Insurance and the Traveling Diver: Part II

Traveling divers need two kinds of insurance, a policy that covers dive accidents and a general policy that covers all other elements of travel, such as flights and luggage problems, and medical and health issues. As a diver, you're engaging in an "extreme sport." Dive accident policies cover you when your injury is directly related to diving, but if you're walking down a dock with your tank strapped and fall and crack your noggin, you're probably not covered. You were engaging in an "extreme sport." Many travel policies don't cover extreme sports, so if your carrier decides your injury occurred while engaging in an extreme sport, you may be left hanging. So, make your policy applies.

And keep in mind collecting any insurance reimbursement may turn out to be a full-time job.

Persistence Pays

Jack Bernstein (Englewood, OH) had issues with Allianz on trip interruption coverage after his flight to Bonaire was canceled, and he couldn't get a flight until two days later. It took him two months of continual calling and "giving them justifications as to missing the days" before he got paid.

N. S. Kruck (Harrisonburg, VA) put in a claim with DAN for a trip delayed due to medical problems in April 2022, but it was initially denied. Even after supplying an MRI scan as evidence, it was rejected because they claimed it was not a covered event. He persisted and showed the company where it was listed as covered in two places on the policy, and he was finally paid four months later.

Travel Guard/AIG came through for Ruth Lindner (New York, NY), reimbursing her within six weeks after she had to abort a trip to the Solomon Islands when her husband became ill, and she needed to care for him.

Constance Stirling-Engman (Ithaca, NY) suffered middle ear and vision problems shortly before departing to Bonaire. "I was uncomfortable going on the dive trip with these conditions since diving could have made them worse." AIG was backlogged with COVID claims then, and after contacting the company's representative many times, she got paid out five months later.

When COVID struck in March 2020, thousands of divers had prepaid trips cancelled after resorts closed, some refunding money, others providing only credits. Many divers grumbled about credits, and some didn't apply to their insurance companies for recompense. Solange Farina (Astoria, NY) did after Nusa Bay Menjanan in Bali offered only a future credit. Her insurer, AIG, covered it.

Where to Get Insurance

Two excellent Internet sources, Squaremouth.com and Insuremytravel.com, allow you to compare various company policies to select one that meets your specific needs. It takes a bit of research, but it can be worthwhile if you have an expensive trip. After Bruce Carnall (Santa Clarita, CA) discovered his Master DAN insurance policy required an extra $195 for the COVID coverage to fly to Grand Cayman, he shopped Squaremouth.com. For $90, he procured a nearly identical policy from Generali, DAN's underwriter.

Like DAN, endless organizations offer a variety of travel insurance policies. While they earn money from it, the commission may not always affect the cost of the policy if you find it elsewhere. One reason to buy through an organization such as DAN is that you hope they will advocate for you.

For example, long-time subscriber Carol Risdall (Rapid City, SD) bought a DAN travel policy in 2022 for a REEF survey trip to Cozumel, but when the date changed by two days, she forgot to update the insurance policy. Flight delays resulted in increased costs, but when she applied for reimbursement, DAN's underwriter (Generali) denied her claim for $327 because she flew on different dates than she had initially stated. Upset that Generali refused to overlook her minor error, she thought DAN might appreciate feedback and contacted them. DAN president Bill Ziefle sent her $327 for a goodwill payment from DAN's ex-gratis fund. "It made my day that DAN was so generous and listened to me."

Another organization, World Nomads, offers their Travel Nomads insurance, which Robin Schiendelman (Limerick, PA) has used for several years.

"They cover 'adventure travel,' including scuba, and their prices are very good. I paid under $350 for the Explorer policy for an upcoming three-week trip to Indonesia, with trip cancellation/interruption coverage capped at $10,000."

For previous trips, she submitted three small claims successfully, one when they arrived in Belize two days late because American canceled their arriving flight; "There is no scheduled transfer from the mainland to Turneffe Island on Friday, so we had to pay $400 for a charter flight. World Nomads reimbursed us for the cost." www.worldnomads.com

Consider using a dive travel agent who can help advocate for you if necessary. Many have long been in business and offer insurance through companies they trust. Jennie Collister, the owner of Reef and Rainforest, uses Travel Guard but also sends her customers links to DAN and DiveAssure. Ken Knezek, the owner of Island Dreams, offers TravelSafe, which "has been a good payer in all legitimate claim situations." And suggests his clients compare DAN and DiveAssure pricing. Cindi Lararia, the owner of Dive Discovery, offers CFI Travel Insured International for her clients.

So, What to Do

COVID, fewer flights with less staff, and more unpredictable weather have upped the stakes for a traveler. As a traveler ages, insurance becomes a better idea each year, if for no other reason than it reduces the stress of travel planning and traveling. If you decide to forgo travel insurance, be sure you have medical coverage for trips abroad. Medicare alone won't cover you.

Before buying a travel insurance policy, check what your credit cards offer and your memberships, such as AAA Premier, to review their coverage. You may find their coverage for trip interruption or delay, lost baggage, etc., is sufficient for your needs.

To buy a travel policy, seek a reputable company. If you're using a travel agency, strongly consider using the company your agent recommends. Compare policies carefully. Carefully read those sections that affect you. Insure for the total amount of your trip. Keep all your receipts because you'll need them if you file a claim. And if you do file a claim, be persistent. Be persistent. Be persistent.

And, if you have decided not to get travel insurance, diving insurance is essential. Don't go diving without it.

- John Bantin and Ben Davison

PS: An excellent website to seek answers for insurance and travel issues, with daily subscription newsletters, is the nonprofit https://www.elliott.org. Founder Christopher Elliott is a scuba diver.