The administration insists the surgery costs of 4,000 euros are to be paid in cash. Mrs. B. is desperate: theoretically she has the money but she would have to collect it in lots of 500 euro by ferry from the neighbouring island. The ferry only goes once a day.

This problem is swiftly solved. almeda's agents are able to put Mrs. B.'s mind at rest and guarantee that the costs will be covered. What is more they are available at all times to answer any medical questions. Swift treatment of the injury can now go ahead.

The next day complications arise, however. The fracture has been effectively dealt with, but after the operation Helmut B. starts experiencing disorientation states during the night, as Mrs. B. reports on the phone. She says everything is getting too much for her to cope with and, understandably, she is very worried, so she asks for help again. Based on the information available the almeda Medical Service arranges an immediate transfer of Mr. B. to a hospital in Athens for further examination.

Here a computer tomography is to be carried out. Since it is not possible to organise transport by ferry from the remote island, the emergency call centre quickly arranges for a helicopter to take Mr. B. and his wife to Athens. Even before they land in Athens, complete cost coverage has been finalised. While Mr. B. is being examined in hospital, Mrs. B. moves into a hotel room which has been organised as part of the arrangements.

Nonetheless, things turn out to be more difficult than expected. Mr. B. gets increasingly restless and does not want to be examined. The Greek doctors contact the emergency call centre in Munich. A telephone conference is held between Mr. B., his wife at the hotel and an almeda staff member. Mr. B.'s mind is put at rest and he finally agrees to the examination. It turns out that immediate repatriation is necessary.

After final consultation with the Greek doctors on site - who give the go-ahead for a return trip on a regular charter flight - the agents organise the flight back to Germany for the couple escorted by a doctor. Just a short time later Mr. B. checks into a hospital in his home town.

Today he is in good health again and the couple are already planning their next trip. And Mr. and Mrs. B. will continue to enjoy their holidays to the full in the future in the secure knowledge that fast, expert assistance is never far away should an emergency strike.