Why should I join DAN?

[BigFame]

I am in no way asking this question to be a nuisance. I went to their site to look around and I apparently can not see the site until I join and pay my annual. Now of course it is only 30 bucks not something I would lose sleep over but since part of my going there was just trying to figure out what DAN is. I have gathered that they have trip insurance (although possibly noncompetitive insurance) and that they sell a safety thing that you can inflate using your BC, and that the site would likely have some info in regards to diving with Diabetes (which is what I was looking for) but since I can't see any of that with out pulling out my card, can someone just tell me what DAN is and what are the benefits to joining?

Thanks guys.

[DandyDon]

DAN doesn't seem to be posting here these days. It's true that much of their site is available only after member log in, but then much of it is open - and one can email or call without proving membership, business hours for non-emergency, 24/7 for emergency information.

Your Inst can get you a free, temporary student membership. I don't know if you can log in with it or not, but it will cover you for dive accidents - one of the most important aspects of DAN. True, their Trip and Equipment insurance seem to be nice ideas that didn't work (altho you may live too close to the sea for Inland Marine Ins, there are others), but their Dive Insurance is great and no one should dive without it or similar.

I would be a member of DAN and read their periodic magazine even if I got my insurance elsewhere, but I prefer my insurance along with my DAN membership package - got mine on auto renew to my credit card. There is one serious lack of coverage in the Standard plan: No "Other Dive Injury Medical Expense" coverage, only "Decompression Illness Expense," so I would suggest the Master plan as the minimum and it's only $10 more: $29 membership + $35 Master plan = $64/year for peace of mine.

The membership itself also covers emergency transportation if away from home. I have the Preferred combo for $99/year. The main differences between the Master and Preferred are also covered by the Trip Ins I take for international trips so maybe I'm over there. Indeed, I may drop to the Master next time - but no less ever.

Anyway, get your Inst to sign you up on the free student plan and check the rest out.

[BigFame]

thank you don, as always you have been very helpful. So did the members of SB chase off th DAN folks?


I must have had a link that was taking me directly to their sign up page, as I just went to the main page and now can actually look at a few things without paying. I was under the impression that I couldn't do that. Again thanks.

[ClayJar]

The main differences between the Master and Preferred are also covered by the Trip Ins I take for international trips so maybe I'm over there. Indeed, I may drop to the Master next time - but no less ever.Actually, at least to me, the *primary* difference between the Master and Preferred plan is that the lesser Master plan is a maximum $125,000 *lifetime* benefit, whereas the greater Preferred plan is a maximum $250,000 *per occurrence* benefit (in each case, for "all covered in-water skin and scuba diving injuries").

[Trixxie]

DAN is totally worth it (or equivalent dive accident insurance).

Unless your are sure your health insurance will cover a ride in a chopper or a chamber or both (and most will not) then $99/year is pennies to how much it could end up costing you should you ever need to ride either (or both)

[BigFame]

thanks clayjar, that is a BIG bit of info.


Trixxie, thank you.


So I am hoping to be certified in about 3-4 weeks (scheduling with buddies to take the class is the issue) so I wouldn't generally get DAN prior to the class right? Or prior to the first dive? Or wait after a few dives to see if it is something I will continue with?

[ClayJar]

So I am hoping to be certified in about 3-4 weeks (scheduling with buddies to take the class is the issue) so I wouldn't generally get DAN prior to the class right? Or prior to the first dive? Or wait after a few dives to see if it is something I will continue with?You should have filled out a DAN Student Insurance form (the ones I've seen have space for four divers' info and signatures on each sheet). That covers you with DAN accident insurance throughout your checkout dives (i.e. until you're officially a diver) or for six months, whichever comes first.

If you didn't fill out a DAN Student Insurance form, *definitely* ask your instructor about it (in case they submitted it some other way). DAN student insurance is *free*; the instructor simply has to gather and submit the info. You can also register yourself by going to https://www.danismybuddy.com/Student/ and filling out the form yourself.

That covers you until you complete the required dives on your checkout. From that point forward, you'll want to be insured. If you really want to spend minimally on it, you can settle for the Master plan, at least at first, but you'll want at least that (or equivalent) before making your first post-checkout dive. It simply makes sense.

