Alyssa Lane
Divers Alert Network (DAN) offers dive accident insurance that covers hyperbaric chamber treatment, physicians' charges, emergency transportation, and hospital charges. The insurance is available for residents of the United States and Canada, as well as internationally. The cost of coverage varies depending on the level of coverage chosen and the region, with rates starting at US$40 per year for an individual regular membership. Some divers question the value of DAN insurance, citing concerns about potential delays in treatment and challenges dealing with the company. However, many divers strongly recommend purchasing dive insurance, especially for international trips, as regular insurance may not cover all expenses associated with diving accidents, such as airlifts and decompression chambers. Ultimately, the decision to purchase DAN dive insurance depends on individual needs and the coverage provided by existing insurance policies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Annual cost | $35/year, $40/year, $50/year, $135/year |
| Coverage | Up to $150,000 for emergency medical transportation and travel assistance, $5,000 for hospital admittance or discharge deposits |
| Availability | United States, Canada, and other countries through international entities |
| Benefits | 24/7 emergency hotline, online access to medical specialists, travel assistance to the nearest appropriate medical facility, coverage for non-diving accidents while on holiday |
| User experiences | Positive: fast and effective treatment, peace of mind for divers and their families, inexpensive for the services offered, useful for international trips where regular insurance may not apply; Negative: delayed treatment, difficulty dealing with DAN |
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What You'll Learn
DAN's benefits and costs
Divers Alert Network (DAN) offers a range of benefits to its members, including emergency medical transportation and travel assistance for diving and non-diving emergencies. This includes emergency medical evacuation benefits, which can help with the costs of getting to the nearest appropriate medical facility in the event of a dive-related medical issue. DAN also offers dive accident insurance, which covers hyperbaric chamber treatment, physicians' charges, emergency transportation, and hospital charges. This insurance is available as an add-on to the DAN membership and must be purchased separately.
The costs associated with DAN membership and insurance vary depending on the level of coverage and the region. The basic membership starts at US$40 per year for individuals, while dive operators and businesses can become members for US$100 per year. The accident insurance plans are offered in three tiers: the first tier costs roughly US$33 per year, the second tier costs around US$55, and the third tier costs US$111 per year. Additionally, there is a standard plan for US$25 per year, a master plan for US$35 per year, and a preferred plan for US$70 per year. The standard plan offers a lifetime maximum payout of US$45,000, while the master plan offers US$125,000 and the preferred plan offers US$250,000 per incident.
The benefits of DAN membership and insurance are significant, especially for divers. In the event of a diving emergency, having specialized coverage can provide peace of mind and financial protection. DAN's expertise in dive medicine and knowledge of hyperbaric treatment facilities can be crucial in stabilizing health issues and ensuring appropriate care. Additionally, their international presence and travel assistance services can be invaluable when dealing with medical emergencies while travelling.
The costs of DAN membership and insurance are relatively low compared to the potential expenses of a diving accident. As mentioned earlier, the basic membership starts at US$40 per year, and the insurance plans range from US$33 to US$111 per year. These costs are a small price to pay for the potential benefits, as diving accidents can result in significant financial burdens, especially if they occur while travelling or require specialized medical care.
While the decision to purchase DAN membership and insurance is a personal choice, it is essential to consider the potential risks and costs associated with diving accidents. Most standard insurance policies do not cover scuba diving accidents, and the resulting medical expenses can be substantial. By investing in DAN membership and insurance, divers can rest assured that they have specialized coverage tailored to their unique needs.
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Primary insurance vs DAN
Primary insurance is a health insurance plan that covers a person as an employee, subscriber, or member. It is typically billed first when you receive healthcare. For example, health insurance received through an employer is usually primary insurance.
DAN (Divers Alert Network) is a secondary insurance plan. It covers diving and non-diving medical emergencies when a person is more than 50 miles from home. DAN's insurance includes benefits such as emergency medical transportation, hospital charges, and access to an emergency hotline. It also covers hyperbaric chamber treatment, which is particularly useful for diving emergencies.
DAN insurance is particularly useful for divers because it is familiar with dive medicine and aware of available hyperbaric treatment facilities in your area. Even if your primary insurance covers diving, DAN's expertise in this area may be beneficial in an emergency.
