Which insurance?

[Sergiu]

I need some help with finding a good (travel) insurance that would cover both scuba and freediving.

DAN insurance seems okay and from what i can see it covers "skin diving/snorkelling" as well. Is there any other reasonable alternative?

I was also asking a local insurance company from which i get my travel insurance for business travel - scuba diving would come as a premium (basically double the daily rate) but would cover only recreational diving to 18m! Below 18m, no coverage, too risky i was told. When i asked about freediving, i got the odd look and then i dropped it an called it snorkelling which is considered on par with recreational scuba diving. weird.

So , i would rather get something more expensive but with proper coverage and without renaming freediving, etc.

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

serge

 

[JustinF]

I would do either of the top 2 levels from DAN, depending on how much you travel. The middle level is MUCH better then the bottom level, note the single use vs life time limits. If you do file a claim past a certain percetage of your limit, you are not eligable to upgrade plans. So start atleast at the middle level. That is very important. There are some example claims out there showing how expensive several types of claims are. Even if you may need aerial evacuation from a boat or remote area, you will want atleast the middle level. That is the one I went with.

The only thing you need to remember is to bring along the information pertanent to your area, also things like making sure to call DAN first for evacuation and not attempting to make your own arrangements.

Hopefully you would never need it, but recent experiances have shown me that you never know when serious accidents can happen. If your familiar with your destination, divers are lost there with almost a frightening regularity. I have seen some crazy videos!

 

[DavidWarshaw]

Sergui -- I just recently opted for DiveAssure's package (see http://www.diveassure.com/new/usa/ ). I am keeping my Dan membership, but trip insurance for multiple excursions was the key for me. Trip insurance from DAN is "by the drink;" each trip is a separate transaction. With DiveAssure, you buy insurance for a 12-month period... all trips... with covereage for equipment and also medical/evacuation/etc. Price for a year was less than I was going to pay for a single tirp from DAN. Another difference: DiveAssure is PRIMARY in case of a claim. This means they pay first, and my regular health insurance fills in the gap. DAN is the other way around. As most medical plans have a maximum LIFETIME amount you can claim, this will protect my company coverage for other health-related costs. THere is a link on their site for coverage outside the US (I see you are in Budapest). They might be worth a look.

BTW, when I called DAN about them... after already paying a very hefty premium for an expensive trip I have planned to Indonesia this Fall, they were nice enough to refund my premium. They didn't have to do that. DAN is still class... and has done a lot for the industry. I will support them as I can... but the deal with DiveAssure -- given I am doing three trips this year -- was too good. Hope this helps!

 

[JustinF]

David,

Can I please ask why you opted for single trip coverage from DAN instead of membership and full time coverage?

It would seem that in your circumstances with 3 tris this year you should just have full time coverage.

This is what I opted for as generally I am on almost every continent at some point in the year. Who knows when & where I will be diving.

Thank you!

 

[Sergiu]

David,

thanks, that's exactly what i was looking for, some alternatives to put in balance with DAN with seems the industry standard, which can also mean, at times, overpricing. will give a thorough look at the diveassure. thanks

serge

 

[DavidWarshaw]

Justin/Sergiu... We may be talking about two different programs. I do have DAN membership, which gives me medical/evac/chamber coverage for the period of membership. However, I am more of a vacation diver... not a traveler who dives when he gets a chance where-ever in the world he is. As such, I'm typically putting a lot of upfront money into air tickets, resort stays and dive packages... much of which is nonrefundable. So, I was also looking for trip interruption/cancellation coverage... e.g., if another Tsunami hits and my fall trip to Wakatobi dive resort in Indonesia (a WONDERFUL place to dive, by the way - see http://www.flickr.com/photos/dwar/sets/1366052/) is wiped out... or I get sick and can't go... or (** pick your disaster **). This coverage reimburses for cost of unused tickets, return of nonrefundable deposits, and a variety of other exigencies.

This so-called "trip insurance"... as compared to medical coverage... is by the trip with DAN. The premium JUST FOR WAKATOBI with DAN was double the full-year program with DiveAssure that covers all trips I'll make in a 12-month period. In the US, there are many ways to get trip insurance... I could have opted to do so "privately," but that would be by the trip. I will have to do this for a non-dive trip I'm taking to South Africa safari-land. But for trips including diving, DiveAssure puts a full trip insurance package together with the medical stuff... appears to offer higher levels of coverage... and such nice things as equipment loss coverage... for which I think DAN charges separately as well. I believe DiveAssure offers JUST the medical portion... which Sergiu may still want to compare with the DAN membership if he doesn't also need trip insurance.

Any way, that was my reasoning. It is for a year... and the proof will always come if I have to make a claim... which I hope never comes to pass. I'm keeping my DAN membership, which is probably redundant for the medical coverage, but I believe in what DAN does for the industry and so will continue to support their efforts. Hope this clarifies. GOOD DIVING ALL!

DAVID

PS: Happy birthday, Justin (I read your blog). 26... YIKES my sons turn 30 and 27 this summer. Responsiblity grows when well nurtured. You'll do fine, I'm sure.

 

[JustinF]

Oh I see what you mean now. You are very correct.

Serge is already headed to Dahab shortly (I was supposed to be there too) but I had to delay my arrival due to work travel issues.

I think he was looking more for health and accident insurance as opposed to cancelation insurance.

I could be wrong though!