I for one have "fallen down while wahing the car in the driveway".  This is why some racers will forgo the ambulance ride to a hospital as the emt report will state where they got you from.  However, if you need an ambulance for serious injury, I would take it- your life is not worth it.
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: K3 Chris Onwiler on March 18, 2004, 02:20:01 AM
I've fallen off my MOUNTAIN BIKE a few times as well, and my insurance doesn't exclude racing.  I just don't want them getting pissed off and excluding it later.  I did have to take the white bus once though, and they paid no problem.
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: james-redsv on March 18, 2004, 03:33:55 AM
CCS covers up to $3000 of medical bills if you are hurt during a race dont they?  ::)
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: duc995@aol.com on March 18, 2004, 05:33:24 AM
So I guess they don't pay for tobacco related illness then?  Can't get much more "reckless" than that...
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: dwilson on March 18, 2004, 06:05:03 AM
Keystone East covers me for racing.  I called my human resources and Keystone East, they both confirmed it...  go me.
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Jeff on March 18, 2004, 06:14:00 AM
'Jeff to E.R. doc'
"I slipped in some wet grass and fell down"
(hey, I wasn't lying!)

Now then...  My family doctor (doc twist-n-poke) walks in.  She knows I race and started laughing at my statement...  She countered with "how fast was the bike going when you slipped?"  DOH!

Really though, I think you'd be a fool to flat out say "I crashed in a motorcycle race" if you need doctor attention following a crash incident.  There are too many other lines...  "I fell down", "I crashed my bike", "I slipped", or something as simple as "I twisted my ankle"...  Hey, it isn't lying!
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: CCS on March 18, 2004, 06:20:29 AM
Depending on the contractual requirements, CCS carries a minimum of $5,000 (with $1,000 deductable) in Excess Medical Insurance. This coverage costs approximately $4,000 per event. At the tracks that require higher amounts, the premuim rises dramatically. Once you have satisfied your primary insurance deductable, and they pay whatever portion they will pay, then you submit the remainder to our supplimental carrier. (Other than our affiliates (LRRS-CCS Florida) and WERA, I do not believe anyone else even carries the excess medical for sportsman racing.)

Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Jeff on March 18, 2004, 06:29:49 AM
Thumbs up for CCS...

(you just don't hear that too often, so I figured I'd give it where due...)
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Woofentino Pugrossi on March 18, 2004, 03:39:06 PM
Beliot Memorial as far as I know writes down bike accident.:D I'll have to ask my sister-in-law about that (shes a nurse there).:D
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Bernie on March 18, 2004, 06:30:18 PM
QuoteSo I guess they don't pay for tobacco related illness then?  Can't get much more "reckless" than that...

Yeah that's a crock.  Next time, I'm gonna tell them that I was stupid drunk and I fell down a flight of stairs while trying to light my cigarette.
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: the_weggie_man on March 18, 2004, 06:46:54 PM
A friend, many years ago crashed at Blackhawk with no insurance. Broke his arm/shoulder. He had a friend drive him to the hospital and told them he had a single bike accident, no other parties involved, only damage was to him and his bike, as he simply lost control and crashed in a turn.

No more questions from the docs, no accident report since he told them he managed to get the bike up by himself and get help, no cops involved.

His work insurance covered the medical bills. He  told them he crashed in a turn due to some gravel or something on the road and they believed it. No witnesses to prove different.   ;D

Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Spooner on March 18, 2004, 09:22:46 PM
When I was shopping around for my insurance I asked the lady "so, if I get hurt doing something you think is dumb, are you going to cover it??"  I was nervous to mention racing but she then said no matter what I do (excluding like a suicide attempt or something) that I am covered.  Then I made sure that there wasn't a 'no competition' clause and all is good.  Luckily though my father is a physician so any little stuff he can take care of me, so all I needed was the crash and burn insurance  ;D

-Nick
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Fast4fun on March 18, 2004, 10:05:26 PM
The recent HIPPA regulations were originally meant to prevent such discrimination in health insurance. By the time the ins. companies revised it, it allowed for more targeted discrimination. This is the kind of case where a good lawyer can make a difference should it come down to the wire for you being covered. Since CCS racing isn't professional, getting injured during this sanctioned event is similar to getting injured in my sanctioned hockey game. I don't feel I should have my insurance denied for that either.  I have read many interesting threads on this on the ABATE and AMA websites.
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Lowe119 on March 19, 2004, 06:40:35 AM
Anything in writing about the CCS being like a hockey game??? I would love to show that to my employer.
I talked to them and they said they get 10% off their premiums when they have a clause against skydiving, bungi-jumping, and racing. It also covers all professional sports activites. I asked if I could pay extra to be covered and they said they'd check into it.
So it isn't as bad as first perceived - with the whole "deamed wreckless" but it's good to check into it.
I am not a good lier and I'd rather tell the hospital and employer the truth - that's just me though.  :-/
Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Bernie on March 19, 2004, 07:20:38 PM
People get hurt doing all kinds of normal stuff.  Life is dangerous.  I'd be tempted to ask them if their insurance would cover them if I shoved their crappy policy up their ass.

Title: Re: health insurance doesn't cover....
Post by: Baltobuell on March 20, 2004, 07:41:54 AM
It would be dangerous and reckless to have issued that policy to Bernie, so no, in this instance they would not be covered.

Lowe, your car ins isn't 50 pages of fine print and doesn't have a loophole for rain does it? Health ins co.s are creating an illusion when they write the policy.