Do most divers belong to Divers Alert Network?

[boxcar]

I suspect a geographical split here. Certainly in the UK you'll find a lot fewer people are members as (i) NHS treatment is free in the uk and (ii) there are other companies offering cheaper and/or better cover for travelling and abroad.

They seem to be marketted best (or have less competition) in the US and of course healthcare isnt free so insurance is essential even for daily life.

Im not a member but have a policy with another company for all my travelling involving diving.

Good point String. Same conclusion here in Aus for a different reason: the value for money of DAN SEAP is not quite as clear as with the US DAN. Also, I've had not so great customer service experiences with DAN SEAP (not claims, but other things, getting the policies sorted, getting confirmation of coverage, getting responses to enquiries) and heard some not-so-rosey reports from the owner of my LDS who had to deal with them in a potentially life-and-death DCS case he was assisting with while travelling with other dive pros in the the south pacific. My DAN is up for renewal in Jan and I'm shopping around for another insurance provider.

It seems like a good deal if you're in the US (or North America)...but you might want to look around if you're elsewhere...

 

[miketsp]

Do most divers belong to Divers Alert Network?

Impossible to say. Nobody knows how many divers there are.
A lot do belong.

Seems like a very reasonable cost for the insurance - $70 for the preferred plan - IF they actually pay what they promise (unlike several big health insurance comanies I could tell you about).

Belonging to DAN is one thing.
Taking out their insurance is another.
I am a member and I have their insurance. For me it's a bargain.
For full yearly coverage for myself and my wife I pay less than the cost of a single doctor's consultancy fee.

 

[drew52]

DAN is great here in South Africa to. I'm on the Master Plan; for the cost it seems crazy not to have it. DAN is essential if you're diving in Mozambique or other African countries where the trip to the chamber can be quite pricey as you may need to get back to SA.

I've never needed DAN either and would prefer it to stay that way. At the cost I'm happy just knowing I have ithe insurance even if I never need it. DAN is also a great wealth of information.

If ever I'm in doubt I always give them a call to see whether I'm safe to dive or not. Also great place to check whether those Malaria pills, motion sickness pills or whatever meds someone is taking are safe for diving.

 

[nic]

Hi everyone

Those of you who are based in the UK - could you tell me what other options there are and how they compare to DAN insurance? Do you also know if these other options are available to EU residents or are restricted to UK residents?

Thanks

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

DAN - master plan insurance. Getting it for my wife before her first OW dives. Seems like a no-brainer fo those of us in the states at least.

 

[Cold_Under_Here]

One word:

CANADA!

 

[Solitude Diver]

I have family membership, and most I know belong to Dan.

Many have either Dan or other (PADI, etc.) insurance supplements to cover chamber, cancelled trips, other dive accidents, etc. in case their insurance does not cover. If you do not have insurance, it becomes your primary in these instances. It is worth the money for the little cost.

 

[DiverBuoy]

Dan offers complimentary coverage for new divers IF YOU FILL OUT THE CARD ... and after that period coverage is realtively cheap. However, the answer to your question is by far NO, not even close. With a million divers certified a year ... compare DAN's membership numbers:

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/

 

[NJMike]

If you don't have the insurance...you are charged for the use of the recompression chamber? How much would it cost without the insurance?

 

[Diver Dennis]

It's not only the chamber ride, it's getting to a chamber in the first place and depending which country you are in it can be thousands.



This is an old thread but that's a good question.