Of course, if you decide during your checkout (or before) that you don't like diving (perish the thought), you don't have to get insurance, as you'll be covered through that point by the student insurance. If you decide after a few months of diving that you don't want to dive ever again, just consider the insurance cost was money well spent.

[DandyDon]

Yes, $125,000 lifetime is less than$250,000 per accident. True.
DAN is totally worth it (or equivalent dive accident insurance).

Unless your are sure your health insurance will cover a ride in a chopper or a chamber or both (and most will not) then $99/year is pennies to how much it could end up costing you should you ever need to ride either (or both)

Even then, will your insurance company or American Express front needed funds? Many international destinations will not accept that you have superior medical insurance. They want the money, and either know DAN or DAN will advance funds if needed....

[murdrcycle]

When I was in Mexico, a dive op asked everyone for their C-cards, DAN, and Insurance cards. I don't have insurance through DAN because my health insurance covers it. But I still get the transportation coverage which is standard with membership.

Some other guy there had insurance but no DAN. He had to sign a waiver that if he was in an accident and the emergency crews refused to pick him up because he didn't have transportation coverage, he or his family couldn't hold the dive op liable for his death.

Maybe the guy was a DAN salesman, but you have to keep in mind that in the US you are eligible to get transportation to an emergency facility even if you can't pay for it. Other countries aren't so nice.

[DandyDon]

When I was in Mexico, a dive op asked everyone for their C-cards, DAN, and Insurance cards. I don't have insurance through DAN because my health insurance covers it. But I still get the transportation coverage which is standard with membership.

Some other guy there had insurance but no DAN. He had to sign a waiver that if he was in an accident and the emergency crews refused to pick him up because he didn't have transportation coverage, he or his family couldn't hold the dive op liable for his death.

Maybe the guy was a DAN salesman, but you have to keep in mind that in the US you are eligible to get transportation to an emergency facility even if you can't pay for it. Other countries aren't so nice.
Hehe, I don't think that DAN has salesmen. I fear that many vacationers see a handful of dives a year as insufficient to get DAN, which is false security. I'd rather see a diver buy the insurance just before leaving on vacation, then cancel with refund on return - which I think is possible on their plan. I think most will keep it anyway, but it's a marketing tool available to the unsure.

Ok, a few do have superior medical insurance that will cover major accidents in "extreme sports" like scuba in far away destinations. Do you ever worry about being able to pay in advance and get reimbursed later...?

Or do you really want your medical insurance to know about your dive accidents even?

With my DAN tag, even if I am unconscious, they can get the info from my BC and guarantee payments if needed.

[BigFame]

Hehe, I don't think that DAN has salesmen. I fear that many vacationers see a handful of dives a year as insufficient to get DAN, which is false security. I'd rather see a diver buy the insurance just before leaving on vacation, then cancel with refund on return - which I think is possible on their plan. I think most will keep it anyway, but it's a marketing tool available to the unsure.

Ok, a few do have superior medical insurance that will cover major accidents in "extreme sports" like scuba in far away destinations. Do you ever worry about being able to pay in advance and get reimbursed later...?

Or do you really want your medical insurance to know about your dive accidents even?

With my DAN tag, even if I am unconscious, they can get the info from my BC and guarantee payments if needed.


Well and when you think about it 100 bucks is money, but if you can't afford 100 bucks to protect yourself in the event of an accident, it is a safe bet that you can't afford to dive.

[DandyDon]

Well and when you think about it 100 bucks is money, but if you can't afford 100 bucks to protect yourself in the event of an accident, it is a safe bet that you can't afford to dive.
Yep, plus $20 once for a DAN tag with mirror. Good idea as well.

[BigFame]

Don what is a Dan Tag? I looked at the thread in your sig about being found at sae and didn't see what you are talking about. Thanks.


EDIT: found it on their site, seems like a no brainer to take one with you.

[TC]

thank you don, as always you have been very helpful. So did the members of SB chase off th DAN folks?


I must have had a link that was taking me directly to their sign up page, as I just went to the main page and now can actually look at a few things without paying. I was under the impression that I couldn't do that. Again thanks.
They don't get questions here every day or even every week, I'm sure DiverDan will have something to add the next time he drops in.

[DandyDon]

They don't get questions here every day or even every week, I'm sure DiverDan will have something to add the next time he drops in.
They could change their options to get an email every day that someone posts in this forum.