PP Travel Blog
Pamplonas Bull Run - Insurance and Australian Government Information
Lets not beat about the bush here. Participating in the Festival of San Fermin and actually running with the Bulls can potentially be very dangerous. Each year, some participants are seriously injured in the bull run and there have been numerous deaths associated with the event although you are much more likely to be run over by a car than be injured at the hands (or perhaps horns of hooves) of a bull. Even if you do not run with the bulls their are still risks associated with the festival as petty crime can be rife with thefts, pickpocketing, bag snatching and the like all high on the local police forces daily workload.
If you decide to participate in the actual bull run, you should weigh up the cons of doing so, and understand the risks of serious injury.
Your travel insurance may not cover you if you participate in high risk activities, such as running with the bulls. You should check the details of your insurance policy before deciding whether to participate. To this day we have never found a policy that will cover a runner in this annual event.
Under Spanish law, local hospitals are obliged to provide medical attention to everyone, regardless of nationality or insurance coverage. However, Australia does not have a reciprocal health care agreement with Spain and the hospital will expect payment for services. Make sure you have funds for such circumstances or ensure that your travel insurance will provide coverage for any possible injuries incurred during the festivities.
The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs. These can amount to tens of thousands of dollars for which you and/or your family would be liable.
Due to the high incidence of petty crime and pick-pocketing, including theft of passports, police strongly recommend that travellers carry a photocopy of their passport for identification and keep the original in a safe place.
Local authorities make arrangements for the large number of visitors to hopefully minimise crime. These include:
- Providing locker facilities at the Pamplona Town Hall, located in Plaza San Francisco, open from 8 a.m. on 3 July to 2 p.m. on 16 July 2010.
- Establishing a lost and found office at the Pamplona Municipal Police Station in the centre of the city. Travellers are encouraged to report the loss or theft of personal belongings with this office.
If you require urgent consular assistance while in Spain, you should contact the Australian Embassy in Madrid. Embassy opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Australian Embassy
Level 24, Torre Espacio
Paseo de la Castellana, 259D
Madrid, Spain 28046
Telephone (34) 91 353 6600
Facsimile (34) 91 353 6692
Web: http://www.spain.embassy.gov.au
After hours Emergency Consular Assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by telephoning the Embassy's phone number, which will be diverted to the Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra. In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre directly on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
Limited consular assistance, which does not include the issue of Australian passports, may be obtained from the Australian Honorary Consulate in Barcelona:
Australian Consulate
1st floor
Plaza Gala Placidia, No. 1-3
08006 Barcelona SPAIN
Telephone (34) 93 490 9013
Facsimile (34) 93 411 0904
We encourage all Australians travelling to Spain to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register either online or in person with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The registration information provided by you will help us to find you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family emergency.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Posted: 22 June 2010 01:39:20 GMT by Mark.
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