"Do I really need this?" the caller asked. She was asking about dive insurance--coverage for rescue, medical and transportation expenses in case she got bent on her upcoming dive vacation.

I thought of "Bob." It's not his real name, but he's a real diver who never gave much thought to his dive insurance until he had a real problem.

Bob is a healthy guy. He doesn't smoke, doesn't drink. He's done 12 marathons in 10 years. In June of 2001, Bob was in training for number 13 when he went diving for a week in the Bahamas and got unlucky.

Bob made three dives a day, the deepest dive first, usually to about 130 feet. On his fifth day, he surfaced from the first dive, sat down on the boat and suddenly lost all muscular control from the neck down. Oxygen during the boat ride to the dock improved the situation, but the next morning, Bob woke up with tingling and numbness in both arms and legs.

Fortunately, there was a recompression chamber nearby. A three-hour chamber treatment improved Bob's symptoms somewhat, though the bill stunned him a little: $4,670. A second, four-hour treatment gave more improvement, but symptoms remained and the bill this time was even bigger: $7,500. The chamber wanted payment on the spot, by the way. Fortunately, Bob had a roomy credit card.

Doctors decided Bob should be evacuated to St. Mary's Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla. After a medevac flight and an ambulance ride to St. Mary's (another $9,163 on the credit card), Bob entered the emergency room. He was given a 90-minute chamber treatment that day, and another two-hour treatment the next day. (At this point, Bobs health care insurance kicked in. Bobs co-payment: $1,975.)

Thanks to prompt chamber treatments, Bob made a full recovery. And thanks to his dive insurance policy, he was reimbursed for the $23,308 in expenses he ran up on his credit card.

Counting the Costs

Back to our caller's question: Should she buy dive insurance? Decompression illness (DCI) is, fortunately, rare--one or two cases in 10,000 dives, by the best guess of Divers Alert Network (DAN). But when accidents happen, they get expensive quickly and many of the costs probably aren't covered by your primary health insurance. And when you consider that the financial wipeout of a DCI hit can be avoided for less than the cost of one night in a luxury resort, dive insurance starts to look like a pretty good deal.

The Fine Print: Comparing Policies

Just about any dive policy will cover the worst of the expenses, but the range of policies on the market today lets you custom-tailor coverage that best fits your diving. Costs and coverages were accurate at press time, but policy coverages can and do change. Confirm before you sign on the dotted line.

In general, here's what to compare:

• Coverage and Benefit Limits: Look for a generous benefit for emergency evacuation and hyperbaric chamber treatments. The maximum amount the company will pay varies considerably, from $15,000 to $500,000 per incident. Some have a lifetime limit, as low as $45,000 or as high as $125,000; others have no lifetime limit.

• Exclusions: Some evacuation benefits kick in only if you are more than a certain distance from home, usually 50 or 100 miles.

• Depth and Gas Limits: Some plans will not cover divers who purposely exceed preset depth limits or use breathing gases other than air.

• Additional Coverages: Some policies reimburse for related expenses like vacation cancellation costs, transportation for family members, etc. Individually these costs are minor compared to the big ones, but they are likely to occur and they do add up.

• Travel Assistance: Some policies include a traveler's

Gear Insurance

It's a dangerous world out there for high-priced toys like scuba gear and underwater cameras. If any of your stuff turns up stolen, damaged or crushed beneath the wheels of a 757, you could be out a substantial sum. But just as you can insure your home, car and health against the harsh realities of life, you can also insure your dive gear.

One option is a new policy offered by the Divers Alert Network (DAN). It reimburses actual cash value, which is to say purchase price less depreciation. Damage to cameras from flooded housings is also covered. Cost is a minimum $99 per year for $6,500 of valuation and goes up from there--$150 buys $10,000 of protection, for example. You can apply for and buy the policy entirely online at www.diversalertnetwork.org.

Another option is Divers Equipment Protection Plan, or DEPP. This plan replaces lost equipment but does not pay cash. Protection for loss excluding flooding is $30 per year for $2,000 in value, $95 for $5,000 and $150 for $10,000. Protection for flooding is an additional four percent of the value. For more information, visit www.equipmentprotection.com or call (888) 678-4096.

Dive Insurance At a Glance

Provider: DiveAssure USA
(866) 898-0921
www.diveassure.com
Plan: Student
Cost: $15
Covers: Transport to nearest hospital or clinic, doctor's treatment, hospital treatment, recompression chamber fees.
Limit: $25,000 less $25 deductible for medicine only.
Not Covered: Evacuation.
Depth or Gas Limit: None.
Other Coverage (Limits): None.
Comments: Students of certified instructors who are part of a participating dive training operation are covered for the duration of their training, up to six months. Students must be age 10 or older at beginning of training. Once certified, cost may be applied to Gold or Platinum membership.