However, it is important to note that DAN is not a replacement for primary insurance. If you have other insurance, it will be billed first, and DAN will cover any remaining costs. Therefore, it is essential to have a primary insurance plan to ensure that you have comprehensive coverage.
In conclusion, DAN dive insurance can be a valuable addition to a primary insurance plan, especially for divers. It offers specialized coverage and expertise in diving-related emergencies, but it should be used as a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, primary insurance.
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International trips
When considering international trips, DAN dive insurance can be a valuable option for divers. It is worth noting that DAN's travel insurance does not cover hyperbaric chamber treatment, which is included in their dive accident insurance. However, their dive accident coverage is worldwide and can provide peace of mind during international trips.
For international travel, DAN insurance is particularly useful as regular insurance companies may stall or deny coverage for certain expenses. DAN covers non-diving accidents while on holiday, and it can be beneficial in coordinating with various clinics and doctors, providing advice, and ensuring quick response times.
While some have expressed disappointment with DAN's travel insurance not covering hurricanes or medical issues that prevent diving, it is important to carefully read the coverage handbook as there are limitations to what is covered and reimbursed.
When planning international dive trips, it is recommended to consider both membership and insurance options. The membership offers Regular and Enhanced options, with the latter providing additional benefits for a small extra fee. For insurance, DAN provides Master, Preferred, and Guardian options, with Guardian being the most extensive coverage available.
In conclusion, for international trips, DAN dive insurance can be worth it for divers seeking worldwide coverage and peace of mind. However, it is important to carefully review the coverage details and limitations to ensure it meets individual needs and expectations.
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Non-diving accidents
DAN insurance covers emergency medical transportation and travel assistance, which can include airlifts, and this is useful for when you are in a remote location with less infrastructure. One source states that DAN covered the cost of treatment when they were punched in a bar, which was a non-diving accident.
DAN's Guardian package covers non-Scuba accidents, and the Preferred package offers some coverage for non-dive-related accidents when travelling internationally. The cost of DAN's insurance packages varies depending on the state, but the Master package is the cheapest, followed by the Preferred package, and then the Guardian package.
DAN also offers a 24/7 emergency hotline, which can be useful for non-diving medical emergencies, and a medical information line for non-urgent information.
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Membership options
Divers Alert Network (DAN) offers two membership options: Regular Membership and Enhanced Membership. The rates for these memberships vary depending on the region and the benefits included.
The Regular Membership is the more basic option, offering benefits such as emergency medical transportation, travel assistance, and access to DAN's Emergency Hotline. This membership starts at \$40 per year for individuals and $100 per year for dive operators and businesses.
The Enhanced Membership is the newest level of membership, which includes all the benefits of the Regular Membership plus additional perks. The cost of this membership is not explicitly stated, but it likely varies based on the specific coverage and region.
It's important to note that DAN membership alone does not provide coverage for dive accidents. Divers must purchase separate dive accident insurance, which is available at different levels depending on the required coverage. This insurance can help cover hyperbaric chamber treatment, physicians' charges, emergency transportation, and hospital charges.
DAN also offers international membership and insurance options for those residing outside of the United States and Canada. These options can be explored by contacting the appropriate international DAN office for the respective region.
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Frequently asked questions
DAN (Divers Alert Network) is a dive safety organization that offers dive accident insurance plans to cover hyperbaric chamber treatment, physicians’ charges, emergency transportation, and hospital charges.
Yes, DAN dive insurance is worth it, especially for international trips where regular insurance companies may stall. DAN is familiar with dive medicine and is aware of available hyperbaric treatment facilities, which regular insurance companies may not cover.
The cost of DAN dive insurance depends on the level of coverage and the region. It starts at US$35 per year for an individual Regular Membership and can go up to US$50 or more per year depending on the coverage level.
In addition to covering dive-related accidents, DAN also covers non-diving accidents while on holiday. They offer up to US$150,000 in Emergency Medical Transportation & Travel Assistance Benefits and provide a 24/7 emergency hotline staffed by medical professionals. They also advance hospital admittance or discharge deposits of up to US$5,000.
To get DAN dive insurance, you can visit their website or contact their international offices. You need to pay the membership fees in full at the time of enrollment, and then you can purchase the dive accident insurance plan.
