James as a "older" diver I won't get in the water with dive gear on, whether it's a 10 ft (3M) pool service dive, or off of my own boat at the lake, or with a charter operator. NOPE won't happen unless my DAN membership and my Enhanced insurance plan is up to date. I've been following your channel from the beginning and as other's have commented this is one of the most important, if not the MOST important information you have put out there. I appreciate your timely videos. Thanks for all the great content.
For £88 a year, DAN is wonderful value for peace of mind. I, honestly, wouldn't get in the water without dive insurance. I know that the NHS would take care of me if I had an accident in the UK but I still feel better knowing I'm covered both at home and overseas. It just makes sense to protect yourself
Hi James, Great video for people living in the USA. DAN in Australia's only function is to provide a 1800 telephone number to speak with a Diving Medicine physician (normally located in Adelaide), and all Hyperbaric medicine and transportation for Australian citizens (and reciprocal coutries: Finland, Belgium, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden & the UK) are covered under Medicare (and Australians get the same in those countries) - that is we will be transported to the nearest hyperbaric unit and treated for free. I also asked my travel insurer for overseas travel about scuba dive accidents, and they have provided in writing a response that I am covered so long as I am a certified diver, they will arrange for transfer and treatment world-wide up to the limits of the policy (10,000,000). The only exclusion to this policy is scuba diving if you are NOT qualified or under direct instruction of a scuba instructor. So I really can't think of a better reason to dive safe, dive often, dive down-under.
This is in line with my takeaway reading the PDS docs for DAN. If you're an Australian (or reciprocal country as you listed) and only diving domestically then DAN does really add any value. I'm in the same diveboat as you - insurance policy PDS on my travel insurance (through credit card) supports accredited divers domestically and overseas.
My undeserved was when my buddy was a dive professional/instructor with over 10,000 dives, including much more advanced dives than the dive we were on. Very conservative profile, met all deco obligations. I required 2 dives in the chamber, a night in the hospital (and a full recovery)- never received a SINGLE bill from the hospital (Florida). 100% worth it.
My insurance covers recompression chamber treatment. HOWEVER, it requires pre-authorization which takes 2-3 business days 🤣🤣🤣. By the time it authorized chamber treatment, , I’d be dead 😂😂😂
Great video James I'd add one more reason to get dive insurance. Even if your insurance covers dive accidents you will have to jump through hoops to get reimbursed for the cost. Which can take a long time and more money. Dive insurance like DAN is a lot simpler and hassle free.
Fantastic job as always James... As a Guardian level policy holder I'm hopeful that DAN yearly premium coverage cost won't skyrocket like so many other insurance providers have... If so, people will likely drop DAN regardless of the associated risk factors....
Thx James. I'm a DAN Guardian member. Wouldn't dive without it. Will work on written emergency plan and submit to DAN for review - thanks for the tip, didn't know they did that.
Well yea, he was bent. Gus was the one dealing with Dan, and was denied the entire time. I've seen the stupid steak thing couple times which makes no sense, If he's the emergency room with severe symptoms and DAN said no, then how would going earlier with very little symptoms change the plot? At no point did DAN cover what they said they do, which was reinforced by their own statement on Woody's case. And this matter to me greatly since I travel outside the USA frequently and unlike Woody I don't have an American Express platinum card, so are they cover what they say they will or not.
I got dcs after my first dive of my open water course, the symptoms starting a couple of hours later. The dive was 30 minutes at 12m max and I spent over 6 hours in the chamber. I'm not allowed to dive again until I've been tested for a PFO. Talk about getting the full dive experience. Big thanks to the Dive Clinic and the NHS in the UK.
I don't know if public safety divers need a specific insurance plan but if you're an instructor or dive master you need a separate liability insurance plan. Your "normal" dive insurance only covers you and not your students (or you or the dive school getting sued).
I've been a DAN Europe member and partner for decades. I've never needed to claim as local stuff was covered by St Johns Ambulance. I did need some medical advice last year and was very dissapointed by the service i received. They just told me to "see a Dr," and procedded to give me contct details of a dive doctor on a different island.
