Do I need scuba diving insurance?

Question

At what point do you need to buy dive insurance and what have been your experiences with it?

Answer 1

YES

Here’s a short story.  I have a friend whose wife was on her very first open water dive in Mexico after certification.  At the end of the dive she grabbed the boat ladder with one hand. A large wave hit the boat and her shoulder was dislocated and damaged.  DAN paid for the ambulance to ER, evacuation to the US, ER in the US, surgery and two rounds of rehab after surgery.

It is very inexpensive insurance for the potential benefit.

I've never personally needed it, and hopefully you will never need.  But the decision to have it should be an easy one.

Answer 2

I would buy insurance as soon as you begin to dive. You should check with you health insurance provider and find out if you are covered.when you are out of the country, you will be expected to pay for medical care. When you get home you can make a claim with your provider. If you have DAN insurance you will be paid the entire cost of treatment. With your hmo, some things such as transportation, may not be coveted. In addition to a DAN membership you should always take a credit card that is empty for just such an emergency.

Answer 3

Yes, Divers Alert Network (DAN) has great offers.

Divemasters and up need Liability insurance