Two questions about diving in Cuba

[hmb]

Hi,

I'm reposting these questions from the general Carribean forum:
1. Diving insurance
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/gr...da/262576-diving-insurance-cuba-canadian.html

2. Diving in Cayo Santa Maria
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/greater-caribbean-bermuda/262578-diving-cayo-santa-maria-cuba.html

 

[ryshannon]

Good Post, I have not heard that DAN does not cover Cuba? We dive in Cuba every year along with thousands of other Canadians? I know when we travel to other areas in the Caribbean we are covered but wasn't aware that Cuba was not covered. I do know that they have a good medical system there and if anything happens to you it is free, A friend had a scooter accident and she was well looked after with no charge. We dive in Santiago de Cuba at the Sierra Mar and they have a landing pad for emergency helicopters to take divers to a Chamber along with direct communication to thier Coast Guard by radio. I have E-mailed DAN asking if they cover Cuba I'll let you know thier response. Not sure of the diving in Cayo Santa Maria but diving in Cuba should be good where ever you go.

 

[ryshannon]

HMB : I looked into coverage in Cuba from DAN and this is the reply I recieved today, Not sure where you got your information from but you may want to relook DAN does cover Canadians & US Citizens In Cuba. This was the reply sent
Hello Ray,
The Cubian coverage applies to all citizens in the USA and Canada . USA citizens must consult with the US state department for approval for travel to Cuba . The US do not have diplomatic relations with CUBA .



Ron Eldridge

Member Relations Specialist

800-446-2671x 343

 

[shark_tamer]

Hi,

I'm reposting these questions from the general Carribean forum:
1. Diving insurance
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/gr...da/262576-diving-insurance-cuba-canadian.html

2. Diving in Cayo Santa Maria
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/greater-caribbean-bermuda/262578-diving-cayo-santa-maria-cuba.html

To all Canadian diver,

You are NOT coverd by DAN if you dive in Cuba.

When I started diving about 2 years ago, I was looking for dive insurance. I emailed DAN about the fact that I mostly dive in Cuba, and asked if I would be covered while diving in Cuba. DAN emailed back saying they DON'T.

On the other hand ( I hope everybody buys vacation insurance before going on vacation ) since January 2007, Blue Cross covers diving accidents at no extra cost. Ask your travel agent.

About diving in Cayo Santa Maria ...

I have found absolutly nothing on the internet on scuba diving for this destination !!!!

:cool2: I am leaving January 11th for a one week of diving .... Will post a report when I get back.

 

[hmb]

HMB : I looked into coverage in Cuba from DAN and this is the reply I recieved today, Not sure where you got your information from but you may want to relook DAN does cover Canadians & US Citizens In Cuba. This was the reply sent
Hello Ray,
The Cubian coverage applies to all citizens in the USA and Canada . USA citizens must consult with the US state department for approval for travel to Cuba . The US do not have diplomatic relations with CUBA .



Ron Eldridge

Member Relations Specialist

800-446-2671x 343

Thank you, rayshannon.

I had two year old information. Perhaps, something changed from this time...

 

[ryshannon]

Hi hmb : I recieved another E-mail from DAN rep Ron Eldridge stating this I also sent his reply to the Dept of State for thier input ? I will keep you posted on thier response like I mentioned Earlier this is a good post and I'm sure other Canadians are not aware of this problem

Hello Ray,

We are under strict rules govern by the US State Department. In order to stay in compliance with the US State department on entering countries that do not have diplomatic relations with the USA, each case is review case by case on the individual level. If some one from Canada wishes to go to one of these countries, please consult with the US State department before hand to obtain what procedures is need to be in compliance with their agency.



Ron Eldridge

Member Relations Specialist

800-446-2671 x 343

 

[hmb]

Hi hmb : I recieved another E-mail from DAN rep Ron Eldridge stating this I also sent his reply to the Dept of State for thier input ? I will keep you posted on thier response like I mentioned Earlier this is a good post and I'm sure other Canadians are not aware of this problem

Hello Ray,

We are under strict rules govern by the US State Department. In order to stay in compliance with the US State department on entering countries that do not have diplomatic relations with the USA, each case is review case by case on the individual level. If some one from Canada wishes to go to one of these countries, please consult with the US State department before hand to obtain what procedures is need to be in compliance with their agency.



Ron Eldridge

Member Relations Specialist

800-446-2671 x 343

I think that DAN diving insurance is underwritten by a US insurance company. If it is so, then this company can't pay any money to the Cubans. So, DAN insurance wont' cover Cuba. Same as with North Korea, perhaps. This is another interesting place to go diving... ;-)
I know that couple of years ago PADI Society Canada had cuban coverage thru, perhaps, European or Canadian insurer. But seems like PADI society Canada merged with US.
Of course, European insurance companies are different. They can pay.

I do not know if it is also possible to have two different insurance companies for DAN diving insurance. One US and another - canadian or european. This would solve the problem...

 

[ryshannon]

I think that DAN diving insurance is underwritten by a US insurance company. If it is so, then this company can't pay any money to the Cubans. So, DAN insurance wont' cover Cuba. Same as with North Korea, perhaps. This is another interesting place to go diving... ;-)
I know that couple of years ago PADI Society Canada had cuban coverage thru, perhaps, European or Canadian insurer. But seems like PADI society Canada merged with US.
Of course, European insurance companies are different. They can pay.

I do not know if it is also possible to have two different insurance companies for DAN diving insurance. One US and another - canadian or european. This would solve the problem...

Hi hmb : Sorry it took so long but DAN just replied back on the questions asked. Here is the response from another Rep that explains better. Hope this helps
Date: Monday, January 5, 2009, 8:05 AM

Dear Mr. Shannon,



Thank you for writing DAN! Divers Alert Network - America is a United Status based company. Therefore we must adhere to rules and regulations of the United States government, enforced by the office of Foreign Assets Control, and to do otherwise would be unlawful. There are a number of countries that the United States restricts trade and business with but most are not areas where diving is desirable (a good example, North Korea ) Cuba is on that list.



If you are diving in Cuba and need to be evacuated, Med-Aire the evacuation company that handles the TravelAssist plan which is a benefit of your membership will arrange your evacuation using a company that is not US based and transport you to a medical facility that is capable of handling your medical problem.

The DAN insurance will not be able to pay or reimburse you for treatments received in Cuba , but will pay for covered claims once you are transported to another location.



For DAN members that are residents of Canada , the restrictions still exist because DAN is a US company and must comply with the laws of the United States , even though Canadian residents are freely permitted to travel to Cuba .



If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 1-800-446-2671 ext 344. I am available from 8:30am to 5:00pm (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.



Cordially,



Graham Smith

Member Relations Specialist

DAN Membership Department

DAN Divers Alert Network

(800) 446-2671

(919) 684-2948

(919) 490-6630 FAX

 

[hmb]

Thank you, Shannon.
So, no DAN insurance in Cuba.

Still the question remain... are european divers have Cuba covered?

 

[Joefri]

Thank you, Shannon.
So, no DAN insurance in Cuba.

Still the question remain... are european divers have Cuba covered?

Since they are restricted from purchasing the DAN medical insurance, any european diver that has purchased extra insurance from a NON-USA underwriter would have no issue's being covered.

European DAN members still have travelassist which as stated in a previous post would still work for an evacuation in CUBA.