Also, a local diver needed treatment a couple of years ago and DAN refused to pay the invoiced amount. The guy had months of stress from the situation until a settlement was reached. I'd sang DAN's praises for years but have now changed my oppinion. James said in the video to call local EMS first, but in our experience DAN Europe like you to call them first
I admit that I don't have dive insurance. I've looked at DAN, but the options confuse me. I have yet to travel outside of Minnesota to dive, and don't understand what I need. So, I have to pay to be a member, PLUS pay for the actual insurance?
I'm a fellow Minnesota diver, and I've been a DAN member and have carried DAN insurance since I was certified. If I can help offer some clarifications, I'd be happy to try.
The #1 reason I haven't purchased DAN insurance. You can buy a premium membership and STILL NOT BE COVERED. Who buys a membership into an auto insurance company and doesn't get auto insurance coverage? Doesn't make sense.
@@madganserthink of it more like a Costco membership you can choose from a couple members levels. Doesn’t get you anything but entry into the store. Still have to go in and buy your 500lb bag of jellybeans😂
Bravo! As a former director of a hyperbaric treatment facility, I can attest to the value of DAN dive insurance. It has saved many thousands of $ for a number of people. The peace of mind alone is worth the price of coverage. In addition, I am also a diver and have had DAN coverage for many years. James, your video hit all the points that I would have liked to see. Congratulations.
James, this is one of the most important videos you ever posted. Even though you posted things like that ago, but it will never be enough. Keep on saying and posting this. Well done!❤
The case is that are just words on papier. Last situation on Bahamas destroy most od Dan reputation on one night then it just did not work and credit card was a hero and we still did nor hear why ?
Had a mild case of dcs n spent a day n half in a chamber plus follow up with my docs at home. $10,000 later I figure it would cost me nearly 70 years to make up what I paid DAN yearly. They took care of me. Was it some work to collect? Yes but it was worth the footwork
DAN appears not to support older divers; why is there an upper age limit ie applying for DAN insurance online will not process an application with an upper age limit of 70 years of age
@@JonStrater he is definitely an expert diver ,,any way he got a diving accident and he was insured by Dan with its most expensive insurance plan and yet they did absolutely nothing for him 🤷♂️
@@ahmedsamy8406 agree to disagree here. The arguments went around the dive community months ago. There’s a camp that defends Woodie because he was the darling of that particular part of the diving community. There’s another camp that finds him to be a good spokesperson for the diving community, but a bit of a primadonna, and with that comes some risky thinking. Regardless, I don’t think his one personal experience should not color the overall quality service DAN provides.
Lost a LOT of respect for you over this one, James. Taking DAN+ money to put out a hit piece on Woody like this. You know EXACTLY what you’re doing… if you were doing it on your own accord, that’s one thing. To be PAID to do it makes you a really bad human being.
James as a "older" diver I won't get in the water with dive gear on, whether it's a 10 ft (3M) pool service dive, or off of my own boat at the lake, or with a charter operator. NOPE won't happen unless my DAN membership and my Enhanced insurance plan is up to date. I've been following your channel from the beginning and as other's have commented this is one of the most important, if not the MOST important information you have put out there. I appreciate your timely videos. Thanks for all the great content.
For £88 a year, DAN is wonderful value for peace of mind. I, honestly, wouldn't get in the water without dive insurance. I know that the NHS would take care of me if I had an accident in the UK but I still feel better knowing I'm covered both at home and overseas. It just makes sense to protect yourself
Hi James,
Great video for people living in the USA. DAN in Australia's only function is to provide a 1800 telephone number to speak with a Diving Medicine physician (normally located in Adelaide), and all Hyperbaric medicine and transportation for Australian citizens (and reciprocal coutries: Finland, Belgium, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden & the UK) are covered under Medicare (and Australians get the same in those countries) - that is we will be transported to the nearest hyperbaric unit and treated for free.
