trip insurance, worth it or not?

[DandyDon]

Let me clarify that DAN's mid or top level dive insurance or very good similarity is essential for any diving.

IMO, not only does DAN's trip insurance suck, so does DAN's gear insurance and DEPP's.

 

[H2O 70]

I've purchased and I've purchased trip insurance.

If I'm doing a live aboard, I'm more apt to buy trip insurance. If it is a land based operations, not so much.

I also look at the weather of the region during the time of the trip. If I'm booking a live aboard in the Caribbean during hurricane season, I'm definitely getting trip insurance.

I factor the cost of insurance into the trip.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Not to sound pessimistic, but never, EVER, take your health for granted. We can go from feeling on top of the world, to knocking on death's door faster than it takes to read this topic. Insurance is a lot like a parachute - if you wait until you really need it to try and find it, it's already too late.

Second the motion and know what you mean.....in my early 40's my colon perferated when I was 120 miles offshore....thank God it was offshore Louisiana, not overseas....medical cost was out of sight, but health insurance picked up the bill......you never know when the reaper will strike.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Let me clarify that DAN's mid or top level dive insurance or very good similarity is essential for any diving.

IMO, not only does DAN's trip insurance suck, so does DAN's gear insurance and DEPP's.

I Totally agree Don, I've been a DAN member for years and they are the greatest, however on trip cancellation, overseas medical emergencies not dive related, etc, the perferred plan is not perferred by me......it doesn't "suck"...it's just you get what you shop and pay for and it doesn't fit my needs.

 

[Herk_Man]

those of you that do buy insurance, who do you go with? Honestly I think I am just going to get coverage for gear, etc. If I was planning a 9k vacation, whole different issue, but my Bonaire trips run 1450 a person for lodging and travel.

I went through USAA but I think they only take military members. However, the company they use for trip insurance is not USAA, it's something else and I can't remember the name right now. You might call them and ask who it is.

We bought it for our Bonaire trip in December and I was very glad to have it. One hiccup in the weather would have ruined the whole thing and cost us many 1000's of dollars. (Only a couple of flights a week go in there.)

Plus it pays out for many other things like lost luggage, delays, etc.

For a family of 4 it was just over $200 for a one week trip. For a 5-digit vacation, it was well worth the peace of mind.

 

[Herk_Man]

Let me clarify that DAN's mid or top level dive insurance or very good similarity is essential for any diving.

IMO, not only does DAN's trip insurance suck, so does DAN's gear insurance and DEPP's.

I agree with Don here. Their trip insurance is very expensive compared to what you can find elsewhere.

And for any military out there, Tricare does cover everything that DAN covers when it comes to overseas medical issues including baro-chamber and emergency evac.

 

[DandyDon]

Let me clarify that DAN's mid or top level dive insurance or very good similarity is essential for any diving.

IMO, not only does DAN's trip insurance suck, so does DAN's gear insurance and DEPP's.

I Totally agree Don, I've been a DAN member for years and they are the greatest, however on trip cancellation, overseas medical emergencies not dive related, etc, the perferred plan is not perferred by me......it doesn't "suck"...it's just you get what you shop and pay for and it doesn't fit my needs.

I'm not sure we were talking about the same thing there...? In fact, I am not sure what you said exactly. Let me restate my opinions...

1: DAN gear and trip insurance plans are just not competitive. Seemed like good ideas, but really failed the grades.

2: DAN's dive insurance or similar is essential, but skip the bottom plan. The middle plan is only $10/yr more but offers so much more. See http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/insurance/compare.asp

3: DAN's top or Preferred plan offers twice as much dive accident coverage - $250,000 vs $125,000 - plus is the only plan with Medical Non-Dive Accident Coverage - up to $10,000: For eligible charges for treatment of non-diving accidents outside home country. $250 deductible - accidents only, not for illnesses or non-accident medical needs.

I have considered dropping from the top DAN plan to the middle one, but haven't for two reasons...

I always do trip insurance when I leave the country, and my trip insurance does cover my diving, so DAN and TravelSafe can just split the expenses if I ever have any. TravelSafe insures me for up to $100,000 for illness or accident including scuba as long as I don't go below 130 ft. It's rare that I do, but does happen.

No coverage if intoxicated. I don't remember who was president the last time I got drunk, but then I'd like to avoid that argument if I have a few beers then break my ankle or something. ​

 

[Hoomi]

I don't remember who was president the last time I got drunk... [/INDENT]

I can tell you that I haven't been drunk since Ike was President.



Of course, since Ike was President when I was born, and I've never drank, it's a lot easier to remember.

If I could get through the Carter years without giving in to the urge to get drunk, I think I can handle almost anything sober.