Can non-member call DAN's hotline or medical phone?

[tbone1004]

No, maybe if you are happy that there was a reliable source for the kind of help/information that you received by calling their 24-7 hotline, you become a member or you make a donation.

that's what I meant by that. If you need it, and they helped you, then consider becoming a member/make a donation. You should feel bad if you take a free consultation from a doctor/medic though.

 

[kelemvor]

that's what I meant by that. If you need it, and they helped you, then consider becoming a member/make a donation. You should feel bad if you take a free consultation from a doctor/medic though.

Unless it's changed, I think you can become a "member" of DAN for a pittance. You don't get the insurance, but I'm pretty sure I remember my OW instructor pushing DAN pretty hard and it was shockingly cheap. That was only about 6 years ago.

 

[tursiops]

Unless it's changed, I think you can become a "member" of DAN for a pittance. You don't get the insurance, but I'm pretty sure I remember my OW instructor pushing DAN pretty hard and it was shockingly cheap. That was only about 6 years ago.

 

[BRT]

Kind of. The difference is that DAN is a non-profit, and they use the funds in other ways that keep me safe, like funding research. At least in the US, every other insurance I've ever heard of is for-profit, and the excess funds just go into the pockets of investors, who are definitely not me and who definitely do not share my interests.

"DAN has partnered with several reputable insurance companies to underwrite the insurance policies offered through DAN. These policies are offered through DAN Services, Inc., a for-profit, wholly-owned subsidiary of DAN, which is a licensed insurance agency and Third Party Administrator ("TPA"). The income generated by DAN Services, Inc. helps to fund DAN's many member programs and service"

 

[Brett Hatch]

"DAN has partnered with several reputable insurance companies to underwrite the insurance policies offered through DAN. These policies are offered through DAN Services, Inc., a for-profit, wholly-owned subsidiary of DAN, which is a licensed insurance agency and Third Party Administrator ("TPA"). The income generated by DAN Services, Inc. helps to fund DAN's many member programs and service"

Thank you for clarifying, that is new information to me. Do you happen to know whether it is public information where the profits of Dan Services, Inc go?

 

[BRT]

Thank you for clarifying, that is new information to me. Do you happen to know whether it is public information where the profits of Dan Services, Inc go?

I don't know.

 

[Pearlman]

View attachment 580508

Is it possible to just take the dive insurance without the membership? I've been paying for membership as well every time I renew...

P

 

[Angelo Farina]

Is it possible to just take the dive insurance without the membership? I've been paying for membership as well every time I renew...

P

I do not think it s possible. DAN is not an insurance company, it is a no profit charity devoted to improve safety of diving. So it was necessary to create the subsidiary “for profit” DAN Services, for being able to provide insurance policies, which is something that, in many countries, a no profit charity is forbidden to provide.
On the other side the goal of DAN activity is to fund research and education and to provide free medical consultancy to every diver. Selling insurance policies is just a method for raising funds for these activities. So there would be no point in just selling the insurance to non members. Instead you can become member without purchasing an insurance.
Finally, in many countries there are fiscal incentives for selling goods or services just to your own members.
Just an example. A scuba club organizes diving courses. If the course is sold to members of the club, it is VAT exempt. If the course is sold to a non-member, he should pay an additional VAT of 22%, which is much more than the annual fee for becoming member of the club.
So usually the course is proposed at a total gross price which includes membership, and is VAT EXEMPT.

 

[tursiops]

Is it possible to just take the dive insurance without the membership? I've been paying for membership as well every time I renew...

P

No.

 

[kelemvor]

Thank you for clarifying, that is new information to me. Do you happen to know whether it is public information where the profits of Dan Services, Inc go?

I think this applies to DAN as a whole, not just their wholly owned subsidiary. The last reported year is 2018, wherein DAN did not have enough revenue to cover expenses. Since DAN owns the subsidiary, I assume that this includes any profit or loss of the subsidiary.

source: Check-A-Charity
DAN License/Registration #: CH9427

     Dan Foundation Inc., Durham, NC     Print
Registration Number :CH9427     Expiration Date : 3/27/2021
Revenue Source : IRS 990 w/ Sch.A (12/31/2018)
Total Revenue : $7,974,161.00    Program Services Expenses : $8,000,425.00   97%
Total Expenses : $8,265,974.00    Administrative Expenses : $251,262.00   3%
Surplus/Deficit : -$291,813.00    Fundraising Expenses : $14,287.00   0%
Statement Of Purpose SERVING SCUBA DIVERS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, DAN PROVIDES EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, MEDICAL INFORMATION RESOURCES, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND MORE.