Does travel insurance cover scuba diving?
We do not currently show quotes for specialised scuba diving insurance at MoneySuperMarket, but some of our travel insurers may cover it as standard or as an add-on.
Key takeaways
Most dive companies will require you to have insurance in order to go scuba diving
Some standard travel insurance policies cover scuba diving or offer it as an add-on, but you can also buy specialist cover
Which scuba diving travel insurance you need will depend on dive depth, dive type, and your diving qualifications
Do I need travel insurance for scuba diving?
Yes, most reputable dive schools will insist you have travel insurance that covers your dive. That's because diving is a higher-risk activity that can lead to serious and expensive medical issues.
For example, divers who develop "the bends" (decompression sickness, one of the more common serious diving injuries) often need to be placed in a hyperbaric chamber. This treatment costs up to $1,000
You can often get cover for scuba diving as part of your travel insurance policy, although you may need to upgrade it to include a sports insurance add-on. Alternatively, you can take out a specialist scuba diving policy to cover your dives.
💡 Top tip: Some dive schools may include insurance as part of their dive package, especially if you're taking a PADI Open Water or similar training course.
Will travel insurance cover me for all types of scuba diving?
No, travel insurance policies that cover scuba diving will almost always have restrictions regarding how deep you can dive and what types of dive you will be covered for.
In particular, some higher-risk types of diving such as cave diving or diving below 30m may need specialist insurance that specifically covers these extreme sports activities. You may also need extra cover if you want to dive with Nitrox tanks (an alternative gas mixture that allows you to stay deeper for longer).
Your insurer is likely to only offer cover if you hold specific diving qualifications and/or are diving with a properly accredited dive company.
How much does scuba diving travel insurance cost?
The average price MoneySuperMarket customers pay for annual worldwide travel insurance is £63.63
Specialist scuba diving insurance policies range in price depending on how extensive you need your cover to be. As a guide, Divers Alert Network Europe (DAN) offers a basic worldwide recreational diving insurance policy for €72 (£61.72)
Can I get scuba diving insurance for multiple dive trips each year?
Yes, if you take out annual travel insurance which includes scuba diving you will generally be covered for diving on all the trips you take throughout the year, providing you meet the policy requirements. For example, you generally won't be covered if you exceeded the single trip length limit (usually a month) or travel to an area that has a FCDO travel advice warning in place.
Make sure your policy covers all the countries you are planning to dive in. Annual travel insurance policies are generally divided in European travel insurance, worldwide travel insurance excluding USA, Canada and the Caribbean, and worldwide travel insurance.
💡 Top tip: If you are planning to be away from home for more than a few weeks you should take out long-stay travel insurance. These types of policies often include higher-risk sports activities like scuba diving, but check your policy wording.
Do I need to be certified to get scuba diving insurance cover?
You don't need to be a qualified diver to get scuba diving insurance, but you will generally need to dive with a certified diving instructor and may have extra restrictions such as not being covered below 12m. (This is the maximum recommended depth for non-certified divers).
Can I get scuba diving insurance while already abroad?
Yes, most specialist diving insurance policies can be taken out when you're already on holiday. You can often purchase this type of insurance through your dive shop or from providers such as the Divers Alert Network (DAN).
You may also be able to upgrade your travel insurance to include cover for activities like scuba diving while abroad, but you should contact your insurer directly to confirm if they offer this. (This option is generally only available for add-ons, most travel insurers will not let you take out a whole new policy after you've left home.)
What does scuba diving insurance typically cover?
Scuba diving insurance can vary by provider and policy, but common inclusions are:
Medical expenses
Extra hotel and travel costs incurred because of medical issues
Medical evacuation (e.g. a helicopter rescue from the sea)
Search and rescue
Retrieval of body
Disability and death benefit
Loss or damage of diving equipment
Legal and liability cover
If your scuba diving cover is part of your normal travel insurance policy, you should also have some cover for other major holiday problems such as lost luggage or trip cancellation.
What depth can I dive to with scuba diving travel insurance?
It will depend on your provider, policy, and certification level. Common depth limits are:
Diver certification level | Maximum recommended depth |
|---|---|
Non-certified diver | 12 metres (40 feet) |
PADI Open Water (or equivalent) | 18 metres (60 feet) |
PADI Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) | 30 metres (100 feet) |
PADI Deep Diver (or equivalent) | 40 metres (130 feet) |
Does scuba diving insurance cover diving equipment?
It depends on your policy. Scuba diving insurance that is part of a general travel insurance policy or is a more basic package for occasional recreational divers often does not include equipment cover, partly because most casual divers rent their gear from a dive shop, which should insure its own equipment.
More comprehensive specialist scuba diving policies that are designed for frequent or non-recreational divers are more likely to include equipment cover.
What are the common exclusions in scuba diving travel insurance?
Scuba diving insurance can vary by provider and policy, but common exclusions are:
Diving below 15-30m
Diving solo
Diving without proper equipment
Cave diving
Diving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Diving while pregnant
Diving with an undisclosed pre-existing medical condition
Can I get scuba diving insurance with a pre-existing health condition?
Many people with medical conditions can still take out scuba diving insurance, but it depends on the illness, your symptoms, and your overall health. You are unlikely to be able to find cover if doctors generally advise against diving with your health condition. In particular, diving is often considered dangerous for people who have cardiovascular issues, mental health issues, or are pregnant.
You must declare all pre-existing conditions and medication you are taking to your travel insurer, even if they do not seem relevant to the activities you plan to do. Otherwise, there is a risk your insurer could refuse to pay for any medical claim you subsequently make.
If you have a medical condition it is also a good idea to speak to your doctor before doing higher-risk activities like scuba diving. You should also inform your dive school or buddy before the dive.
Does scuba diving insurance cover other water sports?
If your scuba diving cover is part of a non-specialised travel insurance policy it is likely that other sports will be part of the package.
This could include other water sports activities such as snorkelling, surfing, jet skiing, sailing, parasailing, and kayaking. However, you should always check your policy documents. Most will have explicit lists of activities that are and are not covered.
If you've taken out a specialist scuba diving policy your cover is more likely to be limited to just scuba diving, although some may include closely related activities like snorkelling and swimming.
Do I need to tell my travel insurer if I'm going scuba diving?
No, if your travel insurance policy covers scuba diving you do not need to separately declare this activity to your insurer before going diving.
Is scuba diving dangerous?
While scuba diving is a higher-risk activity that requires proper training and specialist equipment, it is a popular activity that millions of people enjoy each year without running into any serious problems. Data collected from the Divers Alert Network suggests on average around 164 people die while scuba diving each year and 2,072 are injured.
To reduce your risk while scuba diving, you can:
Use the buddy system and never dive alone
Only dive with well-reviewed, properly accredited diving companies
Properly check your equipment every time you dive and maintain and replace your own kit as needed
Never dive beyond your ability or limits
Call off the dive at any point before or during your dive if conditions change, you feel unwell, or you have any other concerns
Keep up to date with your scuba diving training, and take refresher courses where needed
Where can I find travel insurance with scuba diving cover?
You can compare travel insurance quotes from 55
Alternatively you can find specialist scuba diving insurers online or by contacting your dive shop.
Author
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
