DAN and diver's insurance level?

[bracko]

hello,

I'm a bit puzzled by what level of insurance I should be getting on my DAN membership (or if i should be gaining insurance through another company other than DAN?).

I am diving mainly in Australia (sydney and QLD) but intend to travel to SE Asia and probably back to Egypt in the next 12 months.

It is my intention to at least gain my DM certification in the next 12 months, if not my instructors certification as well, so I'm not sure if that changes the level of insurance i need now or later down the track.

any hints or tips would be great.

cheers

Dave.

 

[dhuskins]

DAN insurance is different than Professional Liability Insurance. I strongly advocate DAN insurance to any and every diver who dives more than five dives a year. As for which level, that is up to you and the degree of protection you want. I figured the premium coverage was not that much more money and offered significantly more coverage.

Professional Liability Insurance is needed once you become a PADI professional AND decide to perform services as a pro.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Dave,

You should get insurance if you move into the pro ranks, whether it's PADI or any other certifying agency.

Jeff

 

[Sas]

hello,

I'm a bit puzzled by what level of insurance I should be getting on my DAN membership (or if i should be gaining insurance through another company other than DAN?).

I am diving mainly in Australia (sydney and QLD) but intend to travel to SE Asia and probably back to Egypt in the next 12 months.

It is my intention to at least gain my DM certification in the next 12 months, if not my instructors certification as well, so I'm not sure if that changes the level of insurance i need now or later down the track.

any hints or tips would be great.

cheers

Dave.

If you get bent or have another diving accident in Australia, Medicare will cover the costs of treatment so DAN insurance is only really needed when you go overseas and so on, or if you don't have ambulence cover though they only cover emergency transportation if you are a certain number of kms from your house (I *think*). So pretty much if you have ambulence cover DAN isn't really needed if you're just going to dive in Australia.

However given you'll travel, I'd recommend the Standard or Master plan (depending on your qualifications perhaps as to what is best, I have Master plan as I am qualified to 42m, just beyond what Standard plan covers). However, if you plan to travel to the US get the Preferred plan as medical care in the US is crazy expensive!

Your DM stuff will need different insurance and sorry I don't know what is the best. I have liability insurance, but that is organised by my club.

 

[Colliam7]

I'm a bit puzzled by what level of insurance I should be getting on my DAN membership (or if i should be gaining insurance through another company other than DAN?). I am diving mainly in Australia (sydney and QLD) but intend to travel to SE Asia and probably back to Egypt in the next 12 months.

When I first joined DAN, I went with the Standard Plan - only an additional $25/year. But, when I started taking ex-US dive trips, I upgraded to the Master Plan - still very inexpensive at only $35/year. More recently, because I am doing more technical diving, even though I am not traveling to many ex-US locations, I upgraded to the Preferred Plan. Even at $70/yr, it is ludicrously cheap, and incredibly valuable. I have never needed my DAN insurance. A fellow instructor broke her leg on a vacation dive trip to Egypt last year and her DAN membership and insurance made a tremendous difference in getting local medical assistance, even return travel to the US. As insurance goes it is very inexpensive. In hindsight, I would go with the Preferred Plan from the start.

It is my intention to at least gain my DM certification in the next 12 months, if not my instructors certification as well, so I'm not sure if that changes the level of insurance i need now or later down the track.

As others have mentioned, Professional Liability insurance is another matter, entirely, and NOT anywhere near as inexpensive. As a PADI instructor, teaching (only) through a (one) LDS, the cheapest approach for me has been to use V&B (the PADI-associated firm) - I am on our overall shop policy. You choice of PL insurance may be somewhat influenced by the agency you train through to DM/instructor.

 

[Sas]

When I first joined DAN, I went with the Standard Plan - only an additional $25/year. But, when I started taking ex-US dive trips, I upgraded to the Master Plan - still very inexpensive at only $35/year. More recently, because I am doing more technical diving, even though I am not traveling to many ex-US locations, I upgraded to the Preferred Plan. Even at $70/yr, it is ludicrously cheap, and incredibly valuable.

DAN Asia Pacific insurance plans are Standard $66, Master $88 and Preferred $143. The DAN Membership fee is $66 and needs to be included in the cost also.

 

[Colliam7]

DAN Asia Pacific insurance plans are Standard $66, Master $88 and Preferred $143. The DAN Membership fee is $66 and needs to be included in the cost also.

I presume that is USD. Impressive that it is essentially twice the cost as in the US. Still, for $210/yr (annual membership plus Preferred) for someone who dives and travels regularly, I would consider it a bargain. But, that's just me.

 

[Sas]

I presume that is USD. Impressive that it is essentially twice the cost as in the US. Still, for $210/yr (annual membership plus Preferred) for someone who dives and travels regularly, I would consider it a bargain. But, that's just me.

AUD, but close enough to parity that I did not bother to change it to USD (and the OP is going to be diving in Australia mainly...)

 

[jscott099]

Shop around and search the posts for instructor liability insurance. There are several organizations to purchase it from. It is not required to use the shop standard nor the companies affiliated with the dive agencies. You will be required to have professional liability insurance beginning at the Divemaster (or equivalent) level. It does get more expensive when you become and instructor.

There are also more diving accident insurance companies than DAN. Shop around for that one also.

 

[vickobcn]

When I went from needing just basic dive insurance to needing professional coverage, I just paid the difference between the two levels offered through DAN. It was really quite easy and they sent me out my new policy and card straightaway. They also send a copy of your new professional level coverage to your agency (be it PADI, SSI etc). This was through DAN Europe but I'm assuming it would be the same for all DAN bodies...

Safe diving.