Is DAN Trip Insurance Really This Bad? Am I Missing Something?

[DandyDon]

I helped a member compare the coverages and premiums of a couple of popular trip insurance plans to DAN's recently and am wondering if I did this objectively? I have since added a fourth company to the comparison. I am not trying to be the Consumer Reports of dive travel insurance, but as a buying traveler and a member here - I do want to go for the best choices. I strongly support the choice of DAN Dive Insurance by any diver along with the fine organization - but this really looks like maybe something that DAN added perhaps because members asked for it, perhaps you did the best you could in contracting it with an outside vendor - but perhaps failed...?! :confused:

It appears that DAN's affiliate would charge 73% more than TravelSafe, the company I have been using, in this example, but...?

It's unclear as to any benefit for additional Interruption expenses;
The Emergency Medical coverage is only 40% as much - this being the main coverage I consider for an international trip. I know that my DAN dive insurance covers me for non-diving accidents as well, but I want illnesses well covered;
The luggage coverage is a strong point for me on international trips where airlines have liability limits of $1250 or less, along with other risks, but yours seems much lower;
The Emergency Medical Evacuation is only the TravelAssist in my dive insurance and covers accidents only:
I don't see any coverage for Reparation of Remains or non-medical evacuation?


Help me understand here, please...??

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb119/dandydon-2/June-July%2008/4TripInsPlans.jpg

[deco_martini]

Darnit Don, one more thing for me to be anal retentive about. I normally get trip insurance through the airline I buy (or in most case redeem reward miles) from. Now I'll have to keep an eye on those prices and compare to further min/max my life.

[DandyDon]

I'd think the airline would possibly be the worst source for referrals. Anyway, TravelSafe has always beat in other comparisons and paid well the few times I've claimed. I just wonder about DAN showing so badly here..?

[deco_martini]

I just wonder about DAN showing so badly here..?

People buying travel insurance from Dan are probably more interested in supporting Dan's research programs than in getting the best savings. Some people may buy it to have their dive+travel insurance be from the same provider and believe the convenience is worth the cost.

[DandyDon]

People buying travel insurance from Dan are probably more interested in supporting Dan's research programs than in getting the best savings. Some people may buy it to have their dive+travel insurance be from the same provider and believe the convenience is worth the cost.
Perhaps so? A 70+% increase in premium for 60% less coverage just seems a bit much to me. I'd rather make a tax deductible contribution, but yes - I'd be a DAN member even if I got my dive insurance elsewhere, altho I see no reason for that.

[deco_martini]

DiveAssure Policies Compared (http://www.diveassure.com/new/usa/page.asp?name=The_DiveAssure_Programs)

There is a comparison of the DiveAssure policy levels. Their dive insurance has a good bit of travel insurance integrated into it.

As a baseline, I last paid 149 dollars for 2 years of Gold. Upgrading to platinum for 1 year of my membership is 33 dollars. Upgrading to Diamond Multi-trip (meaning, good for all the trips you take in a year) with 3000 in cancellation/interruption coverage is 339 more.

I think this is very competitive versus DAN+Travelsafe or DAN+DAN. I haven't put in the numbers to see what Diamond-SingleTrip works out as but they offer that as well.

[RICHinNC]

Don, I didnt see anything about a paying for a chamber ride. All do it?

[DandyDon]

Don, I didnt see anything about a paying for a chamber ride. All do it?
This is for Trip insurance, not Dive insurance. DAN Dive insurance is tops, but this is for the plane, hotel, boat, illness, luggage, etc.

[jscott099]

I agree with deco martini...rather than paying ala carte for separate trip insurance, chamber insurance, and equipment insurance, I picked up a blanket policy with DiveAssure that covers all my trips amongst other things, rather than paying a per trip premium. If you have a domestic partner, it gets even better if they also dive and travel with you.