Meet Casey | Snowboarding shoulder injury

Jan 22
5
 min read
Last updated: 
January 22, 2024
People with snowboards heading to the slope

Casey* is a 23-year-old sports fanatic who has been snowboarding since he was four. Instead of a thrilling week in the snow, a freak accident saw Casey fall five metres from a chairlift and suffer a severe shoulder injury. Fortunately, he’d purchased Flip Active to get cover for his trip. Read on to hear Casey’s story and learn how having Flip helped him on his long road to recovery.

Casey’s active lifestyle.

Casey lives for adventure, cramming as much activity as possible into his life. ‘I love being outdoors and staying fit. I cycle, run and swim 5-6 days a week, following a triathlon training plan,’ he says. ‘I surf when I can and get up to the snow at least once a year.’

Why Casey got Flip.

‘I didn’t think I’d get injured, but I heard about Flip Active from my brother, and I liked how easy it was to sign up and choose the cover I needed,’ he explains. ‘I could turn it on or off with the app whenever needed. It also provides cover for extreme sports like my snowboarding trip. It’s perfect for young adults like me who want to download an app and easily turn on insurance without thinking about it too much.’

Casey’s freak accident.

Casey hit the slopes early, eager to make fresh tracks. As he got ready to get off the chairlift, he slipped and fell five metres onto the snow. ‘I can’t remember exactly what happened as I lost consciousness for a few minutes. When I woke up, ski patrol was asking if I was ok. I had blood pouring out my nose and a very sore shoulder. I got onto the back of a snowmobile and got taken to hospital where I learned I had a broken shoulder. It is one of the worst feelings I have ever experienced.’

Recovering from a snowboarding injury.

It’s been a long road to recovery for Casey, and the journey continues months after the injury. ‘The accident was four months ago. I had a cast initially and was then in a sling for three months, and to this day I’m still heavily doing rehab,’ he says. ‘I needed major surgery as I had torn tendons and had to get muscles stitched back on. I still struggle with movement in my arm and shoulder, but every day, I slowly progress.’

The staggering cost of injury.

Even with Australia’s world-class medical system, injuries can be expensive. ‘I’ve spent over two thousand dollars on my injury,’ Casey explains. ‘I’ve needed lots of doctors and physio appointments. I also couldn't drive for over three months, so I had to spend money on Ubers.’

Flip’s lightning-fast claims process.

‘It was a simple process putting in the claim as I had all the documents I needed. Everything made sense,’ he says. ‘I put in my first claim and got paid $600. Two months later, after my surgery and some physio, I claimed again and got another $2,000. Both claims were approved in under two hours. The team at Flip was so quick and efficient - it was incredible.’

How Flip helped Casey’s recovery.

‘I paid $25 for a week of cover and I got a payout of $2,600. It’s been enough to cover my treatment and rehab. It took away the financial stress. Getting injured is hard enough and I hope I never go through something like this again, but Flip helped me get the care I needed. I really appreciate the Flip team and I have been recommending it to everyone who goes away on sporting holidays.’

Casey’s final thoughts on Flip.

’I think that the product is great!’ Casey shares. ‘I will absolutely buy Flip insurance again. Whether it’s for my summer sports or winter sports, I’ll turn it on when I’m out riding my bike on the roads, for surfing and when I get to the snow next year.’

Get cash payouts for eligible claims with Flip.

Flip Active pays cash for accidental injuries of certain severities. Casey received $2,600 for his snowboarding injury because:

  • He was injured in an accident: falling from a chairlift fits Flip’s definition of an accident because it was a sudden and unexpected event. The injury was unintentional, and it wasn’t caused by alcohol or drug use, a medical episode, or through overuse.
  • His activity was covered: Flip Active covers most activities, including extreme adventure sports like snowboarding on or off-piste.
  • He had cover when he got injured: Casey had bought Flip Active before his accident.
  • He was in a covered location: Flip Active covers accidents that happen in Australia and NZ.
  • His injury was of a certain severity: Casey’s total payout was $2,600. He could prove that his Accidental Injury was of a severity that required:
    • an x ray = $100
    • a CT scan = $100
    • specialist care = $100
    • a cast = $100
    • urgent treatment in a hospital emergency department = $200
    • surgery = $2,000

Make every moment count

We’re so glad we’ve been able to support Casey’s recovery, and we’re looking forward to helping you get out there and enjoy your adventures. Explore our website to learn more about how our flexible cover can protect you from the financial impact of injury while enjoying your favourite sports in every season.

WHAT FLIP COVERS

* This blog sets out the actual experience of a Flip Active customer, subject to the use of a different name for privacy reasons.

A snapshot of Australian injuries in Financial Year 2020

90%

of Aussies did some exercise at least once
team sport being Soccer followed by AFL & Rugby

1.75

million
injuries 

were estimated

52,300

sport injuries were serious
enough to require a
hospital stay

29%

were cycling injuries
(up by 18%)

Double

injuries in men
than women

15-24

years
highest decade of
injury

1/2

of main injuries were a
fracture, followed by soft
tissue injuries
The true cost:

$29.8

billion
paid by Aussies for
out-of-pocket* healthcare
costs


*not covered by Medicare or private health insurance
Note: All dates unless
otherwise stated refer to
Financial Year 2019-2020
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Sports injury hospitalisations in
Australia, 2019–20
Stuart Babbage and Dr. Dana Hutchins for PwC, Australia’s out-of-pocket healthcare problem
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That’s why we created Flip
Personal accidental injury cover from $7 for a single day
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You should consider whether Flip Insurance is appropriate for you. It’s important to read our Product Disclosure Statement and Financial Services Guide and Target Market Determination before signing up, too. Issued by HCF Life.

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Tell me more about Flip? 

Drop us your email and we’ll tell you about the latest ways Flip is helping people do more of what they love.

Privacy: Flip collects your personal information that you provide in this form for the purpose of providing you with information about Flip products, services and promotions. If you don’t provide your email address, Flip won’t be able to contact you about these matters. How Flip collects, uses, discloses (including overseas) and keeps and secures personal information, how to request access to and correction of your personal information, how to complain about a privacy breach and how this is handled, and how to opt out of direct marketing, is explained in the Flip privacy policy.
Thank you, your submission has been received!
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