At what point should I get diver insurance?

[Jim Lapenta]

I have DAN for all my OW students* and strongly recommend they get it after the class. All of my con-ed students are required to have DAN or they can get another instructor.

*DAN has a program for instructors where you can sign your OW students up for free and they are covered during training.

 

[alex_can_dive]

Thanks, all, for chiming it.

So my situation is: I've got pretty good primary health insurance (which comes with travel insurance, as well. and I'd got confirmation that SCUBA diving is covered by the travel insurance). Therefore any additional insurance I get would probably be for local-diving only.

It seems DAN's insurance has the advantage that they're very fast in turning around and good at finding the *right* treatment center, right?

 

[Outbound]

Aside from the great coverage it provides, it also supports the great work DAN does. In my book, that alone is reason to join, even if you never need it.

 

[SlugLife]

I waited for well over a year as I live in Canada; free health care, if they can see you in a timely manner I got DAN for a trip and have maintained it since because the benefits outweigh the cost, specifically search and rescue and gear replacement while diving at home. I did have their highest level, platinum I believe, when travelling and mid level currently; wish I had gotten it from the start.

Thanks, all, for chiming it.

So my situation is: I've got pretty good primary health insurance (which comes with travel insurance, as well. and I'd got confirmation that SCUBA diving is covered by the travel insurance). Therefore any additional insurance I get would probably be for local-diving only.

It seems DAN's insurance has the advantage that they're very fast in turning around and good at finding the *right* treatment center, right?

If you have great health insurance, or government subsidized care, I definitely understand not wanting to pay for something twice. It's also worth noting everyone's unique financial situations.

If you can afford it, something line DAN might help you receive the correct care much quicker, and get you in touch with the right specialists. The other advantage is around insurance deductibles & hassles of dealing with notoriously stingy insurance companies. I haven't heard of DAN being stingy yet (but that doesn't make it impossible).

Personally, I signed up more for the ease and expertise, than the medical reimbursement. Just imagining a simple scenario; I'm feeling a bit funny after a dive. It might cost me $150 worth of time, just to find a dive-doctor. Rather than navigating a confusing medical system, I could give DAN a call and get a recommendation or advice on whether I might need a doctor, or just a glass of water. That becomes even more pronounced in a real accident, where speed and ease become just that much more important.

 

[tursiops]

Thanks, all, for chiming it.

So my situation is: I've got pretty good primary health insurance (which comes with travel insurance, as well. and I'd got confirmation that SCUBA diving is covered by the travel insurance). Therefore any additional insurance I get would probably be for local-diving only.

It seems DAN's insurance has the advantage that they're very fast in turning around and good at finding the *right* treatment center, right?

You seem to be rather desperately looking for some reason NOT to buy the DAN accident insurance.

 

[alex_can_dive]

You seem to be rather desperately looking for some reason NOT to buy the DAN accident insurance.

I'm considering the pros-and-cons that's all. As said, I don't wanna pay for something twice.

 

[tursiops]

I'd got confirmation that SCUBA diving is covered by the travel insurance

Do you have this in writing?

 

[Esprise Me]

I'm considering the pros-and-cons that's all. As said, I don't wanna pay for something twice.

Perfectly reasonable, IMO.

I personally have had such bad experiences with insurance that I'm reluctant to ever trust it. However, I've heard such great things about DAN (though I haven't needed it myself yet) that I remain hopeful, and would personally be willing to pay for it even if my primary insurance should cover whatever I need. But perhaps some people who have had dive accidents and dealt with other forms of coverage could chime in with their experiences?

ETA: One other thing to be mindful of is that some insurance plans only cover you if you're diving within the limits of your training. That may be the case for you now, but I would still be uncomfortable with such a clause limiting my coverage. My plan covers me no matter how dumb my decisions. Always read the fine print!

 

[Edward3c]

I’m pretty new to diving and the max we’ve gone is around 50ft. (But on average, we do 30ft - 40ft)

should I get diver insurance yet? It seems the most likely accident I could get right now is drowning, which is treatable in most hospitals?

Now, even our students are covered from 3rd Party claims. Medical, including chambers, are covered by the state (U.K.).

 

[alex_can_dive]

Do you have this in writing?

Yes - they have a finite list of high-risk activities that are covered by the travel-insurance (eg., SCUBA is covered, but jetskis isn't). Unfortunately, the travel insurance only applies when accidents occur outside of my country of residence (ie., the US)