8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

After the crash, Foster discovered that her travel insurance policy would not cover her treatment costs.

Yet another example of how mandating insurance coverage will not solve many/most of these incidents where the victims in an accident disqualify themselves either through lapse after time or other behavior that invalidates whatever coverage they have.

Is some kind of drastic immigration necessary with these motorbike accidents rented by "tourists?" Such as rental requires at least a 1-year visa.

8 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Is some kind of drastic immigration necessary with these motorbike accidents rented by "tourists?" Such as rental requires at least a 1-year visa.

Easier than that, a valid license would be a good start.

6 hours ago, OldHand2541 said:

Been reported many times that some/many basic travel insurance exclude incidents on motorbike, jetski, parasailing, bungee jump etc.

I personally would expect the same on a motorbike taxi, unless one have a valid accident insurance, that cover this.

Driving without a valid license void insurance, same if under the influence.

It's all in the small print that very few take time to read or ask the insurance company, ahead of travel.

All irrelevant in this case as she did not have any travel insurance, as she had exceeded the number of days for which the policy was valid.

"It's all in the small print..."

There is no small print in insurance policies, there are policy conditions but they are not "small print", a term that suggests nefarious intentions on the part of the insurer.

Anyone who gets on a motorbike in Thailand is a fool and an idiot and takes their own life in their hands.

set up a GoFundMe page to cover medical expenses to imporove her brain capacity..

6 hours ago, OldHand2541 said:

Been reported many times that some/many basic travel insurance exclude incidents on motorbike, jetski, parasailing, bungee jump etc.

I personally would expect the same on a motorbike taxi, unless one have a valid accident insurance, that cover this.

Driving without a valid license void insurance, same if under the influence.

It's all in the small print that very few take time to read or ask the insurance company, ahead of travel.

You're absolutely correct. Many get travel insurance and think it will cover something major such as this. Most will cover basic health issues like sickness and minor scratches and cuts. But, coming here without actual full-fledged health insurance is a (no pun intended) accident waiting to happen. I hope the young lady recovers well!

1 minute ago, Screaming said:

Anyone who gets on a motorbike in Thailand is a fool and an idiot and takes their own life in their hands.

Riding is fine with helmet

1 hour ago, khunPer said:

Sad story – very sad indeed – it show that you shall not neglect to have a proper insurance, including checking validity and what's written in small text, often it's exceptions. Too many seems to forget that and use "goFundMe" instead.

Why worry about insurance or pay for it yourself when there's lots of suckers out there to give you money on gofundme?

6 hours ago, smedly said:

once she got her foot sorted out (which it was) she should have gone to her hotel, typical Thai hospital milking cash, how many people have broken arms/legs etc and gone home once it gets plastered, granted not always like that but 90% are, so she got a black eye and a cracked cheek - go to your hotel and have a few days rest

in your Thai (hospital)-bashing exercise you conveniently forget that she suffered a head injury, she was found unconscious, perhaps that's why they kept her in hospital?

7 hours ago, phil2407 said:

If you're on a motorbike taxi & they crash does your travel insurance cover you for that

The answer to your question is to read your policy.

5 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

If Big Insurance is so inflexible ...best to stay at home I think and watch TV

and watch their share price ...makes sound of

falling bomb !

Which big insurers' share prices are crashing?

5 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Broken ankle about 5,000bht ..........

No other injuries apart from a bit of road rash.

Broken foot, not a broken ankle plus other injuries including a head injury that knocked her unconscious.

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Broken foot, not a broken ankle plus other injuries including a head injury that knocked her unconscious.

X-ray seems to show broken ankle.

I wish the young lady well. Some of these accidents seem to be in part that people just don't know where they are going and their surroundings.

When I lived in Orlando FL near both Disney World and Universal Studios Theme Park, I used to say I drive at a disadvantage because I know where I am going.

I used to call it the 70+ mph freeway backup lane after people missed their exit ramp.

9 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Foster said she now faces medical costs already exceeding GBP4,000, with bills continuing to rise as further treatment is required. She said she felt “scared, vulnerable and honestly a bit lost” while recovering alone far from home.

FFS. Cry me a river. Stupid accepted a bike ride from a no doubt drunk (if not drugged) 20yo stranger kid, wtf did she expect? she got out light with just minor injuries, it could've been a lot worse. And speaking of minor injuries - GoFundMe? if you can't afford THAT for an emergency there is one easy solution - don't travel! The "I had insurance but it lapsed" is bulls*** excuse for the GoFundMe - no travel insurance would cover this kind of incident anyway.

Step #1: don't come if you're broke. Step #2: if you come, don't do stupid s*** like ride a motorcycle drunk without helmet. Actually- don't ride a motorcycle, period - that by itself would increase your probability on a joyous non-injury vacation by like 98%.

3 hours ago, 241195_1469957797 said:

I'm sure she has British accident insurance. These companies specialize in ripping off their customers. I advise the lady to contact the Ombudsman in the UK.

She had travel insurance, not accident insurance, they're not the same thing, but no British insurers specialise in ripping-off customers, 90% of all insurance claims are paid out successfully.