I also asked my travel insurer for overseas travel about scuba dive accidents, and they have provided in writing a response that I am covered so long as I am a certified diver, they will arrange for transfer and treatment world-wide up to the limits of the policy (10,000,000). The only exclusion to this policy is scuba diving if you are NOT qualified or under direct instruction of a scuba instructor.
So I really can't think of a better reason to dive safe, dive often, dive down-under.
This is in line with my takeaway reading the PDS docs for DAN.
If you're an Australian (or reciprocal country as you listed) and only diving domestically then DAN does really add any value.
I'm in the same diveboat as you - insurance policy PDS on my travel insurance (through credit card) supports accredited divers domestically and overseas.
My undeserved was when my buddy was a dive professional/instructor with over 10,000 dives, including much more advanced dives than the dive we were on. Very conservative profile, met all deco obligations. I required 2 dives in the chamber, a night in the hospital (and a full recovery)- never received a SINGLE bill from the hospital (Florida). 100% worth it.
My insurance covers recompression chamber treatment. HOWEVER, it requires pre-authorization which takes 2-3 business days 🤣🤣🤣. By the time it authorized chamber treatment, , I’d be dead 😂😂😂
Great video James I'd add one more reason to get dive insurance. Even if your insurance covers dive accidents you will have to jump through hoops to get reimbursed for the cost. Which can take a long time and more money. Dive insurance like DAN is a lot simpler and hassle free.
Fantastic job as always James...
As a Guardian level policy holder I'm hopeful that DAN yearly premium coverage cost won't skyrocket like so many other insurance providers have...
If so, people will likely drop DAN regardless of the associated risk factors....
Thx James. I'm a DAN Guardian member. Wouldn't dive without it. Will work on written emergency plan and submit to DAN for review - thanks for the tip, didn't know they did that.
Well done. DAN isn't the only good outfit but certainly on the top shelf.
another great video. I have been a DAN member with insurance for 30 years and they are great .
In israel, you are not allowed to dive without dive insurance!
No dive resort will rent you equipment without it.
Insert lawyer joke here
Very informative and learned a lot. Thanks for that, James. Now get up here to the Great Lakes! Thanks as always from a loyal Canadian follower
Greetings from the shores of Lake Erie. Your right James needs to get up here😊
Woody’s experience says otherwise. Your cheerleading for DAN+ doesn’t undo the reality that Woody being rich as hell saved his life, NOT DAN+
Or maybe he sat around having steak first instead of seeking help. CAn't blame DAN for that...
@@mikesbigadventures194 Or maybe he didn’t realize he had gotten bent like most who gent bent, dumb fk.
He sat around eating steak because Dan themselves told him symptoms were to vague and refused claim, absolutely can blame Dan for that.
That’s not the way woody tells it.
Well yea, he was bent. Gus was the one dealing with Dan, and was denied the entire time. I've seen the stupid steak thing couple times which makes no sense, If he's the emergency room with severe symptoms and DAN said no, then how would going earlier with very little symptoms change the plot? At no point did DAN cover what they said they do, which was reinforced by their own statement on Woody's case. And this matter to me greatly since I travel outside the USA frequently and unlike Woody I don't have an American Express platinum card, so are they cover what they say they will or not.
I got dcs after my first dive of my open water course, the symptoms starting a couple of hours later. The dive was 30 minutes at 12m max and I spent over 6 hours in the chamber. I'm not allowed to dive again until I've been tested for a PFO. Talk about getting the full dive experience. Big thanks to the Dive Clinic and the NHS in the UK.
Thanks for sharing! Good to know!
Great video. Every diver should have a dive insurance.
Have had Dan Dive insurance for years! Wouldn't dives without it!
Great stuff! DAN Insurance also saved me a pretty penny, with my ear issue.
As always, great content and valuable info.
Is separate dive insurance required for a “professional” diver? (Instructor, DM, Public Safety, etc.).
Do shops have insurance for their staff?
I don't know if public safety divers need a specific insurance plan but if you're an instructor or dive master you need a separate liability insurance plan. Your "normal" dive insurance only covers you and not your students (or you or the dive school getting sued).
