Dan Travel Insurance failed us again are there any better alternatives

[Ankush Mittal]

While I have taken the full premium package including trip insurance from DAN, I intend to reply on it mostly for the Dive Insurance part.

I always take a cheap travel insurance for my specific trips as they cover baggage loss, airline cancellation charges and other extras which DAN Travel Insurance doesn't and would be probably easier to claim. DAN does maintain that they would cover it only if you don't have primary insurance or the expenses are above what the primary insurance is. But, I will definitely rely on DAN for Dive Insurance, specially when one dives more than 2 - 3 times a year, their yearly plans are amazing and convenient.

Just my opinion and thoughts, everyone has their own preferences. For many the types of World Nomads and Dive Assure work just fine.

 

[TMHeimer]

Our Nova Scotia Blue Cross covers medical "emergencies" out of Canada for 30 days, then we pay through the nose for the next 2 months away. They told me it covers dive accidents. If I were going to a place that was far from a chamber I would consider DAN, having heard many good things about it. Hasn't been the case yet. I THINK our VISA covers basic losses such as baggage--never thought about it. Then again I (we) never take cancellation insurance on flights either. Figure we're way ahead of the game on that over the years, knock wood.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Our Nova Scotia Blue Cross covers medical "emergencies" out of Canada for 30 days, then we pay through the nose for the next 2 months away. They told me it covers dive accidents. If I were going to a place that was far from a chamber I would consider DAN, having heard many good things about it. Hasn't been the case yet. I THINK our VISA covers basic losses such as baggage--never thought about it. Then again I (we) never take cancellation insurance on flights either. Figure we're way ahead of the game on that over the years, knock wood.

Is there a limit on the accident amount they will cover?

 

[TMHeimer]

Is there a limit on the accident amount they will cover?

To be honest I don't know. I only take one charter a year and haven't bothered to check that out. My other diving is very shallow shore dives, here and in FL (usually). My wife had to spend 5 hours in a hospital in Miss. years ago to the tune of $6,000+ US and (eventually.......) it was all covered. But that's not much.

 

[outofofficebrb]

To be honest I don't know. I only take one charter a year and haven't bothered to check that out. My other diving is very shallow shore dives, here and in FL (usually). My wife had to spend 5 hours in a hospital in Miss. years ago to the tune of $6,000+ US and (eventually.......) it was all covered. But that's not much.

It might be worth finding out because one chamber or helicopter ride is way more than that! Hopefully you will never need to use it though.

 

[DandyDon]

Is there a limit on the accident amount they will cover?

Their site says 100% for 30 days if the Enhanced plan is selected, but their limits & exclusions are not given. It doesn't look like they pay much in general coverage, just a few hundred here and there for specific needs, but maybe this is designed to be a supplemental plan to other coverage, except it does cover hospital expenses at 100% for 90 days - so hard to say?

Spoiler: Really?

Looks a lot like a gimmick policy, but maybe not?

Elements Module Comparison | Medavie Blue Cross

They also sell a variety of travel policies. Travel insurance solutions - Ontario Blue Cross

To be honest I don't know. I only take one charter a year and haven't bothered to check that out. My other diving is very shallow shore dives, here and in FL (usually). My wife had to spend 5 hours in a hospital in Miss. years ago to the tune of $6,000+ US and (eventually.......) it was all covered. But that's not much.

Honestly, I'd call that false economy. DAN Dive Insurance is cheap because accidents are rare, but when they happen - they can be catastrophic. In my few hundred dives, I have seen 3 people leave dive locations in ambulances, 2 of those for emergency evacuation to the US, and at least 1 of whom would have died if their transportation was delayed.

I only do one trip a year nowadays, but I wouldn't do it without DAN Dive Insurance. I get my trip insurance elsewhere, and while it does cover dive accidents to an extent - but I consider that as extra dive coverage.

 

[TMHeimer]

It might be worth finding out because one chamber or helicopter ride is way more than that! Hopefully you will never need to use it though.

Absolutely, if the situation merits it.

 

[Ankush Mittal]

Unless DAN Americas policy is different than DAN Asia Pacific, which I think isn't, DAN coverage applies for anything beyond 80km from your registered address/city. It is important to note that most Insurance companies which hand out insurance don't provide cover in the same country as your residence.

Just something one should be aware of while buying insurance, if you are going with anything other than DAN please ensure it covers your area of diving, specially if it is in your country of residence.

 

[TMHeimer]

Unless DAN Americas policy is different than DAN Asia Pacific, which I think isn't, DAN coverage applies for anything beyond 80km from your registered address/city. It is important to note that most Insurance companies which hand out insurance don't provide cover in the same country as your residence.

Just something one should be aware of while buying insurance, if you are going with anything other than DAN please ensure it covers your area of diving, specially if it is in your country of residence.

Interesting, I have wondered about that. Makes no difference in Canada and other socialized medicine countries, but may very well for places that don't, like the U.S.

 

[DandyDon]

Unless DAN Americas policy is different than DAN Asia Pacific, which I think isn't, DAN coverage applies for anything beyond 80km from your registered address/city. It is important to note that most Insurance companies which hand out insurance don't provide cover in the same country as your residence.

I believe that DAN Americas is quite different from DAN Asia Pacific, and covers within one's home country - as do many trip/travel company policies.