Purchasing Scuba Diving Insurance

A Closer Look at Policy Options Available for Qualified Divers

Jul 15, 2009 Fleur Hupston

It is important that divers think about the risks involved when going on a scuba diving vacation. Dive insurance will give peace of mind and is not necessarily expensive.

Insurance for scuba divers should not only include diving and equipment but should cover potential emergency costs related to diving injuries such as re-compression costs. Other risks to think about are travel delays, personal belongings that may get lost stolen or damaged and potential holiday cancellations.

Some insurance companies, such as DAN (Divers Alert Network), specialize in dive insurance and offer insurance on a membership basis which covers divers for medical evacuations among other things. Other dive insurance companies offer insurance on a once-off single trip basis or a yearly multi-trip basis.

Diving Insurance For Dives Up to 30 – 40 Meters

Scuba diving insurance for divers who are qualified to dive to 30 meters is relatively inexpensive, approximately $35 for a 6 – 10 day trip, or approximately $50 for a family of 4 for the same length of time.

It is standard across the travel insurance companies that contracts state clearly which maximum depth divers are covered for. There is an increased risk of diving at greater depths, never be tempted to pay for cover up to a 30 or 40 meter dive and then take a chance and go deeper. Things can and do go wrong which is the point of insurance, the insurance company will not pay out and injuries can be severe.

Diving insurance premiums will become far more expensive at depths below 40 meters because of the risks involved.

Life Insurance for Cave and Technical Divers

The diver should not assume that he or she is automatically covered for technical or cave diving because there is a life insurance policy that was taken out earlier. Most policies have a clause in the contract stating that the insured has to tell the company if his or her hobbies or activities change.

If the diver did not provide accurate information for the insurance company to assess the risk, the insurance company will not pay out. Insurance premiums to cover cave divers or technical divers will certainly be higher than for those who dive to a maximum of 30 – 40 meters.

How to Get Cheaper Dive Insurance for Technical Diving

Have one policy with full life cover on a standard policy which will cover the usual risks such as car accidents, then take out a specialist policy that covers technical or cave diving.
Limit diving activities – insurance companies regard divers who dive frequently to be a greater risk.
Limit depths and dive in a team. If diving as part of a team, the insurance will be cheaper than for those who dive solo.
Consider not undertaking a technical dive or cave dive if the insurance premiums are not affordable.

Not all insurance companies are interested in insuring divers, especially technical or cave divers. It is wise to consult a broker who specializes in sports insurance, who knows the market and can shop around for the best quotes. Also, be sure to read the fine print and exclusions in the policy document.

Source:

DIR Explorers, Article "Life Insurance for Technical Divers" By Keri Lewis, July 23, 2008