Hi everyone,
I've been busy with work (changed companies recently) and have been meaning to check back in here.
Few answers to questions:
Regarding insurance, the expense, etc.
Insurance is a racket?
Helicopter - The company is Med Trans and they have a straight up evil business practice.
How it works: They apparently bribe local officals to get contracts providing ambulance service but they refuse to go "in network" with ANY of the insurance companies. You see, if they were "In Network" they would have negotiated rates/payments. But by being "out of network" they are free to bill whatever the hell they want to.
Why not just bill a cool million?
In fact, the internet is full of complaints of this company and even the insurance companies complain. One said they have been trying (for years) to add Med Trans to their network but Med Trans refuses whatever they offer.
So what happens is:
Med-Trans shows up, you have no choice and they bill some outrageous amount for their services, $44,000 in my case. My health insurance then pays out "what they would have paid" had Med-Trans been in-network, $7200 and then I'm left with the $37,000 difference. Med-Trans then spends years collecting the remainder. This is what for profit health care gets you!
(Got to love how we pay about 4x in health care cost here in the US yet have the absolute worst in care)
Did the helicopter actually cost $44,000? Hell no! Did it even cost $7200?? Doubtful.
Med-Trans actually called me last week about the remaining $37,000. I told them "Sorry, I don't have another $37,000 to give you" and they graciously offered to settle at a "55% discount" -- $17,000... (plus the $7200 they've already received). Or, I could get a "reduced discount" and pay it over 5 years at zero interest. How nice.
I politely told them thanks but no thanks and I expect I'll need to hire an attorney soon.
I'm also fighting with Allstate over my "optional equipment" coverage. Basically, I have an extra $5000 in coverage for things like my accessories, gear, etc. The problem I'm running into with Allstate is because the bike is totaled, they're only valuing the equipment based on what someone would pay in a private party type sale.
So even though I have close to $10,000 in equipment and $5000 in coverage, they want to pay out $1678.
Basically, this means they'll cover my leathers ($1500) and then give a little under $200 for the thousands in extras... the bike had a full termi exhaust for that matter.
Not sure what I can do about this other then file a complaint with the insurance commission and take my policies elsewhere. We send $5K annually to Allstate and have been a customer since 2003. This really makes me regret that.