DIVERS ALERT NETWORK anyone? DAN D.A.N. ?????

[scuba_mike]

I purchased DAN's dive insurance almost immediately after I got my OW certification. For the $100 or so per year, it really was a no-brainer for me. In my opinion, it's an insignificant amount relative to the potential cost of chamber treatment and airlift if necessary. Of course, like all insurance, I try to be as careful as possible, and hope that I never have to use it. It's there just in case.

I've never had to call on it so I can't speak first-hand to that. But what I've heard second- and third-hand has been very positive. There are alternatives to DAN so I suggest you compare products and levels side-by-side to decide what you feel is best for you.

Cheers

 

[pasley]

The standard DAN membership includes 100,000 coverage for emer. evac. if you are more than 50 miles from home.
The Dive Accident Insurance, that you can get , has no minimum miles from home clause
The Trip Insurance is only for injury or illness cancellations
Dive Equipment Insurance is only for a loss during a covered dive accident
...DB

Don’t mean to argue, but two items above do not agree with the written materials of DAN and is often misunderstood if this forum is any gauge. The confusion is the difference between when Travel Assist applies and when it does not.

The STANDARD plan INCLUDES EMERGENCY EVACUATION AT HOME. Please note the key here is EMERGENCY EVACUATION as defined by the policy as: ONLY from the accident site to the nearest chamber and NO further. IF you are 50 miles or more the TRAVEL ASSIST provisions kick in with additional coverage and provides NOT ONLY emergency transportation from the accident site, but transportation home after that if necessary (evacuation to the USA

Now about the Equipment Insurance: From the DAN Dive Equipment Provider Website on what it covers:
Perils Insured: flood damage to your camera equipment, stolen equipment (we require a written police report with the submission of the claim), lost luggage with the airlines (we need confirmation that the "checked luggage" has been lost), and accidental damage to your equipment.

Not Covered: We DO NOT provide coverage for items that are lost underwater while you are diving, that fall off the back of the boat, or are swept overboard.

Equipment lost during a dive accident (because you dropped your weights or BC as part of the emergency procedures) is covered by the DAN Dive insurance Master and Preferred Plans but NOT the standard plan.

Dive accident insurance is IMHO indispensable. It covered every dime of my chamber rides and was no muss no fuss.

As for military medical coverage, I would get DAN. Covers you even if the LOD investigation goes against you. Example, The Army regulations for LOD Investigations (and all injuries require a LOD at some levels, the CDR can sign off in some cases or go with a full LOD) specify that if alcohol is involved (even if not intoxicated) it is NOT in the line of duty and your medical bills are NOT covered. The investigating officer has no leeway on this. 2nd Example, friend of mine medivaced from IRAQ when injured while returning from patrol when someone failed to list the gate all the way and he ate the machine gun as he was ducking out of the turret of the Hummer. That clearly in the LOD still required a LOD investigation, mind you it was a short one. Another reason, civilian hospital (which often will be the closest facility) may not understand you military coverage and that may cause a delay, a DAN insurance card is understood by all as “insurance”. TRICARE is, well tricare and I would not bet on it.

DAN covers much, items that regular medical insurance will not. Get bent, go to the chamber, regular insurance covers it, and TRICARE may, fine. But what about the "Other Charges"?.
Other Charges - hotel you have to stay in for a week AFTER you get out of the hospital because you cannot fly yet. I know one guy who spent two weeks in a hotel just 70 or so miles from home, all because he lives in the mountains and could not go home. Every time he tried, he got symptoms again. In my case, I had to take two additional chamber rides when I drove to 1,400 feet elevation (I live at 30 feet) a week after taking a ride for being bent. I clearly was not completely over the first bend.

 

[D_B]

Thank You for clearing up my misconceptions on the Emergency Evac. standard DAN member benefits

And I should have made it clear I was talking about the lost dive equipment coverage that is included with the Dive Accident Insurance at the Master and Preferred Plan levels only covering equipment lost in a covered dive accident

DB

 

[jonnythan]

DAN good.

Get DAN.

Happy diver.

 

[scubabrandon]

What are the other alternatives to DAN?

 

[pasley]

Other plans include PADI Insurance and there are still others. Me, I have DAN, it is as good or better than the other plans when I was shopping and it supports research. DAN has a 800 phone number you can call an ask for advice even if you are NOT a member.

 

[UnixSage]

DAN has a 800 phone number you can call an ask for advice even if you are NOT a member.

And that (to me) speaks volumes why DAN is the right thing... Like so many others have stated I hope to never use it.. But may people do for the simple non-critical stuff. They publish many articles on dive medicne. Answer calls for advice even act as refiral service for doctors that understand dive medicne. New diver here and have been looking into. At the end of the day I pay DAN for a few decades and never "use" it (which would be fine by me) at least I can feel that my money did something for the dive community. Maybe a idealistic point of view but it works for me...

Thanks

 

[oceancrest67]

Subject: DIVERS ALERT NETWORK anyone? DAN D.A.N. D A N

I am considering getting a DAN membership and purchasing either the preferred or the master plan. What has been your experience when you needed DAN? What about the extras they can sell you with it like DAN tag "Divings only Medical ID" or The trip insurance?

Thanks for all comments.

I have been using DAN for the past 11 years. I use the Preferred plan because I want the extra peace of mind and for $99 it is well worth it. Think of the costs to you if you were out of country and you really needed the insurance...the little extras are nothing compared to a bad trip experience with no insurance.

The other thing...skiing, golfing, and DIVING are equipment intensive sports that cost a bundle anyway...you are part of a club of people that have invested the time and money in training and equipment...you have already come this far so why question something as important as dive insurance?

Just my 02.

 

[scubabrandon]

Yeah I agree. From what I see DAN does alot of good research to help us all out down the road.

 

[Wayward Son]

I have DAN Master. As I know that I will not be traveling outside the US in the next year, Preferred does nothing for me. I'll upgrade if or when I reach a point where we take a dive trip outside the country.