Should I get diving insurance?

[SkimFisher]

I'm just saying that it's not like DAN insurance is breaking the bank. It costs little more than a AAA membership. For what equates to $6/month I'm happy to have the peace of mind.

So again, even taking into consideration that SOME health ins. policies would cover chamber rides, etc - why NOT get DAN insurance as an added precaution? In addition to the insurance you also get access to several other perks and resources. Just seems worth it IMO.

 

[Herk_Man]

There are insurance plans that cover dive emergencies, hypo chamber, and medical evac. So just blindly saying, "Get DAN" is bad advice. Anyone that is military should check the most recent info from TRICARE but the last trip I went on, they covered everything you would need DAN for. And for travel insurance, there are MUCH cheaper options than DAN.

Not saying that DAN doesn't have its place, it does. But it's not always necessary and not always the best option.

 

[fellowtraveler44]

Let's try breaking this down. With my membership in DAN (not insurance), I get the following:
1. Support DAN's medical research, diving magazine, etc.
2.Guaranteed transportation if needed from a diving related accident (TravelAssist)

DAN's premium insurance buys the above, plus:
Recompression & other reimbursement (my health insurance covers this already)
Lost diving equipment, up to ($2,500, minus $250 deductible). International law requires an airline to pay you $500 if it loses your gear

 

[fellowtraveler44]

(Sorry, accidentally posted previous message prematurely)
DAN's premium insurance buys the above, plus:
3. Recompression & other reimbursement (my health insurance covers this already)
4. Lost divign equipment, up to $2,500, minus $250 deductible. International law requires airlines to pay you $500 if it loses your gear.
5. Vacation cancellation insurance, with $250 deductible, but only for illness injury.

 

[fellowtraveler44]

Actually, the new maximums for lost airline luggage is $3,300 for US flights, and about $1,500 international. If your dive gear is lost en route (which is probably where it will be lost, if anywhere), that should cover most everyone's gear.

 

[DandyDon]

This is off-topic and kind of silly, but to be accurate...

Let's try breaking this down. With my membership in DAN (not insurance), I get the following:
1. Support DAN's medical research, diving magazine, etc.
2.Guaranteed transportation if needed from a diving related accident (TravelAssist)

Yes, your DAN membership matters, the magazine is tops, but "If you travel at least 50 miles/80 km from your permanent residence, TravelAssist is there to help 24 hours a day. DAN TravelAssist arranges emergency medical evacuations for any medical emergency" Must be arranged thru DAN.

(Sorry, accidentally posted previous message prematurely)
DAN's premium insurance buys the above, plus:
3. Recompression & other reimbursement (my health insurance covers this already)
4. Lost divign equipment, up to $2,500, minus $250 deductible. International law requires airlines to pay you $500 if it loses your gear.
5. Vacation cancellation insurance, with $250 deductible, but only for illness injury.

What airlines are liable for has nothing to do with dive gear coverage which is only for losses "Resulting from a covered diving accident." Additional benefits exists for "Extra Transportation," "Extra Accommodation" and a few other benefits including "eligible charges for treatment of non-diving accidents outside home country. $250 deductible".

Actually, the new maximums for lost airline luggage is $3,300 for US flights, and about $1,500 international. If your dive gear is lost en route (which is probably where it will be lost, if anywhere), that should cover most everyone's gear.

Varies somewhat with whether the flight destination is covered by the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal, but still had nothing to with DAN.

For an extra $35 on top of DAN membership, you could also get DAN to furnish emergency funds for treatment then let them settle with your primary carrier, but if you have the credit cards to guarantee those - cool, your call. I hope you at least pass out updated DAN brochures to your students and enroll them in the Student Diver coverages even tho you don't seem to counsel on DAN Dive Accidents coverages accurately.

Back to the original posters question, even tho she has some coverages already - I am bothered by the depth limits on such coverages and hope she gets good advice from local divers.​

There are insurance plans that cover dive emergencies, hypo chamber, and medical evac. So just blindly saying, "Get DAN" is bad advice. Anyone that is military should check the most recent info from TRICARE but the last trip I went on, they covered everything you would need DAN for. And for travel insurance, there are MUCH cheaper options than DAN.

Not saying that DAN doesn't have its place, it does. But it's not always necessary and not always the best option.

Good post - worth considering.

 

[fellowtraveler44]

DandyDon, I'm not sure what part you consider off topic or silly, so let's make sure we understand each other.
With my DAN membership, I receive the similar travel benefits that those with DAN insurance have, which is essentially evacuation costs. Travel arrangements must be made through DAN whether you have DAN insurance or are simply utilizing Travel Assist.

The only time you are likely to need dive gear insurance (which is underwritten by a non-DAN entity) is if it is lost, which will likely occur through your airline, for which you are likely to be reimbursed by the airline. (Your homeowner's policy may also cover lost, stolen or damaged gear.) In any event, the gear insurance you pay for will not help you if your gear is damaged from .... water. To quote DAN's gear insurer: "You pick up coverage for things like accidental damage to your equipment, flooding of your camera equipment, and lost checked luggage by the airlines." So much for DAN's gear insurance.

I understand DAN's insurance is only $35 to $70 a year more than my membership, but the collision damage waivers for rental cars are cheap too, as are extended warranties for products we buy, but most are rip offs. So, explain to me what is inaccurate in my counsel on DAN accident coverage? And how about one good financial reason for purchasing DAN insurance from you?

 

[fellowtraveler44]

What else is excluded by DAN's gear insurance: "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. Please see Divers PAC Coverage Document, #5 PERILS EXCLUDED which confirms that this policy does not insure against (d) items lost while in your care, custody and control – while in use both in and out of the water, dropped overboard or swept over-board."

 

[keithdiver]

This is off-topic and kind of silly, but to be accurate...

Yes, your DAN membership matters, the magazine is tops, but "If you travel at least 50 miles/80 km from your permanent residence, TravelAssist is there to help 24 hours a day. DAN TravelAssist arranges emergency medical evacuations for any medical emergency" Must be arranged thru DAN.

What airlines are liable for has nothing to do with dive gear coverage which is only for losses "Resulting from a covered diving accident." Additional benefits exists for "Extra Transportation," "Extra Accommodation" and a few other benefits including "eligible charges for treatment of non-diving accidents outside home country. $250 deductible".

Varies somewhat with whether the flight destination is covered by the Warsaw Convention or the Montreal, but still had nothing to with DAN.

For an extra $35 on top of DAN membership, you could also get DAN to furnish emergency funds for treatment then let them settle with your primary carrier, but if you have the credit cards to guarantee those - cool, your call. I hope you at least pass out updated DAN brochures to your students and enroll them in the Student Diver coverages even tho you don't seem to counsel on DAN Dive Accidents coverages accurately.

Back to the original posters question, even tho she has some coverages already - I am bothered by the depth limits on such coverages and hope she gets good advice from local divers.​

Good post - worth considering.

DandyDon, i would not dive without that insuranceIt is silly to not protect ourselves for mere pennies, and out gear. I think DAN Insurance, is a very valuable tool and benefit.

 

[DandyDon]

DandyDon, i would not dive without that insuranceIt is silly to not protect ourselves for mere pennies, and out gear. I think DAN Insurance, is a very valuable tool and benefit.

Well, yeah. It's fine that FT chooses to rely on his other medical insurance. He did not read my last post correctly so I won't go on. Hope his students get the word.