TRAVEL INSURANCE AND DIVE ACCIDENT INSURANCE

The following information is intended to help guests assess various insurance needs and to explain the insurance requirements set forth by Seasick Productions. Guests should always consult with a qualified insurance company representative to ensure the proper coverage is selected. Divers Alert Network’s (DAN) insurance policies are included on this page only as an example. Guests are not required to purchase insurance from DAN, and may purchase a policy from any provider given Seasick’s coverage requirements are met.

Examples of insurance policies applicable to Seasick Productions adventures
• Travel insurance: medical coverage for an illness or non-diving accident that occurs when traveling, trip interruption and cancellation, baggage protection, assistance services.
• Dive accident insurance: diving medical expense coverage (including hyperbaric chamber treatment), death and dismemberment, permanent and total disability, search and rescue, extra transportation, extra accommodation, lost diving equipment (during an accident).
• Dive equipment Insurance: coverage for dive equipment and photo/video equipment. Includes water damage (flood coverage), theft and accidental damage on all items.

Travel insurance vs dive accident insurance
• Travel insurance provides coverage in the event of unforeseen situations that adversely affect travel plans. In addition to medical coverage for non-diving accidents, travel insurance protects against trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delays, missed flight connections, rental car damage, lost baggage, and delayed baggage.
• Dive accident insurance is designed specifically for divers. Chamber treatments are not typically covered by standard medical or travel insurance, so dive accident insurance can provide dive accident medical coverage of up to $500,000 and pays 100% of eligible expenses. Dive accidents can be catastrophic for the diver and their bank account. Some foreign medical facilities require large upfront cash payments, and there may be weeks of follow-up care once the diver returns home. Neither of these expenses are typically covered by traditional medical or travel insurance policies. Dive accident insurance covers diving, plus some non-diving and named water sports accidents and injuries (based on policy type).

SEASICK PRODUCTIONS INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

There are 4 different scenarios (all require a form of insurance) to help clarify Seasick’s requirements. Please see below:

 Scenario 1 – the Seasick Productions adventure includes scuba diving, snorkeling or water sports and guest is scuba certified
• Dive accident insurance is required. Policy must cover non-diving accidents and named water sports accidents.
• The Guardian dive accident insurance plan from DAN satisfies these requirements

 Scenario 2 – the Seasick Productions adventure includes scuba diving, snorkeling or water sports and guest is not scuba certified
• Travel insurance is required. Policy must cover non-diving accidents and named water sports accidents
• The Basic, Premium or Elite travel insurance plans from DAN satisfies these requirements

 Scenario 3 – the Seasick Productions adventure does not include scuba diving, snorkeling or water sports and guest has existing dive accident insurance
• Existing dive accident insurance will fulfill Seasick’s insurance requirements. Policy must cover international accident and medical evacuation.
• The Guardian dive accident insurance plan from DAN satisfies these requirements
• Travel insurance is recommended but not mandatory.
• The Basic, Premium or Elite travel insurance plans from DAN is recommended but not mandatory

 Scenario 4 – the Seasick Productions adventure does not include scuba diving, snorkeling or water sports and guest does not have existing dive accident insurance
• Travel insurance is required. Policy must cover international accident and medical evacuation.
• The Basic, Premium or Elite travel insurance plans from DAN satisfies these requirements

Seasick Productions recommended insurance for all adventures:
• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance (both are typically included in travel insurance such as the Basic, Premium or Elite travel insurance plans from DAN)
• Dive equipment and camera equipment insurance

For more information about DAN’s different dive accident policies and their travel insurance policies, reference the charts and information listed below or go to dan.org

FAQS

Do guests need to purchase both travel insurance and dive accident insurance?
No, it is not mandatory but highly recommended. For example, if guests purchase the dive accident insurance “Guardian” plan from DAN it will satisfy the requirements for all of Seasick’s trips. The guest will have some coverage for international accident and medical evacuation, diving accidents, non-diving accidents, and named water sports accidents. However, the Guardian plan will not provide coverage for incidents such as trip interruption and cancellation. Hence, purchasing both travel insurance and dive accident insurance is recommended.

Why is dive accident insurance required for adventures that include scuba diving, snorkeling or water sports?
Dive accident insurance is a specialized policy that will cover guests when primary medical insurance and travel insurance may not. Primary medical insurance may exclude diving as a hazardous recreational activity and/or may not provide coverage when traveling out of the country. If it does provide coverage, it may pay only a minimal amount for chamber treatments. There may be large out-of-pocket payments for deductibles and copays. These alone can total thousands of dollars. Some policies allow guests to purchase coverage for an extra charge, but be sure to read the fine print carefully. The policy may require dives be conducted with a divemaster or hold a scuba certification from a particular training agency. Most policies exclude coverage for dives which are deeper than 100 feet (30m).

Why is travel insurance required on all Seasick Productions adventures for guests who are not scuba certified?
Guests who are not scuba certified will consequently not have an existing dive accident insurance policy. As a result, an alternative form of international accident and medical evacuation insurance is required. The best option to fulfill this requirement is travel insurance. Emergencies can happen anywhere and at any moment. Vacations are not excluded. Take into account that all of Seasick Production’s trips are adventure travel and it is obvious why accident insurance is required. In the event a guest becomes sick or injured on a covered adventure and needs emergency assistance, benefits can include transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility, coverage for medical care, and help to return home if medically necessary.

ABOUT DIVERS ALERT NETWORK (DAN)

• The world’s most recognized and respected dive safety organization, Divers Alert Network (DAN) has remained committed to the health and well-being of divers for 40 years. The organization’s research, medical services and global-response programs create an extensive network that supports divers with vital services such as injury prevention, safety and educational programs and lifesaving evacuations. Every year, hundreds of thousands of divers around the world look to DAN as their dive safety organization.
• DAN offers dive accident insurance (including international accident and medical evacuation), travel insurance (including trip interruption and cancellation insurance), and dive equipment and camera equipment insurance.
• DAN membership is required before any dive accident insurance policy can be purchased.
• DAN membership is not required before any travel insurance policy can be purchased.
• DAN Guardian dive accident insurance pays 100% of eligible accident medical expenses up to US$500,000 and is recognized worldwide.

COMPARING DAN TRAVEL INSURANCE PLANS

COMPARING DAN DIVE ACCIDENT INSURANCE PLANS

For more information: Divers Alert Network Travel Insurance, Divers Alert Network Dive Accident Insurance, or call 919.684.2948

OTHER INSURANCE COMPANY OPTIONS
The following are companies who also provide travel insurance coverage, most offer general trip insurance and may not offer diving insurance. Seasick Productions does not sell or endorse any of the following services or representation of services.