Health insurance for divers in Ontario?

[deep_ocean]

Guys,

What's the situation with health insurance for divers in Ontario?
Do we need additional insurance (as they do in US)?
If yes, what kind, wehre would you get it andwhen would you actually need it?

Thanks,

deep_ocean

[squidguy]

OHIP will cover medical costs in Ontario if you are an Ontario citizen in acute medical need including chamber dives. However if you decided to dive in the Caribbean, etc. get coverage through DAN, PADI, etc. cause medical expenses can put you or you family in the poor house pronto! An ICU bed per day in Ontario is pushing $2000+. :wacko:

[deep_ocean]

Thanks a lot.
Good to know. I did dive down south, but was convinced that my regular travel insurance would cover it.

deep_ocean

[Roncone]

I agree. The DAN coverage is really inexpensive, and so worth it.

I have had to use their services once when I was in the Turks and Caicos, and I have to say that they were a pleasure to deal with (at midnight!).

Ron

[squidguy]

I would read the fine print on any insurance plan carefully and inquire if anything isn't clear. I just saw a case of someone coming into hospital from another country to visit family here and bought medical insurance. The person fell ill and was admitted to hospital, however the insurance found out this person has a medical condition that was not disclosed when the insurance was bought and revoked the insurance... big $$$$!

[DivingGal]

OHIP is great for when you are home in Ontario. However, if you leave Canada get DAN. It's not very much, but worth every penny (IMHO)

[diverlady]

I have DAN too but keep in mind there are other dive insurance providers. One friend just bought dive insurance from squbaholidays.com. He used to be with DAN. There's Dive Assure and PADI has insurance as well. I'm sure there are more.

Diverlady

[D M I]

Hello

Yes! OHIP works believe it or not, but it no longer covers ambulance service or chopper rides. Additional insurances like Dan and Padi are fine but they to are becoming questionable policies for Canadians in and outside of Canada and are getting more expensive every year. I've changed over to TDI insurance to cover me as the rates are half that of PADI's and the coverage is the same. I don't know why PADi has always been an expensive organization to be a member of, but its the dollar that is the determining factor for most casual sport divers. Many of my PADi instructor friends have now switched to TDI for instructor liability coverage and to SAVE.

Cheers

D M I