There are countries where people don't get fined for calling an ambulance due to personal financial damage. Even though misuse happens, it's minuscule compared to the benefit of general healthcare and not having to pay thousands of dollars for getting critical help.
I'm from the UK, so no I wouldn't have to pay (I don't think?) As far as I understand free ambulances are fairly unusual though. I can see either insurance companies not wanting to pay out in these situations, or govts charging in these situations.
Right. Only in the USA actually. Where an Ambulance costs ~2,5K for ALS and ~1,5K for BLS. The stupidity of this is crazy. I once had a bike crash in SF (dude opened the door on me) and someone called the ambulance. Not sure who. But I could walk so no use getting into the ambulance. The cop gave me a free ride down to a health clinic to get stitches. That didn't stop the city of SF sending me a bill for $400 for the ambulance. Bunch of thieves!
This problem doesn't exist in countries where there is public healthcare like in Australia, Canada and I believe most countries in Europe.
"You" (plural) in the USA have managed to make healthcare the means for the richer to become richest, and paying them with your blood. It goes beyond me how politicians with lobbyists (big pharma etc) allowed this to happen, don't send them all to hell where they belong, and reclaim your lives and your health.
And the fun fact is that US citizens call socialism "evil" while you sacrifice your health and/or your livelihood over a broken leg. I got a completely different definition what "evil" is, and oh btw I'm serving capitalism in EU (so don't start crying out "socialiiiiiist!!").
Until someone gets fined for an ambulance being called on their behalf, because they dropped their watch on the floor...