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SUMMER 2012
FROM THE SAFETY STOP
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P E R S P E C T I V E S
D
AN® introduced the industry’s first dive-accident
insurance policy in 1987. At the time, divers
were beginning to explore some of the world’s
most remote regions in hopes of finding the
next great dive site. As divers expanded their reach, the need
for both emergency medical evacuation and coverage for the
costs of dive accidents became acute. True to DAN’s mission,
we continue to introduce a variety of services and insurance
products designed specifically to help injured divers.
Most people are covered by some form of health insurance
— the vast majority by group plans offered by employers.
What many people don’t know is that these policies often
contain deductibles, copays and exclusions that can leave you
responsible for the majority of expenses that result from a
dive accident. Even those with excellent health insurance may
find themselves paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for
expenses that are not covered. DAN insurance, on the other
hand, is structured so that you will incur no out-of-pocket costs.
Today DAN offers three levels of insurance coverage. The
Standard plan provides basic coverage for decompression
illness, while the Master and Preferred plans cover any in-water
skin- or scuba-diving accident and associated expenses. Over
the past 33 years, DAN’s focus on diver safety has given us a
unique perspective on the needs of injured divers.
We’ve also heard from you, our members, about what
kinds of coverage you need. In response, DAN has spent
the past several months working to update and expand
the insurance products we make available to divers. The
costs of dive vacations, equipment and related expenses
have risen, and so too have the costs of medical care. If you
have a dive accident, DAN wants to make sure you have
the coverage to pay those expenses. As a result, we are
updating our dive-accident program and will soon offer a
new and enhanced insurance product to protect you from
the financial burden of dive accidents.
DAN Members are true travel enthusiasts. Most take
multiple trips each year. Others save for years to take that one
big trip. Both approaches require substantial investment. Given
the possibility of inclement weather, political unrest, illness and
other circumstances that might interrupt or force you to cancel
a trip, many members need the protection of travel insurance.
Since DAN’s dive-accident plans focus primarily on the expenses
of diving accidents, DAN began to offer travel-insurance plans
in 1993. The primary benefits include compensation for trip
cancellation or interruption and coverage for medical expenses
arising from things other than dive accidents.
We recognize that divers’ needs differ, and you’ve told
us you want products that cover a wider variety of risks.
This has led us now to offer three levels of per-trip travel-
insurance plans in 1993. As you consider which plan to buy,
make sure you understand what each covers. It’s easy to get
a quote, and buying travel insurance will ensure that DAN is
there for you no matter the circumstances.
In the coming months you will hear more about these new
products. Please know that your purchase of a DAN dive-
accident or travel insurance plan helps support DAN’s mission
to improve diver safety. Profits from DAN’s insurance plans
cover a significant portion of the costs of operating DAN’s
Emergency Hotline as well as our research and educational
programs. This helps keep down the cost of membership while
making sure DAN remains financially strong.
With your support, DAN will continue to be the world’s
largest dive safety organization, and we will continue always
to be there for you.
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