Who is responsible for sick crew?

Scenario:

A foreign crew member needs emergency appendectomy surgery in the US, without having a worldwide crew health insurance policy in place. The yacht has a charter starting in the Caribbean and is leaving the US the following morning after the incident. The Captain has no choice but to leave the sick crew member behind, still being treated in the hospital. Who has the final responsibility for the foreign crew member? Appendectomy surgery is considered an "illness", it's not an accident happening on board the vessel where the yacht's insurance will pay the claim. Isn't the management company, or the owner responsible for the foreign crew member from the time of entering the country on a B1/B2 work VISA?

"Inpatient hospitalization in the US is an average of $7,000 per night. Appendectomy surgery requires at least 3 days of inpatient treatment. Who is responsible for the $21,000 bill?"

Some yachts want to have a waiting period before offering health insurance to the crew members, because of the quick turnover rate. International Crew insurance policy premiums range from as little as about $100 to $200 per month and crew member for a major medical full coverage insurance policy that would make any US domestic insurance holder jealous.

"At the end of the day, is it really a "saving" for the owner, not to cover a foreign crew member as of day one? Can you even claim the vessel insurance for a medical incident that has no "work related" accidental cause? Probably not....
Is it worth using the high premium vessel insurance policy for a medical claim when the main purpose of that type of insurance policy is to pay for high monetary claims related to the yacht itself?"

A good crew insurance policy is worth every penny to the owner. The owner liability decreases, especially in times where lawsuits are as normal as brushing teeth! The vessel insurance shouldn't be used for incidental crew medical claims.

Get your quotes now by calling (+1) 754 234 4325, or e-mail info@crewinsuranceservices.com