Hurricane insurance

[Dave Dillehay]

For many years we have had a policy of "hurricane insurance" and today we have invoked that for our 18 divers planning on diving today and can't because of Tropical Storm Nate. None of them of course pay for dives not made but we issue each diver a rain check for a free two tank dive in the future for everyday they miss diving. or if they continue diving after the storm passes they will have free dives coming. This is a policy that all dive shops should offer to help their customers.

In addition if one misses diving while staying at the Villa Aldora, they don't have to pay for their rooms for missed diving days.

As and extreme example, say you reserved a 5 dive day trip to Cozumel and showed up Saturday night, and were unable to make any dives the rest of the week because of a hurricane (or threat thereof). You would get 5 free days of diving when you can return, and free lodging. That could make up for the cost of your return airfare.

Actually this is a pretty safe bet for me since this is the first time we have had to pay up in 12 years. I'd be a fool to offer the same for northern storms in high season (Nortes).

I hope this catches on with other dive shops as an incentive for divers to visit us during hurricane season.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[Johnoly]

...In addition if one misses diving while staying at the Villa Aldora, they don't have to pay for their rooms for missed diving days....

I had to re-read that 3 times to make sure my eyeballs were still seated in their sockets. Kudo's to Aldora and the island of Cozumel, cause you'll never see that offered by anyone in the Caribbean islands for Hurricane Insurance. Cozumel Rocks !!

 

[Altamira]

Dave,
That is an unbelievable offer that is hard to beat, and impossible to turn down. Kudos to you.

 

[Divegoose]

For many years we have had a policy of "hurricane insurance" and today we have invoked that for our 18 divers planning on diving today and can't because of Tropical Storm Nate. None of them of course pay for dives not made but we issue each diver a rain check for a free two tank dive in the future for everyday they miss diving. or if they continue diving after the storm passes they will have free dives coming. This is a policy that all dive shops should offer to help their customers.

In addition if one misses diving while staying at the Villa Aldora, they don't have to pay for their rooms for missed diving days.

As and extreme example, say you reserved a 5 dive day trip to Cozumel and showed up Saturday night, and were unable to make any dives the rest of the week because of a hurricane (or threat thereof). You would get 5 free days of diving when you can return, and free lodging. That could make up for the cost of your return airfare.

Actually this is a pretty safe bet for me since this is the first time we have had to pay up in 12 years. I'd be a fool to offer the same for northern storms in high season (Nortes).

I hope this catches on with other dive shops as an incentive for divers to visit us during hurricane season.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

Agreed !!

At the very least, if days are lost due to weather, then it would be great customer service to make sure the missed dives are made up at no charge.

Divegoose

 

[rek_diver]

At the very least, if days are lost due to weather, then it would be great customer service to make sure the missed dives are made up at no charge.

Divegoose

If paid dives are lost due to weather, it is standard policy of most or all Dive Ops to refund in full.

I can't imagine there's any Dive Op out there that would keep a divers deposit if they cannot deliver on the promised dive for whatever reasons. If there were, they wouldn't be in business very long.

 

[RyanT]

f paid dives are lost due to weather, it is standard policy of most or all Dive Ops to refund in full.

Yes, pretty standard. What seriously impresses me though is not paying for the room for missed diving days. Anywhere else, I'd be on the hook for the room.

 

[Frank Storms]

Yes, pretty standard. What seriously impresses me though is not paying for the room for missed diving days. Anywhere else, I'd be on the hook for the room.

I imagine when the dive op is providing the diving and lodging makes a difference.
The only other dive op I know that provides both is Aqua Safari.
Anyone know their policy regarding lost days?

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Actually the two policies, Aldora Divers and the Villa Aldora are separate entities. You only get free lodging if diving with Aldora Divers AND staying at the Villa. BTW, this does not apply to all storms like nortes in high season, just hurricanes (or the threat thereof) in Hurricane season.

And again, we never charge for diving days missed, ever. But in the case of the threat of a hurricane closes the port we provide Free vouchers for another day or days. And we have never kept anyone's deposit.

For instance, last Friday we had 18 divers miss diving because of port closure. Of course they did not pay for Friday diving but they all dove for free on Saturday. Beat that!

Dave Dillehay

Aldora Divers