Should I get diving insurance?

[Yellowmask]

I'm a new diver, 13 dives logged, about to start training towards my Advanced Open Water. My usual diving habits are: between 1-2 dives a month in the North Sea in the UK (so far not very deep; about 12 metres), and 2-3 dives on holiday, usually in the Mediterranean. This may of course change in future as I get training to do more challenging dives!

I'm wondering about whether I need diving insurance i.e. cover for medical treatment if anything goes wrong, and / or cover for my dive gear if I take it on holiday. (I have my own mask, fins, computer and exposure suit, no BCD / tank / regulator.)

Given the type of diving I do, do I need it? I'm willing to pay for it if I do, but equally don't want to waste money. What criteria should I use when deciding?

Advice much appreciated!

 

[RJP]

Without going in to all the details:

Yes


Here's some of the details:

Not sure what is and isn't covered by NHS over there, but the vast majority of dive-related stuff that could POSSIBLY be needed isn't covered by ordinary insurance. Things like evacuation by boat or air from a dive site, multiple (even single) hyperbaric chamber visits, transport to a facility WITH a hyperbaric chamber, etc, etc.

On vacation, you might - god forbid - need to be transported from some remote loacation to a place with more modern facilities. Or all the way home. During some of this craziness you may have lost out on the rest of your vacation, had gear lost or destroyed.

Proper dive insurance will cover this sort of thing to a great degree. Even the highest-price, top-shelf DAN (Diver's Alert Network) insurance costs less than a new mask.

I have a friend, and there are many more stories here of people who have had dive accidents that would have bankrupted them if not for DAN insurance. DAN also coordinated all of the transport and care. Their insurance company is a different division, but DAN overall is a non-profit medical & research organization dedicated to the safety and health of recreational scuba divers and is associated with Duke University Medical Center here in the US.

It's the most important "card" I carry as a diver.

DAN Europe

 

[D_B]

Yes ... and If you can, Join D.A.N. (Divers Alert Network)

DAN ... DAN Divers Alert Network is a worthwhile organization helping divers and doing research into keeping them safe

DAN Insurance ... DAN Insurance : Dive Accident, Trip, Dive Equipment, Camera, Group Term Life is a separate devision .. I cant stress enough on how important it could be to have it , and at the highest level offered , Preferred

 

[=C=]

Uhhh I read that the NHS covers Chamber Rides should you ever need one in the UK...

Travel is my main concern and the reason why I am a DAN member.

Skip eating out for a weekend and it pays for your membership.

 

[Kingpatzer]

The answer is "Yes."

If you dive having dive insurance is extremely important.

 

[Rick Inman]

I'll ditto the "yes" answers above, and the suggestion to get DAN as well.

Congrats at learning to dive at 13! That's exactly the age I was when my Dad and I were certified, back about a million years ago. I'm an old dude now (51), and still get that same thrill suiting up for the dive. You have a lifetime of adventure ahead of you.

 

[Garrobo]

Dan, yes!!!!

 

[Misa]

Insurrance from DAN is the best next thing a diver should get after doing the OWD course. At least that`s what i`ve did.

 

[SeaSoulSelf]

Yes! We were certified in the Caribbean and the importance wasn't really stressed. My husband and I didn't have it for the first few years we were diving, thinking "oh we don't dive enough - do we really need it". But after reading more & more here on ScubaBoard, I decided to get it. The process was quick & painless and I've kicked myself in not getting it earlier.

 

[Snarfal]

Good post! I also have a question on insurance. What makes DAN preferable over something like Dive Assure or what not? As a secondary insurance, couldn't that lead to a hassle where Dive Assure being primary seems like it would be easier and more straightforward.