Provider: DiveAssure USA
(866) 898-0921
www.diveassure.com
Plan: Gold
Cost: $75
Covers: Evacuation and transport to nearest hospital or clinic, doctor's treatment, hospital treatment, recompression chamber fees.
Limit: $250,000 per accident, no lifetime or annual limit.
Not Covered: Evacuations less than 50 miles from home, repatriation of remains less than 100 miles from home.
Depth or Gas Limit: None.
Other Coverage (Limits): Death, disablement or paralysis ($10,000); repatriation of remains ($5,000); personal dive equipment ($2,500); trip interruption ($1,000 less $100 deductible); trip cancellation ($1,000 less $100 deductible); travel protection ($5,000).
Comments: Gold and Platinum plans cover nondiving medical emergencies while on vacation. Policyholder and traveling companions or immediate family are covered. AIG Assist "Travel Protection" benefit includes extra tickets, hotels, etc. for policyholder and family needed because of the emergency. Premium includes DiveAssure Association membership.

Provider: DiveAssure USA
(866) 898-0921
www.diveassure.com
Plan: Platinum
Cost: $95
Covers: Evacuation and transport to nearest hospital or clinic, doctor's treatment, hospital treatment, recompression chamber fees.
Limit: $500,000 per accident, no lifetime or annual limit.
Not Covered: Evacuations less than 50 miles from home, repatriation of remains less than 100 miles from home.
Depth or Gas Limit: None.
Other Coverage (Limits): Death, disablement or paralysis ($25,000); repatriation of remains ($10,000); personal dive equipment ($5,000); trip interruption ($10,000 less $100 deductible); trip cancellation ($10,000 less $100 deductible); travel protection ($10,000).
Comments: Gold and Platinum plans cover nondiving medical emergencies while on vacation. Policyholder and traveling companions or immediate family are covered. AIG Assist "Travel Protection" benefit includes extra tickets, hotels, etc. for policyholder and family needed because of the emergency. Premium includes DiveAssure Association membership.

Provider: Divers Alert Network (DAN)
(800) 446-2671
www.diversalertnetwork.org
Plan: Standard
Cost: $54 ($25 premium plus $29 DAN membership)
Covers: Evacuation and transport to nearest hospital or clinic, doctor's treatment, hospital treatment, recompression chamber fees.
Limit: $45,000 lifetime.
Not Covered: Evacuation for nondiving medical emergencies within 50 miles of home.
Depth or Gas Limit: 130 feet. No gas limits.
Other Coverage (Limits): 100 percent coinsurance for dive accidents.
Comments: "TravelAssist" benefit (limit: $100,000), included with DAN membership and provided by International SOS, covers evacuation and transportation and need not be dive-related.

Provider: Divers Alert Network (DAN)
(800) 446-2671
www.diversalertnetwork.org
Plan: Master
Cost: $64 ($35 premium plus $29 DAN membership)
Covers: Evacuation and transport to nearest hospital or clinic, doctor's treatment, hospital treatment, recompression chamber fees.
Limit: $125,000 lifetime.
Not Covered: Evacuation for nondiving medical emergencies within 50 miles of home.
Depth or Gas Limit: None.
Other Coverage (Limits): 100 percent coinsurance for dive accidents; death and dismemberment ($15,000); permanent and total disability ($15,000); lost scuba equipment ($2,500); extra accommodations ($1,500); extra transportation ($1,000).
Comments: "TravelAssist" benefit (limit: $100,000), included with DAN membership and provided by International SOS, covers evacuation and transportation and need not be dive-related.

Provider: Divers Alert Network (DAN)
(800) 446-2671
www.diversalertnetwork.org
Plan: Preferred
Cost: $99 ($70 premium plus $29 DAN membership)
Covers: Evacuation and transport to nearest hospital or clinic, doctor's treatment, hospital treatment, recompression chamber fees.
Limit: $250,000 per occurrence.
Not Covered: Evacuation for nondiving medical emergencies within 50 miles of home.
Depth or Gas Limit: None.
Other Coverage (Limits): Nondiving medical emergencies in foreign countries ($10,000 lifetime, less $250 deductible); 100 percent coinsurance for dive accidents; death and dismemberment ($15,000); permanent and total disability ($15,000); lost scuba equipment ($2,500); extra accommodations ($3,000); extra transportation ($2,000); vacation cancellation ($10,000 lifetime less $250 deductible); vacation interruption ($5,000 lifetime less $250 deductible).
Comments: "TravelAssist" benefit (limit: $100,000), included with DAN membership and provided by International SOS, covers evacuation and transportation and need not be dive-related.