I've been a DAN Europe member and partner for decades. I've never needed to claim as local stuff was covered by St Johns Ambulance. I did need some medical advice last year and was very dissapointed by the service i received. They just told me to "see a Dr," and procedded to give me contct details of a dive doctor on a different island.
Also, a local diver needed treatment a couple of years ago and DAN refused to pay the invoiced amount. The guy had months of stress from the situation until a settlement was reached. I'd sang DAN's praises for years but have now changed my oppinion. James said in the video to call local EMS first, but in our experience DAN Europe like you to call them first
I admit that I don't have dive insurance. I've looked at DAN, but the options confuse me. I have yet to travel outside of Minnesota to dive, and don't understand what I need. So, I have to pay to be a member, PLUS pay for the actual insurance?
I'm a fellow Minnesota diver, and I've been a DAN member and have carried DAN insurance since I was certified. If I can help offer some clarifications, I'd be happy to try.
My only "beef" with DAN is that their pricing tiers and coverages are quite confusing on their site.
The #1 reason I haven't purchased DAN insurance. You can buy a premium membership and STILL NOT BE COVERED. Who buys a membership into an auto insurance company and doesn't get auto insurance coverage? Doesn't make sense.
@@madganserthink of it more like a Costco membership you can choose from a couple members levels. Doesn’t get you anything but entry into the store. Still have to go in and buy your 500lb bag of jellybeans😂
Where's the link?
Bravo! As a former director of a hyperbaric treatment facility, I can attest to the value of DAN dive insurance. It has saved many thousands of $ for a number of people. The peace of mind alone is worth the price of coverage. In addition, I am also a diver and have had DAN coverage for many years. James, your video hit all the points that I would have liked to see. Congratulations.
well done, thanks for the intel.
What does it cost you as an instructor if your student doesn’t have insurance and has an accident?
James, this is one of the most important videos you ever posted. Even though you posted things like that ago, but it will never be enough. Keep on saying and posting this. Well done!❤
Wow, thank you! I'm glad you liked it.
I have DAN world, I live outside the US, but I wish we can soon have professional libility, since most of my students are either US or Europeans.
My insurance covers dive down to 40m… did not even mean to get dive insurance just was included in the other stuff I was planning to do lol
The case is that are just words on papier. Last situation on Bahamas destroy most od Dan reputation on one night then it just did not work and credit card was a hero and we still did nor hear why ?
Had a mild case of dcs n spent a day n half in a chamber plus follow up with my docs at home. $10,000 later I figure it would cost me nearly 70 years to make up what I paid DAN yearly. They took care of me. Was it some work to collect? Yes but it was worth the footwork
DAN appears not to support older divers; why is there an upper age limit ie applying for DAN insurance online will not process an application with an upper age limit of 70 years of age
There's no DAN helicopter waiting to fly to the Bahamas when they are called at night? 🙂
My DAN costs less than a day of diving. I can think of no reason not to have it
What’s about woodie‘s accident from dive talk TH-cam channel and the severe lack of professionalism from Dan then 🤷♂️
I think Woodie’s lack of professionalism (i.e., poor planning) was the bigger story there.
@@JonStrater he is definitely an expert diver ,,any way he got a diving accident and he was insured by Dan with its most expensive insurance plan and yet they did absolutely nothing for him 🤷♂️
@@JonStraterfalse
@@ahmedsamy8406 agree to disagree here. The arguments went around the dive community months ago. There’s a camp that defends Woodie because he was the darling of that particular part of the diving community. There’s another camp that finds him to be a good spokesperson for the diving community, but a bit of a primadonna, and with that comes some risky thinking. Regardless, I don’t think his one personal experience should not color the overall quality service DAN provides.
@@davidsanderson7948 ah, the ‘Trump’ method of defending your argument.
Lost a LOT of respect for you over this one, James. Taking DAN+ money to put out a hit piece on Woody like this. You know EXACTLY what you’re doing… if you were doing it on your own accord, that’s one thing. To be PAID to do it makes you a really bad human being.
Woody who?