3 hours ago, 241195_1469957797 said:

I'm sure she has British accident insurance. These companies specialize in ripping off their customers. I advise the lady to contact the Ombudsman in the UK.

What could the ombudsman do about an expired travel insurance policy?

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

Not much sympathy for these people. 175,000 baht for a broken leg and some scrapes seems excessive but that's private hospitals, they'll charge what they want if you don't negotiate

What about the head injury that you conveniently ignored that knocked her unconscious at the scene?

2 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Question: What is a "licensed motorcycle taxi" in Thailand?

Answer: Non existent.

it would be a motorcycle taxi that is registered with and licensed by the local authority as a motorcycle taxi.

Oh let's not blunt the truth !

She hopped on HIS bike fora RIDE and going back probably to HIS place for.....another RIDE .

, he thought he was on a winner until he crashed then looked at her after ....bye

She should grow up , I have no time for younger western girls ,they won't grow up

6 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

If Big Insurance is so inflexible ...best to stay at home I think and watch TV

and watch their share price ...makes sound of

falling bomb !

But make sure that you are insured against injury from exploding TVs!

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

What about the head injury that you conveniently ignored that knocked her unconscious at the scene?

It is alleged that she was unconscious so how do they know if there was an accident as has been stated. Coming from a FMP she may have been bomb right off her head and fell off. Then the motor bike rider did a runner so that he wouldn't be found liable. Still a low act leaving a person for dead.

FWIW, here's a disturbing little tidbit from BritBrief:

Insurance Shock

After nearly a week in hospital, Chloe was discharged on Wednesday but faced a £4,000 bill for treatment. Her insurance policy was only valid if she had flown directly from the UK, not from Vietnam, where she had travelled prior to Thailand. A hospital insurance liaison initially assured her she was covered, but later she was told otherwise.

https://britbrief.co.uk/politics/immigration/thailand-bike-crash-leaves-woman-with-4000-bill.html

2 hours ago, BusyB said:

I agree about rip-off Britain but that'd be a waste of time.

Health insurance is often bundled with baggage loss and trip cancellation insurance etc., and usually restricts the validity to 30 days, in some cases 45, for any number of trips in a year.

They're aimed at the typical holiday maker and even respected companies offer them - in other countries as well. Although they often headline as '1 year insurance package', the 30 day per trip duration is usually on the first page, not hidden in T+Cs. I believe that's illegal.

My credit card health insurance covers me explicitly for any number of trips up to 90 days. (It does pay as well, have used it.)

Anything over 90 days, which happens once a year, I get comprehensive health cover from a respected company to cover me for the entire duration - you can't sort of tack it on at the end of the 90 day CC coverage. (Has also paid out.)

I sometimes wonder how people who don't even understand the validity of their own health insurance even find their departure airport.

Still, I feel sorry for what happened to her with her FMP beau turning out to be such a disgusting slime bag. Probably had a few beers, but had no license, no experience, and no backbone either.

Guess that's another of the things you have to learn to navigate when you're traveling. Kudos to Chloe for adventuring out alone. Welcome to the university of life.

Yup, In the UK, travel insurance sold by the Post Office is quite popular because it is reasonably priced; below is copied and pasted from their website, and is common policy with many other companies; it maybe explains the problem she has encountered. It makes the 31 day policy perfectly clear and unambiguous.

“If you go away more than once in a year, it's worth getting annual travel protection. Taking out annual multi-trip travel insurance means you can travel without the worry, or the hassle, of getting cover every time you go.

Please note there’s a limit to the length of time you can spend away on any individual trip. All Post Office Travel insurance policies cover you up to a maximum of 31 days. If you’re going to be away for longer, you can add our trip extension cover. This gives you an extended protection of 45 or 60 days, for an additional premium”

10 minutes ago, NONG CHOK said:

It is alleged that she was unconscious so how do they know if there was an accident as has been stated. Coming from a FMP she may have been bomb right off her head and fell off. Then the motor bike rider did a runner so that he wouldn't be found liable. Still a low act leaving a person for dead.

You maybe right , the motorbike was still ok to drive and he was too

Yes she may have fell off

24 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

Oh let's not blunt the truth !

She hopped on HIS bike fora RIDE and going back probably to HIS place for.....another RIDE .

, he thought he was on a winner until he crashed then looked at her after ....bye

She should grow up , I have no time for younger western girls ,they won't grow up

They would not date you anyway!

2 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said:

You maybe right , the motorbike was still ok to drive and he was too

Yes she may have fell off

Still absolutely no excuse at all. That is in fact leaving the scene of an accident and failing to assist an injured person. I believe they call them felonies in the States.

2 hours ago, khunPer said:

There was nobody and nothing there – Haad Rin and Sunrise Beach – before a group of hippies decided to get there in a longtail boat to celebrate Joe's 21st birthday, as the police in Lamai became too interested in their mushroom shakes. They brought guitars and made bonfires, and slept on the beach until next day. It was such a cool party that they decided to repeat at next full Moon – there have done that ever since...😎

Used to be a dirt road to Thong Pan beaches too.

2 hours ago, Front Row said:

she should have read the fine print on her travel insurance policy

People should stop commenting in this manner, there is no "fine print " on insurance policies, there are policy conditions which are printed in normal font.