Keep reminding people: Don't rent scooters and don't dive without DAN accident insurance!

[brownie]

Years ago, on my very first trip to Coz, a few hours after I arrived, I was walking to the grocery store (Chedraui). In crossing the road (I had the right of way) a local citizen driving a scooter barrelled into the intersection, and hit a bus. The scooter flew into the air, so did the driver. Prior to landing, the driver hit me and the force threw me to the ground--blew the shoes off my feet. The bus came to a halt, passengers surrounded us in a large circle, until an ambulance came to take us both to hospital. I had been in Coz for less than 2 hours.

No broken bones for me, but lots of scrapes and bruises, especially on my face. I looked pretty rough on the dive boat that week. Told people I was in a bar room brawl, got into a fight over the last Corona--truth is, I never drink on a dive trip. At the hospital, I was asked if I wanted the driver charged. I thought he would be charged as a matter of course--not so. I was expecting to read a headline in the local newspaper:

"Turista Canadiense Golpeada Por Aerotransportado Cozumeleno"

 

[Blackcrusader]

I hate these stories. One of two tourists involved in Cozumel scooter accident dies - Riviera Maya News Rental companies will rent scooters to anyone I guess, and I question how well they maintain the scooters, but even the most experienced motorcycle drivers should not take scooters out on the island.

Then there was the diver on FB sharing his hyperbaric chamber story this week. Decades of diving, hundreds of dives, but he forgot to get DAN dive insurance. His home medical insurance won't pay the $30K. His daughter added a GoFundMe link. I am sorry he was hurt, but he knew the risks.

DAN also offers great Trip Insurance, and membership is not required. Most home medical policies do not cover outside of the US, but accidents and medical events happen. GoFundMe is a poor plan.

Dive Assure also.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

I have to say that renting a couple of scooters while I'm on Little Cayman is awesome and totally fun. Little Cayman Beach Resort makes it so simple and easy and there is litterally no way to get lost or in trouble on that island in my opinion. . Bring an ice chest and go exploring via scooter during off gassing time.. Little Cayman is the perfect place to rent a scooter and do some exploring. Just make sure to watch out for the special iguanas.

Cyclura nubila caymanensis - Wikipedia

One thing I will say is that it's best to have some decent shoes instead of just flip flops. Whenever I travel tropical I bring two pairs of shoes..... I wear solid Nike sneakers to and from while traveling..... and then have Tevas for while I am on island. I wear the Nike's when on a scooter or doing any dry land exploring.

 

[Christi]

They do rent scooters to anyone, but I've been scootering all over the world. Be smart, go slow and you are good to go. Telling people NOT to rent them?

You must be the leading expert in Cozumel since you've rented them all over the world - we all stand corrected.

 

[DandyDon]

Dive Assure also.

Ok, for international diving I guess so.

No other comments about divers needing dive insurance, or almost everyone needing trip insurance unless they are totally positive that their home medical coverage extends to Mexico?

 

[Blackcrusader]

Ok, for international diving I guess so.

No other comments about divers needing dive insurance, or almost everyone needing trip insurance unless they are totally positive that their home medical coverage extends to Mexico?

For diving in the USA or Mexico is international diving as it is with many SB members.
For Taiwan all you need are the receipts for medical treatment from overseas and anything that is covered under our national health insurance is covered. That does not mean additional insurance is not required. I am going to see a heart specialist to make sure I don't have any PFO or other heart issues before I take some deco courses later this year.

It's going to cost me US$12 out of pocket the other costs are covered by NHI for xrays and MRI if needed.

I've also been riding motorcycles and scooters for decades, scooters are a common use item in Taiwan.

 

[DandyDon]

For diving in the USA or Mexico is international diving

Did you mean that for US divers, Mexico is international? Yes, but many US divers also want to be covered in the US. Dive Assure would have to meet insurance regulations for every state and be registered in each. Maybe someday. I don't know what countries they are listed to operate. The issue in this thread is some divers visit the island and dive without dive insurance, and sometimes that backfires.

 

[Blackcrusader]

Did you mean that for US divers, Mexico is international? Yes, but many US divers also want to be covered in the US. Dive Assure would have to meet insurance regulations for every state and be registered in each. Maybe someday. I don't know what countries they are listed to operate. The issue in this thread is some divers visit the island and dive without dive insurance, and sometimes that backfires.

I mean for many SB members diving in the USA and Mexico is international diving. A lot of us are after all, not living in the USA or Mexico. When my son went diving in Hawaii on his 2 week honeymoon that was an international trip for him.

 

[TheRealScubaSteve]

Years ago, on my very first trip to Coz, a few hours after I arrived, I was walking to the grocery store (Chedraui). In crossing the road (I had the right of way) a local citizen driving a scooter barrelled into the intersection, and hit a bus. The scooter flew into the air, so did the driver. Prior to landing, the driver hit me and the force threw me to the ground--blew the shoes off my feet. The bus came to a halt, passengers surrounded us in a large circle, until an ambulance came to take us both to hospital. I had been in Coz for less than 2 hours.

No broken bones for me, but lots of scrapes and bruises, especially on my face. I looked pretty rough on the dive boat that week. Told people I was in a bar room brawl, got into a fight over the last Corona--truth is, I never drink on a dive trip. At the hospital, I was asked if I wanted the driver charged. I thought he would be charged as a matter of course--not so. I was expecting to read a headline in the local newspaper:

"Turista Canadiense Golpeada Por Aerotransportado Cozumeleno"

Yikes, at least you came up with a good story. Did you win said bar fight? Hope the diving was good after all that!

 

[Blackcrusader]

There are all sorts of things people do on the island they probably shouldn’t.

Same with many island destinations hordes of people visit like Bali.