Provider: Diver's Security Insurance
(800) 288-4810
www.DiversSecurity.com
Plan: Standard
Cost: $25 to $60. (Class A: $25, Class B: $10, Class C: $5, Class D: $20. Minimum total: $25.)
Covers: Class A: Chamber treatment, attending physician, related expenses. Class B: All other injuries when diving or snorkeling. Class C: Transportation (air, water or ground) to nearest hospital or emergency facility. Class D: Other watersports or boating injuries.
Limit: $15,000 per class per incident.
Not Covered: Accidents on the deck of the dive boat. Classes A, B and C exclude nondiving accidents.
Depth or Gas Limit: Intentionally below 120 feet. Mixed gas other than recreational nitrox (i.e., nitrox is covered).
Other Coverage (Limits): Classes A, B and C exclude injuries aboard cruise ships. Class D excludes jet skis, boat racing and parasailing.
Comments: In-water coverage only. Coinsurance only. You must have primary health insurance.

Provider: DiveSafe
(866) 681-6141
www.divesafeinsurance.com
Plan: Standard
Cost: $55
Covers: Evacuation and transport to nearest hospital or clinic, doctor's treatment, hospital treatment, recompression chamber.
Limit: $100,000 lifetime.
Not Covered: Nondiving medical emergencies, evacuations less than 100 miles from home.
Depth or Gas Limit: None.
Other Coverage (Limits): Death and dismemberment ($10,000); permanent disability ($10,000); vacation cancellation or interruption ($2,500); loss of scuba gear ($2,500); repatriation of remains ($2,500); transportation home if you miss your return flight ($2,500).
Comments: Covers medical expenses within one year of the accident. A portion of the premium is donated to the Coral Reef Alliance and to the Reef Environmental Education Foundation.

Provider: PADI Diver Protection
(800) 223-9998
www.diveinsurance.com
Plan: Silver
Cost: $40
Covers: Evacuation and transport to nearest hospital or clinic, doctor's treatment, hospital treatment, recompression chamber fees.
Limit: $50,000 per occurrence.
Not Covered: Nondiving accidents.
Depth or Gas Limit: 130 feet. No gas limit.
Other Coverage (Limits): Death and disability ($15,000); repatriation of remains ($5,000); extra accommodations ($2,000); extra transportation ($1,000); AssistAmerica benefits, including evacuation and transportation for nondiving medical emergencies, guaranteed hospital admission, etc.
Comments: Any certified diver qualifies. (Need not be PADI-certified.) No minimum mileage from home for evacuation. Preapproval not required. A portion of premium donated to Project AWARE.

Provider: PADI Diver Protection
(800) 223-9998
www.diveinsurance.com
Plan: Gold
Cost: $60
Covers: Evacuation and transport to nearest hospital or clinic, doctor's treatment, hospital treatment, recompression chamber fees.
Limit: $100,000 per occurrence.
Not Covered: Nondiving medical expenses in home country.
Depth or Gas Limit: None.
Other Coverage (Limits): Nondiving medical emergencies outside home country ($10,000 lifetime less $250 deductible); death and disability ($15,000); repatriation of remains ($5,000); extra accommodations ($3,000); extra transportation ($2,000); vacation cancellation ($5,000 per year); vacation interruption ($2,500 per year); Assist America benefits, including evacuation and transportation for nondiving medical emergencies, guaranteed hospital admission, etc.
Comments: Any certified diver qualifies. (Need not be PADI-certified.) No minimum mileage from home for evacuation. Preapproval not required. A portion of premium donated to Project AWARE.

Provider: PADI Diver Protection
(800) 223-9998
www.diveinsurance.com
Plan: Platinum
Cost: $89
Covers: Evacuation and transport to nearest hospital or clinic, doctor's treatment, hospital treatment, recompression chamber fees.
Limit: $275,000 per occurrence.
Not Covered: Nondiving medical expenses in home country.
Depth or Gas Limit: None.
Other Coverage (Limits): Nondiving medical emergencies outside home country ($15,000 lifetime less $250 deductible); death and disability ($15,000); repatriation of remains ($5,000); extra accommodations ($3,000); extra transportation ($2,000); vacation cancellation ($10,000 per year); vacation interruption ($5,000 per year); AssistAmerica benefits, including evacuation and transportation for nondiving medical emergencies, guaranteed hospital admission, etc.
Comments: Any certified diver qualifies. (Need not be PADI-certified.) No minimum mileage from home for evacuation. Preapproval not required. A portion of premium donated to Project AWARE.