What's the scoop on DAN accident insurance?

[lowviz]

Be careful of what level you choose.

IMHO, the cheapest package from DAN isn't worth much. The 'Master' level is what I've always had. It covers personal hurt. The highest level of coverage deals with lost gear and dive trips.

My view of insurance is nothing more than "I don't want to lose the farm over a recreational incident". I can recover from a lost vacation or gear.

YMMV.

 

[charlier]

At least in Indonesia, many LoB’s require DAN insurance. Some might include the cost of DAN insurance in their fees.

 

[TMHeimer]

As I have often mentioned (and as well in the other DAN thread close by), my wife and I have Blue Cross in Nova Scotia, which covers medical emergencies. After 30 days out of Canada we pay through the nose for coverage for that time. They said it covers dive accidents, but I confess I don't know the amount.
DAN or something similar is something I would consider if I were far from a chamber and did a lot of boat/deep dives in a far flung place.
It is important to distinguish between regular medical emergencies (broke a leg, etc.), dive accidents (they all would obviously fall under the "emergency" category but may not be covered, or not covered much), and general travel insurance for such as lost baggage, cancellations, etc.
Our Blue Cross doesn't cover existing conditions' treatments out of Canada--such as prescription drugs, ongoing treatments for an eye injury that already exists, etc. You have to prove it's a new and true emergency.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

We primarily dive in Mexico. If we are injured (diving)without DAN, treatment requires cash up front and you can't leave until the bill is paid. DAN is recognized immediately and treatment is not an issue. If the injury is significant and medical transfer is required back to the US, Dan covers that as well.

For non diving injuries, we would have to pay up front, and hope Blue Cross would reimburse us.

For $125, it's worth it.

Jay

 

[pasley]

I doubt your standard health insurance will cover all that DAN does. A helicopter to get you off the dive boat, medical evacuation, bringing a loved one to be by your side (if doctor recommends) while you recuperate overseas, cost of lodging until you are cleared to fly, cost of rebooking your non-cancelable tickets, and more. All for only $125 a year for the Top of the Line plan or $40 for the most economical. That is a lot less than your deductible I would bet. I have used DAN and paid ZERO out of pocket or deductible.
Dive Accident
Insurance Plans
Guardian Preferred Master
$125 $ 75 $40
Medical Dive Accident Coverage $500,000 PO $250,000 PO $125,000 LT
Accidental Death & Dismemberment $30,000 $15,000 $15,000
Permanent & Total Disability $30,000 $15,000 $15,000
Extra Transportation $10,000 $2,000 $1,000
Extra Accommodation $10,000 $3,000 $1,500
Lost Diving Equipment $5,000 $2,500 $2,500
Medical Non-Dive Accident Coverage $20,000 PO $10,000 LT
Additional Medical Transportation $100,000
Home Country Medical Evacuation $50,000
Search & Rescue $50,000
Medical Coverage for Named Water Sports $30,000
PO = Per Occurrence LT = Lifetime
Coverage may vary by state. For residents of New York, please contact DAN Member Services for details.

 

[pjhansman]

I'm sorry that you had the opportunity to test it out and hope that you are okay now. I'm glad to know that they came through in your time of need. If you're comfortable sharing, do you know what the total bill was and what services were rendered as far as what the extent of your medical evacuation (how far/long?), your hyperbaric treatments (how many?), etc.? I'm merely curious and hope you don't take offense to my asking and understand if you don't want to share. Those of us that have dive accident insurance are somewhat reassured hearing that in a time of need, there is support.

Thanks!

No chamber ride on this one. It was a "near drowning" on Santa Rosa Wall that resulted in an ambulance ride, several days in the hospital, and some specialist doctors. I actually have no idea what the cost was, but it really opened my eyes as to how fast things could go south.

 

[BDSC]

We had an individual on a liveaboard trip suffer an apparent heart attack. He had DAN insurnace. The boat went to the nearest island, a private plane was brought in and flew him to a Miami hospital, he stayed in the hospital a couple of days and was flown home to Durham NC. His cost out of pocket for all of that was less than $200.

 

[Dogbowl]

We had an individual on a liveaboard trip suffer an apparent heart attack. He had DAN insurnace. The boat went to the nearest island, a private plane was brought in and flew him to a Miami hospital, he stayed in the hospital a couple of days and was flown home to Durham NC. His cost out of pocket for all of that was less than $200.

Curious...did he have DAN dive accident insurance only or additional travel medical from DAN? First thing that came into my mind was, if he had a heart attack, would DAN argue that it was not a "dive" accident?

But in any event, that all sounds really hopeful and DAN stepped up. Hope the individual is on the mend.

 

[BDSC]

Curious...did he have DAN dive accident insurance only or additional travel medical from DAN? First thing that came into my mind was, if he had a heart attack, would DAN argue that it was not a "dive" accident?

But in any event, that all sounds really hopeful and DAN stepped up. Hope the individual is on the mend.

That was a couple of years ago and he's good and back to diving.

His condition was diagnosed in the morning before anyone even went diving so it really wasn't a dive accident. I don't think you have to have a diving "accident" for DAN to kick in but maybe someone can chime in about that. I just know he had the upper level DAN plan.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Curious...did he have DAN dive accident insurance only or additional travel medical from DAN? First thing that came into my mind was, if he had a heart attack, would DAN argue that it was not a "dive" accident?

But in any event, that all sounds really hopeful and DAN stepped up. Hope the individual is on the mend.

Travelassist, a benefit for all DAN members, covers an aggregate of $100K in any medical evacuations so long as you are away from your registered home address by more than 50 miles. If you have DAN accident insurance, you already are a DAN member because you have to be a member to have the opportunity to purchase their insurance. You can also be a member without having their dive accident insurance.

For DAN accident Guardian and Preferred plans, there is $20K non dive medical coverage per occurrence and $10K lifetime, respectively. It’s not very much but it is something. There’s no distance min or max for this benefit.