Dive Insurance. Why?

[MarineResearch]

**** happens. No need to go bankrupt when relatively cheap insurance will take care of it. Then again, you can be irresponsible and let everyone else pay your way (this sound familiar).

 

[freewillie]

With all the testimonials as to why, you would be hard pressed to come up with a single reason "Why not?" Please, cost is not an issue, you pay far more for basic scuba gear than the most basic DAN insurance plan.

 

[Thalassamania]

It's simple, you buy insurance to fill a need, you buy DAN membership to contribute to the community. There are many options for insurances and you should only buy that which is best for you and fits your needs. DAN insurance is a pretty good deal, but that does not mean that you need it or that it is not he only one out there. If you want to make a contribution to DAN, do it direct, DAN will get much more bang for your buck.

 

[SC_Hoaty]

Last time I checked, both DAN insurance and Dive Assure were policies that are offered by AIG. The same AIG of bailout fame. The $35 plan was a DAN membership with no insurance (no money to AIG).

 

[Juardis]

Last time I checked, both DAN insurance and Dive Assure were policies that are offered by AIG. The same AIG of bailout fame. The $35 plan was a DAN membership with no insurance (no money to AIG).

don't want to threadjack, but which is better? DAN or Dive Assure. I happen to be in the market and Dive Assure's website is down. Didn't know DAN offered insurance, so I'll research that, but y'alls opinions/experience is invaluable.

 

[DandyDon]

DAN Insurance is secondary insurance, if you have good coverage, and it pays air evac, and you don't dive outside of the USA ... you do not need DAN Insurance, though it would be nice if you were a DAN member even though they will make chamber connections and such even if you are not.

Agreed, mostly. If you have great medical insurance and don't leave the US, your need is not as much. It would be good of you to at least join DAN as a non-insured member, and you can do better on their gear and trip insurance. Otherwise, they will accept your collect calls and counsel you and/or your doctor even if you don't join.

However, there was a recent Accident thread by a guy who took that approach, and while he was across the country in Florida and his great medical insurance paid well, it did not pay extra lodging expenses for the days he could not fly home.

I agree. I am a DAN member and with the standard plan at something like 35 bucks per year, its totally worth it!

Uh, that bottom plan really sucks you know. For $10/year more you can have a far superior plan. Upgrade to that at least, ok.

Not even dive related, but if you're just 50 miles away from home and get into a serious accident (hiking, rock climbing, skiing, etc.), they will evacuate you. They won't cover medical expense in that situation (because it's non diving), but you'll be rescued.

Well, that is part of DAN membership, not insurance - and must be arranged through and by them. And it's not search and rescue, nor will it apply to emergency air ambulance in most cases. More info on their site.

 

[btkdiver]

DAN insurance is a must for divers. Just about covers everything you will need in a diving accident.

 

[Scuba_Noob]

A little off-topic question...Should people diving in Canada get DAN insurance, since we should be covered by Canadian health insurance? Or should we just wait until we're planning to go on a trip?

And does DAN dive insurance for Canadians cover everything on this page the same as those from the US https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/insurance/dive/ ? I read somewhere (maybe an older post) that DAN for Canadians didn't cover anything other than diving, but that page says that it covers dive equipment, emergency accommodations, and emergency flights.

 

[Mndiv]

Uh, that bottom plan really sucks you know. For $10/year more you can have a far superior plan. Upgrade to that at least, ok.

Uh, It does not suck, don't know where your coming from... Just for your the record, I am 16 years old, and the farthest I dive away is about 2-3 hours by car. I dont need extra accomodation included in the plan, and when I have the opportunity to go on a dive vacation, rest assured I will upgrade my insurance plan to the Master Plan.

 

[waxawa3074]

Does your medical insurance cover the cost of airlifting you to the nearest chamber? Does it work outside the US? Does your insurance company know where the nearest operational chamber to you is, and will it help coordinate getting you there?

The answers to all of these questions in my particular case is yes across the board. Having said that, I still opted for the DAN membership and Standard plan as an added benefit. The simple fact that they are dive-specific and that they will make every attempt possible to find the best location to ship me, instead of just sending me to the first available facility, is important to me. Not to mention, as a secondary insurance plan, they will top up any expenses that my primary does not fully cover. The cost is worth it IMO.