Dive Travel is so often sold as paradise on tap with every wish and whim catered for, as you rinse off and sip a daiquiri whilst the sun sets over the palm fronded beach you thoughts are far from what could happen if it all goes wrong on tomorrow mornings dive.
You drive to the airport in a car or taxi which is fully insured, check in at an airport which has public liability insurance, walk onto a plane that has more insurance than most small towns combined and the list goes on.
So why do travelling divers think that dive travel insurance is a waste of money, it costs less than the bottle of duty free alcohol and perfume you pick and pay for on credit card at the airport on impulse buying.
Dive accidents do happen and they can be totally undeserved, they are as the name states an accident. And if you are on a remote dive location the only way out is an emergency evacuation and these can cost thousands and thousands of dollars. And some operators will demand money up front or no evacuation unless you have insurance to cover costs.
Tip #1
Remote Location = Remote Pricing
A divers paradise in he middle of nowhere means that someone will have to come from somewhere out of nowhere to evacuate you and it will cost. Prices can run up to $100,000, expect a minimum of $10,000 US Dollars
The greater distance from help the higher the cost of evacuation, so factor this into the equation when looking at Scuba Insurance packages.
Tip #2
How deep is deep
Check your insurance policy carefully, if you intend going deeper than the recommended sport diving limit of 39 m or 140 ft, some policies are automatically void if you go beyond the recommended sport diving limits
Tip #3
Hello can I help you
24hour international assistance, seven days a week 365 days a year is what we all need because dive accidents happen 24 hours a day 365 days a week in different time zones. So look for a policy that includes a 24/7 service.
Tip #4
Travel Insurance is not Dive Insurance
Does your insurance cover scuba provides coverage that other policies standard travel do not cover – including evacuation (look for policies that provide a minimum of $100,000 emergency transportation, hyperbaric treatment, loss of dive equipment. What if you are in transit and you store your gear for a few hours and it is lost or stolen.
Tip #5
Excuse me is that water meant to be inside your lens
Don’t forget gear and camera check policy – check out www.diveguide.com for the DEPP Dive Equipment Protection Plan policy, you can even get flood protection coverage for your camera
Tip #6
Can I have a receipt please
Look for an insurance plan that will reimburse you for rental equipment if yours is stolen whilst you are on vacation
Dr Scuba Special Tip – Remember to report any incident to police and hotel management get it in writing on official letterhead, get the dive operator to give you complete official receipts written and stamped with all details stating replacement gear due to loss or theft, you can never give an insurance co. enough paperwork if they ask you to stop sending it means you are likely to win. don’t forget to send photocopies to the insurance claim always keep the original in case it is lost in the mail only send originals if you are requested to .
Tip #7
What do you mean it has not worked in years
Check out closest chamber – have contacts – how good is it. Is there one better but a bit further away – can you nominate your evacuation destination.
Word of warning some policies may void certain elements of the policy (such as emergency evacuation) if you are closer than fifty miles from home, other policies insist that you contact them before seeking treatment or evacuation.
But then again surely we all plan for such contingencies with our buddies enroute to our holiday
Tip #8
You are free to leave in the morning
After the initial treatment does your insurance cover return travel costs to home, what if you need to fly a member of your family to help you are their costs covered. If you need to hire a charter to get home in an emergency will your coverage provide for a charter?
Tip #9
Hang on do I have to get back into one of those
What about post incident treatment back at home, an hour in the chamber can cost up wards of $375, so make sure your policy covers ongoing treatment, vary rarely are cases of DCI treated in the initial session in a chamber
Tip #10
DAN the Man
No more needs to said – if you are an active diver then you should be a member of DAN a non profit organization that researches hyperbaric medicine and dive safety.
Regarded as the worlds leading authority on dive accident treatment check out the site and enroll today in the Master Plan, it is the best diving investment you will make today www.diversalertnetwork.org
So in summary, a dive specific policy at $80 may seem extravagant and a waste of money at the time of purchase, but even the smallest accident can run into thousands of dollars and all of a sudden that $80 is the best investment you have made in years.
Dive deep, dive safe
Dr Scuba
Also…
Web: http://www.diveinsurance.com
The vincentia and Buckley website providing PADI protection schemes with three levels for comprehensive dive travel coverage
The Platinum plan is an excellent choice for all divers, but read the depth limit clause carefully, same applies to DANS Standard and Plus policies
Iincludes rates for UK Divers
