A common question among divers is the difference between DAN membership and dive accident insurance. To clarify the benefits of both and to help divers make informed decisions, we’ve provided an example Q&A based on real inquiries to DAN Member Services. This dialogue highlights key distinctions and explains how combining membership and insurance offers thorough protection for divers.
Member Question: Does DAN Membership alone cover me for a dive accident?
DAN Answer: The short answer is no. Membership alone doesn’t cover the medical costs of a dive accident. The main benefit of DAN membership is emergency medical transportation, which is designed to get you to the nearest or most appropriate medical facility if you’re 50 miles/80 km or more from home, whether the emergency is diving-related or not.
Membership doesn’t pay for the medical treatment (hospital charges, hyperbaric treatments, etc.). That’s why we offer dive accident insurance, which covers eligible medical expenses after a dive injury.
Member Question: How exactly does DAN dive accident insurance work?
DAN Answer: DAN dive accident insurance is designed specifically to cover medical expenses that may result from a diving incident. This could include hyperbaric chamber treatments, hospital care, and other related services. It’s an important safety net because dive accidents can be costly, and traditional health insurance plans often exclude coverage for diving-related incidents.
Member Question: As a diver, do I need both DAN membership and dive accident insurance?
DAN Answer: Combining DAN membership and dive accident insurance is recommended. As mentioned previously, membership provides transportation for emergencies as long as you’re at least 50 miles from home. Then, DAN dive accident insurance takes care of the actual treatment costs for covered diving-related injuries. Keep in mind that you must be a member to get access to purchase DAN dive accident insurance.
Member Question: What are the different levels of dive accident insurance? How do they differ?
DAN Answer: We offer three levels of dive accident insurance: Master, Preferred, and Guardian. The coverage limits and benefits vary by plan. The Master plan covers up to $125,000 for dive accidents, which is the total limit over the life of the policy. The Preferred and Guardian plans work on a per-claim basis — Preferred covers up to $250,000 per claim, and Guardian covers up to $500,000 per claim. The Guardian plan also covers other water sports such as surfing and kayaking. For a more detailed comparison of coverage, visit apps.dan.org/scuba-dive-insurance/?comparecoverage.
Member Question: Can DAN dive accident insurance cover me internationally?
DAN Answer: Yes, DAN dive accident insurance covers local and international diving. In addition to protecting against the costs of dive accidents, both the Preferred and Guardian plans also cover non-diving accidents when you’re outside the U.S., providing additional protection during your travels abroad. For instance, Preferred offers $10,000 in coverage for non-dive accidents with a $250 deductible, while Guardian covers up to $30,000 with no deductible.
Member Question: I want to add DAN dive accident insurance to my membership to ensure I have protection against the costs of a covered diving accident. How can I add this coverage to my membership?
DAN Answer: Adding DAN dive accident insurance is a smart move. You’ll dive with confidence knowing that both transportation and medical treatment are included up to the policy limits in case of a covered event while you’re diving or traveling.
Please call us at +1-919-684-2948 to purchase DAN dive accident insurance to complement your membership. You’re also welcome to contact us via email (), but dive accident insurance can only be added to an existing membership by calling.
To learn more about common questions and misconceptions around dive accident insurance, watch the video below.